Cedarville University News - February 9

• Small University; Big Results for Creative Program
• Enriching Elementary Student Lives is Goal of Partnership
• Students Hope to Continue Model U.N. Success
• Trustees Discuss Desire for Civil Engineering Program
• Liberal Arts Major Experiences
• CVS Health Foundation Grants Cedarville U. $15,000
• "Love Your Melon" Brings Students Against Pediatric Cancer

Small University; Big Results for Creative Program

Cedarville University’s Industrial Design (IID) Program may only be a few years old, but it is garnering national recognition for its excellence. The program, which is based in Columbus, Ohio, is ranked #5 in the nation by College Values Online for its academic excellence and career earning power.

Georgia Tech University ranked atop the list, followed by Rochester Institute of Technology, Arizona State University, the University of Houston, and Cedarville. Other notable universities include Carnegie Mellon University (#6), Purdue University (#11), University of Illinois (#13), and Ohio State Univesity (#25). Cedarville University is the only Christian university in the top 25.

“Being listed in the company of schools like Carnegie Mellon University and Rochester Institute of Technology is truly humbling for us,” said Jim Stevenson, president of the International Center for Creativity, which partners with Cedarville to offer the IID program.

The ranking was conducted by awarding points based on four categories: low tuition, high return on investment, a high percentage of students receiving financial aid, and academic areas of emphasis offered within the program.

“What makes this program special is the quality of the people involved. We were able to start this program from scratch, just five graduating classes ago, and to see the national recognition in a short period of time is remarkable,” said Stevenson. “The program was designed to deliver relevancy to the marketplace, while delivering exceptional experience to our students. We truly believe the students have achieved significant results, and Lord willing, the students can still grow and do even more exceptional work.”

Students looking to earn their bachelor’s degree in industrial design at Cedarville University can choose between concentrations in consumer product design, interior space design, transportation design and architectural and exterior space design.

Enriching Elementary Student Lives is Goal of Partnership

Cedarville University’s School of Education is partnering with Cedarville Elementary School (CedarCliff School District) to host a monthly enrichment program for students in grades K-5.

About 50 elementary students usually attend the interactive, challenging sessions facilitated by Cedarville University education majors. The sessions are held five Saturdays a year in the university’s Apple Technology Resource Center. The next session is February 24.

The program began two years ago as a way to encourage elementary students to get excited about learning outside of the classroom, and the fast-paced schedule engages students through creative, hands-on activities and focus on STEM activities including robotics, engineering, art, theater, biology and fingerprinting.

Eight Cedarville University students participate in each enrichment session, gaining experience teaching outside the classroom and engaging with the local community.

“It’s a great opportunity; I’m glad we get to do it,” said Ruth Sylvester, Ph.D., associate professor of education, who designed the enrichment program. “It allows our education majors to practice their teaching in a different setting.”

In the December session, students in grades K-2 will explore the color spectrums with a prism and visual perception through mixing paints. Students in grades 3-5 will learn about the purpose of a pendulum and investigate its path through pendulum painting.

Students Hope to Continue Model U.N. Success

For the past two years, Cedarville University’s Model United Nations (U.N.) team has been the clear-cut leader in regional competition. In 2015, the team won five individual awards at the regional event, and last year it claimed all eight major individual awards.

The 2016-17 team will attempt to duplicate this success when it competes at the annual Dayton Model United Nations Conference (DAYMUNC) on February 3-4 at Sinclair Community College. Dr. Glen Duerr, assistant professor of international studies, is the faculty adviser.

Cedarville’s 16-member team will compete against 150 other students from 10 Midwest universities. It will participate in four different committees, representing nine different countries.

The Model U.N. team began in 2003 under the leadership of Dr. Frank Jenista, professor of international studies and former U.S. diplomat. With each year of events, Cedarville’s team has improved to become a leading contender for top awards. The team had its highest success in 2015 and 2016, achieving “Outstanding Delegation” at the National Model U.N. Conference in New York City in addition to numerous individual awards at DAYMUNC.

“The most important aspect of our team is to represent Christ well,” said Duerr, now in his second year as the faculty adviser. “Hopefully our students will walk into a room, be friendly, work hard and show the love of Christ, and it will make a difference in someone’s life.”

Trustees Discuss Desire for Civil Engineering Program 

Cedarville University’s Board of Trustees agreed at its January meeting to seek approval from the Ohio Department of Higher Education and the Higher Learning Commission on a proposal to offer a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (B.S.C.E.).

Cedarville currently offers degrees in mechanical, electrical and computer engineering — all accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET). More than 450 students are studying in the School of Engineering and Computer Science, making it the second largest academic unit on campus.

The earliest Cedarville University could begin offering civil engineering would be fall 2018, pending state and regional accreditation approval.

The Trustees were also updated on the successful completion of the Jeremiah Chapel $3 million renovation and expansion campaign. The campaign generated the highest number of donors for a single project in the university’s history.

In other actions, the trustees approved the 2017-18 budget, elected a new board member, approved faculty hires, promotions, and emeritus status for retiring faculty members, and affirmed a change in Cedarville’s Bible minor.

Approved Budget and Three-Year Academic Programs

Cedarville’s operating budget for 2017-18 will rise to $119.9 million (1.5 percent increase), allowing the university to award $30.5 million in student financial aid. Tuition will increase to $28,956 (3.75 percent increase) and room and board fees – which are among the lowest in the state of Ohio – will be $7,088 (3 percent increase).

In addition, the university is preparing to launch academic programs that can be completed in three years. The new accelerated programs are intended to help students save money on their overall college costs as well as enter the workforce and earn a salary one year sooner.

“In a time where college affordability is a national talking point, we’ve worked diligently to create a budget that helps to make a Cedarville education more affordable,” said Thomas White, president of Cedarville University. “With an increase in financial aid and the addition of three-year degrees, we believe we are making college more manageable for those who want an excellent education from a distinctly biblical worldview.”

Faculty Appointments and Promotions

Three new faculty hires were announced by the trustees, including two in the school of business administration and one in the school of pharmacy, and two administrators were granted faculty status.

Paul Schloemer, Ph.D., professor of accounting, earned his doctoral degree in business administration from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. His master’s degree in accounting is from Miami University of Ohio, and bachelor’s degree in business administration was earned at Bowling Green State University. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and previously worked at Ashland University as professor of business.

John K. Tarwater, Ph.D., assistant professor of business, earned his doctoral degree in ethics from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and is in process of completing a doctoral degree in business and finance from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Most recently, Tarwater served as vice president of administration and chief financial officer at Rio Grande Bible Seminary.

David Peters, Pharm.D., will join the school of pharmacy as assistant professor of pharmacy practice. He earned his doctoral degree in pharmacy from Ohio Northern University in 2016. Since his graduation, he has worked at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Peters’ areas of expertise include rural health, ambulatory care, community pharmacy and geriatrics.

Jon Wood, Ph.D., vice president for student life and Christian ministries and assistant professor of theological studies, earned his doctoral degree in systematic theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He came to Cedarville University in 2013.

Zachary Bowden, Ph.D., executive assistant to the president and assistant professor of theological studies, earned his doctoral degree in church history and historical theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He came to Cedarville University in 2013.  

New Trustee

Kenneth David Bane was also added as the newest member of the board of trustees. Bane, a 1986 graduate of Cedarville, is the former owner of Tom Raper, Inc., Richmond, Indiana. Prior to owning Tom Raper, he served as general manager for the large RV dealer from 1999-2002 and was vice president of institutional client services for Fifth Third Bank from 1992-1999.

Bible Minor Update

The first course of Cedarville’s five-course Bible minor, completed by all bachelor’s degree-seeking students, has been updated and renamed as The Bible and the Gospel. The Bible minor – a Cedarville distinctive throughout its history – equips students with knowledge of biblical truth and a passion to apply and share the Gospel.

Faculty Tenure and Promotions

Tenure

• Aleda Chen, Pharm.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of pharmacy practice
• Aaron Huffman, M.F.A., assistant professor of graphic design
• Lin Pan, Ph.D., assistant professor of physics
• Kaleb Pauley, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology
• Richard Tison, Ph.D., assistant professor of history

Promotions

• Carolyn Barnett, M.S.N., RN,  to associate professor of nursing
• Aleda Chen, Pharm.D., Ph.D., to associate professor of pharmacy practice
• Glen Duerr, Ph.D., to associate professor of international studies
• Lin Pan, Ph.D., to associate professor of physics
• Kaleb Pauley, Ph.D., to associate professor of biology
• Kristin DeWitt, Ph.D., to professor of psychology
• Rebecca Gryka, Pharm.D., Ph.D., to professor of pharmaceutical sciences
• Tim Tuistra, Ph.D., to professor of electrical engineering
• Kevin Sims, Ph.D., to senior professor of political science
• John Whitmore, Ph.D., to senior professor of geology
• Michael Firmin, Ph.D., to distinguished professor of psychology
• Tim Norman, Ph.D., to distinguished professor of mechanical and biomedical engineering

Retirements with Emeritus Status

• Rebecca Baker, M.A., associate professor of theatre
• J. Wesley Baker, Ph.D., distinguished professor of communication
• Terry Chamberlain,  M.A., associate professor of fine arts
• Robert Clements, M.Ed., associate professor of theatre
• Kathleen Freese, M.Ed., associate professor of kinesiology
• Stephen Gruber, Ed.D., professor of education
• Sandra Harner, M.A., senior professor of technical communication
• John McGillivray, M.S., associate professor of kinesiology
• Charles Pagnard, M.M., senior professor of music
• Galen Smith, D.Min., professor of economics

Liberal Arts Major Experiences

Exploring 10 European countries while completing a 15-credit-hour course may be the highlight to Austin Macnamara’s time as a student at Cedarville University. He accomplished this during the Fall 2016 semester, and it’s been a life-changing experience for the senior liberal arts major from Dundee, New York.

“In many ways, this study abroad experience was an enhancement to my liberal arts experience, which has been very much like putting together a puzzle,” Macnamara said. “Traveling to Europe allowed me to see with even more clarity the grand picture God is painting with the nations, cultures and people’s hearts, and what the Gospel means for it all.”

The diversity in experience and education is what initially drew Macnamara to Cedarville University’s liberal arts major. Rather than study one particular subject, Macnamara wanted a broader education that would give him the freedom to study the world, humanity and culture more completely. He found exactly what he was looking for in Cedarville’s liberal arts program.

The major provides students with a broad base of knowledge in social science and history, theology and philosophy, math and science and fine arts and humanities. The goal, explains Dr. Kevin Sims, professor of political science and member of the liberal arts faculty committee, is to develop graduates who are able to communicate well and think critically. These traits are ones that employers look for in potential hires, Sims explained, and they often provide students with opportunities for continuing education.

“We pride ourselves on having graduates who communicate well and think well,” Sims said. “And I think they really find themselves adaptable to any career opportunity that’s in front of them.”

CVS Health Foundation Grants Cedarville U. $15,000

CVS Health Foundation has awarded Cedarville University’s School of Pharmacy a $15,000 grant for professional pharmacy scholarships. The scholarship will be applied during the 2017-2018 academic year.

To qualify for this scholarship, students must be bilingual and work with underserved patients within the next year. A committee is working out the details of the scholarship, including how many students may receive the scholarship.

“The goal of this scholarship is to build a workforce that can speak multiple languages so they can work with the increasingly diverse, multilingual America,” said Aleda Chen, Pharm.D., Ph.D., assistant dean and assistant professor of pharmacy practice, who played an active role in acquiring the grant.

Not only did the school of pharmacy apply for this grant to make graduate school more affordable for students, but also because the scholarship enhances its mission.

“Our mission is to develop pharmacists who meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of patients through servant leadership,” said Chen. “And part of that mission involves serving the underserved with a global focus, which is exactly what this scholarship encourages.”

Chen also shared that many students in the professional pharmacy program meet the requirements due to the diversity of students on campus from different countries.

"Love Your Melon" Brings Students Against Pediatric Cancer

Fighting pediatric cancer has become a nationwide cause for college students. At Cedarville University, 18 students have joined with Love your Melon — an organization that raises money for pediatric cancer research.

Currently, there are more than 12,000 college students supporting Love Your Melon and its effort to end pediatric cancer. There are 761 college chapters across the country fighting for the same cause, including at least one chapter in each of the 50 states.

Since its founding in 2012, Love Your Melon, which sells hats and apparel, has donated more than 90,000 hats to pediatric cancer patients. They’ve also donated $2.5 million to pediatric cancer research, and they continue to find new ways to support children and their families.

Since 50 percent of the profits from Love Your Melon products are given to nonprofit partners, such as Make a Wish Foundation and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the main role of campus crews, like the one at Cedarville, is encouraging people to buy. As they sell products, the crew earns credit and eventually can host larger fundraisers and special events for families and individual children battling cancer.

Leslie Pence, a junior English education major and founder of Cedarville’s first-ever Love Your Melon Campus Crew, says the group hopes to use this as an opportunity to build relationships with and provide support for local families. The first project they hope to start is establishing pen pal relationships between Cedarville students and kids with pediatric cancer.

“I can only imagine how draining it is for a kid and how they might feel like there’s no hope. And I think that’s what’s really cool about getting Cedarville involved is that we have that hope,” Pence said. “We can build relationships with them and actually share the hope of Christ that we have with these families when they’re in this trying time.”

Anyone interested in supporting the effort can purchase Love Your Melon products at www.loveyourmelon.com and select “Cedarville University Campus Crew” at checkout.