Cedarville University

CEDARVILLE, OHIO - For the Cedarville University School of Pharmacy, diversity is more than a difference in skin color. It encompasses the variety of experiences and perspectives every individual brings to the table. This is a vital component in providing quality health care because a diverse group of people can best serve a diverse community. This year's P1 class, the first-year Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) students, has a population of 47.4% non-white students, with a 41.34% average for the last five years. Students across the program come from places like India, Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana and from all corners of the United States.

CEDARVILLE, OHIO - Cedarville University's athletic training students will put their excellence on display by competing against other Ohio athletic training students in the Ohio Athletic Trainers' Association's (OATA) annual symposium and quiz bowl. The event will take place on Saturday, Nov. 16 at the Upper Arlington High School in Arlington, Ohio. Fifteen Cedarville students and two faculty members will learn from symposium presentations before students compete in the quiz bowl to test their knowledge of athletic training. The quiz bowl winner will advance to the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers Association's (GLATA) competition and face off against the winners from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.

CEDARVILLE, OHIO - A shared mission and location are responsible for a growing relationship between Cedarville University and Answers in Genesis (AiG). These two unapologetically Christian organizations, located less than 100 miles apart, share the common goal of upholding Scripture's authority. Cedarville is one of only three Christian universities recognized as an official Creation College partner with AiG. Creation Colleges embrace biblical authority and a young Earth view of creation. The Creation College designation helps Cedarville attract students who are looking for a university that teaches every subject through the lens of the Bible. It also provides for a perfect internship partnership between the two organizations.

Cross-disciplinary entrepreneurship is sweeping across Cedarville University as student entrepreneurs from diverse majors create innovative solutions that break traditional boundaries. Daniel Ormsbee, a senior mechanical engineering and molecular biology major from Cedarville, Ohio, combined his passions for bioengineering and entrepreneurship to create his revolutionary company, Nutrafuel Bioworks. On September 27, his game-changing innovation won the $1,250 first place award at "The Pitch" competition hosted by Cedarville University's Robert W. Plaster School of Business.

Few college students can say that they are the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) for a multimillion dollar company. But that's exactly what Ben Hutton can say as he leads the marketing for CoinHub Media, an online business for coin collectors. Hutton, a junior marketing major at Cedarville University, was selected for this position by his friend, Blake Alma, a 23-year-old entrepreneur and the CEO of the company. The decision by Alma to step back from his multimillion dollar business became a life-changing opportunity for Hutton.

National defense policy in the United States, as designed and implemented by the Department of Defense (DOD), is complex and ever-changing. When Brad Hoffman had the opportunity to engage experts in this field, he pursued a partnership with the American Enterprise Institute's (AEI) Summer Honors Program. Hoffman, a senior political science major at Cedarville University from Reading, Pennsylvania, was selected by AEI. He was a member of the program in Washington, D.C. titled, From Capital to Combat: Understanding America's Defense Policy. AEI is a leading public policy think tank in Washington, D.C., dedicated to defending human dignity, expanding human potential and building a freer and safer world.

From theatrical productions to the silver screen, Sight & Sound Theatre is transforming the way faith-based stories are told. The opportunity to transform the culture through Christian movies is what motivated Parren Carnahan, a senior broadcasting, digital media, and journalism major from Cedarville University to intern with Sight & Sound's productions office earlier this year. The Rochester, New York, student believes this experience has instilled in her a greater passion to work in the Christian movie industry.

Led by a professor who has seen poverty firsthand, the seniors in the Cedarville University School of Nursing experienced a poverty simulation that opened their eyes to hard realities and instilled greater compassion for the poor in their communities. The simulation, held every August for the Care of Populations course, consisted of groups of tables to replicate homes, businesses and a homeless shelter. Students were grouped into families, playing the roles of the homeless, parents, grandparents, children, single mothers, elderly widows, and immigrants who struggled to speak English. The students quickly realized that language, mobility and illness caused barriers to working, caring for families, managing finances and getting help when needed.

Building community through athletic competition is the heart of a new ministry program at Cedarville University. Using the game of basketball, Cam Arminio, associate director of career services, seeks to use the sport as a tool to build and deepen relationships among Cedarville students. It is his hope that this ministry will lead to developing deeper connections and opportunities for gospel-centered conversations. Arminio played collegiate basketball for Otterbein University near Columbus, Ohio. With his combined interests in basketball and Christian ministry, the new initiative is a slam dunk.

There's a gender gap in the workforce that Cedarville University's Women in Business (WIB) organization is trying to address. According to 2024 data from the Pew Research Center, women make up nearly half (47%) of the U.S. workforce while occupying only one third (35%) of the highest paying positions. Moreover, only 11% of top executives are women. With more women attending college in America - 54% of students at Cedarville University are female - Cedarville's WIB organization is focused on preparing students for careers in business. As women step into these spaces, Cedarville faculty and staff are coming alongside them with opportunities for them to become servant leaders in a male-dominated career field.

CEDARVILLE, OHIO - With a love for puzzles, a knack for critical thinking and a fascination with true crime, Hannah Hempel from Hartland, Michigan, is a natural fit for a career in forensic science. Hempel, a senior at Cedarville University, is majoring in forensic science and rounding out her preparation for a job in law enforcement with minors in criminal justice and neuropsychology - a combination that helped her land internships with the Forensic Investigation Research Station and the South Dakota Highway Patrol.

CEDARVILLE, OHIO - In a world where courtroom battles seem to leave little room for faith, Cedarville University mock trial team members are honing their legal skills and proving Christian principles and legal excellence can go hand-in-hand. Cedarville's mock trial team members learn how to meld their Christian faith with the skills of a successful trial lawyer. This is the mindset of Greg Thompson, professor of criminal justice and the team's inaugural coach.

The Heartland International Film Festival is an Academy Award-qualifying festival held annually in Indianapolis, Indiana. During its 32-year history, Heartland has introduced 10 Oscar- winning short films and screened hundreds of films created to inspire conversation, ignite imagination and demonstrate the triumph of the human spirit. This year, from Oct. 17-20, Cedarville University students will attend the festival for the first time. Professor Sean O'Connor, assistant professor of broadcasting, digital media and journalism (BDMJ), will take students to experience the environment, to learn to review movies and to watch some films that have rarely if ever been screened before.

Boarding not a time machine but a bus, Cedarville University students will step into the past and visit sites of America's struggle for civil rights. On October 16-20, students from the Civil Rights in America: Tour class will embark on a five-day trip to see where pivotal moments that shaped civil rights in America occurred. Before the tour, students will have spent eight weeks in the classroom hearing in-depth lectures on American civil rights from historical, political and legal perspectives.

An attempt to remove the Cedarville University physician assistant (PA) program's accreditation failed after the national convention of the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) voted to drop a proposed resolution. The resolution in question, titled "Inclusivity in PA Education," was proposed by the New York Society of PAs, and it would have kept faith-based institutions like Cedarville from having admissions criteria in line with their mission and beliefs.

Recent United Way data highlights that one-third (32%) of Generation Z desires to make a lasting impact and be advocates for their communities. For Elizabeth Kollmar from Spring Grove, Pennsylvania, a senior broadcasting, digital media and journalism major at Cedarville University, documentary filmmaking is a powerful outlet for her to inspire and build relationships with others. In May 2024, Kollmar embarked on a 10-week internship with Samaritan's Purse in Boone, North Carolina, as their broadcast creative intern in the broadcasting department. Samaritan's Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization that offers spiritual and physical aid to people suffering from war, poverty, natural disasters and disease worldwide. While there, Kollmar had the unexpected opportunity to aid in a disaster relief response to Hurricane Beyrl in Housten, Texas.

CEDARVILLE, OHIO -- The Cedarville University School of Pharmacy is partnering with Prasco Laboratories, the leading U.S. based pharmaceutical company to offer a novel work-study program where Cedarville's pharmacy students can partner with Prasco's call center to serve the community, hone their communication and problem-solving skills and learn about pharmacovigilance. This work will be managed at Prasco's call center in Mason, Ohio. Pharmaceutical companies are required to perform pharmacovigilance, an important concept involving the surveillance of the safety and efficacy of drug products approved by the FDA. Call centers are a key part of pharmacovigilance, allowing providers, patients and caregivers to ask questions or report concerns.

CEDARVILLE, OHIO - Most often actors take center stage in a theatrical production, but they are just one part of a collaborative effort to bring a story to life through the smallest of details. Keely Heyl, a 2013 graduate of Cedarville University who majored in theatre, is a master of the details. After graduating from Cedarville, she received a master's degree in production design and technology from Ohio University and has worked to develop her craft in theatres across the country. As an accomplished professional in the areas of properties and scenery, Heyl is helping bring the Cedarville University fall production of "The Secret Garden" to life in her role as the designer and creator of specialty puppets.

Two years ago, the United States Supreme Court overturned the contentious Roe v. Wade decision on abortion, sending the matter to each state for its voters to decide. While some states set laws in place to restrict abortions, Ohio legalized abortion. Meanwhile, pro-life advocates in the Buckeye State continue to fight for the unborn child, and on Friday, Oct. 4, 100 Cedarville University students are joining this battle by leading the March for Life rally in Columbus, Ohio. The march begins at noon. "We count it a great honor that the Ohio March for Life has chosen Cedarville as its 2024 banner carrier," said Dr. Andrew Harris, associate professor of communication and faculty representative for Cedarville's pro-life group. "It is one thing to be pro-life in principles, but another to act upon those convictions. The Ohio March for Life is a great opportunity to get involved and speak for the voiceless."

For demonstrating excellence and a passion for her community, Tess Harnett, a second-year physician assistant (PA) student at Cedarville University, is one of only three students statewide to receive a 2024 General Scholarship from the Ohio Association of Physician Assistants (OAPA). Harnett will be honored at the 2024 OAPA General Conference in Westerville, Ohio, on Saturday, Sept. 28. Originally from Kettering, Ohio, Harnett received her undergraduate degree in health and rehabilitation sciences from Ohio State University in 2020. Before enrolling at Cedarville, Harnett was a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN), working in the fields of cardiac rehab, intensive care and outpatient counseling.

CEDARVILLE, OHIO - The annual Dove Awards represents the biggest night in Christian entertainment. Superstars from across the industry, including artists Lauren Daigle, Crowder and Lecrae, and songwriters Brandon Lake, Steven Furtick and Phil Wickham, will gather for a night of celebration on Wednesday, Oct. 2., in Nashville, Tennessee. The recording artists will be joined by 20 students from Cedarville University, who will serve them backstage. The Gospel Music Association has used Cedarville students as talent escorts at the Dove Awards for the last seven years. Students from the department of music and worship continue to receive the invitation due to their professionalism.

There is a growing global need for trained health care professionals. According to the World Economic Forum, there will be an estimated shortfall of 10 million health care workers by 2030, primarily in low- and middle-income countries. Samaritan's Purse, a Christian humanitarian aid organization headquartered in Boone, North Carolina, and Cedarville University are stepping up to meet the world's growing medical and spiritual needs.

Nursing students at Cedarville University are trained to treat injuries, save lives, and care for people in their nursing careers. This training includes the use of medical grade equipment, much like the stretcher that was recently donated by the Jefferson Township Fire Department in Jeffersonville, Ohio. As a result of the donation, Cedarville nursing students will be better prepared to serve people - starting at their first day on the job. The Cedarville University School of Nursing has used a stretcher in classroom simulations for many years. But with more students pursuing a degree in nursing at Cedarville, the expanding program needed to upgrade some of its teaching tools. Having the newly donated stretcher is a valuable addition to the program.

The following student graduated from Cedarville University in spring 2024 with an undergraduate degree.

Cedarville University has sent its first cohort of physician assistants in training into the world to practice what they have learned in class. Completing clinicals under the supervision of physicians in locations from Cincinnati to Hawaii, these students are fulfilling their calling to care for the health needs of others while reflecting God's love. This cohort is the latest step in a long journey for Cedarville's physician assistant (PA) program. These 30 students, now learning in real-world healthcare settings, are helping prove the value of physician assistants to the greater medical world. "The PA profession was birthed out of a need for more medical professionals to care for sick and hurting patients," said Faye Hodgin, director of clinical education and associate professor of PA studies at Cedarville University. "Nearly 60 years later, that need is still present and we are thankful we can help train more PAs to answer that call to service. Helping to train students who seek to practice medicine as a way to be the hands and feet of Jesus as we do here at Cedarville, makes the experience even richer."

Young entrepreneurs are flocking to the new Cedarville University Entrepreneurs (CUE) School to make their ambitions a reality. For Kaicheng Ye, a senior cyber operations and computer science major from Beavercreek, Ohio, CUE School directed him on his journey to publish his first fiction novel, "LIGHt," which is now available on Amazon. The storyline follows four middle school students who discover a suspicious person lurking around their school courtyard before finding themselves in a mess they never expected - and don't know how to manage.

CEDARVILLE, OHIO -- The new Scharnberg Business and Communication Center will provide a space for excellent academic preparation and spiritual growth, something students are excited to experience. "I am excited to be in a building where I genuinely feel inspired," said Will Woods, a sophomore marketing major from New Florence, Pennsylvania. "The collaboration rooms and professional atmosphere, with decor and architecture that honestly just look cool, will elevate my creativity and productivity." New classrooms are one of the hallmarks of this building, including a customizable auditorium that can seat more than 500 people for conferences and large classes or can be subdivided to provide multiple educational spaces. In addition to the sizable classrooms, the building also includes a state-of-the-art cybersecurity laboratory, faculty offices, and The Cafe - a new on-campus dining option featuring a quick, healthy menu. Built on the northern shore of Cedar Lake, the view of campus from inside this building is matched only by the beauty of the building's windowed and balconied waterfront exterior. Students and visitors will be drawn to its lakeside patio and will enjoy photo opportunities at the Stinger statue.

Caring for children with compassion and clinical excellence is the calling of every pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP). Sharlene Lansiquot, a 2024 graduate of Cedarville University's Master of Science in Nursing PNP program, is pursuing that calling with a global mindset. Lansiquot was recently honored by the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) with the 2024 Global Health Care Special Interest Group Nurse Practitioner Student Award. The award recognizes one student who contributes to the healthcare of an underserved community. Lansiquot's highlighted work was with the Philadelphia FIGHT Pediatric Clinic in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she completed her clinical practicum. As a first-generation Haitian/St. Lucian-American from Brooklyn, New York, Lansiquot has seen firsthand the need for clinicians who will advocate for the health needs of all children, with a particular focus on racialized children.

While it is not uncommon for siblings to attend the same university, it is rare to have four siblings attending the same college at the same time. That is the case for Jared, Caleb and twins Lily and Grace Wilcox, who are enrolled at Cedarville University in Ohio - more than 900 miles from their home in Owasso, Oklahoma. The Wilcox siblings embarked on this new journey Friday, Aug. 16, when they moved into their residence halls at Cedarville University in preparation for the 2024-25 academic year. Classes begin on Wednesday, Aug. 21. Their journey to Cedarville is one of faith and conviction.

And the winner is Cedarville University's NASA Student Launch team. In a surprise announcement, Cedarville's NASA Student Launch team was named the recipient of the "Pay It Forward" award, sponsored by NASA's Artemis program. The award was presented at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, last month during an online ceremony. The award is presented to only one of the 49 schools that participated in the launch challenge in 2024 and is in recognition of Cedarville's excellence in promoting STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) subjects to elementary and middle school students. Cedarville was selected over teams from a field including Ohio State University and the United States Air Force Academy.