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COMPELLING EXPERTS
Why is Cedarville University a go-to source
for high-caliber insight about local, national, and
international news?
“Cedarville professors provide balanced insight,
which is so necessary in the news and so welcome,”
commented Katie Ussin, evening news co-anchor
for Dayton, Ohio-basedWDTN, Channel 2. “That’s
what you owe your audience. They give you the
facts, and they don’t go off on personal biases. It’s
what we want to give our viewers.”
“When you’re looking for a person to advise an
audience, you want someone who will give them a
biblical perspective with a good, strong evangelical
understanding,” commented Mark Elfstrand, who
produces and hosts
Let’s Talk with Mark Elfstrand
on Christian radio station WYLL in Chicago.
“The bottom line in radio is the word
‘compelling,’” added Elfstrand. “You want
[sources] with edge, passion, and the right tone of
voice. Cedarville professors provide compelling
conversation.”
INCREASED PRESENCE
During the past few years, newspaper, television,
radio, and online journalists have sought out
Cedarville professors for perspectives on everything
from same-sex marriage and legalization of
marijuana, to Russia’s involvement in Syria, to
John Boehner stepping down as Speaker of the U.S.
House of Representatives.
Media have interviewed 89 Cedarville faculty
and staff during the 2015–16 school year so far.
They have appeared in 877 stories for television,
radio, print, and online, including interviews on the
Moody Radio Network, the K-LOVE national radio
network, and
World
magazine.
When media reached out to Cameron, she saw
it as an opportunity to bring truth and a calming
response to all the hype. “Ebola was so out of
perspective in the national spotlight,” she said.
“There was so much happening, so many countries
impacted, and so much information. I wanted
to help people understand the truth of it and the
reality of what was really happening. I felt like that
was important.
“Helping people to see, hear, and know the
truth helps reduce fear and panic,” Cameron added.
“It gives people hope and reassurance. That is our
responsibility.
“God gives us a knowledge base in an area of
interest for a reason. He spreads us out through all
the professions so we can be a voice within those
professions. It is so critical there are Christian
people with truth in every field to say, ‘Here’s what’s
really happening.’”
Oliver, a former Cleveland police chief, has
appeared on CNN three times, once to address the
Cleveland police shooting of 12-year-old Rice. He’s
also appeared on Dayton-area television a number
of times.
“The Lord has created the opportunity for
Christians to speak on these issues,” Oliver said. “It’s
an opportunity to speak into the profession from a
biblical worldview that understands those virtues,
values, and principles that should be practiced in
the profession and understands with a degree of
expertise how the profession functions.”
Duerr has been called on to comment on a wide
range of stories with global impact: the release
of Fowler, the West Carrollton, Ohio, man who
had been imprisoned in North Korea; the threat
of terrorist attacks at the 2014 Winter Olympics;
Scotland’s bid for independence; and Russia’s
involvement in the war in Syria.
He’s done a host of interviews for radio stations
throughout the Midwest and has appeared on every
local Dayton, Ohio, TV station.
“At the end of the day, we stand for the Word
of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ,” Duerr
said. “It’s about bolstering the relationship of the
University with the rest of the world, as well as
the reputation of the University. My prayer is that
people are drawn to Cedarville as a result of having
competent people at the University who can speak
to these issues.”
BROAD IMPACT
Besides offering a balanced perspective on
current events, Cedarville University faculty
members also shine a light for the Kingdom, even
as they represent the University.
“I think [these media interviews] are a ministry
opportunity,” Duerr said. “There are times when
one needs to share the Gospel.There are many times
when that cannot be done in a short five-minute
by Clem Boyd
Cedarville Magazine
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