Inspire, Summer 2010

campus news Stream of Influence When you add 3,000 people and more than 30 buildings to a campus, you’re bound to notice some changes, not the least of which is the effect on the environment. Having more facilities increases the volume of water runoff from sidewalks, buildings, and parking lots, and a larger campus population increases the demand for clean water. Students and faculty are beginning to reduce Cedarville’s environmental “footprint” by stewarding God’s creation. Since 2000, Dr. John Silvius, senior professor of biology, and his students have been restoring a former agricultural field on campus to a prairie. The tall prairie grasses trap carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and allow storm water runoff to soak into the soil, recharging the campus’ groundwater supply. Like prairies, wetlands trap water and protect streams from being polluted by excess nutrients. Thus in 2006, Dr. Silvius began restoring the Cedar Creek Wetland on campus. Working as a sponge, it reduces the flow of storm water while trapping lawn fertilizer runoff. Otherwise, this water will disrupt ecosystems downstream on its way to the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers and the Gulf of Mexico. The wetland supports a flourishing local plant and animal community that includes songbirds, wildflowers, and the Great Blue Heron. Anton Kilburn ’09, one of Dr. Silvius’ former students, decided to take the project a step further by educating the local community. He developed a brochure that leads visitors on a walking tour along stations that highlight aspects of the wetland. “We wanted to explain why we were involved with this project,” Anton said. “Educating others about God’s creation will, I hope, motivate them to be better stewards of it.” The hikers learn how the wetland improves water quality and how caring for creation promotes healthy habitats. The wetland and the walking tour exemplify Cedarville’s commitment to environmental responsibility and God-honoring stewardship. Authentic praise. A community gathering. Challenging speakers. chapel report Scott Lehr ’00 (March 9–10) Lead Pastor of Southbridge Fellowship, Raleigh, North Carolina www.southbridgefellowship.com Jerry Bridges (March 11) Author, Speaker, and Staff Member with The Navigators www.navigators.org Marilyn Laszlo (March 16–17) Founder of Laszlo Mission League www.laszlomissionleague.com Deforia Lane (March 30) University Trustee and Director of Music Therapy at University Hospitals Ireland Cancer Center, Cleveland, Ohio www.uhhospitals.org Jason Nightingale (March 31–April 1) President of Wordsower International www.wordsower.org John Tolson (April 7) Founder and Chairman of the Tolson Group and Chaplain for the Dallas Cowboys www.tolsongroup.com John Hays (April 14) University Trustee and Senior Pastor of Jersey Baptist Church, Pataskala, Ohio www.jerseychurch.org Some things never change. Meet a few of the guests who spoke in chapel during the past few months. Listen to archived chapel broadcasts at www.ThePath.fm/chapel . “Students and faculty are beginning to reduce Cedarville’s environmental ‘footprint.’” CEDARVILLE UNIVERSITY 3