Sterling College alumnus Jim Brackensick and his wife Cindy recently made a $50,000 donation to Sterling College. The funds will be used for the general scholarship fund, the stadium renovation project, and four named student scholarships.

Brackensick graduated from Sterling in 1979 with a degree in business administration. He went on to the Culinary Institute of America and graduated in 1980 with an Applied Occupational Science degree. Jim entered the hospitality industry and made his mark in the Middle East, Far East, Asia, Micronesia, Europe, South America and the U.S.

Brackensick has been with Rosewood Hotel and Resorts in Dallas, Texas, as senior vice president of purchasing for the past 25 years. He is a past member of Sterling College’s National Advisory Council, and he and his wife have been active in supporting the College for more than 20 years. Their most recent gift was prompted by their desire to provide more for Sterling College students. “We want to see students at Sterling receive significant financial assistance so that SC will be affordable for them,” said Brackensick. “My Sterling education helped me prepare for my career and the Lord’s challenges in life, and I want to see other students benefit from Sterling’s educational programs as I did.”

“We are thankful for Jim and Cindy’s generosity and creativity in developing important areas that will move the College forward in its mission,” said Don Reed, Sterling’s director of gift planning. A portion of the Brackensicks’ gift goes to the Sterling Fund, Sterling’s unrestricted gift fund used for general student scholarships and for faculty/staff development and support, and another portion goes to the stadium renovation project, specifically for a new hammer/discus throw area. This enables the College to host track meets and events and supports the athletic area of Sterling’s educational experience—an area Jim was highly involved and interested in when he was a student at Sterling. “I’m excited about improvements made to the track and football field and the potential that has to attract athletes to Sterling,” said Brackensick. The Brackensicks’ gift also establishes four specific scholarships for the 2009-2010 academic year: two for students majoring in athletic training and two for students majoring in Sterling’s growing sports management program.

“It is a true blessing to have partners like the Brackensicks,” said Sterling College President Dr. Paul J. Maurer. “Their support allows Sterling College to continue to provide a liberal arts education that is centered on the truth of Christ.”