Cedarville Magazine Winter 2016

24 / 34

24 | Cedarville Magazine
Remembering Don Rickard
Cedarville’s longtime Vice President for
Student Services, Don Rickard ’58, passed
away November 12, 2015, after a short battle
with cancer. He was 79.
Faculty, staff, family, and friends
remembered Rickard during a memorial
service in the Jeremiah Chapel of the Dixon
Ministry Center on November 17. Speakers
at the service includedRickard’s pastor, David
Kisner ’78, fromWashington Heights Baptist
Church in Dayton, Ohio; Rickard’s brother,
Jim ’78; and Chancellor and former
University President Paul Dixon. Rickard’s
niece, Pam (Rickard) Smith ’87, sang one of
his favorite hymns, No One Ever Cared For
Me Like Jesus.
Rickard came to Cedarville University
in 1970 as the Dean of Students. He served
under that title from 1970 to 1983. The
position’s title then changed to Vice President
for Student Services, and he served in that
role until his retirement in 2000.
During his Cedarville career, Rickard
created Career Services and Counseling
Services within the Student Services
Department. Also through his leadership,
the Student Personnel Department became
more active in meeting students’ social
needs, and the Campus Activities Director
was expanded from a part-time to full-
time position. After his retirement, Rickard
represented the University at churches and
schools all over the United States.
The Student Government Association
established the Don and Peg Rickard MK
Scholarship in 2000 to honor Don and
his wife, Peg (Stockwell) ’59. In 2002, the
University named one of the new men’s
residence halls in honor of the former
vice president. Rickard Hall is part of the
Murphy-Younger-Rickard complex.
“Paul wrote to Timothy to keep a close
watch on his life and the teaching of God’s
Word (1 Tim. 4:16),” noted Jon Wood, Vice
President for Student Life and Christian
Ministries. “I am grateful Don went out of
his way to encourage me from this passage.
His encouragement to the staff serving in
Student Life and Christian Ministries and
to current students is irreplaceable. I am
humbled to follow his example of a life lived
in faithfulness to God and His Word.”
“Don Rickard entered into eternity
hearing the words, ‘Well done, my good and
faithful servant,’” commented Cedarville
University’s President, Thomas White.
“While on this earth, Don was a faithful
servant of King Jesus, exemplifying a life
lived worthy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
“Don Rickard shepherded so many of us
here at Cedarville, and his family, according
to the integrity of his heart,” Dixon said
during the memorial service, substituting
Rickard’s name for King David’s in Psalm
78. “Don Rickard was a walking example
of integrity. It’s just who he was. He was a
man of dignity, quiet strength, and warmth,
gracious and humble. He loved his family,
loved his church, loved his pastor, and loved
everyone around Cedarville.”
Rickard is survived by his wife, Peg;
their three sons, Donnie ’81, Brian ’83,
and Brad ’85; seven grandchildren; one
great-grandson; and a brother and sister.
“Please join me in praying for the Rickard
family and giving thanks to the Lord for
the life and faithfulness of Don Rickard,”
White said.
Get a
$20 REBATEon your
Cedarville
License Plate!
Alumni, Back the Jackets! Purchase
Ohio specialty license plates with the
Cedarville University Yellow Jacket
logo, and we’ll send you a $20 rebate!
To receive your rebate, mail a printed
copy of your Ohio Bureau of Motor
Vehicles receipt to:
Public Relations
251 N. Main St.
Cedarville, OH 45314
GIVE IN HONOR OF DON RICKARD
To support the Don and Peg Rickard
MK Scholarship Fund, give online at
You
can also send checks to Advancement,
Cedarville University, 251 N Main St.,
Cedarville, OH 45314.
Campus News