their world for the Word of God and the testi– mony of Jesus Christ. IS The ability to accomplish its objectives and goals effectively must continue to flow out of careful planning. The planning process, now led by Dr. Rex Rogers, is comprised of committees at every level of the college community employing the strategic planning philosophy. That is, they look at the big picture in higher education, the long-range destiny of the college, the need in the marketplace for quality Chris– tian education, the competition, and Cedar– ville's mix of internal and external resources to accomplish the mission of the college. 19 Dr. Martin Clark, Vice President for Development, has said, "Strategic planning is an institution-wide effort at Cedarville College. It is a future-focused, participative process resulting in statements of institutional intention that match our program strengths to recognize needs for excellence in Christian education."20 In addressing the principles of planning, President Dixon has said: "National interest in the quality of higher education is on the rise. Our response at Cedarville is to be pro-active by establishing through strategic planning an agenda for excellence."21 In 1915 when William Renwick McChesney was installed as president of Cedarville College, he concluded his inauguration address on the ideal college with these words: Citizens of Cedarville and community, Board of Trustees, Alumni, students, and faculty, let us here and now dedicate ourselves anew, with the like devotion which characterized our illus– trious fathers, to cooperate with one another and to toil with faith in God and with a view single to His glory of the upbuilding of Cedar– ville College, that there may continue through the coming ages a Christian institution of high– er learning in our midst to train our youth, enrich our nation, and make glad the church of Christ: and in doing so we pray not for lighter tasks but greater strength; not for conflicts to be shunned but for courage and wisdom to meet them; not for passing honor, whose gelling is unworthy of earnest effort, but for potent influ– ence so holy, rational, serviceable and devoid of selfish purpose that it shall uplift fellow men as it breathes upon them its beneficence and so continue, after our work is done, to carry its blissful charm and power to coming gener– ations. 22 It was impossible for McChesney to envision how completely his dream would come true. Through the reestablishment of a strong denominational tie, strong executive leadership, and a strong reputation in its community, Cedarville College has become an institution renowned throughout the nation for the quality of its education and the commitment of its faculty, staff, trustees, administration, and students to the principles of historic fundamentalism. Seventy years after McChesney expressed his dream, President Paul Dixon stated: I want the Cedarville College graduates who enter the 1990s to be able to take advantage of the tremendous opportunities that the informa– tion age will present. And as they are prepared spiritually and academically, I am convinced that they will make a mark on their world for Jesus Christ. 23 In 1915 when McChesney described Cedarville College as being "founded in prayer, maintained in faith, and supported by sacrifice," his words had prophetic as well as historic accuracy. The common threads of the first century have been continuity and commitment. Literally thousands have faithfully prayed for the institution as they have observed its development. Parents and pastors have encouraged young people to attend, convinced that the college has been maintained "For the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ." Clearly the college has been supported by the financial sacrifices of individuals and churches and by the manner in which so many of the faculty, staff, and administrators have been willing to devote their lives to the development and growth of the institution. At the end of its first century, Cedarville College remains firmly rooted in the traditional values of historic biblical Christianity while possessing a future-focused perspective. As its second century dawns, the Cedarville College family stands poised at the cutting edge of Christian higher education, ready to see where the strength and mission of the institution intersect the changing needs of society. 1. Paul Dixon. State of the College Address. October 18, 1985. 2. Ibid. 3. Paul Dixon. personal interview. August 8. 1986. 4. Springfield News-Sun, n.d. 5. Ibid. 6. These statistics were provided by the Christian Ministries Office. 7. Paul Dixon. 1986 President's Report, p. 12. 8. Xenia Gazelle, May 2. 1981. 9. Ibid. 10. Springfield News-Sun. May 3. 1986. 11. Ibid. 12. Ibid. 13. Cedarville College Fact Sheet. summer 1986, p. 1. 14. Paul Dixon. personal interview. February 3, 1986. IS. Ibid. 16. Ibid. 17. Paul Dixon, 1984 President's Report, p. 6. 18. Paul Dixon, 1986 President's Report. p. IS. 19. Ibid. 20. Ibid. 21. Ibid. 22. W.K McChesney, 'The Ideal College," Cedarville Herald. No– vember 19. 1915. 23. Paul Dixon, Cedarville College Media Presentation. 1985. 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