Torch, Summer 2003

Callan Athletic Center Named O n February 1, a special ceremony was held to officially name the Athletic Center after Dr. Don Callan, dean of the School of Health and Human Performance. Callan is marking 43 years of service to the University. Since coming to the University in 1960, Callan has overseen the department of exercise and sport science, athletic training, and the Yellow Jacket athletics program. At one time, he jointly held the positions of athletic director, head men’s basketball coach, and department chair. A 1955 graduate of Taylor University, Callan received his master’s degree from Ball State University in 1960 and his Ph.D. from The Ohio State University in 1968. He founded Missions Involvement Services at Cedarville University and has been especially committed to worldwide sports evangelism for four decades. A member of the Halls of Fame at the NAIA, NCCAA, Cedarville University, and Taylor University, Callan received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Agonis Club of Dayton in 1996. The award recognized his longtime commitment and contribution to athletics in the State of Ohio. The Callan Athletic Center, which seats 3,500, was opened in 1981. It adjoins the new Fitness-Recreation-Health Center. Summer 2003 / TORCH 19 CU Students Raise Awareness of African HIV/AIDS Crisis I t was impossible not to notice the 30,000 paper dolls coating the walls of the Stevens Student Center in red, orange, green, and black in March. It was harder yet to ignore the message that the dolls delivered. And that was precisely what a team of eleven social work seniors at Cedarville University had hoped would happen when they devised “The 6,000 Campaign.” “The 6,000 Campaign” was meant to raise awareness of the monumental HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa. For five consecutive days, students hung 6,000 paper dolls per day, symbolizing the 6,000 Africans who die of AIDS daily and the 6,000 African children orphaned by AIDS every 24 hours. The social work students coupled this visual effect with informative presentations to campus and community organizations. Team member Becky Kyle of Medford, N.J., explained, “This campaign is important because there are people dying and we as Christians need to help …. We need to educate our Christian circles because so many stigmas have been formed concerning AIDS. In Africa, homosexuality is not even close to being the main cause of AIDS.” Kyle continued, “We’ve been so blessed in knowing the truth. For us to not take a stand in Africa would be to miss a great opportunity to stand for the glory of God.” “The 6,000 Campaign” was just one part of the team’s effort. Princess Kasune Zulu of Zambia, a believer who is HIV- positive, was invited to campus to speak for a fundraising dinner. The dinner raised $1,400 towards health and safety education and clean drinking water in Zambia. The team also held a letter- writing campaign to government officials. They had a casket on display to draw attention to their cause. The social work team members were pleased with the response to their efforts. Team member Kyle Merkel, a native of East Greenville, Pa., noted, “I hope that people came away from our campaign seeing that there’s hope and that this situation can be turned around. We all must pray and get involved.” Beauty from the Inside Out Conference C edarville University is hosting the Beauty from the Inside Out 2003 Conference on Saturday, September 27 at 10 a.m. Co-presented by Family Journal and The Chronicle , the conference features model, actress, author, and speaker Jennifer O’Neill. The conference’s theme is “Come See the Other Side of Hollywood.” Immediately following the program, O’Neill will hold a booksigning for her new book, From Fallen to Forgiven , which will be on sale. Before and after the conference, guests may browse product and information booths designed especially for women. For details, call 937-399-9612. Southern President Calls CU “Premier Institution” D r. Albert Mohler Jr., president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, recently told the Cedarville University family, “I believe that you are one of the premier institutions defining Christian education in this generation.” He continued, “I am going to go beyond that and say … I believe that the Lord is doing in this place something unique, to demonstrate that there can be academic excellence that is culturally relevant and yet deeply rooted … in the life of the church and upon the faith once for all delivered to the saints.” Mohler was on campus as the guest speaker for Cedarville University’s Charter Day Chapel, held January 27. His message was titled “Principles for the Christian Apologist.” A noted author and speaker, Mohler is a leader among Southern Baptists and has been called one of the leading conservative evangelical figures of our day. Mohler appears frequently on nationally televised news programs, including CNN’s “Larry King Live,” and is quoted often in The New York Times , The Washington Post , and many other major newspapers. His commentaries appear regularly in Religion News Service and WORLD magazine. Mohler holds a B.A. from Samford University and an M.Div. and Ph.D. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. For a tape or CD of Mohler’s message, call CDR Radio at 1-800-333-0601.