Inspire, Fall/Winter 2008

28 fall/winter 2008 di rector ’s cha i r This year marked my 22nd homecoming at Cedarville as an alumnus, but my first as director of alumni relations. It’s exciting to see the entire campus engaged in the festivities — from students and faculty to the event planners, grounds crew, and Pioneer catering. We love homecoming! And we love welcoming you back to Cedarville! Among the weekend highlights was the dedication of the Center for Biblical and Theological Studies. This special Friday chapel was a tangible reminder that though our campus looks different, the value we place on God’s Word as the foundation of the Cedarville experience has not changed. It was fitting that Dr. David Jeremiah ’63 was our speaker for the occasion. An accomplished graduate in his own right, he spoke of his father, Dr. James T. Jeremiah, who provided four decades of leadership to the school as president and chancellor. The senior Dr. Jeremiah was a pivotal figure who guided the school through a significant transition in 1953 from a small Bible college in Cleveland to a Baptist liberal arts college in Cedarville. Although he was a visionary, Dr. Jeremiah may never have imagined a university of more than 3,000 students or such an incredible building dedicated to biblical studies. But he would be proud to know that a world-class education grounded in biblical truth remains at the core of our mission. All weekend long, I was reminded where Cedarville has been, where we are headed, and why I love Cedarville so much. Our homecoming theme expressed my hopes for Cedarville University: “The Sky’s the Limit!” The Sky’s the Limit for Students This fall, 774 freshmen began their education at Cedarville. Their milestone year commenced as they watched Michael Phelps break the “unbreakable” record of winning eight gold medals in one Olympics. As they begin their second semester, the United States’ first African-American president will lead our country. With the continual development of our society, our world could be a very different place when they graduate. The education we provide must prepare students to keep their center during times of change and approach an uncertain world with confidence in Christ. The Sky’s the Limit for Alumni Each time we put together an edition of Inspire , we have so many compelling stories to choose from — our alumni are endlessly inventive in their personal and professional endeavors and influence nearly every career field. Consider Stacie (Bennett) Cox ’00, whose job at NASA allows her to challenge limits every day and explore what lies beyond the sky. The Sky’s the Limit for Cedarville In my 1983 freshman yearbook, an aerial photo showed how our campus had grown over the years. Since then, the campus has nearly doubled with buildings, residence halls, and programs to serve almost twice the number of students. The success of our programs and our graduates has earned Cedarville a national reputation with far-reaching impact. It’s true: Cedarville is not what it was 25 years ago. But that never was the goal. The construction zones on campus this past year were visual reminders that the University continues to grow and develop. Through His grace and faithfulness, God will carry forward His work on this campus and in the lives of the Cedarville family. Jeff Beste ’87 Director of Alumni Relations “All weekend long, I was reminded where Cedarville has been, where we are headed, and why I love Cedarville so much.”