Sterling College Senior David Amador wanted to know if an Instagram profile full of selfies, or self-portraits, was beneficial to the user’s social status. Through a survey reviewing two hypothetical Instagram profiles, one that contained a variety of modest photos, or photos that were not self-promoting, and a second self-promoting profile of mostly selfies. Amador found students felt they would be more likely to be friends with the modest social media profile.

Sterling College recognizes two students who exemplify outstanding academic achievement, leadership skills and involvement, along with an enthusiastically Christian faith, each year with the Professor Fran Jabara Leadership Award in conjunction with the Outstanding Male and Female Graduate award. This year, the College recognized Hannah Gardner of Topeka, Kansas, and Tate Strasner of Mount Hope, Kansas. The recipients had a GPA of 3.4 or higher and were voted upon by faculty and staff.

Nine students from the top 10 percent of the junior and senior class at Sterling College were inducted into National Honor Society’s Alpha Chi in April. The elite group welcomed new members Caitlyn Bernd of Liberty, Kansas; Wendy Dunagan of Holcomb, Kansas; Jennifer Fruechting of Andover, Kansas; Joyanna Henderson of Maize, Kansas; Hannah Kelley of Wellsville, Kansas; Caitlynn McCreight of Jewell, Kansas; Paul Oswald of Otterville, Missouri; Jamie Tilton of Scott City, Kansas; and Rosalita Wilson of Garden City, Kansas.

Sterling College Associate Professor of Athletic Training Pete Manely was awarded the McCreery Teaching Award for his excellence in teaching at Commencement on May 16. The McCreery Teaching 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. McCreery, and has been awarded to one outstanding faculty member each year since 1977.

The Class of 2015 walked across the stage in Gleason Physical Education Center on Saturday, May 16, to mark the end of their time at Sterling College. President Scott Rich shook the hands of each graduate as they were welcomed into the family of Sterling College Alumni.

Graduates in the class of 2015 include:

Roy Elie Abousamra of Mountain View, California, B.A. in Communication and Media Arts: Communication Arts,

Emmanuel Adigun* of Pratt, Kansas, B.S. in Elementary Education,

David Amador of Pico Rivera, California, B.A. in Psychology,

It may be cloudy and rainy outside, but the Commencement Weekend Celebration will be full of smiling faces. 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 picture on the steps of Cooper Hall. Commencement rehearsal, an afternoon gathering, and dinner will lead up Friday’s main event – Baccalaureate. The Friday worship service has been redesigned this year to include more worship music and a short address by Chaplain Christian Dashiell.