Cedarville University

Launching a rocket several thousand feet into the air isn't a typical classroom assignment. For one Cedarville University senior design team, however, it's the culmination of months of engineering, testing and preparation. Cedarville University Students Prepare for 2026 Rocket Competition The team is preparing to compete in the NASA-backed Midwest High-Power Rocket Competition on May 17, 2026, a multi-state event where students design, build and fly high-power rockets alongside teams from other colleges and universities. The competition, held outside of North Branch, Minnesota, challenges students to design efficient rockets that meet complex objectives, such as reaching precise altitudes and safely recovering vehicles for reuse.

Four students are building the technology behind a wind tunnel future engineers will use to test designs and collect data at Cedarville University. Cedarville Students Build Wind Tunnel Technology for Future Engineers The controlled facility, which will be used to study how airflow affects stationary objects, is being outfitted with student-designed instrumentation after faculty chose a basic model instead of a fully equipped system that would cost more than $200,000. Through the project, students are applying classroom learning to create equipment that will support Cedarville's engineering program for years to come.

Mercy Ships is known for providing surgeries to people living along Africa's coast, but life aboard a hospital ship also requires classrooms. More than 500 volunteers live aboard the vessel, and the presence of many children creates a need for teachers. Mercy Ships teacher will serve children of missionaries in Africa Abbie Hewitt is one of the volunteers who will teach first grade students onboard in fall 2026. Hewitt grew up as a missionary kid in India and Thailand before moving back to the United States. A 2025 Cedarville University graduate originally from Springfield, Ohio, she plans to return to cross-cultural ministry, using her degree in elementary education to eagerly serve missionary families and provide spiritual care to the young students. After learning about Mercy Ships, an organization that provides sustainable health care for people in coastal Africa, she began pursuing a role that would let her support the families who live and work aboard the ship.

In remote regions where electricity is unreliable, solar power can determine whether a ministry stays connected or goes dark. Through a senior capstone project, Cedarville University students are building a new solar charge controller to help strengthen that reliability. Partnership With SonSet Solutions Advances Mission-Focused Engineering The work is part of a senior capstone project with SonSet Solutions, a nonprofit organization that provides technology-based tools for global Christian missions. By designing, manufacturing and distributing tools, including solar-powered radios, water pump monitors and radio station equipment, SonSet Solutions equips ministries in off-the-grid regions with essential infrastructure.

As aerospace companies pursue flights beyond Earth's orbit, the demand for engineers, scientists and advanced manufacturing solutions continues to rise worldwide - and Cedarville University junior Gabriel Payne is already moving to meet it. Cedarville student researches helmet solutions for Air Force pilots Payne, a mechanical engineering major with a minor in biomedical engineering from Chicago, Illinois, is researching solutions to reduce the long-term neck strain caused by front-loaded helmet systems worn by U.S. Air Force personnel. His work addresses a growing human-performance challenge in aviation and space operations, where helmet-mounted equipment can place significant stress on the cervical spine during extended missions.

CEDARVILLE, OHIO - Medical missions trips are offering Cedarville University pharmacy students hands-on clinical experience while shaping their professional purpose in global health care and Christian service. These experiences are central to the School of Pharmacy's annual GO Transform showcase, an event designed to highlight student-led medical outreach, strengthen clinical best practices and inspire future participation in international health initiatives. GO Transform is an annual event to pause and reflect on the students overseas and domestic missions experiences and the impact of their practical, real-world training. Students present field-tested procedures, discuss cross-cultural health care challenges and demonstrate how short-term medical missions can improve patient outcomes and build sustainable global partnerships. The showcase also provides strategies for logistics, medication safety, public health outreach and spiritual preparedness.

A few affordable haircuts and some social media posts turned into a steady client base for Analise Alexander. Now, the licensed cosmetologist runs 'Hair by Analise' while studying at Cedarville University. Between classes and other commitments, Alexander, a sophomore marketing major from Webster, New York, offers cuts, trims and styling for a steady stream of clients. She chose not to wait until graduation to begin the career she had envisioned since childhood. "I've wanted to do hair for as long as I can remember," Alexander said.

Artefactual skin disorder (ASD) can leave patients with severe, self-inflicted wounds they may deny causing, making diagnosis and treatment complex for physicians. Cedarville University pharmacy student Thurein Zan collaborated with medical students in Germany and Poland on research outlining a holistic approach that addresses both skin and mental health. ASD, formerly known as dermatitis artefacta, is characterized by self-inflicted scars and lesions often resulting from cutting, burning, scratching, injections or chemical applications. Recognizing the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges surrounding the disorder, Zan and his colleagues examined treatment options designed to care for patients with ASD - not just healing their bodies but also addressing underlying mental health needs. Their work was published in "Dermatology Review," a respected, peer-reviewed medical journal in Poland.

As more young adults return to church, seeking in-person community and spiritual grounding, Cedarville University students are building that kind of space on campus through Living Room Worship, a stage-free gathering centered on prayer, singing and fellowship. National Research Shows Gen Z and Millennials Seeking Church Community Recent national research from the Barna Group and Gloo's State of the Church initiative points to what it calls a "historic reversal" in attendance patterns: Gen Z and millennials are now the most regular churchgoers, outpacing older generations. Barna reports Gen Z churchgoers average about 1.9 services a month, or about 23 services a year, and notes that Gen Z and millennials have moved from just over one weekend per month in 2020 to nearly two in 2025.

After hours of defending simulated networks against coordinated cyberattacks, a team of Cedarville University students secured first place in one of two Midwest Divisions of the NCAE Cyber Games on Feb. 7, 2026 - and one member of the winning team has yet to graduate from high school. For Kieran Klukas, a high school senior from Westerville, Ohio, taking dual enrollment courses at Cedarville, competing in a collegiate-level cybersecurity competition was an unexpected opportunity. After attending the university's summer cybersecurity camp, Klukas discovered a passion for cybersecurity and began pursuing the field academically.

Amberly wandered through the Caring Partners International medical clinic in Guatemala, unaware that she had once been at the center of a life-or-death emergency there. Cedarville University pharmacy student Thomas Bonifield, who was serving there on a medical mission trip, noticed Dr. Adam Reed, had tears in his eyes. Eight years earlier, Reed and his colleague, Dr. Lisa Ward, saved Amberly's life through emergency CPR. Moments like that are why Bonifield plans to pursue medical missions full time after graduation, and Caring Partners has invited him to join the organization as a missions pharmacist once he earns his Doctor of Pharmacy degree in May.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.