Meet Our Faculty
Faculty and Staff
- Gruber, Stephen (Chair)
- Ager, Merlin
- Baker, Sue
- Baumann, Eddie
- Castle, Sally
- Comers, Terry
- Dugle, Vivian (Shelley)
- Grigorenko, Peggy
- Heaton, Timothy
- Hess, John
- Hess, Ruth
- MacKay, Brenda
- Sweigard, Thomas
Faculty and Staff
Stephen Gruber (Chair)
Dr. Gruber serves as Chair of the Education Department and is an Associate Professor of Education. In addition Dr. Gruber is the Coordinator of the Master of Education Degree Program. He began his career at Cedarville during the summer of 2000. A 1974 graduate of Cedarville Dr. Gruber has 26 years of experience in public education most recently as Principal of Greenville High School. Dr. Gruber earned both M.Ed. and Ed.S. Degrees from Wright State University and his Ed.D. at Miami University. His wife Christa is a former computer business teacher at Greenville High School and they have three children, daughters Erin and Sara (G2004), and son Scott (G2006). Dr. Gruber is a licensed private pilot and enjoys photography, water and snow skiing. He teaches adult Sunday school at Bible Fellowship Church in Greenville, Ohio.
Merlin Ager
Dr. Merlin Ager serves as Professor of Education at Cedarville. He has spent 39 years at Cedarville; he served for 7 years as Dean of the school of Social Science and Professional Studies, and 20 years as Chair of the Education Department. He received his B.A. from Cedarville College (1960), his M.S. from the University of Wisconsin (1962), and his Ph.D. from the Ohio State University (1967). He also completed graduate studies at Miami University (1963) and the University of Wisconsin (1964). Dr. Ager specializes in the content areas of assessment and abstinence education. His wife of more than 49 years, Ruth, served as office manager in several student personnel positions for 25 years, and is now retired. They have two daughters, Mindy and Debby, two grandsons, and a granddaughter. Dr. Ager is very interested in missions. In 1973 he spent 6 months in the Philippines at Faith Academy, and he has taken English-teaching teams to Hungry for 11 summers through Cedarville's Missions Involvement Service (MIS).
Sue Baker
Dr. Baker serves as Professor of Education and has been teaching at Cedarville for 30 years. She specializes in the area of mathematics methods for both the early childhood and middle childhood programs. She earned her B.S. (1968) and her M.Ed. (1972) from Kent State University, and her Ed.D. (1987) from the University of Cincinnati. Before coming to Cedarville, Dr. Baker taught in a public school for 19 years. She has four children and ten grandchildren.
Eddie Baumann
Dr. Baumann serves as Professor of Education and teaches graduate and undergraduates courses in Philosophy of Education, Educational Psychology, and the graduate course Diversity and Social Issues in Education. He has been teaching at Cedarville since 1993. Dr. Baumann earned his B.S. (1983), M.S. (1987), and Ph.D. (1995) from the University of Wisconsin. He also serves as a visiting professor at Columbia International University (S.C.). Prior to coming to Cedarville he taught in both public and Christian school settings. His wife Teresea is a 6th grade teacher at Xenia Christian Elementary School. Dr. Baumann also teaches adult Sunday School at his church.
Sally Castle
Dr. Castle serves as Professor of Education, and Coordinator for the Early Childhood Licensure Program. Dr. Castle taught 20 years in public and Christian schools before teaching at Cedarville for the last 15 years. She earned her B.S. from Syracuse University (1964), her M.S. from the University of Dayton (1983), her Ed.S. from Wright State University (1992), and her Ed.D. from Nova Southeastern University (1996). Dr. Castle has 12 grandchildren, and invites you to stop in anytime, as she would love to show you their pictures! Dr. Castle is an avid rose gardener, enjoys spectator sports, and spending time with her family.
Terry Comers
Mrs. Comers serves as Instructor of Education and as Placement Coordinator for Early Childhood Methods II and Middle Childhood Methods I & II classes. She earned her B.A. from Cedarville College in 1977 and her M.Ed from Wright State University in 1995. Mrs. Comers taught for ten years and served as an elementary principal of a Christian school before coming to Cedarville as a student teacher supervisor in 1988. Terry and her husband Bruce have three children. Luke and Andrew are students at Cedarville and Katelynn is a senior at Grove City Christian School.
Vivian (Shelley) Dugle
Dr. V. Shelley Dugle serves as Assistant Professor of Education and also the Special Education Program Coordinator. She earned her B.A. from Cedarville College in 1995 (maiden name "Clemons") and her M.A. from Ball State University in 1998. She earned her Doctorate of Education in the field of Special Education from the University of Cincinnati in 2007. Dr. Dugle has a strong passion for future educators to enable them to be confident in their interactions with individuals with disabilities in the classroom. She encourages her students to embrace all students in their classrooms and to individually meet their needs. Personally Dr. Dugle enjoys being a mom to her two young daughters, Isabelle and Allyson, and spending time with her husband, Rick, and stepson, Christopher. She likes to travel, hike, visit amusement/water parks, and spend quality time with her family.
Peggy Grigorenko
Margaret (Peggy) Grigorenko is an Assistant Professor of Education. She specializes in the areas of Special Education, Reading and Literacy. Peggy has taught in public, Christian, and international elementary, middle and high schools. She and her family served for nine years as missionaries to Nepal, where Peggy taught at an International MK school, and worked to develop a Special Education program for the country of Nepal. She received her B.S. in Education from Bowling Green State University (1978), her M.A. at Cedarville University (2005), and is now working on a Ph.D. in Teaching and Learning with a focus on Language, Literacy and Culture at The Ohio State University. Her husband, Don, teaches Bible and Mission in the School for Biblical and Theological Studies at Cedarville University. They have four grown children and two son-in-laws, all of whom attended Cedarville University.
Timothy Heaton
Dr. Timothy Heaton serves as Professor of Education, and has been teaching at Cedarville the past 20 years. He received degrees from Wittenberg University, Grace Theological Seminary, and the University of Dayton. He teaches Introduction to Urban Teaching and the Multicultural/Inclusive Field Experience for all majors, Social Studies Methods for Middle Childhood, Responsive Schools for Middle Childhood, and the Honors class on Creativity. He has also served on numerous committees at the college and with the community. He is presently on the board of directors for the Urban Institute at Central State University. His areas of specialty include Gifted Education, Learning Styles and Multiple Intelligence, Classroom Discipline and Management, Cooperative Learning, Creative Teaching Methods, and Urban Education. Dr. Heaton teaches courses in graduate education as well at Cedarville, University of Dayton, and Baptist Bible College and Seminary. He is a frequent ACSI conference speaker both nationally and internationally. He has also presented papers and done workshops at National and International Professional conferences. Dr. Heaton has traveled and done mission work in a number of different countries. Dr. Heaton's wife, Martha, is a Nurse at Miami Valley Hospital. His daughter, Molly, is a Cedarville graduate and teaches for the Centerville school system. His son, Paul, is a Grace College graduate and serves with the Winona Lake Police Dept. The Heatons also have 4 grandchildren. The Heatons are involved in numerous ministries at their church, The Gathering.
John Hess
Mr. Hess serves as Associate Professor of Education teaching graduate and undergraduate courses. He teaches the Education Profession course and serves as the Director of Student Teaching & Licensure in the undergraduate program. He teaches the graduate course’ The Principalship as an elective in the Master’s Degree program of the Education Department. He has been employed at Cedarville since January 1998. Mr. Hess earned his B.S. in 1967 from Cedarville College. He received his M.S. from the University of Dayton in 1980. Prior to coming to Cedarville, he taught for 24 years in the Xenia City School’s district. He served as building principal at Shawnee Elementary School in the same district for 8 years. His wife, Ruth, is a faculty member in the Education Department of Cedarville also. John and Ruth have two sons and a wonderful golden retriever named Samson.
Ruth Hess
Ruth Hess serves as Instructor of Education after having been a department adjunct since 2000. She specializes in Reading coursework for both Middle Childhood and Secondary education majors. Mrs. Hess recently completed graduate studies, earning an M Ed. at Cedarville University where she also obtained her B.A. in 1967. In addition, she is actively involved with the university Advancement Department, overseeing Mrs. Brown’s newly formed group, “Women for Scholarship” and developing women’s outreach opportunities. Her ministry interests include speaking at women’s events around the country, consulting with women’s ministry organizers, mentoring women both here and abroad, and leading ministry trips to foreign fields. She and her husband John have two grown sons and three grandchildren. Together, they provide hospitality in their home, enjoy travel, camping, gardening and of course, reading.
Brenda MacKay
Dr. MacKay serves as Associate Professor of Education and teaches the science section of Methods II. Dr. MacKay also coordinates the Overseas Student Internship Program for the Education Department. She earned her B.A.from Oglethorpe University, her M.A.from the University of Georgia, and her Ed.D. from Bob Jones University. Before coming to Cedarville, Dr. MacKay taught in both public and Christian schools in Georgia, Illinois and Canada. She served as administrator of a Christian school and has experience in supervising Christian school faculty. She is married to Bob who is Senior Pastor of Trinity Baptist Church. They enjoy ministering together in their church. The MacKays have one daughter, a graduate of Cedarville University, and two grandsons. Dr. MacKay enjoys spending individual time with her students, getting to know them and assisting them in their educational and spiritual growth.
Thomas Sweigard
Dr. Tom Sweigard is an assistant professor in the Education Department and serves as the coordinator of the early childhood education program. He currently teaches Children's Literature for Young Children and Language Arts Methods for early childhood education as part of the Methods I block for early childhood education majors. He also supervises students in their clinical field experiences in area elementary schools. Dr. Sweigard began teaching at Cedarville in the fall of 2003 after thirty years of teaching as an elementary teacher in public schools in Ohio. He has been a classroom teacher in grades Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 4th/6th. Dr. Sweigard received his bachelor's degree from Bowling Green State University (1973) and master's (1981) and Ph.D. (1992) from the Ohio State University. His wife, Patti, has been a Speech/hearing therapist, pre-school teacher and stay-at-home mom and they sing together in the choir at Shawnee Hills Baptist Church in Jamestown, Ohio. They have three grown children, Aaron, Andrew, and Sarah and one granddaughter, Brenna. Dr. Sweigard enjoys singing, reading, teaching, walking, and riding his bike.
Stephen Gruber (Chair)
Dr. Gruber serves as Chair of the Education Department and is an Associate Professor of Education. In addition Dr. Gruber is the Coordinator of the Master of Education Degree Program. He began his career at Cedarville during the summer of 2000. A 1974 graduate of Cedarville Dr. Gruber has 26 years of experience in public education most recently as Principal of Greenville High School. Dr. Gruber earned both M.Ed. and Ed.S. Degrees from Wright State University and his Ed.D. at Miami University. His wife Christa is a former computer business teacher at Greenville High School and they have three children, daughters Erin and Sara (G2004), and son Scott (G2006). Dr. Gruber is a licensed private pilot and enjoys photography, water and snow skiing. He teaches adult Sunday school at Bible Fellowship Church in Greenville, Ohio.
Merlin Ager
Dr. Merlin Ager serves as Professor of Education at Cedarville. He has spent 39 years at Cedarville; he served for 7 years as Dean of the school of Social Science and Professional Studies, and 20 years as Chair of the Education Department. He received his B.A. from Cedarville College (1960), his M.S. from the University of Wisconsin (1962), and his Ph.D. from the Ohio State University (1967). He also completed graduate studies at Miami University (1963) and the University of Wisconsin (1964). Dr. Ager specializes in the content areas of assessment and abstinence education. His wife of more than 49 years, Ruth, served as office manager in several student personnel positions for 25 years, and is now retired. They have two daughters, Mindy and Debby, two grandsons, and a granddaughter. Dr. Ager is very interested in missions. In 1973 he spent 6 months in the Philippines at Faith Academy, and he has taken English-teaching teams to Hungry for 11 summers through Cedarville's Missions Involvement Service (MIS).
Sue Baker
Dr. Baker serves as Professor of Education and has been teaching at Cedarville for 30 years. She specializes in the area of mathematics methods for both the early childhood and middle childhood programs. She earned her B.S. (1968) and her M.Ed. (1972) from Kent State University, and her Ed.D. (1987) from the University of Cincinnati. Before coming to Cedarville, Dr. Baker taught in a public school for 19 years. She has four children and ten grandchildren.
Eddie Baumann
Dr. Baumann serves as Professor of Education and teaches graduate and undergraduates courses in Philosophy of Education, Educational Psychology, and the graduate course Diversity and Social Issues in Education. He has been teaching at Cedarville since 1993. Dr. Baumann earned his B.S. (1983), M.S. (1987), and Ph.D. (1995) from the University of Wisconsin. He also serves as a visiting professor at Columbia International University (S.C.). Prior to coming to Cedarville he taught in both public and Christian school settings. His wife Teresea is a 6th grade teacher at Xenia Christian Elementary School. Dr. Baumann also teaches adult Sunday School at his church.
Sally Castle
Dr. Castle serves as Professor of Education, and Coordinator for the Early Childhood Licensure Program. Dr. Castle taught 20 years in public and Christian schools before teaching at Cedarville for the last 15 years. She earned her B.S. from Syracuse University (1964), her M.S. from the University of Dayton (1983), her Ed.S. from Wright State University (1992), and her Ed.D. from Nova Southeastern University (1996). Dr. Castle has 12 grandchildren, and invites you to stop in anytime, as she would love to show you their pictures! Dr. Castle is an avid rose gardener, enjoys spectator sports, and spending time with her family.
Terry Comers
Mrs. Comers serves as Instructor of Education and as Placement Coordinator for Early Childhood Methods II and Middle Childhood Methods I & II classes. She earned her B.A. from Cedarville College in 1977 and her M.Ed from Wright State University in 1995. Mrs. Comers taught for ten years and served as an elementary principal of a Christian school before coming to Cedarville as a student teacher supervisor in 1988. Terry and her husband Bruce have three children. Luke and Andrew are students at Cedarville and Katelynn is a senior at Grove City Christian School.
Vivian (Shelley) Dugle
Dr. V. Shelley Dugle serves as Assistant Professor of Education and also the Special Education Program Coordinator. She earned her B.A. from Cedarville College in 1995 (maiden name "Clemons") and her M.A. from Ball State University in 1998. She earned her Doctorate of Education in the field of Special Education from the University of Cincinnati in 2007. Dr. Dugle has a strong passion for future educators to enable them to be confident in their interactions with individuals with disabilities in the classroom. She encourages her students to embrace all students in their classrooms and to individually meet their needs. Personally Dr. Dugle enjoys being a mom to her two young daughters, Isabelle and Allyson, and spending time with her husband, Rick, and stepson, Christopher. She likes to travel, hike, visit amusement/water parks, and spend quality time with her family.
Peggy Grigorenko
Margaret (Peggy) Grigorenko is an Assistant Professor of Education. She specializes in the areas of Special Education, Reading and Literacy. Peggy has taught in public, Christian, and international elementary, middle and high schools. She and her family served for nine years as missionaries to Nepal, where Peggy taught at an International MK school, and worked to develop a Special Education program for the country of Nepal. She received her B.S. in Education from Bowling Green State University (1978), her M.A. at Cedarville University (2005), and is now working on a Ph.D. in Teaching and Learning with a focus on Language, Literacy and Culture at The Ohio State University. Her husband, Don, teaches Bible and Mission in the School for Biblical and Theological Studies at Cedarville University. They have four grown children and two son-in-laws, all of whom attended Cedarville University.
Timothy Heaton
Dr. Timothy Heaton serves as Professor of Education, and has been teaching at Cedarville the past 20 years. He received degrees from Wittenberg University, Grace Theological Seminary, and the University of Dayton. He teaches Introduction to Urban Teaching and the Multicultural/Inclusive Field Experience for all majors, Social Studies Methods for Middle Childhood, Responsive Schools for Middle Childhood, and the Honors class on Creativity. He has also served on numerous committees at the college and with the community. He is presently on the board of directors for the Urban Institute at Central State University. His areas of specialty include Gifted Education, Learning Styles and Multiple Intelligence, Classroom Discipline and Management, Cooperative Learning, Creative Teaching Methods, and Urban Education. Dr. Heaton teaches courses in graduate education as well at Cedarville, University of Dayton, and Baptist Bible College and Seminary. He is a frequent ACSI conference speaker both nationally and internationally. He has also presented papers and done workshops at National and International Professional conferences. Dr. Heaton has traveled and done mission work in a number of different countries. Dr. Heaton's wife, Martha, is a Nurse at Miami Valley Hospital. His daughter, Molly, is a Cedarville graduate and teaches for the Centerville school system. His son, Paul, is a Grace College graduate and serves with the Winona Lake Police Dept. The Heatons also have 4 grandchildren. The Heatons are involved in numerous ministries at their church, The Gathering.
John Hess
Mr. Hess serves as Associate Professor of Education teaching graduate and undergraduate courses. He teaches the Education Profession course and serves as the Director of Student Teaching & Licensure in the undergraduate program. He teaches the graduate course’ The Principalship as an elective in the Master’s Degree program of the Education Department. He has been employed at Cedarville since January 1998. Mr. Hess earned his B.S. in 1967 from Cedarville College. He received his M.S. from the University of Dayton in 1980. Prior to coming to Cedarville, he taught for 24 years in the Xenia City School’s district. He served as building principal at Shawnee Elementary School in the same district for 8 years. His wife, Ruth, is a faculty member in the Education Department of Cedarville also. John and Ruth have two sons and a wonderful golden retriever named Samson.
Ruth Hess
Ruth Hess serves as Instructor of Education after having been a department adjunct since 2000. She specializes in Reading coursework for both Middle Childhood and Secondary education majors. Mrs. Hess recently completed graduate studies, earning an M Ed. at Cedarville University where she also obtained her B.A. in 1967. In addition, she is actively involved with the university Advancement Department, overseeing Mrs. Brown’s newly formed group, “Women for Scholarship” and developing women’s outreach opportunities. Her ministry interests include speaking at women’s events around the country, consulting with women’s ministry organizers, mentoring women both here and abroad, and leading ministry trips to foreign fields. She and her husband John have two grown sons and three grandchildren. Together, they provide hospitality in their home, enjoy travel, camping, gardening and of course, reading.
Brenda MacKay
Dr. MacKay serves as Associate Professor of Education and teaches the science section of Methods II. Dr. MacKay also coordinates the Overseas Student Internship Program for the Education Department. She earned her B.A.from Oglethorpe University, her M.A.from the University of Georgia, and her Ed.D. from Bob Jones University. Before coming to Cedarville, Dr. MacKay taught in both public and Christian schools in Georgia, Illinois and Canada. She served as administrator of a Christian school and has experience in supervising Christian school faculty. She is married to Bob who is Senior Pastor of Trinity Baptist Church. They enjoy ministering together in their church. The MacKays have one daughter, a graduate of Cedarville University, and two grandsons. Dr. MacKay enjoys spending individual time with her students, getting to know them and assisting them in their educational and spiritual growth.
Thomas Sweigard
Dr. Tom Sweigard is an assistant professor in the Education Department and serves as the coordinator of the early childhood education program. He currently teaches Children's Literature for Young Children and Language Arts Methods for early childhood education as part of the Methods I block for early childhood education majors. He also supervises students in their clinical field experiences in area elementary schools. Dr. Sweigard began teaching at Cedarville in the fall of 2003 after thirty years of teaching as an elementary teacher in public schools in Ohio. He has been a classroom teacher in grades Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 4th/6th. Dr. Sweigard received his bachelor's degree from Bowling Green State University (1973) and master's (1981) and Ph.D. (1992) from the Ohio State University. His wife, Patti, has been a Speech/hearing therapist, pre-school teacher and stay-at-home mom and they sing together in the choir at Shawnee Hills Baptist Church in Jamestown, Ohio. They have three grown children, Aaron, Andrew, and Sarah and one granddaughter, Brenna. Dr. Sweigard enjoys singing, reading, teaching, walking, and riding his bike.