The Jeremiahs celebrated their 20th anniversary with the College in 1973. The Board presented Dr. Jeremiah with a portrait of himself, and a motor home, 50 that the Jeremiahs could pursue their love for travel. North Central accreditation, the more firm the conviction became that no compromise of spiritual values would be required. A significant part of the self-study was devot– ed to presenting the biblically related, Christian aspects of the purposes of the college. The pre– sentation of this section demonstrated that the Christian college which operates within a bibli– cal and Christian framework is definitely an option in our nation's total culture and that no apology or compromise need to be made. 9 From November 25-27, 1974, examiners from the North Central Association visited the Cedarville campus to evaluate carefully every aspect of the college. Students, faculty, staff, and administration were questioned. Records were checked. Library holdings were evaluated. The relationship of the athletic program to the total mission was considered. Upon completion of their investigation, the five-person committee prepared a report which was sent to North Central for consideration at their annual meeting. Dr. Clifford johnson and Dr. james jeremiah traveled to Chicago to deal with any final questions. Everything progressed nicely until one North Central representative looked at President Jeremiah and said: "If we give you accreditation what would you do if someone on your faculty told you he didn't believe your doctrine anymore?" jeremiah looked him directly in the eye and said, "We'd fire him." Silence engulfed the room until the man smiled, nodded, and said, "That's exactly what ought to happen."lo The challenge had been faced. Compromise was not necessary. A Christian college could require faculty to be committed to a doctrinal position. A college firmly committed to orthodox Christianity could be and was given full regional accreditation by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. Following the formal announcement of regional accreditation by President Jeremiah, Clifford johnson explained its significance: Accreditation means that no longer will there by any questions about the transfer of credits or entrance into graduate school. Alumni and friends of the college can confidently recom– mend Cedarville, particularly to those who are looking toward medical, dental, or law school. ll Regional accreditation not only meant a great deal to every student who ever graduated from Cedarville College, but it also was significant to the community. Following word of regional accreditation, the Xenia Gazette, in its editorial columns, commended the college for its noteworthy accomplishment: Twenty-two years ago the faltering institu– tion became a Baptist college after many years as a Presbyterian school. Its birth in 1887 is reported to have come about because the village was "a stronghold of Reformed Presbyterians." From its inception to the present, the institu– tion has produced many of the area's most dedi– cated professionals, especially in public education. Conversion to a Baptist college in 1953 under the leadership of Dr. James T. Jeremiah breathed into it fresh vigor of the staunch Bap– tist variety. It also drew many of that denomi– nation's leading educators to the Greene Coun– ty area. The accreditation evaluation team cited the school for its "strong teacher certification pro– gram at both the elementary and secondary levels." Cedarville is to be congratulated 12 Word of regional accreditation led to great rejoicing on the Cedarville campus. For the faculty, administration, and staff it meant the satisfactory conclusion to a decade of work. For the student body and the alumni it provided degrees that were much more valuable. For the future it signaled the opportunity to move forward to new heights of excellence "For the Word of God and the Testimony of jesus Christ." I. Dayton Journal Herald, january 14. 1967. 2. Ibid. 3. Cedarville College Self-Study. 1969. p. IS; and Cedarville College St.1tus Study. 1971. p. IZ. 4. Xenia Gazette, March 29. 1969. 5. Cedarville College Bulletin, December-january. 1973-74. p. I. 6. Cedarville College Catalog, 1968-69. pp. 5-6. 7. Cedarville College Catalog, 1972-73. p. 7. 8. Self-Study: Cedarville College. Prepared for North Central Asso– ciation of Colleges and Secondary Schools, November 1974, p. 3. 9. Ohio Independent Baptist. February 1975, p. 12. 10. james T. jeremiah. personal interview, August 13, 1986. II. Ohio Independent Baptist. May 1975, p. I. IZ. Xenia Gazette, April 14. 1975. Chapter XV!/137