CALLED TO EXCELLENCE 2 THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE 6 MEASURING EXCELLENCE 10 REMARKABLE RESOURCES 14 HIGH BAR 18 CREATING THE FUTURE 22 CYBER STARS SPRING 2022 Volume 10 Issue 1
PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE Paul Dixon served as Cedarville University’s president for 25 years and has now been our chancellor for almost 20 years. Along with the song Christ Is All I Need and his annual dandelion speech urging people to keep off the grass, he is best known for the statement, “Anything done in the name of Christ should have quality stamped all over it.” This phrase is still repeated by faculty and staff today and has set an enduring standard for Cedarville to pursue quality and excellence in everything we do. Some secular academics contend that you cannot have an excellent academic university simultaneously committed to biblical truth. We disagree! At Cedarville, our biblical convictions provide a deeper and higher motivation to seek excellence in education — the nature and character of our Creator and the biblical standard that we hold dear. In this edition of Cedarville Magazine, I have written an article outlining why Christians should pursue excellence and, specifically, why Cedarville does. You will also find articles about academic achievements, and you will learn more about a few members of our world-class faculty for whom we are truly grateful. I continue to be amazed at the men and women whom God calls to serve King Jesus at Cedarville. We have the best students in the world. These students receive an education second to none. Content consistent with a biblical worldview is presented in every classroom. Our academic excellence is higher than it has ever been. You can rest assured that quality continues to be stamped all over everything we do. It must be. Reflecting the nature and character of God while standing for the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ demands the pursuit of excellence in all we do. As alumni and friends of Cedarville University, please carefully read the pages of this magazine. We hope you will join us in praising the Lord for what He is doing in these cornfields that is spreading throughout the world. In Christ, Thomas White, President cedarville.edu/president @DrThomasWhite facebook.com/DrThomasWhite instagram.com/drthomaswhite linkedin.com/in/jthomaswhite On the Cover: Called to Excellence in the Nation's Capital Mark Caleb Smith, Professor of Political Science and Director of the Center for Political Studies, initiated Cedarville's D.C. Semester program in 2008, which occurs every fall semester in Washington, D.C. The admissions process is competitive, with students submitting a written application and undergoing a formal interview. Accepted students attend classes twice a week in the evening and participate in field-related internships during the day. Participants have interned for the White House, the Department of Homeland Security, the Secret Service, the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, law offices, and think tanks. D.C. semester is one more example of how our students are called to excellence wherever God takes them. 2 | Cedarville Magazine Cedarville Magazine
IN EVERY ISSUE 26 CHAPEL NOTES 28 ADVANCING CEDARVILLE 30 CAMPUS NEWS 32 YELLOW JACKET SPORTS 35 MOMENT IN TIME 36 IN CLOSING Editor Janice (Warren) Supplee ’86 Managing Editor Clem Boyd Creative Director Chad Jackson ’05 Graphic Designer Craig Salisbury Photographer Scott Huck Administration President Thomas White Special Advisor to the President Loren Reno ’70 Vice President for Academics Thomas Mach ’88 Vice President for Advancement Will Smallwood Vice President for Business and Chief Financial Officer Christopher Sohn Vice President for Enrollment Management Scott Van Loo ’98 Vice President for Marketing and Communications Janice (Warren) Supplee ’86 Vice President for Student Life and Christian Ministries Jonathan Wood Athletic Director Christopher Cross Our Mission Cedarville University transforms lives through excellent education and intentional discipleship in submission to biblical authority. Our Vision For the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ Cedarville Magazine is published spring, summer, and fall and mailed free of charge to alumni and supporters of Cedarville University. 1-800-CEDARVILLE • cedarville.edu Direct inquiries and address changes to: Cedarville Magazine Cedarville University 251 N. Main St., Cedarville, OH 45314 cedarville.edu/magazine magazine@cedarville.edu 1-888-CEDARVILLE READ ONLINE! Visit cedarville.edu/magazineSP22 on your computer or mobile device. SPRING 2022 Volume 10 Issue 1 FEATURES 2 THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE THOMAS WHITE Excellence reflects the nature and character of God, and as believers, we should desire to reflect His nature in all that we do. This pursuit of excellence is the hallmark of a Cedarville education and is clearly stated in our mission statement and core values. Cedarville presses on in pursuit of excellence while standing for the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ. 6 MEASURING EXCELLENCE Cedarville is blessed with many tangible evidences of excellence — stats and stories, insights and outcomes. But the greatest measure of excellence for Cedarville is an eternal one — lives transformed for the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ. 10 REMARKABLE RESOURCES BRYSON DURST ’22 Achieving excellence requires the best tools. At Cedarville, our health sciences programs have invested in leading-edge resources to ensure students are equipped to succeed. This includes a cadaver lab, a digital anatomy table, and a recently upgraded, state-of-the-art Simulation Center. 14 HIGH BAR BRYANA FERN Students in the Cedarville School of Engineering and Computer Science are held to high standards in their knowledge of applied math and physics. That high bar goes even higher when they participate in competition projects that test their engineering skill against top students across the country. 18 CREATING THE FUTURE HEIDIE RAINE ’23 The industrial and innovative design (IID) major began in 2010 to provide a professional development path for those possessing both creative and technical skill and interest. Academic excellence displayed through a collaborative workplace-type atmosphere and exacting attention to detail has positioned IID grads to land top jobs in the design field. 22 CYBER STARS JEFF GILBERT ’87 Cedarville’s cyber operations graduates are guardians of the cyber galaxy. They are gatekeepers of information in a digital age. And the excellence of their preparation has been noted by everyone from private industry to government agencies. Whatever you do, WORK HEARTILY, AS FOR THE LORD and not for men. Colossians 3:23 Cedarville Magazine | 1
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“ ANYTHING DONE IN THE NAME OF CHRIST SHOULD HAVE QUALITY STAMPED ALL OVER IT.” PAUL DIXON BY THOMAS WHI TE THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE Since 1979, these words have set the standard for Cedarville University. But our motivation for pursuing quality and excellence in everything comes from a different source than other institutions of higher learning. Our motivation flows from our deep faith. THE NATURE AND CHARACTER OF GOD The nature and character of God define and display excellence. Quality and excellence describe something good — like a commendable virtue or a well-made product. Excellence describes the nature and character of something. The very nature and character of God shows us what is good, perfect, holy, and excellent. We see this both through God’s creation and through God’s revealed Word to us. In creation, we see the imprint of a thoughtful design. We all know that excellence and quality don’t happen by accident. As we admire creation, we see these qualities in a majestic sunset. We look up in the night sky to behold the countless stars. We discover established natural laws set in place by the Creator, such as the orbit of the earth around the sun to create our seasons and the gravity that holds it all together. We study and admire the beauty of the monarch butterfly as it emerges transformed from its cocoon. We learn about the intricate details that allow a giraffe to drink water without passing out due to blood rushing to its brain, details that allow a bombardier beetle to create an explosion as a defense mechanism without destroying itself, and details that allow a woodpecker to create incredible force with every blow yet survive. The more we examine the human body, the more we learn of its complex DNA and immune system. God’s creation demonstrates excellence. By observing the quality of the creation, we learn something about the nature of the Creator. God has revealed to us that while creation began good, mankind introduced sin to the world through the fall in The nature and character of God define and display excellence. Cedarville Magazine | 3
Genesis 3. Ever since that time, God’s Word tells us that all of creation groans for a renewal that is yet to come. The world we now observe contains the effects of sin through thorns, weeds, and mosquitoes. Despite the effects of the fall, we clearly see that God’s work displays elements of Hi s character , inc luding excellence. As followers of Christ who desire to reflect the nature and character of God in our own lives, we must pursue excellence in all we do. Think back to the building of the temple. God gave deta i l ed ins t ruc t ions on how to bui ld the temple. Scripture records the names of people with the ability to weave beautiful tapestries and sculpt precious metals. This construction created a visible shadow of the heavenly reality. God demanded that this place of worship demonstrate excellence in construction and in the rules of purification for worship. In doing so, God revealed to mankind something of the heavens and of His own nature. God is excellence. Humanity is fallen, and we feel the temptation in our nature to cut corners, to cheat, to allow the end to justify improper means, and to get away with whatever we can. This behavior reflects the nature of Satan, the father of lies who seeks to tear down and destroy. Yet, God Almighty stands alone as the good and excellent one. For Christians desiring to become more like God, we cannot be satisfied with mediocracy. Good enough isn’t good enough when living for Christ. We have a stewardship of the body, time, talents, and opportunities that God has given us. To reflect the character of our Creator, we must pursue excellence. Excellence and quality don’t happen by accident. Excellence demands hard work, thorough thought, careful attention to detail, and relentless pursuit. Sometimes we don’t achieve our goal, but through constant pursuit and through accepting nothing less than excellence in our effort, we demonstrate good stewardship pleasing to the One who provided the opportunities. In doing the best we can in every situation, we serve God and our fellow man well. The pursuit of reflecting God’s character through excellence in everything can also create Gospel conversations. Others may look at our work and wonder why we work so hard, pay attention to every detail, or strive for such a high standard. The question allows us to point back to life as a stewardship and not an ownership. We must give account for what we do, and the God whom we will stand before is a God of excellence. Our only hope is grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, but our reasonable service to our God is excellence in all we do. Our God defines good. Our God personifies excellence. We seek excellence not for the applause of man but in service to our Savior. THE ADMONITION OF SCRIPTURE Scripture instructs followers of Christ to pursue excellence. Consider the following verses: § Ecclesiastes 9:10: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.” § 1 Corinthians 10:31: “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” § Colossians 3:23–24: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Scripture encourages us to work with might and excellence because we serve a Savior who sees all and knows all. This demands our best. This demands that we don’t skip our reading just because we can get away with it or cut corners on that project because no one will ever notice. God sees, and He notices. We see other examples of excellence in Scripture, such as Daniel. In academic matters of studying, Daniel and his friends demonstrated excellence. Daniel 1:20 states, “And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the The Spirit working through the Word of God must transform our lives to reflect the character of God. 4 | Cedarville Magazine
king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom.” No doubt God gave them this ability, but these talents had to be accompanied by hard work to produce this level of excellence. This excellence served Daniel and his friends well as they served God in a foreign land. By similarly achieving a high academic level of understanding, a Christian university in the cornfields of Ohio can influence a nation that values intellectual ability. Daniel 6:3 continues, “Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him.” By pursuing excellence, we glorify God and encourage human flourishing. THROUGH THE EMPOWERING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT At times, I find this demand overwhelming. Excellence in everything? That’s a daunting task, but we know that our pursuit of excellence comes through the power of the Spirit living within us. As we commit to this pursuit and embrace the hard work required, we humbly acknowledge that we cannot do this in our own strength, and we don’t do it for our own glory. The Spirit working through the Word of God must transform our lives to reflect the character of God. In doing so, we can learn to enjoy our work, to appreciate attention to detail, and to find happiness in serving others with excellence. Over time, the Spirit changes our nature from pursuing self to pursuing God, from loving self to loving others, from a prideful nature rebelling against our Creator to a humble servant seeking our Savior. Spiritual maturity replaces the crippling pressure with genuine joy as we pursue excellence in all things. CEDARVILLE’S COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE For Cedarville, we believe in excellence so strongly that we put it in our mission statement and include it in our core values. Yet, our motivation like everything else on our campus flows from a biblical worldview. The pursuit of excellence has motivated us to be bold and innovative. From being one of the first Christian universities in the country to wire for internet access across campus to now being the only private Christian university certified by the National Security Agency as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations, Cedarville continues to be a technology leader. We hire faculty members who will maintain this high standard. We foster an environment of discipleship in student services that cares about students as image-bearers of God more than just numbers living in the residence halls. We have coaches who view athletes as brothers and sisters in Christ and not chess pieces to notch additional victories on a résumé. PRESSING FORWARD In all these things and so much more, we pursue excellence. We haven’t achieved our goal yet, and we never will —not in everything. But through relentless effort, we seek to reflect the character and nature of the God we serve. Every time we make a mistake, we learn from it, pick ourselves back up, and keep stumbling forward. As Paul writes in Philippians 3:13–14, “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Cedarville presses on in pursuit of excellence while standing for the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ. Thomas White is President of Cedarville University. He earned his Ph.D. in systematic theology from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Through relentless effort, we seek to reflect the character and nature of the God we serve. Cedarville Magazine | 5
Measuring INTENTIONAL DESIGN A concept like “excellence” is difficult to measure. We talk much about it. Every university claims it. But how do you know when something as intangible as “education” is truly excellent? The remainder of this magazine is dedicated to that quest — understanding and celebrating what makes Cedarville’s academic experience demonstrably “excellent.” Beyond the stats and stories, insights and outcomes, we hope you’ll see that the greatest measure of excellence for Cedarville is an eternal one — lives transformed for the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ. THE END GOALS In every program and every course, we set objectives that begin with the end in mind. What characteristics should define Cedarville graduates? These are our academic objectives: PROFESSIONAL PREPARATION LIBERAL ARTS CORE / SOFT SKILLS BIBLICAL FOUNDATION Gain the information, resources, and professional skills you need to enter your career or start grad school. Build the skills employers want most — communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Learn to apply Scripture to all aspects of life. BUILDING BLOCKS OF A CEDARVILLE DEGREE Glorify God Think Broadly and Deeply Communicate Effectively Develop Academically and Professionally Engage for Christ 6 | Cedarville Magazine
Excellence UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS Accounting Allied Health Athletic Training (Sport Medicine + M.A.T.) Biblical Studies –Biblical Counseling –Biblical Languages –Biblical Literature –Historical Theology –Missions –Philosophy –Teaching Ministry –Theology –Women’s Ministry –Worship –Youth and Family Ministry Biology Broadcasting, Digital Media, and Journalism –Digital Film and Video –Digital Radio and Audio –Integrated Digital Media –Journalism Chemistry Civil Engineering –Environmental Engineering –General Civil Engineering –International Infrastructure Engineering –Structural Engineering –Water Resources Engineering Communication Computer Engineering Computer Science –Cyber Operations –Graphic Design –Hardware –Video Game Engineering Criminal Justice Cyber Operations Economics Education – Chemistry – Language Arts – Life Science – Mathematics – Middle Childhood – Music – Physical Science – Physics – Primary (P–5) – Science Comprehensive – Social Studies – Spanish – Special Education – Intervention Specialist Electrical Engineering English Environmental Science Exercise Science Finance Forensic Science Geology –Geosciences –Physical Geology Global Business History Industrial and Innovative Design Information Technology Management International Studies Keyboard Pedagogy Liberal Arts Linguistics Management Marketing Mathematics Mechanical Engineering Molecular Biology Music Music Composition Music Performance Nursing Pharmaceutical Sciences Physics Political Science Preagriculture Predental Premedical Prephysician Assistant Preoptometric Preveterinary Prelaw Professional Writing and Information Design Psychology –Addictions and Chemical Dependency –Child and Family Studies –Comprehensive Counseling –Cross-Cultural Psychology –Health Psychology and Public Health –Interdisciplinary Studies –Neuropsychology –Occupational Therapy –Psychological Research Social Work Spanish Sport Business Management Sport Medicine Studio Art Theatre –Design –Performance Visual Communication Design –Graphic Design –Interactive Web Design Worship SPECIAL PROGRAMS Bible, One-Year Certificate CPA Program Engineering Co-Op Program Engineering Honors Program Honors Program Medical Spanish Certificate ROTC, Air Force ROTC, Army Study Abroad Programs TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) GRADUATE PROGRAMS Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) (Pharm.D./M.B.A. Dual Degree also available) Master of Arts in Biblical Leadership (M.A.B.L.) Master of Arts in Worship and Theology (M.A.W.T.) Master of Arts in Innovation (M.A.) Master of Athletic Training (M.A.T.) Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) –Business Analytics –Cybersecurity Management –Healthcare Administration –Innovation and Entrepreneurship –Operations Management Master of Divinity (M.Div.) Master of Ministry (M.Min.) Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) (M.S.N./M.B.A. Dual Degree also available) –Family Nurse Practitioner –Global Public Health Nursing –Nurse Educator –Nursing Leadership in Healthcare Improvement –Pediatric Nurse Practitioner cedarville.edu/academics A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM ARRAY Cedarville Magazine | 7
FACULTY-STUDENT RESEARCH Our faculty work with students on groundbreaking research, which enhances students' educational experience and prepares them for graduate school and their careers. Below is just a sampling: § Andrew Harris, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Communication, coached student researchers who wanted to understand how universities communicate with and serve international student populations. Their research was presented to the National Communication Association and the Religious Communication Association. § Heather Kuruvilla, Ph.D., Senior Professor of Biology, and a team of undergraduate students conducted research to discover if cancer cell reproduction could be inhibited in humans. Their findings may lead to treatments that impact cancer cell multiplication. § Rocco Rotello, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences; Mike Mendel, Ph.D., Professor of Zoology; and Robert Paris, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biology, and their students studied freeze-tolerant frogs native to Ohio to see if they could discover a protein that might prevent or slow excessive cell death in people with Alzheimer’s and other neurological diseases. § Mohan Pereira, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Physics, recently opened a biophysics lab where students will conduct nanomedicine research that may have application in fighting cancer. § Michelle Wood, Ph.D., Professor of English, is coordinating the efforts of students in her American Women Writers classes as they transcribe 12,000 pages of journal entries from Martha McMillan, a 19th and 20th century Cedarville farmer's wife. The pages have been downloaded worldwide through the Digital Commons repository. RECENT FACULTY PUBLICATIONS Students benefit from studying under faculty who are contributing to scholarship in their disciplines, as demonstrated by an impressive and extensive array of published works. Here are just a few examples: Computational FluidDynamics forMechanical Engineering George Qin, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering This textbook is intended to be used in a first undergraduate- level computat ional f luid dynamics course for the mechanical engineering major. Ethics inPharmacyPractice:AFieldGuide Dennis Sullivan, Professor Emeritus of Pharmacy Practice, Justin Cole, Associate Professor and Chair of Pharmacy Practice and Director of the Center for Pharmacy Innovation This co-authored book addresses the foundations for pharmacy ethics, including human value and how a faith perspective influences ethical views. JesseOwens:ALife inAmericanHistory Kevin Jones, Dean of the School of Education This co-authored biographical book focuses on the famous American track and field athlete Jesse Owens. PatriotismandtheCross: ATheologyof Nationalism Glen Duerr, Associate Professor of International Studies This book explores the intersection of faith and politics and a Christian’s relationship with government. A Practical Guide to Personal Conditioning David Peterson, Assistant Professor of Kinesiology This guide offers readers practical information regarding body stewardship, nutrition, and exercise, all written from a Christian worldview. Reformation Commentary on Scripture Jason Lee, Professor of Theological Studies, Billy Marsh, Assistant Professor of Theology and Director of M.Div. Programs This commentary compiles the insights of reformation scholars from more than 500 years ago on the book of Matthew. God continues to draw outstanding faculty members to Cedarville University. Their love for students, their discipline, and the Lord is truly distinct. These highly qualified, godly men and women excel in the classroom, mentoring and discipling students while also engaging in scholarly activities that advance their fields and strengthen the Cedarville experience. #4 in the nation for facultystudent engagement (Wall Street Journal) 4,481 published chapters, journal articles, and other scholarly contributions from faculty since 1966 239 faculty-authored books from1962–2022 FACULTY COMMITTED TO SCHOLARSHIP ANDDISCIPLESHIP 8 | Cedarville Magazine
LOOK WHO’S HIRING CEDARVILLE GRADS § Amazon § Microsoft § Boeing § NASA § Ernst & Young § Northrup Grumman § The FBI § Procter & Gamble § Honda § Rolls-Royce § The Mayo Clinic § Samaritan’s Purse GRAD SCHOOL DOORS ARE WIDE OPEN: § Case Western § Cornell § Georgetown § Harvard § Michigan § Northwestern § Ohio State § Princeton § Purdue § University of Chicago § University of Virginia § Washington and Lee 98.4% of 2021 Cedarville grads were employed or in grad school within 6months of completing their degree 300+ employers recruit on campus each year OUTSTANDING OUTCOMES 100% Pass Rate on Social Work Professional Exam 100% Admittance to LawSchool 5-Time Outstanding Delegation Model U.N., NewYork City 99th percentile Field Test in Biology 9-Time Winner NCAA Division II Presidents' Award for Academic Excellence Every day, Cedarville students demonstrate excellence in effort to the glory of God. These outcomes are just a small sampling of the myriad ways that they excel at their studies, on professional exams, through their organizational involvement, and as they begin their careers. Cedarville Magazine | 9
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REMARKABLE RESOURCES: ACHIEVING EXCELLENCE REQUIRES THEBEST TOOLS BY BRYSON DURST ’ 22 At Cedarville, our health sciences programs are preparing the next generation of outstanding nurses and nurse practitioners, skilled athletic trainers, and pending final professional accreditation, insightful and caring PAs. Our leading-edge technology will help ensure they can make a life-changing difference in the U.S. and around the world. These remarkable resources include: § A Gross Anatomy Lab that reinforces what undergraduate science and allied health majors learn in the classroom, helping them better understand relationships between body systems and giving them a head start for graduate school. § A digital anatomy device called the Anatomage Table to help students in Cedarville’s new Master of Athletic Training program interact with and learn about the structures of the human body in a virtual, interactive, and reversible manner. § A recently upgraded, state-of-the-art Simulation Center to ensure nursing students continue to gain invaluable experience in a wide range of real-life patient care situations. EXTRAORDINARY EXPERIENCE: THE GROSS ANATOMY LAB There are some classroom concepts that textbooks cannot fully do justice, such as the human body. As part of Cedarville’s commitment to excellence, the University’s Gross Anatomy Lab gives undergraduate students hands-on experience as they learn about the human body. The tools available to our health sciences students are just one example of the way Cedarville invests in cutting-edge resources for all academic disciplines. From the cadaver lab in health sciences to the Torah scroll in biblical studies and the Trading Room in the School of Business, top-tier educational assets are equipping Cedarville students for career job placements and high-profile postgraduate opportunities. Cedarville Magazine | 11
The lab features four cadavers, with two new ones received every semester from the Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine Anatomical Gift Program (Fairborn, Ohio). Each semester, eight students who have earned high marks in an upper-level anatomy course can participate in the human dissection course (a biology elective). During that semester, students work alongside the anatomy professor learning dissection technique and proper care of the cadaver. They gain more than 40 hours of hands‑on dissection experience on a newly donated cadaver (4:1 student-to-cadaver ratio). This is a valuable experience, especially for students who will be entering medical, dental, or physician assistant (PA) school the following year. Additionally, the cadavers dissected the previous semester are used in each of the other undergraduate anatomy courses offered at the University. “We’ve had a number of alumni say that they felt their experience in the dissection lab gave them an advantage going into medical school, since Gross Anatomy is often the first course encountered in medical school,” said Melissa (Hartman) Burns ’96, Assistant Professor of Biology. “Many of their grad school classmates have little or no exposure to human cadavers,” she added. “I believe having a Gross Anatomy Lab at the undergraduate level is a unique and valuable learning tool, especially for students pursuing careers in healthcare.” The dissection lab also reinforces the learning experience for students in the other anatomy classes. “To see the actual organs and muscles, to be able to touch them, to pick them up and hold them, provides a hands-on interaction in a way that can’t be replicated by reading a textbook,” said Burns. “But once you’ve had that hands-on interaction, you can go to a textbook or an anatomy atlas, and it will make a lot more sense.” That experience has helped Cedarville premed alumni who are now in medical schools across the country. According to Burns, over the past five-year period (2017–2021), 82% of Cedarville premed students who applied to medical school were accepted (58 of 71), and over that same time, 63% (45 of 71) were accepted as first-time applicants. Based on statistics from the American Association of Medical Colleges, 40.3 percent of applicants were accepted to medical nationwide during the same fiveyear period. HIGH-TECH STUDY: THE ANATOMAGE TABLE Complementing the cadaver lab, Cedarville’s School of Allied Health recently invested in an interactive digital anatomy device called the Anatomage Table. Using two giant touch screens, students in the Master of Athletic Training program will analyze detailed scans of four people who gave permission for their bodies to be used before they passed. They will also be able to review case studies to determine the underlying disease processes of these patients. The table will allow students to move and rotate bodies, adding and removing layers to see the skin, muscle, bones, blood vessels, and internal organs. Faculty members will be able to integrate the table into quizzes and lectures, asking students to identify various body structures. The Master of Athletic Training program will also use traditional cadavers when it launches this summer, but unlike cadavers, students will be able to use the Anatomage Table outside of class on their own. The table will also allow students to instantly analyze structures that would be difficult to access in a traditional cadaver. And while students cannot put cadavers back together when they have finished dissecting, they can add and remove layers of the human body on the Anatomage Table at will. “The Anatomage Table will enhance what we will be using in cadaveric studies,” said Mike Weller, Associate Professor of Athletic Training and the program’s director. “It might better Cedarville is one of only a few universities in Ohio with an Anatomage Table. 82% Medical School Acceptance Rate (Compared to 40.3% Nationally) 12 | Cedarville Magazine
suit the learning style of someone who has grown up with this type of technology.” Cedarville is one of only a few universities in Ohio with an Anatomage Table. It will be exclusive to the Master of Athletic Training program for now, though Weller envisions opening it up to other programs in the School of Allied Health. REALISTIC PRACTICE: NURSING SIMULATORS Understanding course concepts is important, but practice is a crucial component of the learning experience. Cedarville provides students with opportunities to practice through a Simulation Center, which the Schools of Nursing, Allied Health, and Pharmacy recently updated to ensure a state-ofthe-art experience for years to come. The latest update is the SimCapture Pro, a cloud-based simulation management platform with multi-angle video recording, simulator data capture, annotation, streaming, and debriefing capabilities, as well as self-reflection for simulation participants. Junior and senior nursing students use lifelike mannequins in the center’s three high-fidelity bays, two with Laerdal SimMen mannequins and one with a Laerdal SimMom, to practice their reasoning and judgment skills. These simulators can sweat, bleed, and produce heart sounds, lung sounds, and vital signs such as heart rate and oxygen saturation. Students use the SimMen to assess these indicators and provide necessary medication and care. They use the SimMom to practice labor and delivery care, along with moderate-fidelity infant and child simulators for pediatric scenarios. Upperclassmen nursing students spend two four-hour shifts with the high-fidelity simulators each semester. They use these simulators for medical-surgical, mental health, maternity, and pediatric clinical courses, as well as complex care and leadership courses specifically for seniors. Nursing and pharmacy senior students also jointly participate in a weeklong Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) mock code certification opportunity at the start of the spring semester. Karen (Mathews) Callan ’85, Coordinator of the Nursing Labs and Facilities, runs the high-fidelity simulators along with other faculty members who ensure a realistic simulation experience. “In the Simulation Center, students apply their knowledge, skills, and, most importantly, their clinical judgment, clinical reasoning, and effective communication skills,” said Callan. In other skill labs within the School of Nursing, sophomore nursing students interact with moderate-fidelity simulators in guided simulations where they learn the basics of vital signs and what they indicate. These simulations do not replace clinicals in a real hospital, but they add to the learning experience. By simulating a hospital environment without the possibility of real-world consequences, students can take the lead tackling complex medical issues. Debriefings allow students to analyze what they did right and wrong. Students who role-play loved ones also give nurses practice communicating with a patient’s friends and family and dealing with end-of-life issues. “It’s very realistic, and it gives students the opportunity to actually feel like they are in a clinical setting,” said Callan. “They get to be the nurse making real decisions based on their assessments. The practice of communicating to other professionals that are role-played by faculty during scenarios has given our graduates excellent practice in organizing and articulating important information to other healthcare professionals.” With such a training environment, is it any wonder that Cedarville nursing students, and health science majors in general, are sought out by employers around the country. Excellent technology guided by excellent faculty leads to excellent results. Bryson Durst ’22 is a communication major at Cedarville University and a Public Relations student-writer. Students apply their knowledge, skills, and, most importantly, their clinical judgment. Karen (Mathews) Callan ’85 Cedarville Magazine | 13
BY BRYANA FERN Excellence is the goal for Cedarville students in every academic discipline. Whether it's creative nonfiction writers publishing in professional journals to earn the highest class grade or the nationally recognized Integrated Business Core requiring students to establish a fully operational business and generate profits to benefit local charities, students are called to aim high. Our School of Engineering and Computer Science is one more example of those high expectations saturating every major, from class projects to labs, competition teams, and senior design. That high bar is clearly established and our students consistently meet and exceed the standard. 14 | Cedarville Magazine
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HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE Cedarville engineering competition teams match up against the best and brightest from the U.S. and around the globe. Robert Chasnov, Senior Professor of Engineering and Dean of the School of Engineering and Computer Science, noted that the pattern of top winnings in international competitions against the best engineering programs in the world over the last 30 years “says much about who we are and how we provide an opportunity for our students to be at their best.” Cedarvi lle engineering students are pushing the boundaries of traditional technology and leading research and exploring the possibilities of future technology. Traditional Technology § Supermileage Team with Larry Zavodney, Senior Professor of Mechanical Engineering, which was named 2020 and 2021 champions of the Society of Automotive Engineering Supermileage competition, and winner of the prototype vehicle design award for the 2020 Shell Eco-Marathon Americas and winner of the technical innovation award at the 2021 Shell Eco-Marathon Americas § Solar Boat with Tim Dewhurst, Senior Professor of Mechanical Engineering, which is a 12-time champion of Solar Splash: The World Championship of Solar Boating § Grassroots Motorsports Challenge Team with Jay Kinsinger, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, which placed second in 2021 against teams that included Georgia Tech § Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Aero Design, which in its 2021 international contest in the Advanced class competed against teams from Georgia Tech, the University of Puerto Rico, Alexandria University (Egypt), Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Campus Ciudad de Mexico, Oklahoma University, and Michigan Tech University Future Technology § NASA Student Launch project with TomWard, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, which will compete this April against rocket teams from Purdue, Notre Dame, The Ohio State University, the United States Naval Academy, and the United States Air Force Academy in the 2022 NASA Student Launch in Huntsville, Alabama. As part of their preparation they have held multiple subscale launches and will have filed around 750 pages of documentation to NASA § Cyber Team with Seth Hamman, Associate Professor of Cyber Operations and Computer Science § Automated Golf Cart with Danielle (Scarpone) Fredette ’12, Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering § American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Robotics Team with Clint Kohl, Senior Professor of Computer Engineering These projects prepare students with hands-on practice, demanding excellence, dedication, and plenty of sweat equity. Textbook explanations become real-world trial and error, where skill and expertise are developed and sharpened. GOING THE EXTRA SUPERMILE Brianna Ice ’22, team leader for the Supermileage team, said the chance to apply all the theory from class is the most rewarding aspect of the work. “Supermileage has helped me to see how principles learned in the classroom apply to real life,” she noted. Like all the engineering teams and projects, Supermileage demands a high level of accuracy and commitment. Ice must 12 #1 in Supermileage Competition (2020 and 2021) Solar Splash Championships 16 | Cedarville Magazine
balance these demands along with the added responsibility of be ing team l eader . “ I also have to make sure I am delegating work and using the skills of my team members,” she stressed. Indeed, the team contributions in these projects seems to be one of the most important factors of their excellence. Part of what allows students to perform at this level is their coursework in fundamental theory itself — without proficiency in applied math and physics, students would be far less successful in hands-on work with teams and solo projects. PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE Cedarville students who pursue graduate degrees in engineering transition smoothly because of the depth and rigor of their undergraduate degree. “I’m taking a course in graduate school that I thought would be an advanced version of the elective course I took at Cedarville,” one former student shared with Chasnov. “But I came to find out that we are using the same text and have been asked to solve the same homework problems that my Cedarville course required.” While this is only one of many alumni testimonies, it demonstrates the high level of excellence that faculty require of students. CHRISTIAN MINDSET AND WORK ETHIC Not only do Cedarville’s high standards prepare students for careers and graduate school through excellent work ethic and experience, but they also train students to balance academic rigors and job demands with a biblical worldview and Christlike empathy toward others. Cedarville is blessed with diverse and qualified faculty members who actively engage in students’ progress and professional ambitions, helping each of them visualize their career options. “The consistent theme over these 30 years has been calling,” Chasnov explained. “Our students quickly realize that getting a degree in engineering or computer science is not simply checking the boxes for a set of courses to complete. They must go above and beyond the requirements that would get them that exact same degree at the public university in their home state.” Like any other program wi t h i n Ch r i s t i an h i ghe r education, engineering and computer science students and faculty members must discover how their identity as Christfollowers impacts the pursuit of excellence in their fields and the rest of life. Chasnov quoted Paul Dixon, former Cedarville President and current Chancellor, in saying that, as Christians, “Everything we do ought to have quality stamped all over it.” Engineering tasks in creating and shaping and inventing echo God’s own passion to make and create. And Cedarville engineering students, trained with academic excellence, are likewise challenged to live their personal, professional, and public lives with the same kind of excellence, to the glory of the original Creator. Bryana Fern serves as Assistant Professor of English at Cedarville University. She earned her Ph.D. in English and creative writing from The University of Southern Mississippi. Pictured L-R: Seniors Forrest Putnam, nose cone and simulations lead, and Chad Sanderson, NASA Launch Team leader, inspect the rocket prior to a practice launch in February. Students and faculty members must discover how their identity as Christ-followers impacts the pursuit of excellence in their fields and the rest of life. Cedarville Magazine | 17
CREATING TH 18 | Cedarville Magazine
BY HE I D I E RAINE ’ 23 HE Cedarville University’s industrial and innovative design major is training its graduates to serve as industry leaders in the professional design field. The growing list of graduate success stories is sure to inspire the next generation of future innovators to soar. The industrial and innovative design (IID) major came into being at Cedarville more than 12 years ago through a partnership with the Columbus, Ohio-based International Center for Creativity (ICC), but the discussions and customization of this program began almost 20 years ago. CREATIVE EDUCATION FOR CREATIVES After selling their marketing firm in 2001, ICC co-founders Tom Balliett and Jim Stevenson were searching for a new venture while each doing corporate consulting work in graphic design, industrial design, web design, and marketing. “It all came back to education and how broken it was for creatives,” Stevenson said. “Our thought was, if we can turn what we do — transforming brands and products — into a curriculum, we’ll be filling the need that our clients keep expressing.” Shortly thereafter, Stevenson interacted with Daniel Estes, Distinguished Professor of Old Testament at Cedarville, at a church music rehearsal. Estes communicated Cedarville’s desire to pursue more creative professional programs, and this conversation paved the way for Cedarville’s partnership with the ICC. Beginning in fall 2010, Cedarville welcomed its first class of IID students to the world’s only evangelical Christian industrial design program, piloting a unique structure that continues to thrive today. Students complete their first two years of study on Cedarville’s campus, and they transition to the ICC studios for the last two years of their program. “Without the diligent work of so many, including Prof. Terry Chamberlain [Associate Professor Emeritus of Fine Art], Dr. Steve Winteregg [former Associate Academic Vice President for the College of Arts and Sciences], and Dr. Duane Wood [former Academic Vi ce Pres ident ] , this program would have never seen the light of day.” The first IID class, three internal transfer juniors coming from business, engineering, and Beginning in fall 2010, Cedarville welcomed its first class of IID students to the world’s only evangelical Christian industrial design program. Cedarville leaders are always on the lookout to grow the University’s academic footprint with the latest in-demand programs to train students to become cuttingedge leaders in emerging career fields. From industrial and innovative design to the developing PA program, cyber operations, information technology management, and interactive web design, and more, Cedarville develops programs to prepare today's students for roles of Gospel influence in tomorrow's rising industries. Cedarville Magazine | 19
It’s an opportunity to demonstrate a reflection of God’s creativity. This is an outlet for us to worship God. Jay Kinsinger studio art, met in the Jeremiah House on Cedarville’s campus — the ICC’s first headquarters and home of former Cedarville President James T. Jeremiah, a leader noted for innovative problem-solving. “That first class was the perfect display of what industrial design is: the intersection of business, engineering, and art,” Stevenson added. “We often hear the phrase ‘Jack of all trades,’” Joe Gerber ’22, an IID major from Ellendale, Delaware, said. “Our instructors help us build our ’toolbelts,’ as we call them, with skills like writing, presenting, designing and sketching, marketing, rendering, and many more.” DEVELOPING INNOVATION LEADERS As the IID major has matured, it’s provided students with further opportunities to exercise their innovation and design skills, which culminate in senior capstone projects. Seth Killian ’17 channeled his love for motorcycles into his senior capstone project by producing a custom set of tools to fit the British-made Birmingham Small Arms (BSA) motorcycles, for which the market previously lacked a sufficient tool set. His company, Iron and Hide Customs, was born out of the semester-long project. After graduation, IID students use their projects, skills, and focused expertise to launch into industry, landing some of the market’s top competitive positions. Over 85% of ICC graduates are employed in design-related fields. “We have graduates working at Wolverine Boots, Nike, Air Jordan, Reebok, Books Running, Crocs, Hunter Fans, Shark Ninja, Petco, Bose, Chick-Fil-A Corporate — the list goes on and on,” Stevenson explained. An easy-to-build tree fort for parents with few building skills became 2017 graduate Drew Brandt’s capstone project. That design was the key to him landing his current post creating outdoor play equipment for KidKraft in Dallas, Texas. Julia Shaffer ’19 accepted a position as an associate industrial designer at Hunter Fans, one of the leading companies in the domestic lighting and fan industry, in January 2020. Her designs have routinely hit the market since. TTI Electronics, a Fort Worth-based corporation that owns companies such as Dirt Devil Vacuums and RYOBI tools, also hires many of Cedarville’s IID graduates. Major car manufacturers such as Honda and Ford have also hired Cedarville’s IID alumni. “My lifelong dream has been to build rollercoasters,” Gerber shared. “I came into Cedarville as a mechanical engineering major, but realized I needed more creativity to explore my love for themed entertainment design.” Gerber’s senior capstone project will propose a design for a Magic School Bus-themed thrill ride, which he hopes will highlight his skills for immersive and engaging attraction design. REFLECTING THE CREATOR In addition to design experience, Gerber has also developed more independence in his faith and deeper friendships because of the move to Columbus. “It was very difficult to leave the main campus, but as seniors, we are so grateful for where we are,” he explained. “My classmates are my family, and we learned to encourage each other in our spiritual walks and come alongside one another when school was demanding. This program prepares you for the real world in every aspect.” Jay Kinsinger, ICC instructor and Associate Professor of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering at Cedarville, echoes the idea of spiritual growth and the IID major being uniquely tied. “It’s an opportunity to demonstrate a reflection of God’s creativity,” Kinsinger explained. “This is an outlet for us to worship God. I think of Exodus 31 where God fills these craftsmen with His spirit so they can make beautiful things 20 | Cedarville Magazine
out of all these mediums.” As the IID major looks to what the future may bring, advanced professional education and technology advancements are at the top of the list. “Our new Master of Arts in Innovation offers new opportunities for professionals in the field to develop and grow and become industry leaders,” Stevenson explained. “We emphasize creative problemsolving, solution development, and entrepreneurship.” This program is ideally suited for professionals who want to solve problems using innovative and creative processes and methods. The undergraduate major has also moved to incorporate more technology in its design process, ushering in 3D printing, digital rendering, iPad sketches, and other digital tools. The ICC is currently developing a virtual reality lab, which is set to launch this school year. One of the biggest transformations occurred in 2020 when the ICC moved from its home in Powell, Ohio — just north of Columbus — to Lakehurst in Dublin, Ohio. “The world continues to transform, and in the innovation business, we always want to be on the front end of adapting to the next new thing,” Stevenson said. The ICC is a Columbus, Ohio-based firm that delivers “creativity” consultation for companies, artists, and individuals, and partners with Cedarville University to deliver a cutting-edge, IID major. Heidie Raine ’23 is an English major at Cedarville University. MASTER OF ARTS IN INNOVATION FOR CREATIVE LEADERS With innovation/creativity as the No. 1 soft skill employers look for in today’s future hires, thinking outside the box, over the hedge, and into the metaverse is no longer just the realm of artists and artisans. The business world is changing, and innovative minds are leading the way. In view of this shifting landscape, Cedarville has launched its newest graduate program, the Master of Arts in innovation degree. This completely online program, offered as a partnership between the School of Business and the International Center for Creativity, will equip problem-solving professionals with the mindset to drive change and the knowledge to confidently guide change. This 33–36 credit hour program includes core classes in managing and leading organizations, strategic marketing planning, design thinking principles, and business modeling and new venture creation. For more information about the Master of Arts in innovation, visit cedarville.edu/MAinnovation or contact The Graduate School at Cedarville at 937-766-8000. Cedarville Magazine | 21
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