1994 Miracle Yearbook

James T. Jeremiah Shapes Cedarville's Culture for 40 Years D uring Homecoming 1993,the college family and friends honored Dr. James T. Jeremiah for his 40 years of service to Cedar- ville College. Born in Corning, New York, he grew up in Johnson City and was graduated from Bap- tist Bible Seminary in that city. He married Ruby Lathrop in 1936 and pastored churches in Panama,New York,and To- ledo and Dayton, Ohio. In 1953, Dr. Jeremiah was instrumental in the transfer of Cedarville College to the Bap- tist Bible Institute board oftrust- ees. Thefollowing year he left a successful pastoral ministry in Dayton to become the seventh president of the small college that was struggling to survive. During those early days, the Cedarville "family" conceptwasfirmlyset in place asadministrators,faculty,staff, trustees,and students worked together to keep the College going. In addition to hisadmin- istrative and teaching respon- sibilities, Dr. Jeremiah could befound digging ditches,mak- ing concrete blocks, or driving a truck. Resources were sparse, and he spent much timetelling the Cedarville story totheGARBCchurchesto gain their support. During Dr. Jeremiah's 24-yearadminis- tration, Cedar- ville gained sta- bility and re- spect. Enroll- ment increased from 100 to 1,250 and build- ings from eight to 37. The Col- lege added many new aca- demic programs and gained accreditation from North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. The chapel bearing his name was constructed in 1976. Dr. Jeremiah saw to it thatthousandsofyoung people received an education grounded in Scripture, equip- ping them to take Jesus Christ into a multitude of vocational opportunities. He stepped down from his office when he sensed that Cedarville, on the verge of a new upswing of growth, needed a younger leader. Dr. Paul Dixon reflects, "No incoming president ever had a greaterfriend orconfidantthan I have in Dr. Jeremiah." Dr. Dixon often states that it has been his privilege to build on theexcellentfoundation laid by his predecessor. Since becoming Chancellor in 1987,Dr.Jeremiah hascon- tinued to promote the College in churches and conferences nationwide. For many years his devotional broadcast"Light for Living" encouraged listen- ers. More recently he began "The Senior Advantage" radio program and his ministry with groups of seniors across the country. Pam Miller Rose Marie Payne Nancy Ranger Joyce Riggs Lynn Rohm Jayne Russell Douglas Sjoquist Wendy Orchard Edmond Phillips Jr. Joyce Reese Beverly Robey Robert Rohm Cheryl Sims Jon Skillman 46 Student Life