Inspire, Summer 1992

A News Publication for Cedarville College Alumni ire Seizing A World Of Opportunity Through Strategic Planning Following the meeting ofthe board oftrustees in April1992, PresidentDixon presenteda cost/quality comparison ofa Cedarville College education to the student body.Healso helda question andanswer session with the alumni councilon this issue. These highlightsfrom his messageflowfrom this year's theme at Cedarville College: "Seizing A WorldOf Opportunity." W hy should Christians plan? Because God has a strategic plan! Everything that He created He created with a plan. History has a plan;prophecy has a plan; God'sSon came with a plan.Everything Christ did,He did strategically. In Bible-believing Christianity today,we need people who are willing to meet the challenges ofthis world through strategic planning.Our planning should include sending young men and women into the work force who are prepared to"seize the opportunity"through strategic thinking. One ofCedarville's advantages is that its personnel have always had astrong sense of mission.The purpose ofCedarville College is "to offer students an education consistent with biblical truth."Our strategic thinking, planning,and budgeting have been guided by the mission statementand have given tangible expression to ashared vision. We have devoted significant time,creative energy,and other resources to position Cedarville College for effective ministry in the twenty-first century. As welook atour future we mustalwaysgo back to our mission. I wantto share with students,alumni,and friends the value additions thatflow from the strategic thinking process. Toenhance the students'academic experience,the board oftrustees has authorized twelve brand new faculty positions in 1992-93.Those new positions are in athletic training,physical therapy,biology, communication arts,criminaljustice, engineering(electrical and mechanical), library media,mathematics,community health nursing,philosophy,social work,and special education. Next year's students will be the first to utilize the Engineering/Nursing Center's $7 million building.To date the Lord has provided $5 million in gifts and commitments. We are very optimistic as welook to Him for the remaining funds.The addition to Willetts dormitory will accommodate next year's incoming students and ease the issue ofthree to aroom in the Maddox dormitory. As pastors and businessmen on the board of trustees addressed the computer network issue,they gave priority to developing graduates who are prepared for a networking world.This network will provide new ways for us to meet oureducational mission and objectives.The students receiving computer network preparation atCedarville College will be a marvelous testimony for Christ as they step out into the workforce and become skilled professionalsfor the Lord. We have also put significant dollars into increasing ourfinancial aid program.In the Comparative Analysis ofCollege Costs chart you can see where Cedarville ranks. Many colleges in the American higher education system raise their costs to provide increased financial aid.Our board decided many years ago to discountevery student the same amountright upfront by keeping costs low. That has been a strategic move for Cedarville College.The value that Cedarville offers is higher than the cost because ofthis plan. The strategic movesofadministrators years ago have built Cedarville College to its existing reputation.The decisions to: • remain a Christian liberal arts college in the early 1950's • provide astrong program in the sciences • build a chapelfor 2,000 people in 1976 • constructthe Athletic Center in 1981 graduated the first nursing class in 1985 IN build the Centennial Library in 1987 • add Brock Hall in 1990 IN begin a bachelor ofscience program in engineering in 1990 • build the Science/Engineering/Nursing complex in 1991-92 IN develop the campuscomputer network in 1992 all had to do with the strategic plan.To God be the glory for all He has accomplished at Cedarville College these many years.Our future is bright as wefocus on Him,and on our mission,and continue to think strategically. :J_IJJ2:_li Li i'i J .':.: j..I.il :.JJ ,..rj.11 _r_, .1/ JJ .::- )., s':),':',.,-,!. . J J12-JJ :Collog Cost 'Tennessee Temple University $7300 'Baptist Bible College $9,226 'Grand Rapids Baptist College $9,658 Cedarville College *$9,966 1 $10,660 -, Bryan College :Liberty University $10.730 Grace College $11,300 -Anderson College $11,900 The Masters College $11,95 ,'Houghton College $12.49 Taylor University $13,650 Messiah College $13,7 ,Wheaton College $14,25 Biota University $14,95 ^Gordon College $15,8 i. ., *with a computer and printer in dormitory room,$10,461.