What would you spare for change?
The men of The Hill, 180 students living in Rogers, Marshall, Carr, and Palmer residence halls, invested $3,000 in the Center for Biblical and Theological Studies (BTS). How did they do that? Are they rich? Nope. They just don't believe in myths.
"I can't give much, and it wouldn't matter anyway."
"Cedarville doesn't need my help."
"So what if I don't give. It's not like anyone's going to miss it."
Last fall, a series of student life initiatives were designed to expand students' thinking about personal finances – a critical component of a liberal arts education in today's economy. Stewardship concepts, at a Christ-centered campus, were central to the discussion. Every leading Christian financial planning program emphasizes giving as a biblical principle – being a "good steward" of what God entrusts to our care.
Resident director Adam McCune acknowledged the generosity of Cedarville's student body. "When immediate needs are presented, our students step up," he said. "But it's more difficult to teach students the value in long-term investments." Adam and his wife, Michelle, challenged the men in his hall to invest in something that would benefit not only themselves, but also generations of future students. "The BTS was an obvious investment in students' biblical education and in Cedarville's future," Adam said. "We challenged the guys to leave a distinctive mark at Cedarville to let others know they had been here and had made a difference."
If the students on The Hill would collectively contribute $2,000, Adam and Michelle agreed to contribute an additional $1,000 toward the building project. To successfully reach this goal, no one student would need to give more than $20, an easily attainable per-person goal over several months. Although a few anonymous gifts were slipped under the McCune's door, the majority of the contributions came in the form of spare change collected over the fall semester. It took everyone giving together to meet the goal.
Students may hear about a "big donor" and internalize a common myth – "I'll become that giver when I become that earner." What they don't know is that "big donors" don't begin with a "big gift." Cedarville's giving programs are actually sustained by modest donors who increase their participation over time. To accomplish annual goals for student programming, academic priorities, and needed scholarships, Cedarville needs $25 and $50 donors. Our financial strength depends on consistent $100 donors.
What makes The Hill's gift so significant is that each student gave what they could. They believed their spare change mattered – and it did. And it does. And it will for years to come as generations of students see a plaque on the wall near The Cove that makes quite a statement: the men of The Hill were here. They made their mark. They inspired us all.