SUMMER 2025 Volume 13 Issue 2 ONLINE ON MISSION
The mission of Cedarville University has always been to transform students’ lives academically, professionally, and spiritually. Now, we are expanding that mission around the globe. In August, we are launching Cedarville Online — our first-ever online undergraduate degree programs. This venture builds on successful dual enrollment and graduate programs that already serve thousands of online students. By expanding into undergraduate programs, we aim to sustainably extend our mission while holding fast to what makes Cedarville so special. We like to say that every student who wants a Cedarville education should be able to have one. Now, we’re making a life-transforming education accessible to students around the world who couldn’t attend otherwise. Some students long to study at Cedarville but face personal challenges — location, cost, family responsibilities, or health needs. Cedarville Online brings a flexible, affordable Christian education to them without compromising on quality or mission. Others are exactly where God wants them to be. They are deeply connected with their churches, working in promising jobs, investing in their families, or surrounded by strong local communities. Cedarville Online helps these students pursue what God has called them to in the present without missing out on investing in their futures. In this issue of Cedarville Magazine, we’re excited to share more about this new chapter. You’ll hear more from me about how Cedarville Online will strengthen the University for years to come. You’ll be blessed by the testimony of Dr. Bob Lutz, the man leading Cedarville Online’s launch. And you'll hear from our faculty about the rich history of online education and our staff about how each Cedarville Online course is developed with life transformation in mind. May the Lord use Cedarville Online to work in students’ lives for the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ. In Christ, Thomas White President cedarville.edu/president SUMMER 2025 Volume 13 Issue 2 Editor Janice (Warren) Supplee ’86 Managing Editor Rachel (Rathbun) Benefiel ’23 Creative Director Chad Jackson ’05 Graphic Designer Daniel DeWitt Graphic Designer Craig Salisbury Photographer Scott Huck ADMINISTRATION President Thomas White Senior Advisor to the President Loren Reno ’70 Chief of Staff Zach Bowden Vice President for Academics Tom Mach ’88 Vice President for Advancement Will Smallwood Vice President for Athletics Chris Cross Vice President for Business and Chief Financial Officer Chris Sohn Vice President for Enrollment Management Scott Van Loo ’98 Vice President for Marketing and Communications Janice (Warren) Supplee ’86 Vice President for Strategic Initiatives Bob Lutz ’01 Vice President for Student Life and Christian Ministries Jon Wood 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 1-800-CEDARVILLE READ ONLINE! Visit cedarville.edu/magazineSU25 on your computer or mobile device. PRESIDENT'S PERSPECTIVE
02 CAMPUS CAN'T CONTAIN OUR MISSION THOMAS WHITE – Pressures are mounting for higher education institutions as our society questions the value of a degree. How do online undergraduate degrees fit into Cedarville’s plan for sustainable success? 06 YOUR FIRST LOOK AT CEDARVILLE ONLINE What majors will Cedarville Online offer? Who is Cedarville Online meant for? How will Cedarville ensure the online experience offers as much support and life transformation as a residential degree? First Look answers your questions about this bold new step in Cedarville’s plan. 12 NOT NEW. JUST NEXT. CEDARVILLE'S ONLINE LEARNING LEGACY BRYANA FERN – Did you know that distance learning started as early as 1728? Cedarville Online may be new, but online learning has a rich history to explore both at Cedarville and in education as a whole. 16 ORDINARY MEANS, EXTRAORDINARY MISSION BOB LUTZ – It was God’s providence that brought Dr. Bob Lutz from sunny Florida back to the cornfields of Cedarville, Ohio. His mission? To use ordinary means to show God’s extraordinary faithfulness to students. 22 FROM ON-CAMPUS TO ONLINE: HOW CEDARVILLE BUILDS EXCELLENT ONLINE COURSES LAUREN EISSLER – Can an online course really be distinctively Cedarville? Take a peek behind the curtain with Lauren Eissler, Cedarville’s User Experience Designer and Editor, to see how Cedarville distinctives are intentionally baked into each online course from the start. IN EVERY ISSUE FEATURES Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:2 28 CHAPEL NOTES 30 ADVANCING CEDARVILLE 34 YELLOW JACKET SPORTS 36 JACKETS FOR LIFE 38 THE BUZZ 46 NEW! BETWEEN THE LINES 48 IN CLOSING 1 IN THIS ISSUE
While Cedarville University currently remains strong, challenges to the landscape of higher education continue to mount. Fewer high school students will be graduating in the coming decade. Affordability remains a question for many. Economic pressures have reduced profit margins. Some question the value of a degree. Evangelicalism continues to be marginalized in society. I could go on, but you get the point. We must look into the future and position the University for continued success. We must be willing to change and adapt to market pressures, or we will go the way of Blockbuster, Blackberry, and K-Mart. BY THOMAS WHITE CAMPUS CAN'T CONTAIN OUR MISSION 2 Reflections on Mission, Sustainability, and the Future of Cedarville
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For Cedarville to thrive and perhaps survive in the coming decades, we must develop online undergraduate degrees. In this article, I will articulate why I believe so strongly in this new initiative. STRENGTHENING CEDARVILLE’S FUTURE Universities without fully developed online undergraduate programs experience a business disadvantage. The additional revenue stream can only be offset by a substantial endowment. Cedarville has neither. We must work on both because we consistently hear about small, tuition-driven schools that lack large endowments or additional revenue streams closing. For over a decade, I have studied business models within higher education, and one truth remains clear: Institutions must develop multiple revenue streams to remain stable. At Cedarville, we have increased scholarships, seeking to increase affordability and minimize student debt while maintaining the highest academic and spiritual standards. Despite rising costs, the net tuition revenue per student remains comparable to what it was 15 years ago, adjusted for inflation. While sticker prices have increased, so too have scholarships and tuition discounts. Developing new revenue streams like online education will help us navigate these financial realities and keep a biblical education affordable for our students. Starting in fall 2025, Cedarville University will begin offering fully online undergraduate degrees. Over the coming years, we plan to develop online degree programs across all academic disciplines, ensuring that our commitment to academic excellence and biblical integration extends far beyond our physical campus. EXPANDING OUR MISSION For decades, Cedarville has provided a Christ-centered education rooted in a biblical worldview. While we have done this successfully on campus, we frequently encounter students who, for various reasons, are unable to relocate to southwest Ohio for their education. Cost remains a significant barrier. Many students who desire a Cedarville education struggle to afford the full residential experience. Online courses, which are more cost-effective to deliver, provide an opportunity for students to earn a Cedarville degree at a lower price point without sacrificing academic quality or biblical faithfulness. Research consistently shows that a college degree significantly enhances lifetime earning potential, making higher education one of the most valuable investments a student can make. Developing new revenue streams like online education will help us navigate these financial realities and keep a biblical education affordable for our students. 4
For some, an online degree will serve as a stand-alone option; for others, it will complement their on-campus experience. Our Christian school partners and homeschooled dual enrollment students can complete general education requirements while still in high school, allowing them to graduate in three years or take a reduced course load each semester. Others may begin their studies on campus and complete their degrees online for financial, personal, or logistical reasons. At Cedarville, our mission is to transform lives through excellent education and biblical faithfulness. Online learning enables us to deliver high-quality, Christ-centered content to students anywhere in the world at any time. MAINTAINING OUR DISTINCTIVES Our goal is to make the greatest possible impact for King Jesus. We remain steadfast in our commitment to the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ. Just as on our campus, Cedarville’s online programs will uphold our core beliefs: the inerrancy of Scripture, a literal six-day creation, the God-ordained design of male and female, and salvation through Christ alone. Every online course will be taught by professors who affirm our doctrinal commitments, ensuring that students receive the same biblically grounded education regardless of their location. For years, we have successfully offered online graduate programs, and we are well-equipped to extend this expertise to undergraduate education. Our Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), established decades ago, provides faculty with cuttingedge tools to deliver dynamic and effective online instruction. No student should be forced into a secular, humanistic education that contradicts their faith. Cedarville University is committed to providing an alternative — one that is academically rigorous, spiritually enriching, and boldly biblical. While we will always champion the value of on-campus, face-to-face education, we are excited to expand our reach and serve more students than ever before. To learn more about our online undergraduate degrees, keep reading this magazine, then visit cedarville.edu/online. Thomas White is President of Cedarville University. He earned his PhD in systematic theology from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Online learning enables us to deliver high-quality, Christ-centered content to students anywhere in the world at any time. 5
Your First Look at Cedarville Online BIBLICAL | FLEXIBLE | AFFORDABLE | CONNECTED 6
WHAT MAJORS WILL BE OFFERED? Each Cedarville Online major was chosen to prepare students for high-demand fields with flexible career options. And this is only the start! Options include: Accounting Communication Finance IT Management Management Undeclared (Smart Start) More coming soon! WHAT IS CEDARVILLE ONLINE? Cedarville Online is our name for online undergraduate degrees offered at Cedarville! While Cedarville has offered online graduate degrees and dual enrollment courses for years, this new initiative is meant to bring the transformational 1000-Day Cedarville undergraduate experience to students all across the world! OK, WHAT IS ? No major? No problem! Our goal is to help each student pursue their God-given calling, and sometimes, that means finding it first. Enter Smart Start. Cedarville Online students who start with an undeclared major will spend their first year taking general education courses that apply to every degree. While they do, they’ll connect with faculty and staff for dedicated career counseling so they can choose a major — and career — they’ll love. 7
How Long Has Cedarville Offered Online Programs? Cedarville has a rich history of online learning at the undergraduate, graduate, and dual enrollment levels! Want to learn more? Explore “Not New. Just Next.” on pages 12–15. 1998 Cedarville offers its first online courses. 2013 Master of Education program moves to fully online delivery. 2013 Online Master of Business Administration degree is created. 2023 Cedarville launches Christian School Partner program for high schools. 2025 Cedarville Online brings undergraduate degrees to online students. HOW DOES CEDARVILLE'S TUITION RATE COMPARE TO OTHER INSTITUTIONS? $375 PER CREDIT Students will pay just $375 per credit hour for tuition — that’s one of the lowest online rates you'll find among Christian universities! We believe that every student who wants a quality, biblical education should be able to get one! 8
Supporting Student Success Cedarville’s support staff have been working with online students in graduate and dual enrollment courses for years. Cedarville Online students will benefit from resources like: The Cove Cedarville’s academic enrichment center, The Cove, offers personalized academic coaching, tutoring services, and disability services to our students. The Cove’s staff members love to help students overcome obstacles and achieve their academic goals! cedarville.edu/thecove Centennial Library You don’t have to be an on-campus student to enjoy the library’s resources! Online students will receive dedicated research help from research librarians, access books, articles, and resources from online databases, and even find citation help, all on the Centennial Library website. cedarville.edu/library Career Services When our students need help starting or advancing their careers, they turn to Career Services. These savvy staff members help students explore their callings, develop résumés, practice interviewing skills, connect with employers, and find job and internship opportunities! cedarville.edu/career Information Technology Online students rely on computers and internet access to be successful in their coursework. Cedarville's IT team provides the support students need to accomplish their goals! Whether it's providing help desk services when technology issues arise or ensuring a reliable learning management system, IT is committed to supporting students' success! cedarville.edu/IT Canvas Learning Management System Canvas is Cedarville’s web-based learning management system, providing a centralized hub for course materials, assignments, discussions, and grades. Designed for flexibility and ease of use, Canvas helps online students stay organized, engaged, and connected to their professors and classmates. cedarville.edu/canvas 9
Who Should Consider Cedarville Online? Cedarville Online is an all-new way to expand Cedarville’s mission to more students than ever before. Whether because of life circumstances that prevent them from attending or exciting opportunities in their present, some students can’t join us on Cedarville’s campus for their 1000 Days. The following student personas are examples of the kinds of students who would be a perfect fit for our online experience! Do any of these stories sound familiar? Share the exciting news with students you think could benefit from a Cedarville Online education! 10
Jenna serves in a local missions hospital with her missionary parents in Kenya. She and her family care deeply about choosing an education from a biblical worldview, but moving to Ohio wouldn’t just be a big stressor — it would take Jenna away from the mission field she’s serving in right now! By choosing Cedarville Online, she can choose a fruitful mission in the present AND a bold investment in her future. Olivia feels called to receive a distinctly Christian education, but she just doesn’t see how she can afford it. With five older siblings, her family can’t help her pay for college, and she’s looking for a way to pursue a Christian education while stewarding her resources well. With Cedarville Online, Olivia is sure to receive one of the lowest per-credit rates out there, and the program’s flexibility means she can work while she takes her classes to cover costs. Marco knows he wants his degree to build him up spiritually, and Cedarville seems like his dream school. But from more than 2,000 miles away in sunny Pasadena, a move to Ohio seems daunting. He wants the Cedarville experience from the comfort of home — and Cedarville Online can give it to him! Now, Marco can enjoy the best of both worlds and grow in his faith from anywhere. Trevor wants the “college experience,” and his parents couldn’t agree more. There’s just one problem ... he has no idea what he wants to study! Not only will Cedarville Online prepare him for any number of exciting careers, but the Smart Start option is meant to help students just like him explore career options while taking courses that apply to any major. Now, he can get a head start on his studies AND make a choice he’s confident in! Moving to Ohio just isn’t feasible for Grace; her full-time job supports her family, and between shifts, she spends a lot of time taking care of her grandmother. She isn’t willing to give up her family commitments for her schooling, and now she doesn’t have to. Cedarville Online’s flexible, asynchronous courses let Grace schedule her studies on her time so she can put her family first. Darren was two years into his Cedarville accounting degree when he had to drop out and move back to his hometown. He knows that he made the right call, but he still wishes often that he could finish his degree. Cedarville Online allows for easy transferal from online learning to a residential experience or vice versa. Now, Darren can finish his 1000 Days as a Cedarville student from his home and community. 11
For all its hindrances, online learning proved itself during the pandemic. I finished the last semester of graduate school without my friends during the lockdown. I even defended my dissertation over Microsoft Teams. But even amidst the disappointment, I had to admit that the connection in our workshop classes felt richer than it ever had before. We shared links to outside resources in the chat, talked more freely in the breakout rooms, and saw each other’s faces more than we usually could with the classroom seating arrangements. The online setting also helped us get more personal. We held up funny coffee mugs from our kitchens and showed off our apartment decor in the background. And of course, everyone enjoyed the spontaneous cat appearances. In my final semester, I realized how fruitful online environments can be. When students’ guards are lowered and social anxiety doesn’t pose the same threat, productive, communityled learning can occur. While distance learning is more prominent than it has ever been, that doesn’t mean it’s new! The idea of distance learning has been around in the U.S. for nearly 300 years. By offering online undergraduate degrees, Cedarville is adding to a rich history of online learning across the country and building on its previous successes in graduate and dual enrollment online courses. A QUICK HISTORY OF DISTANCE LEARNING Hope Kentnor at the University of Denver traces the earliest example of distance education to March 20, 1728, when Caleb Philips advertised mailing shorthand lessons to students from a distance in the Boston Gazette. As populations expanded and more people began building homes farther away from major cities, educators had to get inventive. Now, if you had the mail, you could have access to education. This idea took off, soon including learning through radio and television. More than a century later, Illinois Wesleyan College became the first institution to offer full degrees through mail correspondence. As a new era of technology spread across the country, University of Phoenix was the first to offer an online program in 1989 through CompuServe. By 2005, other institutions had entered the mix, and entire online programs were being established. By offering online undergraduate degrees, Cedarville is adding to a rich history of online learning across the country and building on its previous successes in graduate and dual enrollment online courses. NOT NEW. JUST NEXT. CEDARVILLE'S ONLINE LEARNING LEGACY BY DR. BRYANA FERN 12
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It’s essential to remember that online learning is adding to a long, rich tradition of distance learning. All our current technology has done is made it easier — and faster. If students today had had to deal with dial-up to take an online quiz, I think they might be more patient with the load times on modern webpages! ENTER CEDARVILLE In 1998, Cedarville first started offering online courses. By 2008, the University offered 18 general education courses online for both current students and high schoolers. “That helped support our outreach activities to high school students,” said Dr. Andrew Runyan, former associate academic vice president at Cedarville. “It was also popular among our on-campus students as they were looking for ways to build more flexibility into their schedules. The online humanities course allowed them to participate in sports and other activities on campus without competing for time with these required courses.” Next, online courses expanded into the graduate area. After offering individual graduate courses online, Cedarville first offered the full MEd and brand-new MBA programs online in 2013. It took time to put together proposals and see them through. Students may think that moving a traditional class online is simple and straightforward, but there is so much to consider logistically and practically! From 2010–13, Cedarville’s Distance Learning Program focused on planning 19 courses per year, taking over 11,000 developmental hours to complete. Over a decade ago, Cedarville was well on its way to offering a wide variety of distance learning options. The time and effort put into these programs shows the University's dedication to developing online options that give students the same transformative experience as their residential counterparts! THE CEDARVILLE DIFFERENCE How does Cedarville ensure a successful experience for students and faculty in the online space, and how do we ensure that our mission is lived out in this new way of delivering education? Training, support, and maintaining our focus on what ultimately matters! Students have academic advisors who help them to navigate their online experience and who truly care about students' academic and spiritual needs. Each course is developed with accessibility for students in mind to provide freedom from technological worries and ample room for Over a decade ago, Cedarville was well on its way to offering a wide variety of distance learning options. The time and effort put into these programs shows the University's dedication to developing online options that give students the same transformative experience as their residential counterparts! 14
biblically integrated content and the faithaffirming conversations Cedarville courses are made of. Faculty members have their own training and advising too. Cedarville’s Center for Teaching and Learning helps new and returning faculty understand how their field integrates with biblical principles and demonstrate those principles in their virtual classrooms. The CTL frequently updates their development, coordination, instruction, and production services — particularly with online courses. Two of their most popularly accessed resources include the weekly FOCUS Blog and the Transform Your Teaching podcast, from which I and other faculty members benefit greatly. In my online courses at Cedarville, I strive to foster the same ease and sense of connection my students receive in their traditional classrooms. In past online classes, shy students have used the chat box and offered great insight. Even I feel more at ease in my home office with my familiar space and my cats. Everyone becomes a little more honest and open behind the safety of a screen. While that leads to obvious dangers in social media environments, it can be uniquely rewarding for classroom dynamics. CEDARVILLE ONLINE TODAY, TOMORROW, AND BEYOND Today, Cedarville University offers undergraduate, graduate, and dual enrollment opportunities for new and returning students. Of the 47 graduate programs at Cedarville, 41 are offered online, and there are currently 33 online dual enrollment courses offered. Ohio high school students can even take dual enrollment courses for free through the state's College Credit Plus program. The new Cedarville Online undergraduate initiative builds on that foundation. As online learning continues to grow in popularity and accessibility, Cedarville is focused on maintaining its high standards and supportive care for both students and faculty members. These online courses draw on a rich history of distance learning success. In the end, online courses are one more way to prepare students for a life of biblical excellence and vocational distinction no matter where their careers take them. Dr. Bryana Fern serves as an Assistant Professor of English at Cedarville. She earned her PhD from The University of Southern Mississippi. 41 Online Graduate Programs 33 Online Dual Enrollment Courses CEDARVILLE ONLINE TODAY 5 Online Undergraduate Degrees (starting in August) 15
ORDINARY MEANS, EXTRAORDINARY MISSION BY DR. BOB LUTZ 16
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From 1997 to 2001, my extraordinary experience as a Cedarville student was primarily shaped by 2 Timothy’s “ordinary means.” My heart and mind were shaped by the ordinary teaching of God’s Word I received daily in chapel and the classroom. Recently, I was privileged to participate in my church’s 100-year anniversary. As part of the worship service, the pastor spoke from 2 Timothy 1 about “fanning into flame” the gift of God. The pastor encouraged us to remain faithful because we each have a part to play in that process. When he dug into the context of Paul’s message, he showed us that God uses the “ordinary means of His Word” and the “ordinary means of relationships” to fan into flame the gift of God. As I listened, I was struck by how this truth resonates with my own life story and my reason for returning to Cedarville. God has used ordinary relationships and the ordinary teaching of His Word to change and grow me in extraordinary ways. ORDINARY BEGINNINGS There was nothing extraordinary about my experience. I grew up in Central Indiana as a pastor’s son in a small church that weekly explained the Gospel to me and taught me about the character of God. I spent years of my childhood trying to “show” that I was a good Christian, but frankly, I was just being a good hypocrite. At 16, that all changed when I heard Isaiah 53 faithfully preached. I realized what it meant that I had gone astray and that my iniquity was laid on Christ. I knew I needed to repent and seek Christ as my salvation. In that moment, I found peace, and my life began to transform with Christ as my Savior. Enter Cedarville. Months after my salvation, I began looking at colleges. I visited my brother for a Lil’ Sibs Weekend on Cedarville’s campus and stayed in Brock Hall. I was amazed at how crazy his friends were, yet I was equally impressed with how much they cared about God and each other, and I was struck by how powerful the teaching was in the classroom and in chapel. From 1997 to 2001, my extraordinary experience as a Cedarville student was primarily shaped by 2 Timothy’s “ordinary means.” My heart and mind were shaped by the ordinary teaching of God’s Word I received daily in chapel and the classroom. I was challenged to grow in my faith through Bible studies, to think well in the classroom, and to grow as a leader through college sports and student leadership. Just as impactful were the ordinary relationships I developed with faithful faculty, caring staff, and lifelong friends. I was blessed by key staff and older students who, early on, identified evidence of grace and leadership potential in me and gave 18
I loved doing for others what had been done for me. I loved using ordinary means like studying the Bible, planning events, and teaching leadership to challenge students toward the extraordinary. me opportunities to grow. They lit a fire in me that shaped my career and ministry aspirations going forward. ORDINARY GROWTH After I graduated, those aspirations pushed me to Washington, D.C. I worked in the U.S. Senate and for a major think tank, The American Enterprise Institute. God used that time to show me career insights and ministry passions. My Cedarville education prepared me for success and stirred my love for Christ and the Gospel. However, my most profound discovery in D.C. was a deepening love for the local church. I was blessed to be a member for several years at Capitol Hill Baptist Church. Mentors in the church shaped my growth through seemingly simple acts like regularly taking me to lunch and coffee. To this day, I still remember lessons learned through these ordinary meetings. My work with policy quickly helped me realize that I wanted to serve people more than I cared about particular bills and laws. In God’s providence, I was given opportunities to direct college student intern programs for my senator and at AEI, and that revealed my love for working with university students. In 2004, I returned to Cedarville University as a resident director for four years and oversaw student leaders for five years after that. I loved doing for others what had been done for me. I loved using ordinary means like studying the Bible, planning events, and teaching leadership to challenge students toward the extraordinary. During this time, I was extremely blessed by God to meet the love of my life, Clara, who became my wife in 2011. 19
My degrees at The Ohio State University (MA) and University of Dayton (PhD) refined my passion to see students grow and learn to love God. I knew God was calling me to use that passion to serve in higher education. So, in 2013, I took the next step to grow my experience and abilities at another faith-based institution in another state. Clara and I moved to Palm Beach County, where I served in several student-facing roles at Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA), most recently Vice President for Student Development. Clara and I found an incredible local church in Boynton Beach and were blessed with three wonderful children. We had started considering that we might stay at First Boynton and PBA for the rest of my career until, in His providence, God prepared us for change and opened up a door for us to return to this place we love, Cedarville, in 2024. EXTRAORDINARY CALLING People often ask me, “What would make you leave the beautiful weather of south Florida to return to Cedarville?” Really, the answer is easy. My ordinary ministry of helping students learn God’s Word and deepen relationships is extraordinary and life-giving! In my role as Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, I use creative venues to help our campus find new students. In every initiative, I rely on what makes Cedarville so special: the ordinary means of God’s Word taking root and Gospel relationships being developed. At the forefront of this work is Cedarville Online. We’re excited to launch online undergraduate programs so we can help students achieve their academic goals with affordable, flexible degrees. But more than that, we’re excited to see new lives transformed through the ordinary means God has been using throughout the history of the Church! While a residential college experience can be an incredible blessing, we know that not every student can or wants to move to Cedarville. Many students can’t come to Cedarville because of financial, health, and life constraints or because God has already revealed work and church callings to them where they are today. Now, these students can enjoy an extraordinary Cedarville experience online, complete with the same timeless, ordinary means God has always used: His Word and relationships with other believers. Just like our residential students, students in the online programs have full access to chapel and are taught an excellent curriculum that’s fully integrated with biblical truth. Students can be mentored by faculty and staff and establish the same lifelong friendships with classmates and fellow believers around the world. I love this place. I love what it has done in my life. God has used it to draw me to Himself and embolden me to use my passions to serve others for the Gospel, and it has all been accomplished through the ordinary. I pray that He uses my work to help students grow in the same ways. Dr. Bob Lutz serves as the Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at Cedarville. He earned his PhD from the University of Dayton. In my role as Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, I use creative venues to help our campus find new students. In every initiative, I rely on what makes Cedarville so special: the ordinary means of God’s Word taking root and Gospel relationships being developed. 20
GET TO KNOW DR. BOB LUTZ Favorite Bible verse? Psalm 73:28: “But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.” Favorite Christian author or book? Wow ... too many to name, but I will say that the writing of J.C. Ryle has been very influential in my life. Best Cedarville memory? Times with my friends: Christmas Open House, late nights in Brock Hall, the tennis team, chapel. Favorite Cedarville course? It was the best of times and the worst of times in History of Civilization with Dr. McGoldrick. Thing you miss most from Florida? Warm sun all year! Best thing about moving to Ohio? Watching my children enjoy small town life, the four seasons, and the community. Favorite hobby? I love golfing and distance walking/ hiking with my wife. Best advice you’ve ever received? Preach the Gospel to yourself daily! Go-to coffee order? As soon as I wake up is the most important part. Cream and sugar. Favorite sports team? All Indiana professional teams, IU Basketball, and, being an alum of Ohio State, the Buckeye football team. Long-shot bucket list item? To play Augusta National or Saint Andrews with my brother and son. 21
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HOW CEDARVILLE BUILDS EXCELLENT ONLINE COURSES BY LAUREN EISSLER 23
It’s a Monday morning. Students are flooding out of chapel and across campus, headed to their next class. Backpacks are dropped on the floor next to chairs, laptops retrieved, and eyes turn toward the front as the instructor opens class. Now, what happens next is different depending on the individual class. In some, the instructor may be beginning a lecture on that day’s topic, while in others, instructors and students may be gearing up for something a little more “hands on” — discussions, peer reviews, or some other sort of activity. You may look at these different pieces and think “Okay, there’s so much richness that happens in these classrooms. How can that possibly be mirrored in fully online classes or programs?” The simple answer? An online course or program will never be an exact mirror of a face-to-face course or program. But it will still serve students in the same way, meeting the same objectives, covering the same content, and preparing students equally well — it will just look a little different. For Cedarville, navigating these differences is where the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) comes into the picture. The CTL is a small department that works with faculty to improve University-wide learning. This takes a variety of forms. They consult on educational problems students and faculty are facing. They produce a blog and podcast to keep faculty up to date with goings-on in the wider educational and technological world. And, especially recently, they collaborate with faculty to develop online courses. SO WHAT GOES INTO CREATING AN ONLINE COURSE? Not every online course is created in the exact same way. The CTL has a standard project process they use, but the actual components of a course will vary depending on the course itself and what it needs to effectively help students learn. All course developments start off with a kickoff meeting An online course or program will never be an exact mirror of a face-to-face course or program. But it will still serve students in the same way, meeting the same objectives, covering the same content, and preparing students equally well — it will just look a little different. 24
with CTL staff and the subject matter expert (SME) to establish timelines, gather preliminary information, and generally ensure everyone’s on the same page. After that is when the magic happens. One of the CTL’s instructional designers will continue to meet with the SME to make sure that the course content will help students meet the course objectives and to help them create that content. Other staff members (such as the Instructional Media Producer and the User Experience Designer and Editor — me!) are brought into the course development projects when their skills are needed; rarely do courses exist without needing video pieces. Each course is reviewed carefully with the benefit of years of experience developing quality courses. The CTL’s recent course project résumé (84 courses created from scratch or as full-scale revisions since 2021) only strengthens the quality of online courses yet to come. HOW DOES A FACE-TO-FACE COURSE GET TRANSFORMED INTO AN ONLINE COURSE? Sometimes, you can directly translate some elements from a face-to-face course to its online version. In-class discussions can easily become discussion boards where students respond to an initial prompt, then converse with other students about their responses. Written assignments are typically still turned in online even for a face-to-face course, so there’s not much change there. Any potential paper quizzes or exams can easily be built online using a quiz tool. The delivery of the course content, however, is an area where we can see some of the biggest differences. For a lecture-based class, the entire lecture could simply be recorded and placed inside the course for students to watch. But while that does technically work, it’s not the most effective way to present the information for students to actually learn and understand. Instead, online courses will often use shorter videos (typically between 6–12 minutes) laser-focused on the topic. Courses also sometimes use written introductions or pieces from the instructor to convey the information, or even a content guide where the assigned readings are interspersed through a written piece, giving context and transitions between each. This is where the CTL's expertise shines, as staff 25
work with instructors to make sure each class is formatted to best help students learn. OK, SO WHAT DOES THAT ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE? Let’s take a look at an example — Fundamentals of Speech. When taught as a face-to-face course, students complete readings, weekly quizzes, peer responses, and a biblical communication paper. During class periods, the instructor covers the topics for the day, then students give their required speeches or participate in discussions or other activities. When translating Fundamentals of Speech to an online class, the CTL worked with the instructor to adapt each of these pieces, making sure that every activity met module and course objectives. Some elements were able to stay essentially the same (like quizzes on the readings), but others needed some extra attention. Students couldn’t simply walk to the front of the room to give their speeches. And while full lectures could be recorded and placed in the course, that’s just a recipe for students losing focus and important points being missed. 26
Let’s tackle these problems one at a time, starting with students giving speeches. The CTL found a simple solution: Students just submit a video of themselves giving the speech. And to make sure that students were prepared well to do this “extra step,” the course included a list of expectations for speech videos, detailing how the space they were in should look, how they should be positioned relative to their audience (because they needed to be able to present their speech to actual humans!), and how the camera and table needed to be set up to capture their speech well. With these expectations in place, any nervousness about technology is quelled, and students can focus on the content and delivery of their speeches. The CTL also modified the course by preparing the content so students can easily digest and retain the information. We mentioned before that videos for online courses tend to be shorter, and this course was no exception. Content was divided into individual topics, and the instructor wrote scripts for each one. Creating scripts ensures the videos stay on topic and are as clear as possible — everything that stays in the final script has passed multiple levels of review. Once these scripts were completed, the CTL recorded and produced a total of 30 videos spread across the course modules. This is just a small glimpse into the world of course creation that the CTL lives in, and it’s only one of the courses they’ve worked on. Cedarville’s been offering and working with online courses for a while now — Cedarville started offering online undergraduate courses in 1998, and Cedarville has been running successful, fully online graduate programs since 2013. The new undergraduate online programs will only take Cedarville’s online offerings to the next level. With these new programs, the Cedarville experience is expanding and becoming more accessible to students; those who cannot travel to campus for various reasons, such as financial, family, or health difficulties, can now still graduate with a Cedarville degree. Whether learning online or in-person, students will still be receiving the same quality education, preparing to go wherever God leads. Lauren Eissler serves as the User Experience Designer and Editor in Cedarville’s Center for Teaching and Learning. Whether learning online or in-person, students will still be receiving the same quality education, preparing to go wherever God leads. 27
DURING THE ACADEMIC YEAR, WATCH CHAPEL VIA LIVESTREAM AT 10 A.M. EACH WEEKDAY cedarville.edu/chapellive facebook.com/cedarville/live youtube.com/cedarvilleuniversity In his 2024–25 chapel sermon series, Cedarville’s president, Dr. Thomas White, guided the Cedarville family through the book of Joshua. As we witnessed the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land, we saw how God faithfully fulfilled each of His promises. In the same way, every single word of God's promises to us will come to pass — not one word will fail! We invite you to enjoy this series with the hope that it will serve as a powerful reminder of the Lord's unwavering faithfulness to you, encouraging you to wholeheartedly trust Him in your own life. JOSHUA 1:1–18 August 26, 2024 JOSHUA 2:1–24 September 3, 2024 JOSHUA 3 AND 4 September 16, 2024 JOSHUA 5:1–12 September 23, 2024 JOSHUA 5:13–6:2 October 11, 2024 JOSHUA 6 October 21, 2024 JOSHUA 7:1–26 November 1, 2024 JOSHUA 8:1–35 November 8, 2024 JOSHUA 9 November 18, 2024 JOSHUA 10:1–15 December 3, 2024 JOSHUA 10:16–12:24 January 13, 2025 JOSHUA 13–19, PART 1 January 27, 2025 JOSHUA 13–19, PART 2 February 10, 2025 JOSHUA 14:6–15; 15:13–19 February 17, 2025 JOSHUA 20:1–21:45 February 24, 2025 JOSHUA 22:1–34 March 14, 2025 JOSHUA 23:1–16 March 28, 2025 JOSHUA 24:1–33 April 11, 2025 JOSHUA WRAP-UP April 14, 2025 Access video and audio recordings of the president’s 2024–25 series at: CEDARVILLE.EDU/EVERYSINGLEWORD CHAPEL NOTES 28 Chapel services will resume on August 18 with Cedarville's annual Fall Bible Conference messages.
FALL BIBLE CONFERENCE Join the Cedarville community for our annual Fall Bible Conference from August 18–21. This year’s speaker is Dr. Jimmy Scroggins, lead pastor of Family Church in West Palm Beach, Florida. All Fall Bible Conference sessions will be livestreamed. THE CROSSOVER: ENGAGING IN GOD'S MISSION The following is an excerpt from a March 25, 2025, chapel presentation from Clare Jewell. Listen to his full message at cedarville.edu/JewellMarch2025. This morning, we want to talk about the crossover. Let me give you a simple definition: leaving our comfort zone to make a relational connection. In the Gospels, Jesus is regularly crossing over boundaries to love people who are disconnected from God. In John 4, we have someone at the total opposite end of the scale: a Samaritan woman. Jesus knows that she needs to be born again. He had every excuse to ignore this woman, but He crosses over cultural barriers to share the Gospel. Jesus knows there's no barrier to God's love. I would suggest to you that's what love does. There's nothing admirable about leaving someone in their sin. Jesus crosses this line of tolerance versus intolerance, of pluralism versus exclusivism, and says there's only one way. The answer is not mere tolerance. The answer is love. What barriers does God want you to cross? God has given you enormous resources. How are you going to use them? The surest way to remove yourself from the center of God's will is to make it clear you will not sacrifice your preferences in an all-out search for the lost. The most unsatisfied Christians I know are the ones who refuse to cross over. They sit in their comfort zone waiting for God to bless them instead of getting out of their comfort zone to become a blessing to someone else. You can cross over. You can leave your comfort zone to make a relational connection. You have an awesome opportunity to love people who need the Gospel, to love people as God loves them. There are so many people looking for hope. Do not walk away from them. Cross over. Do what Jesus did for you. Clare Jewell is the Executive Director of ABWE EveryEthne and the Director of Generate for the GARBC. More recently, he has been selected to serve as the GARBC National Representative. 29
BOLTHOUSE ACADEMIC CENTER PROJECT UNDERWAY Work has begun at the future site of the Bolthouse Academic Center, the final building of the One Thousand Days Transformed campaign. This new building will house the School of Arts and Humanities, Department of Psychology, and School of Education and Social Work. Inside, our world-class faculty will intentionally disciple students, preparing them to be salt and light wherever God calls them in their careers and communities. TIMELINE OF CONSTRUCTION: April 2025 - Patterson Hall converted to temporary construction headquarters. May 2025 - Faculty vacated Williams Hall and site preparation began. June 2025 - Williams Hall demolition cleared area for construction. August 2027 - Building slated to open to students. DEDICATE A BRICK OF REMEMBRANCE The Bolthouse Academic Center patio will be a gathering place where lives are shaped, friendships are deepened, and faith is strengthened. By dedicating a personalized patio paver, you can honor a story of transformation that has unfolded at Cedarville. Whether you choose to inscribe your own name, a family name, or the name of a mentor, professor, or friend who made a lasting impact, each brick will remind the Cedarville community of God’s work through His people for generations to come. Will you dedicate a paver to thank the friend who walked with you through a hard season, to honor the faculty member who challenged and encouraged your faith, or to recognize your own journey of growth while at Cedarville? This is your chance to honor those moments and people in a meaningful, lasting way. Your gift will not only support Cedarville students today but also leave behind a visible marker of God's goodness and grace in your life or the life of someone who has been instrumental in your transformation toward Christlikeness. ADVANCING CEDARVILLE 30 Dedicate your paver today: CEDARVILLE.EDU/LEGACYBRICKS 4x8 Paver - JUST $100 I 8x8 Paver - JUST $250 ADD A NAME TO THE BOLTHOUSE PATIO
PAYING IT FORWARD: THE CARR FAMILY'S GENEROUS LEGACY David Carr ’83 has always known the value of a Cedarville education. As an alumnus, he can point to the lasting spiritual and personal impact the University has had on his life. But for him, the journey didn’t end at graduation. “Cedarville has been such a blessing to me and to our whole family,” David shared. “It’s where God deepened my faith and gave me a vision for living a life of eternal impact.” That deep gratitude sparked a powerful idea. “My grandfather used to say, ‘You can’t out-give God,’ and ‘You only get to keep what you give away.’ That wisdom has stayed with me for years,” David recalled. That legacy of giving prompted David to reach out to Cedarville’s Advancement team. He had questions: Could the Carr family create a scholarship? What would it take to start one? Could their investment help a student stay in school or even graduate debt-free? To his surprise, the answer was yes. “Sometimes the difference between a student staying at Cedarville or having to leave is just $1,000– 3,000,” he explained. “That hit me hard. That’s not some massive gap — it’s something we can help meet.” Motivated by that reality, David and his wife, Stephanie (Frank) ’83, established a Carr Family Scholarship — a gift they hope will bless students for decades to come. The Carrs are just one example of how families can turn gratitude into action. Their story is a reminder that generosity, no matter the size, can open the door for a student to stay, thrive, and graduate for the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ. “We’re in, and I invite others to join us,” David said. “If Cedarville has made a difference in your life or your family’s, this is one way to give back and invest in eternity.” If you are interested in learning more about scholarships at Cedarville, please contact Kate Cooper at kcooper@cedarville.edu. DID YOU KNOW? Sometimes the difference between a student staying at Cedarville or having to leave is just $1,000 to $3,000. 31
At Cedarville University, scholarships are more than just financial assistance; they are life-changing opportunities for students from all walks of life. We strive to help every student who wants a Cedarville education to afford to attend and to graduate unencumbered by excessive debt. To meet this challenge, one of the four pillars of the One Thousand Days Transformed fundraising campaign focused on Minimizing Student Debt and Maximizing Affordability. This was accomplished through three giving opportunities: The 1000 Days Fund — Previously known as The Cedarville Fund, this annual fund helps keep tuition low and provides flexibility to offer scholarships through yearly gifts. Annually Funded Scholarships — These scholarships meet immediate financial needs for students thanks to donor generosity. Endowed Scholarships — These funds provide stable, long-term support for students with financial need or academic merit. Thanks to generous donors answering the bold call, these students' financial needs are being met, and a Cedarville education will remain affordable for future generations. Every gift made to scholarships contributes to equipping students to serve and lead for the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ. By minimizing debt and maximizing access, generous donors are shaping a future generation ready to make a difference for the Gospel. CLOSING THE GAP THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS 49% undergraduate student body growth since 2019 3.5M 2024-25 donor giving for scholarships BY THE NUMBERS $26,150 average aid package for incoming 2024-25 freshmen, up significantly from the $20,400 average in 2019 ADVANCING CEDARVILLE 32
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