Inspire, Winter 1997

from The AlumniCouncil Chair A fter seven years as director of alumni relations, Jane Adams Smith '84 will participate with the Alumni Office staff in a part-time capacity as assistant director. This move has opened the window for new directions. We look to the future with great anticipation for God to build on a strong foundation and challenge the Cedarville College Alumni Association in new and different ways.As Dr. Martin Clark, vice president for development, has said,"Change,in the will of God,is always positive." And the Alumni Council is looking to the future of the Alumni Association with the positive in mind. We want to continue and improve the current quality events— Homecoming,Alumni Basketball Weekend,and Regional Alumni Fellowships—and enhance our alumni connections through technology,Inspire, and continued mailings. The Alumni Council will continue developing the Regional Alumni Fellowship Program which provides networking, fellowship,and feedback to Cedarville College,and encouraging increased alumni giving to our alma mater. Join me in thanking Jane for seven faithful years of service. And welcome with me our new director, Faith Linn '83, who will lead the charge for the Alumni Association as we approach the new millennium. In His Service, Rich Blumenstock'63 Chairman,Cedarville College Alumni Council Founders Hall Can Your WillMake an EternalDifference? T he year was 1891. Cedarville College had been chartered by the State of Ohio in 1887, but in the absence ofany meaningful monetary support, still existed in name only. The trustees had become frustrated in their attempts to raise enough funds or interest in the project to turn their dream into a reality. The recommendation from the prior year's trustee meeting was that the"whole enterprise" be abandoned.At the height ofthis period of uncertainty, the board received word that a $25,000 bequest had been made to Cedarville College from the estate ofthe late Mr.William Gibson,an influential businessman from Cincinnati. The gift was made in memory of William's father and business partner,Peter Gibson,who had died in 1884. The news ofthe bequest revitalized the trustees and created a renewed interest in the fledgling college.In 1892,the trustee board passed a resolution recommending that "...an effort be made to revive an interest in the institution, and that the pastors in the different congregations be requested to bring the matter before their people at an early day,and urge them to contribute liberally for the establishment of said college...." In May 1894,the trustees were directed to erect or rent a suitable building and secure teachers to begin the work of educating students. Four months later, on September 19, Cedarville College was formally opened with an enrollment of32students. Interest earned by the bequest accounted for a large portion of the operating budget from 1892 through 1896.The bequest principal made possible the purchase of the original campus site and the construction of the building now known as Founders Hall. The timely receipt of the bequest from the estate of William Gibson helped the dream of Cedarville College become a reality. In 1910, Dr. David McKinney,the first president of Cedarville College,remembered the bequest when he wrote,"...it was as if Providence had determined that this ministry should go on...." The gift amounted to less than two percent of the total value of the Gibson estate. Today,the eternal value of Gibson's bequest cannot be measured. Bequests are as important to the ministry of Cedarville College today as they were in 1892. Your estate plan should include a will and/or a living trust. And we hope your will or living trust includes Cedarville College.A bequest can be made in the form ofa specific asset,a specific dollar amount,a percentage of your estate, or a remainder interest after you have cared for your heirs. We are grateful anytime that Cedarville College is elevated to "family status" in your will or living trust. But often we are unaware of the bequest until the estate has been settled. We miss the opportunity to express our appreciation for the gift. In an effort to recognize the continuing importance of bequests to the ministry of Cedarville College and to properly acknowledge those individuals who have included Cedarville College in their will or living trust, we are happy to announce the formation of the WILLIAM GIBSON SOCIETY.Charter membership in the William Gibson Society is now open to any individual who has named Cedarville College in his or her will or living trust. All William Gibson Society charter members will receive a complimentary copy of Cedarville College, A Century ofCommitment by Dr. J. Murray Murdoch,chair of Cedarville's Department of Social Sciences and History, and a subscription to the quarterly devotional booklet First Light. To enroll as a charter member,please call the Cedarville College Office of Planned Giving at 1-800-766-1115,or send e-mail to bartletd@cedarville.edu . 2WINTER'97 Your Alumni Council! ir he purpose of the Alumni Association shall be the promotion of the interests of Cedarville College and the provision of Christian fellowship,information, education, and service opportunities to the glory of God. FrontRow:Sherry Rotramel Bouquet '87, Rod Lane '64, Jane Adams Smith '84 Back Row:David Bennett '87,Amy Young Womack '80, Sherri Watson Smith '86, Daniel Hicks '78, Sandy Holwerda Schlappi '75, Richard Blumenstock '63 Inspire 0: Inspire is a quarterly publication of the Cedarville College Alumni Association. Editor Jane Adams Smith '84 Publication Coordinator Wendy Miller Orchard '91 Copy Editors Martha Baldwin Michelle Perry Hamilton'96 Proofreaders Faith Linn '83 Michelle Longo Miller'86 Graphic Designers Mike Bieniek Kerry Estes Contributing Writers Martha Baldwin David Bartlett Patty Belliveau Rich Blumenstock'63 Martin Clark Melody Curtis'94 Deborah Bush Haffey'68 Michelle Perry Hamilton '96 Mark Kordic'87N Wendy Miller Orchard '91 Jane Adams Smith '84 Roscoe Smith'82 Photographers Scott Huck Alumni contributors Please direct all comments, correspondence,and news to: Alumni Office P.O.Box 601 Cedarville,OH45314 or call 1-800-837-2566 alumni@cedarville.edu