Inspire, Summer 2012

alumni spotlight Changing Lives Through Sports Marla Rice ’09 first discovered the global sports ministry organization Athletes in Action (AIA) through a program at her church. In an “adopt a student” program, she was paired with an AIA staff family. As a former track runner herself, Marla was immediately impressed by the breadth of the organization’s ministry through sports. Today Marla is the assistant to AIA’s president, Mark Householder, and she works at the ministry’s world headquarters in Xenia, Ohio. AIA sees itself as a pioneer, innovator, and servant-leader in sports ministry, and its motivation is to change lives. It recognizes the universal language of sports and its influence to shape cultures, heal nations, break down barriers, and restore national pride. Since 1966, AIA has been sharing its message of “victory beyond competition” found only in a relationship with Jesus Christ. AIA’s proximity to campus creates a natural opportunity for partnership. Not only does Marla work alongside several Cedarville alumni, but part of AIA’s mission is to engage university student-athletes, including many Yellow Jackets, in its ministry. Cedarville students raise their own support to work as interns at the headquarters or join teams that tour overseas. Athletic ministry has been an important part of Marla’s life as a means of glorifying God and spreading the Gospel, and she enjoys helping others use their love for athletics to minister through sports and competition. Several Cedarville alumni work at AIA’s world headquarters in Xenia, Ohio. Left to right: David Perlow ’00, Mary (Edwards) Dixon ’11, Marla Rice ’09, Kelly (Martin) Mangin ’05, Lisa Martin ’96 M.Ed. ’07. “AIA’s proximity to campus creates a natural opportunity for partnership.” Send us your news! Deadlines are December 15 for the spring issue, April 15 for the summer issue, and August 15 for the fall/winter issue. The editorial staff has full discretion regarding submissions. Submit your updates to Inspire, Cedarville University, 251 N. Main St., Cedarville, OH 45314, or cedarville.edu/inspire . David A. Mills ’64 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away May 5, 2012. David was a member of Victory Baptist Church and pastored several churches for nearly 30 years. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and manager of the radio station WYFN. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lois Anne (Jeremiah) ’60 ; parents, Robert and Lena Mills; son, Peter; and brothers, Jim and Tommy. He is survived by children, Tammi Wagner (Ken), Denise Dize (Mike), and Scott ’92 (Kelly); and seven grandchildren. David A. Kearney ’70 , of Clifton, Ohio, passed away on April 20, 2012. David was student body president his senior year at Cedarville. He worked as an investment advisor for Waddell & Reed Investments and was an elder in his church. He is survived by his wife, Denise; daughter, Jennifer Teeter (Matthew); son, David (Cheryl Ann); two grandchildren; sisters, Ruth Hales (Terry) and Linnie Ann; brothers, Terry (Sharon) and James; and several nieces and nephews. Gloria (Scott) Hellwig ’84 of Lakewood, Colorado, passed away April 20, 2012. She graduated with a physical education major and taught physical education and coached volleyball in Christian schools in Michigan and Colorado. She enjoyed serving at her local church. She is survived by her husband, Eric ’84 ; son, Brandon ’12 ; daughters, Ashley (Hellwig) Kohl ’11 and Caitlynn ’13 ; brother-in-law Evan ’84 ( Kelly Herbert ’85 ); and nephews and nieces. Kathleen (Webber) Schwartz ’90 of Westerville, Ohio, passed away March 22, 2012. Kathleen was a physical education teacher and a basketball and volleyball coach at Polaris Christian Academy as well as a community leader and devoted mother. Her legacy will be the extraordinary impact she left on countless lives as she selflessly sought to help, teach, guide, and give to others. Kathleen is survived by her husband, Mark; her children, Taylor, Grant, Reagan, and Anna; her parents, Arthur and Anna Webber; siblings and their spouses; and aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. If you would like to contact a friend highlighted in this section, please email us at alumni@cedarville.edu. We’d be glad to put you in touch. CEDARVILLE UNIVERSITY 39 a lumnotes