Inspire, Winter 1995

Dr. Warren Wiersbe returned to the campus as speaker for the annual Fall Bible Conference September 19-23. He pastored several churches, including The Moody Church in Chicago, was general director of Back to the Bible in Lincoln, Nebraska,and currently is involved with a writing, teaching, and conference ministry. The author of nearly 100 books on spiritual themes, Dr. Wiersbe has most recently published an autobiography, Be Myself. He received an honorary doctorate from Cedarville in 1987, when he delivered the Charter Day address inaugurating Cedarville's Centennial Celebration. Now directing Cedarville's MIS program is Brian Nester,former missionary to Hungary with the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism. A graduate of Tennessee Temple University, Nester previously served in youth ministries. While in Hungary, he worked with representatives of the College to arrange for Cedarville's first MIS teams to that country. Brian looks forward to further developing the MIS program at Cedarville and sending students into the world to share the love of Christ. Heritage Corner First-Ever 50 Year Cluster Reunion Celebrated During Homecoming 1994 T he classes of 1943, 1944,and 1945 gathered on the campus of Cedarville College to celebrate a milestone 50 years. Because World War II mandated slim numbers ofcollege students,the three classes reminisced together about the good'ole days. Approximately 25 former students and their spouses attended this gala event. Beginning at 10:00 a.m.,the classes gathered in the James T. Jeremiah Chapel for the State ofthe College Address delivered by Cedarville College president,Paul Dixon.Then,they were offto the President's Dining Room for a light lunch followed by a tour ofthe campus.Other Heritage Alumnijoined the luncheon and tour to wish the classes well and to congratulate them on reaching the 50 year mark!A reception and formal banquet was held in the evening,featuring a 1940's barbershop quartet,the reading ofthe class minutes,a historical slide production,a delicious meal,and the presentation ofa class gift to Cedarville College.The classes of 1943, 1944,and 1945 gave a gift of$600to purchase artwork for the new Ministry Center,including facilities for chapel, music,and Christian Ministries. The reunion committee that planned,organized,and called classmates,consisted ofthree friends and classmates—Helen O'Bryant,Beatrice O'Bryant Thompson, and Ruth Andrews.These ladies met throughout the summer and fall months planning every detail to assure that this event would be a success.They spent endless hours writing to classmates,calling,and researching addresses and phone numbers for "missing classmates." Thank you,ladies,for all your hard work! And congratulations to the classes of 1943, 1944,and 1945! Gifts Will Improve Athletic Center Access hen the Athletic Center was dedicated in 1982,I had the privilege ofrepresenting the student body as student body president, while placing mortar on the dedication stone. Wouldn't it be great if during Homecoming 1997(15 years after its construction) that building could become useable by all students?" Alumni who remember the opening ofthe AC will recall that the student body president for 1981-82 was Curtis Hoke.An active and outgoing.leader, Curtis graduated in 1983 with a major in mathematics.Thatsummer,he was paralyzed in a swimming accident and has been a wheelchair user ever since. After a period of hospitalization and rehabilitation, Curtis got ajob at an engineering company in Philadelphia and married his college sweetheart,Carol Stoltzfus'82.Curtis has pursued a career in computer programming,and now serves as systems manager for Stoltzfus Enterprises,Ltd., a building/developing company started by Carol's father. God blessed the Hokes with a daughter,Cindy,in 1989.Carol,an elementary education graduate of Cedarville,earned an M.Ed.and now teaches Cindy and 14 other children part-time in her home,supplementing the home-schooling the children receive from their parents. As a quadriplegic,Curtis Hoke has special reason to be interested in accessibility for the disabled. He also still has a deep appreciation for Cedarville College.The challenge quoted above is taken from a letter Curtis and Carol sent to Dr.Dixon this past fall. Enclosed was a substantial, unsolicited gift to help make possible an elevator to the Student Center on the second floor ofthe Athletic Center. The Student Center is the main recreational area for Cedarville College students and visitors and is only accessible via stairways.The original building plans included an elevator,but it was left out due to cost. Cedarville has begun efforts to improve wheelchair accessibility to campus buildings, yet some ofthe more expensive options have remained on a list for future consideration. That was the case for the $38,500 elevator in the AC...until now. In response to the Hokes'generosity,the administration has decided to install an elevator as soon as physically and financially possible. Curtis and Carol invite their friends and other alumni to assist the College with this worthy project. Several thousand dollars are still needed to cover the cost ofthe elevator,and other accessibility items remain on a list awaiting funding. A lumni who wish to give toward the elevator and similar projects may send a check to Cedarville College with a note designating the intent ofthe gift. The contact person for gifts or questions is Dr. Martin Clark,Development Office, Cedarville College,Cedarville,OH 45314;513-766-7810. Members Of A Family(continued from previous page) arranged transportation for them to the Cale home.He did many things for the grieving family. And all the while he was thinking, "I can't believe out of all 132 people,I should be assigned to a family of believers,fellow members ofthe family orGod. The day before the memorial service,Dan was talking to the family.He had officially completed the business that he was sent there to do in the capacity ofa USAir employee.He closed his notebook,and he began to talk about family.He told them that his father was a minister—that he was a Christian and how he was so amazed that God had brought them together. When Dan told them that he had graduated from a small Christian college in Ohio,Barb,Bill, and Karen just looked at each other."Where?" they asked in unison."Oh,a small college you've probably never heard of—Cedarville College," he answered. "...a small college you've probably never heard of..." In the nextfew momentsofeveryone talking at once,cries of "I can't believe this," and hugs,they realized that their connection went far beyond a family in need and an employee ofUSAir.In addition to being members ofGod's family,they were members ofthe Cedarville College family. And that was a connection they would all cherish. Dan Dunn is a 1978 graduate ofCedarville College. Sandi Hamer,author ofthis article, is Associate Professor of English,a 1964 graduate ofCedarville College, and afriend of the Hamiltonfamily. 5 WINTER'95