Sterling College Alumni Council Members

 

Wendy Calderwood - Sterling College
Wendy (Robson) Calderwood '89
Sterling, Kansas

I helped move my sister into McCreery Hall when I was eight years old and thought, "I could go to school here". My four siblings attended SC as did my husband and his siblings. We were married in Sterling a week after I graduated in '89.  We lived in Western Kansas for 29 years and just recently moved to Sterling to better care for our aging relatives. I taught science and coached in Hugoton and Ulysses and now do the same at Sterling High School.  SC is dear to our family.  Many of my husband's (Mark) family attended SC and both of our daughters graduated as Warriors and their husbands did too.  Seems like a family tradition.  I have also worked in youth ministry for many years and we know the value of Christ centered education.  I was honored to be asked to serve on the Alumni Council and I look forward to connecting people with the great things here at Sterling College, past and present.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jane (Milligan) Davidson '71
Hutchinson, Kansas

I feel I have always had Sterling in my blood. My parents met at Sterling, and all three of my older siblings graduated from Sterling. My husband, Ken '70, and I met at Sterling and were blessed to have our only daughter, Tricia, also graduate from Sterling in 1999. We have lived in Hutchinson, Kansas, ever since I graduated in 1971 and I taught 5th and 6th grades in Hutchinson, 25 of the last 45 years. The other years I spent as a stay-at-home mom, volunteer in several local organizations, and substitute teacher. My husband and I have both recently retired so are enjoying some travel and some wheat farming on the Davidson farm in the western part of the county. Our daughter, who was married in 2012, also lives and works in Hutchinson. This past January we became grandparents for the first time to the newest light in our lives, Zachary, with whom we get to babysit a couple of days a week. I am delighted to continue serving on the Sterling College Alumni Council. I am passionate about serving others, particularly my fellow alumni. I want to make sure that we, the Alumni Council and Alumni Association, are doing all that we can to make our services and alumni programming all that it can be. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jeff Duke '90
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Todd Fulton - Sterling College   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Todd Fulton '85
Nickerson, Kansas

I was born and raised in Sterling and graduated in 1985 with my BS and then completed my MS at Pittsburg State in 1986.  I have coached at the collegiate level with stops at Sterling, Pittsburg State, and Oklahoma Panhandle State University. For the past 29 years I have taught and coached in public education.  I am back at Nickerson High School where I started public school teaching in 1990. Other schools have included Victoria, Norton and Hugoton. I have taught physical education, social studies, at-risk, and English.  I have coached football, basketball, track, and baseball. I am honored to serve on the alumni council and look forward to serving you.

Emily (Kennedy) Gillespie '91
Alden, Kansas

Emily Hood - Sterling College
Emily (Walker) Hood '14
Alden, Kansas

I moved to Sterling in middle school and after graduating Sterling High School, I attended Sterling College from 2010-2014. The Lord absolutely led to to choose Sterling College and I loved my time there. Attending chapel, campus Bible studies, and volunteering at a local youth group inspired me to minor in Christian Ministries. During my time at SC I had the opportunity to go on mission trips to St. Lucia and to East Asia, both of those trips impacted my faith greatly. As an Elementary Education major, I felt that I was well equipped to enter into the field once I graduated. Through a program called the “Chicago Center”, that Sterling College partnered with, I was able to complete my student teaching in Chicago and learn so much. I was so grateful for the education I received and it helped me greatly in my five years of teaching I did in Hutchinson, KS. I now stay home with my two kiddos and my husband (Josh) runs a construction company out of Sterling. My husband also graduated from Sterling College, and we met while attending together. I was honored to be asked to serve on the alumni council, and I hope to continue to help SC grow and thrive. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mary (Horton) Knecht '68 - Board of Trustees Representative
Wichita, Kansas

I am a "cradle SC Warrior," born in Sterling and raised one block south of the campus. My maternal grandparents met at Sterling College, my parents went to SC, and relatives on all four sides of my family attended SC, totaling over 60 people. 

After two years at Sterling College, I transferred to K-State where I received a degree in Secondary Education majoring in english and theatre with a minor in radio and television. My first job was as an arts administrator with the Continental Theatre Company, founded as KSU. I retired after sixteen years as a Project Manager for Willard Garvey working as general manager for his low power community television station at KTQW-TV 49 in Wichita. I'm now working part-time for a non-profit, Arts Partners, in board support and fund-raising. 

I was elected to the Sterling College Board of Trustees in February 2002 and am their representative to the Alumni Council. I also serve on the SC Foundation. My husband Sam, a retired KSU electrical engineer, and I have been married since June of 1973.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dwight Nichols '80
Sun City West, Arizona

A native of Sterling, I graduated with the class of 1980. My wife, Phyllis and I currently divide our time between Sterling and the Phoenix, Arizona area.  However, my heart and thoughts are always with Sterling and Sterling College.   I have been involved in not-for-profit administration, including with the American Heart Association, Midland Hospice, and the Boys and Girls Club, all in Topeka, Kansas, as well as the Lyons Recreation Commission in Lyons.

As an active sports official for over 40 years, I have officiated the sports of football, basketball and baseball. Along with following the Warriors, I also enjoy golf, NASCAR and traveling. 

I am honored to be a part of the Sterling College Alumni Council and will do my best to ensure, together, we provide and plan programming that best meets the needs of Sterling College and its alumni.

 

Mike Oates - Sterling College     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael Oates '84
Long Beach, California

Tracey Repp '91
Sterling, Kansas

Robin (Reed) Webb '97
Sterling, Kansas

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Susie (Rathbun) Carney '88
Ellsworth, Kansas

Carney returned to her Alma Mater in 2017 after serving Andover Public Schools in Kansas for 13 years. Previously, Carney held positions such as online team lead in the banking industry. Also, she has served on Sterling’s Alumni Council in addition to several boards in the Greater Wichita area. Carney graduated from Sterling College in 1988 with a B.A. in Language Arts.