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Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105 - ESV
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Higher education is a radically challenging endeavor, requiring moments of introspect for all of us who believe in its importance. Why, given the difficulty of the task, do we educate? As I reflect on this query, my mind is driven to Hosea 4:6 where the Lord says “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Hosea is a beautiful book about God’s love for His people (Israel) in spite of their rejection and idolatry. Hosea’s real-life events serve as a metaphor to us of God’s unfailing and forgiving love. Israel had deliberately rejected the Lord’s instruction for so long that a generation resulted not knowing what they did not know. Yet, the Lord was relentless in the discipline and pursuit of His people. I am concerned with this generation and for the young people entering college to pursue an education. I am concerned for them and for those who come after, that they too are headed for certain destruction, not necessarily because they are not learning, but because they are not learning what they really need to know. Winston Churchill, one of my favorite figures in history, once said, “If you have knowledge, let others light their candles with it.” Higher education is challenging. Christ-centered education is even more so, but along with the finest faculty, teaching to hungry minds, we have the privilege of teaching about the true light of the Gospel which puts into perspective what everyone really needs to know. Ultimately, I believe this is why we do what we do. A Sterling College education is different, unique and critical. Consider partnering with us as we pursue this generation and educate hearts and minds. Lock arms with us and help us light many candles this year and in the years to come. Eternity is at stake. By His grace, and for His glory,
Scott A. Rich, Ed.D.
MISSION STATEMENT Sterling College is a Christ-centered, four-year college with a mission to develop creative and thoughtful leaders who understand a maturing Christian faith.
S T E R L I N G M A G A Z I N E FA L L
FEATURE STORIES
2018
IN THIS ISSUE
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SWIMMING
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HONORS PROGRAM
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COUNTDOWN TO THE TOP
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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHTS
Snapshots From Campus 04 In the News 06 Warrior Athletics 08 Commencement 10 Alumni Spotlights 18 Alumni News 20 In Memoriam 23
PRESIDENT Scott A. Rich, Ed.D. | VICE PRESIDENT FOR INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS Scott Carter ’88, M.S.A. | DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS Brad Evenson | DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI Susie (Rathbun) Carney ‘88 | SPECIAL PROJECTS DESIGN LEAD Olivia (Dunning) Ducote ‘18 | WEB AND VISUAL ARTS SPECIALIST Micah Black ’17 | VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS AND DEAN OF THE COLLEGE Ken Brown, Ph.D. | VICE PRESIDENT FOR ENROLLMENT Dennis Dutton '82, M.A. | VICE PRESIDENT FOR ADMINISTRATION AND INSTITUTIONAL INITIATIVES David Landis Jr. '88, M.Ed. | VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT LIFE Jason Briar ‘99, M.S. | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Michelle Hall | ATHLETIC DIRECTOR Gary Kempf | POSTMASTER send address changes to 125 W. Cooper Ave. Sterling, KS 67579 | WEBSITE sterling.edu PRINTED BY Mennonite Press, Newton, Kansas. Letters and comments can be sent to marketing@sterling.edu.
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Left: Sterling students Brianna Chastain and Leye Oyatayo greet new students at the community fair welcoming Warriors to the Sterling community. Top-Right: Angelonia flowers in full bloom greeted students to begin the fall semester at the Brownlee Plaza outside of Mabee Library. Bottom-Right: Sterling softball student-athletes Moriah Payton and Baylee Worrell help with the face painting booth at Warrior Fest in downtown Sterling. For 3 more F A LSnapshots L 2 0 1 6 From S T ECampus, R L I N G visit sterling.edu/photo.
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IN THE
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STERLING CREATES OFFICE OF STUDENT SUCCESS Creating a unified effort to help students reach their goals, Sterling College announced the formation of the Office of Student Success. The mission of the office is to partner with campus administrators in providing stronger relationships with Sterling College students, and is “committed to planning, processing and developing retention efforts to create academic growth, promote achievement, and encourage students to utilize their talents, skills and abilities to pursue meaningful careers and service to God and others.”
STERLING COLLEGE RECEIVES LARGEST ESTATE GIFT IN SCHOOL HISTORY Sterling College has announced the estate of Carl Dudrey, St. John, Kansas, will provide a $7.7 million bequest to Sterling College, delivering the largest estate gift in the College’s 130-year history. “This gift is transformational and we are so honored and grateful for the generosity of Carl and his wife, Bonnie. Carl was a true servant leader who believed in the work of Sterling College and would often handdeliver his gifts to the College. The quiet manner in which he gave this gift shows his generous nature and is another reason for my admiration of the type of man he was,” said President Scott Rich. 6
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A U.S. Army veteran, Dudrey was a farmer, rancher and entrepreneur. He owned Dudrey Cattle Company, was member of the board for Kansas Ethanol and served First Bank as chairman of the board from 19932018. He passed away March 17, 2018. Bonnie Dudrey preceded him in death on March 20, 2014. Roughly $6.7 million of the gift is to be allocated to the College’s endowment to benefit student scholarships; and $1 million is to be used for construction projects.
The Office of Student Success will house both the Academic Support Center, led by Reggie Langford, and the Office of Career Services, led by Terry Ehresman.
BRIAR NAMED AS VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT LIFE Sterling College has announced its new vice president for student life, Jason Briar ’99. Briar comes to Sterling by way of Fairfield USD 310 where he served the role of middle school and high school principal. In this position, he was responsible for organizing and leading staff, overseeing compliance and regulatory reports, and communicating between staff and families, among other responsibilities.
NEW FACULTY Briar holds an M.S. in Health, Physical Education and Recreation from Emporia State University and a B.S. in Physical Education and Health from Sterling College.
STERLING SUNDERLAND FOUNDATION AWARDS $600,000 TO STERLING COLLEGE CAMPAIGN The Sunderland Foundation has awarded $600,000 to Sterling College for the SterlingNOW Capital Campaign. The grant will support the campaign’s $22 million goal to upgrade science and academic facilities and to expand the Gleason Physical Education Center. In previous gifts to Sterling College, The Sunderland Foundation invested in upgrades to Culbertson Auditorium and the renovation of Cooper Hall.
LARRY BROWNLEE ’80 - Pro-rata Assistant Professor of Instrumental Music Returning to his Alma Mater to strike up the band, Larry is joining Sterling College as a part-time faculty member with over 30 years of experience as an instrumental music teacher. Currently a full-time faculty member at Sterling High School, Larry has taught in three school systems at the elementary through high school levels, coached athletics, lead extracurricular clubs and served as an adjudicator to multiple music competitions. He earned his M.M.Ed. from Wichita State University, his B.A. in Music: Education from Sterling College, and has completed post-graduate work at six different institutions.
AMANDA HABERMAN – Clinical Instructor of Athletic Training Amanda joins the Department of Athletic Training, working with both undergraduate and graduate students in the program. Her classroom experience has been both lecture and lab environments and she has been an athletic trainer for many sports. Upon completing her M.S. in Health and Human Performance, she received the Fort Hays State University Graduate School’s Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award. Haberman earned her B.S. in Athletic Training from Fort Hays State University and has been an Certified Athletic Trainer since 2016.
TIFFINEY HARMS ’07 – Assistant Professor of Music Tiffiney brings nearly a decade of experience in higher education that includes working with musical theatre, directing choirs and ensembles, serving as accompanist and teaching private lessons in piano, voice and strings. She has also served as an adjudicator, traveled as a choir member with composer Joseph Martin and volunteered for the worship team at her church. Harms holds an M.M.Ed. in Piano Pedagogy from University of Oklahoma and a B.A. in Piano Performance from Sterling College.
DEBORAH ROGERS – Assistant Professor of Biology Deborah has taught as a graduate teaching assistant, adjunct instructor and high school biology teacher at a private Christian school. Rogers is finishing her dissertation titled “Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 1 influences functional communication between astrocytes and neurons” while earning her Ph.D. in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology from University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She also holds an M.S. from L.S.U. Medical School and a B.S. in Biology and Chemistry from Louisiana College.
TODD VOGTS – Assistant Professor of Media Todd brings an array of experience in journalism, advising student publications, personal relations and technology, including work with many Kansas newspapers and Ad Astra Per Aspera Broadcasting. Vogts earned his M.A. in Media Management from the University of Missouri, an M.S.E. in Journalism Education from Fort Hays State University and a B.A. in Communications with an emphasis in print journalism from Wichita State University. He also holds an A.A. in Journalism from Hutchinson Community College.
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WARRIOR ATHLETICS
W A R R I O R AT H L E T I C S
Swimming in Opportunity It’s not often a college is able to launch a new sports program with an experienced coach, much less one with over 30 years of success in inter-collegiate athletics. Yet that’s precisely what Sterling College Warrior Athletics will do in 2019-20 when the men’s and women’s swimming programs get started under the direction of Head Coach Gary Kempf. Kempf believes swimming is an underserved sport in the region and is ripe for an explosion of growth at the collegiate level. “This is a huge moment for Warrior Athletics,” Kempf said. “There aren’t enough current opportunities for kids who want to pursue swimming in our five-state area. I want these studentathletes to have a chance to find out what a very special thing collegiate swimming can be. It can change their lives similar to how it changed mine. And now they can do that right here at Sterling College.” For Kempf, swimming has been a passion since childhood. “Swimming has been a lifelong passion of mine ever since I first began swimming at 5 years old. To be able to have this opportunity to return to the sport I love is an amazing thing,” he said. Kempf competed and swam for Kansas University, winning seven individual Big Eight titles while leading the Jayhawks to three conference crowns. After graduation, Kempf began his 8
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coaching career at Kansas. A six-time conference coach of the year and the 1983 NCAA Swimming Coach of the Year, Kempf was recognized for his outstanding service to the swimming program and Kansas University when he was inducted into the Kansas Athletics Hall of Fame in 1998. Continuing his coaching career, Kempf moved to Asbury University where he served as athletic director and assistant swimming coach. His wife, Dorothy, served as the swimming and diving coach from 2006-11 and was named the NAIA Women’s Swimming Coach of the Year in 2008. She coached three NAIA national champions in her time at Asbury. The Kempfs were both recognized for their contribution to Asbury in 2011 through induction into the AU Athletics Hall of Fame. The Kempfs then journeyed to Sterling for Gary to serve as athletic director. Under Kempf, the Warriors have won 12 KCAC titles and have made eight postseason appearances in national tournaments. The Warriors have had 25 athletes named NAIA All-Americans and numerous All-KCAC winners, Champions of Character recipients, coaches of the year and NAIA-Daktronics Scholar Athletes. “It takes a while to build a program, and we want to build it the right way, from the ground up. We want to build the swimming program so that – when I truly do retire to become a bass fisherman on the national circuit – somebody can walk right in and have something very special.” For Kempf, the allure of building a brand-new program means the fish can wait a few more years.
WARRIOR ATHLETICS
Baseball Trio Named to All-KCAC Three Sterling College Warriors were named Honorable Mention All-KCAC selections: junior Miguel Velazquez of Cidra, Puerto Rico, senior Corey Davis of Visalia, California, and senior Ulysses Ramos of Union City, California.
Women’s outdoor track and field recognized as KCAC Team of Character The Warrior women’s outdoor track and field was awarded the KCAC Team of Character award at the 2018 KCAC Outdoor Track and Field Championship. The Lady Warriors’ volunteer efforts in the Sterling community included the Sterling Presbyterian Manor, local church youth groups, assisting at area track meets and yard work with the SALT team.
Velazquez, catcher, finished the season with a .374 batting average, ranking him 15th in the KCAC to go along with a .510 slugging percentage. Davis, shortstop, batted .339 with 63 hits, while starting in 46 games for the Warriors this season. Davis was also selected to the KCAC Baseball Gold Glove Team. Ramos, pitcher, led the KCAC with 83 strikeouts. He also finished with a 4.33 ERA for the Warriors this season.
Three Named to All-KCAC Softball Teams Three Sterling College Lady Warriors were recognized for their performance during the 2018 season. Senior Dominique Salgado of Sylmar, California, was named Second Team All-KCAC, junior Miranda Escalera of Santa Clarita, California, was named Second Team All-KCAC and senior Tiana Bonde of Los Alamitos, California was named Honorable Mention All-KCAC. Salgado led the Warriors with a team-high .415 battering average, ranking her third in the KCAC. She also led the Warriors in hits (56) and doubles (15). Escalera batted .393 for the Warriors, ranking her ninth in the KCAC. She had a team-high 44 RBIs (fourth in the KCAC) to go along with 55 hits and 12 doubles. Bonde hit .373 including six home runs on the season.
Dillard named KCAC Coach of Character Jack Dillard ’03, Sterling’s head cross country and track and field coach, was selected as the 2017-18 KCAC Champions of Character Coach of the Year. In his 13 years as head coach, the Warrior cross country and track programs have sent student-athletes to the NAIA Nationals in cross country and indoor track and field. His student-athletes have earned a combined 64 All-KCAC honors as well as winning seven individual KCAC championships. Dillard coached Cedrique Smith ’13 to a national championship in the 110m Hurdles in 2013. FOLLOW THE WARRIORS
Weimer named Academic All-American Senior Jenna Weimer of Fresno, California was named to the 2018 Google Cloud Academic All-America College Division Softball team. Weimer was named a second team selection and is the first Sterling College student-athlete to be awarded this honor. Weimer graduated in May with degrees in Math Education and Biblical Studies with a 4.0 GPA. She played in 40 games during her senior season, collecting 24 hits and a career-high 10 stolen bases.
facebook.com/scwarriors @SterlingCSports @SterlingCSports
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ADAMYK AND WILGERS NAMED OUTSTANDING FEMALE AND MALE STUDENTS The Outstanding Female and Male Graduate Award in conjunction with the Professor Fran Jabara Leadership Award is annually announced at commencement and recognizes two students who exemplify outstanding academic achievement, leadership skills and involvement, and who portray an enthusiastically Christian faith. Recipients must have a cumulative GPA of 3.4 or higher and are voted upon by faculty and staff. Anna Adamyk of McPherson, Kansas, earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Arts: Journalism, graduating with honors of magna cum laude and Kelsey Scholar. During her time at Sterling College, she published several articles through “The Stir” and SC TV, the College’s student news venues, has served on the Campus Activities Board, and was actively engaged in the campus community. Adam Wilgers of Elbing, Kansas, completed his Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Criminal Justice with honors of magna cum laude and Kelsey Scholar. He served the College as president of the Student Government Association for 2017-18, and served for two years on the Love Sterling planning committee. He was also a student worker in the mail room.
COMMENCEMENT 2018 STERLING ALL HAIL TO YOU, YOUR NAME WE LOVE!
JULICH RECEIVES 2018 MCCREERY TEACHING AWARD Dr. Daniel Julich, associate professor of history and government, was awarded the 2018 William M. McCreery Teaching Award. The annual award is given to a faculty member who is recognized through peer nomination for noteworthy and innovative instruction during the academic year. Julich has taught at Sterling College for six years and is a leader on campus in several capacities. In addition to being an associate professor, he is department chair for The Department of Social Sciences. He also serves as director of the Honors Program, including Alpha Chi, the College’s chapter of National Honor Society. Julich is described by students as having “an excellent way of informing his students about real world issues and how we can address them through a positive impact.” Julich is also seen among faculty as “highly respected” and he “exhibits a thoughtful and peaceful presence.” Among other compliments, Dr. Ken Brown, vice president for academic affairs, finished announcing the award with the quote, “this professor is passionate about the intersection of thought and faith, in a way that inspires myself and others.” Pictured from bottom-left: Outstanding Female and Male Graduate Award Winners Anna Adamyk and Adam Wilgers, McCreery Teaching Award Winner Dr. Daniel Julich. STERLING COLLEGE
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Sterling’s Honors Program focuses on helping students cultivate their gifts and prepare for meaningful and faithful service.
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s the Director of Sterling College’s Honors Program, I have the opportunity to meet throughout the year with academically talented students from around the country who have been drawn to Sterling College for different reasons. I love to hear about experiences that have shaped them, to hear the hopes that they have for the next season in their lives and to listen to their fears and anxieties, as well. As we talk, one word often resonates with students. That word is purpose. The Honors Program builds on the heart of Sterling College’s distinctively Christ-centered liberal arts roots to encourage students to thoughtfully consider how to live their lives with purpose both in the present and in the
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future. Part of this thoughtfulness is considering intellectual and academic talents as gifts to be stewarded, not only for future career success but also with a larger vision in mind. Highly motivated students often come to college with laser-like clarity: specific career goals, aspirations for professional school and attainment of multiple degrees. They chomp at the bit to get started progressing toward those goals and are often eager from the first day to have their schooling complete. In many ways, of course, such ambitions may be encouraged. The soul of a Christian liberal arts education, however, is more than the bottom-line-focused, pragmatic approach to education that is often championed in a world where only what is measurable and tangible is valued. Education is more than just the training of skilled and competent
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workers, and it is not a futile process of the creation of meaning and truth. Education seeks truth and living authentically as God’s creations. We seek, in short, to cultivate thoughtful and wise human beings.
Overland Park. Whether viewing and learning about techniques of making bonsai trees, watching a tea ceremony, or learning origami, students have repeatedly remarked that this is not an event that they would have chosen on their own, but that it made a profound impact through their reflections on a different culture. This is central to the vision of the Honors Program. It pushes excellent students to cultivate their gifts of reflection and humanity and to embrace a new sense of the broad vision of purposefulness intellectually and as a servant leader.
The Honors Program aims, then, to encourage students to widen their view of the world and their purpose, to allow themselves to be shaped by new ideas, experiences, challenges and service. While we are deeply interested in these students’ future success in graduate and professional school and in their fields, we recognize that a meaningful and faithful life requires more than technical expertise. The Honors Program is centered on this belief. Honors Program students, who may apply to the program prior to their freshman year or later in their college program, participate in cocurricular activities such as viewing documentaries, attending lectures and discussions and experiencing different types and styles of art.
Alongside such cultural experiences, Honors Program students are also challenged academically. Currently required to complete nine Honors Program credit hours of their choice, students may complete Honors Program sections of general education courses that push them to dig deeply into the Bible under the tutelage of our gifted theology and ministry professors. They widen their cultural understanding in courses in which they study history and literature and consider how it relates to the ideas of today and the Christian faith. In addition, special topics courses are offered. Some of the topics covered have been Global Impact (a study of organizations making a difference in the world, which featured a trip to Voice of the Martyrs headquarters) and Creativity and Innovation.
In recent years, students in the Honors Program have visited the Wichita Art Museum, experienced the ballet Swan Lake and have attended a performance of Verdi’s Requiem. One of the most interesting events to students in recent years was a visit to JapanFest in
Most recently, I led a course in January 2018 on the civil rights movement. In this course, students spent a week and a half on campus studying the history of the movement, reading key documents and thinking about the legacy of racism in the United States.
“As we talk, one word often resonates with students. That word is purpose.”
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“Education is more than just the training of skilled and competent workers, and it is not a futile process of the creation of meaning and truth.”
Next, we spent a week traveling, first to the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis and subsequently spending two days at Concordia College of Alabama, which is a historicallyblack, Lutheran-affiliated college in Selma, Alabama. As students visited Brown Chapel AME in Selma, where the famous Selma marches began, and as they marched over the Selma bridge shoulder to shoulder with students from Concordia, they were stirred to think more deeply about race and racial inequality and to consider how they might faithfully respond in a Christ-centered way. It was a joy to watch students from different backgrounds grapple with their prior understanding of the civil rights movement and to be changed by being in places of historical significance, walking in the steps of those who took action against injustice. Estephany Moncada, a criminal justice major and 201718 vice president of the Student Government Association, was a part of the course and on her own initiative planned and implemented
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a video memorial of the events that took place in Selma in 1965 during what is known as “Bloody Sunday.” The video played in the Student Union on March 7 of this year to raise the awareness of students. For the students in this course, it was not just about intellectual development but thinking carefully and deeply of God’s holistic purpose for their lives. The Honors Program works alongside excellent academic departments, dedicated coaches (many Honors Program students are also athletes) and encouraging staff throughout the College to invest in these students. We continue to develop the program in new ways with the help of a recently formed Honors Program Advisory Group, consisting of faculty, staff and community members. With their input, the program will continue to offer new ways for students to be broadened but also to be challenged to engage in study abroad, research, internships and service in their field. In the end, our true measure of success is how students’ lives are affected. I am grateful when students
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express the effects of the program on their lives, as business administration major Elizabeth (Herrington) Coppoc ’18, did in her capstone essay for the Honors Program. She states:
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“It is important to strive to be a well-rounded individual, not just an expert in one subject. I am thankful for Sterling College and the Honors Program because I was pushed outside of my comfort zone and encouraged to deepen and explore multiple facets of my life.”
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Sterling College has an opportunity to shape the world through the students like Elizabeth that we produce. I pray that the Honors Program will be faithful to that calling.
Dr. Daniel Julich Dr. Daniel Julich is an associate professor of history and government at Sterling College. Julich is a recipient of The William M. McCreery Teaching Award. In addition to being an associate professor, he is department chair for the Department of Social Sciences. He also serves as director of the Honors Program, including Alpha Chi, the College’s chapter of National College Honor Society.
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The Sterling magazine has included several news stories over the past few years that highlight the success of the debate and forensics teams. The debate team has finished in the top 25 at the National Forensics Association National Tournament in Lincoln-Douglas Debate from 2009-2017 against competitors such as Western Kentucky University, Lafayette College, Truman State University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Missouri State University and many other large teams.
Every Sterling College participant in debate and forensics will tell you a large part of their success is from the training and guidance of team director Ken Troyer. After all, he has helped write textbooks on the subject that he has been coaching for over 20 years. Combine Troyer’s coaching with the talent of Sterling College’s winningest debater in the history of SC Debate, Gage Brookman of Hutchinson, Kansas, became the first to reach the ultimate title.
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Gage Brookman competed in the national championship for Lincoln-Douglas debate four times – a statement very few students can make about their college career. Beginning his freshman year with four talented Lincoln-Douglas Debate teammates, Brookman and his team brought home the highest ranking of any debate team in Sterling College history: fourth. In the same 2015 national tournament, Brookman tied senior Brandon Hoesli for ninth place as an overall speaker ranking. It was a good sign of things to come for the freshman.
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Although Brookman did not finish in first place at nationals, he did earn a title that is just as prestigious: NFA Top Speaker in Lincoln-Douglas Debate. Brookman successfully defeated competitors from across the nation to make it to the octafinal round and earn his third top-10 finish at nationals while being awarded the title of best speaker.
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Out of a field of over 75 participants each year, Brookman placed in the top 10 participants for Lincoln-Douglas debate three times. He also ended the 2016 season as the third overall speaker in LD debate. The Sterling team of five competitors, three of which were considered novice speakers, ended the season in sixth place overall for Lincoln-Douglas debate.
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By Brookman’s junior year, three teammates had graduated or transferred to another school, leaving Brookman and fellow junior Bryce Harner to carry on the tradition. The two competitors didn’t let their small team size stop them. Winning bids to nationals during the regular season allowed them to make their third appearance at the (NFA) tournament finals and brought home a 12th-place team finish – quite the feat for two individuals up against teams of more than 20 debaters.
“Gage has tremendous respect from other coaches and his fellow competitors due to his easy-going personality coupled with tenacious competitiveness in round, which is exactly why he has had such success. The accolades he has amassed over the last four years are unlikely to ever be surpassed.” -Ken Troyer
In his academic career, Brookman finished his time at Sterling with two majors. He graduated May 2018 with degrees in psychology and communication and media arts: communication arts. STERLING COLLEGE
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ALUMNI Edgar Smith ’87
Edgar Smith ’87 Since his football-playing days as a Sterling College student-athlete, Edgar Smith ’87 has discovered a passion helping people reach their potential and feel great about their fitness. Edgar combined his experience in the fitness industry with his heart for people. Edgar formed Fitness Boot Camp and strives daily to reduce the rate of obesity in Wichita and surrounding areas. Edgar uniquely uses the beauty in nature trails and community parks to conduct these “boot camps” to enjoy the fitness journey. SM: Tell me about your time at Sterling. What favorite memories do you have from here? Dr. Dorothy (Wyrill) Behnke ’59. She would have been the most influential person to me at Sterling. I remember as a freshman trying to pull one over on her and turn in some English Comp work that was written by one of my buddies. She pulled me aside, and in my brain all that I heard was, “I know what you’re capable of and I see potential,” and that was it, that’s all it took. From that point on, you never wanted to let her down when you were turning something in. You wanted to make her proud. She was influential to me as well as Dr. Arn Froese. SM: Tell us about your small business - why did you start it and how did you grow it? When I was starting out, there were two ladies who I had working with different trainers, but they weren’t having success losing weight. One of them said to me, “You know I feel like I’m just supposed to be fat. I mean, nothing works.” So I said, “Look, I tell you what, I’m going to work with you.”
So, I thought, let’s do something totally different. We had just put a beautiful boxing area in a backroom of the building/our facility. So I said, “Every Sunday, we’re going to get together, put some gloves on you, and we’re going to box.” So, we got back in the boxing ring and they would each take rounds, punching one-on-one for three minutes, not hitting hard, but keeping in motion. And you know what? One month into the routine these ladies lost 12 pounds. From there we just kept changing it up. We decided to go out into the city parks, running and doing pushups, fun stuff. One evening Anita Cochran (former KSN NBC News anchor) discovered what we were doing and she joined in. Within a week we had a feature on the TV news as well as in the Wichita Eagle newspaper. We went from two ladies boxing in the back room to over 200 people doing classes here in Wichita and surrounding cities. We landed a corporate account with General Electric in Winfield. And that tells you how things work out and how God has a plan for you. He’s going to put it all into play. You just have to take the journey. SM: What drives the success of the business? There are a lot of days where I think, “Why do I do this anymore? I don’t have to do it anymore, so why am I going to get out of bed at 4:30 a.m.?” But the key is that I don’t want to let these people down. And so every day I get up, regardless of whether they make it there or not, because they need me to be there and I need them.
Want more Alumni Spotlights? Read the archives at sterling.edu/alumni/our-stories. 18
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ALUMNI Karen Achterberg ’66
Karen Achterberg ’66 Karen Achterberg ’66 felt the need to come to Sterling College after she had started her collegiate career. It turned out to be just the right fit. In her working career, Karen worked in the energy sector and has seen the benefits to long-term planning and investing. Now retired, she enjoys being “home” in Houston but travels often, including to Alaska (twice) on cruises to enjoy time with friends and the beautiful scenery. SM: How did you hear about Sterling and what brought you to Sterling College? My mother was born in Raymond, Kan., and raised in Sterling. She had nine other siblings in her family. Not everyone lived in Sterling but several of my aunts and uncles did. I started my college career at the University of Texas and found out that was not the best fit for me. After some time searching I decided I just wanted to go to Sterling. We had spent summers there and it was where I felt I needed to be. Sterling was very friendly. I hardly knew anyone there when I first arrived but I made friends quickly. It was a small school but it was the right place for me at the right time in my life. My father was adamant that I finish college and get my degree because he knew I would be so much better off and successful in my job search having earned my degree. He was there for me in attendance when I graduated from Sterling in 1966. SM: What fond memories do you have from here? Chapel was required when I was at Sterling. Four days out of the week it was a traditional chapel service but Fridays were more interactive - there might be a pep rally or a scene from the upcoming play. This was totally different for me, but it was one of the best parts of being at Sterling: starting out your mornings with chapel. It just made me feel good for the rest of the day.
SM: You’ve worked in the oil and gas industry; what would you like to share about your career? I have always done some type of accounting, financial reporting and analysis in my career. The whole oil and gas industry is dependent on the price of crude oil. When I started out, putting together income statements and balance sheets was all done on paper. Once we finally got computers and spreadsheets that was a huge difference. I can remember one time the president of our company visited and asked me to prepare an income statement. So, while he was at my desk and I plugged those numbers in and produced the report. He couldn’t believe how fast we could now do that. I have worked for different companies and lived in New Orleans, St. Louis and even New York on work assignments but I’m back home now (Houston), and that’s where I like to be. SM: For young alumni starting out, what advice would you give regarding personal and retirement investing? In order to build up a fairly decent financial portfolio, it’s important to have a career that you like. Now, I know sometimes you have to take a job, just to get a job, but when you have the option to do something in your field that you’re truly interested in, take a serious look at it. The benefits offered to you can be a huge differentiating factor as well. Finally, if they offer an employer match for a retirement fund, do it! You can start out with nothing and when it gets matched each month, it can become significant.
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ALUMNI NEWS FROM ALUMNI AROUND THE WORLD 1970s Dr. John Spore ’78 received the 2018 Fay Boozman Award by the Arkansas Physicians Resource Council division of Family Council.
1980s Von Moreland ’80 recently retired from coaching basketball after guiding his high school boys team to a state runner-up finish in 2017 and a state championship in 2018. Von was the Florida 1A coach of the year in 2017 and 2018. Dwight Nichols ’80 has written a book, Would I Do It All Over? Absolutely!, about his experiences on the field and the court. Dr. Doug Wilson ’81 has been selected 2018 American Association of School Administrators National Superintendent of the Year for Arizona. George ’84 and Joyce (MacArthur) ’84 Records have moved to Vernon, TX. George is the pastor at First Presbyterian Church and Joyce is director of the food pantry. Todd Fulton ’85 is now teaching and coaching football in Nickerson, Kan. 20
FALL 2018 STERLING
Steve Harrell ’88 was selected as recipient of the 2017-18 National Federation of State High School Associations Outstanding Speech/ Debate/Theatre Educator Award for Kansas. Tony Pujol ’89 was named head men’s basketball coach at University of North Alabama.
1990s Michelle (Walker) McLallen ’92 is now teaching 7th and 8th grade social studies at Bluestem USD 205 in Leon, Kan. Som Fort ’93 retired from the Army after serving for 20 years. He is currently working for the Museum of Flight in their security department near Seattle, Wash. Lisa (Kruse) Surface ’94 is now teaching 5th grade in the Buhler School District at Plum Creek Elementary School in Hutchinson, Kan. Baxter Hoover ’95 has joined Enterprise Bank & Trust in Perryville, Mo., as a mortgage loan officer. Heidi (Friesen) Harris ’97 received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
Stacy Martin ’97 has been named the next president and chief executive officer of Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska. Amanda Brimberry ’98 is the first-ever head softball coach at the new Grand Oaks High School in Spring, Texas. Jason Briar ’99 was named the new vice president for student life at Sterling College. Tricia (Davidson) ’99 and Daniel Gilligan welcomed their son, Ian David, on May 10, 2018.
2000s Jason Jones ’00 has been named the Lansing Lion’s new boys basketball coach in Lansing, Kan. Eric Miles ’00 is now the head football coach and boys athletic coordinator at Hedrick Middle School in Lewisville, Texas. Jennifer (Pauls) ’00 and Bill Wolff welcomed their son, Cyrus Alexander, on May 16, 2018. Ed ’02 and Kim Trujillo welcomed their son, Hudson Garey, on March 28, 2018.
ALUMNI NEWS
Jay ’03 and Caitlan Johnston welcomed their son, Isaac James, on April 16, 2018. Carissa (Janke) Peters ’03 received Teacher of the Year at Walker Elementary School in Walker, La. Michael Garrison ’04 is an RN in the emergency room at Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa, Okla. Sarah (Jaeger) ’05 and Karsten Neimann welcomed their daughter, Greta Leoti, on Feb. 12, 2018. Heather Fuller ’06 is now teaching English at Seaman High School in Topeka, Kan. Angelina (Beard) Curtis ’08 was named the head volleyball coach for Grapevine High School in Texas. Lora (Long) ’08 and Kellen ’11 Faust welcomed their daughter, Rynlee Audrianna, on Feb. 9, 2018. Anely Laguna ’09 accepted the head coaching position for the girls soccer program at South Sioux City High School in Nebraska.
2010s Christina (Carpenter) ’10 and Garrett Miller welcomed their twin sons, Marshall Bruce and Eli Daniel, on May 9, 2018. Timothy Gilligan Sr. ’10 earned a Doctor of Ministry from AGTS Evangel University and currently serves as senior pastor of Meadowbrook Church in Ocala, Fla. John Clark ’11 is the Home Clubhouse Manager for the Hartford Yard Goats, Double AA affiliate of the Colorado Rockies.
Adrienne (Swihart) ’11 and Nathan ’14 Ehresman welcomed their son, Caleb Timothy, on April 9, 2018.
A
Clint ’12 and Lauren (Brown) ’12 Bundy welcomed daughter, Olivia Jo, on May 28, 2018. Jordan Echer ‘12 is now the head football coach and Physical Education teacher at Russell High School in Russell, Kan. Grant Brintnall ’13 is an admissions counselor at Friends University.
B
Bailey Burgess ’13 is the new Career Counselor at Russell High School and Ruppenthal Middle School in Russell, Kan. A
Samuel ’13 and K aylnn Cheyney welcomed their daughter, Olivia Kay, on May 14, 2018. David ’13 and Kadi (Smith) ’14 Guthmiller welcomed their daughter, Everly Jo, on April 6, 2018.
C
Megan (Patrick) ’13 and Brian Heckel welcomed their daughter, Braylie Elaine, on May 9, 2018. Adriana (Gonzalez) Leake ’13 joined the Friends University volleyball team coaching staff. Samantha (LeFils) ’13 and William Sacks welcomed their daughter, Cassi Annabelle Rachel, on June 20, 2018.
D
Joshua ’14 and Katelynn (Cantrell) ’14 Johnson welcomed their daughter, Andi Grace, on May 7, 2018. B
Luke ’14 and Cassi (Spleiss) ’14 Redmon welcomed their daughter, Adelyn Scout, on April 9, 2018.
STERLING COLLEGE
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ALUMNI NEWS
C
Kara (Stineman) ’14 and Bradley Smith ’15 welcomed their son, Shepard Jacob, on June 23, 2018.
Aren Coppoc ’16 accepted a teaching and coaching position at Andover Central High School in Andover, Kan.
David Tank ’14 completed his Master of Divinity degree at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Ill.
Rachel Padro ’16 has accepted a full-time lecturer position at University of Northern Colorado.
D
Kendra (Schaffner) ’15 and Jaden ’16 Campbell welcomed their daughter, Emmerson Joy, on March 27, 2018. Jordan Coleman ’15 works as a Sarasota County Fire Department FF/EMT in Florida. Alexandria (Broeker) Johnson ’15 has accepted a position at Lee’s Summit Family Eyecare. Morgan (Brown) ’15 and Aryn Walton welcomed their daughter, Maci Mae, on March 18, 2018.
I DO
01
Kristen Waters ’16 is a correctional officer in Hutchinson, Kan. Jamal Bechri ’17 is the athletic trainer at Verrado High School in Buckeye, Ariz. Jessica (Barton) ’17 and Logan Hall welcomed their daughter, Ayven, on April 13, 2018. Brandi (Fairbank) Stewart ’17 has been named head volleyball coach at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kan.
02
03
Dominique Wilkens ’17 is now a financial representative at Northwestern Mutual in Wichita, Kan. Lucas Garrett ’18 received his teaching license for math and chemistry and teaches at Highland Park High School in Topeka, Kan. Lexi Naegele ’18 has accepted a position as athletic communications and media coordinator for the NAIA National Office in Kansas City. Jenna Weimer ’18 is teaching high school math in Emporia, Kan. Adam Wilgers ’18 has been accepted into the Masters of Applied Intelligence Program at Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pa.
04
05
Erin Sundquist ’06 and Doug Stone were married June 2, 2018.
02 Brandi Fairbank ’16 and Gary Stewart were married June 28, 2018.
04 Chris Green ’18 and Brittany Bowman ’18 were married May 26, 2018.
01 Aren Coppoc ’16 and Elizabeth Herrington ’18 were married June 2, 2018.
03 Olivia Dunning ’18 and Blaine Ducote ’18 were married May 15, 2018.
05 Ricky Nichols ’18 and Chelsey Riffel ’18 were married May 13, 2018.
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ALUMNI NEWS
IN MEMORIAM DONOR | FRIEND Carl E. Dudrey Mary Ellen Tippin
EMPLOYEE | LEADERSHIP Robert R. Brownlee ’47 Board of Trustees 2000-2005 Dr. Warren Freeborn Board of Trustees 1976-1981 Donald L. Ray ’62 Board of Trustees 1972-1993
If you would like to honor a dear friend or mentor, you may send a donation in their name or purchase a personalized brick for the Sterling College Legacy Walk. For more information, go to www.sterling.edu/giving.
1940S
Gwendolyn (Farquhar) Schlender ’45 Lois E. (Morton) Himes ’48 James E. Eddy ’49
1950S
James D. Johnson ’62 Carlton C. Hall ’63 Milliscent (Noel) Meyer ’65 Ronald L. Hartman ’67 Robert J. Reece ’67 Helen (Garden) Embery ’69
William D. Moss Sr. ’50 Carol M. Kenney ’51 Donald E. Schmucker ’51 Rodney J. Holmes ’53 William G. Lupfer ’53 V. Marie (Tilton) Wegner ’55 Virgil Dale Chenoweth ’59
1970S
1960S
1980S
M. Curtis Heckel ’60 Leslie W. Stevens ’60 Sandra (Savage) Carter ’61 Mary (Engle) Pace ’61 Duane A. Bridgeman ’62
Lois (Bridgeman) Wilt ’70 Richard J. Bellina ’72 Cheryl (Schipper) Cricks ’73 Rosemary (Fair) Mock ’77 M. Sue (Hogue) Winget ’78
Clair F. Smith ’81 James C. Chambers ’83 Dawn R. Sager ’84 Karla (Classen) Bomgardner ’86 Ellen M. Bockhaus ’87
A SPECIAL REMEMBERING... The Rev. Donald Lee Ray ’62 was described as a kind, caring man with a heart for not only his family and congregation, but for Sterling College students and staff and his community at large. His greatest joy was sharing the love of Jesus Christ. Ray served in pastoral ministry for 26 years at First Presbyterian Church in Ellsworth, Kan. Ray was a consistent supporter of Sterling College and more than 25 Ray family members have attended the College. He served on the Sterling College Board of Trustees from 1972 to 1993, acting as trustee emeritus from 1993 to 2018. Ray served his country in the U.S. Army Air Force. He married Beverly Dean Sawhill in Wichita on March 24, 1946. He owned a grocery store in Wichita until 1958, when he felt called to the ministry. He served Arlington and Pretty Prairie Presbyterian churches while attending Sterling College. After graduation, he attended the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. After finishing the seminary in 1965, he took his first and only pastoral calling at First Presbyterian Church in Ellsworth. He served there for 26 years before retiring in 1991 and was pastor emeritus. Ray is survived by his daughters, Kathy Curts, Niki Svaty (Don), Diana Liskey (Bill), and Carol Cheyney (Ron); sons, Dan Ray (Bonnie), and Ben Ray (Tiffany), of Derby; 34 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; sister, Carolyn Ledford; and sister-in-law, Phyllis Ray. S T E R L I N G C O L L E G E 23
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