Torch, Spring 2001

TORCH Forensics Teams Win State and National Titles C edarville University’s forensics team won the Individual Events championship at the recent National Christian College Forensic Invitational held at Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, Calif. In addition to winning this championship, the Cedarville squad posted two overall championships: Tim Cochrell (left) , a junior from Burbank, Ohio, was named National Varsity Champion, and Mark Awabdy (right) , a freshman from Cedarville, Ohio, was named National Novice Champion. In addition, the University novice forensics team recently earned top honors in the Ohio Forensics Association’s Novice State Championship at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. The Cedarville team outdistanced squads from Ohio University, which placed second, and The Ohio State University, which finished third. The Cedarville lineup included Awabdy; Jeremy Bouma of Hudsonville, Mich.; Jon Culver of Clarks Summit, Pa.; Kristyn Gledhill of Lansing, Kan.; Janna Graham of Jordan, Minn.; Melissa Neufeld of Southfield, Mich.; Natalie Newfield of Bakersfield, Calif.; and Keith Peters of Lincoln, Neb. Matt Moore, Cedarville’s director of forensics, said, “This is one of the finest novice teams in recent years at Cedarville University. All of the competitors are tremendously diligent and dedicated to being their best. Their first place finish is reflective of their hard work and talent.” Competitors in forensics develop communication skills by competing in public address, oral interpretation, and other speech communication events. Competitors in the novice division are in their first year of forensics competition. Missions Conference Brings Great Response H undreds of Cedarville University students made personal decisions for ministry at the University’s 2001 Missions Conference, held March 26-30. The theme of the conference was “Growing a Great Commission Family,” an outgrowth of the University’s academic-year theme of “Rediscovering God’s Plan for the Family” and a reminder of Christ’s commission to His followers at His ascension. An international slate of speakers challenged the University family. Dr. Charles Ware, president of Crossroads Bible College, Indianapolis, Ind., served as keynote speaker, and Dr. Patrick Cates, president of Christar (formerly International Missions, Inc.), gave the opening address. Other speakers included William Bolthouse, M.D., a surgeon in Macedonia; and Harry Gebert, M.D., and Jan Gebert, M.D., who formerly operated a health center in West Africa. Thomas Hale Jr., M.D., and Cynthia B. Hale, M.D., who served as medical missionaries to Nepal, and David Topazian, D.D.S., a missionary with The Evangelical Alliance Mission (TEAM) and current president of MedSend, also made presentations. In addition, 90 missionaries, representing dozens of international ministries, exhibited displays and interacted with students throughout the conference. In the photo below, Dr. Ware interacts with a student following his address. 16 TORCH / Spring 2001 news c a m p u s n e w s c a m p u s n e w s campus Campaign Completed! T hanks to generous giving by trustees, alumni, foundations, corporations, and many other friends of Cedarville University, the Student Life Center Capital Campaign was completed on schedule on December 31, 2000. The $21 million campaign sought to advance the value of the Cedarville experience for current and future students through the construction of a Student Life Center, now named the Stevens Student Center (above) . The 150,000 square-foot building was completed in the autumn of 2000 and enhances the academic and social experiences of students through a new dining hall, snack shop, post office, bookstore, state-of-the-art theater, student lounges, and student support offices. Cedarville University wishes to thank all who helped make the Stevens Student Center a reality!