2005-2006 Annual Report

19 Gibbs began his Washington, D.C., initiative with an idea called “Lew does lunch.” He began taking Cedarville graduates to lunch to develop relationships, establish contacts, and open doors on behalf of current Cedarville students. “Lew does lunch” grew into an annual “Lunch on the Hill” event sponsored by Cedarville University Career Services. It is open to all Cedarville graduates as well as other believers in the Washington, D.C., area. The first “Lunch on the Hill” event, in 2005, featured Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee 7th District representative, as speaker. Jay Hein, director of the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, spoke in 2006. For most people, “Lunch on the Hill” turns thoughts to politics. For Lew Gibbs it represents opportunities. Gibbs is passionate about Cedarville students making a difference in the culture, and he’s found no better place to accomplish that goal than in Washington, D.C. Gibbs’ interest in the nation’s capital began with an e-mail from a Cedarville graduate. The message was short and to the point: “There are unbelievable opportunities for Christians in Washington.” For Gibbs, this e-mail was a call for action to place Cedarville University graduates in “gatekeeping” careers. Because of his efforts, Cedarville graduates speak of a “buzz” among politicians and staffers about Cedarville. But the goal is not to make a name for Cedarville. According to Gibbs, the goal is to “ensure that our set of values has a place in the public discourse.” Cedarville students are increasingly finding opportunities to do just that. Last spring Gibbs hand-carried two internship applications to the White House. Both students were offered positions. This is the fourth year in a row that Cedarville University has had an intern in the White House. (Considering the White House hires just 100 college interns and there are 2,500 four-year colleges and universities in the nation, Cedarville’s placement success is remarkable.) Under the leadership of Jeff Reep, assistant director of career services, this summer’s two White House interns join a list of more than 75 Cedarville students who have worked as interns in the White House, with U.S. senators or representatives, or in various departments and organizations in Washington. After several years of investment in Washington, D.C., Gibbs and Cedarville are beginning to reap results and are finding significant opportunities to engage the culture for Christ. on the Hill www.cedarville.edu/career “Gatekeeping careers include jobs in politics and public service, music and the arts, and entertainment and the media. These careers so influence people and their thinking that they disproportionately sway the direction of the culture.” Lew Gibbs