Inspire, Winter 1995

Cedarville College Benchmarks ForThe 21st Century In 1988,the administration and Board of Trustees at Cedarville College established 20 benchmarks—the traditions that have given Cedarville College strength over the years and those traditions that will carry us into the 21st century. 1. Mission driven The college mission provides the focus for the direction ofthe College and is consistently articulated before all our constituencies. 2. Commitmentto strategic planning Strategic planning drives the vision and helps to fulfill the mission ofthe College.The process involves the trustees, administrators,faculty,and staff. Resource decisions are directly related to the strategic plan. 3. Bible minor for all students A minor in Bible is a required portion ofevery baccalaureate program. 4. Chapel Daily chapel is central to the experience for our Cedarville College family. It is the heartbeat ofa Christian college,and it will continue to be a priority with attendance required offaculty and students. S. Commitmentto evangelism and discipleship A commitment to evangelism and discipleship motivates the spiritual life ofthe College and is integrated throughout the various programs.Fulfilling the Great Commission will continue to be a major focus. 6. Commitment to strengthening the Christian faith A commitment to strengthening the Christian faith motivates emphases on biblical scholarship and an informed passion ofthe propagation ofthe Word ofGod. 7. Baptist The College retains its doctrinal statement historically identified as Baptist while offering its education to a broad diversity ofChristian students. 8. Unity on the doctrinal statement with acceptance ofdiversity in other areas College personnel manifest unwavering unity on the doctrinal statement with acceptance ofthe exercise of Christian liberty in other areas. 9. Distinction between biblical mandates and institutional preferences A distinction between biblical mandates and institutional preferences is maintained to create a productive atmosphere for developing Christian lifestyle patterns and attitudes. 10. A caring family The college family reaches out with genuine care, wherever and however possible,to its own members,alumni,local community,and others. 11. Comprehensive academics Comprehensive academics with a traditional liberal arts core prepares graduates for graduate school and professional careers and provides the foundation for lifelong learning and personal and family development. Our Traditions 12. Primarily an undergraduate institution Quality in undergraduate higher education is the core ofthe college program. When graduate programs are considered,they will be started only ifthey enhance the quality of the undergraduate program. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. Balance Programming will maintain a responsiveness to the whole person with the resulting balance ofthe spiritual, academic,professional, personal,social,and physical. Strong extracurricular activities program A strong extracurricular activities program involving as many students as possible enhances personal,social, physical,and leadership development. Sound management principles The exercise offaith and the stewardship ofGod's resources require sound management and fiscal policies. Non-governmentalsupport As a part ofits commitmentto independence and to the free enterprise philosophy,the College operates apart from direct support from the government. Price/value Costs to students remain competitive with lower cost competitors while the value of the educational experience is equal to or greater than higher cost competitors. Assuring student access Academic pricing and standards are set to provide opportunity for enrollment and degree completion by a diverse student population. Strategic involvement in community development The College is involved with local and regional planning entities as an active participant in community growth. Recruitment,development,and retention of personnel The recruitment,development,and retention ofcompetent and dedicated personnel contribute to the long-term benefit ofthe College and the value of its programs. The Rock F or nearly 20 years, members ofthe Cedarville College family have enjoyed the tradition ofThe Rock. Located between the College Center, Milner Business Administration Building,and ENS Center, The Rock has endured countless paintings, its message often changing every day. Those who use The Rock to convey their messages include individuals proposing to girlfriends or boyfriends,organizations intent on showing their spirit, or dormitory residents expressing their creativity. The most popular medium for decorating The Rock is spray paint. Almost every color in the spectrum has probably been used on The Rock,but two- or three-color schemes seem most prevalent for each new rendering. This particular rock has only been around since October 28, 1978. Before its arrival, the college family had a "spirit log."It was the trunk ofan old tree,and students often competed for possession ofthe spirit log. Men's dormitories particularly enjoyed this rivalry, although Faith Hall successfully captured it once. Before the spirit log came to campus,students liked to hide the bell that belonged to the college bookstore.That bell is now cemented in front ofthe Athletic Center. Even prior to the tradition ofhiding the bell, students had two other rocks that often "disappeared"and reappeared in odd places on campus or around town.The first rock came to campus through the efforts ofthe Class of 1960,which includes Dwayne Frank,Merlin Ager,Pete Reese,and David Matson.A second rock found its way to campus afew years later. Both rocks could be moved by four or five people and, unfortunately,someone was injured during an attempt to hide one ofthe rocks. As a result, both rocks were dumped into a pond. Today's Rock weighs between nine and ten tons and is not easily moved.It will likely remain in its present location and continue to capture the creative communication ofthe Cedarville College students. Blending Traditions c hancellor James T.Jeremiah and Ethel Rayburn Jeremiah discovered that their respective families share some ofthe same traditions. They celebrated their first anniversary in March and are enjoying their second marriage. A Christmas morning tradition ofboth families that Dr.and Mrs.Jeremiah continue is to read Luke2and pray before opening gifts. A new Christmas tradition takes them to El Cajon,California where they attend "Sounds ofthe Season," an annual musical presented by Shadow Mountain Community Church,pastored by Dr.David Jeremiah'64.On the return trip, the Jeremiahs stop in Waterloo,Iowa to visit Mrs.Jeremiah's daughter Marilyn Rayburn Twigg'78 and her family.The holidays conclude with a New Years Day tradition that Mrs. Jeremiah brought to the new marriage—dining out with friends. Continuing the tradition ofserving others and serving the Lord holds high priority with these senior saints. Dr.Jeremiah continues his daily radio program,"The Senior Advantage."He also has a full schedule ofspeaking engagements to senior groups at churches and camps,accompanied by his wife, who manages the book table. Mrs. Jeremiah continues her weekly service as a Red Cross volunteer at Greene Memorial Hospital in Xenia,Ohio. .* Clidilura 1 Christmas Tree Becomes Campus Tradition ir, his is the third year that the Alumni Association has displayed a Cultural Christmas Tree for the enjoyment ofalumni who return to Homecoming.The tree,its many beautiful ornaments donated by alumni,answered a need to recognize and involve our 175 alumni who live and serve in a variety of cultures overseas and in the United States. The tree is also displayed for the student body during the month ofDecember,and prayer requests for those alumni in missions and living overseas are brought before the student body in chapel each day.Students have also become involved by bringing back ornamentsfrom MIS trips. The first tree,lighted in 1993,held 64donated ornaments.If you would like to donate an ornament for the tree, please mail it to the Alumni Office,P.O. Box 601,Cedarville,OH 45314, along with any information about the ornament,the culture,and yourself. Project Angel Tree Straight From The Heart F or nine years, members of the Cedarville College family and listeners ofthe CDR Radio Network have helped parents who are in prison share Christmas with their children by providing gifts on their behalf. "Angel Tree provides a great hands-on learning experience about the blessings that comefrom giving,"says CDR Radio's Mark Kordic'87N,coordinator ofthe annual outreach. "We are notjust giving gifts such as clothing and toys," Kordic says."With each gift is an illustrated booklet,telling about the life of Jesus and the plan ofsalvation—the story of what Christmas is all about." One ofthe goals ofthe project is to restore family ties which are often broken by the pressures ofincarceration. Prayers have been answered in a number offamilies. Several former inmates who had gifts delivered to their children when they were behind bars have become believers and now serve as active donors to other families! The project is sponsored in conjunction with Prison Fellowship,an international Christian outreach.If you are interested in taking part in Project Angel Tree in your community, contact the CDR Radio Network at 1-800-333-0601. ANGELTREE A Ministry ofPrison Fellowship