Inspire, Fall 2005

Honor to Whom Honor is Due Alum Honored by International Communicators Roger Overturf ’75 was honored on June 23 as the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) 2005 Communication Leader of the Year. The award annually recognizes an individual who excels in four key areas of communication leadership and professionalism: career experience, communication voluntarism, professional development, and ethical practices. Roger served as a military public affairs officer for nearly 20 years in assignments ranging from base-level public information duties in peacetime to directing an international press center in a combat zone. He also spent eight years teaching, both at the University of Notre Dame and at the Defense Information School (the Defense Department’s public affairs training house). After serving as Cedarville University’s director of public relations for eight years, he recently became the University’s community relations/ROTC liaison. Roger is heavily involved in professional organizations in addition to the IABC, including the Air Force Public Affairs Alumni Association, the Miami Valley Military Affairs Association, and the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). His community involvement includes membership in the Xenia (Ohio) Kiwanis club and service as a member of the Beavercreek (Ohio) Planning Commission. Roger holds a master’s degree from Central Michigan University, and he is a doctoral candidate at Trinity Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Linda (Franson) ’77, reside in Beavercreek, Ohio. Roger may be reached at overtrf@cedarville.edu. Solar Splash Team Named World Champs Second Year Straight A Cedarville University team of engineers has again laid claim to a World Champion title. The team, consisting of 2005 CU engineering grads and seniors, recently won Solar Splash ® 2005, the world championship of intercollegiate solar boating held in Buffalo, New York. Dr. Tim Dewhurst, professor of mechanical engineering, served as the faculty adviser to the project. “We are simply thrilled at this accomplishment of our students,” said Dr. Larry Zavodney, chair of Cedarville University’s Elmer W. Engstrom Department of Engineering. “Solar Splash ® is an international intercollegiate competition that involves students designing, building, and sailing their Fall 2005 Welcome to New Faculty! Cedarville University welcomed 11 new faculty members this fall, including a number of alums: Dr. Alan Geist ’83 Associate Professor of Sport Management Aaron Gosser Instructor of Graphic Design Rebecca Selden Kuhn ’78 Instructor of Physical Education Dr. Richard Martinez Associate Professor of Management Patrick Oliver Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Director of Criminal Justice Program Rachel Batchelder Parrill ’97 Instructor of Nursing Dr. Susan Salladay Professor of Nursing Jennifer Secor ’01 Instructor of Mathematics Dr. Annis Shaver Assistant Professor of German Amy Voris Instructor of Nursing Cynthia Myczka Wingert ’01 Instructor of Biology Worldview Weekend Actor Kirk Cameron, a born-again Christian, was one of the featured speakers at the Worldview Weekend conference at Cedarville University October 14-15. Cameron joined Ray Comfort, Kerby Anderson, Sean McDowell, and Dr. David Noebel to train attendees to be more powerful and effective Christian witnesses in today’s culture. Through a variety of hot topic discussions, Christian young people and adults alike gained a more comprehensive biblical worldview and learned how to apply it to everyday life. Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron were two of the featured speakers at the Worldview Weekend conference at Cedarville University October 14-15. Photo courtesy of Worldview Weekend