Cedarville University

Infobox_University
name = Cedarville University


motto = Hearts for God. Minds for Truth. Friends for Life. Service for Eternity.
established = 1887
type = Private
president= William E. Brown
city = Cedarville
state = Ohio
country = U.S.
campus = Rural
undergrad = 3,100
postgrad =
staff= 208 professors, 70 adjuncts
affiliations= Baptist
colors = Blue and Yellow
mascot = Yellow Jackets
website= [http://www.cedarville.edu http://www.cedarville.edu]

Cedarville University is a private, nonprofit, historically-Baptist university sited on a convert|400|acre|km2|sing=on campus in Cedarville, Ohio, in the United States. Its environment and culture are underscored by its foundations in Biblical teachings which influence student life and school policy.

History

Cedarville University was chartered in 1887 by the Presbyterian church; at the time, the township was largely Presbyterian. The first classes were held in 1892, though the college did not officially open until 1894. David McKinney was the college's first president. [ [https://www.cedarville.edu/accreditation/selfstudy/document/introduction/index.cfm/1_Origins_of_Cedarville_University Origins of Cedarville University - Introduction-2007 - NCA Self-Study Document] ]

Elements of the school's heritage remain on today's campus in the form of two original buildings: Founder's Hall (Old Main) and Collins Hall (Science Building).The college early on also purchased the former Presbyterian church located near Founders Hall (Old Main), and renamed it the Alford Memorial building. Over the years it has been renovated numerous times and served as a gymnasium, class room space and a theater. The University seal has remained essentially unchanged and still contains the Latin phrase 'Pro Corona et Foedere Christi' (For the crown and covenant of Christ).

In 1953, the Baptist Bible Institute of Cleveland assumed management of the institution through a cooperative effort with the former board of trustees. The Baptists retained the Presbyterian college seal, surrounding it with the Baptist Bible Institutes's motto, 'For the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ.'

The current president, Dr. William E. Brown, assumed the office in 2003, succeeding Dr. Paul Dixon. [ [http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=15266 Baptist Press - Cooperative program focus in seminary education proposed in SBC plan] ]

Academics

Cedarville University offers one hundred eleven programs of study, including seventy-three undergraduate degrees, which cover most areas of the liberal arts, professional sciences, and theological studies. It also offers forty minors, including a Bible minor, which is required for all students. The university awards limited graduate degrees in education and pharmacy (pending accreditation by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education). A full list of programs offered is [http://www.cedarville.edu/admissions/ce16.cfm here] .

Cedarville's teaching body is composed of 211 full-time and 70 adjunct professors who profess to be Christians and support the University's [http://www.cedarville.edu/courses/catalog/current/doctrinal-statement.pdf doctrinal statement] . The university integrates a Biblical worldview into each discipline. The university is organized into four schools: the School of Biblical and Theological Studies, the School of Humanities, the School of Natural and Applied Sciences, and the School of Social Science and Human Performance.

The student/teacher ratio is 14:1, and the average class size is 20 students.cite web |url=http://www.cedarville.edu/link2cu/faq.cfm |title=Link2CU |accessdate=2008-09-23

piritual life

With a stated goal of "helping [the student] increasingly reflect the character of God in [his or her] life," Cedarville University is a religious university. All matriculants are required to earn a Bible minor and to attend weekday chapel services on-campus. Students are encouraged to participate in various community service and ministry programs off-campus.

Residential life

Cedarville is a coeducational university and students who choose to reside on campus live in single-sex dormitories. The university has nine male residences and seven female residences. Some students live in a suite-like setting, with three to four bedrooms sharing a comparatively small lounge in each unit. Others live in a single-room, hall-style format with a communal lounge on each floor. The university discourages off-campus housing by limiting the number of students and applying a strict criteria.

Publications

BBI publications

Before Baptist Bible Institute purchased Cedarville College and moved from Cleveland, Ohio, to Cedarville, Ohio, BBI published two publications: "Marturion" (a student yearbook) and "B. B. Eye", the only known archives of which are in the Cedarville University library and in the Louisiana Serials list [ [http://www.nutrias.org/info/louinfo/serials.htm Louisiana Serials List] ] . Fact|date=April 2007

Present Cedarville publications

* [http://www.cedarsonline.com Cedars: student newspaper of Cedarville University]
* [http://www.cedarville.edu/departments/marketing/publicrelations/buzzonline.cfm?mode=Inspire Inspire: magazine for alumni of Cedarville University]
* [http://www.cedarville.edu/departments/marketing/publicrelations/publication.cfm?mode=torch The Torch: published for "alumni and friends of Cedarville University"]

Athletics

Cedarville's athletic department, the Yellow Jackets, are members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA), and the American Mideast Conference (AMC). Cedarville offers men's and women's cross country, men's and women's soccer, and women's volleyball during the fall, and men's and women's basketball and men's and women's track during the winter. Both the men's and women's basketball teams have advanced to the NAIA national basketball championships. In 2005, the men's team made it to the final four, and in both 2004 and 2005 the women's team competed in the championship game. Cedarville also offers spring sports including men's baseball and women's softball, and men's and women's tennis. Cedarville's women's division won the AMC All-Sports Award for the 2004-2005 season.Fact|date=June 2008.

Accreditation and involvement

Cedarville University is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA). Its professional degrees are also accredited by the relevant commission.

In addition, Cedarville is a member of the following organizations:
* Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Ohio
* Council for Christian Colleges and Universities
* Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences
* Council of Independent Colleges
* National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
* Ohio College Association
* Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges
* Southwestern Ohio Council for Higher Education
* National Association of Schools of Music

tudent Organizations

* Alpha Chi (AX): a men's service organization
* [http://people.cedarville.edu/StuOrg/alphadeltanu Alpha Delta Nu] (ADN): Alpha Delta Nu provides criminal justice students with the opportunity to enhance their professional development. Members are students who believe that a career in criminal justice is a ministry in a God-ordained institution, which is government. This organization promotes Christian character, leadership, and service through training, information, and networking to supplement academic studies. The society assists students to prepare for a transition to their professional field as practitioners.
* Alpha Delta Omega (ADO): Women's social and service organization
* Alpha Kappa Delta (AKD): Local chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, National English Honors Society
* Alpha Sigma (AS): Fosters discussion concerning philosophy and progressive issues
* Amplified: focuses on urban ministry
* Cedarville University College Republicans
* CUEMS: an organization of trained students who provide prompt and professional prehospital care and transportation to Cedarville students in need.
* Delta Omega Epsilon (DOE): Men's social and service organization
* Eating Disorder Awareness Organization
* Gamma Chi: a women's service organization
* MENC: Cedarville's Chapter of the Music Educator's National Conference
* Multi-Cultural Community: a group of students from ethnic minorities and/or international backgrounds
* Phi Epsilon Beta (PEB): Women's social and service organization
* [http://www.resoundradio.com Resound Radio] Cedarville's Professional Student Radio Station
* [http://www.sgaville.com Student Government Association]
* Sigma Phi Lambda (SPL): Men's social and service organization
* [http://www.cedarville.edu/stc Society for Technical Communication (STC)] : Student chapter of the Society for Technical Communication
* Tau Delta Kappa (TDK): Honors organization
* Theta Rho Epsilon (OPE): Men's social and service organization
* Women of Vision: dedicated to the education of the University family in support of many different issues related specifically to women around the world.

Criticisms and Controversy

GARBC

After many years of association, the GARBC (General Association of Regular Baptist Churches) approved a motion to separate itself from Cedarville University. The motion in part reads:

:"A motion was made and seconded that the Council of Eighteen present the reasons for the decision not to associate with Cedarville University with special attention given to the Biblical statements and principles that warrant such a decision; that this presentation be made publicly to the fellowship of churches at the 2006 GARBC Annual Conference; and that messengers at the Conference be given the opportunity by vote to express their support for or dissent from the Council's presentation. The motion further directed that copies of the Council's presentation be sent to all Fellowship churches not less than 90 days prior to the beginning of the 2006 GARBC Annual Conference. The motion passed." [http://www.garbc.org] The GARBC considers Cedarville University's "unofficial but public partnership with Southern Baptists of Ohio to be "inconsistent with the Articles of Faith and purpose statement as adopted and practiced historically by the GARBC." [ [http://web.archive.org/web/20060211220441/http://www.garbc.org/einfo/archives/2005/09/a_letter_from_t_1.html e-info: A Letter from the Chairman of Council of Eighteen: September 2005 ] ]

As a result, in September 2003, the NARB Council of Fifteen, approved a statement urging the GARBC to reconsider its decision to deny partnership status to Cedarville University, stating:

:"We believe that the council’s decision to sever relationships with Cedarville University runs contrary to the historic position of the GARBC on ecclesiastical separation." [ [http://www.baptistnetworknw.org/news.htm Baptist Network Northwest - News - September 2003] ]

References

* [http://books.google.com/books?isbn=1405118652 Baptists in North America: An Historical Perspective]
* [http://www.amazon.com/dp/0873387635/ Cradles of Conscience: Ohio's Independent Colleges and Universities]
* [http://www.cedarville.edu/courses/catalog/2003-2004/fullcatalog.pdf Cedarville University Catalog 2003-2004]
* [https://www.cedarville.edu/accreditation/selfstudy/document/introduction/index.cfm/1_Origins_of_Cedarville_University Origins of Cedarville University - Introduction - 2007 Self-Study]

External links

* [http://www.cedarville.edu Cedarville Homepage]