This article, which appeared in THE CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER in August, 1976, was one of many articles written about the "unique" nature of the College and its students, during a time when it was believed that most college-age youth rebelled against society. College banning booze, long hair; flourishing the institution. The opportunities for the future had never been brighter in the history of Cedarville College. During the Christmas vacation of 1976, on December 29, a pensive James T. Jeremiah sat at his desk and drafted a letter to the Board of Trustees. In his opening paragraph, he reflected on the 23 years he had spent serving the Lord at Cedarville College. He told the Board: Since I know God put me here, I do not in– tend to change direction until He makes very clear the direction I should follow. At the same time, I sincerely desire to place the needs and the cause of Cedarville College above my own personal interests. IS Springs like to snicker up our sophisticated sleeves at the "parochial narrowness" of Cedar– ville College. No freedom there, we say (without having been there). Yet ask yourself: What kind of freedom do we have, when one can hardly venture outside at night for fear of bodily harm? Isn't it just possible that the Christians at Cedarville College know some things about building community that we have forgotten?Io One year later this same editor had found nothing to answer his questions. Instead, he had further questions about the nature of the conservative school. Once more he noted the positive developments at Cedarville College. He observed that enrollment was increasing even though academic standards had reached new heights. He marveled at the low cost of attending Cedarville, particularly in light of the college's refusal to "seek or accept" federal grants. He pointed out that: At Cedarville folks trust one another and treat one another with respect. At Cedarville the primary currency is com– mitment. Teachers, administrators, alumni, members of the church work harder, expect less for themselves, give more to others because they share a common commitment,u The editor then concluded his list of contrasts with this observation: Of course there are some things about Cedar– ville's Baptist fundamentalism that most of us would not want to emulate. The acceptance of anything as absolute, final authority seems to contradict a spirit of scientific inquiry. But be– fore we enlightened liberals laugh too hard at the Bible-quoters, we might pause to consider. Their way is working. Is ours?12 By 1975 the college had grown to the point where two chapel services were conducted daily, because it was impossible to fit the entire student body into tiny Alford Auditorium at one time. Consequently, after careful planning, on July 1, 1975, President James T. Jeremiah turned the first spadeful of earth for a new Chapel. The blueprint called for a 30,842-square-foot, air-conditioned building to be erected. Ten months later, on Wednesday, May 26, 1976, the Chapel was occupied for the first time. "The entire college family was present for this special time of praise and thanksgiving. Area pastors and interested friends of the school were also present for the memorable event."lJ Jeremiah brought the dedication message, as "for the first time in the history of Cedarville College there was enough room in the Chapel for all who wanted to attend."14 The fall of 1975 brought 1,135 students to the campus of Cedarville College. This record enrollment was topped the next year as in September 1976, 1,221 young people entered 142/Chapter XVII By Do., MdDnii ,....o....'-'iIIl CEDARVILLE. O. - Whll. olbtr private collcl6 hvc betn Itru•• linl &0 maintain theIr en· rollments. Cf'darvlJlr Collt'ae. a c-onnrnllve B..pllst in~lItutinn nelr Dayton, has continued LO ,row. The colle.e cr~lI.s Its Irowth to pollclt's that other IChools have abandon<d. Fnr rxamp1<~'. lmon, the things pI"Obibited at thiS IChool are long hair. beard.,. mustaches, 1moItinC, drtnki",. card playln,. elltUrNlfI' til lell and unci",. Each clUl bttins with I puyer. and daily C'hapel and Sunday chureb IUendanr.co are required Pnilaps m~l Imponant to the .ctlool's IUCC'ftI In aUndinl stu· deola it the attempt by ill ttlch· en 10 ..lal. tile prill<ip'" 01 Ille S<rtpt.... 10 evel')' COIl.... Admllliltr.ton credit ~ poli· ciel .iLb the Iltady ,rowLb from 102 It_II In IIU. the ye.r lh. e:tIlftllt IChool lOOk'over the grne .nd campua 01 • Relorm P...· bylarIao col..... 10 UJS in lin. Aboul 45'M of tIM Itudenla Ire IIUD 0Ili0. ror Ille lint lime Ille....... IS • __I •• ili., lilt lor .ext laU'l I................. ",. '_bor 01 It_ta ..oli,. 10 .U'" Us ........... tIle c'mpoI· upa_. In Ille Jut decade• .-tructlon Itu Included a library. a lCitnee ...lIdl... • chlpel .nd lhree _. ~I~ Included !Met Ia,.. old _ lor cIormito– rlto and tile old oci........lIdin. lor tile __ .nd educ.tion ... -- A kIJ 10 Ille OCbool'l IlICCeD in aUracUnl Ilu4tnll leeml to be lIlat It aflen • place 10< Itudenta who might find conOid with their rella:ious beliefs at I secular pri~ VIle or public colleCt. "There Irt I number of slu– dents that want the kind of product we offer. but the tan,t of schools that oUe'( that arc becom· Inc more and more li"Jited," ex· plained ~nitl C. Stevens, .llumni director. "We're different," said Bob While, re,istru and admiliions director Ind an Ohio State Itadualt. For rumple. C..edarville lCience courses teach fvolulinn. but the courses .t the fundamentalist inslilution in CrecM County Itrt!:U I literal inlerpreto:lIon of the Bible. A teacher would malalain lhat evolution is an UDprovea theory and divine cruti. of tbI univent would be lauabt u f.acl A Cedarville """nt paya fUDO lor lItition lor thl'ft quarters. room, board, leltbookl and IUppUa The achoo1'1 admiuion policies •....... un..... l. ",. col..... dur– 10' tile yean 01 .rowth. aceepl.ed .Imoot .U .pplko.ota. Ianll.., I.ay only lIlole ••0 were Ie. _O,_ lIlied . But It .... malotained • .. qlll....... t lIlat .acIl .ppIlcant Ai... • otatement .lIlrml., • ....-at ..Ia_p willi CIuiIL Coli••• recordl Ibo. tb.t tile oumber 01 .pplic.ota hal l_ ed 1ladiI1 willi tIlellllOllmenL At Ille same lime. tile adminla– tr.tion reponed Iller. bas -. no llipp••• in th. 1... 11 01 coli••• ...tr..... board acoreo 01 _ II.. denta.