by Mark Weinstein, Executive Director of Public Relations
The Cedarville University Board of Trustees approved the 2019-20 budget, advanced key initiatives in the 10-year master plan, authorized three new certificate programs for the Master of Business Administration and granted tenure and/or promotions to 21 faculty members at its meeting held January 25.
Approved Budget
Cedarville’s operating budget for 2019-20 will rise by 3.8 percent to $95.6 million. In this budget, the university will launch a multiyear effort to increase salaries and benefits. Nearly $2 million will be added, including a 2.5 percent cost-of-living adjustment for all faculty and staff.
The board also approved costs for 2019-20, setting undergraduate block tuition at $31,122 (a 3.5 percent increase) and room and board rates — which are among the lowest in the state of Ohio — at $7,618.
“We have developed a conservative budget that will continue our strong financial trajectory. More importantly, we hope to begin a multiyear effort to take care of our most important resource — our amazing faculty and staff,” said Thomas White, president. “God has graciously placed us in a position to steward well our resources as we care for people and provide more space through our 10-year master plan to invest in our students’ 1,000 days, equipping graduates for godly service and vocational distinction.”
Advancing the 10-Year Master Plan
The board took additional steps to advance key initiatives of the university’s 10-year master plan that will engage new funding partners and expand infrastructure and facilities in order to address immediate needs of the growing student body.
— Dr. Thomas White
The trustees authorized the administration to move forward with raising funds and beginning construction on a 15,000-square-foot, $7 million dining commons behind Centennial Library that will house both Chick-fil-A and Tossed restaurants, provide seating for 300 and feature beautiful views of Cedar Lake. The new eatery, scheduled to open in 2020, will improve dining options and offer additional study and community spaces.
The trustees also authorized the university to construct a facility to serve the new civil engineering program, which exceeded enrollment projections in its first year. The size and scope of the space will be determined by the number of partners willing to invest in this exciting new program. With several students already indicating a desire to do full-time missions work upon graduation, this program has the potential to impact the nations with the gospel through infrastructure projects that serve our fellow man and promote human flourishing.
Describing next steps for the civil engineering space, White shared, “We would like to build at least a 20,000-square-foot facility with labs, classrooms and faculty offices to serve up to 120 civil engineering students or more. We are praying for additional ministry partners who will help us build what will be the premier civil engineering training facility among Christian universities, and we are committed to taking on no debt in the process.” The civil engineering building is planned to open fall 2020.
New MBA Certificate Programs
The trustees approved the school of business administration’s proposals for new certificate programs in cybersecurity management, healthcare administration and operations management. The addition of these 12-hour certificate programs will encourage current MBA students to seek an additional credential as part of their program, offer outside professional specialized coursework in high-demand career areas and give Cedarville undergraduate students the incentive to complete a certificate concurrent with their bachelor’s degree, gaining an accelerated pathway toward an MBA.
Faculty Tenure and Promotions
With board approval, the following faculty members were granted tenure or promotion:
Tenure
• Samson Amos, Ph.D., associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences; chair of the department of pharmaceutical sciences
• Melissa Beck, Ph.D., associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences
• Carlos Elias, M.M., professor of music
• Ashley Holland, Ph.D., assistant professor of mathematics
• Jeremy Kimble, Ph.D., assistant professor of theology; interim director of the Center for Biblical Integration
• Emily Laswell, Pharm.D., assistant professor of pharmacy practice
• Jason Lee, Ph.D., professor of theological studies; dean of the school of biblical and theological studies
• Annie Lee-Zimerle, M.F.A., assistant professor of studio art
• Elizabeth Sled, Ph.D., assistant professor of kinesiology
• Ched Spellman, Ph.D., assistant professor of biblical and theological studies
• Ruth Sylvester, Ph.D., associate professor of education
• Hsing Yi (Phoebe) Tsai, Ph.D., assistant professor of information technology management
Promotions
• Gerry Brown, Ph.D., to professor of electrical engineering
• Sarah Compton, RN, M.S.N., to assistant professor of nursing
• Elizabeth Delaney, RN, D.N.P., to associate professor of nursing
• Marty Eng, Pharm.D., to professor of pharmacy practice
• Darren Frey, Ph.D., to senior professor of mathematics
• Ashley Holland, Ph.D., to associate professor of mathematics
• Zachary Jenkins, Pharm.D., to associate professor of pharmacy practice
• Jeremy Kimble, Ph.D., to associate professor of theology
• Emily Laswell, Pharm.D., to associate professor of pharmacy practice
• Annie Lee-Zimerle, M.F.A., to associate professor of studio art
• Bill Ragle, Ph.D., to professor of finance
• Erin Shaw, Ed.D., to assistant professor of women’s ministry
• Elisabeth Sled, Ph.D., to associate professor of kinesiology
• Ched Spellman, Ph.D., to associate professor of biblical and theological studies
• Otis Wright, Ph.D., to senior professor of mathematics
• Hsing Yi (Phoebe) Tsai, Ph.D., to associate professor of information technology management
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 4,193 undergraduate, graduate and online students in more than 150 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings and leading student satisfaction ratings. For more information about the University, visit www.cedarville.edu.