Inspire, Summer 2008

40 summer 2008 On May 3, the University celebrated its 112th commencement and conferred degrees on more than 650 students. Dr. Kay Coles James, founder and president of The Gloucester Institute, delivered the commencement address. She challenged the class to become students of culture who are able to defend positions based on biblical principles. Referencing Ephesians 6:10, Dr. James concluded, “Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God.” Appointed by President George W. Bush, Dr. James served as director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. She has worked with dozens of for-profit and not-for-profit organizations and has experience in every sector of America’s economy. At this year’s commencement, three graduates were honored with the University’s most prestigious student award, the President’s Trophy, which recognizes leadership, ministry, community and campus involvement, athletic performance, and academic achievement. The 2008 recipients were Kristie Febo, a Spanish major from Coventry, Rhode Island; Micah Martin, a music performance major from Morning Sun, Iowa; and Bingja Grace (Zhang) Phillips, a psychology major from Cedarville, Ohio. The Faculty Scholarship Award was presented to six students who maintained 4.0 grade point averages throughout their college careers. The recipients were Joshua Garling, a computer science major from Westerville, Ohio; Kevin Gulley, a biology major from Wheelersburg, Ohio; Jacob Kern, a comprehensive Bible major from Wooster, Ohio; Brett Smith, a philosophy major from New London, Ohio; Megan (Waters) Lynch, an international studies major from New Albany, Indiana; and Laura Ziegenfus, a Spanish multi-age education major from Binghamton, New York. The class of 2008 presented a financial donation in honor of classmate Dan Knudsen, who suffered a paralyzing spinal cord injury during an international missions trip. The gift will be used to reconfigure a portion of a men’s residence hall to provide on-campus housing for a male student needing advanced physical care. Cedarville Celebrates Commencement 2008