Two alumni and long-time supporters of Sterling College, J. Lamar and Mildred Dunn have donated $1.3 million from their estate to the institution. The gift will be invested and generate annual earnings for 20 years. Following this time, Sterling’s trustees will decide how to use the unrestricted funds.

“Sterling College is blessed to have alumni like the Dunns. It was obvious how much they cared about the College. They fell in love with Sterling College as students and that love manifested itself through lifelong dedication to their Alma mater through the giving of their time, resources and now as their final act, a profoundly thoughtful estate gift that will impact the college for decades to come,” said President Paul J. Maurer.

Lamar ’40 majored in mathematics and Mildred ’42 majored in home economics and English. Lamar also served as a member of the College Board of Trustees from 1950 to 2000. His 50 years of service makes him the longest-serving Trustee of the College.

Lamar came to Sterling College from a humble background as a farm boy from Arlington, Kan., but upon graduation he became a distinguished electrical engineer. Even more life-changing was his relationship with Jesus Christ that started while attending Sterling College. “I remember it well. There was a friend of mine there at the College, Elmer Graham. We went up into the third floor of Cooper Hall. He told me about Jesus. He prayed and I was just bathed in peace, peace, peace.” That day, Lamar began a new life filled with everlasting purpose.

Mildred was the daughter of psychology professor, Dr. George Mendenhall, who served at Sterling from 1937 to 1950. She loved playing the piano and organ, and participating in the church handbell choir.  She sang in the Tucson Sweet Adelines for 20 years. Mildred enjoyed traveling to Sterling with Lamar when he participated in board meetings, and she treasured her time on campus observing the students. Mildred loved Sterling because of its Christ-centered education and the lifelong friends that it gave her.

The Dunn’s lived a long and prosperous life together. They moved to Tucson, Ariz. in 1960, where Lamar became manager of Arizona Operations for Bell Aerosystems Company. He retired in 1971 and together the Dunn’s started a new career in real estate, investing in houses, apartments, storage units and RV parks. Lamar maintained the properties while Mildred performed the bookkeeping. They were active members in the Northminster Presbyterian Church in Tucson and had four children: Bill, Shirley, John, and Betty. Bill ’64 and Shirley ’68 graduated from Sterling College.

Before Lamar passed away in 2001 and Mildred in 2010, they made plans to leave a large portion of their estate to Sterling College, where they served throughout their lifetimes. Their generosity will provide Sterling with a little more than $1.3 million.

“There are very few people who loved this college more than Lamar and Mildred Dunn,” said Sterling’s Director of Gift Planning, Don Reed. “I believe that Lamar’s high priority of focus on Sterling’s Christian education was a major factor in Sterling’s maintaining its strong Christian mission over the last half of the 20^th century. His role in the history of this College was huge during his lifetime and now, with this wonderful gift, their legacy will always be present at the college.”