Inspire, Summer 1991

Heritage continued was their firm commitment to principles of biblical Christianity. This same commitment is seen in the people who maintain it. Reformed Presbyterians founded the college "For the Crown and Covenant of Christ" (college corporate seal). Regular Baptists have main- tained it"For the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ"(Rev. 1:9). The mission and objectives of the institution mark it as a distinctly Christian college. The doctrinal statements of both the Presbyterians and Baptists reveal a firm commitment to the basic principles of historic fundamentalism. The thesis of this volume may be stated very simply. There were three keys to the early success of Cedarville College. First, a strong tie to a church constituency, the General Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in North America. Second,strong executive leadership, as seen in Rev. David McKinney and W. Renwick McChesney. Third, a strong tie with the local community. Gradually, Cedarville College lost all three. In 1928 the General Synod released the college to a self- perpetuating board. Two years later that board seriously undermined their executive leadership. Subsequently, circumstances caused the college to lose respect in the eyes of the community. Through its last decade as a Presbyterian institution, Cedarville was a college in trauma. The trustees were forced to deplete the endowment because none of the prerequisites for success were in place. Realizing they could continue no longer,the trustees sought new leadership for their beloved college. In an act of gracious Christian statesmanship, they turned the campus over to a group of Regular Baptists representing the Baptist Bible Institute of Cleveland. The Regular Baptists began to redevelop the three key elements necessary for success. They gradually built a strong tie with the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches. Executive leadership emerged in the person of James T.Jeremiah and was continued by Paul Dixon. Through the years a strong, positive relationship was reestablished with the Village of Cedarville, Greene County and the greater Miami Valley. In the process, Cedarville College has established a unique niche for itself. Its strong liberal arts emphasis provides a framework for its sensitivity to the new educational needs of the information age and the demands of the professions. Over the course of the century of its existence, many people have passed through the halls of Cedarville College. Over 10,000 students have enrolled in classes since 1894. Seven hundred and eight had graduated by 1953; and since then,there have been 5,327. Hundreds of others have labored as trustees, administrators, faculty, and staff. These people have influenced one another in dramatic ways. Cedar Day Festivities C edar Day is the oldest tradition ofcelebration at Cedarville College. Festivi- ties of yesteryear included crowning ofa queen,a pageant,and maypole dances. In the sixties and seventies Cedar Day gave opportunity for a fun spring day complete with water activities on the lake and an outdoor picnic for students. Today Cedar Day is part ofa Parents Weekend which begins with Honors Day and abounds with activities: plays,concerts,craft and art exhibits,and outdoor events. Regardless ofthe change in activity through the years,a quote in the 1926 Cedrus describes the day best:"Cedar Day at Cedarville College is a day of reunion; and an old-fashioned,quaint holiday for the College,town,and commu- nity. May it never become a day ofthe past." Andrew Rhind Michael Boyes (not pictured: Brian Phipps) Bickett Scholarship Continues To Assist Students I n 1982,members ofthe family of John W. Bickett had the vision to begin a scholarship fund designed to assist students preparing for pastoral or missionary vocations. Mr. Bickett was the first graduate of Cedarville College and went into pastoral ministry. The family designated the scholarship funds for students planning seminary or language study after graduation. Heritage alumni of Cedarville College have continued to endow the fund. To date, 15 students have been Bickett Scholarship Award recipients. Thank you to the many Heritage alumni who have made this scholarship possible. Your contributions are appreciated. Celebrating 50 Years I n 1987 the Alumni Association began a tradition of holding 50-year reunions during the June commencement weekend. The classes of 1937 through 1941 have celebrated this monumental occasion with a banquet held in their honor, attendance at the commencement exercises, and a lunch- eon in the President's Dining Room. Many of the classes have presented gifts c. 1903 c.1980 Vera Andrew Harvey's 106th Birthday V era Andrew Harvey celebrated her 106th birthday on February 8,1991.The oldest known living alumnus of Cedarville College, Mrs. Harvey received her diploma in 1903. Vera is a resident of Huntington, West Virginia, and has been named the second Poet Laureate Emeritus of the state. She returned to the Cedarville campus in 1977 for a heritage alumni reunion and presented a poetic composition reflecting on Cedarville's history and her friendship with the college. Mrs. Harvey has published two books of poetry entitled Touching the Stars and Forget-Me-Nots. Along with her poetry, Vera has also been involved with the West Virginia State Federation of Women's Clubs and served as chair of the centennial poetry committee during West Virginia's Centennial. Sisters And Friends Grace(Wigal'29)Cosgray and Edith(Wigal '29)Clark fondly remember their years at Ce- darville College. Edith writes,"This picture of Grace and me was taken after graduation on June 7, 1929. The car in the picture belonged to our brother and was the means of transportation for us and some other Jamestown students during our last months of college. Previous to that time Grace and I had walked to the campus from our farm home back the long lane at the end of Cedar Street. I think the area now is the property of the village." Although the girls did not begin college the same year,they both finished in 1929. Grace received a two-year normal certificate and Edith, a four-year diploma. Along with these they received four-year provisional teaching certifi- cates— Grace's for elementary and Edith's for secondary. to the College on the occasion oftheir 50th reunions. Some ofthese treasures include a grandfather clock and crystal punch set in the President's Dining Room,oil paintings of the college's presidents, and attractive directional signs to campus on the highways entering the village of Cedarville. The classes of 1934 through1936 celebrated their 50-year reunions during Homecoming. Grace(Wigal '29) Cosgray and Edith (Wigal '29) Clark Alumnae Enjoy Annual Luncheon E ach year approximately 50school teachers who received their diplomas from Cedarville College gather for fellowship and especially to chat. This year's alumnae luncheon will be held July 8 in the College Center Atmosphere Room. The ladies have enjoyed many guest speakers, including Professor Tim Heaton who portrayed an early 1900's schoolmaster with authentic dress, speech, and disciplinary action. This year Dr. David Drullinger, assistant professor of Bible, will share his teaching experiences. We salute our heritage alumnae who provided quality education to many counties ofthe Miami Valley.