Inspire, Summer 2008

a lumnotes Cedarville University 39 If you would like to contact a friend highlighted in this section, please contact alumni@cedarville.edu . We’d be glad to put you in touch. alumni spotlight alumni spotlight alumni spotlight alumni spotlight alumni spotlight alumni spotlight alumni spotlight alumni spotlight Putting the “Care” in Career For two years, Jonathan Coleman ’05 has ministered to children in the Dominican Republic (DR) as a member of a Kids Alive International team. Some people might see that as a good missionary stint before starting a “real” career. But for this management major from Jackson, Missouri, it was just the beginning. Working with kids is now his career. “I realized that helping at-risk children, especially those living in poverty, was more than just a passing interest for me,” he said. “It’s something I want to do long-term.” In fact, Jonathan’s work in the DR completely changed his mindset about life, setting him on a course that is now leading in the direction of Sudan. Jonathan discovered that the skill sets and experiences he gained in the DR make him well-suited for the troubled African nation. He noted, “I’m young, single, and enjoy being stretched in how and where I live my life, so it seems an easy decision to go where many either can’t or don’t want to go.” Jonathan currently is in the U.S. raising support. Next, he’ll head to Lebanon for three months of language school. He will then join his new Kids Alive team as assistant field director, working under the Sudanese man in charge of the five ministry locations there. “I’m taking a solid biblical foundation from my years at Cedarville,” he said. “With that basis, I’ve been able to determine how I can best live out this faith that I profess.” You may contact Jonathan at jcoleman@alumni.cedarville.edu . Jonathan ’06 and Kristy (Griffith) Hill ’96 announce the birth of Caleb Jackson on October 24, 2007. They thank God for such a blessing through adoption. They live in Garland, Texas, where Jon works security for Fellowship Church while he pursues a master’s degree. Kristy enjoys being a full-time mom. In Memory We extend our condolences to the families and friends of these dear loved ones. Joyce Grant ‘62 of Silvis, Illinois, went home to be with her Savior on September 4, 2007, after a lingering illness. She was an elementary teacher for 29 years and earned a Master of Education degree. Joyce enjoyed playing the organ at church, teaching Sunday school, directing special programs, and especially organizing the puppet ministry. Aloha Patch ’63 passed away at her home in Rochester, Minnesota, on December 6, 2006. She was born October 7, 1935, in Austin, Minnesota. After graduating from Cedarville, she moved to Chicago where she worked as a medical technologist for a year. She then headed west to Los Angeles, California, where she lived for more than 30 years with her sister. Aloha worked at three different hospitals as a clinical lab scientist. She retired in 2001 from Garden Grove Hospital in California and then moved to Rochester, Minnesota, to be closer to relatives. Her hobbies included painting, woodcrafts, reading, and travel. Valerie L. (Merryman) Hood ’66 of Florence, Oregon, passed away on April 12, 2008, due to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. While at Cedarville, Valerie earned degrees in Bible, biology, and chemistry. After graduating, she worked at the University of California in Irvine, then moved to the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, where she was employed as a lab technician and operated the electro-microscope in research. When she retired in 1996, Valerie moved to the Florence area and worked at the Ninth Street Pharmacy. She loved fishing, boating, working in computer graphics, and traveling by motor home. Valerie is survived by her husband of 32 years and three stepdaughters. Donald Herbert Smith ’77 of Baltimore, Maryland, passed away on April 1, 2008, after battling lung cancer. Upon graduating from Cedarville, Don served in the U.S. Air Force before completing two master’s degrees in psychology and computer technology and later receiving a doctorate degree in education. At the time of his death, he worked as the chief consultant and IT manager at the San Diego State University Research Foundation. His friends and family members remember him for his sense of humor, easy- going personality, and servant’s heart. Don leaves behind his mother, a sister and brother, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Cynthia (Dull) Griebenow ’85 passed away on January 16, 2002, when she was involved in an automobile crash. She graduated with a degree in elementary education and lived in Panama for 15 years as a teacher to missionary kids. Cindy later worked with learning-disabled children in Michigan’s Jackson County. She is survived by her mother and a sister. Daniel H. Rase ’87 of Portsmouth, Ohio, passed away on March 17, 2008. After graduating from Cedarville, he served as the youth pastor at Calvary Baptist Church and Twin Valley Baptist Church. Most recently, he was the youth and children’s ministries minister at Temple Baptist Church. In addition, Dan was a former hospice and Southern Ohio Medical Center chaplain and chairman of CRADLE Crisis Pregnancy Care Center. He is survived by his wife, Joyce; his daughter, McKayla “Kaylee”; his parents; and a sister. Updates may be sent to Alumni Relations, 251 N. Main St., Cedarville, Ohio 45314 or e-mailed to alumni@cedarville.edu . For guidelines and requirements, visit www.cedarville.edu/inspire . “I realized that helping at-risk children ... was more than just a passing interest for me.”