Meet our Personnel
John LeBlanc (Acting Chair)
Biography
Professor LeBlanc serves as Associate Professor of Management with the focus on teaching management, operations, advanced operations, supply chain management, and the Integrated Business Core Block. He spent thirty years in the business arena running various size operations and companies, along with teaching adjunct at such universities as Indiana University, Ball State University, Butler University, and Marshall University as his career took him throughout the Midwest. He held various management positions up to his last position as VP/General Manager. He started a consulting operation in 1997, Personnel and Process Solutions, Inc., where he assists businesses to improve their performance and value to their stakeholders. John has been honored as a member of Who’s Who in the Midwest, Who’s Who of American Business Leaders, has sat on various Boards as a Director, and worked internationally.
Interests
- Family- a supportive wife of 41 years, two married sons, and five grandchildren
- Sports fan enjoying St.Louis Cardinal baseball and playing golf
- Serving Christ through various church functions
- Mentoring students
- Consulting-PPS, Inc.
- Travel
- Red Hot Sports Cars-NRCC
CU Support Activities
- SIFE Sam Walton Fellow
- Fit to be Tied Counselor
- Advisor to Somewhere Forever
- Ukraine SIFE "Emerging Entrepreneur" Advisor
Contact Information
Harry Anderson
Biography
Professor Anderson serves as assistant professor of accounting and teaches courses in accounting, project management, and management information systems. A Certified Public Accountant and Project Management Professional (PMP), he has over 25 years experience in accounting, budgeting and financial information management systems development, technology consulting, and independent auditing. In addition, while pursuing his professional career, Professor Anderson taught accounting courses as an adjunct instructor.
My Calling
Psalms 1:3 describes a blessed man as one “like a tree planted by streams of water which yields it fruit in season.” My desire as a teacher is that students will "pick" fruit. As I share my story both spiritually and professionally, I trust students will desire to know God more and learn to also be blessed men and women as they seek to bear fruit in their lives as business professionals.
All of my professional activities and teaching experiences prepared me to teach at Cedarville. My call then is simply to be like that tree in Psalms 1. Yield fruit in season for Him.
Interests
- Developing Christian ministries
- Reading
- Music
- Sports (especially Ohio State football – Go Bucks!)
- Exercising
Contact Information
Jon Austin
Professor Austin joined the faculty of Cedarville University in the summer of 2001 and is currently an associate professor of marketing in the Department of Business Administration. He was previously an assistant professor of marketing and research methods at Cornell University in the School of Hotel Administration.
Jon holds an M.S. degree in business administration from Iowa State University (1989) and a Ph.D. in marketing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1997). His research efforts focus on the meanings consumers associate with brands and the dynamics and effects of relationships between professional service providers and their clients. He has published a variety of papers and book chapters.
Vicki Edem
Biography
Vicki Edem has worked at Cedarville University since March 1997. She has been the administrative assistant in the Department of Business Administration since September 1999. Her husband, Tim, spent 25 years on active duty in the United States Air Force which means they moved around quite a bit. They lived in places like Sumter, South Carolina; Dayton, Ohio; Bedford, Massachusetts; Syracuse, New York; Biloxi, Mississippi; Newfield, New York; and Honolulu, Hawaii. Vicki and Tim have three sons and one daughter-in-law, all CU alumni.
My Calling
For many years I have had a burden for Christian education. Before coming to Cedarville I taught young students (ages 7-10) in several Christian schools around the country. Being at Cedarville isn’t really all that different. Whether working with elementary age students or college age students, it is all about having an impact on young Christian lives, helping them to see that they need to serve Christ in every area of their lives. No matter what our profession or walk of life, no matter where we are, serving Christ needs to be our central focus. A focus on Christ changes how we treat others and how we view ourselves.
Interests
- Family
- Reading
- Entertaining
- Gardening
- Playing the piano/organ
- Raising alpacas
- Playing with her dogs
Education
- Bachelor of Arts in Christian Education
Contact Information
- via e-mail
- phone: 937-766-7910
- office: Milner 160
Jeffrey Fawcett
Biography
Dr. Fawcett serves as Professor of Marketing. He came to Cedarville University in 1987 after having worked as a consultant in Washington, D.C. on contracts with Naval Sea Systems Command and the Federal Aviation Administration. His favorite teaching responsibility is being the coordinator of the Integrated Business Core experience where junior students create and run their own company while serving a local nonprofit with their time and profits. Dr. Fawcett serves on several nonprofit boards including the Christian Business Faculty Association, the Greene County 4-H Committee and the Ohio State Extension Advisory Board for Greene County and consults with Somewhere Forever Ministries.
My Calling
I believe that there is a Biblical way of conducting business and that as followers of Jesus our behavior and dedication to our jobs and colleagues should reflect that difference in tangible ways. I believe that as God's people we are uniquely positioned to make a difference in the world through serving others and investing the wealth he enables us to create in ways that would bring glory to himself. With that as a backdrop, I believe that God has placed me here at Cedarville to share this vision and influence the next generation of business leaders to make an eternal difference wherever they find themselves serving.
Interests
- Sailing
- Maritime History
- USNA and Navy football
- 4-H & Agriculture
- Anything that our children are involved with
Education
- DBA, Cleveland State University, December 1999
- MBA, University of Baltimore, July 1986
- BA, Cedarville College, June 1982
Contact Information
Jeffrey Guernsey
Biography
Professor Guernsey came to the D.B.A. in 2003 after a 21-year career in the banking industry. He currently teaches courses in Principles of Finance, Personal Finance, International Finance and Financial Institutions. Jeff and his wife, Brenda, have an adult daughter, and a son in high school.
My Calling
I feel very privileged to work at Cedarville University, both teaching students and learning together in community. My previous years in the banking profession provided tremendous opportunities to interact with a wide variety of people and business, and learn key elements of business.
Much has been said about finding your 'calling' and discovering how you are wired, your passions, etc. In whatever job we find ourselves, our main calling is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Alongside of that, I have remained committed to the wisdom of Colossians 3:23: "Whatever we do, do our work heartily, as for the Lord, rather than for men." We can learn, be shaped and contribute in whatever occupation God places us.
During my years in banking, I had repeated thoughts of teaching…sometime in my life. I had opportunities to teach an adult Sunday school class, and then some classes on an adjunct basis, and thoroughly enjoyed those. An opportunity to teach full time at Cedarville University came to me in 2003, and after a good deal of prayer, thinking and family support, I made the change. In retrospect, I can see (at least partially) that God was preparing me along the way to work here at Cedarville, and I am grateful.
Interests
- Spending time with family
- Reading
- Golf
- Working outside and around our mini-farm
Contact Information
Charles Hartman
Biography
Mr. Hartman serves as Associate Professor of Accounting. His primary teaching responsibilities are courses in Business Law and income taxation. As need has arisen, he has taught Business Ethics, a variety of accounting courses, and some law-related Social Science courses. Prior to joining the faculty of Cedarville University in 1989, Professor Hartman was employed by Kellogg Corporation and by the public accounting firm Ernst & Whinney (today Ernst & Young).
My Calling
I had desired to be a teacher from my elementary school years; however, I believed it would be wise to have a more lucrative skill with which to make my way in the world. I studied accounting because I had an interest in business and an aptitude for numerical work. While at Michigan State I was introduced to my Savior Jesus Christ, although it would be many years before I began to think of employment as a calling. During this time I developed an interest in law and taxation, but as my father was a physician was somewhat prejudiced against the legal profession. Accordingly I obtained an MBA rather than attending law school.
After teaching at Cedarville for several years I needed to pursue a terminal degree to obtain tenure. I watched a television program in which the speaker described the tradition, dating all the way back to the apostle Paul, of Christians standing up for their civil rights. At that point I determined that legal training, like much other knowledge, could be used to advance the Kingdom of God just as easily as it could be used to cause trouble, so I obtained a law degree. Although I am not a licensed attorney, I am pleased to have a knowledge base in both accounting and law to use in teaching these subjects.
Interests
- Miscellaneous family activities
- Watching professional and college team sports
- Playing the euphonium in our church orchestra
- Coaching upward basketball
- Collecting vintage stereo and TV equipment
- Learning about new technologies
- Home improvement (especially if someone else does the work!)
Education
- J.D. University of Dayton (1997)
- M.B.A., Professional Accounting, Michigan State University (1984)
- B.A., Professional Accounting, Michigan State University (1984)
Contact Information
Ginger Huff
Biography
Ginger has been with Cedarville University since October of 2001. She is the part-time secretary in the Department of Business Administration. Ginger moved to this area when her husband, George, accepted a faculty position in the Social Work Program area at CU in 2000. She has previously worked in medical and non-medical offices doing bookkeeping/secretarial duties. In addition, Ginger has used her bookkeeping skills for her church as well as food co-ops. Before coming to Cedarville, she was the church’s assistant financial secretary and is currently her church’s treasurer. She and her husband have two married daughters, both CU graduates.
My Calling
I desire to serve others with the gifts God has given me.
Interests
I enjoy being with my family, on our boat, gardening, reading and spending time with our daughters.
Education
- A.A.S. in Medical Office Assistant
Contact Information
- via e-mail
- phone: 937-766-7103
- office: Milner 160
Sharon Johnson
Biography
Dr. Sharon Johnson came to Cedarville University as Chairman of The Department of Business Administration in 1993 from Baylor University. Since arriving at Cedarville University Dr. Johnson has served as Director of Graduate Programs, Director of Institutional Research and Effective, and Director of Planning.
In addition to his teaching duties as Professor of Management (with a primary emphasis on Strategic Management), Dr. Johnson teaches an Ethics course in the Doctorate of Business Administration program at Anderson University. He also teaches courses related to business growth and change in a distance-education MBA program at Taylor University.
Dr. Johnson has published well over 100 different articles, devotional pieces, editorial reviews, and presentations at professional meetings in the areas of church management, human behavior, and biblical perspectives in business. He was the founding editor of the Journal of Biblical Integration in Business, and serves on the Board of the Christian Business Faculty Association as Senior Editor for Publications.
Apart from his professional life Dr. Johnson enjoys time with his family (Catherine, his wife since March, 1970, and three children), his church (where he serves as Deacon and Adult Bible Fellowship teacher), and community service (he serves as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for the local county Juvenile Court).
My Calling
I became a Christian at the age of 33 in 1979 through the influence of a close Christian colleague at work, and the ministry of a local Southern Baptist church. After a considerable period of prayer I determined that God had called me to use my teaching and writing skills to the arenas where Christian beliefs and business practice intersect. My personal mission statement is: "Through my commitment to Christ, and as empowered by the Holy Spirit and directed by the Holy Bible, I will seek to communicate and teach creatively in such a way that my students, colleagues, supervisor and others I touch become better equipped and encouraged to serve God in their homes, churches, communities and organizations.” My special passion is to help students become Christ-like, competent and compassionate agents for God in profit and nonprofit organizations.
Interests
I love to write, read, teach and relax with good friends and good food. I also enjoy worshiping with gusto, exercising with commitment, listening to many kinds of music (but especially folk music from the 1950s and 1960s), and watching action and western movies.
Contact Information
William Ragle
Biography
Dr. Bill Ragle joined the Cedarville University faculty in 1995. He teaches classes in Investments and Corporate Finance. Prior to joining the Cedarville faculty, he owned a construction business in Denton, TX. He also worked as a financial analyst for Texas Instruments in the Dallas area. He earned designation as a Certified Financial Planner in 2006. He works part-time as a planner with a financial planning firm in Miamisburg, OH. His academic research has appeared in the Journal of Research in Finance and the Journal of Financial and Economic Practice.
Interests
- Enjoys reading a range of literature from history to historical fiction to adventure novels
- Spending time with wife and two children
- Racquetball
- Gardening
- Woodworking
- Wilderness camping
Education
- Ph.D. in finance from the University of North Texas
- MBA in finance from the University of North Texas
- BS in biology from Stephen F. Austin State University
Contact Information
Anne Rich
Mrs. Rich serves as Associate Professor of Accounting. She received her B.A. from Cedarville College in 1976. She received her M.S. from University of Central Florida in 1978. Additionally, she is also a Certified Public Accountant. Anne and her husband, David, enjoy bicycling and sailing in the summer, skiing in the winter, and reading all year long. Both Anne and David are heavily involved in their church's ministries. She has been at Cedarville since 2000.
David Rotman
Dr. Rotman serves as Associate Vice President for Technology, Chief Information Officer, and Professor of Information Systems. He received his B.S. from Taylor University in 1968. In 1972, he received his M.A.T. from Indiana University. Additionally, he received a C.D.P. from the Institute for Certification of Computer Professionals in 1980. In 1994, Dr. Rotman earned a Ph.D. from Nova University. He has been at Cedarville since 1984.
David Schmidt
Dr. Schmidt serves as Associate Professor of Management and teaches Organizational Behavior, Entrepreneurship and Small Business, and Human Resource Management. He earned his M.A. in Human Resource and Organizational Development (1992), his M.B.A. (1995), and his PhD (2001) in Management from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Business.
Dr. Schmidt also has many years’ experience as a manager and entrepreneur in Nebraska. He is a member of several academic associations including the Academy of Management, American Management Association, American Society of Training and Development, Christian Business Faculty Association, Institute of Behavioral and Applied Management (for which he is currently the Program Chair), and Society of Human Resources. He has published academic papers and presented at a number of National and International academic conferences including the Institute in Behavioral and Applied Management and the Academy of Management. His past publications have focused on Emotional Intelligence, Leadership, and Organizational Change. Currently he’s focusing on Entrepreneurship Education as well as the cognitive processes of successful and unsuccessful Entrepreneurs. He has also taught in a variety of environments, including online, adult undergraduate and graduate for several Universities across the United States. In the past 2 ½ years he, along with others in the Business Department, have and continue to be involved in bringing large entrepreneurial students projects and business startups to Cedarville students.
He serves as a Sunday school teacher and leader at Far Hills Community church in Centerville, Ohio. He has several outside business interests including real estate. Dr. Schmidt also has significant family responsibilities related to having five grown children and currently two grandchildren.
Galen Smith
Biography
Dr. Smith serves as Professor of Economics teaching also International Trade and Money and Financial Markets. He enjoys integrating Scriptures with the content of economic theory. He has written or co-authored several articles dealing with the integration of Bible and Economics.
My Calling
God has brought me to Cedarville to encourage students to think biblically about their business careers. Thus I enjoy seeing the connective links between economics and Scripture and to put these into practice in the classroom and in life. It brings a great deal of joy to me to be able to see all of life from God’s perspective. Though the term "calling" is not used in Scripture to specify a particular vocation or even an avocation the student can view his career in business as a "ministry" for the glory of God and to impact the Kingdom.
Interests
- Enjoy playing a good game of pool or snooker
- Enjoy walks particularly in the Fall when the foliage is changing colors
- Love teaching and being in an educational atmosphere
- Enjoy opportunities to preach and teach the Word of God
Contact Information
Sarah Smith
Biography
Dr. Sarah Smith has been a professor of Accounting at Cedarville University since 1980. She has participated in the development of the DBA from a relatively small department to an ACBSP accredited department of significance within the university and the arena of Christian Business Education. Currently her main teaching area is Financial Accounting, the building block of the accounting major. A secondary interest is accounting for governments and nonprofit entities. She enjoys curriculum development and trying new technology in the classroom, such as the use of audience response devices and the introduction of QuickBooks into the classroom setting.
Dr. Smith, her husband Barry, and her two mostly grown sons, Wes and Owen, live in Cedarville and enjoy many aspects of residing in a small town. God has worked in their family in unusual ways in the last few years, including the loss of a third son, to affirm her commitment to serving God in any way He brings into her life.
My Calling
God blessed me by putting me in a family committed to Christian Education at all levels. I am happy to combine this commitment to Christian education with my love of accounting by teaching at the university level. The discipline of accounting involves understanding and processing financial information, preparing reports, and then communicating the information to others for decision making purposes. Christian young people find in accounting a unique opportunity to practice servant leadership.
Christ said He was the Truth. Living a life of integrity pleases Him. Christ’s life was an example of adhering to principles rather than to a list of rules. The theory of accounting, in its conceptual framework and ethical stands, allows a Christian accountant to integrate these values. In practice, there are many opportunities to let personal testimony shine to the world as an accountant prepares reports, makes decisions, and explains recommendations to management and others. This is a main reason why I enjoy teaching accounting and why God has enabled me to continue teaching for over 30 years in the field.
Interests
- Adoption and adoptive families
- Students with disabilities
- Ministering to women who struggle with unique family situations
- Reading mysteries
- Cats
Contact Information
Susan Terkelsen
Biography
I teach Software Tools for Business (required for all business majors in their first year) and Business Communication. I am the advisor for the DBA Student CEO (Department of Business Administration Student Council and Event Organization), a student organization in the DBA. I have been teaching at Cedarville since 1999. I’ve traveled with several missions teams to Jamaica and Eleuthera. I currently serve on the CU Alumni Council and I’m involved in the Miami Valley Alumni Chapter. I enjoy teaching 4s and 5s Sunday school at my church. You can often see me walking the streets of Cedarville with my beautiful dog, Mocha.
My Calling
I grew up in Greenwich, CT, and came to learn of Cedarville through circumstances that only God could orchestrate. My grandparents had built a motel in Schroon Lake, New York. Through our family visits to Schroon Lake, we were introduced to the ministry of Word of Life. While attending meetings at Word of Life, our family heard Dr. Paul Dixon speak and subsequently, we learned of Cedarville College.
If you had asked me as a child if teaching was something that I would consider as a profession, I probably would have laughed in your face. Though I struggled in college with the decision about what field to pursue, teaching was nowhere near the top of the list. But God had other plans for me and He put people and circumstances in my life to make His will clear to me.
Both my undergraduate and graduate degrees are in Organizational Communication. After college and graduate school, I came back to Cedarville in a staff position in order to be close to an educational setting. My hope was to take some time to decide if teaching was an area I wanted to pursue. I had the opportunity to teach speech and computer applications courses as an adjunct.
Again, in a way that could only be orchestrated by God, I found an opportunity opened up for me to teach full time at Cedarville. The classes I teach are a unique mix of my educational background and my work experience. I find great satisfaction in helping students discover how to use software tools to help them achieve their academic and professional goals. Not a year goes by that I don’t have former students come back and thank me for helping them to build their skill in this area.
I never would have planned on this course for my life twenty years ago, but I am thankful for a God who knew how to direct my path to bring the right set of opportunities and events into my life to bring me to where he wants me to be today.
Interests
- Skiing
- Gardening
- Dog Rescue
- Cross Stitch
Education
- M.A. Miami University (1989); Organizational Communication
- B.A. Cedarville University (1988); Organizational Communication
Contact Information
Ronald Walker
Biography
Born in Ashland, Ohio while my father and mother were still farming, our family soon moved to Elyria and then later to Bowling Green, Ohio as my Dad moved with Production Credit Association. I thank the Lord for the rich Christian heritage that has been my lot.
After graduating from Bowling Green High School, I went on to study at BGSU. My undergraduate degree was in mathematics. Following graduation from the University of Michigan with an M.S. in Actuarial Science, I worked at Lincoln National Life Insurance Company in Fort Wayne Indiana. I served with the U.S. Army in Germany before coming to Central State University near Cedarville in 1970. I met my wife Becky, a Cedarville graduate, here in Cedarville. Becky and I have three children; each has graduated from Cedarville. We have seven grandchildren at present.
Following doctoral study at Kent State University, we went to Great Falls, Montana to join the faculty at the University of Montana. UM offered an MBA program at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls for the missile officers. I have been at Cedarville since 1978. I was only the 4th full-time faculty member in Business Administration at the time. It has been exciting to see God work in bringing so many fine students and faculty colleagues to the 'ville as the program has mushroomed.
Grace Baptist Church in Cedarville has been an exciting home church for us. The Grace family has been a real source of encouragement and support in our walk with the Lord.
My Calling
While an undergraduate mathematics major at BGSU I never anticipated becoming a teacher; I was preparing for a career in the business and industry. After a short stint in business, the "opportunity to serve" with the military intervened and while stationed in Germany I began to wonder if God would rather that I have more of a ministry focus to my life. That is when I first started to consider the possibilities of teaching at a Christian college, perhaps in mathematics. Step by step God led me to the appropriate opportunities that prepared me to do so, in management science, the use of mathematics to enhance business decision-making. And finally to Cedarville in 1978. My wife is a Cedarville graduate who was always talking about the grand time she had at Cedarville, so it was not too surprising when God opened up an opportunity for us here in the ‘ville. We are so grateful for His direction and provision in our lives. It has indeed been a grand time.
Interests
- Skiing
- Whitewater rafting
- Traveling
- Biking
- Reading
Education
- B.S. in Mathematics from Bowling Green State University
- M.S. in Actuarial Science from the University of Michigan
- D.B.A. in Decision Science from Kent State University
Contact Information
Bert Wheeler
Biography
- Professor of Economics
- Teaches Comparative Economic Systems, Economic Development and Political Economy, Business Ethics and Statistics
- Studied theology at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary
- Interested in the manner in which biblical principles influence economics and how this perspective affects our behavior
- Is a content author for Prentice Hall migrating Principles and Intermediate text data to MyEconLab
My Calling
- Converted to Christianity during junior year in college
- Chose full-time vocational service during graduate school while studying economics
- Went to Seminary in Memphis Tennessee where I became very interested in biblical perspectives in economics
- Began service at Christian colleges and universities where I have the unique opportunity to explore, study and teach economics from a biblical perspective
- Attempts to balance desire to excel in service at Cedarville University with role as husband and father
Interests
- Enjoys reading a range of literature from history to historical fiction to adventure novels
- Sports fan enjoying Cincinnati Reds baseball and University of Tennessee football
- Working in the yard
- Day hikes
- Cooking – particularly desserts
Education
- Graduate study, Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary (1985 – 1987)
- Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Tennessee (1985)
- M.A. in Economics from the University of Tennessee (1984)
- B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee (1981)
Contact Information
Duane Wood
Dr. Wood serves as Cedarville University's Executvie Director for Program Development. Additionally, he serves as Professor of Management in the Business Department. He is a graduate of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (1964). He received his M.B.A. from Butler University in 1968 and his D.B.A. from Indiana University in 1974. He has been at Cedarville since 1987.
Business Administration
All programs within the Department of Business Administration are accredited by the ACBSP.
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