by Charis Marshal, Student Public Relations Writer
Christian higher education is shaped by institutions and the leaders who guide them. Presidents and senior administrators at Christian colleges and seminaries influence students, faculty and ministries far beyond their own campuses.
Cedarville University’s Influence Extends Beyond Its Campus
Cedarville University is part of that story. Alumni of the university now serve in leadership roles at institutions across the United States, carrying with them a model of leadership shaped by academic rigor, spiritual growth and a commitment to serving Christ.
Drew Flamm’s Journey From Cedarville Student to Grace College President
Dr. Drew Flamm, a 2005 Cedarville graduate with a degree in communication, now serves as the president of Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana. His path to the presidency was both personal and providential.
“My connection to Grace College was initially personal, as my wife's family includes many alumni,” said Flamm. “I started as the Vice President of Advancement, but in 2021, the opportunity to apply for the president role at Grace was presented. We prayed and sought counsel, I spent an afternoon with Dr. Thomas White (current Cedarville University president) to get his input and advice, and my wife and I decided to move forward with the interview process.”
Flamm assumed the presidency in 2022 and credits Cedarville with helping prepare him for leadership through both classroom and campus experiences. As a student, he served as a resident assistant, competed on the forensics team and worked with the Campus Activities Board.
“In my junior year at Cedarville, I ran for student-body president, and my running mate is now my wife,” Flamm said with a chuckle. “Even though we were not dating when we ran, we served together that year, which was great preparation for the opportunities the Lord would bring our way in the future.”
Craig Williford’s Path to Leading Christian Higher Education Institutions
For Dr. Craig Williford, a 1975 graduate, the path to institutional leadership was less expected. Though he would go on to serve as president of Denver Seminary, Trinity International University, Multnomah University, and Warner University, he first believed his calling would be in pastoral ministry.
“I thought God had me on a track to invest the rest of my career as a pastoral leader,” said Williford. “So, when the interim president at Denver Seminary called and asked to send him my résumé and become an official candidate for the job of president at the seminary, I said no. Upon hanging up the phone, my wife Carolyn said to me that I should call him back immediately and send in my résumé. Six weeks later, I was serving as the president at Denver Seminary.”
Williford said Cedarville helped form not only his mind but also his character and understanding of Christian service.
“My time at Cedarville deepened my faith, strengthened my character, and expanded my understanding of the importance of Gospel and biblical truth,” said Williford. “I graduated with a love for God, relationships, serving others, and learning. I also came to see God’s love for His church and what a privilege it is to serve Him.”
Notable Cedarville Alumni Serving in Seminary, University, and Ministry Leadership
That same influence can be seen in other alumni who have taken on significant roles in Christian higher education and ministry. Peter Lillback, a 1974 graduate with degrees in pre-seminary and speech, serves as president of Westminster Theological Seminary. In that role, he has been a leading voice in theological education and in preparing church leaders grounded in historical biblical conviction. His career reflects Cedarville’s ability to prepare graduates not only for ministry but also for leadership in institutions that help shape the church more broadly.
Other alumni also reflect that wider legacy. Dr. David Jeremiah, a 1963 graduate, serves as the pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in San Diego, leads the international Turning Point Ministry and serves as chancellor of Southern California Seminary. Dr. Rex Rogers, a 1974 graduate, served as president of Cornerstone University and later as president of SAT-7 North America, an international Christian media ministry broadcasting across the Middle East and North Africa. Joseph Stowell III, a 1966 graduate, served as president of Moody Bible Institute from 1987-2005 and later as president of Cornerstone University until 2021.
How Cedarville University Prepares Graduates for Leadership With Biblical Conviction
Taken together, these alumni point to a larger story. Cedarville’s contribution to Christian higher education is not limited to the students it teaches on its own campus. It is also seen in the leaders it has sent out — men and women who now shape colleges, seminaries, ministries and the students they serve. Their careers highlight the university’s ongoing mission to prepare graduates to lead with conviction, integrity and biblical truth, extending the university’s influence far beyond Cedarville itself.
About Cedarville University
Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,265 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked among the nation’s top five evangelical universities in the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.
