SUMMER 2022 Volume 10 Issue 2 2 THE CASE FOR SCHOLARSHIPS 4 TRANSFORMATION STORIES: THE IMPACT OF RECEIVING 10 AFFORDABILITY WITHIN REACH 12 EVERYONE ON BOARD 14 WHY WE GIVE 18 A WORTHWHILE INVESTMENT INVESTING in TRANSFORMATION
PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE Our communications team informs me that back in 1894, the Cedarville College Board of Trustees approved the institution’s first scholarship. They offered these scholarships to the top students from high schools in the local communities surrounding Cedarville. The amount will surprise you. A full tuition scholarship for the entire 1894–1895 academic year equated to $20. Even so, a full scholarship transforms the lives of anyone who receives them. Two of those students — William Iliffe and Clarence Young — were among the 13 who graduated as part of the college’s fourth commencement in 1900. Today, we help thousands of students each year achieve their goal of a transformative education through grants, merit-based scholarships, and donor-funded scholarships. Through the intentional discipleship, Bible minor, daily chapel, biblical worldview in every classroom, authentic Christian community, academic excellence, and everything else that Cedarville offers, God is transforming the lives of our students. These students then graduate to impact their churches, workplaces, and communities. In this issue, we ask you to consider partnering with us for scholarships and helping us prepare for the day when we may be forced to walk away from federal funding in order to be true to our biblical convictions. God has blessed Cedarville with 15 consecutive years of record enrollment. The need for Cedarville to grow its financial aid is greater than ever. We want every student who desires an excellent education marked by intentional discipleship in submission to biblical authority to have that opportunity. We don’t want a few thousand dollars to create a barrier to further impact for the Kingdom of God. You will read about students who have benefited from generous financial aid packages. You will hear how the University is trying to keep costs low through programs like dual enrollment and streamlined bachelor’s-tomaster’s programs as well as our general fund. In these pages, you will also meet an amazing family that is all-in when it comes to supporting scholarships, with 19 families with 21 alumni represented so far contributing to a named scholarship honoring a greatgrandfather and great-grandmother. And you’ll discover the “why” behind our donors’ faithfulness to support Cedarville. You’ll also read the powerful testimonies of five current students who are here because of the generosity of donors. You could become one of these donors who impact students in the future. These students share the amazing ways the Lord has matured them spiritually at Cedarville and altered the eternal trajectory of their lives. As we reflect on the overwhelming generosity of our partners in this ministry, we are humbled and overwhelmed at the stewardship God has given us. We have the privilege of preparing the next generation to influence culture and change our world for King Jesus. We pray this issue of Cedarville Magazine will encourage you to consider joining us in this stewardship with your gifts and prayers. In Christ, Thomas White, President cedarville.edu/president @DrThomasWhite facebook.com/DrThomasWhite instagram.com/drthomaswhite linkedin.com/in/jthomaswhite 2 | Cedarville Magazine Cedarville Magazine
IN EVERY ISSUE 22 ADVANCING CEDARVILLE 26 CHAPEL NOTES 28 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 Chief of Staff Zach Bowden 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/magazineSU22 on your computer or mobile device. SUMMER 2022 Volume 10 Issue 2 FEATURES 2 THE CASE FOR SCHOLARSHIPS THOMAS WHITE Cedarville changes lives, and we want every student who desires to attend Cedarville to be able to enroll and be prepared for career success and lifelong impact for the Gospel. Scholarships make a transformative Cedarville education affordable and accessible. 4 TRANSFORMATION STORIES: THE IMPACT OF RECEIVING Enjoy these first-person stories from current students who share how God provided for them to be at Cedarville and the powerful ways their lives have changed because they were here. 10 AFFORDABILITY WITHIN REACH How do we make 1,000 days affordable and accessible? This graphical feature shows how families of differing financial ability can afford a transformative Cedarville education through grants, scholarships, loans, and helpful cost-cutting options, such as dual enrollment, bachelor’s-to-master's degree combinations, and AP and CLEP tests. 12 EVERYONE ON BOARD JEFF GILBERT ’87 When the Kirby family made a commitment to establish the Charles and Florence Kirby Family Scholarship, it wasn’t just two or three who got on board. To date, 19 family members have contributed. This endowed fund, which just awarded its first scholarship, has become a common cause for the entire Kirby clan. Find out why. 14 WHY WE GIVE HEIDIE RAINE ’23 The Cedarville family gives to scholarships for many reasons: alumni grateful for the education they received, parents whose children have been changed at Cedarville, faculty who desire that many more young people will experience what God is doing here. Why do you give? 18 A WORTHWHILE INVESTMENT ANGELA FARLOW ’20 Scholarships, hard work, and a grandpa's incentive were key to this alumna's journey to affording Cedarville and repaying her debt. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 Cedarville Magazine | 1
BY THOMAS WHI TE The Case for SCHOLARSHIPS 2 | Cedarville Magazine
Cedarville University transforms lives through excellent education and intentional discipleship in submission to biblical authority. In other words, we equip students to live excellent lives while standing for the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ wherever God may call them to serve. This is our why: lives transformed to the glory of God. Scholarships make this life transformation possible. Every day matters. Every student matters. Every gift matters. Any size gift can make the difference between a student receiving an education delivered from a biblical worldview, a Bible minor, chapel five days a week, authentic Christian community, faculty members seeking to grow and disciple them for Christ or a secular humanist worldview seeking to undermine universal truth and pushing ungodly agendas. Four years … 1,000 days of intentional God-glorifying discipleship instead of the same amount of time having their faith undermined and questioned by faculty members with advanced degrees placed in authority over them. Even if a student survives secular humanistic education, they may never learn what they missed. You don’t know what you don’t know. Surviving anatomy from an evolutionary perspective is one thing. Learning anatomy from a Psalm 139 perspective helps us glorify God in more powerful ways. For many students, even just $2,000 makes all the difference between these two paths. And for many, being awarded these funds comes as an answer to prayer, which further increases their personal faith in God and walk with Him. Is God calling you to serve Him through a gift? I plead with you to partner with us to train the next generation with excellence to glorify God. Just recently, the federal government announced new Title IX rules that include protection for transgender students. I don’t want to be an alarmist. We will claim exemption from these rules on grounds of our religious beliefs. But we all know it may not be long before schools like Cedarville must make a choice between receiving federal financial aid funds or remaining faithful to the biblical view of human sexuality. I have every confidence that Cedarville will stand firm with compassionate conviction. That stand will have consequences on our students, faculty, and staff. We must plan now to be ready for the potential day when we walk away from federal funding. We need to build our endowed scholarships to offset the loss of federal funds. God is doing something special in these cornfields of southwest Ohio, and I’m sure the devil doesn’t like it. You can help by establishing an endowed scholarship that you give to regularly to increase the amount over time, or you can give to annually expendable scholarships. Every gift matters. We currently receive about $3 million in Pell Grants that we would need to replace. Over time working together, we can replace these dollars with endowed scholarships. Would you pray about giving a legacy estate gift to an endowed scholarship at Cedarville? This would help ensure the long-term future of Cedarville. A gift from your estate would not affect your current assets and would provide you with certain estate tax advantages. If you are willing to consider this further, our Advancement team can provide you with resources to learn more about legacy gifts. Your gift literally impacts eternity. Gifts to scholarships impact students and everyone they will serve throughout the rest of their lives. Our students graduate and go to the ends of the earth serving God and others. You can be part of their story as we all work together to further God’s Kingdom. In the remainder of this magazine, you will read the stories of a few amazing students who represent so many others. As you read them, would you pray about providing a scholarship for a similar future student? God is on the move at Cedarville, and we invite you to join the movement! Why can’t we be the generation that sees a mighty revival like the ones we have read about in the history books? I’ve read about the haystack revival, and I’m praying for the cornfield revival. Join us as we stand firm 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. Your gift literally impacts eternity. God is on the move at Cedarville, and we invite you to join the movement! Cedarville Magazine | 3
TRANSFORMATION STORIES Lives transformed by the Gospel, for the glory of God, in every area of life. Young people are changed forever by faculty mentorship, loving and supportive community, a biblical worldview in every class, and vocational preparation that emphasizes career as a platform for the Gospel. And generous scholarships, provided by the faithful support of donors, are helping make this kind of life transformation available for thousands of students every year. We pray you are inspired and encouraged by the Transformation Stories of our amazing students and the way your gifts have made a Cedarville education possible for them. THE IMPACT OF RECEIVING 4 | Cedarville Magazine
TRANSFORMATION STORIES FROM HALFWAY AROUND THE WORLD BY RUFUS MATHEW ’ 22 After hearing that I come from Bahrain, a small island in the Arabian Gulf, off the coast of Saudi Arabia, the very next question people ask is: “How did you hear about Cedarville?” I love this question, because I love sharing my heart about how Cedarville has transformed me and how the Lord has used my time at Cedarville to challenge and equip me for His glory as I prepare for life after college. When I was i n the college hunt process, my mom kept getting emails from Cedarville that were full of Scripture. How she signed up for these emails, I do not know. I was pursuing 157 colleges spanning nine countries all over the world, and my mom would bring up Cedarville every now and then because the mission of the University stood out to her: “For the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ.” I began to look into Cedarville and realized it has one of the top undergraduate engineering schools in the United States, and its cybersecurity program is recognized by the National Security Agency. This stood out to me, but as I began to look more into the school, it was ultimately the central focus on Scripture and the Gospel that challenged me to apply. Once I had applied and been accepted, I began to receive wonderful scholarships from Cedarville. These included the Warren G. Elliot Scholarship, the Cedarville Excellence Award, International Chancellor's Excellence Scholarship, International Student Grant, David and Edith Clark Scholarship, Reynolds & Reynolds Scholarship, Cedarville University Endowment, and Give Hope Scholarship. I tell people I chose Cedarville because of its focus on Christ, top engineering school with a solid cybersecurity and computer science program, and scholarships! In my time at Cedarville, there have been many semesters where I did not know if I could return and finish my education. College is expensive, and I was having to pay for it mostly on my own. My family supported me financially whenever they could, but I had to bear a lot of the financial burden. It was in these moments that all I could do was pray and trust in the Lord. I knew that God had called me to Cedarville, and I knew that He was going to provide a way for me to stay. Scholarships and extra financial help from relatives somehow a lway s came through, and I can attribute this to the Lord’s hand at work in my life. I have felt the Lord’s provision so much since being in college. My faith has truly grown as I see the Lord’s faithfulness on display to me. I have been able to dive deeply into service and leadership on campus, as I have worked in many different offices and departments at Cedarville. From working in IT to the dining hall, Residence Life, Admissions, the bookstore, and as Student Government Association President, I have been impacted by so many people. I can say that the people a r o u n d m e h a v e pushed me closer to Christ continually, and motivated me not just academically and professionally, but spiritually, too. The training at Cedarville has equipped me to start life after college strong because I have the academic and spiritual foundation that will be unwavering amid a turbulent culture. With the Lord’s blessing, the future of Cedarville is looking bright, and my hope is to be able to give back to a school that has richly blessed me over the last 1,000 days. Rufus Mathew ’22 graduated in May with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. I knew that God had called me to Cedarville, and I knew that He was going to provide a way for me to stay. Cedarville Magazine | 5
GROWING IN GOD’S LOVE BY ANNALYSE DI SS INGER ’ 23 When I first visited Cedarville, I cried when I realized that I could never afford to attend. While I was disheartened by the cost, I recognized its value as a Christ-centered school with a focus on training me toward being a Christian educator. This focus would better equip me for the missions field than any of the other colleges I had looked at. I went home and decided not to make any decisions for at least two weeks. I believed in letting the excitement of school tours wear off. Free T-shirts and complimentary thermoses, the best that the dining hall could offer, and residence hall tours, while providing a glimpse into the life of a college student, create an allurement that distracts from the weightier decision. Emotional decisions do not leave room for much-needed prayers and wisdom. T h a n k s t o C e d a r v i l l e ’ s scholarships — the President’s Ministry Impact Scholarship, the Cedarville Fund Scholarship, the Founders Scholarship, the Cedarville Excellence Award, and the Pastor’s Recommendation Scholarship, to name a few — attending Cedarville became more feasible. I continued to pray for answers. The week of the decision deadline, I had my choice narrowed down to Cedarville and another college. Of the other Christian colleges other than option No. 2, Cedarville’s scholarships had made it the most affordable for me. In the end, I chose Cedarville for its authentic focus on training students to be Christ-followers in whatever career path they choose to pursue. In addition to scholarships, I have been blessed with many opportunities to work, allowing me to earn the remainder of my tuition costs through unexpected jobs. One semester, my uncle invited me on a trip to lay felt for a landfill for an extra $1,500. Another semester, my boss offered me extra hours doing alterations at home. Between the generous scholarships gifted to me by donors through Cedarville and my church and the 60-hour work weeks over the summers working for a furniture store, a sewing store, and a construction company, I am now in my junior year at Cedarville as an adolescent/ young adult language arts education major without any debt. On paper, there is never any way I can cover tuition, but God provided each semester, and I have always had just the right amount in time for the semester. I do not question God's ability to help me the rest of the way through college, if that is His plan. Since choosing Cedarville, I have wrestled with my understanding of what it means to truly love and serve God. Transforming my sinful nature of self-centeredness into a focus on loving God and others more whole-heartedly requires a daily struggle against self, but it has been refreshing to understand my worth in the context of my relationship with God. This understanding has allowed me to serve others better. I currently serve as the Vice President of Alpha Kappa Delta, Cedarville’s English honors organization, and as the Secretary of the Society of Engineers Aiding Missions. Cedarville has given me the opportunity to grow as a leader and form friendships with people across a wide range of fields. I am thankful that I have had this opportunity to grow, so I can be ready to serve in whatever capacity God calls me to after my time at Cedarville. Annalyse Dissinger ’23 is an adolescent and young adult language arts education major. I chose Cedarville for its authentic focus on training students to be Christ-followers in whatever career path they chose to pursue. 6 | Cedarville Magazine
LITTLE HOPE TO HOPE OVERFLOWING BY EZRA SHIMABENGA ’ 23 After high school, my family and I moved to a different town, where my father worked as an evangelist for the Evangelical Mission Baptist Church of Zambia. I was applying to a university in Zambia when I heard of opportunities to apply to universities abroad. The first time I heard about Cedarville University was fromMrs. [Rachel (Mayo)] Chambers ’78 who, together with her husband, [Jim Chambers ’78], had attended Cedarville before becoming missionaries to Zambia through Grace Baptist. I mentioned to her my intention to apply to schools mainly in India, Australia, and the United Kingdom, and she mentioned Cedarville University. I remember her saying, “I wish there was a way you could go there.” Months later, a family from the United States came to visit the Chambers and while conversing over dinner, Mrs. Chambers brought up the idea of me attending Cedarville University. I don’t quite remember the details of the discussion, but the next day I was sitting in the dining room filling out the first page of the application. To be honest, I had little hope it would amount to anything because everyone I knew thought getting into a university in the U.S. was nearly impossible, so I poured all my attention into my other applications. Unfortunately, all of them fell through. I remember sitting in the small office at the Chambers’ house thinking everything was over. And then, I opened my email and there was a message confirming my admission to Cedarville University. We did not know where the finances would come from, but we trusted and prayed. However, as time went by, my faith began to dwindle. I accepted the fact that I wasn’t going to be able to attend Cedarville. Sometime later I got the admission packet from the University, and in it was a certificate for the International Student Grant; later I received an email informing me I had been offered another scholarship: the International Faculty Excellence Scholarship. For the first time in my life, I felt like I didn’t have control over my affairs. I sat and watched God provide over and over again. In the following weeks, additional funds came in and before long, everything was set. I came to Cedarville in the fall of 2019. My first year here was probably one of the toughest times of my life. I was no longer in Zambia, and everything here was different. The people were different. The language was different. For a long while, I felt distant from God. Then one day I was listening to a sermon in chapel, and the speaker was preaching on Psalm 13. The message was about trusting God. I remember feeling convicted because I knew I had not fully trusted God in my situation. I had let myself think my hardships were bigger than Him when they were not. I prayed a genuine prayer that night: that God would free me from my desire to control my life. Afterward, I felt like a heavy load had been lifted as I realized for the first time in my life that things are better when God is in control. In my sophomore year I lost my father. If it wasn't for the support I got from people around me, I don’t think I would still be here. During that rough time, I received so much encouragement. The community here is unlike anything I have ever experienced. At Cedarville University, help is never far away. I don’t know how many times I have visited the financial aid office, but each time they are always willing to help. I am a testimony to the generosity of so many people who are willing to give for students like me to attend Cedarville University. Words cannot express how appreciative I am. Ezra Shimabenga ’23 is a molecular biology major. TRANSFORMATION STORIES The community here is unlike anything I have ever experienced. At Cedarville University, help is never far away. Cedarville Magazine | 7
GOD’S AMAZING PROVISION BY L I LLY ANDERSON ’ 23 I grew up in Da Nang, a city in the central region of Vietnam. I was raised in a Buddhist family but found Jesus and accepted Him as my Lord and Savior when I was 16. My aunt, mother, grandmother, sister, and I are first-generation Christians. I met my husband when he came to Vietnam to serve with a mission organization. After dating for several years, we were married and lived in Da Nang for two years before moving to the U.S. Our hearts’ desire was for me to attend a Christian college to learn more about the Lord, study the Bible, and pursue a degree in the healthcare field, where I have always felt called to serve. It was a rough beginning when my husband and I started our new life in the U.S. I worked full time to support him as he finished his nursing degree. When he graduated, we were blessed with our first child, and even though it seemed hopeless, I never stopped praying for a way to study at a Christian college. When my daughter was 3 years old, I started the application process at Cedarville University on a leap of faith. One of my "God answers prayer" moments was when the Cedarville Admissions called, informing me that I was accepted. I immediately burst into tears. I was happy that I would be able to study at a great Christian university, yet I had no idea how we would afford it. There seemed to be so many obstacles. However, my little faith did not stop God from proving to me that nothing is impossible for Him. Not knowing where to start, I called the financial aid office and immediately connected with a wonderful team. They always responded quickly and came alongside me to walk through the entire process. When I was discouraged, my counselor listened and prayed with me. It was a truly wonderful experience. I started my first year as an undergraduate with wide-open doors from God financially. Besides helping me navigate and obtain government loans, Cedarville provided grants, awards, and scholarships that covered my entire tuition, allowing me to finally start my journey. I am now a junior in the allied health program. At the beginning of every school year, I always question, "What will happen now? Am I able to study this semester? How do I afford this?" I seem to always struggle with faith, even though I know that God is in control of my life and all I need to do is trust Him. The verse I hold onto is, "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:19, NIV). And, yes, God has supplied repeatedly. He's miraculously provided Cedarville grants, a Cedarville Excellence Award, a Side by Side Scholarship, the Give Hope Scholarship, the Kyle Memorial Scholarship, the Troyer Academic Scholarship, the Warren G. Elliot Scholarship, the Alvin & June Perry Scholarship, and the Wickerham Memorial Scholarship. Each gift I've received means the world to me. I am a full-time mom and student. Because English is my second language, I spend double the time studying and completing my coursework compared to my peers. My husband is a full-time nurse with severe cervicogenic headaches. He has had multiple surgeries trying to improve his condition. In addition, he was furloughed as an operating room nurse when the pandemic hit. Despite all this, the Lord has been faithful. Through prayer and the generous financial support offered by Cedarville, I've been able to continue my education. The future is bright, and God willing, I'll fulfill my calling to serve the Lord as a physician assistant. My prayer is that when I get there, I'll be able to give back and support students who may find themselves in my situation. Lilly Anderson ’23 is an allied health major. Through prayer and the generous financial support offered by Cedarville, I've been able to continue my education. 8 | Cedarville Magazine
GOD IS FAITHFUL BY SEAN BEVERLY ’ 22 “God is faithful; you can trust Him.” I have written this statement on various sticky notes time and time again as God has provided for me at Cedarvi l le. Growing up as a pastor’s kid, I always knew that I would have to find funding for college. Part of the reason I was able to come to Cedarville is the academic scholarships offered to me freshman year. However, my f reshman year in engineering did not go smoothly. Because of my GPA, I lost my largest scholarship. I remember having to swallow my pride and tell my parents about what happened. I felt like I had wasted my opportunity and, even worse, I may have completely ruined my chances of getting a college degree. I contemplated transferring schools that summer after freshman year, but something kept pulling me back to Cedarville. Even though I had no plans for how to pay for the next year, I decided to return for sophomore year after being awarded a small scholarship during the summer. I also asked my parents if they would take out a loan. I hated having to resort to this because I never wanted to place the burden of my education on them. Beginning spring semester, I vowed to figure it out, or I would have to leave. When I returned in January 2020, the Spring Missions Conference was kicking off. They collected an offering for one of their selected missions, but during this time I was pinching pennies, waiting on my financial aid meeting the next day to find out if I needed to pay for a ride home or not. The plate kept getting closer and the weight on my shoulders kept getting heavier. I remember breaking down in my seat and praying, “God, if this is where you want me to be, I need you to pay for it.” As the plate reached my row, I grabbed a $20 bill from the last $60 in my wallet and threw it in. I felt that if I expected God to work, I needed to trust Him. That next day, I walked to financial aid fully prepared to hear there was nothing they could do. Thankfully, it went much differently; they found $8,000 for me! I was at a complete loss for words. I still had nearly $7,000 left to pay, but I was positive that God would provide. Despite seeing God work, I avoided looking at my leftover school bill. Eventually, my sister talked me into looking at it and, to my surprise, all that was left to pay after government assistance and some reimbursements was $20. I quickly paid for it and excitedly ran upstairs to tell my parents the great news. This has not been an isolated event in my time here at Cedarville. God has provided all my funding for every semester since. Some semesters I even had money left over in my student account that helped cover a summer class. The Lord has provided 14 different scholarships through Cedarville. In all of this, I keep thinking about Dr. White’s chapel series from sophomore year and remembering, “God is faithful; you can trust Him.” Sean Beverly ’22 graduated in May with a Bachelor of Science in management. TRANSFORMATION STORIES I contemplated transferring schools that summer after freshman year, but something kept pulling me back to Cedarville. Cedarville Magazine | 9
AFFORDABILITY WITHIN REACH COUNTING THE COST Cedarville’s undergraduate tuition is competitive, while scholarships are generous. Room and board rates remain the lowest at any university in the state of Ohio, due to the priority we place on the residential experience and the intentional discipleship that takes place within the residence hall setting. Fees are also kept intentionally low. 2022–23 Costs (before financial aid) Block Tuition (12–17 credits per semester) $34,498 Room $4,786 Board $3,614 Student Fee $200 Total $43,098 How do you make 1,000 days of Cedarville’s life-transforming undergraduate education affordable? Let me count the ways! The financial pathways that enable a student to navigate successfully from Getting Started to commencement are as diverse as the students and families who choose Cedarville. No two stories are alike! Family income, college savings plans, academic awards, need-based grants, government aid, athletic scholarships, anonymous gifts, generous donors, campus employment, summer jobs, church support, and low-interest student loans are just a sampling of the ways God provides. We should not be surprised that His provision is endlessly creative. In the end, we trust a faithful God to provide what is needed for each student He has called to attend Cedarville, graduate with the least amount of debt possible, and be equipped to enter their field job-ready and on mission for Jesus Christ. That’s an investment worth making and a goal that is well within reach! 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20 2020–21 $28.5 $32.7 $37.8 $43.0 $48.7 million million million million million INVESTING IN SCHOLARSHIPS On first glance, does that total cost seem daunting? That is just half the story — literally! The average freshman financial aid offer is $20,150, not including loans — reducing the total by nearly 50%! And, 100% of freshmen students receive scholarships. Thanks to the generosity of donors and a commitment in the University’s annual budget, Cedarville has increased its investment in scholarships by 70% in the past five years. 10 | Cedarville Magazine
Many students take college courses for high school and college credit at a reduced cost (may be free for Ohio students through the state’s College Credit Plus program). Cedarville offers 14 popular degrees that provide a three-year pathway to graduation, cutting costs and speeding graduates into their careers. Cedarville offers accelerated completion plans that allow students to earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree, saving thousands of dollars on the cost of two degrees. High school students can earn up to 40 semester credits through the Advanced Placement (AP) program or earn college credit by passing examinations where they possess college-level knowledge. SAVING CREATIVELY Beyond financial aid, Cedarville parents and students have many options for reducing the total cost of a Cedarville education. Consider these creative options, and remember our helpful admissions counselors are here to help you find the best solution for you and your family. DUAL ENROLLMENT cedarville.edu/dualenrollment THREE-YEAR COMPLETION OPTIONS cedarville.edu/3yearoption MASTER’S DEGREE ACCELERATED PATHWAYS cedarville.edu/gradpathways AP AND CLEP TESTS cedarville.edu/AP 25% <$79,000 25% >$171,800 50% $79,000–171,800 Family Income Reported by 2021–22 Freshmen Students Affordable for All Kinds of Families FUNDING THE BALANCE After scholarships and grants (also known as gift aid because they do not have to be repaid) are applied to a student’s account, students cover the balance through many sources. For 56% of last year's graduating class, that included federal student loans, averaging $20,939. Loans must be considered carefully. The answers to “Should I take out a loan?” or “How much college debt is wise?” will be unique to each student and should reflect careful thought and prayer along with an understanding of future career plans and anticipated earnings. One rule of thumb we share with families is to borrow no more than you expect to earn the first year after graduation. Other financial experts recommend limiting total student borrowing to an amount that will keep loan payments below 8 to 10% of pretax income. Here's what we know to be true: With one of the lowest default rates in the U.S. ( 1.7% ) and career placement rates well ahead of national averages ( 98.4% last year), Cedarville graduates appear to be wisely managing their financial obligations. SUMMING IT UP Thanks to a combination of Cedarville donor and institutionally funded scholarships, federal aid, and state grants — not to mention the diligent work and careful financial planning of Cedarville families, students from all income levels are finding Cedarville to be an affordable option. Student and Family Contributions Donor and UniversityProvided Scholarships For Some: Carefully Considered Loans God's Unique Provision + + + = A Life-Transforming Cedarville Education Within Reach Cedarville Magazine | 11
Charles and Florence Kirby started their family in 1926. Three generations and 21 Cedarville graduates later, their descendants gave back with an endowed scholarship. Verne Kirby ’55 was the first Kirby to arrive at Cedarville in 1953, the same year Baptist Bible Institute relocated and became the new Cedarville College. He graduated two years later and began a career as a church planter for Baptist Mid-Missions serving in locations from Kentucky to Alaska to Hawaii. Many family members followed — Verne’s kids and grandkids, his brother Stanley’s kids and grandkids — until the most recent one graduated in 2012. None of them have accumulated great wealth, but they are rich in the best kind of way: the Kirby family combined has contributed almost $90,000 of God’s blessings to start a unique endowed scholarship. "Your faith has to enter in and trust the Lord that He knows what He's doing,” Verne said. “We try to help in any way we can.” Nineteen branches of the Kirby family, representing 21 Cedarville alums, have funded the annual Charles and Florence Kirby Family Scholarship, named in honor of Verne and Stanley’s parents. The scholarship will award about $3,750 annually to a student based on need. The only requirement is that the sophomore, junior, or senior, regardless of GPA, is a hard worker. Stanley, the older of the two brothers, and his sons, Linden ’74 and Mark ’80, saw the potential of what could be accomplished with an endowed scholarship. "When I realized how many of our family had connections to Cedarville,” Linden said, “I said, ‘We have to do something, and we have to do something that involves everyone or gives everybody the opportunity.’” PROSPECT-TO-CEDARVILLE PIPELINE Charles and Florence raised Stanley and Verne in Prospect, Ohio, a town of 1,000 people a little north of Columbus. The town, at least when Mark grew up there, was known for its Fourth of July celebration, Abe’s Tastee Freez, and countless happy memories for Kirby kids. Verne wanted to stay in Prospect and raise his family on a farm. But God had a different plan. A missionary visited his church and got him thinking about Bible college. Verne’s travels began. After two years at Piedmont Bible College in North Carolina, Verne and his wife, Helen ’69, arrived in Cedarville. Verne graduated with a theology degree and began his missionary career. BY J EFF G I LBERT ’ 87 WITH 21 CEDARVILLE ALUMNI, THIS ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP RECEIVED BROAD FAMILY SUPPORT EVERYONE ON BOARD None of them have accumulated great wealth, but they are rich in the best kind of way. 12 | Cedarville Magazine
All five of Verne’s children attended Cedarville, as did Helen over two furloughs. Stanley went to Ohio Wesleyan, but four of his six kids came to Cedarville. Stanley, who at 96 is three years older, is a veteran of World War II and returned to Prospect and made his life there. He was a rural mail carrier for 23 years, taught geometry, and coached the boys’ basketball team at Marion Pleasant High School for 31 years. He won a state championship and is a member of the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame. “The money I spent on my kids going to Cedarville was beneficial,” Stanley said. “I’m just hoping the money that I would give now will be beneficial to their future work and in support of God’s Word.” GODLY HERITAGE Linden and Mark grew up 100 yards from their grandparents Charles and Florence. Linden remembers that he would often sleep at their house and walk to elementary school the next morning. Grandma stood in the doorway, watched Linden walk to school, and prayed for him. “She told me that more than once,” he said. “And her prayers, I believe their prayers, made a difference in my spiritual life.” As the scholarship planning progressed, an obvious question was what to name it. Everyone agreed that the parents who first sent a Kirby to Cedarville should be honored. “They were wonderful, solid Christian people who deeply impacted all our lives,” Linden said. "Our family just loves Grandpa and Grandma and emulates them and realizes that their Christian example made the difference for us.” Linden and Mark’s grandparents didn’t live to see this day, but their dad and uncle have. “It's an interesting thing that we can do that,” Stanley said. “I haven't got too many more years to look back and say, ‘I wish I'd done that.’” FAMILY COMMITMENT An endowed scholarship needs $50,000 to start and begins paying out on the earned interest after three years. However, enough money in addition to the endowment fund was given and pledged to start awarding the scholarship now. The first scholarship, worth half the $3,750 annual amount, was awarded in January for the spring semester to Mackenzie Lord ’22, a management major from Lone Tree, Colorado. After the details of the scholarship were completed, Linden, who is a retired church planter and lives in Colorado, began contacting family members on his side and Verne’s side. The response thrilled Linden. Kirbys who did not attend Cedarville contributed. “I would like to emphasize the unity of the family and the cooperative ef for t , ” Linden said. “I don't even know the range of g i f t s , but i t didn't matter to us. It's more than their relationship to Cedarville. It's their relationship to the family, and their relationship to Christ. And they're saying, ‘We love our parents, we love our grandparents, we love our great-grandparents, we love the Lord, and we love Cedarville in the sense that the motto is for the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ.” Mark has worked at the same Christian school in Lakeland, Florida, since he graduated from Cedarville in 1980. His children made it through Cedarville with lots of scholarship help from various sources. "My own kids were more excited about doing this,” he said. “They know how they got through was with scholarship help, so it was neat to think we can bond together as a family and make this happen for some others, too.” And b e c a u s e o f that, students for years to come wi l l benefit from the generosity of one family who went all in on the value of a Cedarville education. You have to suspect that Charles and Florence would be very proud. Jeff Gilbert ’87 is an assistant professor of journalism and advisor to the student newspaper, Cedars. Vern and Stanley Kirby Students for years to come will benefit from the generosity of one family who went all in on the value of a Cedarville education. Cedarville Magazine | 13
BY HE ID I E RAINE ’ 23 WhyWe BY HE ID I E RAINE ’ 23 14 | Cedarville Magazine
Academic. Need-based. Memorial. Community Service. Legacy. Military. Athletic. These scholarships and more make an education at Cedarville University possible for all of its undergraduate students —100% of whom receive financial aid. Behind each scholarship is a donor — an alumnus, parent, grandparent, or friend — with a story. Some seek to honor a loved one. Some long to see specific academic programs flourish. Some want to give back to the institution that shaped them, their children, or their grandchildren. But one commonality between all of Cedarville’s donors is the desire to support the University’s students and mission. “All of our donors have a heart of generosity,” Nancy Holmes Voorhies, Senior Regional Director of Development, said. “They want to help other people afford to come to Cedarville.” And that generosity shines through in each donor’s explanation of why they give. LOVE FOR CEDARVILLE Charlotte Kuriger posthumously established the Roger and Charlotte Kuriger Scholarship Fund — Cedarville’s largest estate gift to date — in 2019 on behalf of herself and her husband after a lifetime of faithful but modest giving to the University. Charlotte and Roger Kuriger divided their $3.1 million estate gift into two endowed scholarships: 75% to the Master of Science in Nursing program and 25% to the Bachelor of Science in accounting program. The Kurigers came to know and love Cedarville through Roger’s sister, Marie, and her husband, Dale Murphy, who served on the Board of Trustees for 47 years. Shortly after her husband’s death, Kuriger developed a friendship with Voorhies. Through that friendship, Kuriger’s knowledge of and affection for Cedarville’s biblical education grew, inspiring her to bequest the couple's estate to the University. “The nursing scholarship principal alone awards around $150,000 a year,” Voorhies One commonality between all of Cedarville’s donors is the desire to support the University’s students and mission. Cedarville Magazine | 15
said. “The Graduate School of Nursing program has been transformed by that scholarship.” PASSION FOR MINISTRY Another scholarship transforming Cedarville students’ lives is the John Lutsi B.A./M.Div. Pastoral Ministry Scholarship. Lutsi established the scholarship in 2019 to assist undergraduate and graduate students on the pastoral ministry track; 18 students received this scholarship in the 2021–22 school year. Lutsi learned about Cedarville through his granddaughter, Sophia Smith ’21; grew to love it with his wife, Ella; and felt moved to contribute to the University following Ella’s passing in 2020. “Mr. Lutsi is passionate about youth garnering theological training to contribute as lay people at local churches,” Kate Cooper, Scholarship and Annual Giving Manager, said. “He’s thankful to Cedarville for building up his granddaughter’s faith, and his scholarship allows other students to be built up in the same way.” SUPPORTING MKS The Gershom Scholarship is named for Moses’ son from Exodus 2:22, whose name means “I have been a stranger in a foreign land,” and is designated to assist children of full-time missionary families, particularly missionary kids from the Middle East, where the donors' family lived for a time as “strangers in a foreign land.” The Gershom Scholarship began in 2006 when a couple sent the first of three children — all Cedarville graduates — to the University. At the time, the husband’s company offered a three-to-one match for f inancial gi f ts to educat ional institutions. They began giving $7,500 to Cedarville each year, which multiplied to $30,000 with company matching. Their eldest son, a 2010 alumnus, began working at the same company as his father after graduation, and he has continued to take advantage of the company’s matching policy with regular gifts. The Gershom Scholarship’s market value is nearing $1 million. It is the single largest endowment fund to which current gifts are being made. “When the family lived overseas, they met missionaries there, and they wanted missionary kids to be able to come to Cedarville,” Voorhies shared. “They knew as full-time missionaries, those parents couldn’t afford to send their kids as this couple could, so they wanted to do what they could to help,” Voorhies explained. “It’s obvious that they are faithfully following what the Lord has put on their hearts.” “It’s beautiful to see people who want to give,” Cooper added. “There’s this thought that people don’t want to contribute to a cause, but our donors want to give to our students — to make Cedarville a possibility for them — and it’s truly what the Lord is doing. He’s moving in donors’ lives, and we get to be conduits in that.” CONTINUING A LEGACY Julie Deardorff, Director of Library Collection Services and Associate Professor of Library Science, serves as another example of such generosity as she honors the memory of her husband, beloved University professor Don Deardorff. Establishing the Don and Julie Deardorff English Scholarship Roger and Charlotte Kuriger It’s beautiful to see people who want to give. Kate Cooper 16 | Cedarville Magazine
following her husband's passing in October 2021, Deardorff hopes to honor their shared passion for humanities education. “After Don died so unexpectedly, my sister asked me where I’d want donations to go,” Deardorff explained. “It's important to me that he can continue to have an impact on English and language arts education majors at Cedarville.” The Deardorffs both studied English in their undergraduate programs, and they were blessed with scholarships that let them graduate debt-free. “It gave us a great sense of financial freedom, allowed us to marry two weeks after I graduated, start graduate school shortly after, and ultimately find our way to Cedarville,” she said. The couple worked together at Cedarville for 25 years, during which they jointly invested in students and helped them navigate financial challenges. “We felt torn,” she explained. “How do you advise a student to come back when they’re in such a difficult financial situation? This scholarship is our way of helping solve that problem by doing one final thing together.” “Compared to having a personal impact on students’ lives, this scholarship looks like a small thing, but since that’s not possible anymore, it becomes a big thing,” Deardorff shared. “Don can still help students succeed and make it possible for them to major in English, which has so much value.” Rachel Rathbun ’23 is the first recipient of the scholarship. BURDENED BY THE NEED Last year, an anonymous donor funded and established the God Provides Scholarship because they “just wanted to bless students who are hurting financially and wanted them to know that God provides for their needs,” Voorhies shared. Moved by this $100,000 gift, another donor wanted to contribute, increasing the fund to $138,000. This year, 37 students were blessed by the God Provides Scholarship. “Many students send thank-you notes through the financial aid office, and their stories are very emotional,” Cooper said. “We have students with sick family members, students who are in graduate studies and simultaneously supporting families, students affected by COVID, students losing jobs, and this scholarship is helping them complete their Cedarville education. It’s a beautiful picture.” GENEROSITY AND GOSPEL COMMUNITY Each of these scholarships does exactly that — paints a beautiful picture of generosity and Gospel community. “These donors believe in Cedarville, and with hearts of generosity, they desire to see as many students afford a Cedarville education as possible,” Voorhies added. Heidie Raine ’23 is an English major at Cedarville University. These donors believe in Cedarville, and with hearts of generosity, they desire to see as many students afford a Cedarville education as possible. Nancy Holmes Voorhies Don and Julie Deardorff. Don Deardorff passed away suddenly on October 22, 2021, having served Cedarville faithfully for 25 years. Cedarville Magazine | 17
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AWORTHWHILE INVESTMENT SCHOLARSHIPS, HARD WORK, AND GRANDPA’S INCENTIVE KEY TO ALUMNA’S SUCCESS BY ANGELA FARLOW ’ 20 When I think about why I chose to attend Cedarville University, there isn’t a specific event that comes to mind. I had always wanted to attend Cedarville, and looking back now, I see how it was a clear working of the Holy Spirit in my life. I knew that I wanted to learn more about God and experience the impact of a relationship with Him on my daily life. The people whom I had looked to as examples for being a Christian had disappointed me, and I was just beginning to learn what a personal relationship looked like in my Christian walk separate from the role models I had seen. I knew that Cedarville would encourage me to learn even more and grow in my faith. After I chose to attend Cedarville for my communication degree, my parents were unable to financially support me, leaving me completely on my own to fund Cedarville Magazine | 19
my undergraduate education. I had a high school job but still did not have a full understanding of the impact debt would have on my life. I am so thankful for my Grandpa Mickey, who loved me well and walked me through how to fund my education in a wise way that would allow me to work any job that I wanted in my future. GRANDPA’S INCENTIVE During my senior year of high school, I applied for every outside scholarship that I could. I was beyond thankful to receive several educational and volunteer scholarships that greatly helped me in my first year. In addition, my grandpa generously offered to match every dollar that I earned from my jobs. This encouraged me to work hard in the summer and throughout my college career. I had several jobs on campus, including working for Admissions, Public Relations, and Human Resources. I also worked full-time jobs throughout my summer breaks. True to his word, Grandpa matched every dollar I made, which I put straight toward my education, doubling the money I was making. I also applied for donor-funded scholarships during my time at Cedarville. I received the Miriam Maddox Speech Communication Scholarship and the Excellence in Applied Communication Scholarship in 2019–2020. The following year I received the Excellence in Applied Communication Scholarship again! I was honored to receive these scholarships, which helped me limit my debt and work toward financial stability. WORTHWHILE INVESTMENT When I stop and consider the investment I made to attend Cedarville, I sometimes ask myself if it was worth it. But every time I ask that question, my answer is quickly a definite “Yes!” Attending Cedarville University was one of the most transformative experiences in my spiritual journey. Not only were my classes taught from a biblical worldview, but the people who surrounded and loved me taught me the beauty of following Christ and living a life honoring Him. I was surrounded by professors who not only believed in God’s Word but lived it out in every aspect of their lives. I was loved by people at my church and different families that welcomed me. I was also loved by my co-workers and bosses through my jobs. I grew and healed in incredible ways. My experience at Cedarville is something I would pay for and work just as hard for again. PURSUING HER PASSION After graduating from Cedarville, I was left with $8,937 in unsubsidized government loans, which was a blessing in itself. I started to apply for jobs that matched my passion for advocating for youth and children and fit my skill set in communications and leadership. Knowing that I had minimal debt, which I felt confident I could pay off, allowed me to consider a wider range of job possibilities, some that paid less than others but still engaged the gifting, training, and passion the Lord had given me. The Lord provided an amazing opportunity to work for a small international nonprofit organization called Chariots for Hope that manages children’s homes in Kenya, Africa. Within three weeks of applying, I interviewed in person in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I was offered the job as a Communications Manager and took the bold step to move across the country away from family and friends. My job has been stretching, and I have learned so much, Attending Cedarville University was one of the most transformative experiences in my spiritual journey. 20 | Cedarville Magazine
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