Sterling College

Sterling College graduated 75 seniors at the 116th commencement exercises on Saturday, April 26.  
The commencement exercises took place on the east lawn of Cooper Hall. Past ceremonies have taken place at Smisor Stadium, but due to reconstruction, commencement was moved to Cooper.  The commencement address was given by Dr. John Silber.  A baccalaureate service was held in Culbertson Auditorium on Friday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m.  Reverend Dr. Steven Marsh gave the baccalaureate message.

In addition to the conferral of degrees and the presenting of the diplomas, awards were given to alumni and outstanding faculty and students. The College presented Alumni Awards to Andrew G. Brown ’97 and Lesa N. Brown (Anshutz) ’97, Mark A. Christian ’74 and Robert E. Meanor ’54. The William M. McCreery Teaching Award was presented to Assistant Professor of Exercise Science Shawn Reed, and the Professor Fran Jabara Leadership and Outstanding Male and Female Graduate Awards were presented to Seth Prochaska, son of Brett and Rosie Prochaska of Ada, Kan., and Rachel Dunham, daughter of Kirk and Paula Dunham, of Green River, Utah.

The graduates, their hometowns, degrees and graduation honors are listed below.

Tyler Adam, Denver, Colorado, Science in Business Administration,
Joshua Allman, Key Largo, Florida, Science in Elementary Education, Cum Laude
Duane Bagley, Plymouth, Indiana, Science in Christian Ministry: Youth
Danny Banks, Lawton, Oklahoma, Arts in Behavorial Science, 
Angelina Beard, Arlington, Texas, Science in Business Administration, 
Geneva Benton, Arkansas City, Kansas, Arts in Theatre Arts, 
Jonathan Bousquette, Redford, Michigan Arts in History, 
Noah Breeden, San Antonio, Texas, Science in Business Administration, Cum Laude, Kelsey Scholar
Jacob Buchanan, Vancouver, Washington, Arts in English, 
Connie Bucher, Arkansas City, Kansas, Arts in Art, 
Nigel Caesar, Sterling, Kansas, Science in Business Administration, 
Kyle Chamberlin, Arvada, Colorado, Science in Business Administration, 
James Chavez, Wichita, Kansas, Science in Biology, 
Levi Cheyney, Newton, Kansas, Arts in Psychology, 
Jon Conklin, Springtown, Texas, Arts in Psychology, 
Julie Cunday, Hutchinson, Kansas, Science in Elementary Education, Kelsey Scholar
Abby Davidson, Sterling, Kansas, Science in Elementary Eduation, Summa Cum Laude, Kelsey Scholar
Deddrick Davis, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Arts in Communications, 
Justin Dawson, Centennial, Colorado, Science in Biology, 
Robert Dodd, Orlando, Florida, Science in Business Administration, 
Naomi Dugger, Wichita, Kansas, Arts in Communications, 
Rachel Dunham, Green River, Utah, Science in Chemistry, Summa Cum Laude, Kelsey Scholar
Gabriel Eliserio, Phoenix, Arizona, Science in Exercise Science
Matt Elliott, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Science in Business Administration, 
Jeremy Emmons, Lyons, Kansas, Science in Athletic Training, 
Andrew Fahrenholtz, Greeley, Colorado, Science in Chemistry, 
Brett Fairchild, St. John, Kansas, Science in Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude, Kelsey Scholar,
Lora Faust, Aurora, Colorado, Science in Chemistry and Psychology, 
April Freudenburg, Madison, Nebraska, Arts in Communications, 
Kirby Fryman, Garden City, Kansas, Science in Athletic Training and Exercise Science, 
Amanda Fulmer, Newton, Kansas, Science in Biology, 
Joey Gilsdorf, Providence, Utah, Science in Business Administration, 
Natalie Gordon, Arvada, Colorado, Arts in Communications, 
Amy Gray, Olathe, Kansas, Science in Elementary Education, Magna Cum Laude, Kelsey Scholar
Naiya Hernandez, Fullerton, California, Science in Christian Ministry: Missions
Ryan Heughan, Houston, Texas, Science in Exercise Science
Christopher Hinshaw, Sterling, Kansas, Arts in Theatre Arts Education, Kelsey Scholar, Magna Cum Laude,
JoAnna Hockersmith, Gove, Kansas, Arts in Art, 
John Hoefer, Hutchinson, Kansas, Arts in Religious and Philosophical Studies and Christian Ministries: Youth, 
Nicole Kasl, Belleville, Kansas, Arts in Religious and Philosophical Studies, Kelsey Scholar, Summa Cum Laude
Bryce Knowlton, Longmont, Colorado, Arts in Art and Graphic Design,
Joshua Lavere, Lancaster, Ohio, Science in Business Administration
Murri Lazaroff-Babin, Chico, California, Arts in English
Karin Lederle, Sterling, Kansas, Arts in Societal Justice and Communications, Kelsey Scholar, Magna Cum Laude,
Audra Linden, Sterling, Kansas, Arts in Psychology
Brianna Mayes, Johnstown, Colorado, Science in Exercise Science Education, 
Kyle Mendenhall, Hutchinson, Kansas, Science in Exercise Science, 
Norman Montgomery, Union Bridge, Maryland, Arts in Religious and Philosophical Studies
Brandon Muehler, Centennial, Colorado, Arts in Communications, 
Jonathan Nance, Arvada, Colorado, Science in Business Administration
Basil Nevill, MT. Elgin, Ontario, Canada, Science in Elementary Education
Lauren Peck, Poteau, Oklahoma, Arts in Theatre Arts Education, 
Alisha Peters, McPherson, Kansas, Science in Business Administration
Seth Prochaska, Ada, Kansas, Arts in Theatre Arts, Summa Cum Laude, Kelsey Scholar
Stefanie Randall, Wichita, Kansas, Arts in Music, Summa Cum Laude, Kelsey Scholar
Israel Redwine, Converse, Texas, Science in Sports Management, 
Alyssa Renfro, Macksville, Kansas, Arts in English and Communications, Summa Cum Laude, Kelsey Scholar,
Jeffrey Richardson, Hutchinson, Kansas, Arts in Communications, Cum Laude,
Brittany Small, Liberal, Kansas, Arts in Theatre Arts, Magna Cum Laude, Kelsey Scholar ,
Mariah Smith, Sterling, Kansas, Science in Business Administration, Cum Laude, Kelsey Scholar,
Wesley Smotherman, Wichita, Science in Christian Ministries: Youth,
Benjamin Sparks, Winterset, Iowa, Science in Business Administration, 
Benjamin Sparks, Winterset, Science in Business Administration, 
Cory Speed, Nederland, Texas, Arts in English,
Shane Stover, Colby, Kansas, Science in Business Administration,
In Honor of Carl Sumler, Wichita, Kansas, Arts in History,
Kaley Turner, Lyons, Arts in Art, 
Alex Underwood, Russell, Arts in Music Performance and Education, 
Gavin Vavra, Norwich, Kansas, Science in Christian Ministry: Youth,
Illeana Villarreal, Houston, Texas, Arts in Psychology
Terrance Volden, Liberal, Kansas, Arts in Theatre Arts, Kelsey Scholar, Magna Cum Laude,
Christina Youngers, Hutchinson, Kansas, Science in Elementary Education, Kelsey Scholar, Cum Laude
Danielle Wagner, McPherson, Kansas, Arts in Psychology, 
Wesley Wicklund, Longmont, Colorado, Arts in Incarnational Ministry, 
Karla Zelaya, Houston, Texas, Science in Elementary Education,
Lucas Ziegler, Stafford, Kansas, Science in Business Administration

Sterling College recognized two graduates for the Outstanding Male and Female Fran Jabara Leadership Awards during its 116th Commencement Exercises. This year’s recipients were Seth Prochaska son of Brett and Rosie of Ada, Kan., and Rachel Dunham daughter of Kirk and Paula of Green River, Utah.

This acknowledgement is presented to two students to exemplify outstanding academic achievement, leadership skills and involvement, and portray an enthusiastically Christian faith. In other words, students who reflect and portray the ideal Sterling College graduate. The recipients are voted upon by the faculty, staff and students who have relationships and interaction in class, curricular and co-curricular activities. The student must have a cumulative GPA of 3.4 or higher.

In addition to her outstanding performance in the classroom, Rachel has served the campus in a variety of roles, as President of Future Science Professionals of America (FSPA), President of Alpha Chi, and one year as a Resident Assistant. Rachel completed a B.S. in Chemistry and plans to attend medical school in Israel, following her passion for the medical mission field. Vice President for Student Life, Tina Wohler, said, “Her compassion for others and desire to serve are truly a reflection of Christ and His heart.”

Seth Prochaska is both uniquely talented and undeniably brilliant. From his stage presence to his academic contributions, he served wholeheartedly no matter what the project. Wohler said, “His joy of life and his joy in our Lord have been a real blessing to this campus.” He participated in Ultimate Frisbee, was a member of the Christian Motorcycle Association, traveled with Sterling College to both Brazil and Kenya and graduated with a B.A. in Communication and Theatre Arts with an emphasis in Theatre.

Sterling College junior Samantha Gonzalez was named the KCAC “Pitcher of the Week” after going 2-0 last week and giving up no earned runs in eleven innings pitched. Sterling improved to 19-17-1 overall and 5-8 in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference after earning wins over Kansas Wesleyan and the University of Saint Mary last week.

“Sam did a great job last week,” said Sterling College Head Softball Coach Hosea Bell. “She came in and got the save for us in the Saint Mary game and then pitched a complete game against KWU only giving up five hits on the day. With two games left and then the tournament I hope she can fuel the fire a bit to get us deep into the post-season.

Samantha is majoring in psychology. She originally from Houston, Texas

As a small, Christian college, every student makes a difference in the life of Sterling College.  Perhaps none more so in this year’s senior class than Jake Buchanan.  While Jake Buchanan is probably best known as a Warrior football player, he is also an English major, worship leader, actor, mentor and friend to many.

“At every level Jake Buchanan exemplifies exactly who we want our people to be - athletically, academically, socially and spiritually,” explains Warrior Head Football Coach Andy Lambert. 

“Jake came from Saddleback Community College in Mission Viejo, CA where he had played football for two years but saw very little action due to injury and other factors,” adds Lambert.  “For us he was able to come in and make a dramatic impact immediately.  He was even named KCAC Offensive Player of the Year this year.  But what’s great about Jake is that he is not only a great football player but he is a great worship leader, mentor and counselor as well.”

While it was football that brought Buchanan to Sterling, he also found other outlets for his creative talents; including playing guitar and leading worship in a Sterling praise band and even as an actor in an SC Theatre production.

As a student Buchanan has shown excellence in the classroom.  “Jake has been a rewarding student to have in class.  He has great insight, a wide range of experience and cares deeply about others,” adds English department Chair Dr. Felicia Squires who has been Buchanan’s academic advisor. 

“What I will miss most about Sterling College are the people,” says Buchanan. “When you live in the dorms there is such community. You can just walk down the hall or go visit anyone you want. After you graduate, you have to drive to see your friends because everyone is so spread out. Most college students take this for granted.”

For Buchanan, the slow-paced life of a small town was a relaxing change from his home in the Portland, OR area. “I came to Sterling after talking to Coach Lambert,” said Buchanan. “I seized the opportunity and am glad I did.”

Buchanan truly broadened his horizons by coming to Sterling.  “I really loved the camaraderie of football and my teammates were great guys, but I also tried to branch out and meet new people. So often we get too comfortable just being with the people we already know. By stepping out, I was able to spend time with a lot of great people I might not have otherwise met,” said Buchanan.

On Saturday, Buchanan will join his 75 classmates as they assemble on Cooper Lawn to bid farewell to the place that has been a home away from home and the people that have been a second family for numerous years.     

“For me, graduating is pretty special, as I will be the first in my family to graduate,” said Buchanan.

“I will miss the community of Sterling, my foster parents, and especially all the people I met at Sterling College. This time right after college will be a time for me to lay a foundation for my future. I hope to start my own business or even work my way up the ladder in a big company. That way, sometime down the road, I can say to someone who is in the position I am now that I was there and I know what it’s like and I’ll recommend Sterling to anyone wanting to be a part of close-knit community with a lot of opportunity.”

The Warrior Athletic Association announced that the Warrior Wood & Wedge golf tournament will once again be held again at the Highlands Golf Club in Hutchinson, Kansas. This athletic fundraiser will be held on Monday, June 23, 2008.

The Warrior Athletic Association is designed to advance Sterling College athletics by strengthening the athletic budget to help meet needs in all our sports programs.

Sterling sponsors sixteen varsity sports including football, men’s and women’s soccer, volleyball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball, men’s and women’s track & field and men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s tennis and dance and cheer.

Cost for this tournament in $110 per person. You may sign up individually or you may sign up as a foursome. Fee includes lunch, cart, and green fees.

More information can be found at the www.sterling.edu/atletics/warrior-athletic-association or by calling Dean Jaderston at 620-278-4277.

2008 Golf Tournament Registration .pdf

Sterling College Theatre presents six one act plays on Friday, April 11, at 8:00 p.m. in Culbertson Auditorium of Spencer Hall. The evening combines the talent of both experienced and beginner, and involves the collective efforts of over 40 students.

Directed by sophomore Jennie Czuba and written by Chris Sheppard and Jeff Grove Dinner with the MacGuffins, centers around the character James. He just wants some time with his girlfriend; however, he faces repeated interruptions from the MacGuffin family. As if that weren’t enough trouble, James comes to realize that there is an entire wall from his house missing and that there is an audience out there watching them!  He tries to convince his family that he is not crazy and that the “fourth wall” really is missing, but nobody seems to believe him.  Sophomore Kailyn Willse serves as the Stage Manager.

When Shakespeare's Ladies Meet, directed by junior Jean Bosch, brings six of the most renowned Shakespearean heroines to Juliet's garden in Verona to give the naïve maiden advice on how to handle her romance with young Romeo.  In the end, however, it is Juliet who plays the teacher in the art of love.  The cast includes freshman Cassie Zanone as Juliet, freshman Stacie Armstrong as Portia (from The Merchant of Venice), senior Alyssa Renfro as Katherine (from The Taming of the Shrew), sophomore Sara Kanary as Ophelia (from Hamlet), freshman Amanda Denning as Desdemona (from Othello), and freshman Carolyn Feres as Cleopatra (from Antony and Cleopatra).

Kurt Vonnegut Jr.’s, Who Am I This Time? directed by Paul Brecht, introduces a script that claims to be a comedy where “comedy” is relative. Newt (freshman Parker McMillan) retells the story of Helene Shaw (junior Courtney Van Ravenswaay), an emotionally repressed telephone company employee, as she encounters the famous Harry Nash (senior Justin Dawson), North Crawford’s foremost actor. Through their encounters onstage, both characters discover new perspectives of themselves. Sophomore Brian Allen is the Stage Manager.

Three on a Bench, directed by senior Jonathan Bousquette is a short play that follows Harry (freshman Marcus Mull) and Betty (junior Mandy Nichols) as they walk into a park. Harry glances at another women and later fights with Betty. Mrs. Moore (junior Elizabeth Bowling) arrives at the park, joins Harry and Betty on their bench, and eventually helps solve the argument. Officer Callahan (senior Andrew Wallace) plays the policeman who patrols the park.

Directed by sophomore Jordan Ziegler, The Three Old Women's Bet, involves Darcy, Regina, and Willameana, three overly-competitive, country housewives and sisters who can only seem to agree on one thing - they've married the three biggest fools on the face of the earth.  Of course, determining which of the three is the most foolish is the ultimate quandary. They agree to a bet at the expense of their husbands, where each of the men is tricked into various acts of humiliation.

Drugs Are Bad written by Jonathan Rand and directed by sophomore Stuart Parman, introduces Brad, who shares his unique journey through adolescence. In an apparent role reversal, Brad’s parents seem to serve as the rebels. As the action unfolds we come to find that these seemingly unconventional parents may not have such a spotless past themselves. Drugs Are Bad explores the art and challenges of rearing a child, as well how children learn from (or in spite) of their parents.

The One Act Plays are produced by the Play Directing class of Sterling College. Admission is free to all.  No reserved seats.  Doors open at 7:30.

Different from previous years, Sterling College announces the 2008 Baccalaureate and Commencement ceremonies to be held nearly three weeks earlier on April 25 and 26. In addition, the location for Commencement is changed to the East Lawn outside Cooper Hall.

Baccalaureate services begin at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 25, in Culbertson Auditorium of Spencer Hall. The Baccalaureate address is titled “I Am Not Here on My Own,” and will be delivered by Rev. Dr. Steven Marsh, senior pastor of Eastminster Presbyterian Church of Wichita, Kan.

The Commencement address will be delivered by Dr. John Silber, President Emeritus of Boston University in Boston, Mass. Sterling College welcomes Dr. Silber’s presence as a distinguished and highly honored guest. Commencement will begin with the processional at 9:45 a.m. on Saturday, April 26, on the East Lawn of Cooper Hall.

Sterling College welcomes Dr. John Silber, President Emeritus of Boston University in Boston, Mass., to the 116th annual Commencement ceremonies which will be held Saturday, April 26. Dr. Silber will deliver the Commencement address to the 2008 graduates. Exercises are scheduled to begin at 9:45 a.m. on the East Lawn outside Cooper Hall.

John Silber was born in San Antonio in 1926.  He received his B.A. summa cum laude in philosophy at Trinity University in 1947.  While at Trinity University, Dr. Silber also studied fine arts under Drs. Pompeo Coppini and Waldine Tauch and in 1947 was awarded the Coppini Gold Medal for Painting in Oils.  He received his M.A. in 1952 and his Ph.D. in 1956 at Yale.  After teaching at Yale he returned to Texas, where he joined the department of philosophy at the University of Texas at Austin.  He served as chairman of his department and then Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.  He was the first chairman of the Texas Society to Abolish Capital Punishment and a leader in the integration of the University of Texas.  He was also instrumental in founding Operation Head Start.

In January 1971 John Silber became the seventh president of Boston University; in 1996 he was named chancellor and in 2003 became President Emeritus.  Silber's innovative program under which Boston University has contracted to operate the schools of Chelsea, Massachusetts, has attracted international attention.  In 1993 the University opened the Boston University Academy, a private high school, which earned accreditation in a record time of three years, three months.  Its students have the highest average SAT scores in New England.  While the Boston University/Chelsea Partnership serves as a model for the transformation of existing school systems, the Academy is a model for an entirely new high school unencumbered by prior practices. 

In January 1996 Governor William Weld appointed Silber Chairman of the Massachusetts Board of Education, the state’s policy-making board for education below the collegiate level.  He served as Chairman until March 1999. Silber has written widely on philosophy (especially on Immanuel Kant, on whom he is a leading authority), education, and social and foreign policy.  His work has appeared in the philosophical journals, the Atlantic, Harper's, New Republic, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and elsewhere.  His book Straight Shooting was published by Harper's in 1989.  A German edition, Ist Amerika zu Retten?, was published in 1992 by Ullstein.  A Japanese edition was published in 1993. 

In 2007, his book Architecture of the Absurd:  How “Genius” Disfigured a Practical Art was published by Quantuck Lane Press. In 1983, President Reagan appointed Silber to the National Bipartisan Commission on Central America.  Silber was appointed to the Defense Policy Board in 1987.  In 1990, he was the Democratic nominee for Governor of Massachusetts.  Silber has been decorated by the governments of France, Germany, and Israel.

Sterling College Baccalaureate

The Baccalaureate address will be given by the Reverend Dr. Steven Marsh, Senior Pastor of Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Wichita, Kan., on Friday, April 25, at 7:30 p.m. in Culbertson Auditorium. Marsh’s address is titled, “I Am Not Here on My Own.”

Dr. Marsh served Sterling College as Assistant Professor of Religion and Philosophy, Dean of Chapel and Vice President for spiritual formation from 1997-2002, during which he received the McCreery Teaching Award. Marsh earned a B.A. from California State University, a M.A. of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary, a Ph.D. of Ministry from San Francisco Theological Seminary, and finally a M.A. of Philosophy from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. Steven and wife Janet have three grown children.

McGurk named KCAC Baseball “Pitcher of the Week”

Sterling College baseball player Devin McGurk earned weekly KCAC “Co Pitcher of the Week” honors this past week after helping the Warriors go 3-3 overall and 3-3 in KCAC play.

McGurk, 5’10, sophomore from Great Bend, KS, garnered “Pitcher of the Week” honors after pitching seven innings and only giving up one earned run in Sterling’s 5-1 win over Friends University. McGurk struck out three and walked two.

Sterling is currently 11-23 overall and 5-7 in KCAC play.

McGurk is majoring in business administration at Sterling College.

The Warriors will be on the road Thursday night at Newman University and host Hillsdale Baptist on Saturday.

Four Sterling College men’s basketball players have been named to the All-KCAC Teams chosen by the conference coaches and announced at the conclusion 2007-2008 season.

Shane Stover was Sterling’s lone First Team All-KCAC selection and was named to the All-KCAC Defensive Team, while Jonathon Woods earned Honorable Mention All-KCAC honors. Freshman duo Zach Goodrich and Cody Brazelton were named the All-KCAC All-Freshman Team.

Stover (6-3, F, Sr., Colby, KS.) was named to the All-KCAC First Team after earning a spot on the All-Defensive last season. Stover averaged 7.1 points per game and led Sterling in steals (1.93) this past season and was second on the team in rebounding (4.5). He also led the team in three point goal percentage at 37%.

“Shane is one of those players who does all the little things that never show up on the stat sheet but coaches understand how important they are to a team,” said Head Coach Dean Jaderston. “Shane is the ultimate team player, and to be named one of the top 10 players in the conference is a great honor. To be named to the all-defensive team two years running also shows how valuable he was on both sides of the court. His ability to guard post or perimeter players demonstrated his versatility he probably took more charges in the last two years than any player in Sterling history.”

Woods (6-10, C, Jr., San Antonio, Tex.) was named Honorable Mention All-KCAC this season for the second straight season. Woods finished the regular season averaging 7.8 points to led the Warriors and the KCAC in rebounding with 7.3 per game overall. He was #11 in the NAIA in block shots per game with 2.06 per game.

“Jonathan was at the top of the conference in both blocks and rebounds, and his presence allowed us to provide the ball pressure we needed defensively, “said Jaderston. “He definitely changed games this season, and he should be a contender for first team next year.”

Goodrich (5’6, G, Fr., Tahlequah, OK.) was named to the All-KCAC Freshman Team in his first season with the Warriors. He averaged 5.3 points per game overall. He was second on the team this season in three point goal percentage at 37%. He also averaged 2.45 assists per game overall and 1.14 steals per game.

Brazelton (6’6, F, Fr., Tuttle, OK.) was also named to the All-KCAC Freshman Team in his first season with the Warriors. Brazelton averaged 6.2 points per game and 3.4 rebounds this season and was second on the team in block shots with fifteen.

Coach Jaderston had this to say about the two freshman. “To have two players named to the all-freshman team is a big deal. Usually, only 1 player per team will make it and for both to receive the honor speaks volumes about both their performance and consistency as freshmen. In many games this year they were our most productive players, and we expect even bigger things from them in the future.”

Sterling finished the season 16-13 overall after playing a very competitive non –conference schedule. Sterling finished KCAC play in fifth place at 11-7 and lost to Southwestern College in the quarterfinals of the KCAC Tournament 56-59.