Inspire, Winter 2007

Inspire 21 alumni association news Alumni Impact Award — Paul McGrady ’93 To say that Cedarville graduate Paul McGrady ’93 has been successful in the field of law would be a definite understatement. Besides being a shareholder at the seventh-largest law firm in the United States and being a recently published author, Paul is an adjunct professor of law at the DePaul University College of Law. More importantly, he has played an active role in helping prepare young men for a life of ministry within the workplace. With that in mind, it is only fitting that he be recognized with the 2007 Impact Award. “Christianity is not passive,” Paul says. “Joshua 1:8 spells out precisely what we have to do to succeed in this life.” Paul strives to give feet to his faith in every aspect of his life, from helping to develop a men’s organization at the university to being a Sunday school teacher to lecturing about intellectual property, the Internet, and trademark laws. He approaches each task with the same commitment. For Paul, it all comes down to “thinking Christianly.” “Cedarville prepared me for this necessary defense against the mode of thinking you often find in law school and the professional world,” he says. According to Jeff Beste ’87, associate dean for student leadership development, as a CU student, Paul was instrumental in forming the men’s organization Theta Rho Epsilon (ΘPE), and his commitment to it has continued. “Paul regularly contacts both current students and ΘPE alumni and helps meet needs in big and small ways,” Jeff says. “He invites members to his home in Chicago every other year for a winter retreat, and has made a lasting impact on many lives through his continued support of Theta Rho Epsilon.” In fact, student members of ΘPE nominated Paul for this award based on the impact he has had in their lives. Following his graduation from Cedarville in 1993 with degrees in history and political science, Paul went on to DePaul, where he received his J.D. His first book, McGrady On Domain Names , was published by LexisNexis in May, and he considers it his most significant professional accomplishment to date. In addition to his education, Paul also credits Cedarville with contributing to his marriage. His wife, Lisa Davidson, is a 1989 CU graduate and just finished her PhD at Purdue University. “Cedarville produced a godly wife who is an excellent mother to my children — and an accomplished thinker in her own right.” They have a daughter, Lily, and a son, Danny. Honorary Alumnus Award — Lorne Scharnberg When Lorne Scharnberg’s son, Mark ’97, visited Cedarville University with a friend in the early ’90s, the young man decided then and there that CU was the only school for him. “I told him, ‘If you go to a Christian school, I’ll pay for it,’” Lorne recalls. “‘If you don’t, you’ll pay for it.’” Still, he encouraged his son to at least visit other similar schools, but Mark was adamant — he simply had no desire to check anything else out. So the family packed up the van and headed for Ohio. When they arrived at Cedarville they were met by “a large insect” offering to take their picture. “That did it for my wife, Kathi,” says Lorne. “Now she liked the school, too. Personally, I couldn’t believe the PR. I was impressed.” Through the marriage of then-president Paul Dixon’s son, Scott ’84, to the daughter of one of Lorne’s best friends, the two men were introduced and, subsequently, Dr. Dixon asked Lorne to join the board. That was 14 years ago. Dave Ormsbee ’78, associate vice president for strategic initiatives, speaks very highly of the trustee. “Lorne has been a friend of the University for many years, and there are few people as dedicated and active as he is,” Dave says. “If he sees a way he can help, he jumps in with both feet.” Lorne graduated from North Dakota State University in 1966 with a bachelor of science degree in horticulture genetics. He moved to Des Moines, Iowa, in 1981 and incorporated his manufacturing company, Katecho, in 1984. The company makes disposable accessories for instrumentation companies, mostly in the health fields. Without a doubt, Lorne is dedicated to Cedarville. “There is no greater place to invest your life and resources than in young Christian professionals,” he says. “And there’s no place in the world like a college campus, where you connect with highly educated, intelligent people.” So what does he tell students? “The only thing that’s permanent is what you do with your faith in God. You go to bed one day and wake up and it’s ten years later. You realize that everything on earth is temporal. That’s why you can never lose your eternal perspective.” To nominate someone for a Cedarville University Alumni Award, visit www.cedarville.edu/alumni/awards . Nominations are due by March 31, 2008.