SC History

Buildings

Cooper Hall (1887)
Cooper Hall was the original building on the campus, and the College was known as Cooper College until 1920. Cooper Hall is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and in the American Presbyterian/Reformed Historical Sites Registry. The Building was renovated in the spring of 2003, after being closed for almost 15 years, and now houses ServantLeadership.org and the Social Entrepreneurship program.
Cooper Hall Video

Spencer Hall (1919)
Sterling's first president, the Reverend Francis Marion Spencer, was honored when the second campus building was completed. In addition to the auditorium, the building houses the communication and theatre arts department and the history/government department. Major renovation of the auditorium was completed in 1974; theatre production areas were renovated in 1985 through a matching grant from the Mabee Foundation. At Homecoming, 1979, the auditorium was named in honor of Ruth Culbertson, '30 whose estate funds had provided further building renovation and installation of a new organ.

Wilson Hall (1920)
Formerly the gymnasium, Wilson Hall was named for Professor S.A. Wilson, a member of the faculty from 1887 until his death in 1943. Remodeling of the lower floor was completed in 1973 to house a rehearsal room for instrumental and vocal music, as well as offices for music department faculty. The upper floor is now used for classes and campus activities.

Campbell Hall (1925)
Named in honor of Dr. R. T. Campbell, president from 1910-33, Campbell Hall served for many years as residence hall for women and the location of the cafeteria. It now houses men and provides office space for the religion and philosophy department. The classroom space in Campbell Hall is handicapped-accessible.

Kelsey Hall (1954)
The original library on campus, Kelsey Hall now houses the behavioral science department, administrative offices, the Call Center (which is utilized by Sterling Services) and several classrooms. It was named in honor of Dr. Hugh A. Kelsey who was president from 1933-46. In 1968 funds from the estate of Roy Thompson, a Sterling area farmer, made possible an expansion of the administration wing.

McCreery Hall (1957)
This women's residence hall was named to honor Dr. William M. McCreery, president from 1946-1973. The McCreery Hall basement contains one classroom and a computer lab.

The Student Union (1961)
Since February 1961, the Student Union has been the site of many campus activities. The cafeteria, post office, study lounge, recreational room (the Cornerstone), bookstore, and student life offices are located here. The main dining hall honors "Aunt Ella" Smith who was involved in serving meals to students from 1910-52. A 1966 addition provided more dining space, including the Chandler Board Room named for Jerome Chandler, chairman, Board of Trustees from 1962-1984. In 1990 a major renovation was completed that remodeled two lounges and created a commuter study area, a game room, and a snack bar.

Kilbourn Hall (1962)
This men's residence hall was named for Nelson Kilbourn, alumnus, grandson of the first president, and long-time member and former chairman of the Board of Trustees. A second wing was added in 1965.

Evans Hall (1963)
This women's residence hall was named for Harold and Aileen Evans to honor their continuing faithful service to their Alma Mater. Mrs. Evans was active in speech, drama, and alumni affairs, and Mr. Evans served for many years on the Board of Trustees, including three years as chairman.

Thompson Hall (1964)
Thompson Hall was named for Dr. Ruth Thompson, professor of chemistry (1920-1965). The building houses the biology, chemistry, business, computer science, mathematics, and physical science departments, as well as the career and teacher placement services office and an academic computing classroom and lab. Bell Hall, a large lecture hall, is named for Professor Talmon Bell who was head of the mathematics department from 1895-1947.

McCracken Field - Smisor Stadium (1964)
McCracken Football Field is named in honor of Dr. J. C. McCracken, former student, All-American football player at the University of Pennsylvania during his medical school career, Olympic star, and medical missionary to China. Smisor Stadium honors Frank Smisor, former alumni secretary and farm manager. The track honors Dr. Ralph T. McCreight, a 1920's Sterling College track star. With newly remodeled offices, Smisor Stadium houses the Football coaching staff as of 2004.
North of McCracken Field are four tennis courts, built in 1964 and named in honor of Dr. J. W. Fields, former member of the Board of Trustees. A baseball diamond and practice fields are also part of the facilities.

Gleason Physical Education Center (1971)
A sports center which includes the basketball court, exercise deck, swimming pool, offices and classrooms was completed in May, 1971. At Homecoming, 1986, the Center was named in honor of Clair L. Gleason, athletic director, 1953-86. In 1990 a comprehensive weight training facility was added to the Center, called the Edwards Weight Center, in honor of John Edwards and Ed Edwards, Sterling College Athletes in the 1910's.

Brownlee Plaza (1977)
Brownlee Plaza, located at the center traffic point for the campus in front of the Mabee Library, was the gift of alumni and friends to honor George Brownlee, alumnus and former staff member. The clock with chimes is a memorial to Harold and Aileen Evans.

Art/Education Center (1978)
One block south of the campus, the building that was once the Sterling Community Hospital has become the Art/Education Center. Since 1979 it has provided the setting for student and faculty art exhibits, traveling art exhibits and special shows, and classroom and office space for the departments of art and education.

Mabee Library (1996)
Mabee Library is the newest building on campus, opening in April 1996. The Library serves as a gateway to global information resources, and includes an academic computing classroom and lab. Computer workstations provide network access to the on-line catalog, over 50 bibliographic databases, and the Internet. The Crebbs museum, located in the Library, was a 1964 gift of Chester M. Crebbs (class of 1917) and his wife in memory of his parents. It houses Indian artifacts and items of local history.