The With Thankful Recognition for Your Faithful Generosity Friday, October 4, 2013 Doden Field House Cedarville University
For more than 125 years, Cedarville University has been standing firm for the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. As we begin this homecoming weekend’s events, I am visibly reminded of Cedarville’s immense heritage and am committed to continuing the legacy of Christian ministries throughout the world. On campus, we will continue equipping students for personal and professional excellence with a Gospel purpose. Personally and on behalf of the University, Joy and I are thankful for each of you and the investment you have made in Cedarville and its students. Today, as we commemorate Cedarville’s legacy, we do so with an eye to the future, excited for what God might do through the lives of our faculty, staff, and students. Thank you for joining with us to celebrate Cedarville’s legacy. I pray that the Lord would continue to pour out His favor on all that you do for His kingdom. Blessings always, Thomas and Joy White
The Reception Dinner Welcome and Prayer Rev. David Kisner ’78, Lead Pastor, Washington Heights Baptist Church Program Training Leaders in Ministry Rev. David Kisner ’78, Lead Pastor, Washington Heights Baptist Church Presentation of Alumni Awards Mr. Jeff Beste ’87, Director of Alumni Relations Message of Gratitude and Vision Dr. Thomas White, President We are honored to have you here.
Honorary Alumni Award Charles (Chuck) and Carolyn Barth Following his family’s legacy, Chuck Barth farmed with his father, brothers, and eventually his sons. The Barth family farm was at one time the largest turkey grower and processor in the state of Pennsylvania. In high school, Chuck was an active member of the Future Farmers of America (FFA), and was later awarded a State Farmer’s Degree from Ohio. His wife, Carolyn, graduated from Bryan College with a degree in education and taught first and third grade before leaving the classroom to help with the family farm. They currently grow corn, soy beans, and wheat on over 3,000 acres. The two met at their church, Struthers Baptist Tabernacle, and were married there in 1960. They quickly adopted a passion for missions. Along with their church, they have personally supported many missionaries over the past 53 years. Chuck has also served on the church’s mission board, and Carolyn teaches thirdgrade Sunday school. Though no members of the Barth family have attended Cedarville University, Chuck and Carolyn’s deep-rooted relationship with Cedarville began with Chuck’s father, Charles Barth, Sr., who was a Board of Trustee member during the 1960s. Since then, Chuck and Carolyn have been generous supporters of and advocates for the University. One Cedarville staff member writes, “They attend campus events as often as possible, with Farmers Night being their annual favorite. They attended the Karl Rove event and brought their pastor to campus with them. He toured campus before the dinner, called his daughter on his cell phone, and told her she should no longer plan to attend Liberty — she was going to Cedarville. She applied and is currently a sophmore at Cedarville.” The Barth’s often look to Proverbs 3:5–6 for wisdom: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” They have three married sons: Brian and his wife,Tonya, Dan and his wife, Shelly, and Scott and his wife, Nicole, as well as 11 grandchildren and one greatgrandchild. They are currently retiring from the family farm, and passing on the plow to their sons. The Cedarville University Alumni Association has chosen to honor Chuck and Carolyn’s legacy of giving and faithful support.
Alumni Impact Award Aaron Cook ’99 The strong biblical foundation Aaron Cook ’99 received at Cedarville has been the basis for his service and ministry in the hills of Southern Ohio. He and his wife, Laurie (Jelinek) ’99, have served guests of Scioto Hills Christian Camp and Retreat Center for over 14 years. He writes, “Cedarville was a greenhouse of spiritual growth for me in every way. Without God using the ‘Ville in my life, I would not be where I am today … Upperclassmen, faculty, and staff, including Cheryl Fawcett, Tom Hutchison, John Richard, and Paul Ware, all had significant influence in molding my philosophy of life, work, and ministry.” Aaron is currently the Director of Guest Ministries for Scioto Hills, which provides a Christ-centered program in an attractive outdoor setting that allows guests to develop spiritually, mentally, physically, and socially. Aaron is responsible for recruiting, training, and working with the leadership team to oversee summer staff and summer programming. Aaron also facilitates effective environments for guest and rental groups throughout the year and provides oversight for all Scioto Hills challenge courses as the Challenge Course Manager. He considers his work a privilege and is grateful for the Lord’s leading. The Alumni Impact Award is one of two awards nominated by current students. According to a student who nominated Aaron, “He is such a genuine follower of Christ and exudes wisdom in his teaching at Scioto Hills. Always available for a conversation, he has helped many Cedarville students to grow in their faith and encouraged them to be radically devoted to Christ. He challenges his summer staff, including many Cedarville students, to think more deeply about their faith and trains them to share the Gospel in an effective way with young children and young adults alike.” Aaron is known for his sacrifice in ministry, a testimony of a man after God’s heart, and his love for Cedarville students. He is currently pursuing studies in worldview and apologetics through Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and Laurie have been married for 16 years and have four children: Aleena (9), Dylan (7), Lila (2), and Bella (1).
Distinguished Service Award Christopher Byus ’08 While at Cedarville, Chris Byus ’08 was involved as President for Cedarville’s chapter of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and was a member of the SAE Formula Team. He also volunteered in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts and was later inducted to Tau Beta Pi, the oldest engineering honor society in the U.S., for his distinguished scholarship and exemplary character. Though Chris was actively involved with both studies and service, he writes, “My favorite memories are of the times I spent with my friends. We lived, worked, ate, and played together. At Cedarville I was surrounded by friends who were motivated to honor and serve Christ. We had late-night conversations about the Bible and constantly challenged and discipled each other. These friends showed me what it was like to live for Christ. ‘As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another’ (Prov. 27:17).” After graduating from Cedarville, Chris was hired to work for Cummins, a diesel engine manufacturer headquartered in Columbus, Indiana. At Cummins, Chris worked the first three years as a mechanical development engineer testing and validating new low emission engine designs. Desiring to work more closely with Cummins’ customers, Chris transferred to application engineering. He has recently been promoted to a group leader of the department. In his position at Cummins, Chris has served Cedarville by acting as the campus team leader for Cedarville University recruitment. One Cedarville staff member writes, “He is the key reason why 21 interns and graduates received positions last year with Cummins and why Cedarville is one of their target universities.” According to Chris, “Cedarville graduates … are some of our best employees.” Chris has not only served those from Cedarville, but also young adults in his church, Westside Community, as a Christian education teacher from 2008– 2010. He and his wife, Grace, have been married for six years and welcomed a daughter, Ella Nicole, last November.
One Another Mindset Award Gregory Dyson ’98 Greg Dyson ’98 was married with one young daughter when he arrived at Cedarville University. Of his experience as a husband to Gina, father of Jessica, and first-year student at Cedarville, he writes, “I transferred to Cedarville after a life-transforming year at Word of Life Bible Institute. I counted all the chapel services special and personally meaningful and enjoyed having couples over at our apartment in married student housing.” While at Cedarville he became involved in both leadership and ministry by serving as the off-campus student President, acting as Co-Director of the college Sunday school class at Grace Baptist Church in Cedarville, and supplying respite service to the pulpit at Second Baptist Church in Mechanicsburg, Ohio. Greg also worked full time with Hidy Honda in Beavercreek, and later as a full-time pastor, while pursuing his degree in pastoral studies at Cedarville. Upon graduation, Greg continued full-time ministry for the next 17 years, including serving alongside Dr. Luis Palau. Perhaps the best way he has shown his one-another mindset is the establishment of an inner-city teen ministry, The Lion’s Den. Greg founded and was formerly the Executive Director of The Lion’s Den, located in Indian Orchard, Massachusetts, which seeks to be a place of rest and encouragement for the youth of the greater Springfield area. The 4,000-square-foot facility is a unique faith-focused sanctuary for young people, focused on reaching the 85 percent of youth who would never walk into a church or traditional youth program. During his time at the Lion’s Den and since, Greg has opened the eyes of both majority and minority students to the importance of a one-another mindset in developing a Christ-centered worldview. Greg maintained his relationship with World of Life Bible Institute, and in October 2012, he returned as its Dean of Admissions. Greg currently oversees admissions and recruitment for the institute’s four accredited campuses in Upstate New York; Hudson, Florida; Owen Sound, Canada; and Jeju Island. He is currently working toward his master’s degree in organizational leadership, and credits Cedarville University with helping to set the standard for great leadership and striving for high quality in all things. He and his wife, Gina, have been married for 28 years and have three daughters: Michaela (10), Miranda (16), and Jessica (21) ’14.
Young Alumnus of the Year Joshua Bailey ’04 During his years at Cedarville, Josh Bailey ’04 was involved in Student Court and Young Republicans, and served as the student organization President for DOE. In 2004, he completed his degree in public administration, and was promptly offered a position in Washington, D.C. Despite his desire to enroll in law school and work in politics, Josh followed the Lord’s leading to Nashville where he worked as a server in a restaurant before assisting world renowned live music producer Tom Jackson. It was in Nashville, that Josh met his wife, Kellyn (McCorkle) ’05, who shared his connection to Cedarville and helped introduce him to the record label side of the music industry. Josh began in an entry-level position with Fervent Records and transitioned with their staff when the company was purchased by Warner Music Group’s Christian division, Word Entertainment, in 2005. In 2009, Josh was promoted to Senior Vice President of Artist and Repertoire (A&R). Josh is responsible for recognizing and developing up-and-coming talent in today’s Christian music industry. He oversees a majority of the signings to A&R and works with mainstream parent company Warner Music Group to identify artists with crossover potential. He has been closely involved with several Grammy- and Dove-nominated projects, including Dove award-winning Artist of the Year Francesca Battistelli, and he has helped develop the careers of several acclaimed Christian artists including Big Daddy Weave, Group 1 Crew, Chris August, and Sidewalk Prophets. Josh also has direct management over A&R team members, and he strives to lead as a servant and “encourage their growth, as a team and as individuals, while pushing them in areas that will strengthen and stretch them.” Josh also serves on the leadership team at Word Entertainment to help cast and direct vision for the company. In addition to his work for A&R and Word Entertainment, Josh participates in local service projects and attends a weekly men’s Bible study. He and Kellyn are actively involved at Fellowship Bible Church in Franklin, Tennessee. Josh is grateful for his experience at Cedarville, which he says “allowed me the opportunity to not only grow and develop in an important transitional time of life, but also gave me the expertise and resources to confidently enter the workplace.” He now tries to live by the words of Proverbs 3:5–7, recognizing that he is here to do whatever God wants him to do. Josh and Kellyn reside in Franklin, Tennessee, with their two daughters, Fletcher Lane and Bennett May.
Alumnus of the Year Valerie (Dell) Huber ’80 While a student studying history at Cedarville University, Valerie (Dell) Huber ’80 served on the advisory council to the Trustees, in campus evangelism, a nursing home ministry, and assisted retired sociology professor, Dr. Allen Monroe. Valerie also met her husband of 32 years, Fritz ’81, at Cedarville. She writes, “Cedarville was significant for many reasons, foremost due to the fact that I met my husband there, and I wasn’t even pursuing my ‘MRS’ degree! My time at Cedarville also prepared me for life outside of the Christian fishbowl. At Cedarville, my spiritual life grew more than at any other time in my life. Faculty and students who loved Christ also surrounded me and we struggled together to become more accurate image-bearers.” Since her time at Cedarville, Valerie has served as an Education Committee member and Co-Chair for Darke County Character Council. She also serves as an Advisory Board Member for the Alliance for the Family, a Board member for the Pregnancy Decision Health Center in Columbus, an Advisory Board member for the Michigan Association for Sexual Health, a partner for the Sexual Health and Relationship Education (SHARE) Council of the U.S., and an Advisory Board member for the Medical Institute for Sexual Health. She has served as a local leader for Moms in Touch, and in their church as Awana children’s ministry director and vacation Bible school director. Valerie has co-founded Helping Ohio Marriages Excel (HOME), the Ohio Abstinence Coalition, and individually founded REACH, a character and risk avoidance educational organization. Valerie is the co-founder and President/CEO of the National Abstinence Education Association (NAEA), and National Abstinence Education Foundation (NAEF), two nonprofit organizations headquartered in Washington, D.C. NAEA and NAEF work in concert with one another to support optimal outcomes for America’s youth by encouraging them to abstinence until marriage. As a part of her role, Valerie has represented these organizations in various major print sources and governmental agencies, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today, Associated Press, NPR, ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox News, national and state conferences, and Congress. She writes, “Truly, God’s strength continues to be evident in my weakness over and over again. He continues to move me into areas that stretch me. You see, I am an introvert who does not like confrontation or controversy, but He puts me before ever-increasing individuals of influence — to talk about a very sensitive and even controversial topic.” Valerie received her Master of Education from Cedarville in 2010 and hopes to pursue a doctoral degree in the near future. She and Fritz have four children: Aaron (recently married to Jayme), Matthew, Emily, and William.
There are many ways your giving makes a difference at Cedarville. to all of our donors who invest in our students, programs, and future.
The Cedarville Society cedarville.edu/cedarvillesociety This giving group is currently made up of 250 individuals and families who commit to: ■■ Pray for Cedarville students, faculty, staff, and administration, ■■ Give $1,000 or more annually to the Cedarville Fund ■■ Promote the University to their families, friends, and churches The William Gibson Society cedarville.edu/gibson The current 385 members of this giving group have elevated Cedarville to family status, naming the University in their wills or estates. Gibson Society members have made provisions for future gifts for: ■■ Academic programs ■■ Endowed scholarships Scholarships cedarville.edu/donorscholarships More than 230 donors provided more than $900,000 for annually funded and endowed scholarships. More than 515 individual scholarships were distributed to Cedarville students in 2012–13. Through these giving groups and other giving, our partners in ministry have helped us accomplish so much this year. ■■ Capital Projects ■■ General Fund
Advancement Bill Bigham Vice President for Advancement bbigham@cedarville.edu Nancy Holmes Voorhies Regional Director for Institutional Relations nholmesvoorhies@cedarville.edu Brad Hulls Regional Director for Institutional Relations bhulls@cedarville.edu Alumni Relations Jeff Beste Director of Alumni Relations bestej@cedarville.edu
The Cedarville Fund Wade Harris Director of the Cedarville Fund harrisw@cedarville.edu Gift Planning and Endowment David Bartlett Associate Vice President for Gift Planning and Endowment davidbartlett@cedarville.edu Matthew Pogirski Associate Director for Gift Planning and Endowment mattpogirski@cedarville.edu Scholarships and Endowment Amanda Gillispie Advancement Officer, Scholarships agillispie@cedarville.edu
Friday, October 5 Fall Play: Taming of the Shrew 8 p.m. DeVries Theatre, SSC Advance tickets required Homecoming Prism of Praise Concert 8 p.m. Jeremiah Chapel, DMC Homecoming Schedule Highlights
Saturday, October 6 Provide and Protect Estate Planning Seminar 8:30 a.m. BTS 101 Homecoming Parade 10 a.m. Main Street CU by the Lake Party 10:30 a.m. Lakeside Plaza, Lower SSC Class Reunions: 11:30 a.m. Various ’63, ’68, ’83, ’93, ’98, ’03 Women’s Varsity Soccer Game 1 p.m. Yellow Jacket Soccer Complex Fall Play: Taming of the Shrew 2 p.m. DeVries Theatre, SSC Advance tickets required Men’s Varsity Soccer Game 3:30 p.m. Yellow Jacket Soccer Complex Class Reunions: 5:30 p.m. Various ’73, ’78, ’88, ’08 Fall Play: Taming of the Shrew 8 p.m. DeVries Theatre, SSC Advance tickets required Jazz Band Concert 8 p.m. Plaza Steps, BTS
Cedarville University is a Christ-centered learning community equipping students for lifelong leadership and service through an education marked by excellence and grounded in biblical truth. More than just a mission statement, this focus attracts more than 3,400 Christian students from around the nation to study in our 100 academic programs on a beautiful 400-acre campus in southwest Ohio. Outstanding students, world-class facilities, talented professors, and award-winning technology contribute to an education that U.S.News &World Report andThe Princeton Review recognize as one of the best in the Midwest. Our Mission
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