Torch, Fall 1993

Giving Thanks S t our commencement this past June, one special moment served as a i er of how Cedarville College believes in and supports the family. Partway through the ceremony, I invited all the parents of our 450 graduates to stand and be recognized. All over the gymnasium, in the bleachers and seating areas on the main floor, men and women stood. Some were older, some younger. Some stood alone, others were with a spouse. As they rose, their children rose with them, giving them a spontaneous standing ovation. The graduates were saying "thank you" to the people who were the most responsible for helping them to reach that milestone. When students come to college, they often see it as a time of breaking away from parental ties. However, at Cedarville, we encourage our students to find ways to become even closer to their families. In the last chapel before Christmas break, I remind the students to look for opportunities to 2 Torch on line With ~u~ President Cedarville College witness to unsaved family members and to take time to tell their parents "I love you." We have Parents Weekend, Grandparents Weekend, and Li'l Sibs Weekend spaced through the school year to encourage family members to visit. We have sometimes used the phrase "Preparing Committed Christians to Become Competent Professionals" in our advertising. That does describe a part of our mission. But we are really all about preparing committed Christians to become competent, dedicated, God– pleasing people-in work, society, church, and home. Students grow up here. We want them to leave as adults who give thanks for their family and family members. Cedarville students come from an incredible variety of backgrounds and types of families. We try to help all the students understand that faithful family living is possible. In fact, if it is in God's gracious plan, getting married and having children can be a great joy! I expound on that in a series of sermons I give once every four years in chapel, so all students will hear them before they graduate. But the best way we can teach joyful family life is by example. I am so thankful for the 400 faculty and staff we have at Cedarville. We are not perfect people, but there are many tremendous examples of what a Christian family can and should be. Commencement was a time of rejoicing. After the ceremony, I walked through the crowd and witnessed hundreds of hugs. I am sure many of the graduates thanked their friends and family for coming. As we near the Thanksgiving season, I thank the Lord for our Cedarville College family, and I invite our alumni, parents of our students, or other family members to let us know if we can be of help. We want to help build stronger families.