Cedarville Magazine Summer 2017

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PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE
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The battle raged back and forth as the clock drew
ever closer to zero. We cheered. We yelled. We
screamed. And we tried to remain dignified during
all of it. After all, I do serve as the president of the
University. As the game drew to a close, my wife and
I jumped out of our seats with hands raised in the
air as our men’s basketball team pulled out a close
victory. The following morning, we realized she had burst a blood vessel in her eye
from cheering so hard. “Intense” does not do justice to the competitive spirit my wife
and I possess, and on this particular day, it showed. “Back the Jackets” left a mark.
Each year, my family walks in the Cedarville homecoming parade with the
volleyball team. Watching four enthusiastic, hard-working freshmen grow up on
the court these past four years means this team will always hold a special place
in my heart. Rachel, Samuel, and I even created posters to support them. At each
home game, we cheered as loud as we could, rooting them on to victory, and my
children enjoyed dancing to the music during breaks in the action. On more than
one occasion, the student section has lured me to the middle of the controlled chaos
that occurs when our outside hitters send a ball descending toward the court at what
seems like 70 mph. Four of these girls graduated this year. I had trouble controlling
my emotions, just as I did on senior night.
Sports have always held a special place in my life. I still bear scars from baseball.
I learned hard work and determination from football and basketball. I experienced
the thrill of victory in karate, and I had the joy of flying high in the pole vault. God
has used sports in my life to develop character and teach me many lessons.
Perhaps those experiences have affected my belief that a coach has a special
opportunity to mentor players. Coaches can teach a Philippians 2 mindset of
considering others before yourself. They can help players understand service and
ministry, and they can cast a vision to use athletics for more than just fame and glory.
Ultimately, athletics can be used as a platform for spiritual growth and proclaiming
the Gospel. At Cedarville, we expect spiritual growth to be the norm. From the honor
call in volleyball, to note cards and prayers for opposing teams, we want to make
an impact on others for the Gospel locally and abroad. From the women’s soccer
Bible study, which my wife helps lead, to the private character-building discussions
between teammates and coaches, we want to see our athletes become better people
— better followers of Christ more than anything else.
In the following pages, you will read about our athletes. I think you will discover
that athletics at Cedarville has always been about more than just winning. Our
athletes aim for excellence. They desire the prize — not just a trophy to adorn the
case in the Callan Athletic Center, but an eternal prize of honoring Christ and making
a difference for the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ.
Steadfast in Christ,
Thomas White, President
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
Vice President for Academics
Loren Reno ’70
Vice President for
Advancement
Rick Melson
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
Alan Geist ’83
Our Mission
Cedarville University is a Christ-centered
learning community equipping students
for lifelong leadership and service
through an education marked by
excellence and grounded in biblical truth.
Our Vision
Cedarville University will be an
exemplary Christian institution known
for commitment to academic
excellence, submission to biblical
authority, passion for the Great
Commission, and intentional
discipleship that transforms lives for
godly service, vocational distinction,
and cultural engagement.
Cedarville Magazine is published spring,
summer, and fall and mailed free of
charge to alumni and supporters of
Cedarville University.
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Cedarville Magazine
Cedarville University
251 N. Main St., Cedarville, OH 45314
1-888-CEDARVILLE
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Summer 2017 Volume 5 Issue 2