didn't think that I wanted to start something I couldn't finish."19 No one on the Board of Trustees was seeking Jeremiah's departure. In fact, the opposite was true. The college was in excellent condition. But the trustees organized a search committee to begin the task of finding a replacement. Jeremiah was placed on that search committee because the trustees wanted to have a man in office whom he would approve. Quietly the Board began its search. The college family had not yet been informed of the transition that was to come. Finally, on graduation day, June 4, 1977, Jeremiah addressed those gathered for the annual commencement exercises with a brief statement concerning his decision. After outlining some of the historic events of his administration, he concluded: The purpose of this announcement is to say that next year will be my last to serve as presi– dent of Cedarville College. At my request the Board of Trustees has selected a committee to seek the Lord's leading for a new president. The Board of Trustees has unanimously voted to ask me to serve as chancellor at the end of my tenure as president. This statement is not to be misconstrued as a resignation. I am not resign– ing nor am I quitting. This is simply an an– nouncement of what I believe will be a greater ministry of evangelism and Bible teaching for me and a means of opening new and greater opportunities for the college as we work togeth– er with the common goals of a better Cedarville College. 20 As the 1977-78 school year came to a close, it was natural for everyone to begin assessing the impact of Jeremiah's years as president of the college. Nothing could illustrate what God had done between 1953-54 and 1977-78 as graphically as the small table below: 1953-54 1977-78 Students 100 1,250 Buildings 8 37 Acreage 15 180 Annual budget $ 95,000 $4,580,000 Total assets $325,000 $9,700,000 These figures demonstrate the hand of God on Cedarville College. Jeremiah would be the first to say that these accomplishments could not be attributed to one man. In his final President's Report, he spent a great deal of time thanking everyone who had aided him in his work. He started with his wife, who had been by his side throughout the ministry, and went on to express his appreciation to all those who had worked with him, from secretaries through administrators, faculty, staff, and trustees. He concluded by saying, "To all who have been such a vital part in my life and labors here, from the depths of my 144/Chapter XVII heart I say thank you."n In the final analysis, however, it was not the new buildings, acres of land, or dollars invested in budget or assets that pleased Jeremiah. His real joy was to be found in the young people that God had brought to Cedarville College: There have been 2,840 graduates who have received degrees and gone forth to serve. Many of them are engaged in serving God in a variety of ways. The Alumni Office reports that 240 are pastors, 250 serve as missionaries, 520 are work– ing as Christian education directors or youth pastors, 280 are directing music in local churches, and 240 are church secretaries. More than 1,000 graduates have been certified to teach in the public schools; 605 of them are now in– volved in Christian schools. Thirty-two of our graduates are teaching in our Regular Baptist colleges. 22 Under Jeremiah's leadership Cedarville College had become a dynamic force in the field of Christian higher education. The institution stood firmly committed to the principles of historic fundamentalism. As an approved school of the G.A.R.B.C., Cedarville took a firm position "For the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ." Yet Jeremiah exhibited godly humility in his willingness to lay aside the mantle of leadership so· new leadership could carry the school to new heights. This strong leader was willing to turn the reigns of leadership over to a young man and support that man completely. At the same time, he unselfishly dedicated himself to the institution he loved and thus added to the already substantial foundation that had been built. 1. Xenia Gazette. November 22, 1971. 2. National Enquirer. August 1, 1971. 3. Ibid. 4. Springfield News-Sun, May 26. 1974. 5. Ibid. 6. Powell. Loey. "Reflections on Cedarville: Culture Shock for Athletes." The Oberlin Review, March 6, 1973. 7. Ohio Independent Baptist. April 1974, p. 9. 8. Ibid. 9. Yellow Springs News, March 12, 1975. 10. Ibid. 11. Yellow Springs News, April 14, 1976. 12. Ibid. 13. Ohio Independent Baptist, june-july 1976. 14. Ibid. 15. james T. jeremiah to Board of Trustees. Cedarville College. December 29, 1976. 16. Ibid. 17. Ibid. 18. Ibid. 19. james T. jeremiah, personal interview, August 14, 1986. 20. james T. jeremiah. announcement given by president at com– mencement, june 4, 1977. 21. President's Report to the Board of Trustees, 1977-78, p. 2. 22. Ibid.