Ruth (Young) Trice ‘29—Lee’s Summit, MO

             I visited Ruth on August 31 because it was a very special day!  It was her 100th birthday! 

             Ruth remembers living in “first class” Campbell Hall when it was brand new. She came to SC from Pretty Prairie, KS.  She and her husband, Eugene, have been married 69 years. He’s four years younger than she is.  Ruth told me that “it’s a really good idea to marry a younger man.”

Dave ‘56 & Peg Irwin—Freeman, MO

             Presbyterian Minister Dave and Peg Irwin have many treasured SC friendships that are still going strong to this day.  Dave was one of five brothers who all attended SC. All of their four children also attended SC.

             Dave got teary-eyed as he spoke of Dr. Ruth Thompson and what an impact she had on him in the quiet way that she lived out her Christian life for all of her students to see.

             Dave confessed that he and some friends had swiped the Victory Bell and rigged a string onto it so that it would ring without anyone being close by.  In the middle of the prank, President McCreery caught him the act. 

             President McCreery asked, “What are you up to?”

             Dave answered, “No good, I guess.”

Teresa (Allen) Frederick ‘00—Springfield, MO

& Connie (Tracy) Allen ‘79—Syracuse, KS

             Teresa and her mom, Connie (who happened to be in Springfield visiting Teresa) took me to the restaurant “Lamberts: Home of the thrown roll.”  I had never been there before.  It was fun and very entertaining.  They really do throw their food! 

             Teresa works as a resident assistant for Missouri State.   The dormitory she manages houses 700 residents! 

Dick ‘48 & Erna Nichol ‘48—Springfield, MO
             You know those visits you have with people where you just click?  This was one of those.  I could have visited with Dick all day long because of his shared love and joy for the Lord. It was hard to pull myself away. 

             One of three children, all of his siblings attended SC. He remembers he had a $19 scholarship to SC!  He had two very good friends while at SC: Bob Scott F51 and Charles Johnson ‘51.  Dick named his two sons after Bob and Charles. His wife, Delores,  of 54 years passed away in 2002.  But he has since remarried Erna and is very happy.  Dick is a retired vocal music and science teacher. 

  .

 

Ellen & Leonard ’52 Knox — Springfield, MO

             A retired Presbyterian pastor, Leonard Knox remembers his time at SC well.  A non-traditional student while at SC, he lived off-campus with his wife, Ellen and two children. They have been married for 65 years and have seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

             Some memorable SC people that he recalls were: Paul Strickler, Prof. Calhoun, Ora Hays, Eunice McGill, Leon Akin, Leo Lawless, Fern Oline and Ella Tidrick.  20

 

Leroy ‘61 & Jo Griswold—Haysville, KS

             Leroy and I had a great visit.  He fondly remembered his time at Sterling College.  Some SC names he mentioned were his roommate Bill Boekhaus ‘63, Vern Comley ‘61 and Rev. Theodore Dons.  He had been the pastor of Zenith Presbyterian Church for 32 years. He and his wife Jo have two sons and four grandchildren.
             Sadly, just a few weeks after this visit, I received word that Leroy passed away on August 11.  Leroy’s memorial service was filled with people who were touched and forever changed by this servant of God. 

Evelyn (Campbell) ’53  & Don ‘53 Calderwood—Wichita, KS

             Don and Evelyn were missionaries in Pakistan for 34 years from 1956 to 1990.  They have three sons and numerous grandchildren.  Even though they are retired now, they keep themselves busy.  Members of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Wichita, Evelyn works in the office one day a week.  Don volunteers with Habitat for Humanity in Wichita three times a week.

              Don also serves as the class of 1953 representative on the Sterling College Alumni Council.

Bob ‘48 & Vada F51 (Schechter) Clark—Shawnee, KS

             “I met her my senior year at Sterling College.  Her legs sparkled in the sun in blue bloomers trotting to gym class!”

             That’s what Bob told me about first meeting his wife Vada at SC!  Bob’s dad was a Sterling College professor, O.R. Clark and Vada came to SC from Jetmore, KS.  Bob’s most memorable professor was Dr. Paul Strickler in the physics lab on the fourth floor of Cooper Hall.  He said that Dr. Strickler had a funny habit of telling a joke at the beginning of class.

             Bob & Vada are enjoying retirement.  They have three sons and seven grandchildren.

Chuck ‘57 & Joan (Anderson) ‘58 Carson—Carthage, MO

             “Sheep.”  That’s what Joan remembers.  A herd of sheep were coming down the Campbell Hall hallway.  She and her dorm mates corralled them into the shower room.  This was one of several pranks she experienced while at SC.

             Some memorable SC people that were mentioned during our visit were Dean Calhoun, Ruth Thompson, Dr. Clark, Taylor, Leo Lawless, Leon Akin and Ora Hays.

             With two daughters, a son and seven grandchildren, Chuck and Joan are enjoying their retirement.  Chuck is a retired pastor. 

Still July 2007...

Dr. Ken Niermann ‘97—Nashville, TN

             Ken is doing great in Nashville working his residency at Vanderbilt University Hospital.  He has found his specialty in Oncology (radiation). 

Lauren ’64 & Melody (McFarland) ’64 DeBuhr—Topeka, KS

             Lauren & Melody, like so many alumni, liken Sterling College to a shoe factory because we often “Mend the soles and send them out in pairs.”  Like so many, they met at Sterling College (in Biology class) and have now been married for 43 years.  Lauren is a retired Middle School counselor.  Melody is a retired elementary school teacher. They have two children and five grandchildren.  They even gave me the name of a high school senior granddaughter so our Admission’s office send her some great SC info!  

 

Christina Espinosa ‘98 — Lexington, KY

             In December 2007, Christina should have just finished up her Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling.  What this means is that she helps people with disabilities to get on their feet and become more independent.  Her Internship was with the Human Development Institute at the University of Kentucky.  She helped disabled farmers get back into farming equipment that was, through her assistance, customized for their special needs. She has really enjoyed her internship and was considering continuing in this kind of work after her Masters was completed.

August / September 2007

L to R: Margaret, Simone, Andrea (Conard) ‘96, Campbell, Ed ‘93, Quinn and Jackson Lowry—

  Little Rock, AR

             What a fun family the Lowry’s are!  Ed is the Director of Creative Arts at Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock.  From contributing church multi-media projects to Godtube.com to starring in filming projects himself, Ed is a busy man. To check out his latest project, go to: www.masterpiecedvd.com .  Andrea is a great stay-at-home mom!  Below is a picture with Jackson, Margaret and the family cat, Snickers.

Nancy (Clixby) Troy ‘65—Louisville, KY

             An ordained minister with the Presbyterian Church USA since 1998, Nancy is the Executive Director of Phewa (Presbyterian Health, Education and Welfare Association.