Inspire, Summer 2005

Honor to Whom Honor is Due Profs Recognized for Excellence in Teaching Each year, SOCHE (Southwestern Ohio Council for Higher Education) selects outstanding faculty from their 23 member schools to receive the SOCHE Excellence in Teaching Awards. On March 18, three Cedarville University faculty members received this honor: Dr. Donald Baumann, professor of biology and chemistry; Dr. Heather Kuruvilla, associate professor of biology; and Michelle Gaffner Wood ’92, assistant professor of English. For 39 years, Dr. Baumann has exhibited stellar classroom and laboratory teaching and quality one-on-one interactions with students. Feedback from current students and alumni alike indicate how his dedication to teaching students has had a significant impact upon their lives. In addition, Dr. Baumann chaired the department of science and mathematics from 1967-1989. An excellent classroom and laboratory teacher who has consistently received outstanding student evaluations, Dr. Kuruvilla has supervised more than 30 biology students in senior research projects which were eventually published. For four years, she served as co-advisor of the student chapter of the Society for Women Engineers. Frequently receiving the highest student evaluations in her department, Michelle is a rigorous and creative teacher who developed an innovative multi-genre writing project for her American literature class. She and three of her students presented the project results at the 2004 National Conference on College Composition and Communication. Women’s Choir Sings at Carnegie Hall Twenty-one members of the Cedarville University Women’s Choir performed in New York City’s legendary Carnegie Hall on Easter Sunday. Assistant Professor of Vocal Music Beth Cram Porter, director of the choir, explained that the choir was one of six choruses from around the nation invited to sing under the direction of famed English composer/conductor John Rutter. With the New England Symphonic Ensemble, the women performed Rutter’s Gloria and Te Deum . John Rutter selected Cedarville freshman Angela Stephens to sing in a “semi-chorus” section of Gloria . A multi-age music education Changes at CU Please be in prayer regarding a number of moves which are taking place among the faculty and staff at Cedarville University. Dr. Duane Wood is moving from his academic vice president position to the newly created role of executive director for program development. Dr. Robert Milliman , dean of the School of Humanities, Fine Arts, and Bible, has been promoted to the academic vice president slot. Dr. Jack Riggs , senior professor emeritus of Bible, will fill in as interim dean for the 2005-2006 academic year. Dr. Chris Miller is returning to full-time teaching after serving as chair of the department of biblical education for four years. Dr. Thomas Cragoe , associate professor of Bible, will serve as interim director of the department. Dr. Merlin Ager ’60 , dean of the School of Social Sciences and Professional Studies and professor of education, is retiring from the dean’s position to focus on being a full-time faculty member. Filling his dean’s role will be Dr. Kevin Sims ’74 , who had been serving as director of summer school and continuing education as well as associate professor of political science. Dr. David Matson ’60 , Dr. Richard Baldwin, and Alberta Carr ’63 are also retiring. Dr. Matson, who is currently professor of music history, has served Cedarville since 1965 and will continue teaching in the department of music and art part-time. Dr. Baldwin started at Cedarville in 1975 and will be trading his current part-time role as professor of management for full-time retirement. Alberta is retiring from her work as the Bible and textbook buyer after 26 years of service. Chapel Highlights 8 Summer 2005 Dr. Duane Wood Dr. Chris Miller Dr. Merlin Ager ’60 Dr. David Matson ’60 Alberta Carr ’63 Dr. Richard Baldwin Dr. Howard Hendricks (above), distinguished professor at Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS), spoke on “How to Keep the Elephants Off Your Air Hose” March 16 and 17. Dr. Hendricks is a Christian visionary and author as well as chair of the Center for Christian Leadership at DTS. He has been a board member for well-known Christian organizations such as Walk Thru the Bible®, The Navigators, and Promise Keepers®. Jason Nightingale, co-founder of Wordsower International, gave a dramatic recitation of Hebrews and Ephesians on April 5 and 6. Jason and his wife, Sharon, teach and exhort through dramatic recitation of entire books of the New Testament or large portions of Scripture. Their ministry, founded in 1974, donates most of its proceeds to raise support for and awareness of orphans and widows in West Africa. More information about the Wordsower ministry is available at www.wordsower.org. To order audiocassettes, CDs, or DVDs of chapel messages, call the CDR Radio Network at 1-800-333-0601.