Inspire, Spring 2001

Inspire 17 Alumni Profile: Val Roloff ’65 W ith a B.A. from Cedarville in general science, an M.S. in zoology from the University of Nebraska, and a Ph.D. in veterinary physiology from Iowa State University, Marston Val Roloff ’65 knows science. Add to that a lengthy career in the field of inhalation toxicology at Monsanto, extended work with the agrichemical and commodity chemical industry on scientific issues in respiratory toxicology, animal health and welfare, clean air standards, and setting workplace exposure limits through the American Industrial Hygiene Association and Governmental Industrial Hygiene Threshold Limit Committee, and you’ve said a mouthful! What it all boils down to is this: Val loves science. Val also loves Cedarville University. However, in 1961, he didn’t know it yet. That year he began classes at the ’Ville—a college he had never even visited. He was relying on the recommendation of a friend, because he was looking for a Christian liberal arts degree in the biological sciences. As he looks back, it was during that time that the seed was planted for establishing a scholarship. “During my attendance at Cedarville, there were no scholarships for biology majors. I personally observed several worthy students who struggled financially and worked several jobs to remain in college,” Val remembered. Several years ago, Val decided to do something to help students financially. He established the Roloff Incentive Award because he wanted to provide an alumni award to a deserving biology major and because he wanted to honor his father, who made it possible for him to attend college. Val’s dad has been a faithful contributor to Cedarville University for many years and this seemed like an appropriate way to continue that legacy. Val said he finds it rewarding to watch the contributions to the fund grow quickly. He especially enjoyed seeing the interest on the principal provide a first-time award in May 2000. “It was gratifying to be able to see the individual receive the award on Honors Day and to meet her and her family,” stated Val. “I believe the awarding of a scholarship to a diligent student who is active in the community and church and who has a financial need is very rewarding. It is wonderful to observe a person’s spiritual growth and scholastic achievement and to have a real part in the person’s recognition and endeavors.” Val has enjoyed an illustrious career and credits Cedarville for his initial preparation and subsequent success. Val retired from Monsanto in 1999 but has continued his work in the scientific field. He remains in the Naval Reserves (having been deployed to Desert Storm as head of preventative medicine/environmental medicine for a 1,000-bed desert hospital) and has served in ever-increasing positions of military responsibility. Holding the rank of captain, Val is a Naval Academy recruiter and a 2000 graduate of the Naval War College Reserve Officer Program. He presently drills as a reservist in Washington, D.C. at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, where he has been appointed as adjunct professor of preventive medicine and biometrics in teaching/advising medical residents and graduate students in public health degree programs. Val and his wife, Gail, own Rockwood Lodge and Outfitters in Grand Marais, Minnesota. Val has been on the Cedarville University Alumni Council since January 1999 and actively serves with Alumni Council subcommittees in challenging alumni to provide increased funding of Cedarville alumni scholarships. A Scientific Formula for Student Success