Steryling Lang, a senior social work major at Seton Hill University, was recently named Big Brother of the Year by Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Laurel Region.

Steryling, an Army veteran and Fort Worth, Texas, native, found Seton Hill through his wife, Abigail Lang, who is a student in the Lake Erie College of Medicine (LECOM) on Seton Hill’s campus.

When he was deployed in South America, he found meaning and fulfillment in connecting local kids with resources and knew that he wanted to carry that on in his volunteer work after leaving the military.

He began volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Laurel Region in the spring of 2022 and was paired with his first little brother, Phazion. As they spent time together, Steryling also connected with Phazion’s brother Lamein, and, after a year, officially became a Big Brother to both boys.

He spends time with the boys several times a month, taking them to events in the Greensburg community and on Seton Hill’s campus and helping them develop “a sense of the world.” Lang also serves on the Community Engagement Committee for BBBS, and represents the organization at events on campus

"I'm happy to be there to support them and be the change I wanted to see growing up,” Steryling said. “Being a Big Brother is one of the most powerful things in my life."

"Steryling is not only an amazing Big Brother to two children, but a vocal champion for the agency as a whole,” said Gabrielle Stewart, interim executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Laurel Region. “Whether he's volunteering at a BBBS event or representing another cause in the community, he humbly promotes the mission of mentoring. Steryling always brings a contagious energy wherever he goes, and we are proud to have an advocate in such an amazing individual."

Steryling will be recognized at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Laurel Region’s Big Night Out Gala Nov. 3 at Stratigos Event Center.

After graduation, Lang - who is also minoring in psychology - plans to continue his education and earn his master’s degree in addition to performing research.