Cedarville Magazine, Fall 2017

PAUL WARE THE GROUNDSKEEPER Walk around Cedarville’s campus, and you’ll see Paul Ware’s handiwork almost everywhere you look. Fromwell-manicured flower beds to healthy trees and shrubs, you’ll see evidence of Ware’s green thumb. If it has roots and grows in the ground, Ware probably designed, planted, or cared for it. Even after serving on the University’s grounds crew for 40 years, he “never gets bored and seldom feels tired.” Ware considers it a blessing to be part of Cedarville’s long history of equipping Christian young people with a Christ- centered education. “There’s something special here,” he said. “You look around, hundreds of like-minded people. Something bigger than yourself, people who have gone on before you. I want to be a part of that.” And Ware takes his part of Cedarville’s mission very seriously. “The grounds have a big impact on visitors’ impressions of Cedarville, and I want them to look good,” he explained. “I want to make the University look good, make the Lord look good. I want people to want to come back to our campus. “Everybody has a really important role to play, and I think mine’s big,” he continued. “People will notice the flower beds long before they step foot in a professor’s classroom. They’ll be making judgements as they first drive down the boulevard on campus.” It’s that pride in his work and sense of purpose that makes every day enjoyable for Ware. “I think I was made for this job,” he explained. “When you’re doing what you love, the days go by quickly. We’re always busy, but I love it.” Ware’s impact goes beyond the beautiful trees and well- tended lawns, however. “I want students to see an example of a good work ethic,” he said, “to see how any work can be a service to the Lord.” It’s a lesson that hundreds of students have taken with them to God-given vocations all around the world. Ware and his wife, Marilyn, have also coached young couples for years with Fit To Be Tied, Cedarville’s premarital mentoring program. “Cedarville is a wonderful place,” Ware concluded. “It’s been a blessing from start to finish.” Michele (Cummings) Solomon ’91 is the Copy Editor for Cedarville University Marketing and Communications. 16 | Cedarville Magazine