Cedarville University

Fletcher Colgan never wanted to preach. Now, the Cedarville University Master of Divinity student has been named the 2026 recipient of the Master of Divinity Text-Driven Preaching Award, an honor recognizing faithful, expository preaching. Colgan is a fifth-year MDiv student from Raleigh, North Carolina. Colgan entered the MDiv program hoping to become a missionary pilot and take the gospel to the nations - but he never imagined himself as a preacher. "Growing up, my dad was a pastor. But I never wanted to preach," said Colgan. "I thought it would be intimidating, but the more I've studied the Bible, the more the Lord has given me a desire to proclaim God's Word to his people."

Cedarville University's forensics team won the Ohio Forensics Association State Championship, capturing the overall speech and debate titles for the second straight year. The tournament was held Feb. 20-21 at Cedarville University. "It's a huge win for our students and a testament to how hard they work week in and week out," said Eric Mishne, Cedarville's director of forensics. "To defend the state championship in both speech and debate, and to do it while hosting, makes this especially meaningful." Cedarville capped the championship with nine individual state champions and 38 finalists across events.

A single fall can turn independent living into a medical emergency, especially for older adults living alone. To help address this growing safety challenge, a Cedarville University senior design team is developing an autonomous, voice-controlled assistive robot designed to help older adults remain safe and independent in their homes. The robot, called Alfred, is being created in response to a rapidly aging population and a widening global care gap. In the United States alone, the number of adults age 65 and older is projected to reach 82 million by 2050. At the same time, more than 8 million adults who need help with daily activities currently receive no in-home support, raising concerns among health care providers, policymakers and families about how those needs will be met.

In the lobby at Disney's Pop Century Resort, Cedarville University junior Abigail Foster helps families check in, solve travel problems and find small ways to make a big trip feel personal. Foster, an accounting major from Orlando, Florida, has combined her creativity, leadership and passion for serving others in roles at both Cedarville and Walt Disney World. After working with Cedarville's Campus Experience team, she is now participating in the nationally recognized Disney College Program, taking a gap semester from her undergraduate coursework to gain professional experience in hospitality management and guest services.

On weekday afternoons in Springfield, Ohio, the sound of school bells gives way to laughter, homework questions and the squeak of basketball shoes. By the time students begin filing into H.O.P.E. Ministries' after-school programs, Cedarville University sophomore Grace Anderson is already there, ready to listen, encourage and serve. While many college students seek on-campus jobs, Anderson, a sophomore biblical studies major from Elkhart, Indiana, chooses to invest her time in ministry work that reaches beyond the university. Since October, she has worked alongside 17 other Cedarville students who serve at H.O.P.E. Ministries, a faith-based organization that provides after-school care and mentorship for children from low-income families in the Springfield area.

When pastors, local Christians and state lawmakers gather in March for Prayer at the Ohio Statehouse, Rekindle, an all-female worship team at Cedarville University, will return to Columbus for a second year to lead worship. Prayer at the Ohio Statehouse service details Prayer at the Statehouse will be held Wednesday, March 11, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The worship and prayer service is hosted by the Center for Christian Virtue (CCV). Attendees can RSVP at www.ccv.org/pray.

Cyberattacks are growing more sophisticated as artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly embedded in digital systems worldwide. At the same time, millions of cybersecurity jobs remain unfilled, leaving organizations vulnerable to emerging threats. Against that backdrop, Cedarville University cyber operations students demonstrated their readiness for real-world cyber defense by earning a third-place finish at the National Cyber League (NCL) competition last fall. The National Cyber League is among the largest premier cybersecurity competitions in the country, challenging high school and college students to identify and solve real-world cybersecurity scenarios in individual and team settings. The competition tests a wide range of cybersecurity skills, including cryptography, log analysis, digital forensics, intelligence gathering and password cracking. With the fall competition complete, Cedarville students are preparing to apply those skills again as they look ahead to the NCL's spring competition on April 10-12 and 24-26, 2026.

Brandon Stover woke up in a hospital after an 18-hour seizure and didn't recognize his father. This spring, he will walk across Cedarville University's commencement stage on his way to a career in special education. Stover entered his freshman year at Cedarville University with high hopes, but a series of medical tragedies in his first semester brought his plans to a screeching halt. With the support of his family and Cedarville's community, he overcame overwhelming odds to return to his studies, driven by a newfound passion for special education. Stover will graduate on May 2, just over four years after the most tumultuous time of his life.

Cedarville University's forensics team turned in a dominant weekend at the Ohio University 1804 Tournament on Jan. 23-24, winning 14 individual event titles and taking first overall in both speech and debate. Cedarville also finished first and second overall and placed eight debaters in the top 16 out of 37.

After spending nearly four years fighting a disease many doctors could not diagnose and insurers would not cover, Cedarville University student Sam Sofio found himself addressing federal health leaders about the realities of living with Lyme disease - transforming years of private suffering into public advocacy at a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services roundtable. For 1,400 days, Sofio measured progress in small steps: short walks that often ended early, sleepless nights broken by pain and fear and doctor visits that led to more questions than answers. However, on December 15, 2025, he measured progress in something else entirely - minutes at a microphone inside the Herbert H. Humphrey Building in Washington, D.C., sharing his story of living with Lyme disease during the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Lyme Disease Roundtable.

Jenna Stout wants students to stop guessing at fractions and start seeing them. With a hands-on tool designed to help middle schoolers visualize math concepts, the Cedarville University senior won first place at the Pitch on Feb. 6, earning a $1,000 prize to further her business concept, BrightPond Designs. Stout, a senior industrial design major from Paw Paw, Michigan, earned the top prize after presenting a product line of physical fraction-visualization tools. The tools aim to help students grasp math concepts through hands-on learning, allowing them to interact with fractions in a tangible way.

In a fitness culture driven by image, competition and self-promotion, Cedarville University junior Caden Westbrook is challenging prevailing norms with his new athleisure brand, Temple Fitness. Westbrook seeks to redirect attention from vanity to stewardship, using apparel as a catalyst for faith-based conversations. to redirect attention from vanity to stewardship, using apparel as a catalyst for faith-based conversations. That concept pairs sustainable, quality clothing for athletes with a distinctive feature: a QR code on every item that directs people to a short video about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, giving customers an opportunity to share their faith in the gym.

For 48 hours, teams of creatives traded sleep for brainstorming ideas, sketching characters, composing music and debugging code as the clock counted down. Working in small groups, they raced to transform an idea into a playable video game in a single weekend. At Cedarville University, that effort unfolded Jan. 30-Feb. 1 during the Global Game Jam, an international game-development event hosted at more than 800 locations worldwide. Cedarville has served as a host site since 2019, connecting its students to a global network of creators tackling the same 48-hour challenge.

A modern classroom. An ancient witness. A Genesis Apologetics film, "Noah Returns: Questions After the Flood," shot in Cedarville University's DeVries Theatre, imagines what it might look like if Noah could answer students' toughest questions today. The movie's trailer was released on Tuesday, Feb. 10. The trailer release is the first public look at the feature-length film, which will have a sneak preview screening Feb. 28 during the 2026 Genesis Apologetics Conference at William Jessup University in Rocklin, California. Genesis Apologetics expects the full film to be released in late 2026, with a possible theatrical run.

A middle school math tool, affordable cybersecurity for churches and a fast-fashion recycling concept took top honors Friday night at Cedarville University's Pitch competition. After multiple rounds of coaching and judging, three ventures earned the top prizes. First place received $1,000, second place $500 and third place $250 to help teams continue developing their concepts.

Earth's orbit is growing more crowded every year. Thousands of satellites, spent rocket bodies and fragments of debris now circle the planet at high speeds, creating risks for GPS systems, communications and future space missions. With increased orbital traffic, accurately identifying space debris has become a pressing challenge - a challenge that one Cedarville University professor is using to test the capabilities and limitations of artificial intelligence (AI).

In an era of online echo chambers and clickbait headlines, two college students are proving that young voices have something serious to say. Andrew Locke and Connor Burke, friends turned co-founders, launched Burke & Locke - a digital platform where students tackle big ideas: culture, economics, politics and the philosophy that shapes them.

As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly common in homes and classrooms, the question is not whether children will interact with it, but who is shaping those systems, with what values and for what purpose. Many parents and educators are concerned about generalized AI use among students as they develop academic skills, form values and shape their worldviews. Some may lean toward avoiding AI entirely - but for Martyn Iles, preacher, commentator and former leader at Answers in Genesis, AI presents a unique educational opportunity.

A touching tale of loyalty, loss and redemption will take center stage as Cedarville University's theatre program presents "Horizons of Gold" Feb. 5-15 in the DeVries Theatre. Musical Inspired by Book of Ruth Debuts in DeVries Theatre Inspired by the biblical book of Ruth, the musical explores the hope of new beginnings as Rose, a young widow living during the Dust Bowl era of the 1930s, grieves and discovers how one stranger's kindness can change even the bleakest of situations.

Cybercrime is accelerating at an alarming rate, with the FBI reporting that losses in the United States reached $12.5 billion in 2023. As phishing scams, malware and data breaches increasingly affect younger users, the need for early cybersecurity education is growing just as quickly. To help meet that need, Cedarville University students are launching CedarBits, a new four-week cybersecurity camp beginning February 3 for middle school students in grades six through eight. The hands-on program will teach computer safety, digital security fundamentals and basic networking skills, equipping students to navigate the online world more safely. CedarBits will run Feb. 3, Feb. 10 and Feb. 17 from 4-5:30 p.m. and Feb. 24 from 4-6 p.m. in the Center for the Advancement of Cybersecurity in the Scharnberg Business and Communication Center on

As new federal dietary guidelines prompt changes to school breakfasts nationwide, three Cedarville University nursing students' research indicates how high-protein morning meals can improve academic performance and overall health in children. New Federal Dietary Guidelines Reshape School Breakfast Programs The U.S. federal government released updated dietary guidelines on January 7, 2026, replacing the 2011 MyPlate model. The new structure underscores the importance of "real foods" like full-fat milk and yogurt, butter and red meat. The updated food pyramid is expected to bring sweeping changes to school meals across the nation, including the federally funded School Breakfast Program - an area that captured the attention of three Cedarville students.

Hundreds of thousands of pro-life advocates will gather in Washington, D.C., for the annual National March for Life. Among the participants will be 50 students and faculty members from Cedarville University. Cedarville Students Join Largest Pro-Life March in the U.S. The Friday, Jan. 23, event is the world's largest human rights demonstration, uniting participants from across the country around the theme, "Life Is a Gift." Adoption Fuels Pro-Life Passion for Cedarville Senior For Cedarville senior communication major Rachel Hartford from Cedarville, Ohio, the issue of life is not only political but deeply personal. "I'm so grateful that my biological parents chose to put me up for adoption," said Hartford. "They couldn't care for me, but they still gave me the best life possible. And God has used that in amazing ways."

Student-driven innovation will take center stage on Friday, Feb. 6, at 7 p.m. in Cedarville University's Dixon Ministry Center at The Pitch, a "Shark Tank"-style entrepreneurship competition. Five teams will present creative, faith-driven business concepts, many of which were first sparked in classrooms, dorm rooms and late-night conversations. This annual event empowers students to explore entrepreneurship from a biblical worldview. Having progressed through multiple rounds of judging and coaching, the five finalists will present their business concepts to a panel of business leaders during the live event. The winning team will receive $1,000 to help them make the business concept into a practical product for consumers. Second- and third-place participants receive $500 and $250, respectively.

Students at Cedarville University have been named to the Dean's Honor List for the Fall 2025 semester. This recognition requires the student to obtain a 3.75 GPA or higher for the semester and carry a minimum of 12 credit hours.

As global health crises reveal deep physical and spiritual needs, Cedarville University is preparing future medical professionals to meet both - educating students to integrate faith with health care in ways that change lives. A part of the educational process is for healthcare students to attend professional conferences and clinical experiences that pair professional excellence with gospel-centered compassion. Global Missions Health Conference Prepares Students for Medical Missions At the recent Global Missions Health Conference (GMHC) held in Louisville, Kentucky, over 70 students from Cedarville's Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.), pre-med and allied health programs joined the world's largest gathering focused on international health care missions. The purpose of the conference is to equip attendees to use their medical skills for gospel impact.

Students at Cedarville University have been named to the Dean's List for the Fall 2025 semester. This recognition requires the student to obtain a 3.50 GPA or higher for the semester and carry a minimum of 12 credit hours.

Heartfelt worship, vulnerable conversations and gospel-centered community defined Cedarville University's HeartSong fall tour, where ministry happened just as powerfully behind the scenes as it did on the stage. Over the course of the fall semester, student-led worship teams traveled from Cleveland, Ohio, to Kentucky, sharing music, testimonies and faith with congregations and students. Students Share Faith Through Worship Across States Throughout the tour, HeartSong led worship, while church pastors delivered the messages. But for the team members, ministry extended far beyond the music.

The Ford Mustang, Chevy Camaro and Dodge Challenger have long defined American automotive appearance and performance. But behind every sleek exterior and precision detail lies the imagination of designers who shape the future of the industry. Cedarville Design Students Take on Automotive Challenge Seniors from Cedarville University's industrial and innovative design program studying at the International Center for Creativity (ICC) in Dublin, Ohio, recently tackled both the rewards and challenges of automotive design in a five-week intensive course. Working in brand-specific teams for the Mustang, Camaro and Challenger, the senior class envisioned the "2035 Pony Car," a forward-looking concept and modeling project that taught real-world industry practices through hands-on experience.

Feeling isolated on a college campus is not unusual - according to the American College Health Association, nearly 60% of college students report feeling lonely or isolated. A new student organization at Cedarville University decided to do something about it. Their solution? Get outside together. Their desire for connection and love for the outdoors led to the creation of CU Outings, a student organization focused on hiking, backpacking, rock climbing and other outdoor activities. For its members, outdoor adventures aren't just about conquering new trails or climbs - they're a way to build a community and recharge mentally amid the demands of college life.

A group of third graders dashed across a field, ropes in hand, learning about transportation the cowboy way. It wasn't a field trip - it was a classroom without walls where student teachers swapped worksheets for Wild West adventures. When planning her lessons, Professor Candace Nelson often considers whether her students would rather learn about transportation by doing a worksheet, listening to a lecture or stepping into an activity like roping a cow. She would always choose the cow. An adjunct professor of education at Cedarville University, Nelson leads a senior-level course called Teaching Primary Social Studies designed to give education majors hands-on experience in lesson planning and event preparation. The course culminates in Geography Day, a two-day social studies event hosted by Cedarville University's student teachers for third-grade students at Cedarville Elementary School.