Inspire, Summer 2002

4 Summer 2002 What’s Abuz z z z z z z z z President’s Pen Inspire 5 C edarville University’s Leadership Institute and the Miriam Maddox Forum had the privilege of inviting three prominent leaders to campus in April. First to visit was U.S. Senator Mike DeWine (middle right), who discussed leadership and character issues with a group of students, faculty, and staff. Dr. Dixon ’94H introduced Senator DeWine as a public servant who “has always been known for his integrity and for his commitment to the family.” Dr. Dixon then presented the Senator with the inaugural Cedarville University Character Forum Award “in recognition of the example of strong character-based leadership that he provides for future leaders.” Just a few weeks later, Ohio Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell (bottom right) spoke in chapel on the importance of character to effective leadership. Blackwell, who has served as mayor of Cincinnati and ambassador to the U.N. Commission on Human Rights, made it plain that public service must be meshed with biblical integrity. He later spoke with a group of students, faculty, and staff about similar issues of character in leadership. Both Senator DeWine and Secretary of State Blackwell appeared as part of the Character Forum, which is sponsored by the Cedarville University Leadership Institute. One of the Forum’s objectives is to expose Cedarville University students to positive role models of character in leadership capacities. Political reporter and columnist Fred Barnes (top right) rounded out the month of visitors, as he spoke in chapel about the importance of worldview to journalists and media professionals. He later told a group of Cedarville students, faculty, and staff members that the journalism profession is “crying for journalists with Christian values and principles.” Barnes, a fixture on Fox News as one of “The Beltway Boys,” also spoke about the changes in the tenor of political discussions as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11. Barnes’ visit to the campus was sponsored by the Miriam Maddox Forum, a communication arts alumni society that fosters the development of Christian communicators in the public arena. o you remember the family series in chapel that we have done every four years? I have loved doing it. The response from students and alumni has been quite positive. Our Cedarville University family is committed to family because our God is committed to family. But not all of His servants are members of intact families. We praise Him for the key Kingdom role of singles who have never married. Our churches, camps, missions, and certainly Cedarville University are dependent upon these faithful servants. There was a time in the church when a divorced saint had no place of service. Generally, that is no longer true. All of us hate divorce because God says He hates divorce. We care for those who have gone through this painful and traumatic experience, and at Cedarville we have changed our policy on hiring divorcees. A number of our grads have experienced divorce, and we are saddened as they are. However, there is life and ministry after divorce. We endeavor to communicate to our divorcees that we care by telling them that they can call collect and come to visit us on campus at any time. We also rejoice in the dynamic ministry of our graduates who are widows and widowers. Nadine Terrill Hennesey ’87 is representative of this group. In 1990 she was serving with her husband Ed ’88 in Goodells, Michigan. It was a sad day when she walked into his office to bring him lunch and found he had died of cardiac arrest at age 26. She testifies that through her tears she began singing Christ Is All I Need . Today Nadine and her daughter Lydia, age 11, serve Christ in a restricted access country. Is our Lord for the family? Without a doubt! He also has a plan for single Cedarville alumni who serve for “the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Paul Dixon ’94H President University Welcomes Leaders to Campus D Special Guests at Missions Conference T his year’s Missionary Conference welcomed Dr. Paul Nyquist, president of Gospel Missionary Union, as the keynote speaker. In addition, the Cedarville family heard from missionaries Jim Bowers and Tania Rich about their lives since the loss of their spouses. Jim was with his wife, Veronica; son, Corey; and infant daughter, Charity, serving as ABWE missionaries in Peru, when the Peruvian military shot down their small plane last year. Veronica and Charity were killed. Tania and her husband, Mark, were serving with New Tribes Missions in Panama when Mark, along with Dave Mankins and Rich Tenenoff, was kidnapped by Colombian guerrillas in 1993. It was only recently verified that Mark, Dave, and Rich were killed by their captors in 1996. Along with these gripping messages, students heard the stories and experiences of many other missionaries who attended. More than 50 missionaries were on campus representing more than 30 mission agencies. Many students made ministry decisions at the end of the conference. Jim Bowers Tania Rich Did You Know? Cedarville University hosted this year’s General Association of Regular Baptist Churches (GARBC) annual conference June 24-28. Speakers and teachers included W. David Warren ’64, Dr. Robert Gromacki, Dr. Chris Miller, and Judy Shrubsole. Jim Cato ’83 led worship. This year’s theme was “How Deep are Your Roots?” Did You Know? O n May 31, Cedarville University announced that its board of trustees has selected Dr. William E. Brown, president of Bryan College in Dayton, Tennessee, to succeed Dr. Dixon ’94H as president. The transition will take place in spring 2003, as Dr. Dixon becomes chancellor of the University. The board's selection followed a rigorous, international search for Dr. Dixon's successor. "This concludes an extensive search process during which numerous outstanding candidates were considered," said Dr. Bill Rudd, chairman of the board of trustees. "God's clear leading has been evidenced by the enthusiasm and unanimity with which Dr. Brown has been received by all who have met him in the interview process." "I am excited about the board's choice," said Dr. Dixon. "Bill Brown brings so many fine qualities to our Cedarville family. He's exceptionally well-prepared to lead Cedarville University in its mission of providing an education consistent with biblical truth. His scholarship, administrative experience, and well-deserved reputation will help the University further its vision. Dr. Brown has a genuine heart for God and an intense love for university students. He has a strong commitment to assist Christians in developing their worldview." Dr. Brown earned his undergraduate degree at the University of South Florida and holds a master of theology degree and a Ph.D. from Dallas Theological Seminary. He joined the Bryan faculty in 1984 as an assistant professor for biblical studies, was named academic vice president and provost in 1988, and has served as Bryan’s president since 1992. Dr. Brown and his wife, the former Lynne Jones, have been married for 26 years. They have a daughter, April (17), and a son, Alex (13). "God has unusual ways of leading us," Dr. Brown said. "Leaving our beloved Bryan College is the most difficult decision we have ever made. If it were not for the belief that God has a significant future for us at Cedarville University, we would never have considered the presidency of this great institution. Lynne, April, Alex and I look forward to the years ahead and being a part of the exciting and unique Christian worldview education at Cedarville.” In addition to his teaching and administrative duties at Bryan, Dr. Brown is a prolific author. He has written three books, Making Sense of Your Faith; Where Have All the Dreamers Gone?: Observations from a Biblical Worldview; and Making Sense of Your World (with Gary Phillips). Additionally, Dr. Brown has authored more than a hundred articles for journals, magazines (Readers Digest and Christianity Today), newspapers, and encyclopedias. He is a regular columnist for the national magazine, World. His memberships include the Society of Christian Philosophers, the Evangelical Philosophical Society, and the Evangelical Theological Society. Cedarville University Announces Presidential Choice Clockwise from top left: Dr. Bill Rudd, Dr. and Mrs. Brown, Dr. Bill Brown and Dr. Paul Dixon, Dr. and Mrs. Dixon