MICHAEL STERLING, FERD STORM HONORED AT KING CELEBRATION

Two Cape Girardeau men were honored for their work promoting justice, freedom and social betterment through non-violence at Friday's community-wide Martin Luther King Jr. celebration.

Ferd Sturm and Michael Sterling received the Martin Luther King Jr. Award for 1993.

The award is presented by the local chapter of the NAACP and the Southeast Missouri Fellowship of Reconciliation. The two organizations also organized Friday's event held at First Presbyterian Church.

In addition to announcing recipients of the Martin Luther King Award, speakers, the Rev. Maria Copeland and the Rev. Roy B. Nabors, reflected on Martin Luther King's life and how his messages resound today. A choir of fourth-grade students from Cape Girardeau's public schools performed.

Sterling announced Sturm as winner of the award.

"Through his Christian caring, Ferd has helped hundreds of people move from incarceration to a life of freedom and non-violence, which blesses all with justice and social betterment," Sterling said. "He has been a true and respected friend to those in trouble. He did more than visit his neighbor when they were in prison. He helped them create a new life."

In accepting the award, Sturm said, "I just pray for the day when all mankind can walk together in peace and harmony."

Sturm retired in 1982 after 38 years of service to Missouri's Department of Corrections and Human Resources through the Board of Probation and Parole.

In 1985, Sturm was appointed by the governor to serve as chairman of the Citizen's Advisory Council for the Department of Corrections. He still holds that position.

He is an active member of the First Christian Church, serving as chairman of the board in 1987, as an elder, chairman of the search committee and chairman of the personnel committee.

In 1990, he was honored by the church for his Christian ministry and service.

Sturm has been honored by the Missouri Probation and Parole Officers Association. He also was honored for his contribution to the Missouri Criminal Justice System in the Area of Correctional Rehabilitation. Sturm served as president of the Missouri Corrections Association in 1976.

Following his retirement, Sturm moved to Cape Girardeau. He serves Meals on Wheels and has volunteered over 1,000 hours at St. Francis Medical Center.

He also serves on the board of directors for the Exchange Club and is also a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Shriners.

The Rev. Craig Nessan, pastor of St. Mark Lutheran Church, introduced Sterling as a winner.

"He is concerned about the people in the community. He visits them, listens to their problems and tries to help in the right way, peaceable, free from violence, to bring harmony and equal opportunity for all citizens," Nessan said.

Sterling serves as president of the local NAACP and co-adviser to the NAACP Chapter at Southeast Missouri State University.

Through the NAACP, he spearheaded the Family Summit held in November at Southeast.

Sterling works as an advocate in the community to help improve housing conditions. He has set up voter registration drives.

He was appointed by the city council to serve as member of the zone representation committee.

Sterling serves as a community representative for the Department of Gerontology and adviser to the S.E.A. Cape group. He is also a member of the Community Caring Council and served as a member of the Head Start policy council for 1991-92.

Sterling attends New Bethel Baptist Church.

A plaque with the names of Martin Luther King Jr. award winners will be displayed at the Cape Girardeau public library.