Cedarville University - Campus News

CPA First-Time Pass Rate Highest in State

Thu, 09 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

For the second consecutive year, Cedarville University ranked first in the state of Ohio for the first-time pass rate on the Uniform Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. This information was released in April by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA).

According to the 2012 report, 78 percent of Cedarville alumni passed the exam on their first attempt — an increase from 73.1 percent in 2011. The national average pass rate is 45.5 percent.

“The expertise of the business faculty, along with an intense dedication from our students, is key to this exceptional result with the CPA exam,” said Loren Reno, dean of the school of business administration. “Education is a process so when a trend like this develops over time, it’s very rewarding to see. Clearly, this is also indicative of the exceptional students that attend Cedarville University.”

The CPA exam consists of four sections that amount to 14 hours of testing, and the test is offered during official testing windows each quarter. Candidates must pass to qualify for licensure as CPAs.

Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University attracts 3,400 undergraduate, graduate and online students to more than 100 areas of study. Inspiring greatness for over 125 years, Cedarville is a Christ-centered learning community recognized nationally for rigorous academic programs, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings and leading student satisfaction ratings. Visit the University online at www.cedarville.edu.

Miami-Luken Brings Smart Pharmacy Conference to Cedarville

Thu, 09 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Pharmaceutical wholesaler Miami-Luken is partnering with Cedarville University to host the first Smart Pharmacy Conference on June 7-9, 2013. The conference will address topics on the latest pharmacy industry insights, the changing legal landscape and the future of Medicare.

Key speakers include Donnie Sullivan, Ph.D., professor of pharmacy practice at Ohio Northern University; Marc Sweeney, Pharm.D., dean for the Cedarville University School of Pharmacy; Teresa Hoffman, Pharm.D., clinical supervisor for St. Rita’s Medical Center; Rebecca Grant, experiential coordinator for the Cedarville University School of Pharmacy; and Anne L. Burns, R.Ph., vice president of professional affairs for the American Pharmacists Association.

Professionals can earn up to 17.5 contact hours of continuing pharmacy credits by attending the conference.

According to Sweeney, the Smart Pharmacy Conference gives the University a chance to showcase its state-of-the-art facilities. “We’re honored to have the opportunity to host this inaugural event,” Sweeney said. “Hosting the conference gives us the opportunity to serve regional pharmacists with the facilities we’ve been blessed to receive.”

Overnight lodging is available at Cedarville University. For event details and registration, visit the Miami-Luken Smart Pharmacy Conference website or call 800-475-3814.

Partnership with Samaritan's Purse Will Benefit Students and Alumni

Thu, 09 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Samaritan’s Purse has chosen to partner with Cedarville University to provide internship, volunteer and employment opportunities to students and alumni. Cedarville is one of six universities that will be partnering with the organization.

Samaritan’s Purse is an international Christian relief and evangelism organization that works in more than 100 countries to provide spiritual and physical aid to victims of disaster, disease, poverty, famine and war in the name of Jesus Christ. Headquartered in Boone, N.C., Samaritan’s Purse has affiliate offices in Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia, plus field offices in 15 developing countries.

One of the organization’s more well-known programs is Operation Christmas Child, which has delivered gift-filled shoe boxes to over 100 million children worldwide.

Franklin Graham, president and CEO, gave the address at Cedarville University’s commencement ceremony in 2012.

This partnership will bring awareness to internship, volunteer and employment opportunities in a variety of fields to qualified students and alumni, and also serve as a bridge to build relationships with faculty and staff members. Internship opportunities will include working with relief projects, ministry development and Operation Christmas Child.

A team from Samaritan’s Purse visited numerous Christian universities to evaluate academics, mission statements and extracurricular activities to evaluate which universities would be the best fit for the partnership.

According to Stephen Rhoads, campus relations manager at Samaritan’s Purse, the partnership is designed to benefit both organizations. “Our goal is to build a close, mutually beneficial relationship between our organization and Cedarville faculty and staff and provide students with opportunities to engage in a variety of manners,” Rhoads said.

Samaritan’s Purse is planning to visit campus twice a year to attend career fairs, host informational meetings and send representatives to speak in classes.

“We’re excited for the future and to see how God works through this new partnership,” Rhoads said.

Professor Plans Trek to Honor Brother

Thu, 09 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

For brothers Jim and Tom Leightenheimer, their love for the outdoors brought them together as adolescents. When Tom passed away, Jim, an associate professor of communications at Cedarville University, decided to honor his brother’s life by walking, biking and paddling his way through southern Ohio.

Jim’s journey — dubbed “TomTrek” — was born out of his admiration for the way Tom lived and his courageous fight with cancer, as well as the brothers’ shared passion for outdoor activities.

Jim will launch TomTrek on June 10 by walking 28 miles from Cedarville to Washington Court House, Ohio. The next day, he will travel 30 miles by bike from Washington Court House to Yoctangee Park in Chillicothe. Jim’s longtime friend Jeff Sanders will join him to conclude the trek with a three-day canoe trip down the Scioto River to Portsmouth. After beaching, Jim and Sanders will make the short drive to Camp Oyo, where camp administrators plan to dedicate a totem pole to Tom’s legacy.

Tom passed away in September of 2012 after fighting a two-year battle with cancer. As a former Eagle Scout, Tom is remembered by family and friends for his love of Scout work. In fact, Tom founded the Camp Oyo Staff Alumni Association when the camp was at risk of being sold. The organization is dedicated to supporting Boy Scout Camp Oyo in Portsmouth, Ohio, and ensures that the camp will be open for future Scouts by raising funds and offering time and manual labor.

The Scouts aren’t the only ones who benefited from Tom’s legacy. Jim recalls Tom leading him on his first hike as an adolescent. “As my big brother, Tom invested a lot of time in me, and I’d like to see his investment leave a long-term mark on Oyo Camp,” Jim said.

Anyone interested in sponsoring Jim’s TomTrek can send donations to the Camp Oyo Staff and Alumni Association, P.O. Box 1746, Portsmouth, Ohio, 45662.

Students Appointed to Elite Air Force Training

Thu, 09 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Four Cedarville University student-cadets were recently appointed to the elite pilot training program for the United States Air Force.

Devin Ferguson of Adrian, Mich., Josiah Franklin of Saint Anne, Ill., Riley Snowden of West Chester, Ohio, and Starner Vechery of Shiloh, Ill., were selected for pilot training after meeting a very competitive selection criteria. These four students, all members of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC), said preparation for program selection began their freshman year.

Competition for rated slots is based on an order of merit numeric score, and the selection board at Air Force ROTC Headquarters determines these rated positions based on nationwide scores. The cadet’s order of merit numeric score includes Commander’s Ranking, cumulative grade point average, Physical Fitness Test, Field Training score, the Pilot Candidate Selection Method and an Air Force Officer Qualifying score.

Ferguson, Franklin, Snowden and Vechery agree that Cedarville University helped prepare them for this honor. “There’s really a great environment of excellence at Cedarville University,” Vechery said. “It helps to be around people who always desire to do well.”

Snowden said the high-end academics at Cedarville pushed them to succeed even in ROTC. “The rigors of Cedarville University force you to do your best and stay on your edge,” Snowden said, “which in turn helps make you the best at what you do in ROTC and carries over into the board selection process.”

Franklin said being a resident assistant (RA) at Cedarville University combined with ROTC requirements prepared him for this next step in the Air Force. “For me personally, being an RA helped develop my leadership skills,” Franklin said, “both being in ROTC and being an RA built off of each other.”

Jeff Reep, director of career services, said these Cedarville University students and others are well-prepared for any step after college. “Cedarville University students are full of character, talent and are given the preparation to succeed with nearly any employer.”

Cedarville Graduate Employment Rate Tops National Average

Wed, 08 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

The Cedarville University Career Services has partnered with the office of institutional research to release employment data for the class of 2012.

Each year, the two offices work together to survey alumni six months after graduation. According to Jeff Reep, director of career services, the survey timeline is an industry-wide standard that gives graduates more time to make final decisions on job offers and graduate schools.

According to this year’s survey results, 94.4 percent of Cedarville 2012 graduates are either employed or attending graduate school.

The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) also conducts a national survey of college graduates to compile more conclusive employment placement data.

While NACE has not yet released data from its national survey, Cedarville’s placement statistics have a history of being significantly higher than the national average. NACE reported the national placement average for the class of 2011 at 87 percent, while 93.8 percent of 2011 Cedarville graduates reported being employed or enrolled in graduate school.

Reep says this trend is indicative of the quality students Cedarville produces. “This is really a team effort,” Reep said. “Between the excellent faculty, Christian integration and the resources provided by career services, students are exposed to four years of career preparation, which is reflected by the high employment percentage.”

Reep also said that employers notice a difference in Cedarville graduates, specifically in their work ethic and integrity. “There’s something special about a Cedarville graduate that employers pick up on. They’re generally quick learners, ethical decision-makers, and hard-working problem solvers. These are the principles that are reinforced every day in the classroom.”

The career services staff offers a variety of services to students at no charge, including career counseling by certified coaches, resume writing workshops and interview preparation. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit the career services website.

Alumna Works to Support Business as Missions Organization

Sat, 04 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Alumna Abigail Eustace is using the knowledge she gained through Cedarville’s global business major to help small business owners in the Dominican Republic. Eustace, who graduated in 2012, is a financial analyst fellow for HOPE International, an organization that invests in the dreams of the poor through Christ-centered microfinance.

Her interest in “business as mission” began before she came to Cedarville, but her time on campus helped to solidify and focus that passion. It was through conversations with a fellow member of the debate team that she was introduced to the concept of microfinance. Then, during spring break 2009, she found herself on a missions trip to the Dominican Republic with a campus business organization. Little did she know, just four years later she would be working there full time.

Operating in 16 countries around the world, HOPE uses microfinance to help individuals work their way out of poverty. “Microfinance,” a model that was developed by Bangladeshi economist Muhammad Yunus, refers to the practice of lending relatively small amounts of business capital to those living in poverty.

Through HOPE International, financial support isn’t all that’s available to those in need. Loan recipients — known as “associates” — are eligible for additional services as well. In the Dominican Republic, HOPE’s field partner Esperanza offers a variety of medical and educational services to their associates. These complimentary services open the door to sharing the Gospel with those who might not otherwise hear it.

Eustace was able to witness this model in action in her first month in the field as she attended loan meetings in northern Santo Domingo. Although the meetings’ official function is to collect loan payments from each associate, Eustace saw them serving a bigger purpose.

“A lot of the people attending aren’t even Christians yet,” she said. “They might not come to church, but they would come to ask for a microloan to start their business,” she said. “In the loan meetings, they’re going to hear the Word of God and be there for worship and prayer. Associates have even accepted Christ during the loan meetings.”

HOPE’s model of Christ-centered microfinance accompanies people in the long-term process of spiritual and physical transformation. Each loan is serviced by up to 20 community visits and meetings over a period of six months. During this time, HOPE offers ongoing business training and connects associates with churches and individuals in their community who can disciple them.

Eustace, who describes her position with HOPE as her “dream job,” is currently working on a multi-month costing analysis to increase organizational efficiency for Esperanza. “This year, administration is pushing initiatives to redesign and standardize internal processes,” she said. “A lot of changes are being made to help us impact thousands of more Dominicans. It’s an exciting time to be involved.”

Daniel Sterkenburg, M.B.A, who taught one of Eustace’s senior business courses at Cedarville, is gratified to see the work that she is doing. “It’s really pleasing to see Abby use the skills that she obtained here both in business skills and specifically through the global business major,” he said. “It makes my work worthwhile.”

Eustace remembers with fondness how Cedarville influenced her involvement in business as mission. “My business professors always emphasized keeping Christ at the center of our lives and work,” she said. “I remember the OneVoice Gospel Choir singing in chapel, ‘Jesus Be the Center of It All.’ That’s my prayer as I work with HOPE in the Dominican Republic: to help free people from spiritual and physical poverty.”

Forensics Team Finishes Runners-Up in National Competition

Sat, 04 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Cedarville’s forensics team recently finished second in division two individual events at the 16th annual National Christian College Forensics Invitational. The event featured top competitors from 25 schools and more than 500 individual entries.

Accompanied by their coach, Derrick Green, M.A., students Jered Stonge, Douglas Malcolm, Crysta Hutchinson, Amy Brown and Katie Goehring traveled to John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Ark., to compete in these events. When all the competitions had finished, the team had garnered a second place finish in its division and Stonge and Hutchinson had four top-three finishes between them.

“Winning a sweepstakes award at this tournament is a testimony to the hard work, dedication and sacrifices of the students,” said Green. “Regardless of how we finished, I could not have asked anything more of them. They went above and beyond what I asked of them this year and specifically for this tournament.”

The competition is broken down into five categories with 13 individual events, all of which involve an element of public speaking. Whether hours of preparation have gone into a specific presentation or if a topic is assigned on the spot, each event requires a unique blend of performance flair and quick thinking.

All this occurs in the long, whirlwind days that are common at these sorts of events. “Competitors seem to be in a constant state of movement as they hurry to their next event, and the days are very long,” said Hutchinson. “Tournaments usually start early in the morning, and go late into the evening, around 9 or 10, and this goes for three days at nationals.”

Despite the high-anxiety environment, Hutchinson said she enjoyed the experience of representing her school at a national level. “The atmosphere was so friendly, and we had such a great experience traveling to Arkansas as a team, that the pressure of the situation faded and converted into a genuine joy to be there and an excitement to perform,” she said.

The team hopes that the joy they have is a witness to those they interact with at the competitions. “Every tournament is a chance to interact with competitors and to be witnesses for Jesus Christ,” Hutchinson said. “We may be some of a very limited number of Christians they interact with during their college years, and we focus a lot on how to represent Christ well in an environment that can be so hostile at times. In any of our success the glory goes to God.”

Graduates Celebrate 117th Commencement

Sat, 04 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Dr. William E. Brown addressed nearly 650 graduates at Cedarville University’s 117th commencement ceremony on May 4, 2013, marking his last commencement as Cedarville University president.

Concluding his chapel theme of “Living the Christ-Centered Life,” Brown charged the graduates to continue the legacy of Christ by sharing and living the gospel. Graduates were also presented with a keepsake bookmark commemorating Brown’s key phrases.

The Class of 2013 donated $8,000 toward a scholarship fund. The class gift will be used to assist future students from urban settings struggling with the expenses of achieving a college degree.

Also during commencement, two graduates were honored with the University’s most prestigious student award. The President’s Trophy, the highest honor for a graduating senior, recognizes leadership, ministry, community and campus involvement, athletic performance, and academic achievement. The 2013 recipients were Justin Nichols, a molecular and cellular biology major from Harleysville, Pa., and Amber Strickland, a comprehensive communications major from Centreville, Va.

The Faculty Scholarship Award was presented to seven students for maintaining perfect 4.0 grade point averages throughout their college careers. The recipients were Anna Fitzpatrick, a history major from Mohnton, Pa.; Eun Hyea Godbold, a nursing major from South Korea; Justin Nichols, a molecular and cellular biology major from Harleysville, Pa.; Kirsten Setzkorn, a history major from Troy, Ohio; Joshua Steele, a Bible preseminary and Spanish major from Toledo, Ohio; Joshua Van Zandt, an accounting major from Bloomington, Ill.; and Sarah Wilson, a social work major from Lawton, Iowa.

For Randolphs, Commencement is a Family Affair

Fri, 03 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Commencement season has arrived in the Miami Valley, filling calendars of many supportive families and friends. The season will be especially busy for one local family as three generations from the William Randolph family will receive college diplomas in May.

Randolph, sergeant of Cedarville University’s campus safety department and senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Yellow Springs, Ohio, will celebrate with his wife, Florence; daughter, Tasha Goodwin-Randolph; and grandson, Kyle Bristol at their respective ceremonies. All of the commencement programs will be special, but for Randolph, there’s something extra special about seeing his wife become the first sibling of five in her family to walk across a college stage to receive the coveted diploma.

And, if Florence has any influence in her educational goals, it won’t be her last commencement. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in social work on Saturday, May 4, from Cedarville University, Florence plans to pursue a master’s degree in the same academic discipline.

But for now, Florence is happy to be a part of the 650-member graduating class at Cedarville University.

Her journey toward her degree started shortly after she retired from Our Own Image, a division of the Antioch Company. Florence had a passion for helping people but she realized that few career opportunities existed without a college degree.

“I never imagined returning to school after retirement, but I’ve enjoyed the process and the learning,” she said. “I have always wanted to be in this [social work] profession because of the opportunities it affords to help others. When the door was open for me to study at Cedarville, I walked through it and have been blessed.”

Perhaps the biggest challenge for Florence now is not getting her degree, but making it back to Cedarville in time for commencement. The day before, Friday, May 3, her daughter, Tasha, earns her doctoral degree in audiology from Indiana University. The Randolphs will make the trip to Bloomington, Ind., and plan to arrive back home in time for Cedarville’s commencement.

Then later in the month, on May 25, the family will make another trip to Indiana for the commencement of their grandson, Bristol, from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. His degree is in mechanical engineering.

“I am very proud of my family and their accomplishments,” said William Randolph. “It’s certainly a busy time for us with three commencements so close to each other, but it’s a joy any family would embrace.”