Dr. Sterling Church

Name: Dr. Sterling Church
Date: Vice President of Student Services, 1984 - 2002
Dean of Students, 1975 - 1983
Director of Student Personnel Services, 1972 - 1974
Bio: Sterling R. Church served for 30+ years as the chief student services officer at Southern Utah University. Under the leadership of four different presidents, Church worked closely with student leaders and student services staff members to ensure students were given the help and encouragement necessary to succeed on campus and in life. With a personal mission of continually reminding people that students come first and that they were the reason why the campus existed, Church was an advocate of student involvement in campus decisions. He is known to frequently quote the statement that, “People support that which they help create.” Another prominent element of his philosophy is his belief that students benefit greatly by being involved in service learning opportunities in addition to the classroom. He always reminded staff that “we are educators first, student services personnel, second.” The completion of the Sharwan Smith Student Center was a realization of a dream and the efforts of Dr. Church. Students and co-workers love and respect him for his intelligence and gentleness.