Torch, Fall 2000

M accommodate the college. That was when James called Dr. Cliff Johnson, an elementary school principal from the State of Washington, to be the college’s registrar. Bringing Johnson on board was the first prong in a four- pronged attack set in motion by James. Johnson was soon in charge of creating an Education Department that would pass the state’s requirements. ... By 1963 Cedarville College could offer classes in education and, by 1967, grant degrees. This move by Dr. Johnson and the State of Ohio elated James, and he pronounced the occasion as “one of the big days in the short history of Cedarville College. ... [It] brings to life a ten-year dream. ... We are extremely happy that at last we can begin work toward turning out teachers. That’s been our goal ever since our denomination took over the college.” 4 Now the college Most presidents of small liberal arts colleges sit behind mahogany desks and spend their days in committee meetings discussing future plans and fiscal responsibilities. James, on the other hand, found himself making cement blocks for new construction and even “driving to Springfield to Reiter Dairy to pick up milk for the cafeteria.” 1 And this type of willingness was what James brought to his new position. If it had to be done, he would personally see to it. The college was small enough at the time for this strategy to be effective. His philosophy was the opposite of the one reflected by most academics in the academic world who saw academia as an ivory tower, and who had a “let them eat cake” mentality. This philosophy of doing “whatever it takes” had its drawbacks as well, for the college was having a hard time finding dedicated, quality faculty members who were willing to make below- average pay, put in long hours, and receive little immediate results for their efforts. The college was in such dire straits in the beginning that James, when away from the campus, “would call back and ask Ruby [his first wife, who died in 1991] if there were enough money to pay the bill. ‘She would go to the office and find out if we could pay salaries, and we always tried to get the faculty and staff salaries paid.’” 2 When payday came and the money was tight, James would pay what was owed, and only then would he pay himself. “The first summer after becoming president ... [James] went six weeks without a salary.” 3 But God was blessing the small college and its president. When money was needed, it came in; when faculty positions were vacated, other faculty arrived to fill them. Life at the institution was progressing, and students were coming. Earlier in 1962, James made his first move to place around him a team of people who could effectively pull the school up from its academic quagmire. Thanks to James’ efforts with Regular Baptist churches, very strong financial support was coming in. But the state was still unwilling to Left: Dr. Jeremiah in the basement of Founders Hall, where he and others made the bricks for construction projects on the Cedarville campus. Below Left: Ruby Jeremiah