Torch, Spring 1987: Centennial Issue

Eric Shrum A Bible-preseminary senior from Dayton, Ohio, Eric Shrum is the student body chaplain. He leads evangelism teams to other cam– puses in the area, captains the track team, is a residence hall ad– visor, and has gone to the Philip– pines, Hong Kong, and Bangladesh with the Missionary Internship Service program. "'Excellence' well describes all that goes on here at Cedarville. I have experienced it in the class– room and in the programs; in the beauty of the campus and in the work of the administration. But what has most impressed me is that the ministry Cedarville College has had in my life has been framed in excellence. The daily chapel services always seem to instruct or encourage or correct the areas of my life that are most needy. The classroom has proven to be more than just a depot to collect infor– mation, but rather a community where I can share and learn and hear and be heard. I can find help and happiness, comfort and cor– rection, challenge and charge. My professors view their position as a ministry, taking extra time and effort to help or explain or to coun– sel. I have committed my life to teaching and ministering to others as a pastor-teacher and mission– ary. "As I look forward to grad school, I know that what I have gained from Cedarville College will enable me to aid in the maturing of other Christians just as the college has aided me." 24 "We are one ofonlyfive colleges in the world to have an agreement with the People's University of Beijing, China, to provide teachers ofEnglish ." Cedarville's strong growth curve reflects the fact that we offer the programs young people want. Of the ten major fields of study most desired by college age people , Cedarville offers nine. The only one we do not have now is a four-year engineering program. Last year we continued the feasibility study on adding electrical and mechanical engineering in the near future. Meanwhile, every one of our pre-engineering students continued to be accepted into respected engineering schools. We recorded an increase in the average test scores of entering freshmen . This has been a rising trend for several years . In 1985-86, we had 19 presidential scholars: students who scored 29 or above on their ACT exams , placing them in the top 3% in the nation scholastically. This year the number has risen even more dramatically to 43 scholars. While we are thankful for the very fine scholars God is sending us, Cedarville does not want to become an elitist school. Last year our faculty implemented a number of programs to assist promising students with marginal academic qualifications in developing their study skills . This past summer I traveled to China to sign an agreement with officials of People's University in Beijing for Cedarville to provide teachers of English. We are one of only five colleges in the world to have such an agreement with People's. Today four of our graduates are serving there, and more are planning to go in the future. Our rigorous academic program was taught by a splendid faculty. In 1985-86 they totaled 87 full– time and 47 part-time professors. Balancing the excellent academic program was our emphasis on spiritual growth . If you want to know what a Christian college is all about, show up for a chapel service. The heartbeat of every Christian school is what happens there. Our students look forward to chapel. It is dynamite. Although as president I travel quite a bit, I can't wait to return to campus to be in chapel. Last year we brought some of the greatest speakers in America to our platform. What God did in the hearts of our students was thrilling. Some dedicated their lives to Christ; many made other life-changing commitments to the Lord. Our students and faculty attended chapel five days a week. Our staff joined us on Mondays when I spoke to the entire college family. Over 1300 of our students volunteered for Christian service ministries - in area churches , nursing homes, hospitals, jails, detention centers - wherever people needed to hear the gospel. Our teams were in 367 churches. Seventy-four students were involved in the 1986 summer Missionary Internship Service programs and ministered in 11 countries. I'm thrilled to tell you that already this year 150 have expressed interest in going abroad in 1987. In recent years Cedarville's athletic teams have fared exceptionally well. In 1985-86 they earned three national championships , two district first place finishes, and two conference championships. Also , individual athletes represented Cedarville in 14 national tournaments . Our forensics (public speaking) team competed in the President's Sweepstakes National Tournament with leading colleges and universities. Cedarville placed seventh, ahead of many much larger schools. The annual Artist Series presented an outstanding season. Among the artists who performed were: Jeffrey Siegel , pianist; Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra; Daniel and Stephen Majeske , violinists; and the Ensemble Company of the Cincinnati Opera. In addition , the Campus Activities Board presented: Christine Wyrtzen, vocalist; Miles and Webb , vocal duo; and Steve Green, vocalist. The three major drama productions were: "The Glass Menagerie" (fall); "For This Cause," written by our own Professor David Robey, (winter); "My Fair Lady" (spring) . WCDR-FM received approval from the Federal Communications Commission for a power