Four Sterling College alumni were honored at the Alumni Banquet on Oct. 23 for excellence in their career, service to others and loyalty to their Alma Mater. The highest alumni award, the Distinguished Service Award, was presented to John ’60 and Catherine (Learned) fs’61 Grove of Goleta, California. Receiving the Alumni Award was Dr. Kenneth J. Niermann ’97 of Nashville, Tennessee, and the Young Alumni Award recipient for 2015 was Joshua D. Boos ’12 of Dallas, Texas.

The Groves have a long history with Sterling College. As students, John majored in math and physics and Cathy majored in sociology and business. They were both involved in sports, The Stir, The Roundup and many other organizations. Cathy also worked in the publicity office.

After graduation, John was a part of the rapidly growing computer technology and software industry that ultimately lasted 54 years. His career carried him from systems design and development through various levels of management to positions of CEO and president. John currently serves as treasurer and chief financial officer for his church and two other separate ministries under church auspices. In addition, he is also the church database developer and administrator, is involved in ministry as the director of the adult Sunday school, and preaches occasionally.

Since graduating from Sterling College, Cathy worked in several capacities and retired as an administrative manager for the Telos Regional office in Santa Barbara. After retirement, she spent several years as a voluntary caregiver for different elderly women who had no other family.

John and Cathy have also supported Sterling College throughout their professional lives. In 1971, the Groves returned to Sterling where John initiated Sterling College’s computer science curriculum and become the College registrar, implementing computer-based administrative services. From 1988-97, John served on Sterling College’s Board of Trustees. He later served on the National Advisory Council from 2009-12.

Upon receiving the award, John said, “Sterling has never wavered [in its] basic Christian principles, followed the Lord, and stuck with His guidance throughout all that it has done. … [Sterling’s graduates] are following the Lord’s leading and have been able to integrate a Christian world view into their lives and that is what has been important to us.”

Niermann is an assistant professor of radiation oncology and physician at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. His work includes serving as a practicing radiation oncologist at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. He was awarded the Sterling College Alumni Award, which is presented to an alumni who graduated 15 years ago or more. Niermann was unable to attend the banquet, but wrote a letter that was read as his acceptance speech.

A portion of Niermann’s letter stated, “My teachers, mentors, and fellow classmates, everyone who influenced me at Sterling, molded me into the constantly maturing Christian I am today. Whenever I [am] face-to-face with my patients, suffering from cancer, some of them severely, I am privileged to care for them as a doctor who not only looks for every opportunity to ameliorate physical afflictions, but who really cares for their physical and spiritual well-being. Loving Christ and believing that He is our certain hope for eternal life shined through every one of my teachers at Sterling College, not only in the faculty in the religion department, but in every other discipline in the humanities and science.”

Boos, was nominated by Sterling College professor Dr. T. H. Kwa, McVay Endowed Business Chair. The Young Alumni Award is presented to an alumni who graduated 15 years ago or less.

Boos graduated in three years, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration: Entrepreneurship and Capitalism while running a textbook company that had annual revenues of $200,000. As a student, he was well-respected by his peers, led Bible studies and interned at the Heritage Foundation. He owns an international textile business and is involved in his church in Plano, Texas.

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.