by Michaela Carpenter, Public Relations Writer
Cedarville University is committed to diversity and leadership, and it continues to develop ways to bring these two values together. The One Campus Leadership Scholarship supports students who embody these values, and now includes a student organization to promote continued involvement.
The One Campus Leadership Scholarship was established in 2013 as a way to answer the deeper questions of diversity. The scholarship is not just for minority students, but for students with a variety of backgrounds and experiences that make them diverse.
“We believe we’re fearfully and wonderfully made, but we’re not just looking at how you’re made on the outside. We’re looking at all the different ways that your lives have intersected with other lives and if you are willing to be a leader on campus,” said Greg Dyson, director of intercultural leadership.
Now the recipients, which number more than 200, can further connect with one another and find ways to engage in leadership on campus through the new One Campus Leadership (OCL) student organization. Students are provided with opportunities to serve on and off campus, as well as to enjoy social events with one another.
“The goal of the organization is to fill in the gap when students are trying to figure out where they can exercise their leadership gifts and abilities,” explained Dyson.
OCL students are serving as leaders in a variety of ways, from working with Urban Light Ministries in Springfield, Ohio, to engaging potential minority students, to doing outreach events on other college campuses.
Charles Learned, a junior psychology major from Colorado Springs, Colorado, is president of OCL. She has served in a variety of areas during her time at Cedarville, including a mission trip with Global Outreach, working at Rinnova, working in the admissions office and participating in a student organization to serve alumni.
“The whole point of being a One Campus leader is that you have to get involved. What we want to see from OCL members is that they are investing in our campus community,” said Learned. “We want influencers on campus. That’s what the One Campus organization is all about.”
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 3,963 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.