Cedarville University

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.

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.

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.

Before he finishes college this May, Daniel Ormsbee will have already launched two companies - one developing technology to turn waste into energy and another focused on solving complex industrial problems. As a senior with a double major in mechanical engineering and molecular biology at Cedarville University, Ormsbee is using an academic journey that began at age 14 to pursue a much larger goal: building technology that can serve people worldwide. He has founded Nutrafuel Bioworks and Orme Solutions, two companies shaped by engineering, entrepreneurship and a desire to help others. "I want to build things that actually help people," Ormsbee said. "Things that make life better in a real, practical way."

Greene County officials will honor Cedarville University's forensics team for its national success during a public ceremony at the Greene County Career Center on Wednesday, April 22, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This honor recognizes the Cedarville forensics team's top honors at the 2025 Pi Kappa Delta National Comprehensive Tournament, one of the nation's premier collegiate forensics competitions. At the national tournament, Cedarville won the reader's theatre category, a collaborative performance event that blends literature and interpretive storytelling. Multiple team members also placed among the top competitors nationally in individual events.

Building an electric boat for competition is pushing Cedarville University engineering students far beyond the classroom and into complex problem-solving that is shaping the future of the maritime industry. As the industry continues to evolve through artificial intelligence, green energy and automation, the students are gaining hands-on experience in design, manufacturing and testing through the Promoting Electric Propulsion (PEP) Workforce Development Competition on April 14-16, 2026, at Portsmouth City Park, Virginia. Sponsored by the American Society of Naval Engineers and the Office of Naval Research, the annual collegiate event challenges students to design, build and race electric boats while preparing them to tackle real-world maritime challenges.

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.