Sterling residents Vicky Kirchoff and Arlen Nuest received special recognition at the annual Sterling College Kickoff Banquet on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2017, for serving the College 25 and 30 years, respectively. Kirchoff serves as the physical plant office manager; Nuest is the electrician.

Starting at Sterling College in 1992 in housekeeping, Kirchoff moved to supervisor of housekeeping and then to office manager in 2010.

“Vicky continually exhibits a ‘glass is half-full’ mentality even in stressful situations,” said David Landis, vice president for administration and institutional initiatives. “Her ability to manage multiple projects, phone calls, service requests, transportation and vendor issues is wonderful to watch. I have also been amazed by watching Vicky work through the recent loss of her brother and father with a quiet grace and joy that is a wonderful testimony to her faith in Christ. Sterling College is blessed to have her working here.”

Nuest serves the College as the electrician, but is also proficient at plumbing, heating, air conditioning and appliance repair –  a business he operated for nine years prior to working at Sterling. He began working at Sterling College in 1987.

“Arlen’s knowledge of the inner workings of the College is invaluable,” said Landis. “He is a ‘jack of all trades’ and can fix nearly anything. In conversations with Arlen, it is clear that he understands and supports the mission of Sterling College. Greater than that, he lives out his faith each and every day, doing an honest day’s work with a Christ-like attitude. To give three decades of your life to one place is honorable in itself, but to do it with integrity is rare. We are grateful for Arlen’s service to Sterling College.”

Employees were also recognized for 10 and five years of service to Sterling College at the banquet. Employees serving 10 years includes: Rishawn Austin, Charles “Doug” Boardman, Dr. T. H. Kwa, and Dr. Erin Laudermilk. Employees recognized for five years of service includes: Chase Hansen, Kacie Hastings, Daniel Julich, Julie Jaderston and Nicole Glasgow.