My Cedarville experience has been fantastic. I am so blessed to be able to receive the Christ-centered education that Cedarville is known for! The Lord has opened and closed many doors in my time at the Cedarville, but He has also provided me with great friendships to help push me more toward Christ. Donors have helped provide students like me with daily chapel. These chapels have challenged my beliefs and help me grow closer to God. They have also helped me understand how great our Creator is. I enjoy the teachings from the Word, but hearing Cedarville alumni return to campus and give testimonies about how God has worked in their lives has been something I truly enjoyed listening to this year. I am very thankful for Cedarville University, and it is because of God’s work and the help from donors that allow me to get the experience I have received while also providing it to future Yellow Jackets. ALEX EVANS ’24 Management ForElvinand JoyceKing, their devotionand commitment toCedarvilleUniversity started over sixdecades ago as freshmen in 1960. “After everythingwe’ve done together,my favoritememorywasmeetinghim,” said Joyce. Now48years later, Elvinand Joycehold the longest-consecutive donor record at Cedarville. Their journey started in 1969: Elvin tookover themen’s programin 1969 and then createdCedarville’s firstwomen’s cross country and track teamin 1979, which Joyce helped coach. Soon, theKings becameCoachandMrs. Coach to every student on campus. “Wewere impressedwith themissionof Cedarville after twoyears, so it just seemed logical to support it together,” saidElvin. As one team, theKings became instrumental in the development andgrowthof both men’s andwomen’s cross country and trackandfield teams.WhileElvinenjoyedmany highlights duringhis career, his favoritewas in2001when the Lady Jackets captured theNAIANational Championship, the school’s first inany sport, andhewas votedNAIA National Coachof theYear. “Godhas just been so good tous through track that givingback justmade sense,” saidElvin. Although their coaching years are behind them, Elvinand Joyce continue to generously give, helping students receive anexcellent educationas theygrowcloser toChrist. Though theKings servedYellowJacketAthletics for decades, Elvin says his true love forCedarville is in its biblical teachings. “Thinkingback towhenwewere students, therewere only about 350of us,” saidElvin. “Now, there are thousands of students on campus. The growth just amazesme, but themost important piecehas been seeing the students still go to chapel everyday and still get their Bibleminor. I don’t knowwhat Cedarvillewouldbewithout that.” TheKings continue to return to campus eachyear, watching students graduate andgrow theYellowJacket legacy. “Everything is connected toGod and themissionof this school,” said Joyce. “Everythingwe have, our family, our friends, even studentswhokeep in contactwithus, we owe it all to God and this school.” 8
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