Notable Alumni and Achievements of Cedarville University

Cedarville University, a private institution rooted in evangelical Christian values, has a rich history of producing graduates who significantly impact their communities and the world. Established in 1887, the university has evolved from its Presbyterian origins to its current affiliation with the Southern Baptist Convention, all while maintaining a commitment to academic excellence and Christ-centered principles. This article explores some of Cedarville's notable alumni, faculty achievements, and the university's broader impact.

A Legacy of Leadership and Service: Alumni of the Year

Each year, Cedarville University honors alumni who are impacting their world for Jesus Christ in the following categories - Alumnus of the Year, Honorary Alumna of the Year, Young Alumnus of the Year, and the Distinguished Service Award. There are additional awards that are given at various times when appropriate. The recipients are honored in chapel, at an awards ceremony, and often times are asked to speak to our student body.

Craig and Carolyn Williford: Lifelong Commitment to Ministry and Education

Cedarville University is honored to recognize Dr. Craig and Carolyn Williford as the Alumni of the Year, celebrating their lifelong commitment to ministry, education, and global service. Dr. Craig Williford has dedicated over five decades to ministry and higher education. His career includes more than 20 years as the CEO and President of three esteemed institutions: Multnomah University in Portland, Oregon; Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois; and Denver Seminary in Denver, Colorado. Beyond his work in academia, Dr. Williford has also served as a Global Education Consultant for the English Language Institute China (ELIC).

Carolyn Williford has played an equally vital role in their shared mission, using her gifts as an educator, author, and mentor. She has served as an instructor of English at Bryan College and made a significant impact as a conference speaker, leadership network facilitator, and retreat leader. Her work in Christian literature is notable, as she has authored nine books, three of which she co-wrote with Dr. Williford.

Together, Craig and Carolyn have traveled extensively, driven by a desire to build partnerships, facilitate faculty and student exchanges, lead humanitarian efforts, and research outreach projects. Their global experience has enriched their ministry, allowing them to advance Christian education and leadership development in diverse cultures and communities worldwide. Dr. Craig and Carolyn Williford’s legacy is one of unwavering faith, servant-hearted leadership, and a dedication to equipping others for Christ-centered impact.

Grace Norman: A Champion On and Off the Field

Cedarville University proudly honors Grace Norman as the Young Alumna of the Year. A 2020 nursing graduate and accomplished Paralympian, Grace has used her testimony to represent Cedarville University on a global platform, showcasing her God-given abilities and serving as a Christlike influence within her field.

Grace set the stage for an illustrious athletic career as early as high school, becoming the first amputee in Ohio’s history to compete at the state high school championship meet. Her time at Cedarville University showcased her standout athletic ability in both cross country and track. Despite the rigorous demands of being a nursing major, Norman balanced academics and athletics with remarkable discipline, consistently making the Dean’s List and earning recognition on the G-MAC Academic All-Conference Team.

Her achievements on the world stage have been nothing short of extraordinary. At the Rio Paralympic Games, Norman won a gold medal in the triathlon and a bronze medal in the 400 meters. She followed this with a silver medal in the triathlon at the Tokyo Games before reclaiming gold in the event at the Paris Paralympic Games.

Jim Leightenheimer: Shaping the Future of Christian Broadcasting

Cedarville takes great pride in honoring Prof. Jim Leightenheimer with the Distinguished Service Award for his more than four decades of shaping students’ lives and elevating the communication department.

Resound Radio was born out of Prof. Leightenheimer’s vision to give students hands-on experience in Christian broadcasting. What started as WSRN, a small student-run station, evolved under his guidance into a fully operational radio station reaching listeners nationwide. His passion for creating a space where students could learn, fail, and grow has become a cornerstone of Resound’s success, giving his students the chance to engage in real-world media production.

Prof. Leightenheimer’s contributions extend well beyond Cedarville’s campus. His influence in Christian broadcasting has been recognized at the national level, leading to nominations and awards from organizations such as Christian Music Broadcasters. His work with K-Love and other major media networks has further established his reputation as a thought leader and innovator in the industry.

Beyond the classroom, Prof. Leightenheimer has poured countless hours into mentoring students, fostering their talents, and encouraging them to pursue excellence with a servant’s heart. His commitment to his students goes far beyond academics - he invests in their personal and spiritual growth, ensuring they leave Cedarville equipped to lead and serve in their fields. Prof. Jim Leightenheimer’s name stands as a testament to faithful service and leadership with integrity.

Faculty Excellence: Shaping Minds and Impacting the World

Cedarville University's faculty members are dedicated to equipping students for lifelong leadership and service through an education marked by excellence and grounded in biblical truth. Their influence extends beyond the classroom, impacting various fields and communities.

Dr. Glen Duerr: A Voice in International Affairs

Education is more than lectures, exams and college classrooms for Dr. Glen Duerr, professor of international studies at Cedarville University. His influence extends beyond teaching and the numerous published books and articles. It also includes providing a balanced perspective on current international news for the public through hundreds of media interviews.

Since coming to Cedarville University in 2012, Duerr has been sought out by media outlets from across the United States for his expertise in international relations and news. His knowledge of international politics, combined with being a citizen of the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States, offers rare insight in each interview. Duerr participated in his 1,000th media interview at Cedarville on January 28, 2025 when he talked with Cleveland, Ohio's WCRF (Moody Radio) anchor Brian Dahlen about the upcoming prime minister election in Canada. He now becomes the second Cedarville faculty member with 1,000 media interviews, joining Dr. Mark Caleb Smith, director of the center for political studies, who completed his 1,000th interview six years ago.

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From the start of Duerr’s 13-year career at Cedarville University, he has shared his expertise on international relations and politics with all forms of media outlets: radio, television, print and online news outlets. While he jokingly laments that he hasn’t yet had the opportunity to be interviewed by the BBC from the United Kingdom, he has discussed national and international topics with Fox News Online, CBN News, WAVA radio in Washington, D.C., CTV News in Canada, The Financial Times in the United Kingdom and Bill O'Reilly on Newsmax. Duerr has also been a regular contributor on several Moody Radio stations in Cleveland, Indianapolis, South Florida, and the Quad Cities in Iowa, and by journalists in Spain, Switzerland, Russia and Iran.

“I’m still young enough, so hopefully I have another 1,000 interviews left in me,” laughed Duerr. “I’ve been able to bring my British sense of humor into lighter topics when it’s appropriate and also respectfully handle difficult or controversial topics in ways that honors both sides of the discussion.” The impact of these interviews on the public is difficult to quantify, but Duerr believes the impact on him is easily seen. Each interview builds a strong reputation for the academic programs in the history and government department and provides Duerr with new experiences and perspectives on how to share political insight in a way that stresses truth, integrity and compassion.

In many ways, interviewing on current world events helps Duerr become a more effective faculty member. Likewise, his students’ interest and feedback from his lectures are a catalyst to preparing him for when the media requests his expertise. “I believe the interviews have helped me to better communicate my lectures to the students,” said Duerr. “Because I’m participating in current events, I believe the lectures are more relevant than just sharing information from a textbook. Our students are getting first-hand knowledge in real time, and the questions they ask also help me prepare for engagement and questions that the media may ask about these topics.”

Having a large platform to inform and expound on information that helps the public better understand the global story brings deep satisfaction to Duerr. In fact, this is a vital element of his career that he prayed for while he was pursuing his doctoral degree at Kent State University. “When I first started my doctoral studies program, I asked God to use my education to serve those around me,” said Duerr. “I see my education as useful in the classroom, but it is just as much an opportunity to help share knowledge with my friends, neighbors and community through the media.”

While Duerr’s most notable career accomplishments include teaching and giving back to the public through interviews and writing three published books with a fourth on its way, more than 40 academic articles and 50 op-eds, he also serves as a member of the Beavercreek City Council and is an elder at University Baptist Church. In his career as professor, author, councilman and community member, Duerr hopes to continue sharing his expertise in a way that gives back while challenging others to better understand and better love their neighbors.

Campus Life and Traditions

A Century of Yellow Jacket Athletics

The Yellow Jacket has defined athletics at Cedarville University for the last 100 years. The name "Yellow Jackets" first appeared on the scene in 1924. In 1953, football at Cedarville was discontinued. In the 1960s, most of Cedarville’s intercollegiate sports teams were introduced. The first Athletics missions trip took place in 1971, when Don Callan led the men’s basketball team on a trip to the Philippines. 1977 saw the first official Yellow Jacket mascot designed. Callan Athletic Center and the Doden Field House opened in 1981 and 2003, respectively.

In recent years, the Yellow Jackets have been blessed with increasing success in the NCAA DII as well as the NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association). God has shown Himself faithful throughout the first century of Yellow Jacket athletics at Cedarville.

The Water Tower: A Campus Landmark

The water tower of Cedarville University is a landmark on the university campus in Cedarville, Ohio. First erected in 1983, the water tower underwent a renovation in 2015. The water tower is located behind Cedarville's athletic center and bears the school's mascot, a yellow jacket named Stinger, along with the university's stylized text logo.

Academics and Programs

Cedarville University offers more than 150 programs of study, which cover most areas of the liberal arts, the sciences, professional programs, and theological studies. It also offers over 50 minors, including a five-class Bible minor, which all students are required to take. The university awards graduate degrees in the areas of nursing (M.S.N.), business (M.B.A.), ministry (M.Min. The university launched a School of Pharmacy in 2009 with 52 students beginning a three-year pre-pharmacy curriculum, and the four-year professional graduate program (Doctor of Pharmacy) launched in 2012. In 2022, Cedarville changed the name of the School of Business Administration, to the Robert W. Plaster School of Business (PSB). The university employs more than 200 faculty in several academic departments and the schools of engineering, education, business, pharmacy, nursing, and biblical and theological studies.

A Commitment to Spiritual Growth and Community

Discipleship groups (D-groups) also feature a prominent role on campus. The purpose of d-groups is to facilitate a more accountable form of small-group ministry. A discipleship group of the same gender meets once a week to go through a book of the Bible or Christian book. Students are strongly encouraged to live on-campus, and about 80% do so. Those who choose to reside on campus live in single-sex residence halls. The university has eleven residence buildings for men and eleven for women, all with co-ed lounges.

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