2006-2007 Annual Report

Full Circle. They’ve come full circle. Dr. Frank Jenista ‘68 and his wife Barb ‘70 graduated from Cedarville almost 40 years ago and embarked on a life’s journey that circled the globe. During his 25 years of service as a U.S. diplomat, the Jenistas lived in Japan, New Zealand, Indonesia, Uruguay, and the Philippines. But Cedarville was always a part of their thoughts, and in 2000 their journey led them back to campus. Frank accepted a faculty position in Cedarville’s international studies program, and Barb serves on the Academic Enrichment Center team. Their passion for investing in the lives of students has found a home. “It’s much more than teaching a class,” says Frank, whose courses are famous for being among the most challenging and rewarding on campus. “It’s about helping students mature, develop, and prepare for their future through character and spiritual growth.” The Jenistas share their lives and their home with students, mentoring and building relationships. “We are asked to follow Christ’s model, and He was with people,” Barb explains. “There is no doubt that our lives and our home are for Him — and at Cedarville, that means for our students.” Their investment in students began long before their paths led them home to Cedarville. While serving overseas, the Jenistas hosted Cedarville visitors and even Missions Involvement Services (MIS) basketball teams. They also established a scholarship to assist students whose parents are serving in international missions. Having grown up on the mission field, Frank remembers running out of money midway through his second semester at Cedarville. There were no scholarships at that time, so he understands the pressures missionary kids (MKs) face. But the Jenistas’ goals for their scholarship go beyond assisting MKs financially. “Missionary kids bring an international perspective into college life,” Frank explains. “It’s a view that Americans don’t often get to see, and we need to be exposed to this perspective.” Yes, the Jenistas have come full circle. Now as they invest in Cedarville and in students, their sphere of influence — and impact — only broadens. Learn more: www.cedarville.edu/donors