Sterling College hosted its inaugural “No Ordinary People: A C.S. Lewis Conference” on Friday, March 27, 2026, bringing together scholars, students, and guests from across Kansas and multiple states for a day of reflection on discipleship, education, and the enduring legacy of C.S. Lewis. Sponsored by the Sterling College C.S. Lewis Center and the Office for the Integration of Faith and Learning, the conference marked a significant milestone in the College’s ongoing commitment to thoughtful Christian scholarship and community engagement. Visit the College's Snapshots From Campus photo library for event photos as well as the College's YouTube channel for a video recap of the event. 

“We had a wonderful time at the inaugural C.S. Lewis Conference at Sterling College, and it was especially exciting to welcome so many from far and wide who came to hear, to speak, to learn, and to listen. Only a year since we cut the ribbon and opened the Sterling College C.S. Lewis Center, it was exciting to host this conference in partnership with the Office for the Integration of Faith and Learning. I am indebted to my many colleagues and my students for all they did to ensure the event ran so smoothly. It was a privilege to host this event and to provide it all for free, so that it could truly be open to everyone. It was a particular treat to include student presentations in the program, and I want to say just how proud I am of the Sterling job they did,” said Dr. Sarah Waters, director of the C.S. Lewis Center. 

The conference began with a pre-conference presentation on Thursday evening in the C.S. Lewis Center, where Dan Hamilton, literary historian and leader of the C.S. Lewis Society of Central Indiana, presented “Beyond the Text,” exploring the hidden stories found within books once owned or written by C.S. Lewis and the Inklings.

The featured keynote address on Friday was delivered by Dr. Nathan L. King in Culbertson Auditorium. His presentation, “Good Minds for a Good God: Discipleship, Education, and Virtues of the Mind,” examined the relationship between intellectual formation and Christian faithfulness, challenging attendees to consider the role of the mind in a life of discipleship.

Throughout the day, students and faculty presented academic papers engaging with the conference theme, while attendees also experienced curated selections from Eighth Day Books, viewed rare Lewis materials housed within the Center, and attended a performance by the GhostLight Players, Sterling College’s theatre outreach team. The conference also featured refreshments from Clive’s Staples Coffee Shop & Bakery. 

“It was such a thrill to be a part of the first C.S. Lewis Conference here at Sterling College. It was well attended by Sterling students, faculty, and visiting scholars. In our work of integrating faith and learning, after engaging with the research presented by students and scholars, it was fitting to conclude the event with a time of prayer and song. As the director of faith and learning, I hope to see more events like this take place at Sterling,” said Shebuel Varghese, assistant professor of theology and ministry and director for the Integration of Faith and Learning. 

For students, the opportunity to participate in and contribute to the conference was especially impactful. 

“I was honored to present my paper at the Faith and Learning Conference. It was a wonderful opportunity to begin participating in Lewis scholarship, and I hope to continue this journey throughout my education and life. I met some lovely Lewis scholars and heard many insightful papers. It was a delightful conference, and I was grateful for the opportunity to be part of it,” said Ashley Riebel, student. 

The success of the “No Ordinary People” conference reflects Sterling College’s growing role as a center for thoughtful engagement with Christian faith and learning. Through initiatives like the C.S. Lewis Center, the College continues to create opportunities for students and the broader community to explore enduring questions of faith, purpose, and truth.

Sterling College is a Christ-centered, four-year college located in Sterling, Kansas, with a mission to develop creative and thoughtful leaders who understand a maturing Christian faith. For more information, visit www.sterling.edu.