Inspire, Winter 2001

Inspire 7 Donna Purple Gone to Glory A member of the Cedarville University family graduated to glory on September 24, 2001. Donna Purple, who had formerly served as administrative assistant to the vice president of student services, left us to be with Jesus. She was 44 years old. Donna had been battling lung cancer for seven years. Never having smoked in her life, Donna’s cancer seemed unexplainable, but Donna determined to glorify God even in what seemed to be an “unfair” illness. She clung to II Corinthians 1:3, 4 as her life verses: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” Donna lived out these verses in a number of ways. Her witness for Christ and her positive attitude were displayed in newspaper articles, television and radio interviews, and even a feature story in Ladies’ Home Journal. As part of the Alliance for Lung Cancer Advocacy, Support, and Education (ALCASE), Donna was a phone buddy to other cancer survivors and shared her story and faith at ALCASE conferences in Italy, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, and Washington, D.C. She was active in lung cancer awareness and was invited to speak several times at ALCASE conferences sponsored by pharmaceutical companies such as Eli Lilly, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Roche Biomedical. Donna once said, “…God is using my cancer as a means of spreading His Word. It is amazing how the Lord has given me a platform to use to speak primarily to unchurched professional people. This is a platform that I would have never had without my cancer.” Throughout the journey, Donna found her husband, Jon, and daughter, Jessica, beside her. Jon is dean of students at Cedarville, and Jessica is now a senior at Cedarville High School. Donna was remembered at a memorial service September 28 at Grace Baptist Church in Cedarville. Pastor David Graham and Dr. Paul Dixon ’94H spoke, and music was provided by Jeff Beste ’86, Melody Cato, Kezia McNeal ’92, Charles Pagnard, and the Grace Baptist Church Choir. We thank God for Donna and offer our condolences to Jon, Jessica, and all of Donna’s family and friends. Because Donna taught middle school for 12 years before coming to Cedarville, Cedarville University has established the Donna Purple Memorial Award for students majoring in English education, especially those who excel academically and plan to teach in middle school. Anyone wishing to honor Donna may send a gift to the Donna Purple Scholarship Fund at Cedarville University, 251 N. Main Street, Cedarville, OH, 45314. If you would like to have more information about this and other scholarships, call Kim Longo or Dave Bartlett at 1-800-766-1115 or e-mail giftplanning@cedarville.edu . Gromacki Named Alumnus of the Year at BBC&S D r. Robert Gromacki, distinguished professor emeritus of Bible and Greek, recently received the 2001 Alumnus of the Year Award from his alma mater, Baptist Bible College and Seminary (BBC&S). After earning a Th.B. from BBC&S in 1956, Dr. Gromacki went on to procure his Th.M from Dallas Theological Seminary and his Th.D. from Grace Theological Seminary. Making faithful use of his teaching and writing abilities, Dr. Gromacki taught at Cedarville for 41 years and authored 15 books as well as numerous articles and educational aids. He currently pastors Grace Community Baptist Church in Washington Court House, Ohio, a church which he founded. BBC&S previously honored Dr. Gromacki in 1985 when they conferred on him the Outstanding Service Award in Education. Over the years, Cedarville honored him by naming him Distinguished Educator, Faculty Member of the Year, and Honorary Alumnus of the Year. Dr. Gromacki and his wife, Gloria, reside in Springfield, Ohio. They have two children: Gary ’80, married to Kim (Henderson) ’80; and Gail ’83, married to Dave Lawhead ’82. The Gromackis delight in their six grandchildren. Tell Us Your Story I f you have an interesting story for one of the following issues of Inspire (or if you know of another alum who does), please contact the alumni relations office. Story ideas and alumni updates must be submitted by the dates below. Unfortunately, we may not be able to use all stories submitted. Spring 2002 — The Prayers of the Faithful Are you a “prayer warrior?” How has God answered your prayers in a remarkable way? What life-changing prayer effort have you been involved in? Please submit your story ideas by January 5, 2002. Summer 2002 — Going it Alone Is God using you as a single? Whether being single was in your original plan or not, there are definitely ministries that are available to singles and can only be accomplished through that single focus. Please submit your story ideas by April 5, 2002.