2005 Miracle Yearbook

Senior Jeff Stevenson (right table) fills out the infamous blue sheet after a session to keep track of his work with a student."The Writing Center is one place where I always enjoyed going to work. It's fun to help students work through their ideas and communicate more effectively, and there's nothing more enjoyable than seeing students reach that'ah ha!' moment and really get it," he said. Laura Davis and Michael Lyons look on as Mike Colletto explains a particular session he recently conducted with a student. Laura said,"I've really enjoyed working at the writing center this year because I have wonderful coworkers Who are always fun to be around and because I really enjoy helping students make their writing better. As the only SPanish tutor, I have a special role tutoring students from all levels to become better writers in Spanish." "The Writing Center is all about thinking together. We exist to come alongside students, offering them the encouragementand the supportto write really great papers" (Bethany Gilmour, '07). Cedarville University's acclaimed Writing Center was a catalyst for academic success in 2004-05. Students from classes from composition to nursing and engineering visited the center every day, taking advantage of this unique aspect of Cedarville's academic culture. The Writing Center staff was comprised of highly trained upperclassmen.Although manytutorswereEnglish majors,the center employed talented writers from other majors as well—including nursing, communications, psychology, Bible and TPC. Rachel Ganong, a senior, commented on the tutoring experience: "Working in the Writing Center is a little like the proverbial box of chocolates— you really never know what you're going to get. You are constantly interacting with different students and materials, discovering new ideas to challenge your own thinking." While tutors were thrilled to go over papers and essays with students,they didn't focus primarily on editing or proofreading."We aren't here to do your homework for you," Bethany smiled. "We're here to brainstorm with you, to help spark that creative fire so your writing can take off." Although the Writing Center was designed primarily for academic assistance,it also proved to be a great spot to hang out. Rachel shared,"We work hard to make the Writing Center a fun.place to be. Although bottomless candy bowls,comfy couches,and some of the only pieces of student art on campus may contribute to the center's relaxed atmosphere, I'm convinced it's my co-tutors that make it really wonderful." The 2004-05 Writing Center blended Cedarville's academic and social dimensions into one innovative, inspirational environment. Keith Sider ('06) put it well: "I don't know what I'd do without it!" JuY VanBuskirk, Rachel Ganong,Brandon Colas,and Katie Sparks listen during a staff meeting. Writing Center Director Julie Moore works her way through her to-discuss list during a Thursday Morning staff meeting. She explained,"The Cedarville University Writing Center exists to help writers develop effective writing skills. As director of the center, I train students to become peer tutors who Provide competent and timely consultations regarding all writing projects in any stage of the writing Process,from brainstorming to revision. The center is a unique blend of service and communication, a blend which at its core is wholly Christian. And as one can see, we also provide a comfortable, ,non- threatening atmosphere where everyone is welcome to sink into our sofas, read the latest Issue of The N.Y.Times,or peruse our library of literary journals and books on writing." Organizations 235