1997 Miracle Yearbook

by Heather Fourman "We have different gifts, ac- cording to the grace given us. ..ifit is serving,let him serve ... — Romans 12:6a,7a On May 2,1997,Dr.Daniel E. Wetzel, surrounded on the chapel platform by his wife Phyllis and other members of hisfamily,told the audience of applaudingfacultyandstudents that being honored as Faculty Memberofthe Yearwasavery special momentin his life,one that ranked high on his list of other special days like when Christcameintohislifeorwhen his wifetold him,"Ido." Later, Dr. Wetzel said, "I was sur- prised and humbled to be cho- sen by the students to receive this award; it's always a thrill to be honored by those you serve.That was truly a special day I'll remember for the rest ofmy days." Dr. Wetzel, who has served as chairman of the science and mathematics de- partment for eight years, first came to Cedarville in 1963 when there were only about 500 students enrolled at the college. At that time, all the science classes were in Collins Hall. Dr. Wetzel said, "We taughtphysicson thetopfloor, chemistry on the first, and bi- ology wasin the basement,and five of us professors shared what is now Dr. Murdoch's office." In 1973, the science department moved from its tightquarterstothe newlycon- structed Science Center which was later expanded to the En- gineering, Nursing, Science Centerin 1990.Dr.Wetzelwas instrumentalinplanningforthe college to add an engineering program and in planning for the college to construct the ENS, serving as chairman of the Engineering Feasibility Committee in 1987-88 and serving aschairmanoftheENS Building Task Team in 1988- 89.. The science and math- Faculty Member ofthe Year Dr.Daniel Wetzel ematicsdepartmentiscurrently the largest academic depart- ment at the college, and Dr. Wetzel desires to serve each of the professors in the depart- ment and maintain a relation- ship of accountability with them. He said,"I want to be a good servant — to my family, to studentsandfaculty. Iknow that I have the gift ofservice... I don't see myself as a 'boss.' Some people introduce me to others as their 'boss,' butI see myself as more of their col- league. We are all workers to- gether." Dr. Wetzel said that one of his greatest responsi- bilities as chairman is to help provide the meansfor the pro- fessors in the department to accomplish their goals. Each year, Dr. Wetzel writes out goalshe wantsto achievein the next year:scholarly and teach- ing activities,andservicegoals related to the college,thecom- munity,and his church,Grace BaptistinCedarville.Heshares his list of goalswith all th professors in the departmen and also keeps a list of thei goals for the year. At the en ofthe year,Dr. Wetzel and all the science and math profes- sorsevaluateeachotheronhow well they each achieved their goals.Dr.Wetzel said,"Ithink the professors in the depart- ment really appreciate this ac- countability system....It also promotes a real sense ofcama- raderie. There is such diver- sity in this department because we all have such different in- terests, whether it be physics, biology, math, chemistry. Yet we all are able to work so well together." Dr. Wetzel gradu- atedfrom Morehead State Col- lege in 1955 and earned his masters in nuclear engineering from the University ofCincin- natiin 1963.In 1971,heearned his doctorate in physics from Ohio State University. Before 148 acadvniai