Advancing Cedarville
I’ve elaborated many times on the Gospel message, saying, “If
you’ve never had a time or place in your life when you’ve trusted
Christ, you can do that right here in this office.” After one such
meeting, a carpenter said to one of our employees, “They talk like
you can know where you’re going when you die,” and our employee
responded, “You can!” He led that man to the Lord on the front
lawn. I believe I am called to magnify the Gospel everywhere I can.
Several years ago, I went to see a professional acquaintance in
the hospital before he had cancer surgery. I had faced the same
kind of cancer and offered to answer any questions he had about
the procedure. He called me to sit down beside him. “I’ve watched
you most of my career,” he said. “You’re different. What makes you
tick?” I shared the Gospel with him that day. Although he wasn’t
ready to make a decision in that moment, he did choose to follow
Christ before he passed away. It’s essential to be aware, in everything
we do, that lost people are watching.
Framing the Future
I stand behind Cedarville’s commitment to excellence — as an
alumnus, as a parent of a graduate, as a donor, and now as a member
of the Board of Trustees. I am particularly excited about where
Cedarville is headed in professional programs. I love to hear that
Fortune 500 corporations such as Cummins, Inc., want more of our
engineering graduates. I amproud that our computer programming
teams, competing with major universities, finish ahead of Big Ten
schools. Cedarville is poised to develop established disciplines into
the next phase of those disciplines. Building on the strength of
our nursing program, for example, we are now offering a Master
of Science in Nursing degree and have developed a successful
pharmacology program.
It’s important to continue asking what’s next — in business, in
medicine, in engineering, and more. My father was an architect and
designed the buildings on campus built during James T. Jeremiah’s
presidency. He would be thrilled to see the thriving mechanical and
electrical engineering programs Cedarville offers today. The point
is that we are already offering core programs; we have the facilities
on a missions trip to both extend the reach of the Gospel worldwide
and to develop in every graduate a heart to serve. This resonates
with me as a business owner who has led construction teams to
Brazil, Fiji, and Honduras. I realize the value of exposing students
to what missions is all about and encouraging them to use their
professions to help people who need the Gospel and have so little.
Supporting the Mission
This May, Cedarville graduates nearly more than 750 young people
— our largest class ever — who have received an outstanding
education. They enter graduate schools, ministries, and professions
and begin serving in local churches. I hope they are also giving back
to Cedarville so other students can have a high-quality experience.
My wife and I think of our own giving to Cedarville as an investment
— in the University, of course, but fundamentally in people’s lives
and futures.
I am passionate about challenging alumni to be involved in
giving. Considering the academic excellence and spiritual richness
that have been poured into our lives for four years, how can we not
feel compelled to be part of that for other students?
My daughter, Heather (Jenkins) Smith ‘03, graduated from
Cedarville’s nursing program. Shortly after that, I received a phone
call asking me to support the Cedarville Fund. I was already in the
habit of “giving” in the form of her tuition. I thought about my
student experience and then Heather’s, and the answer was clear:
Why wouldn’t I give back to support this?
“For the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ” still
rings inmy ears.That was one of James T. Jeremiah’s favorite phrases
— he stood for this. Cedarville still stands for this by preparing
students to be a light for Christ and the best they can be in their
professions. I hope that never changes.
Warren Jenkins ’72
is Vice Chairman and Chief Talent Officer at
Jenkins Restorations with locations in Maryland, Virginia, North
Carolina, and Texas. He joined Cedarville’s Board of Trustees in 2013.
He and his wife, Ellie (Sommerfeld) ’75, live in Purcellville, Virginia.
