Sterling College has announced David Earle as the College’s vice president for advancement. Earle previously served as associate vice president for advancement after rejoining his alma mater in the spring of 2020. The College is completing its $25 million SterlingNOW capital campaign and Sterling seeks to engage more alumni with volunteering and philanthropic giving. Sterling’s strategic fundraising priorities focus on initiatives that boost student access and success, including increased scholarship support and experiential learning opportunities.

Sterling College student Kaylea Hein, of Wichita, was awarded a 2021 Maud Wyatt Recognition Scholarship from the Kansas Independent College Foundation. KICF awards up to 20 individual scholarships, one for a student at each Foundation member institution. Hein is a Health Science major with a 3.72 GPA at Sterling. 

“Kaylea is respected by her professors and classmates. She excels both in and out of the classroom and is a wonderful example for others,” said Mitzi Suhler, vice president for enrollment services.

Friends and family gathered in the Gleason Center at Sterling College on Saturday morning, May 15, 2021, to celebrate the achievements of 201 graduates. The City of McPherson Pipe Band led the procession, and speaker, Paul Brandes ’11, chaplain and associate vice president for student life, gave a speech titled “Resilience Is Still Required.” The Class of 2020 and the Class of 2021 were honored as part of this year’s program. The presentation of degrees followed with students walking the stage and shaking hands with President Scott Rich, completing their time at Sterling.

With years of hard work and service behind them, Sterling College seniors Kylah Comley of Sterling, Kan., and Ezekiel Lacey of Shoreline, Wash., were named the 2021 Outstanding Female and Male Graduates in conjunction with the Fran Jabara Leadership Award. 

The awards are given to two students who exemplify outstanding academic achievement, leadership skills and involvement, and who portray an enthusiastically Christian faith. They must have a cumulative GPA of 3.4 or higher and are voted upon by faculty and staff.

Dr. Lindsey Saenger, assistant professor of exercise science at Sterling College, was given The William M. McCreery Teaching Award as part of the College’s Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 15, 2021. The award recognizes and encourages excellence in teaching and is presented to a faculty member whose efforts have provided noteworthy and innovative instruction to Sterling College students during the academic year. The award was established in honor of Sterling College’s fourth president, William M.

Due to the possibility of inclement weather on the morning of Saturday, May 15,  the 2021 Sterling College Commencement ceremony will be held indoors. The event will be held at the Gleason Center on Lonnie Kruse Court. To accommodate the number of graduates and their guests, three ceremonies will be held. Please read below for details regarding these ceremonies.

This year’s Sterling College Weekend Celebration will be unlike any other previously as two classes will be honored: the Class of 2020 and the Class of 2021. The graduating seniors will gather in the cafeteria for the annual senior breakfast provided by the Alumni Association and Career Services on Friday morning, followed by their class pictures on the steps of Cooper Hall.