by Nicole Hackett, Student Public Relations Writer
Cedarville University will hold its 123rd annual commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 4, with 815 students earning bachelor’s, master’s or Doctor of Pharmacy degrees.
Each graduate has a unique story, but perhaps none as unique as Gina and Miranda Dyson. The mother-daughter duo from Cedarville, Ohio. Gina is pursuing an individualized studies major, which combines Christian education and studio art classes. Miranda will earn bachelor’s degrees in studio art.
“It was a really cool experience to have a family member not only on campus but within the same department as me,” expressed daughter Miranda.
— Gina Dyson
After marriage and moving for jobs with her husband, Greg, Gina decided to continue the pursuit of her bachelor’s degree. When Greg’s career brought the family back to Cedarville University — where Gina initially started her college education — she decided to take classes again and complete her academic unfinished business.
“I have enjoyed art since I was a child, and I wanted a deeper education to push my creativity,” explained Gina. “The professors at Cedarville are very helpful in challenging us to look at things with different perspectives, which help us with our creativity.”
During their time at Cedarville, the pair was able to collaborate on a mural at the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center in Wilberforce, Ohio, and an installation project at the Toledo Museum of Art in Toledo, Ohio.
“It has been great being able to experience this time together and enjoy working together,” said Gina.
Just like Gina’s story of perseverance, another soon-to-be graduate has traveled through change and difficulty before being able to complete a college degree.
Aaron Lynn, a graduating sport business management major from Plain City, Ohio, was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma the summer after his freshman year. Because of chemotherapy treatments throughout his sophomore year, Lynn was forced to miss classes during the fall semester.
“The biggest support was my close group of friends,” described Lynn. “A bunch of the guys in my dorm shaved their heads to show their support. My girlfriend at the time, who is now my fiancée, was taking 18 credits that semester, but still drove to the Columbus area once or twice a week to see me in the hospital.”
Even after being declared cancer-free, Lynn still had doubts about finishing college on time. “The chemo did affect my brain,” noted Lynn. “There were some days that I had doubts about if I was ever going to get back to a place mentally where I could finish college. But through those doubts the support beside me kept me going.”
Regardless of Lynn’s doubts, he will still graduate on time.
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 4,193 undergraduate, graduate and online students in more than 150 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.