STERLING — From show-stopping performances to award-winning media and gallery-worthy art, the arts at Sterling College thrived this academic year —and the curtain closed in style. Capping off a season filled with creativity and achievement, the College honored 20 standout students during its annual year-end arts awards, recognizing excellence in music, theatre, forensics, communications, and visual arts.
With nearly a quarter of the student body involved in the arts, the College has seen an explosion of talent across campus stages, studios, and rehearsal rooms. “This was a strong year in the arts for us,” said Dennis Dutton, Arts Director at Sterling College. “I’m pleased to report that the arts are thriving at Sterling College.”
The final day of exams ended not in silence, but with cheers, formalwear, and a feast — Sterling College’s version of the Tony Awards, affectionately dubbed “The Gordons.” Named in honor of longtime theatre professor Gordon Kling, the student- and director-voted awards ceremony has become a beloved tradition. Before the trophies were handed out, attendees dined on homemade jambalaya prepared by “SC Theatre Mom” Laura Keegan, who has faithfully fed cast and crew members for the past three years. Her son, junior Kurt Keegan, is a regular on the Sterling stage.
The year’s artistic achievements were wide-ranging and vibrant. Theatre productions included the sharp, contemporary A Doll’s House Part Two and the irreverent musical satire Urinetown. The choir explored musical traditions from folk to gospel, while the band performed selections inspired by literary classics and rock-and-roll legends. Four art exhibits featured student and visiting work, the forensics and debate team continued their award-winning legacy, and communication students excelled at the Kansas Collegiate Media Awards.
The annual Arts Awards recognized excellence across all these areas. In the visual arts, Ryan Mitchell of Sterling received the Art Leadership Award, presented by art faculty Sean Engler and Katie Petersen.
Music honors were presented by Band Director Larry Brownlee, who awarded the Mr. and Mrs. R.O. Ferguson Memorial Band Award to Lily Stansbury of Lyons and the Frank William Montgomery Band Award to Macy Brownlee of Sterling. The Louie Armstrong Jazz Band Award went to Sienna Cauley of Great Bend and the Symphonic Band Servant Leadership Award was given to Taggart Reiss of Hutchinson.
Choir and music faculty Marisa Callan and Sean Foster presented the Leon Akin Choir Award to Noah Svaty of Sterling. They also awarded the Barbara Thompson Endowed Music Scholarship to Brooklyn Richardson of Stafford; Copper Collins of Pretty Prairie (who also received the Bob and Margaret Calderwood Endowed Scholarship); Hannah Ellis of Cunningham; Lily Stansbury of Lyons; Mary Little of Hutchinson; Philip Starnes of Wellington; and Taggart Reiss of Hutchinson. Lily Condray of Clay Center was honored with the Carol McCullough Brown Endowed Vocal Music Scholarship, while Mary Little also received the Rev. Alfred R. Bernadt Jr. Memorial Scholarship.
