Inspire, Winter 2001

8 Winter 2001 Alumni Awards Alumnus of the Year Keith Willhite ’80 “Keith has a great love for the Word of God and a special ability to communicate its truths,” expressed Sandy Entner ’59. “He has been an inspiration to me, first while he was a student at Cedarville, then as an intern at our church (Washington Heights Baptist of Dayton), and also as a friend through the years.” A Cedarville preseminary Bible graduate, Keith will have the chance to affect many more lives in his role as chairman and professor of pastoral ministries at Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS), a position which he assumed last year. Throughout all of his experiences—10 years of pastoral ministry, speaking in more than 250 churches in North America, serving eight years as a seminary professor, and working with churches and parachurch ministries as a pastoral and leadership consultant—Keith has directed people into ministry and has maintained strong ties with Cedarville and the people who influenced him here. Keith’s desire to serve has taken him around the world and led him into a variety of endeavors. After graduation, Keith received a master of theology degree from DTS and a Ph.D. in communication from Purdue University. He went on to teaching positions at Denver Seminary and Purdue University and pastorates in Texas, Indiana, and Michigan. He had the privilege of teaching in Russia and Moldova in 1991 and 1994 and remains active as an advisor and short-term course teacher for the Biblical International Institute in Kishnev, Moldova. In addition, Keith co-founded the Evangelical Homiletics Society and is the founder and president of Strategenuity, a ministry consulting group. He has written two books on preaching as well as articles on preaching, political communication, spiritual formation, and the history of C.S. Lewis’ “Broadcast Talks.” In all of these responsibilities and activities, Keith has helped guide others into the next step of God’s plan for their lives. He has always remembered Cedarville along the way, assisting with alumni events in the Denver and Dallas areas and answering the questions of Cedarville students who are interested in seminary or the pastorate. Keith’s partner in life and ministry is his wife, Denise, whom he met while interning at Washington Heights. They have been married for 17 years and are the grateful parents of Katie (12) and David (8). Honorary Alumnus of the Year Dave Lesko “Dave is the epitome of what you would want in a high school guidance counselor,” shared Dave Ormsbee ’78, vice president for enrollment management. “In addition to being genuinely concerned about his students and knowing them each personally, he works hard to be knowledgeable about colleges so that he can help them find the right match. That passion has resulted in countless trips to Cedarville over the years, many involving all-night drives to help the students reach Cedarville or other Christian colleges.” Dave Lesko has served as a guidance counselor at Plumstead Christian School (Pennsylvania) for 17 years. His experience is extensive, having previously counseled at Quakertown High School for 18 years and taught for two years at Central Bucks School District, both in Pennsylvania. His concern for his students and his love for Cedarville have made him one of Cedarville’s strongest advocates. Roscoe Smith ’82, director of admissions, stated, “Over the years, Dave has introduced hundreds of high school students and their parents to Cedarville University. He has put tens of thousands of miles on his own vehicles in order to bring students from eastern Pennsylvania to Cedarville for a campus visit. More than 60 students have enrolled at Cedarville in the past 15 years from Plumstead Christian High School. It is impossible to measure how many other students Dave has influenced through his church and community.” “These students come from all kinds of backgrounds and have filled many roles at Cedarville,” Dave Ormsbee added. “Cedarville has flourished over the past decades because of people like Dave Lesko, folks that appreciate the school and have no real vested interest in promoting it.” Dave and his wife, Marilyn, first became supporters of Cedarville when their son, Steve, enrolled. Although Steve graduated from Cedarville in