Inspire, Fall 2007

26 Fall 2007 alumnotes Amber Rohweder VandenBos ’96 and her husband, Daryl, announce the birth of twin daughters, Brooke Elizabeth and Kate MaKenna, on April 19, 2007. Daryl is a professional firefighter for the city of Xenia, Ohio, and Amber is a part-time flight nurse for CareFlight Air & Mobile at Miami Valley Hospital. They reside in Cedarville. Bart ’97 and Emily Weber Allen ’99 recently completed four years of intensive training and are now missionaries with New Tribes Mission. They are headed to Papua New Guinea to take the truth of God’s Word to an unreached tribal group. They have two sons, Luke (5) and Titus (2 ½). If you are interested in supporting them or following the progress of their journey, please visit www.ntm.org/bart_allen or e-mail them at bart_allen@ntm.org . Elliott ’97 and Sara Howell Gilham ’97 announce the birth of Samuel Elliott on November 22, 2006. Big sisters Isabelle Sara and Madeline Annette welcomed him home in Westerville, Ohio. Elliott is an e-commerce business manager for Emerson Network Power, and Sara loves her job as a stay-at-home mother. They are active members of New Life Church in Gahanna, Ohio. Jennifer Ferris Larson ’97 and her husband, Mike, are happy to announce the birth of Annika Elizabeth on January 11, 2007. She was welcomed home by her brothers Eric (5) and Alec (2). The Larson family lives near Roanoke, Virginia, where Mike works as property manager for Total Action Against Poverty – Head Start, and Jen works part-time as a postpartum RN. Brad ’97 and Andrea Linamen Nelson ’01 announce the birth of Nicholas Austin. He was born April 15, 2006, and was welcomed home by big brother Jacob (2). They reside in Columbus, Ohio, where Brad is a finance manager with Cardinal Health, and Andrea enjoys staying at home with the boys. Melany Trimble Tiago ’97 and her husband, Elias, are thankful for their three children, Elioena (5), Elisua (3), and Elioenai (1). As they serve the Lord in Rio Branco, Brazil, they continually seek wisdom from Him in parenting and relationships within the church. Jaime Bedford ’98 has graduated from general surgery residency and is now a board-certified general surgeon. She is currently enrolled in a one- year fellowship, sub-specializing in surgical critical care in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Once complete, she will have the opportunity to have a more flexible schedule than a traditional general surgeon. This will allow her to make large portions of her time available for indigent service stateside and surgical relief overseas. Ernest ’98 and Tiffany Hamilton Clark ’98 minister to the deaf in Rio Bravo, Mexico. In July, a tornado hit the campus and damaged several buildings. They are thankful that none of the students or staff was hurt. Pray for the finances to come in so that the rebuilding can take place. Jennie Fisher ’98 and Miguel Morel were married January 29, 2007, on a beach in the Dominican Republic and now reside in Montellano. They conduct mission work in the Dominican and Haitian towns of the north coast, alongside Makarios, a Christian nonprofit organization. Chris ’98 and Jody Hovis Vitarelli ’98 announce the birth of Landon Kenneth on December 2, 2006. His siblings, Gabriel (6) and Angelina (3), are having a blast with Landon in Jamestown, New York. Chris is pastor of outreach and discipleship at Lakewood Baptist Church, and Jody is a private voice instructor. Joseph ’98 and Melody Curtis Whinnery ’94 announce the birth of Joah Daniel Stephan. He was born September 30, 2005, and was welcomed home by his brother, Nathan. They reside in Marysville, Ohio, where Joseph works at Honda of Americas Research and Development. Melody stays at home with the boys and enjoys being involved in ministries at church. BJ Bechtel ’99 and his wife, Shanna, share that they will be moving to a new community with Inner City Impact (ICI). Currently, they are in a location where “yuppies” are moving in and ICI kids are moving out because they can’t afford to stay. Since ICI has been established to serve high-risk, inner-city kids and youth, ICI feels led to relocate. Please pray for the new location that God has for them and also pray for BJ, as he is an integral part of finding a new community. In the midst of all the changes, they are so thankful for their little girl, Abby (1). Homegoing: Dr. Walter L. Griffeth We extend our condolences to the family and friends of Dr. Walter L. Griffeth, a dedicated Cedarville faculty member during the 1970s and a member of Grace Baptist Church in Cedarville. Dr. Griffeth passed away on May 9, 2007. He was the father and stepfather of eight Cedarville alumni: Laura Payne Ereddia ’72 , Sarah Griffeth Couture ’74 , James Griffeth ’74 , Paulette Payne Hegg ’74 , Mary Griffeth Wimer ’76 , Jackie Payne Pyles ’78 , Ellen Payne Battaglia ’81 , and Joel Payne ’81 . In honor of Dr. Griffeth’s longstanding advocacy of Cedarville’s nursing program (despite the fact that he was not a nursing professor), the family requests that memorial gifts be donated to assist Cedarville’s nursing students. For more information, please contact Kim Botta Longo ’02 at 937-766-7699.