Inspire, Winter 1995

CEDARVILLE. COLLEGE tp -11 II-I I L 131 This year's enrollment of 2,454 students marks the fifth record enrollment in as many years. The increase of 76 students over fall 1994 resulted from improved retention. The freshman class of 626 students came from 41 states and possess some impressive academic credentials: average high school GPA of 3.53; average ACT of 24.7:180(32%)in the top 10% of their high school class,97(15%)as valedictorian or salutatorian; 67(11%)President's Scholars with ACT or SAT in the top 2% nationally. Alistair Begg,senior pastor of Parkside Church in Chagrin Falls, Ohio,challenged and encouraged the college family as guest speaker for the annual Fall Bible Conference, September 18-22. A native of Scotland, Rev. Begg pastored churches in Edinburgh and Glasgow before coming to Parkside in 1983. His ministry reaches beyond Parkside through radio and Bible study luncheons with Cleveland business leaders. Alistair and his wife, Susan, have three children. Alumna of the Year 1995 Il i ayne Eberling Schooler graduated from Cedarville College in 1974 with a bachelor of arts in English. After graduation,Jayne planned to teach school, which is exactly what she did in both the public and private school setting from 1975 to 1986. Her involvement with foster parenting began when Jayne and her husband,David,became foster parents in 1978.She has been involved with Warren County Children's Services since 1981,first as a foster parent,then as an adoptive parent. She currently serves as the post adoption services coordinator for the agency located in Lebanon,Ohio. As part of her duties,Jayne not only works with families and children in their pre- and post-adoption experiences, but she also assists adult adoptees with search and reunion issues. In addition,Jayne conducts workshops on foster and adoptive parent issues both on the state and national level. Jayne is a regular columnist for the Adoptive Families magazine and has contributed over 160 articles to other state and national publications.She has made guest appearances on over three dozen radio talk shows across the country,speaking on adoption issues. A writer in the field offoster care and adoption,she is the author of The Whole Life Adoption Book(1993)and Searchingfora Past:An Adopted Adult's Unique Process ofFinding Identity(1995). David is senior pastor ofthe West Carrollton Nazarene Church,and Jayne has shared in her husband's ministry for 20 years. Jayne and David are the parents of two children,Ray(28),whojoined their family first by foster care and then by adoption at the age of 16,and a birth daughter, Kristy(19). _ it Young ACumnus of the Year 1995 Duane B.Priddy,jr. uane B.Priddy,Jr.'90 is grateful for the education he received at Cedarville College,especially in the areas ofBible and the sciences. Duane shares,"Cedarville prepared me to be a witness in the scientific community." After graduating from Cedarville College with a bachelor of arts degree in chemistry, Duane continued his education at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia.In May 1994,he completed a Ph.D.in polymer chemistry, with an emphasis in polymer and organic synthesis. His dissertation,"Synthesis and Characterization ofPoly(arylene ether)s Containing Phosphorus and Heterocyclic Pendant Moieties,"earned a U.S. patent on phosphorous-containing polymers. During the summers of 1992 and 1993,Duane served as a mentorfor the National Science Foundation Summer Internship Program.Duane not only developed projects for interns and guided their research, but also helped them improve their presentation and professional writing skills. Achieving a place on the dean's list at Cedarville College for four years and being named to"Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges (1990),"Duane continued his academic excellence at Virginia Tech.In September 1992,he was named "Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant in Chemistry." He received the Department ofDefense Augmentation Award for Science and Engineering in June 1993.A member ofthe American Chemical Society and the Society ofPlastics Engineers,Duane has published 22 manuscripts in scientific journals. He currently has four U.S. patents pending. As an organic polymer chemist with Bayer Corporation,Duane is working on a variety of new medical grade plastics. As the result ofa new process he developed to convert a basic plastic into new materials, he was chosen for a two-year assignment with Bayer in Germany,beginning in June 1996. Duane and his wife, Alisa, met through the singles' group at their church in Blacksburg, Virginia. After their marriage in June 1994,the Priddys moved to Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania, where they attend Northway Christian Community Church.Duane continues to use his musical talents in ministry, as well as teaching Sunday school.On August 5, 1995,Duane and Alisa rejoiced in the arrival ofa daughter, Ashley Marie. Duane and Alisa eagerly look forward to their assignment in Germany as a"tent- making"opportunity, using his profession as a tool to reach others for Christ.In anticipation ofthis ministry,Duane and Alisa have already begun German lessons! Y-Conorary Alumni of the Year 1995 Albert and5oanna Stevens lbert and Joanna Stevens first heard about Cedarville College when a Kingsmen Quartet ministered in their church in New Jersey. When their sons,David and Mark,chose to come to Cedarville, they began a long,close relationship with the College. Both Al and Joanna had come to know the Lord as children during evangelistic meetings in their respective Indiana churches and,as teenagers, met at a church youth activity. Al went on to Indiana State University. Joanna had lost both her parents,and she and Al decided to marry when she graduated from high school. He finished his undergraduate degree in 1961 and subsequently earned an MBA from Indiana State. They learned about the OPEX Corporation when a company Al was working for in Terre Haute purchased OPEX equipment to open mail. Later the New Jersey-based OPEX hired Al as a national sales manager,and the family moved east. In 1975,the Stevens had the oportunity to purchase the company when it filed Chaper 11 bankruptcy.They made a profit the first year oftheir ownership and,under their 20- year leadership,OPEX has grown from eight to 460employees. Al is president and CEO,Joanna serves as secretary-treasurer and chieffinancial officer, Mark'81 is vice president of marketing,and David'83 is vice president of manufacturing. Presently,seven other Cedarville graduates are employees ofOPEX. The Stevens are active recruiters for the College.On three occasions,they filled a 54-seat chartered bus with teens from four South Jersey churches and transported them to Cedarville for a visit. They personally maintain a scholarship program.For the past nine years, Al is a member ofthe college Board of Trustees and has served as chair. He currently chairs the Business Committee ofthe Board.The Stevens have hosted gatherings for alumni in their area and frequently host groups from the college. Al and Joanna serve at Calvary Church in Parkertown. Al has been on the Board of Trustees and the Building Committee,and Joanna,on the Missions Committee. They are greeters,a ministry they feel is very important.They host teen activities at their home on the ocean. Al enjoys fishing,sailing,and wind surfing. Joanna reads and is an avid spectator of professional sports,especially rooting for the '76ers and the '49ers. The couple enjoys six grandchildren. Distinguished Educator 1995 _games Murray Murdoch 7 he Distinguished Educator Award,established in 1972,honors Cedarville College educators who have exhibited truly exceptional performance in the areas ofteaching, research,student development, leadership,and service. This award is given to professors who have consistently integrated their discipline with a Christian world-view, and have contributed both to the intellectual and spiritual development oftheir students. Previous recipients are Dr.Robert Gromacki,Bible, 1975; Dr.James Grier, Bible, 1981;and Dr.Larry Helmick,Science and Mathematics, 1989. Dr.James Murray Murdoch'88H now joins this select group. Completing 25 years ofteaching at Cedarville College,Dr. Murdoch has worn many hats while establishing himself as a popular and caring professor. In 1975,he became chair ofthe Department ofSocial Sciences and History and continues in this capacity. He has also served on a variety ofcollege committees including curriculum,educational policies,financial aid,and accreditation steering. Murray is also known as"coach"to alumni who played men's tennis at Cedarville from 1965 to 1994. Having been inducted to the NAIA Hall ofFame in 1992and the Cedarville College Athletic Hall ofFame in 1986 speaks well of his outstanding ability to work with young adults in a"pressure cooker"competition.He has also served the sport on the national and state levels with leadership in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association,NAIA national tournaments,MOC,and NAIA District 22. Well written,Dr.Murdoch enjoyed researching the history ofCedarville College for A Century ofCommitment: The Centennial History ofCedarville College, 1887-1987. Other published works include PortraitofObedience:A Biography of R. T. Ketcham and numerous periodical articles. Dr. Murdoch served as interim pastor to churches in Springfield and Bellefontaine, Ohio,and currently is senior pastor at Grace Baptist Church in Westerville,Ohio. Murray and his wife,Ruth,reside in Springfield,Ohio.They have two adult children,Jim '87,and Mark'91.Jim is currently living in Germany,studying under a Fulbright Scholarship,and Mark serves as youth pastor for Far Hills Baptist Church in Dayton,Ohio. 3WINTER'95