On Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, at halftime of the men’s basketball game, Sterling College held a dedication ceremony for the Joe McFarland Mezzanine to honor the late Dr. Joe McFarland ’51, Sterling College alumnus. The mezzanine is made possible through a gift from Roberta (Dill) ’51 McFarland, who dedicated the new bleachers and renovations to the mezzanine level in honor of her late husband.

McFarland is President Emeritus at Geneva College where he served as president from 1984–92. McFarland served as a member of the Sterling College Board of Trustees from 1971-84 and also received the College’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award in 1982. He taught at a variety of education levels as an elementary school principal, a sixth grade teacher and a professor at Emporia State University. McFarland also had a flare for the dramatic, celebrating both his 70th and 80th birthdays by skydiving.