Inspire, Spring 2009

44 spring 2009 pres ident ’s perspect i ve In 1841, John A. Roebling had an idea that he thought would revolutionize the Allegheny Portage Railroad, a system that transported canal boats over the Allegheny Mountains. He developed the first American-made steel rope to replace the bulky and dangerous hemp ropes they had been using. In spite of set-backs and sabotage (by the hemp interests!), Roebling’s new steel cable was enthusiastically endorsed, and his new company took off. He imagined other uses for the cable, and soon he was building suspended aqueducts and bridges. Roebling’s experience demonstrates that successful start-ups begin with a great idea, thorough research, quality execution, and — most of all — perseverance. Cedarville University has produced a number of new programs that have followed the same steps. The most recent, the school of pharmacy, is the result of three years of careful research and planning. Studies show that this is a growing vocation that provides not only a wide array of job possibilities but also incredible opportunities for global ministry. Beginning a program usually requires an amazing amount of effort: long hours, key decisions, and personnel challenges. Generating enthusiasm and support is like pushing a car that just will not budge. I once experienced this firsthand when I stopped to help a stranded motorist move his car to the shoulder of the road. After asking the driver to put the car into neutral, I put my hands on the trunk and started pushing. Nothing. I felt like a wimp. I reminded myself this car weighed more than 3,000 pounds and I just needed to push harder. Still nothing. One more time I set my feet and pushed until I was almost parallel to the ground. Slowly at first, the car began to move. Then it began to roll more easily. By the time we were at the side of the road, I was pushing the car with one hand, and it was moving along at a good clip. At Cedarville, we have the advantage and joy of relying on God who answers prayers and opens doors. As people catch the vision, the program breaks free and begins a slow roll that gradually picks up speed. John Roebling continued to find new ways to use the steel cable. In 1857, he began to design what would be the most outstanding engineering achievement of the day: a monumental suspension bridge across the East River in New York. The bridge he designed would suspend above the river with one uninterrupted span. Sadly, Roebling died unexpectedly in 1869 before construction began. But the planning and momentum were moving at such a confident pace that his son, Washington, stepped in and oversaw the construction of the East River Bridge. We now know it as the Brooklyn Bridge. As Cedarville continues to grow, we realize that God is at work. He provides us with great ideas to research, grants us the strength to break free and start rolling, and gives us the wisdom to guide new programs that will equip Cedarville students for effective lives and ministry. God is certainly no silent partner in Cedarville endeavors! Guiding Growth by Dr. William E. Brown Dr. Brown’s Top Picks ■ Book Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell Malcolm Gladwell, who also wrote Blink and The Tipping Point, explores what makes people successful — and it’s not what you think. ■ Website www.refdesk.com This site has links to anything you want or need to know — zip codes, weather, phone numbers, the population of Uganda, late-night jokes, and much more. ■ Podcast www.nasa.gov/multimedia/podcasting OK, so I’m a space geek. This site has audio and video podcasts that are amazing. My favorite selections are “NASA Moments” and “Ask an Astronomer.” ■ Movie High Noon This oldie from 1952 tells the gripping tale of a man who does the right thing when everyone else fearfully refuses to stand with him. It’s worth it just seeing Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly together.