Inspire, Fall 2004

Inspire 35 Former Alumni Director Graduates to Glory Jane Adams Smith ’84 was ushered into God’s presence on June 14, 2004. Diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma just 18 days earlier, Jane leaves behind her husband, Ben ’86, their two sons, Nicholas (9) and Shane (8), and countless grieving friends and family members. Jane served as the director of alumni relations at Cedarville University for seven years. During that time, she created relationships with many alumni, interacted with students as class advisor for the classes of 1995 and 1997, and developed many alumni programs still enjoyed today. Jane also was a home consultant for The Longaberger® Company, coordinated the Ohio Reads Program at a local elementary school, and served as a part-time aide for Xenia (Ohio) Community Schools. She was also former president and board member of Volunteer Ohio, Inc. Remembering Jane Mavis Wu Davis ’95 shares a remembrance of Jane Adams Smith ’84. “Obey.” This was one of the last words I heard Jane speak to me. I will never forget that day or the conversation we had on May 29, 2004. Jane had called to let me know of her cancer. “Obey.” That is what she said. She said that she had told God that no matter what happened she would obey Him. Jane wasn’t sure why God had chosen her to have this cancer but she knew she was ready to obey Him even unto death, as she did. I will always remember Jane and the impact she had on my life and the lives of so many other Cedarville alumni and friends. She was my class advisor and a very special friend. It wasn’t until after I graduated from Cedarville that Jane and I became such close and kindred spirits. At one time we were speaking once a week for more than a year. During those conversations, we would talk of life, love, and the life-journeys on which God had directed us. As I spoke with alumni about her passing, it was evident that she had influenced many others as well. It is hard for me to put into words how much I will miss Jane and her friendship. In my walk on this earth, there are a handful of people who have shaped me into the person that I am. Jane was one of those people. One special thing she taught me was the gift of giving ... giving of my time, effort, and gifts, whether they are gifts of monetary value or gifts of encouragement and love. I encourage our alumni to remember Ben and the boys in prayer, not only in these next few months but also in the future. Pray for Ben as he raises the boys and for Nick and Shane that they will remember their mother and the deep love she had for them. The Jane Adams Smith Scholarship Fund The Jane Adams Smith Scholarship Fund has been established to honor Jane Adams Smith ’84 and to benefit Cedarville students. Because Jane was a psychology major, one focus of the fund will be to help psychology students pay the expenses associated with presenting their research and papers at national conferences. Dr. Michael Firmin, chair of the department of psychology, explained, “Psychology majors working closely with CU faculty on research projects recently have found their results accepted at national conferences. This is a milestone for an undergraduate student to present research among other doctoral-level professors. Currently we do not have student funding, however, so not all capable students are able to present their work. The scholarship fund will help make this possible, providing students with significant opportunities to advance their Cedarville education.” Plans are underway for the scholarship to benefit other Cedarville students as well. Kim Botta Longo ’02, gift planning officer, explained that the fund is a relevance endowment, which means that it will provide annual scholarship monies tied to a percentage of tuition. “For example,” she said, “we expect that the fund will provide just under $2,000 for students (12% of tuition) the first year. Thereafter, the scholarship amount will increase as tuition increases. Gifts to the fund extend the life of the scholarship, so the more that people provide, the longer this scholarship program can continue.” Because Jane was a 1984 grad, the Class of 1984 has already determined to make a gift to the fund as their 20-year class reunion gift. Jane’s husband, Ben ’86, expressed, “Gifts that have been received to date have been such a blessing to me and my family. We would like to express our gratitude to everyone.” Gifts designated to The Jane Adams Smith Scholarship Fund may be made payable to Cedarville University, in care of the Office of Gift Planning, Cedarville University, 251 N. Main St., Cedarville, Ohio 45314.