Nominated for the doctorate by colleague Rev. Kermit R. Lauterbach, retired pastor of the All Saints Lutheran Church in Olmsted Falls, Ohio, Sering is widely known for his work toward social justice.

As LMM executive director since 1969, Sering developed numerous ministries such as the ecumenical Community Re-Entry Program, an ex-offenders program created in 1971. The program has received many accolades over the years, most notably from people such as former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno and President Clinton, who, at the 1994 National Safety Forum, cited it as a top example of positive community response to urban crime at the 1994 National Safety Forum.

Sering is also noted for developing other caring community ministries such as the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program, the Citizens of Cuyahoga County Ombudsman Program, the Volunteer Guardianship Program, Support To At-Risk Teens, the Westhaven Youth Shelter, the Youth Re-Entry Program, Services to Adult Care Homes, Linking Employment Ability & Potential, Maximum Independent Living, and the Lutheran Housing Corporation of Cleveland.

A member of numerous organizations and the recipient of several awards and honors, Sering has been active with the Northeastern Ohio Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. A Lutheran pastor -- Sering earned his master of divinity degree from Concordia Seminary in 1965 -- Sering led the St. Michael Lutheran Church outside St. Louis for four years before coming to Cleveland.

Sering's honorary will be awarded during the Northeastern Ohio Synod's assembly at Thiel, which runs Friday and Saturday.