Inspire, Fall 1998

A News Publication for Cedarville College Alumni Excellence In Teac A s Inspire features the Department of Science and Mathematics in this issue,Professor Terry Phipps'70 surfaces as one of the great strengths of the department. For the past 20 years, this professor of biological sciences has seen the department grow in size, curriculum, and quality to become one of the largest departments of the College. Terry has personally contributed to the department's credibility through his own excellence in teaching and research. Terry's interest in the biological sciences goes back as far as elementary school and grew under the tutelage of a high school biology teacher.As a student at Cedarville College, he found the science department to be fairly small."Yet," he says,"the faculty members—some ofthem are still here—were excellent instructors. They were personable and easy to work with." After his military service in Vietnam,Terry completed his M.S. at Wright State University. While he was teaching environmental technology at The Ohio State University's Mansfield,Ohio branch, Dr. Clifford Johnson,then Cedarville's academic dean,asked him to consider teaching at Cedarville. "As God had opened and closed doors and placed me in different positions," Terry shares,"I believe He was preparing me to come back to Cedarville College." Returning to his alma mater,Terry found the science department still relatively small, but changing to encompass more research and provide science classes for new corollary programs, nursing and engineering. Adding to the credibility of the department were new facilities, sophisticated equipment, and more faculty whose expertise and experience built on the strong academics already in place."It's been the work of God that has brought us the people we have," says Terry."Everyone seems to mesh very well together. Everyone works as a unit. I've never been in a work situation where the people have been more congenial and helpful." With all the advances,Terry stresses that the department continues to be very service-oriented to the students."They receive the same personal help and direction for growth that I experienced as a student, all in a framework of very strong academics." He says there are more and more opportunities for students to learn by doing. Terry's personal research has involved zoological plankton in Lake Erie. He has conducted research and taught courses at Stone Lab(OSU's aquatic lab on South Bass Island near Sandusky,Ohio)and has taught limnology(fresh water biology)at AuSable Institute near Traverse City, Michigan. tug Family is a big part of Terry's life. His wife, Rita '71,serves as principal of Graham High School in St. Paris, Ohio, where Terry has been approached to help Graham's state champion wrestling team with their strength training. Terry and Rita's two daughters, Heather'93 and Shannon '95, are preparing for medical careers. The family enjoys biking, inline skating,and weight training. Terry shares that the Lord has opened doors for evangelism in the gyms where the family works out. "I'll work out with some of the kids there, and they'll often ask me for help since I've studied and know about exercise," he explained. Through the years, the Lord has directed Terry into several community opportunities, which include serving on the school board at Greeneview School District and as board president of the Greene County Career Center. Dr.Terry Phipps seeks to be a good model through his dedication to students and research. His devotion to his family and his faithfulness in outreach demonstrate hislove for the Lord. Thank you,Terry Phipps,for 20 years of significant contributions to Cedarville College. FALL 1998 DE Terry Phipps '70 works with a student. Afathenia - ithf Writft*Ott Biology crierris" Earth Science