Sterling College (Kansas)
Encyclopedia
Sterling College is a Christ-centered, four-year liberal arts college located in Sterling, Kansas
with a mission "to develop creative and thoughtful leaders who understand a maturing Christian faith." The school is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
and The Higher Learning Commission.
as Cooper Memorial College. It changed its name to Sterling in 1920. When the Presbyterian Church (USA)
came into existence in 1958, the newly formed Presbyterian Synod of Kansas considered combining Sterling and the College of Emporia
. Sterling almost declared bankruptcy in 1982, but was saved by a campaign that raised $3.8 Million. However, Sterling College is not affiliated with the PCUSA anymore.
Sterling College launched e.Sterling, its online programs in 2007 in hopes of bringing its message to a larger audience. Students can now complete portions of their bachelor's degree online. Sterling College's online program is now called Sterling College Online and can be found at online.sterling.edu
in 1974 (NRHP# 74000845). Cooper Hall underwent a large renovation and after being closed, was reopened in 2003.
Sterling fields ten teams in the NAIA
Division II Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
. Although results in most sports have been mixed, the women's basketball team has consistently dominated the conference for the past decade, making several appearances at the NAIA National Tournament.
Sterling, Kansas
Sterling is a city in Rice County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 2,328. Sterling is home to Sterling College.- History :...
with a mission "to develop creative and thoughtful leaders who understand a maturing Christian faith." The school is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools , also known as the North Central Association, is a membership organization, consisting of colleges, universities, and schools in 19 U.S. states, that is engaged in educational accreditation...
and The Higher Learning Commission.
History
The college was founded in 1887 by the Synod of Kansas of the United Presbyterian Church of North AmericaUnited Presbyterian Church of North America
The United Presbyterian Church of North America was an American Presbyterian denomination that existed for exactly one hundred years. It was formed on May 26, 1858 by the union of the Northern branch of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church with the Associate Presbyterian Church at a...
as Cooper Memorial College. It changed its name to Sterling in 1920. When the Presbyterian Church (USA)
Presbyterian Church (USA)
The Presbyterian Church , or PC, is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination in the United States. Part of the Reformed tradition, it is the largest Presbyterian denomination in the U.S...
came into existence in 1958, the newly formed Presbyterian Synod of Kansas considered combining Sterling and the College of Emporia
College of Emporia
The College of Emporia was established in 1882 in Emporia, Kansas, and was associated with the Presbyterian church. The college officially closed in 1974. The college campus was purchased by The Way International for $694,000 and was operated as the Way College of Emporia from 1975 until 1989...
. Sterling almost declared bankruptcy in 1982, but was saved by a campaign that raised $3.8 Million. However, Sterling College is not affiliated with the PCUSA anymore.
Sterling College launched e.Sterling, its online programs in 2007 in hopes of bringing its message to a larger audience. Students can now complete portions of their bachelor's degree online. Sterling College's online program is now called Sterling College Online and can be found at online.sterling.edu
Campus
The 1887 Cooper Hall building is a centerpiece of the campus. It was added to the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1974 (NRHP# 74000845). Cooper Hall underwent a large renovation and after being closed, was reopened in 2003.
Organization
The College is governed by a self-perpetuating Board of Trustees. Sterling abandoned the tenure system in the 1980s. Faculty are currently employed under a one-year contract/review system and can be released from their contract at any time during their duties.Athletics
Sterling College sports teams are known as the "Warriors," most often depicted as armed Scottish Highlanders. (Sterling College officially adopted the Scottish heritage as a tribute to its Presbyterian roots in 1984. The College has adopted a tartan and incorporates the playing of bagpipes at significant ceremonies including commencement and convocation.) The College has adopted three official school colors: crimson, navy, and silver gray.Sterling fields ten teams in the NAIA
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an athletic association that organizes college and university-level athletic programs. Membership in the NAIA consists of smaller colleges and universities across the United States. The NAIA allows colleges and universities outside the USA...
Division II Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
The Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference is an intercollegiate athletic conference affiliated with the NAIA. It is commonly called "The Kansas Conference", and as the name implies, all members are located in Kansas...
. Although results in most sports have been mixed, the women's basketball team has consistently dominated the conference for the past decade, making several appearances at the NAIA National Tournament.
Student organizations
- Honor societies: Alpha ChiAlpha Chi National College Honor SocietyAlpha Chi National College Honor Society is an American collegiate honor society recognizing achievements in general scholarship. It was founded on February 22, 1922 at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas...
. - Religious organizations: Fellowship of Christian Athletes, CSA (Catholic students), Raya 327 (missions club).
- General organizations: Pi Kappa Delta (oldest organization on campus), Behavioral Science Club, Habitat for Humanity, AMP(History Majors Club), Campus Activity Board, Future Science Professionals of America, Residence Hall Councils, Class Officers, Sterling College Athletic Trainers, Musicians at Sterling College, TASC (Theatre Majors Club).
- Media organizations: The Stir (newspaper), Sterling College Online Radio, Sterling College Online Television.
Notable alumni
- David HahnDavid Hahn (Nebraska)David Hahn is the CEO of Internet development company New Digital Group and was the Democratic nominee for the Governor of Nebraska in 2006.-Biography:...
, Nebraska politician. - Waldo McBurneyWaldo McBurneyRalph Waldo McBurney , usually known as Waldo, was said to be the oldest worker in the United States. Until a relatively short time before his death at age 106, he lived and worked as a beekeeper in the city of Quinter, Kansas...
, American centenarian (transferred to K-StateKansas State UniversityKansas State University, commonly shortened to K-State, is an institution of higher learning located in Manhattan, Kansas, in the United States...
after two years). - Windell D. MiddlebrooksWindell D. MiddlebrooksWindell D. Middlebrooks is an American film and television actor, and alumnus of Sterling College in Sterling, Kansas. He earned an MFA in acting at the University of California, Irvine in 2004.-Career:...
, Actor.