Sterling College officially celebrated the opening of its new C.S. Lewis Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, held March 24, inside the Mabee Library. The event marked the launch of a unique academic and community space dedicated to the literary, theological, and philosophical legacy of C.S. Lewis.

The C.S. Lewis Center is designed to foster engagement with Lewis’s works through reading groups, scholarly research, public lectures, and student-led discussions. It will serve as a hub for students, faculty, and the broader Sterling and South-Central Kansas communities, as well as regional and national Lewis scholars.

The ceremony featured remarks from President Scott Rich, Dr. Waters, Laurel Watney, and student speakers Megan Ratzlaff and Dawson Urwiller. The Sterling Chamber of Commerce participated in the official ribbon-cutting with Meg Van Dyk, Chamber board president, speaking in the program, and then coordinating the official ribbon cutting in the C.S. Lewis Center area of Mabee Library. 

Guests were invited to explore the space, view a curated exhibit of C.S. Lewis’s complete works, and enjoy refreshments provided by Clive’s Staples Coffeehouse. 

This spring event served as a “soft launch” to introduce the center to the Sterling College and local communities. A larger grand opening and dedication event is planned for September 2025, which will include invited C.S. Lewis scholars, faculty lectures, and extended programming.

The C.S. Lewis Center at Sterling College will continue to expand its offerings with initiatives such as a monthly book club, a summer reading challenge in partnership with Clive’s Staples Coffeehouse, Lewis-themed readings and discussions, and a planned local conference in spring 2026.

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