by Mark D. Weinstein, Executive Director of Public Relations
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 Tuinstra, 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
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 3,760 undergraduate, graduate and online students in more than 100 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings and leading student satisfaction ratings. For more information about the University, visit www.cedarville.edu.
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 Tuinstra, 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
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 3,760 undergraduate, graduate and online students in more than 100 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings and leading student satisfaction ratings. For more information about the University, visit www.cedarville.edu.