Cedarville Magazine, Summer 2017

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE 2 | Cedarville Magazine Cedarville Magazine The battle raged back and forth as the clock drew ever closer to zero. We cheered. We yelled. We screamed. And we tried to remain dignified during all of it. After all, I do serve as the president of the University. As the game drew to a close, my wife and I jumped out of our seats with hands raised in the air as our men’s basketball team pulled out a close victory. The following morning, we realized she had burst a blood vessel in her eye from cheering so hard. “Intense” does not do justice to the competitive spirit my wife and I possess, and on this particular day, it showed. “Back the Jackets” left a mark. Each year, my family walks in the Cedarville homecoming parade with the volleyball team. Watching four enthusiastic, hard-working freshmen grow up on the court these past four years means this team will always hold a special place in my heart. Rachel, Samuel, and I even created posters to support them. At each home game, we cheered as loud as we could, rooting them on to victory, and my children enjoyed dancing to the music during breaks in the action. On more than one occasion, the student section has lured me to the middle of the controlled chaos that occurs when our outside hitters send a ball descending toward the court at what seems like 70 mph. Four of these girls graduated this year. I had trouble controlling my emotions, just as I did on senior night. Sports have always held a special place in my life. I still bear scars from baseball. I learned hard work and determination from football and basketball. I experienced the thrill of victory in karate, and I had the joy of flying high in the pole vault. God has used sports in my life to develop character and teach me many lessons. Perhaps those experiences have affected my belief that a coach has a special opportunity to mentor players. Coaches can teach a Philippians 2 mindset of considering others before yourself. They can help players understand service and ministry, and they can cast a vision to use athletics for more than just fame and glory. Ultimately, athletics can be used as a platform for spiritual growth and proclaiming the Gospel. At Cedarville, we expect spiritual growth to be the norm. From the honor call in volleyball, to note cards and prayers for opposing teams, we want to make an impact on others for the Gospel locally and abroad. From the women’s soccer Bible study, which my wife helps lead, to the private character-building discussions between teammates and coaches, we want to see our athletes become better people — better followers of Christ more than anything else. In the following pages, you will read about our athletes. I think you will discover that athletics at Cedarville has always been about more than just winning. Our athletes aim for excellence. They desire the prize — not just a trophy to adorn the case in the Callan Athletic Center, but an eternal prize of honoring Christ and making a difference for the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ. Steadfast in Christ, Thomas White, President 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 Vice President for Academics Loren Reno ’70 Vice President for Advancement Rick Melson 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 Alan Geist ’83 Our Mission 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. Our Vision Cedarville University will be an exemplary Christian institution known for commitment to academic excellence, submission to biblical authority, passion for the Great Commission, and intentional discipleship that transforms lives for godly service, vocational distinction, and cultural engagement. 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/magazineSU1 7 on your computer or mobile device. cedarville.edu/president @DrThomasWhite facebook.com/DrThomasWhite Subscribe at drthomaswhite.com Summer 2017 Volume 5 Issue 2