Westminster's Board of Trustees Honor Sternberghs with Outstanding Service Award

G. Alan and Margaret Elliott Sternbergh, who reside in New Wilmington, were recognized by the Westminster College Board of Trustees with the Westminster College Outstanding Service Award.

 The Sternberghs, who are both Westminster College alumni, are famous for their longstanding service to Westminster, as well as the New Wilmington community.  They met at Westminster, married and returned to the campus, when Al accepted the position of Director of the Career Planning and Placement in 1968 until his retirement in 1994.

 During that time they have been involved in nearly every aspect of community life.  They both served as elders and deacons of the Neshannock Presbyterian Church, helped organize the church's 200th anniversary celebration, served as teachers in Vacation Bible School, and sang in the choir.

 In addition, Al was a founding member and past president of the New Wilmington Kiwanis Club.  He also served the Boy Scouts, Lawrence-Mercer Softball League, and Little League.  Margaret was a founding member of the New Wilmington Community Club, and has been an active member of the Jameson Junior Guild for 25 years, a member of the Thursday Club, and currently serves as vice president of the Tuesday Garden Club.

 The Sternberghs were both involved in the publication of the "History of the Borough of New Wilmington."  Al also worked closely with Dr. Eugene Sharkey on "When Titans Truly Were," a history of Westminster alumni contributions to World War II.

 Westminster College has also benefited from their personal generosity.  Both served on their 50th reunion committees, and through their class gifts established the endowed G. Alan and Margaret E. Sternbergh Scholarship Fund, which benefits students from the New Wilmington area.  They have hosted many alumni functions at their home, and Al served as a volunteer fundraiser and as a member of the Alumni Council and Westminster Fund Board

 In 2003, the Board of Trustees created the Westminster College Outstanding Service Award to honor an individual who has provided noteworthy, extraordinary service to the College.  The award is intended to recognize and celebrate exceptional commitment in terms of time, talent, and resources over an extended period of time.  The recipient does not need to be an alumna or alumnus of the College.

 The first award, which is presented annually at the October meeting, was presented to Jane Stonerod Lauterbach '41.

Westminster College President R. Thomas Williamson, G. Alan Sternbergh, Margaret Elliott Sternbergh, and Westminster College Board Chair George R. Berlin.