by Elizabeth Kanzeg, Student Public Relations Writer
Cedarville University honored Dr. Kris DeWitt, professor of psychology, and Brenda Reid, director of international student services, as faculty member of the year and staff member of the year, respectively, during the Cedarville chapel service on April 6.
Dewitt has been at Cedarville since 2015. She is known for purposefully setting aside time to meet with students outside of the classroom to answer their questions and learn about them on a personal level, something she calls “walk and talks.”
"I am overflowing with gratitude!” DeWitt said. “Thank you, Jesus, that you continue to work in spite of me."
Reid was named Staff Member of the Year. Reid’s role at the university involves advocating for international students and children of missionaries who come to the university. She also advises the multicultural and international student organization, helping organize meaningful cultural events on campus.
“This award is the culmination of nearly a decade of work alongside hundreds of students,” Reid said. “The joy this campus witnesses from the international, MK [missionary kid] and TCK [third culture kid] population is just a little glimpse into why I love doing what I do and am so blessed by it.”
“The Faculty and Staff Member of the Year awards embody the essence of Cedarville: It combines the rich voice of the student body with a professional award presented by the Student Academic Advisory Board (SAAB),” said Will Geist, a senior criminal justice major from Cedarville, Ohio, and president of SAAB. “It allows students to recognize a faculty member and a staff member who has impacted their lives, who deserve the award, and who exemplify the core values of Cedarville University.”
“The award is important because it reflects the gratitude and admiration students hold regarding those that serve them and allows for public recognition of that appreciation to the glory of God,” he said.
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 4,715 undergraduate, graduate, and online students in more than 150 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is one of the largest private universities in Ohio, recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, including the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, strong graduation, and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings, and high student engagement ranking. For more information about the University, visit cedarville.edu.