1983 Miracle Yearbook

A Letter From The President Dear Graduate, As I begin the monumental job of trying to summerize four years of college into one page, I realize the impossibility of this task.Instead of trying to write a comprehensive history,I hope to highlight the major events and changes which occurred during our four years at Cedarville College. Hopefully as you read this letter, your mind will go back to a period of your past where life changing events occurred. Remember our freshman year? Remember the excitement and anticipation we all experienced? Our first encounter on the campusof Cedarville College produced mixed emotions. Realiz- ing the many different opportunities that would lie ahead was overwhelming. Entering this new phase of life which would include many new faces and experiences gave us all a sense of excitement. However, having to say good-bye to our parents, family,familiar surroundings,and possibly that special someone was a very difficult thing to do. Once everyone had departed that day, we were left alone in our new dorm room with a roommate who was possibly a complete stranger to us. As we began adjusting to our new environment, many things began to happen. College week brought orientation, registra- tion, a Bible conference,long lines, and once again more new faces.Some very important decisions were made that first week. We made decisions concerning the classes we would take, the academic program in which we would enroll, and the discover- ing of talents and gifts and how we could be used of God. Finally, as we settled into college life, our homesick feelings slowly disappeared. Our first taste of college spirit was"Homecoming Weekend." Still experiencing that freshman enthusiasm, we jumped anx- iously into our first class project which was the building of a homecoming float.To the surprise of all,our float won first place. It wouldn't be until three years later during our last year of college that we would again win first place.This activity played a key role in the lives of some students by giving them the chance to meet and make new friends. Other activities played an important role in our development as fellow classmates. Our involvement as little brothers and sis- ters to the sophomore class,skating parties, bowling parties,and a class picnic all helped to draw us closer together as a whole. It was not long before many of us were involved with Gospel teams, Christian service teams,sports, and other extracurricular activities. Transition marked our sophomore year. With one year under our belts, we felt confident with college life and pressures. Graduation still seemed far away. We kept telling ourselves that we had plenty of time to decide on that major and that career. The time of stepping into our future vocation or ministry didn't seem real. Our biggest concern was how we were going to get all of our work accomplished. Remember all those late night cramming sessions and those trips to Young's for donuts to give us that extra energy we needed? What could we do with all of that time which was available to us during our college years? Two years down and two to go. As juniors the thoughts of graduation and our future became more of a reality. Most of us were well into our major area of study and working towards that goal of graduation. The major highlight of our junior year was the Junior-Senior Banquet. Many long and hard hours went into making that particular evening very special. The banquet was held at the Westin Hotel in Cincinnati, Ohio. Burt Kettinger provided a memorable evening through his ministry in music. Finally,our senior year arrived. Wecould not believe that our college years would be over soon. Many critical decisions were made that year. Life vocation, ministry,choice ofa mate,location in the future, and many other choices were considered and prayed about. As the end approached, we were once again faced with the mixed feelings of sorrow and joy which weexper- ienced our freshman year. Only now those feelings involved different people and times. Possibly the most important four years of our lives were coming to a close.Soon we would have to say good-bye to those beloved friends with whom we had exper- ienced the hardships and joys of life. As we departed we sorrowed because of the realization that we might never be with those friends again until glory. At the same time, we faced the future with joy and excitement because of the career and ministry that God had ahead for us. All the training and experience we gained at Cedarville was ready to serve as a firm foundation for the rest of our lives. As I look back on our four years at Cedarville,I think that time could be summarized by one word, growth: growth in the col- lege itself, in our relationship toward God,and toward others. Truly our college did grow in the four years we attended. Enrollment rose from 1,351 to 1,730. Four new buildings were added to our campus and 25 new faculty members and eight new academic programs were developed during our era. The addition of the Athletic Centerand New Dorm,the completion of Lawlor and Printy, the renovation of the College Center and Williams,and the promise of a new Health Service all occurred during our stay. From our freshman to our senior year at Cedar- ville College, the campus didn't stay the same. As wesaw the physical changeson campus,we also could see the spiritual changes taking place in our lives. Our knowledge, understanding, and faith in God increased greatly during our four years at Cedarville. Through daily chapel services, Bible Conferences, dorm life, and other growing experiences God was able to mold and direct our lives. Through our classes and professors,a firm Biblical foundation was internally built into our lives. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. What a blessing it is to know that if we trust in God,He will direct our paths(Prov. 3:5-6). The final growth I sawwas our growth in our relationships with our fellow students. Proverbs 17:17 says,"A friend loveth at all times,and a brother is born for adversity." The experiences and trials of college life brought us so very close to our friends. The sad times,hard times,and happy times with myfriends meantthe most to me. It was through these times God allowed us to devel- op life long friendships. We should praise our God for His sovereign control in bringing that special friend or friendship. As we reflect on our years at Cedarville, may we take the knowledge which we received and build upon this foundation. My challenge to you is to continue to"grow in grace,and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ"(II Peter 3:18). Tim Fisher Class President 191