Cedarville Magazine, Spring/Summer 2016

46 | Cedarville Magazine Reno Named Vice President for Academics The Cedarville University Board of Trustees appointed Loren Reno ’70 as Vice President for Academics. Reno had been serving as Interim Vice President for Academics since June 2015. Reno, a three-star general and 38-year veteran of the United States Air Force (USAF), brings a decorated military career and successful tenure as the inaugural Dean of Cedarville’s School of Business Administration (SBA) to his new role. Under Reno’s leadership, student enrollment in the SBA increased 36 percent. As part of Reno’s service in the USAF, he led organizations in peacetime and combat doing maintenance repair, the overhaul of jet engines and large aircraft, supply chain management, and jet fuel acquisition and distribution. He concluded his Air Force career as its senior logistician with policy oversight and budget advocacy for its maintenance, logistics, civil engineering, explosive ordinance disposal, and security forces. He earned his undergraduate degree in comprehensive science and education from Cedarville before receiving a master’s degree in systems management from the University of Southern California. Reno has also completed graduate studies at Harvard University, Syracuse University, and the University of North Carolina. Legacy of Excellence Marks DiCuirci Retirement After nearly 40 years of service to Cedarville University, Mike DiCuirci, Senior Professor of Music, retired this May, leaving a legacy that has impacted thousands and has made him one of Cedarville’s most beloved professors. DiCuirci’s path to Cedarville was unconventional. After graduating from the University of Michigan and spending several years teaching and playing in several bands in New York, a car accident changed his life’s direction. “I’d lived a pretty riotous lifestyle up to that point,” said DiCuirci. “I got involved with drugs and alcohol, couldn’t keep track of my personal life, and was getting in huge amounts of debt.” After playing with his band one evening, DiCuirci passed out at the wheel of his van while driving home, taking out five guardrails. He very easily could have died. “It looked like King Kong had reached down and crumpled my van,” he said. “If all the band equipment had been in the back, I’m convinced that I’d be dead right now.” After the accident, DiCuirci decided a change in venue might help and accepted a teaching position in Plymouth, Michigan. “At that point, my life was in shambles,” he said. “The pleasures of living a life of rebellion had worn off.” Shortly after moving to Michigan, DiCuirci met his wife, JoAnn, and together they began a journey that eventually led them to a saving faith in Jesus Christ. What happened next caught them off guard. While attending a Bible conference in Battle Creek, Michigan, JoAnn was approached by one of the conference’s speakers, former Cedarville President Paul Dixon, who asked JoAnn if she thought her husband might be interested in teaching music theory at a Christian university. Although he had no desire to teach music theory — he wanted to be a band director —DiCuirci reluctantly agreed to talk with Dixon. “Dr. Dixon asked for my résumé, which I didn’t have with me,” said DiCuirci. “So I grabbed a napkin and a Sharpie and scribbled out three or four things and handed it to him.” Several weeks later, DiCuirci was on campus at Cedar ville beginning his ministry as a music professor and band director. During his tenure, he’s directed Cedarville’s Jazz Band, Pep Band, and Symphonic Band and helped the music program become one of the best in the country. He’s also touched the community in a significant way through the University’s annual Community Christmas Celebration concert, which draws about 3,000 each year to the Dixon Ministry Center Jeremiah Chapel. When asked how he’ll remember his time at Cedarville, his answer is simple. “I want to leave here knowing that I heeded the call and gave it my best shot,” he said. “Hopefully, I’ve impacted a lot of lives and given Cedarville something to be proud of.” More than 150 alumni performed with the Jazz Band and Symphonic Band during Mike DiCuirci’s Farewell Concert April 17. Campus News