Torch, Spring 2002

In the WORLD of Journalism for Christ I nterviews with nationally-known figures such as Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris or Lisa Beamer, widow of Flight 93 hero Todd Beamer, probably aren’t in the average journalist’s appointment book. But Cedarville University senior Charlie Shifflett found them in his. Shifflett snagged these interviews and others through his studies at the 2001 WORLD Journalism Institute (WJI), an intensive training school for Christian journalists who want to be the best they can be for Christ. As one of 20 students selected from around the U.S. to participate, Shifflett spent one month at the Institute’s Asheville, N.C. campus taking theology, philosophy, and journalism classes. He spent another five months completing reading and writing assignments, which, on the national level, included talking with Harris about her bid for a congressional seat and Beamer about her life without Todd. He also found himself covering events of a more local nature, such as September 11 blood drives, the social climate of post-riot Cincinnati, and the retirement announcement of Cedarville President Paul Dixon. A comprehensive Bible major with minors in Greek, English, and creative writing, Shifflett applied to WJI’s rigorous summer program because he desires to use his writing skills for Christ. He remarked, “I hope to eventually write in the secular arena, presenting a biblical perspective in whatever I write and being diligent in whatever I do. I want to be able to write something that non-Christians will read and not necessarily agree with but hopefully respect.” He hopes that the respect he earns as a competent writer will lead to opportunities to share the gospel. Shifflett noted that his four years at Cedarville have been foundational. Taking a Cedarville journalism class and writing for the campus newspaper were the experiences which turned his attention towards writing. In fact, it was Shifflett’s journalism professor who encouraged him to apply for WJI’s “journalism boot camp.” “I’m a totally different person than when I came [to Cedarville] as a freshman,” the Tallahassee, Fla. native concluded. “My writing has changed, and my classes have challenged me to live my faith in whatever God calls me to do.” Spring 2002 / TORCH 17 Pocket PCs Given Trial Run on Campus W ith handheld personal computers catching on in popularity, educators are considering how devices such as Palm handhelds and Microsoft Pocket PCs may offer cost and size advantages over traditional notebook computers. A new pilot project at Cedarville University aims to discover if handheld PCs will be a positive, cost-effective choice for the Cedarville educational environment. Cedarville’s Handheld Computing Pilot Project distributed 100 Compaq Pocket PCs to select faculty members and students for use in early 2002. Liberal arts faculty and students used electronic copies of classic literature, dictionaries, and other search tools, while business faculty and students utilized special versions of Microsoft Word and Excel. Bible software was also built into each Pocket PC. Both groups used the Pocket PCs during class discussions as well as in receiving supplementary material such as assignments and syllabi. Cedarville will assess the project by reviewing student performance and student evaluations of instruction in both pilot and non-pilot class sections. Students from the pilot classes will be surveyed for their opinions on the technology. If handheld computers are found to enhance the educational experience, Cedarville will consider a campus-wide implementation. The University has a long history of commitment to information technology, as evidenced by its 1992 decision to network the campus and place a University-owned computer in every residence hall room. Currently the University provides more than 1,100 computers in the residence halls in addition to the 800 computers in classrooms, laboratories, and offices. The campus network is supported by a set of 30 file servers providing access to more than 150 software packages. The University’s technology leadership has been recognized by EDUCAUSE and Yahoo! Internet Life . For information regarding Cedarville’s Handheld Computing Pilot Project, contact Dr. David Rotman at 937-766-7905 or rotmand@cedarville.edu. Forum Discusses Creativity and Christianity D r. Timothy Heaton and W. Matthew Tailford discussed creativity in light of faith in Christ at the Creativity and Christianity Forum on November 20. Kimberly Eridon, a senior technical and professional communications major who helped moderate the forum, said, “We are people of faith in Christ, but sometimes we separate our faith from the rest of our lives. We want this forum to give opportunities to think about issues or areas that we wall away from our faith.” The group discussed what the Bible says about creativity and how creativity can work in the body of Christ. Heaton, an associate professor of education at Cedarville, leads workshops on creative teaching methods across the United States and has studied gifted education, multiple intelligence, and the role of creativity in teaching learning disabled and ADD/ADHD children. Tailford’s range of professional experience includes teaching elementary school in Liverpool, England, and directing art in both film and television, with his most recent work being a television pilot for Warner Brothers. He has worked extensively as a professional actor and a marketing concept developer. The forum was sponsored by Tau Delta Kappa, the campus honor service fellowship. Emily Gayer, a junior nursing major from Mineral Wells, W.Va., tries out a Compaq Pocket PC in the University’s Pocket PC pilot project.