Sterling College will host Danny Wuerffel, former Heisman Trophy winner and executive director of Desire Street Ministries, as the speaker for The Ross and Fern Freeman Lecture Series on March 6, 2015, at 10 a.m. in Culbertson Auditorium in Spencer Hall. The Lecture Series focuses on teaching the values and applications of servant leadership through looking at modern-day lives that exhibit such characteristics. 

“We are excited to welcome Danny Wuerffel to campus for the Freeman Lecture Series. He is a decorated athlete who has experienced fame and popularity but chooses to spend his life serving others through Desire Street Ministries. The Lecture Series was developed to highlight attributes of a servant leader and Danny’s humble personality has been evident throughout the planning process,” said Scott Rich, president. 

Wuerffel played for the Florida Gators, winning four SEC Championship titles and completing his senior year by winning the 1996 collegiate national football championship and being named the Heisman Trophy winner. He wrote “Tales from the Gator Swamp” in 2004, a book about his time at the University of Florida and how his experiences playing football helped him become who he is today.

He continued his football career in the National Football League by playing for the New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears and Washington Redskins. He also played for the NFL’s European league, winning the World Bowl Championship and selected most valuable player. 

In 2004, Wuerffel joined Desire Street Ministries, a nonprofit, faith-based organization whose mission is to revitalize impoverished neighborhoods through spiritual and community development. Desire Street Ministries is now based in Atlanta and partners with local ministries in New Orleans, Louisiana; Lakeland, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; Montgomery, Alabama; and Dallas, Texas.

The Freeman Lecture Series was developed as part of Sterling’s strategic plan to continuously improve and strengthen its academic program. This included enriching the student experience by implanting a lecture series. Ross and Fern Freeman of Topeka, Kansas, supported this endeavor with their leadership and financial support to fund the leadership series.

For more information or to RSVP, contact Luke Cureton by calling 620-278-4219 or by sending an email to advancement@sterling.edu. Reservations are encouraged but not required.

Sterling College is a Christ-centered, four-year college located in Sterling, Kan., with a mission to develop creative and thoughtful leaders who understand a maturing Christian faith. For more information, visit www.sterling.edu.