Inspire, Winter 2006

Tom's life verse,"Whatever you do,work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord,not for men"(Colossians 3:23),is what inspired the business major and former captain ofthe men's soccer team to start On Goal Ministries.On Goal had its beginnings while Tom was a Cedarville student and is now a nonprofit organization that uses soccer to lead people toward life's greatest goal— knowing Jesus. "I knew I wanted to work with young people and be involved in coaching soccer,and so I developed a soccer camp with my home church in Cincinnati in 1985 with the purpose ofleading children to Christ through soccer,"Tom explained."I never imagined I would be doing the same thing more than 20 years later. It is such a privilege and joy to serve God with the gifts and passions He has given to me." One ofthe most significant ways Cedarville prepared Tom for life was through the influence offriends and faculty."I found great role models who encouraged and challenged me in my walk with Christ.Many ofthese individuals continue to impact my life and ministry today,"he noted. Tom and his wife,Meg(Irving)'89 met while attending Cedarville. Married in 1988,they now have four children: Atalie, Seth,Olivia,and Stephen(who all, according to Tom,play soccer, ofcourse!). Distinguished Educator Award Dr. Deborah Bush Haffey'68 "In the Alumni Council meeting during which the Alumni Awards were being discussed and Dr.Haffey's name was mentioned,it wasa unanimous decision," explained Council Member Drew Flamm '05.Hecommented that Deb is known for being one ofthe most challenging teachers at Cedarville."I had her for many classes;her ability to help me think critically and deeply in so many different areas has paid dividends in the workplace,"he said. Drew added that Deb is a caring and compassionate teacher."This truly made her stand outamong her peers?'he explained."Through her teaching I was able to connect how I think about the world to how I respond,both in word and action,to the critical issues facing our world:' After graduatingfrom Cedarville in 1968,Deb wenton to earn her master's degree and,in 2002,a Ph.D.from The Ohio State University. While her children were young,she taught part-time for Cedarville University and then joined the communication arts faculty full time in 1986.In 1998she was recognized as the Faculty Memberofthe Year. Deb's extensive list ofaccomplishments and activities currently include serving as director ofthe Miriam Maddox Forum and co- director ofthe Miami Valley Chapter ofWomen ofVision. In explaining how her experience at Cedarville prepared her for her personal and professional aspirations and accomplishments, Deb said,"I attended Cedarville University when it was beginning to develop its academic reputation.As a student,I was challenged by both my professors and fellow students to be responsible for my own education,to recognize whatI wanted and needed to learn,and to seek the meansto learn it."She added that Cedarville also built on the educational and intellectual foundation necessary in post- graduate studies. Personally speaking,Deb says it was at Cedarville where she whole-heartedly grew in her faith and knowledge ofChrist."This foundation has been stormed by the gates of hell over the years but has remained intact and has made mystory possible?'she added. Deb and her husband,David'69,have three grown children: Hannah Haffey Marsdale'96,Benjamin'98,and Esther Haffey Jong'01. Distinguished Service Award David K."Kelly" Fath Jr.'91 "Kelly Fath was a'given'for this award," explained Faith Linn'83,director ofalumni relations."The council merely decided to wait until a year we knew he had a reunion?' Faith said Kelly has given back to Cedarville University in every way imaginable and continues to do so as a missionary in Eastern Europe."Just last week,he sent an e-mail regarding his recruitment efforts in Bucharest!"she noted. After graduating with a degree in political science,Kelly served as the admissions representative for Cedarville University before enrolling at Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C.Upon receiving a Juris Doctorate in 1995,Kelly moved to Grand Haven,Michigan,where he practiced local government law. Increasing involvement with his church (Calvary Church in Fruitport, Michigan)spurred an interest in ministry,and Kelly left his law practice and entered seminary. During that time, Kelly continued his involvement with CU as the regional alumni coordinator in Grand Rapids and served on the Alumni Council. After the first two years ofseminary,Kelly returned to practicing law part-time while completing his Master ofDivinity degree program. In the summer of 1998,Kelly led a missions team to Sao Paulo, Brazil — an experience that caused him to focus on cross-cultural ministry.Subsequent trips to Romania,Albania,Hungary,and Ukraine became the impetusfor him to join Association of Baptists for World Evangelism(ABWE)missionaries in Central and Eastern Europe.In September 2004,Kelly moved to Bucharest,Romania, where he directs the Church Ministries Institute,a program designed to strengthen and encourage local Romanian churches by providing basic theological and ministry training for lay people. Kelly said his education at Cedarville equipped him to think, approach new problems and issues,and incorporate faith and values into his professional life. He also noted that classroom and extracurricular activities provided invaluable hands-on experience in leading meetings,making presentations,and interacting with various groups ofpeople,and it was also instrumental in ministry development. In summarizing Kelly's recognition,Faith said,"We talk a lot about enthusiastic advocates for CU,and Kelly Fath exemplifies that phrase." Inspire 13