The Sterling Award is bestowed annually to one or more members of the faculty in recognition of strong teaching and service to the College, and in particular, distinguished professional achievement, either in the form of significant publication, creative work, or public performance.
This endowed fund was established in 1972 in memory of Mr. Sterling, a member of the Board of Trustees from 1948 to 1972, and a former Chairman of the Board. Past recipients of the Sterling Award include:
| 2000-01 | Warren Montag | Professor of English | |
| 2001-02 | Tetsuo Otsuki | Professor of Chemistry (deceased) | |
| 2002-03 | Jean Wyatt | Professor of English | |
| 2003-04 | Linda Besemer | Professor of Art & Art History | |
| 2004-05 | Jennifer Quinn | Professor of Mathematics | |
| 2005-06 | Xiao-huang Yin | Professor of American Studies | |
| 2006-07 | Margaret Rusmore | Professor of Geology | |
| 2007-08 | Nancy Dess | Professor of Psychology | |
| 2008-09 | Gabrielle Foreman | Professor of American Studies | |
| 2009-10 |
Dennis Eggleston Amy Lyford |
Professor of Physics Professor of Art & Art History |
|
| 2010-11 | Mike Hill | Professor of Chemistry | |
| 2011-12 | Gretchen North | Professor of Biology | |
| 2012-13 | Daniel Snowden-Ifft | Professor of Physics | |
| 2013-14 | Robert Gottlieb | Professor of Urban & Environmental Policy | |
| 2014-15 | Eileen Spain | Professor of Chemistry | |
| 2015-16 | Scott Bogue | Professor of Geology | |
| 2016-17 | Sharla Fett | Professor of History | |
| 2017-18 | Lisa Sousa | Professor of History | |
| 2018-19 | Dolores Trevizo | Professor of Sociology | |
| 2020-21 |
Mary Beth Heffernan Arthur St. Aubin |
Professor of Art and Art History Professor of Spanish and French Studies |
|
| 2021-22 | Anthony Chase | Professor of Diplomacy and World Affairs | |
| 2022-23 | Shana Goffredi | Professor of Biology | |
| 2023-24 | Mary J. Lopez | Professor of Economics |