by Jim Joseph, Student Public Relations Writer
Cedarville University students, faculty and friends will gather Tuesday, April 14 to honor the life of freshman Seth Wagoner with a special tree dedication ceremony on campus. The event will be held at 3 p.m. between the Scharnberg Business and Communication Center and the Dixon Ministry Center, two locations that held deep significance for Seth during his time at Cedarville.
Wagoner, an accounting major from Brandy Station, Virginia, passed away on December 16, 2024, following a car accident while traveling home for Christmas break. In his first semester at Cedarville, he quickly made an impact through his involvement as a guitarist with a Cedarville chapel band and as a member of the Alpha Chi organization.
Christian Eppich, a fellow student and friend, has led a heartfelt effort to honor Seth’s memory through the tree dedication ceremony. Eppich and a team of supporters secured funds for a memorial tree, offering a lasting reminder of Seth’s presence on campus. The chosen location between the business and ministry centers reflects Seth’s deep connections as a business student and a member of HeartSong--Cedarville’s touring worship ministry.
Exceeding initial goals for the tree dedication, the fundraising campaign will also provide two $2,000 scholarships for the 2025–26 academic year — one for a business student and another for a Christian ministry student. These scholarships will continue to celebrate Seth’s legacy by supporting students who share his passions for faith and service.
"This project represents what it truly means to care for each other as brothers in Christ,” said Eppich. “I am both very proud and grateful to have been a part of this imporant work."
Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate programs across arts, sciences, and professional fields. With 6,384 students, it ranks among Ohio's largest private universities and is recognized by the Wall Street Journal as being among the nation’s top three evangelical universities. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics, and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.
