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Welcome to the
Commencement of
the Class of
2003
Today is the celebration of the 107th Commencement of Cedarville University. There were five
graduates in that first graduating class: John Bickett, Raymond Gorbold, Homer McMillen,
Calvin Morton, and John Orr.
In 1887, five godly men were led to found Cedarville College. They envisioned the need to train
preachers and lay people for the work of God at home and abroad. Today their purpose lives on
at Cedarville.
Our theme for this academic year has been
For Christ
.. .
For Others
.. .
Forever.
This has been
a fitting emphasis for my twenty-fifth and last year as president. Institutionally, we have had
a major emphasis through the years on evangelism, discipleship, and the Great Commission.
Our 667 graduating seniors are indeed committed to reaching their world for Christ.
They intend to model biblical Christianity in their families, the workplace, and every area of
their lives. Mrs. Dixon and I, along with our University family, congratulate the Class of 2003.
The hand of God has been on this institution. Cedarville has achieved a balance that is
distinctive - quality academics in harmony with a strong spiritual emphasis. The heartbeat of
every Christian school is what happens in chapel. As the chapel is the center of our campus, so
God is central in all that transpires here. We intend to maintain this focus on the centrality of
chapel for decades to come.
It is our prayer that you might have the joy of knowing Jesus Christ as your personal Savior.
Consider what the Bible says: "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we
were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). "For all have sinned and fall short of the
glory of God ..." (Romans 3:23). "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal
life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). "Yet
to
all who received Him,
to
those who
believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God ..." (John 1:12).*
This is a day of beginnings. Our graduates are beginning a new phase of their lives, and you can
begin your new life in Christ.
If
you do not know our Lord, won't you consider the claims of
Christ and make a commitment to Him today? You, too, can make a difference for Jesus Christ!
President
Cedarville University
*New International Version