Inspire, Summer 1997

Heritage Corner Cedar Day Celebration F 4 very year Cedarville College Heritage Alumni gather the first weekend of May to renew their ties with each other and Cedarville College.In keeping with May Day celebrations ofthe past, this faithful group ofour heritage attended the 1997 gathering held on May 3.Thirty-five enjoyed breakfast in the President's Dining Room.Joined by John W. Bickett Scholarship recipients, Heritage Alumni heard Class Of 1937 Reunion O n February 10, membersfrom the class of 1937 gathered for an impromptu 60-year reunion.A classmate from Florida joined several local members ofthe class living in the Cedarville area for a special luncheon to honor the class of 1937.The group enjoyed dining in the President's Dining Room, reminiscing about college days,and perusing photos and yearbooks from the 1930s.Each class member in attendance received a reprint ofthe photo above. the students'appreciative comments and gleaned firsthand information oftheir future plans for ministry. Each scholarship recipient received a plaque and a scholarship stipend of$1,500 to be applied to tuition at Cedarville College. Following a time offellowship and a college update,24 alumni attended the matinee of My Fair Lady. With a cast and crew of more than 100 Cedarville College students,this production was a treat for music and drama enthusiasts. Pictured are Mary Helen Creswell Grube '37,formerly ofSpringfield;Junia Creswell Laughman '41 ofSpringfield; Marjory Colett Gibbs '37ofJamestown; Cletis Jacobs Waddle '39and her husband, Joe '37, ofYellow Springs; Grace CumminsofCincinnati, Ohio, sister ofClarence Gray '37;John Tobias '37of Cedarville; and Clarence Gray '37ofNaples, Florida. Church Planting Among The Coal Mines F ranldin Trubee'35 had a unique opportunity to watch a local church grow when he served as one ofonly two Presbyterian missionaries in the coalfields ofWest Virginia during the Great Depression. Upon graduation from seminary,Trubee started a church in the community ofScotts Run.Trubee preached, his wife Viola(Harbaugh '33)played the piano,and a friend sang. After six months the attendance grew to 100 people. Trubee's ministry in Scotts Run did not stop with the spiritual needs ofthe people. Realizing that the community was in desperate physical need,Trubee initiated the Scotts Run Reciprocal Economy,in which 500families worked together to tend gardens,can produce,bake,and repair donated clothes and furniture. In return for their labor,the people earned coupons which could be used to purchase any goods the group had. Franklin Trubee went home to be with the Lord in 1996. His wife, Viola,resides in Minerva,Ohio. Mark your calendar now for these activities, and watch your mail for further details! July 7 Heritage Alumnae Luncheon Alford Annex, 11:45 a.m. August 20 Heritage Alumni Day at Cinergy Field Cincinnati Reds vs. Colorado Rockies, 12:35 p.m. October 17 Heritage Alumni Homecoming Reunion President's Dining Room, 11:30 a.m. 1997 Faculty And Staff Of The Year ir he College named Dr. Daniel Wetzel Faculty Member of the Year and Murtha Kaercher Staff Member of the Year for 1997.The announcement was made during the annual Honors Day Chapel on May 2. Wetzel, professor of physics and mathematics and chair of the Department ofScience and Mathematics,came to the College in 1963. He holds degrees from Moorhead State College,University of Cincinnati,and The Ohio State University. Wetzel chaired college committees for determining feasibility of the engineering program and for planning the Engineering/Nursing/Science Center. He was class advisor for the classes of 1968 and 1976.In 1992,he was recognized by the Alumni Association with the Distinguished Service Award. Dr. Duane Wood, academic vice president, states,"Not only has Dr. Wetzel sustained a record of personal teaching excellence for many years, but he has been outstanding in the development ofteaching skills in faculty within his department." Dr. Wetzel and his wife,Phyllis, are members of Grace Baptist Church in Cedarville where he has served as Sunday school superintendent,junior high youth leader, and chair ofthe deacon board. They have five children, nine grandchildren,and one great-grandchild. A nine-year employee ofthe College, Murtha Kaercher is student health insurance coordinator at Patterson Clinic. She is known for her involvement with students and for sharing her enthusiastic spirit. Murtha has served on the Staff Committee to the President and helps - coordinate Fit To Be Tied,the organization for engaged couples. With her husband,Richard,she is active with the high school youth at Cedarville's Grace Baptist Church. According to Scott Bradley,student academic advisory board president,"Mrs. Kaercher is a role model for women, wives,and mothers." She and her husband have two sons and three grandchildren. More than 1,500 parents and guests joined sons, daughters, and friends at Cedarville College May 2-4 for Parents Weekend, one of the most popular weekends of the year. The array of activities included the annual Honors Day chapel service, the spring drama production of My Fair Lady, and the NCCAA national track and field competition. On Friday evening, the Department of Music delighted a large audience at the POPS Concert with a variety of music, including show tunes, folk music, spirituals, and 40s swing music. On Saturday evening, national recording artist Steve Green performed some of his best-loved songs for a capacity crowd in the 3,400-seat Jeremiah Chapel. A team of engineering students from Cedarville College earned first place in an exhibit and presentation competition at the recent Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)International Congress and Exposition in Detroit.The Congress involved participants from more than 50 countries, approximately 1,000 corporate exhibits, more than 200 technical sessions, and activities for SAE student chapters. Cedarville's chapter has a history of success at the competition. In the past six years, they have claimed two first- place awards,three seconds,and one third. Amidst thunder, lightning, hail, gusting winds, and torrential downpours, Cedarville College hosted the National Track and Field Championships for the National Christian College Athletic Association(NCCAA)May 2-3, 1997. In spite of the inclement weather, Cedarville's women responded with a first place finish, and the men earned third place honors. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the men's meet was first held in 1973, initiated by Coach Elvin King '64N.The first national meet included Biola University of California and John Brown University of Arkansas. During its history, the Yellow Jacket men have earned four national titles. The women's meet, which began in 1981, has been dominated by Cedarville College.The lady Yellow Jackets have won four consecutive titles under Coach Paul Orchard's leadership and hold six banners in all. May 17, 1997 saw 25 alumni return to the diamond for a day of baseball at Cedarville College. Including two father/son alumni pairs, the men competed for three hours in perfect weather for a final score of 12 to 8. Current Yellow Jacket varsity players also participated. Ron Hobar'82 opened the game in prayer and Don Callan '84H, athletic director for Cedarville College gave welcoming remarks. Norris Smith '63, current baseball coach, leads this reunion each year. Thanks to him for his organization and to all the alumni who participated to make this annual event a success! 5SUMMER'97