I spoke yesterday at Sterling College in Sterling, KS. It’s a 3 hour drive from Topeka. It sounds worse than what it really is.
The official by-line of Sterling College is a Christ-centered college with a mission “to develop creative and thoughtful leaders who understand a maturing Christian faith.” Having been on my fair share of Christian college campuses – I was dubious. Most campuses that I have experienced had great intentions of being a Christ-centered college but ended up morphing into yet another Christian sub-culture “ghetto” of rules, simple answers, head-in-the-sand understanding of culture.
Through a friend of a friend (Jim Turner) I had already met Dr. Dewey, a Vice President of the college. I’d been impressed. Articulate. Heart for culture. Desire to impact world – through business, art, science – with Christ. BUT one adminstrator a college does not make. Or something like that. It was going to be nice to actually be on campus.
Met the president the moment we got on campus. Dr. Paul Maurer. I don’t have a lot of experience meeting college presidents – only have met two…well, three counting Dr. “Please call me Paul” Maurer. So I don’t know if this is a normal experience or not. I could have sat and talked with him all day. Sports, academics, theology, art, current events – the exact opposite of the stereotypical college president – or at least what I was expecting a college president to be like. I liked him. Engaging, thoughtful, articulate – I could go on. The point is – I can see this man speaking just as easily to a 19 year old freshman from Hays, Kansas as the governor of the state. Both would feel like they are his honored guest.
His only fault? He’s a Cincinnati Bearcat fan. For the life of me, I can’t figure that out. I’d like to at some point in the future dig deeper into his psyche to see what’s up with that. Hard to believe that he is a fan of Thug University. Hopefully his time in Kansas will convert him to the real basketball university. Rock Chalk.
Spoke at chapel. It’s hard to tell how that went. I was told that it went well but then again, they have to say that. Hard to tell with the whole required chapel thing. Let me just say this – God has an incredible sense of humor. I spent most of my college career trying to get out of chapel only to now be the speaker at a required chapel.
After chapel, got to hang with a group of students along with the president, and Dr. Dewey and Dr. Kerr – he is the Director of Academic Affairs. In other words, he hires faculty. But, his second claim to fame is the flower-cutting coach. It’s a long story that I don’t think I can really explain to its full potential. If you ever get to Sterling, ask for Dr. Kerr and ask him about it. Besides a good laugh, I’m fairly positive he’d tell you the rest of the story.
I think I loved the student interaction the most. Wish we would have had more time with the students. Even in an informal arena. Good to hear their perspective of the campus.
Lunch with the staff and faculty. I realize that on trips like this, the college makes sure they put their best foot forward – playing to their strengths. What Sterling lacks in campus resources such as buildings and eye candy, they seem to more than make up for with their faculty and staff. Not just incredibly smart and articulate, but humorous and insightful. They aren’t locked in their ‘ivory towers’ but seem very aware of the culture around them. More on this later.
Quick Observations and Impressions:
The Good
Had more than one student use this phrase – “It’s a Christ-centered college…not a Bible College.” When pushed to explain what that meant, he said “I’m given information with multiple viewpoints, one of which is a Christ-centered worldview. It’s then up to me what I want to do with that information.”
Nice distinction. And one I appreciate. This kind of education actually prepares students for life after college, not just brainwashes them to one certain point of view.
The college has a 94% medical school acceptance rate of their pre-med majors. That’s ridiculous and unexpected. Their debate team ended the season ranked 12th in the nation. That’s alongside every university – D1 or otherwise – in the nation. That further proves my point above.
The Not So Good
It’s a private school so you can figure that it’s a bit more expensive that KU or K-State. I didn’t get the stats on how many of the students get scholarships. I’m guessing it’s fairly high as most small private colleges try to help out as much as they can to get students on campus.
I’m not going to lie to you – it’s a small campus. Very small. Around 700 students. It’s in Sterling, Kansas – 30 minutes from anywhere. Coming from Denver – it’s a shock to the system to realize how small it is. I don’t think that affects the quality of the staff or education these students are receiving.
The Surprise
There appeared to be the absence of a Christian bubble/sub-culture. Again – I was on campus for less than 8 hours. So my perception may not be reality. But the people and staff that I met would be people that I’d hang out with. And I’m definitely NOT the bubble.
Maybe they were just being nice and kind but maybe they weren’t either. Maybe that’s just who they are. There seemed to be a freedom for the students to deconstruct their faith, ask questions and explore truth without the harsh judgement that normally comes within certain Christian circles.
One more thing about the faculty and staff – and I’m not naive enough to think that they all are this way – but they seem to really enjoy students. There is nothing worse than a prof that is more in love with the subject than they are people. I didn’t get that impression with this crew. Granted – I didn’t meet them all.
Overall, I had a great time on campus. I regret that I was so caught up in the visit, I didn’t take pictures. Hopefully, I’ll be invited again and I’ll take pictures then.