Cedarville Magazine, Spring 2014

In April, Greg Dyson ’98 returned to Cedarville as Director of Intercultural Leadership. In this new position, Dyson oversees all diversity-related campus initiatives, serves as the liaison for intercultural-related issues, and helps Cedarville better reflect the Kingdom of heaven. Everyone has had that experience visiting someone else’s house for the first time. Even though the hosts say, “Make yourself at home,” and they mean it, you worry over whether you should take off your shoes or where to set your glass. You sense that the house has rules, and learning to navigate them can be unsettling, even though you’ve been invited to feel at home. But when you become comfortable enough to consider them family, you know you’re welcome to walk right in and help yourself to whatever’s in the fridge. It’s a completely different experience of accepting the welcome. At Cedarville, we want to extend a welcome to students, faculty, and staff of different ethnicities that authentically communicates “you are family.” A significant part of my role as Director of Intercultural Leadership will be forging relationships that will give Cedarville more exposure and introduce the University to new audiences. This includes reaching out to many more churches, schools, and city centers where diverse groups already are. There are many people of various ethnicities who align with our doctrinal statement but, for various reasons, haven’t yet learned about Cedarville. Now is that time! Increasing campus diversity is important to achieving the excellence to which Cedarville aspires. A more diverse student population enriches the college environment in every area: from the classroom, to student life, to residence life. When students share stories of their different cultures, experiences, and lives, they learn more about the world. When our assumptions are challenged, we can learn more about ourselves. Even more than awareness, intercultural competence is a critical professional skill that our graduates need to succeed in a global economy. As I begin this role, I am grateful for the foundation that has already been laid. I will begin by connecting with campus groups that are already passionately w o r k i n g t owa rd a by Greg Dyson ’98 Photo: Mark Wallenwine “Increasing campus diversity is important to achieving the excellence to which Cedarville aspires.” stronger, more multicultural college family. I will be doing a lot of listening to hear how students, faculty, staff, and administrators understand and articulate our needs and opportunities. I will work to come alongside these groups and help them build on what they’ve already begun and provide resources and connections to help them further their goals. I loved my student experience. As a married student with a young family, I knew I wanted to be part of the Cedarville experience in a larger way. But my understanding of the task at hand runs deeper than my connection as an alumnus; I’m also a Cedarville parent. Parents looking at schools with their children expect their sons and daughters to receive an excellent education from their college investment, but they hope for other intangibles. They want to know their students will find friends, a place to belong, a place to serve, and a place to become the person God has designed them to be. I understand those concerns well. I look forward to spending time with parents and sharing how their students can have a great experience at Cedarville. The summer I first visited campus as a prospective student, my wife, Gina, and I arrived a day early — before my scheduled appointments. Mike DiCuirci, a longtime music professor, greeted us on the sidewalk and offered to show us around. I declined at first — I was hoping we could look around on our own and find out what Cedarville was really like. He countered, “Are you sure? I have keys. I can get you into some buildings so you can see more of campus.” The way he welcomed us made an impression, and Gina and I agreed that this was the place for us. We experienced the kind of hospitality I want to extend to other families. Acts 10 comes to mind as I think about what intercultural leadership means. Peter, a Jewish leader, is up on the roof when God shows him a vision for a great multicultural world, beginning at the doorstep of Cornelius, a Gentile. Perhaps neither man understood the enormity of what was taking place that day, when the Gospel message forever crossed ethnic lines, but Cornelius spoke volumes when he invited Peter inside, saying, “Now we are all here in the presence of God ...” (Acts 10:33). Greg Dyson ’98 is the Director of Intercultural Leadership at Cedarville. He was previously the Dean of Admissions for Word of Life Bible Institute in Pottersville, New York, and he is pursuing a Master of Science degree in organizational leadership from Cairn University. Dyson and his wife, Gina ’99, have three daughters. Cedarville Magazine | 9