Sterling Citizenship Award

Sterling Citizenship Award

The Fairfield Rotary Club created the Sterling Citizenship Award in 2005 to honor the late Sterling Uhler, a former president of the Club, past mayor and council member of the City of Fairfield, and community activist.  The Sterling Citizenship Award is presented each year to an individual who demonstrates the admirable qualities exhibited by Sterling Uhler.  Among these qualities are:  service above self;  genuine concern and caring for fellow citizens;  civic responsibility;  vision;  leadership;  courage to stand up for one's convictions; and taking action in accordance with the Rotary Four Way Test:  Is it the Truth?  Will it build good will and better friendship?  Is it fair to all concerned?  Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

In announcing this award in 2005, then Club President Mike Dickey said, “In the life of every community, there are those few whose contributions are measured and remembered for generations. Sterling’s love of Fairfield, its people, its development, and its future were apparent in everything he did.  Likewise, the recipients of this award should demonstrate a vision for Fairfield that transcends the ordinary, for Sterling Uhler was truly an extraordinary person.”

To be eligible for the Sterling Citizenship Award, an individuals must live and/or work in the Fairfield community; have made visible and demonstrable contributions to the Fairfield community; and demonstrate those qualities exhibited by the late Sterling Uhler as listed above.  Nomination applications are available here for printout online, from Fairfield Rotary Club members, or at the City of Fairfield municipal offices.

Applications for the year 2008 must be completed and postmarked by June 6, 2008. A committee of Fairfield Rotarians will review nominations and make a final selection for the recipient of the Sterling Citizenship Award.  A medallion will be presented to the award winner at the Fairfield Rotary Club's Changing of the Guard Dinner on June 27, 2008 at the Fairfield Community Arts Center.  The award winner will also be recognized at a meeting of the Fairfield City Council.

Sterling Uhler became a member of the Fairfield Rotary Club in 1990 and was president of the club in 2003-2004.  In addition to serving as Fairfield’s mayor from 1991 to 1993, he also served a total of 13 years on Fairfield City council as well as many years of service on city, regional and state boards and commissions, including the OKI Regional Planning Board and the Butler County Regional Transit Authority.  Sterling Uhler was instrumental in the establishment of the City of Fairfield’s charter, which defines the city’s current system of government.

Sterling had a strong commitment to the parks and recreation opportunities for Fairfield’s citizens.  He was co-founder of the Fairfield Footlighters Drama Company, and wrote the first drama, Duty, which was the first play presented in the new Village Green Amphitheatre.  Sterling Uhler passed away in August of 2004.  The Fairfield Community Foundation recognized him posthumously in November 2004 for his community service.

Past recipients of the Sterling Citizenship Award are:  Dick Niehaus (2005), Ray Sullivan (2006), Sally Braun (2007) and Joyce Sampsel (2008).

  Printable version of the Sterling Citizenship Award nomination form