Torch, Winter 1993

on line With ~u+-' President Cedarville College Strategic Planning H appy 1993 ! God has a plan for you in this new year! We have a God who thinks strategically and who has made this plain in the pages of Scripture. The Dallas Cowboys and Buffalo Bills had game plans for Super Bowl XXVII on January 31 in Pasadena, California. One was more successful than the other. General Norman Schwartzkopf had a brilliant strategic plan in Operation Desert Storm. We marvelled at the clear mission and objectives that were carried out in minute detail-a marked contrast to our war in Vietnam where we never seemed to know why we were there. Our Lord came to planet earth with a purpose. He took every step on His way to Calvary in concert with the Father's eternal strategy. In John 17:4 He stated clearly, "I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do." That ought to be the objective of every Christian, every church, every Christian organization. Our mission at Cedarville College is "to offer an education consistent with biblical truth." Two of our benchmarks for the rest of this decade and century 21 are to be mission-driven and to fulfill this 2 Torch mission in a changing world through strategic planning. As we reflect on our history at Cedarville, there is no explanation for the continued success but our great God. He has sent to us outstanding trustees, administrators, faculty, staff, and students. We have made strategic moves under His leadership: • The development of a compelling liberal arts curriculum, offering students a comprehensive education grounded in biblical truth. • The addition of programs in business, nursing, and engineering, educating Christian professionals for positions in demand. • The construction of major facilities, e.g., the Athletic Center, Centennial Library, Engineering/Nursing/Science Center, and dormitories, along with continued remodeling of other facilities. • The establishment of CedarNet, our state-of-the-art campuswide computer network, to prepare our students for the technological demands of the 21st century. • Bringing to the campus a full– time Missionary Internship Service (MIS) director to promote student interest in missions and help them find ways to serve Christ around the world. These are some of the strategic plans that have become reality. As we look to the future, we plan to address our human resource needs, including compensation, benefits, and personal and professional development. Technology and engineering will present continual challenges and opportunities. We will need a larger chapel and a music facility in the near future. The Lord willing, we would like to build a new student union at the beginning of the new century. Facilities for spiritual instruction and social interaction are vital to our plans for educating the whole person- and for graduating students who will serve the Lord in all areas of life. Our greatest hope is that our Lord will return soon and we will be with Him in our heavenly home, fulfilling His plans to perfection. Until that glorious day, we must not only work and pray, but also think strategically.