Cedarville University

CEDARVILLE, OHIO - For many people, a hospital is a place of healing and safety. But for countless families who survived ethnic violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, hospitals can also carry memories of fear and uncertainty. Many families avoided hospitals altogether, unsure if they could trust the people responsible for their care. A Childhood Shaped by Displacement and Hope Grace Uwahiriwe knows that reality through her own family's story. Born in a refugee camp in Bujumbura, Burundi, Uwahiriwe was born shortly after her parents escaped the Democratic Republic of the Congo during waves of ethnic violence targeting the Tutsi ethnic group. What began as her family's story of displacement and survival would eventually shape her calling to help others find hope and healing.

Cedarville Discipleship Ministries Enters Its 25th Year CEDARVILLE, OHIO - Cedarville's discipleship ministries is heading into its 25th year of making disciples, mentoring students and equipping them to disciple others. More than 100 different discipleship leaders now lead weekly groups on campus, meeting with students to study books of the Bible or Christian books about the nature of God and living as a believer. Those leaders are mentored by members of the discipleship council, a group of 13 upperclassmen led by Aaron Cook, director of discipleship ministries.

When a government shutdown from Oct. 1 to Nov. 12, 2025, halted operations in Washington, D.C., Cedarville University junior Paige Johnson suddenly found her participation in the White House Internship Program on pause. The unexpected disruption became one of the defining moments of a semester that tested her resilience, faith and calling. Johnson, a political science and international studies double major from Davenport, Iowa, interned in the Office of Presidential Correspondence through Cedarville University's Washington, D.C., Semester program. Serving in this office, she reviewed thousands of emails, letters and phone calls from the American public, helping ensure responses were accurate and aligned with White House messaging. "Simply being at the White House was such an incredible honor," Johnson said. "Every task felt meaningful because we were serving the American people."

As online dating continues to shape modern relationships, two Cedarville University students are challenging the swipe-based model with a new, AI-powered platform designed to foster deeper, more intentional connections. Andrew Bruckart, a freshman electrical engineering student from Xenia, Ohio, and Jonathan Ellington, a freshman finance major from Chesterfield, Missouri, have developed GoFish, a swipe-free dating app that emphasizes compatibility, relationship-building and user authenticity over appearance-driven decisions. Unlike traditional apps that rely on rapid swiping and visual-first impressions, GoFish uses a structured matching algorithm and user-supplied data to create intentional matches. After users verify their identity with a university email and complete a 13-question compatibility profile, they receive one match via email every Friday at 9 p.m.

In the world of online collectibles, timing can matter as much as the item itself. For one Cedarville University student, that lesson helped turn a $3,500 Craigslist purchase of LEGO minifigures into nearly $6,000 in sales. What began as a hobby for Micah Torres has grown into Rusty's Figs, an online resale business that has generated about $50,000 in revenue through livestream sales and collectible investing. Along the way, Torres has used the business to save for life after graduation, apply what he is learning in his accounting classes and lean on the faith-based mentorship he has received at Cedarville. LEGO Minifigure Investment Nearly Doubles in Value One of the biggest tests of that growth came when he spent $3,500 on Craigslist for LEGO minifigures. Torres, a senior accounting major from Summerville, South Carolina, had already found success reselling minifigures, but he had never made a purchase this large. In the month following his big purchase, Torres and his roommate navigated around piles of LEGO pieces that filled their residence hall room, but eventually, he got his space - and nearly doubled the investment he used to grow his business.

The front lines of national defense are no longer defined only by aircraft, weapons systems or troops on the ground. Increasingly, they also run through servers, networks and lines of code. At Cedarville University, three students and one faculty member are helping meet that challenge through service in the cyberspace wing of the Ohio Air National Guard, a specialized unit that uses cyber capabilities to support modern air power and respond to the evolving landscape of digital warfare.

The following students graduated from Cedarville University in spring 2026 with an undergraduate degree.

Water quality remains one of the most pressing environmental challenges in the United States, costing more than $35 billion annually in mitigation and treatment efforts. At Cedarville University, a team of researchers is exploring innovative solutions to monitor and prevent water pollution using an unexpected yet highly effective indicator: midges. Midges, small aquatic insects of the family Chironomidae, spend most of their life cycle as larvae in freshwater streams before emerging as non-biting adult flies. Because these larvae derive nutrients directly from their surrounding water, they can serve as indicators of environmental conditions. Cedarville faculty members and students are working to identify midges at the species level across Ohio, map their geographic distribution and determine their tolerance to varying stream conditions, including pollution levels.

CEDARVILLE, OHIO - The following students graduated from Cedarville University in spring 2026 with a graduate degree.

Students at Cedarville University have been named to the Dean's Honor List for the Spring 2026 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.

Students at Cedarville University have been named to the Dean's List for the Spring 2026 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.

As she crossed the stage to receive her diploma from Cedarville University in May, Olivia "Ms. L" Luckhaupt embodied a powerful message she now shares with her future students: Disabilities are not limitations but catalysts to perseverance, resilience and purpose. Luckhaupt, a special education graduate from West Chester, Ohio, has seen her life transformed through personal injury into a platform for advocacy, inclusive education and disability awareness. Born with cataracts, a condition more commonly associated with older adults, she faced significant visual challenges from infancy.

As colleges nationwide search for better ways to support student mental health, an interdisciplinary team of Cedarville University student researchers is contributing to the conversation through the Mind-Body Study, a long-term project examining how daily habits affect emotional health and academic performance. Led by Dr. Chao Liu, associate professor of psychology, the team presented a professional development seminar at the Midwestern Psychological Association Conference in Chicago in April, explaining its research methodology and highlighting early findings. Dr. Haisong Ye, an instructional designer at Cedarville's Center for Teaching and Learning, provided technical support in developing the data collection framework and also contributed to the seminar presentation.

Churches looking to grow often depend on strong leadership development, volunteer training and discipleship, ministry areas where women frequently serve. Recent Cedarville University graduate Molly Miller will step into one of those roles through a yearlong residency at Traders Point Christian Church in the Indianapolis area. Leadership Development Prepares Women for Ministry and Church Planting Her upcoming residency places her in leadership development, a ministry area that helps equip staff members and volunteers and has become central to her long-term goal of serving in church planting.

Cedarville University students have become published authors, using digital publishing and personal branding strategies to expand their professional reach. As part of a personal branding course taught by professors Daniel D. Fultz and Kary Oberbrunner, the students authored e-books and published them through Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing. "When you write a book, it increases your brand value," said Oberbrunner. "About 82% of the population dreams of writing a book, and sadly, less than 1% of those who want to ever do. It's difficult to sit down, put your thoughts into words and publish a book."

Cedarville University's Model United Nations team received the Outstanding Delegation award, the conference's highest honor, at the National Model United Nations Conference in New York City, the world's largest international Model UN competition. Cedarville students represented Jamaica at National Model United Nations in New York City From March 28 to April 2, the team represented Jamaica in the conference, taking part in immersive diplomatic experiences that included visits to the U.N. Security Council and U.N. General Assembly. Team members also met with ambassadors from the United States and Jamaica and observed a U.N. Security Council session on the ongoing Israel-United States war with Iran.

Cedarville nursing students are now able to join Sigma Theta Tau, the international honor society of nurses, after Cedarville University's School of Nursing joined the organization's Zeta Phi at-large chapter in March. By joining Wittenberg University, Kettering College and Wright State University in the Zeta Phi at-large chapter, Cedarville students have gained access to continuing education events, international networking opportunities and job connections that can last long after graduation.

Serving individuals with disabilities at Camp Echoing Hills gave Cedarville students Danika Swartz and Joella Bandi a deeper understanding of dignity, patience and compassion. For Bandi, the experience also helped confirm a future in health care. Camp Echoing Hills is an Ohio nonprofit that hosts camps and respite weekends for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. While there, campers participate in favorite activities like archery, axe throwing, movie nights and talent shows.

For students pursuing higher education, the choice is not always between one school and another. Sometimes, it is between continuing their education or staying rooted in the responsibilities and relationships that matter most. Cedarville Online Makes It Possible to Pursue a Degree Without Leaving Home As Cedarville University expands its education offerings, students are discovering they do not have to compromise their educational goals to meet personal responsibilities. For junior Zach Erway, Cedarville's online finance program made it possible to pursue a degree while remaining present in his marriage, church, and in the life he is building in Swanzey, New Hampshire.

At a time when many young readers gravitate toward fantasy, dystopian fiction or romance, Peyton Korte of Cincinnati, a freshman at Cedarville University, chose a far less common path: Christian Western historical fiction. Peyton Korte's Novel Draws on Faith, Family, and the American West For Korte, that choice was personal. His book, "The Cyclical Cycle," follows John Calmouth, a 14-year-old cowboy living in the Territory of Montana in 1874. After his father dies of typhoid fever, John must leave school, find work and help support his family. Along the way, he faces setbacks and responsibilities that force him to grow up quickly while holding firmly to his faith.

CEDARVILLE, OHIO - Live sports coverage leaves little room for hesitation: Reporters must observe, interview and write on deadline, often within hours. That is the kind of experience Cedarville University Emily Tuttle, a broadcasting, digital media and journalism major, is building as she heads into a summer internship with the Rockford Rivets after reporting at the NCAA Men's Final Four. Emily Tuttle to Intern With Rockford Rivets in Collegiate Summer Baseball This summer, Tuttle, from Harleysville, Pennsylvania, will serve as a journalism intern with the Rockford Rivets, a Northwoods League baseball team based in Illinois. The Northwoods League is a collegiate summer baseball league made up of players from colleges and universities across the country. In that role, she will cover home games, produce game stories and feature content and contribute to sideline reporting.

As osteoarthritis continues to limit mobility and quality of life for millions of older adults, Cedarville University researchers are contributing to the search for effective treatment that may help slow the disease progression. What osteoarthritis is and why researchers are studying joint health supplements Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease caused by the breakdown of cartilage, leading to painful bone-on-bone friction. The condition is commonly associated with joint injury, repetitive use and obesity, and it most often affects the knees, hips and hands.

Resound Radio, a student-run radio station at Cedarville University, has earned its third consecutive nomination for the Christian Music Broadcasters' University Station of the Year Award. Christian Music Broadcasters annually honors radio stations and media professionals in multiple categories. Its university category, launched in 2023, recognizes innovation, leadership and real-world impact in student-operated radio stations across the country. Winners will be announced May 29 at the CMB Awards.

CEDARVILLE, OHIO - In villages in West Africa where reliable electricity remains limited, a small solar-powered light is transforming access to Scripture, education and community life after sunset. For nearly two decades, engineering students at Cedarville University have been designing, building and distributing hundreds of solar-powered lights to churches across West Africa, expanding opportunities for evening worship, literacy and discipleship. This initiative equips local pastors and residents with sustainable, renewable-energy lighting that enables them to read the Bible, lead services and study after dark - a critical need in regions where access to electricity is inconsistent or unavailable.

As careers in health, fitness and sports performance continue to grow, Cedarville University senior Cassi Shields is gaining the kind of hands-on experience many students hope for - in another country, another language and a completely new culture. What began as a desire to combine her passion for exercise science with her goal of learning Spanish led Shields to Valencia, Spain, where she became the first Cedarville exercise science student to complete an international sports science internship.

Against gathering storm clouds and mounting pressure, a team of Cedarville University engineering students made a split-second decision that defined its competition and proved its engineering skills on a national stage. At the 2026 Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Aero Design East competition, held March 6-8 in Lakeland, Florida, Cedarville students competed against 30 university teams in the regular class and earned a ninth-place finish for mission results. Top competitors included the University of Cincinnati, the University of Michigan and Purdue University.

Cedarville University finished second overall in a national electric boat competition, using the experience to prepare engineering students for a maritime industry shaped by green energy, automation and artificial intelligence. The team finished just 1.5 points behind Princeton University in the Promoting Electric Propulsion Workforce Development Competition, held April 14-16, 2026, at Portsmouth City Park in Virginia. Sponsored by the American Society of Naval Engineers and the Office of Naval Research, the annual collegiate event challenged students to design, build and race electric boats while preparing them for real-world engineering demands.

As a child, Taylor DeYoung sat in Mayo Clinic hospital rooms watching nurses care for her mother during cancer treatment. This summer, she will return to the same hospital as a nursing intern, preparing to offer that same kind of care to other families. Taylor DeYoung Returns to Mayo Clinic as a Nursing Intern The internship is a full-circle step for DeYoung, whose calling to nursing was shaped not only by what she saw at the Mayo Clinic but by the compassion her family experienced during some of their hardest moments. How Her Mother's Cancer Treatment Shaped Her Calling to Nursing DeYoung's mother was diagnosed with aggressive stage three breast cancer in 2012. Soon after, she began receiving treatment at Mayo Clinic - one of the closest major breast cancer research centers to their Illinois home. "Because of the Mayo Clinic, my mom is alive today. There aren't many hospitals that could have done what they did for her," said DeYoung.

Reliable clean water is essential at Karanda Mission Hospital in Zimbabwe, where Cedarville University engineering students are designing a water treatment system for drinking water and sterile surgical use. Cedarville University students design clean water system for Zimbabwe hospital Matthew Shiel of New Hope, Pennsylvania, Lauren Kolodsick of Lake Orion, Michigan, and Caleb Weaver of Hudsonville, Michigan, are developing the system as part of their senior civil engineering design project. Karanda Mission Hospital needs reliable clean water for patients and surgeries Located in a rural region of Zimbabwe, Karanda Mission Hospital serves approximately 75,000 patients annually and performs nearly 4,000 surgeries, making reliable access to clean water essential for those who live on the hospital's compound and for patient care. The hospital sources its water from a nearby river, where an existing system treats the water using a multi-barrier method. But during Zimbabwe's rainy season, increased runoff kicks up sediment, filling the water with higher amounts of suspended sand and silt.

As artificial intelligence moves beyond screens and into physical spaces, an autonomous robot designed by Cedarville University engineering students could change the campus tour experience by guiding visitors, answering questions and navigating campus buildings in real time. Cedarville University engineering students create AI robot for campus tours The robot, the Campus Engagement and Directional Assistance Rover (CEDAR), was created to improve visitor experience on high-traffic visitation days by providing a consistent, accessible and interactive tour guide. Operating on the first floor of the university's Engineering and Science Center, CEDAR provides information about engineering programs, courses and campus events while helping fill gaps when human tour guides are unavailable.