Inspire, Fall 1992

Six Alumni Join Faculty Six alumni are among the 17 new professors who will join the Cedarville College faculty for the 1992-93 academic year. These new faculty will serve Cedarville's growing student body by supporting new programs and strengthening existing ones. Gary Barker'86, assistant professor of communication arts Department of Communication Arts B.A., Communication and English, Cedarville College, 1986; Master of Fine Arts in Acting, Michigan State University, 1989; Post-graduate study, Regents College, London, England, Acting and Vocal Coaching from The Central School of Speech and Drama,Summer 1989. tumid Profile An Officer In The Pentagon ith military actions constantly in the news,Americans are considering the integrity and moral calibre ofthe leaders ofour country. One man who integrates a Christian lifestyle with the responsibilities of U.S. Air Force officer is Colonel Loren Reno,a 1970 alumnus of Cedarville College. Loren joined the Air Force in 1973,knowing the leading and peace ofGod in this life decision. His boyhood desire to fly has led to an outstanding military career which has afforded opportunities to discuss spiritual issues with both superiors and subordinates. Loren was promoted to colonel on December 1, 1991 and is currently chiefof maintenance policy in the Pentagon. During the 1991 Gulf War,he worked on logistics for airlift aircraft, an area which,according to Reno,was the lifeblood ofthe troops in the Middle East. Loren feels that his education at Cedarville College prepared him well for the role of a Christian officer in the U.S. Air Force. Classes such as Old Testament Survey and Evangelism were particularly helpful. These classes gave Loren a structured foundation in the Bible. Christian ministries gave him the opportunities and experience to use his knowledge in a practical way,but perhaps the greatest influence was chapel."Having a daily chapel made a great impression on me.I learned the importance ofsetting aside a specific time for God alone." Recalling an important lesson the Lord has taught him,Reno refers to Micah 6:8:"...and what doth the Lord require ofthee, but to dojustly,and to love mercy,and to walk humbly with thy God?""Learning to correctly balance justice and mercy as a commander of many people has been my most challenging task," he says. Loren does not consider his lifestyle that ofa Sunday Christian. He tries to live the Christian lifestyle all week long and to do it "heartily as unto the Lord"as commanded in Colossians 3:23.Loren is currently involved in three different prayer groups. The Officers' Christian Fellowship Bible Study meets in various members'homes and includes officers from all branches ofthe military service and their spouses.In addition a prayer breakfast is held at the Pentagon each Wednesday morning.This group involves 70 to 100 members.Loren also attends a Friday discussion group at the Pentagon; this is a group of6to 15 members who hold an in-depth Bible study. Many ofthe country's top officials are involved in these prayer efforts. The Reno family attends Immanuel Bible Church in Springfield, Virginia. Loren is grateful for his wife Karen Chrestensen Reno'74 and three children Rachel,Joseph, and Joshua. A former member ofthe Alumni Council (1986-89),Loren continues to be a valuable resource to Cedarville College for input and recruitment efforts. Alumni Faculty Donald Humphreys'89, instructor of English Department of Languages and Literature B.A., English, Cedarville College, 1989; M.S., Technical Communications, Southern College of Technology, 1992. Serving His Community s Assistant U.S. District Attorney, DeMaurice Smith'85 is fulfilling his boyhood dream."Since I was ten years old,I have wanted to be a lawyer. My parents provided a strong example of serving their community.I decided that as an attorney,I could help a lot of people." After graduation from Riverdale Baptist Academy, located just outside of Washington,D.C.,De enrolled at Cedarville College. An outstanding sprinter,De applied his talents on the track team,earning All-American honors as a senior. He also invested a great deal of energy in student organizations as a member ofPi Sigma Nu and Student Government,of which he was president his senior year. Academically,he added a philosophy minor to his political science major to further develop his thinking and writing skills. After graduating,De returned home to the D.C.area for rejuvenation before pursuing law school.During this time he took additional coursework in philosophy at the University of Maryland and renewed his involvement in his community by serving as president ofa local recreation society. He also applied to law schools, choosing the University of Virginia because ofits proximity,outstanding reputation and beautiful campus. "Top schools like Virginia attract very intense people, resulting in a high degree ofcompetition.The education I received at Cedarville prepared me as well or better than what I sensed other students had received. My training in philosophy gave me a cognitive edge;track developed the character I needed to pay whatever price was necessary to do my best." It was during the summer after his first year oflaw school that De became interested in criminal law. Interning for the Virginia attorney general's office in Richmond,he worked on the state's litigation concerning the death penalty. That experience clarified his direction in life. Another experience that same summer proved to hold even greater significance.De met an accounting student named Karen Padgett,whom he married on November 9, 1991. ohn Hart'81 never expected to be recognized for his morals. But in his third year at the University ofDayton Law School,he received an award from his peers as the student who best exemplified ethical qualities.Today John serves as director for legal affairs/university counsel for the University ofDayton,sharing both his legal skills and his faith in Christ. John thinks more Christians should consider the legal profession as a way to have an influence over important aspects ofour society. And he notes that people in law are recognizing the need for ethical practitioners. Courses in ethics are becoming a standard part of the required continuing education for attorneys. A social science comprehensive major at Cedarville College,John was active in ministry and a committed student. His advice to current Cedarville students is, "You will get out of your college experience what you put into it." John gave ofhimself as the senior class president and was involved in Abundant Life Singers,a nursing home ministry,the Advisory Seven,and the first MIS team to China.These activities strengthened his faith in Christ and he learned to articulate what he believed. He also met his wife,Sheri(Hakes'83),at Cedarville. Upon graduating in 1989,De was one oftwo attorneys hired by a small,prestigious law firm in Washington,D.C. that specialized in litigation involving white-collar crime. "The opportunity to work for Schwalb,Donnenfeld& Bray was exciting. The firm was in my hometown and specialized in criminal law. And I knew that by working for one ofthe partners,a former U.S. district attorney with an outstanding reputation, my experience would be among the best possible." However,after two years,Dejumped at the opportunity to work as assistant U.S. district attorney, even though it meant a significant cut in pay."Everyone at Schwalb,Donnenfeld&Bray had been a prosecutor. My opportunities to try my own cases were limited. I saw this move as a great way to gain trial experience and to really do something worthwhile. It was a fulfillment ofa dream—helping the people in my community as a lawyer." As assistant U.S. district attorney,Dejoins approximately 200other attorneys who prosecute every person charged with a crime that occurs in the District of Columbia.The breadth ofexperience runs the entire spectrum ofcriminal law. De's court load typically involves trying three or four cases every two weeks. Though the work is pressure-filled and stressful,De notes that working for the government is somewhat less consuming than working for a private firm. Both he and Karen,an accountant in the D.C.area,agree that the change is best for now.De's more predictable schedule provides greater opportunities for community involvement and attending their church,the Church of the Rock in Rockville, Maryland. "I love my work! Sure,the pressure is extremely high because the stakes are so high.On one hand,an individual's personal liberty is at stake. On the other hand, society, which needs and demands protection, is at stake. Yet pressure,like competition,brings out my best. And I can't think ofanother position in which I can apply my training to do so much good." Competent To Counsel 6 Fall'92 Upon arrival at law school,John was pleasantly surprised to find that his fellow students would accept rather than resent his beliefs. John cofounded the Christian Law School Fellowship to provide law students with Christian fellowship,a support system, and an arena to review class material from a Christian perspective. The group is now a chapter in the Christian Legal Society(CLS). He remembers the former president ofthe CLS challenging him that what is needed are "Christians who are competent to counsel," with the understanding that a legal counselor should relate to the client as a whole person.John says,"I felt the legal field would use the abilities and interests God had given me."He takes seriously his responsibility to God to directly engage the most important issues in his world."My involvement now in private religious school law isjust that kind ofopportunity." John is a testimony to the fact that Christians in the legal field can make a difference for God through their professional skill and personal witness.