Inspire, Summer 1993

Double Your Dollar Can your dollars be doubled? Yes! Friends of the college who give toward equipmentfor the Engineering/Nursing/Science Center can have their gifts doubled through a matching gift program. Donors have promised to match up to $400,000 in gifts through December 31, 1993.Thirty percent of Cedarville's students are enrolled in the Engineering, Nursing,or Science and Mathematics departments. According to Dr. Duane Wood, academic vice president,the new ENS Center has helped attract record numbers of applications for these departments. The equipment is needed to benefit the growing student body. The Cedarville College forensics team won the state title for the fourth consecutive year. Dr. David Robey,who directs the team,said,"This is the first year that every member of Cedarville's novice and varsity teams trophied in the state tournament." Freshmen Mark Totten (pictured)and Doug Moore each took first place in three novice events.The results of the team competition showed Cedarville and Miami University in the top two spots, well ahead of the other twelve schools.The Miami team is coached by Cedarville alumni Jeff Joiner'91 and Jodi Culp'92, who are currently enrolled in Miami's graduate program. Engineering Faculty Design Innovative Program Dr. Larry Zavodney,chairman of the Department of Engineering at Cedarville College, teaches mechanical engineering courses. W hen Chuck Allport came to Cedarville in 1990 to initiate the engineering program,he stressed the combination ofacademics and hands-on experience for students.In contrast to programs at some research-oriented schools,first-year students at Cedarville learn practical skills such as computer-aided design(CAD)and work on real-world design projects.In design competitions sponsored by SAE,a professional engineering society, Cedarville's teams have finished ahead oflarge schools such as The Ohio State University and University of Michigan. This innovative,personal approach was rewarded this year as Chuck Allport, now Cedarville's director of engineering programs, was named one ofonly 21 engineering educators nationwide to receive SAE's 1993 Ralph R.Teetor Educational Award.Teetor,aformer SAE president,believed that the professor is the most important link between engineering students and their chosen careers.Professor Allport,a registered professional engineer(P.E.), was in high-tech development in both the Air Force and in a civilian capacity. Other engineering faculty havejoined Professor Allport. As individuals and as a group,they combine solid academic credentials with sound practical experience. They also continue the Cedarville tradition ofcaring Christian professors who can faithfully pass on "an education consistent with Biblical truth," both in the classroom and through their example. The chair ofthe Department ofEngineering is Dr.Larry Zavodney,a nationally known vibrations expert who came to Cedarville from the engineering faculty at The Ohio State University. Dr.Zavodney teaches mechanical engineering and has challenged students with design projects in each course he teaches. Dr.Harwood Hegna,P.E.,held a faculty position at the Air Force Institute ofTechnology before coming to Cedarville in 1992.He also teaches mechanical engineering. Dr.Robert Chasnov,associate professor of engineering,earned his Ph.D.at the University of Illinois. The electrical engineering courses are taught mostly by assistant professors Keith Francis, whocame from industry,and Robert Laramore,P.E., who had been on the faculty at Purdue University. Joining the faculty in January was Sam SanGregory,who previously was an engineer in the Air Force.The department will add at least one full-time faculty member for the 1993-94 school year. Adjunct faculty Rolan Polsdorfer,Philip Brasher,and Joseph Rock teach specialty courses.Two technicians,Jonathan Gain and Dave Denlinger,provide technical support for the department. The department's administrative assistant is Joy Williams, whose business management experience is now directed toward guiding the engineering students. At least as important as their educational and experiential qualifications, however,are the personal qualities that each department member brings to Cedarville engineering.These faculty and staff members will mean more to the students than any building or equipment.They model what it means to be a Christian professional. 6SUMMER'93 Faculty Member Provides Worship Through Drama Sandi Welch Hamer'64,associate professor of English, directs the professional writing program at Cedarville College. A s drama director at Shawnee Hills Baptist Church in Jamestown,Ohio,Sandi Welch Harner'64 provides an innovative form of worship to edify believers as they watch and relate to true-to-life scenes. This year, Sandi wrote an Easter service built around the hymn"Were You There?"Following the appropriate verse ofthe hymn,these monologues were performed in full costume:"The Centurion: I've Done This Before," "Joseph of Aramethea,"and "The Stranger." Through the powerful medium ofdrama,the crucifixion,the burial, and the resurrection ofour Lord touched hearts with the reality ofserving a living Savior. An excerptfrom "Joseph of Aramethea I will never forget the events of that day. I had been watching everything. But I was careful to keep my distance. You see,Iliad become a follower of this Jesus–but I didn't want anyone to know. After all, I am a member ofthe Sanhedrin. What would people think? I could not let them know that I believed this Jesus to be the Messiah. And so I kept my distance. But now the darkness was lifting. I had heard the cry, "Father,into thy hands I commend my spirit." I knew he was dead. I could not understand it. I wanted so much to believe he was the Messiah–but if he were–how could he just die like that? I was so confused. One thing I did know–I deeply loved this man who hung on the cross. I would miss him so much. What will happen to him now?Tomorrow we will observe the high Sabbath of Holy week.We cannot let him hang there through the Sabbath. He must have a fitting burial. But who will do it? Where? Surely one of his followers will take care of it. But I could not rest. I could not wait for someone else to do it. It was clear. I must be the one.I will go to Pilate–no, he will know that I am a follower. What about the Sanhedrin? The thoughts collided in my head. My love for this Galilean compelled me.I must provide a place of burial.... I could hardly bear to lift his body. He had suffered so much. His arms and legs were horribly twisted; his body was bruised and his flesh was torn. The wound in his side was gaping. Even though I knew he was dead, my heart ached as Nicodemus and I wound the linen around and around his broken body. As the light ofday was fading and the night shadows were coming together we carried the body of our beloved Jesus to the place of my own tomb. I could see in the distance the dark opening of the sepulcher. I had not been here since the day I had purchased the tomb.I had forgotten how large it was. I paused a moment at the hole that had been cut in the side of the hill. The air was heavy as I stepped inside. It was damp and cold and dark. Small insects scurried away as we made our way further into the cave. There was a shelf in the rock. It was perfect. Gently we lowered his body. We stood quietly for a moment.It was still so hard to believe. I looked at the face ofthe man beside me—Nicodemus.Tears were streaming down his face as he said,"I remember the night I came to him. I asked him what I must do to be saved. He was so gentle. I believed all that he told me." I put my arm around him. What good were words at a time like this'? I had nothing to say. We stood quietly for a moment. It was time that we leave. We must prepare for the Sabbath tomorrow.Suddenly I heard voices outside. Can't they leave his body in peace? Why have they followed me here? "Step aside," the soldier ordered."Pilate has ordered us to seal this tomb." "Why? That is not necessary." "That's what you think. We'll take no chances. There are rumors about a resurrection. It would bejust like some of you to steal the body away and then tell everyone that he has risen from the dead as he claimed he would. Well, we'll take care ofthat. You'll see. Those claims are the claims of a madman." They rolled a large stone across the entrance of the tomb. As I watched I felt as if the very weight ofthat rock were crushing my heart. Surely all is lost. Our Messiah is dead. Music Educator Lauds Cedarville Input Diane DiNicola Orlofsky '78 or as long as Diane DiNicola Orlofsky'78 can remember,she wanted to teach English. After winning the Talents for Christ piano competition in 1974,she headed for Cedarville College with a music scholarship in hand—to major in music! Diane is currently an associate professor of music education at Troy State University in Alabama.She returns to Cedarville on occasion to guest lecture in music education courses and has taken part in research projects between the institutions. She endorses her Cedarville education in the college video. And,ofcourse, she attends class reunions at Homecoming. She continues to touch base with Cedarville professors who gave direction to her desire to teach."You can typically count on one hand the individuals who have had a major impact on your life," says Diane,"and Dr.David Matson is one ofthem."She says that Matson encouraged her,demanded the bestfrom her(besides her studies,she accompanied Concert Chorale from 1974 to 1978),and challenged her to think philosophically. He also encouraged her through her master's work at Wright State University and on into her doctoral studies at Florida State University. Today,Diane enjoys instructing future elementary music educators.She supervises student teachers,teaches methods and guitar, and tutors 16 private students. Diane is the national collegiate chair of Music Educators National Conference(MENC).This two-year position allows her to travel to a wide variety of institutions across the United States to encourage students in MENC local chapters. She is responsible for 1,200 chapters and finds guiding the groups a great challenge. Diane has other interests,such as writing children's literature,if time affords her the luxury. She received the 1992-93 Teacher ofthe Year Award at the Troy State Honors Convocation. And,she is very much enjoying her marriage of six months to Michael Orlofsky,an assistant professor of music at Troy State.