Inspire, Fall 2004

high schoolers, taught financial management skills to other CU students, and worked with the Cedarville administration to develop a coffee shop in the Stevens Student Center. 8 Fall 2004 for several years to purchase one of these expensive machines. Seeing a need, DAE purposed to raise the $8,000 for the device through a garage sale, car wash, and coin drive. They called this project “Help Tina Talk.” But the project wasn’t just about raising money. In March 2004, DAE had the opportunity to spend time with Tina at an alumni picnic in Orlando, Florida hosted by Claudia. Although it was hard for the students to communicate with Tina, she seemed excited. Afterward, Claudia wrote to Faith, “Whenever we talk to Tina about the picnic and the students, she just smiles. They really made her feel special, and it means so much that they took the time and effort to try and talk with her.” “It was encouraging to see some of the college students sit down next to her and work with her and the demonstration communication device that Claudia had there that day. I think it gave them a better vision of what they were working toward,” said Faith. DAE’s final tallies were $3,857.77 from the garage sale, $488.28 from the car wash, and $1,048.69 from the coin drive. “It was rewarding to see members of the University family go above and beyond,” remarked Faith. “When a staff member paid $20 for a car wash or a student told us to keep the change from the $100 he paid for some note cards, we were overwhelmed.” Other donors made gifts exceeding the remainder of the needed sum. The Porpiglias were thrilled when they learned Cedarville University had raised money for the device. They said they have been overwhelmed that college students would care so much and put that caring into action. Claudia said she doesn’t cry often, but Cedarville’s effort moved her to tears. DAE Helps Tina Talk The purpose of Delta Alpha Epsilon (DAE) is to build relationships with University alumni and friends by serving them. Faith Linn ’83, director of alumni relations, recognized a great way for DAE to do just that in the case of Paul and Claudia Whitestine Porpiglia ’79. The Porpiglia’s 19-year-old daughter, Tina, suffered from seizures as a child and is now developmentally delayed and unable to speak. A special device at her school “talks” for her by responding to particular picture buttons that Tina touches. For example, if Tina wants a drink, she presses the picture of a glass, and the device says, “I want a drink.” A second screen allows Tina to choose the type of beverage she wants to ask for — milk, Coke, juice, etc. Since Tina doesn’t have this device at home, her family finds it difficult and frustrating to communicate with her. They tried Honor to Whom Honor is Due SIFE Team Ends Season with a Bang Cedarville’s Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) team made school history this spring by placing first runner-up in their league at the SIFE National Exposition in Kansas City, Missouri. This is the highest recognition yet for a Cedarville SIFE team. “As the Sam Walton Fellow for the Cedarville chapter of SIFE, I am so proud of the team’s accomplishments this past academic year,” said John LeBlanc, SIFE chapter advisor. “This year’s team consisted entirely of students who were new to the SIFE experience. I am looking forward to working with the team this coming year on even more exciting activities to promote Cedarville and the free enterprise system.” SIFE provides students the opportunity to learn, practice, and teach the principles of free enterprise. In doing so, the students develop leadership, teamwork, and communication skills while helping their community. At the national exposition, Cedarville’s SIFE team presented all the work they had done in practicing and teaching free enterprise principles. For example, the team explained how they taught local elementary school students about production through a no-bake cookie business (proceeds were donated to the Greene County American Red Cross). The team led Business Day sessions for From left to right: Greg Hamilton, Bethany Johnessee, Jonathan Begg, Leah Robertson, Andrew Koury, Joan Gardner, Aaron Sattler, Bethany Streitmatter, Ryan Dunlap