An overview of recent events at Cedarville University, from the release of the White Papers to the CU Layoffs of 2013.
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The White Papers
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Dated September 2011, the following White Papers on Omniscience, Creation, and Justification were released to faculty early in the Spring 2012 semester, shortly before contracts were due to be signed. As a cursory examination of the documents reveals, they are poorly written and researched. However, according to the University website, the White Papers are “designed to clarify and elaborate on Cedarville University’s doctrinal statement” and “are seen as a part of Cedarville University’s doctrinal positions.”Nevertheless, it took *months* after an initial request was made by students to the administration before the University was willing to post the documents on its website for the general public to read.
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The following pieces deal with the White Papers directly:
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Mulberry House: Is That So, Cedarville?Oct 30, 2012 … Although they have not been made public, the white papers were presented to faculty at Cedarville back in September in…
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Beautiful Things: Cedarville: A Tribute to Dr. Brown, and some other …Oct 30, 2012 … The white papers I mentioned above are lengthy amendments to the already cumbersome doctrinal statement, written not b…
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What’s Wrong with the White Papers? – The VentriloquistNov 29, 2012 … Released in the fall of 2011 and allegedly written by current Academic Vice- President Tom Cornman, the Cedarville Univ…
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However, the first piece to quote the White Papers was the remarkably prescient article, Constituencies or Change?, written in April 2012 by Grant Miller and Kimberly Prijatel:
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The Ventriloquist
Constituencies or Change?Grant Miller and Kimberly Prijatel “We aren’t looking for a faith that provides all the answers; we’re looking f… -
Although it took quite some time, Dr. Tom Cornman (CU Academic Vice President) eventually replied to Grant and Kimberly’s piece on his personal blog at the beginning of the Fall 2012 semester:
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Trustees, White Papers, and Christ-centered Higher Education
August 31, 2012 · 3:57 pm In a piece in the underground Ventriloquist edition published in April of 2012, two writers associated with the… -
Dr. Michael Pahl Fired
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Sometime between the “Constituencies or Change?” Ventriloquist article and Dr. Cornman’s blog post, during the summer of 2012, actions were taken against Michael Pahl to relieve him of his teaching duties (or, less euphemistically, to fire him). However, information regarding this dismissal process has been painstakingly difficult to acquire. The University’s official statement regarding this incident, provided by Dr. Cornman and also Dr. John Gredy (Provost at Cedarville), reads as follows:
“Both parties agree that they desire to avoid publicity with respect to the matters giving rise to this agreement. Nonetheless, they also acknowledge there may, from time to time, be circumstances where it is in a party’s best interests to explain the situation leading up to the agreement for the Faculty Member to be relieved of his teaching duties at Cedarville University. Accordingly, when either party determines it is necessary to make a public statement with respect to these events, the following is to be quoted in full, with no deletion nor additions:
“Dr. Michael Pahl has been relieved of his teaching duties because he is unable to concur fully with each and every position of Cedarville University’s doctrinal statement. This decision was made following a review by the University administration and trustees prompted by Dr. Pahl’s recent book, The Beginning and the End: Rereading Genesis’s Stories and Revelation’s Visions.
“Dr. Pahl’s orthodoxy and commitment to the gospel are not in question, nor is his commitment to Scripture’s inspiration, authority and infallibility. He is a promising scholar and a dedicated teacher, and he will be missed by his colleagues and students. Nevertheless, the University has determined this decision to be in the best interests of its constituency at this time.”
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After obtaining the official statement above, Joshua Steele (Class of 2013) was the first to raise questions regarding Dr. Pahl’s “dismissal” on his personal blog from September 20-22, 2012:
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Cedarville, Let there be Light. (pt. 1)
“Dr. Michael Pahl has been relieved of his teaching duties because he is unable to concur fully with each and every position of Cedarvill… -
Read Part One If Dr. Pahl’s book, The Beginning and the End , was controversial enough to lead to his dismissal, why was the book allowed…
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If you haven’t read my previous two blog posts, “Cedarville, Let there be Light. (pt. 1 and pt. 2),” please go do so before reading this …
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A little over one month later, Melissa Steffan of Christianity Today wrote the following piece:
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Crisis of Faith Statements | Christianity TodayOct 29, 2012 … Does it matter ‘why’ Christian professors agree with their colleges’ doctrine? … Less than a year after …
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Michael Pahl himself was one of the first to respond online to the CT piece:
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rustlings in the grass: it’s trueOct 29, 2012 … Dr. Michael Pahl has been relieved of his teaching duties because he is … poetry corner: ragged edges · some basic p…
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However, others quickly followed suit:
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Cedarville’s Absurd and Un-Christian Action Against Michael PahlOct 29, 2012 … Less than a year after Cedarville University hired theologian Michael Pahl, administrators relieved the associate prof…
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Michael Pahl Dismissed from Cedarville University – PatheosOct 30, 2012 … I was sad to hear that my good friend and one time co-editor, Dr. Michael Pahl, has been dismissed from Cedarville Uni…
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Book release causes problems for Cedarville professor | www …Nov 4, 2012 … Cedarville University has placed a professor on paid leave after determining a book he authored did not … http://www.daytond…
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NT Blog: Michael Pahl and the Disgrace of Cedarville UniversityNov 5, 2012 … Michael Pahl and the Disgrace of Cedarville University. I would like to join my voice with the many others who have exp…
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On the Firing of Dr. Pahl – The VentriloquistCedarville needs to keep both in tension: as an institution of higher education, … the university fired Dr. Michael Pahl for the opin…
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Dr. William Brown Resigns
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On Monday, October 29, 2012 – the same day as the release of Steffan’s CT piece – Dr. William E. Brown announced his resignation at the end of chapel (daily, from 10-10:50am). The general faculty were not informed of this resignation beforehand. The only people to receive prior notice of the announcement were chairs, deans, and VP’s, who received an email at around 9:00am that morning. Below is the official University announcement, released later that afternoon:
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Presidential Announcement | William E. Brown, President of Cedarville University | Cedarville University, a Christian College
A U.S. News top-ranked liberal arts Christian college, Cedarville University is nationally recognized for quality academics, student sati… -
That same afternoon, concerned students and alumni of Cedarville University decided to take Fiat Lux (now “Let There Be Light [LTBL]”) public, calling for transparency from the University in matters related to identity and vision. According to the LTBL blog:
“We are a community of current and former students of Cedarville University,
where recent events have prompted our concern for the well-being of the institution.
We believe that every organization, especially those in higher education, and most-especially those claiming the name of Christ, should be characterized by transparency.
Yet our Christ-centered learning community is operating under a shroud of opacity in several important matters.
This should not be.
We request transparency.”
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Let There Be Light | Calling for transparency in identity and vision …Mar 12, 2013 … Calling for transparency in identity and vision from Cedarville University. Main Menu. Skip to content. Welcome to Let…
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Dr. Carl Ruby Fired
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At 10:45am on Thursday, January 10, John Gredy (CU Provost and acting President) sent out an email announcing the resignation of Dr. Carl Ruby, Vice President of Student Life. The email began:“Having invested more than 25 years as part of the Cedarville University staff and administration, Dr. Carl Ruby today announced his decision to conclude his service in the role of vice president for student life, effective June 30, 2013. He will be pursuing new career opportunities outside the University.”Dr. Ruby’s last day in his office was Tuesday, January 15. Although the University administration organized no official showings of support for this beloved alumnus and long-time employee, students took it upon themselves to organize a “Ruby Tuesday” send-off.
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The University’s silence in the wake of Carl Ruby’s supposed “resignation” was unsettling. Students tried to get to the truth behind the mysterious “resignation,” which by all accounts looked like an undeserved termination.
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RUBY RESIGNS – Textual Criticism
From John Gredy, Provost and acting President, Cedarville University: “Having invested more than 25 years as part of the Cedarville Unive… -
Removing Ruby – The VentriloquistRemoving Ruby Zach Schneider and Josh Steele. Dr. Carl Ruby did not resign of his own accord. There is not a shadow of doubt in the min…
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Questions Surface After Ruby Resignation by Madison Troyer
Shocked. That’s the initial reaction for many when they heard about Carl Ruby’s resignation. Then, the questions started. “What is going … -
Christianity Today and the Institute on Religion & Democracy took notice:
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Controversy at Cedarville University | Juicy Ecumenism – The …Jan 16, 2013 … Oddly, only a half-hour after the Christianity Today announcement on the matter was published, Cedarville president Dr…
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Administrators’ Resignations Fuel Fears at … – Christianity TodayJan 23, 2013 … (UPDATED) Concerned alumni, students, and faculty suspect a purge; school says stop connecting the dots.
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(Update) Carl Ruby Now:
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Special Guest: Dr. Carl Ruby – The Nature of Trials – 03.3.13
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Carl Ruby Online: Speaker, Writer & ConsultantLatest Blog Posts… Article for progress… An Evangelical’s Call for Immigration Reform … Read more · God is good all the … T…
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The Philosophy Major Dissolved
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On January 16, 2013, Cedars reported that “Rumors are swirling about the proposed cut of Cedarville’s Philosophy Major” –
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Future of University’s Philosophy Major in Danger, Professors Say …Rumors are swirling about the proposed cut of Cedarville’s philosophy major. David Mills and Shawn Graves, the program’s two pr…
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It was speculated that the proposed cancellation had at least something to do with the Cedars opinion piece that Dr. Shawn Graves and Dr. David Mills, the two CU Philosophy profs, co-authored on October 13, 2012. The shockingly negative responses to the article had many concerned that it may have indirectly led to the impending decision to cancel the Philosophy Major and release one of the Philosophy professors.In the comments, Graves and Mills were called Socialists, Communists, and pro-abortionists (among other things). Many threatened to revoke their donations to the University or to prohibit their children from ever attending. The comments can still be read underneath the article:
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Why I am Not Voting for Romney by Shawn Graves & David MillsOct 13, 2012 … The article is entitled, “Why I am not voting for Romney” not “Why You Should Not Vote For Romney."…
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Among others, The Ventriloquist, Inside Higher Ed, and Huffington Post: Religion took note of the proposed cancellation of the philosophy major:
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Is Philosophy Expendable? – The VentriloquistJan 22, 2013 … Tommy Graves. On January 24-25, the board of trustees here at Cedarville will vote on a proposal to discontinue the ph…
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Several controversies converge at Ohio Baptist college | Inside …Jan 22, 2013 … With the philosophy major on the chopping block, Cedarville risks losing its … In November 2011, the trustees also i…
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Why My Evangelical College Shouldn’t Do Away – Huffington PostJan 23, 2013 … I became a philosophy major at Cedarville College in 1997 because I thought what really mattered in being a Christian …
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Let There Be Light / Our CU Protest
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Alumni led the charge to protest the proposed cancellation of the philosophy major. Many surged to the following Groundswell protest and testimonial blog, Our CU Protest:
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Restore Critical Thought to Cedarville
The study of philosophy is fundamental to critical thought and is recognized as the study of problems which range from the abstract to th… -
In Defense of Philosophy | Why Cedarville needs its Philosophy …Jan 23, 2013 … The first is from my experience and obviously my opinion. The Cedarville Philosophy department had great profs when I …
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In addition, a petition was started to reinstate Carl Ruby, who by all appearances had not desired to leave Cedarville and pursue “new career opportunities outside the University.”
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Reinstate Ruby
Dr. Ruby invested countless hours into the life of Cedarville University and its students. He went above and beyond his required role and… -
Both Groundswell petitions received over 1,000 signatures.
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SGA Town Hall
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On the evening of January 22, 2013, John Gredy and the CU Admins took to the chapel stage to “answer” students’s questions:
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SGA Town Hall Meeting, Jan. 22 by Cedars Staff
The above is footage from SGA’s Town Hall meeting with the Administrative Council on Jan. 22. SGA president Zak Weston and SGA chaplain C… -
The following is a rough transcript of the Town Hall:
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Although the CU Admins appeared quite satisfied with the meeting, the reaction on Twitter was much less positive, as a simple search for “#SGATownHall” reveals:
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Trustee Meeting: January 24-25, 2013
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On Wednesday, Jan 23, 2013, Dr. Gredy sent out an email containing the following:“As you are aware, the Board of Trustees will be on campus tomorrow and Friday. I wanted you to know that the locations for the executive committee meeting on Thursday and the general board meeting on Friday have been moved to Tyler 134 (the former Board Room).“We made this move based on two main factors. First, it is important to protect the integrity of the board meetings and issues that will be discussed. Second, this is a more suitable location to accommodate possible demonstrations while also serving guests who will be attending a worship conference in the DMC starting Friday. You can view the University’s policies related to Demonstrations on page 18 of the Student Handbook.”
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Students did decide to demonstrate…silently, and with cinnamon rolls:
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Students Demonstrate in Support of Ruby, Philosophy Major by Holly McClellanA group of students braved the cold this morning to show their support for Dr. Ruby and the philosophy major by passing out cinnamon roll…
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The results:
Official Statements from the Board of Trustees: (Distributed by Dr. Gredy on Friday, January 25)
“The Board of Trustees at its January 25, 2013, meeting carefully reviewed the events surrounding the announcement that Dr. Carl Ruby would conclude his service to Cedarville University. The Board acknowledges and regrets how lack of clarity has made this transition even more difficult for the Cedarville University family. Nonetheless, the Board of Trustees supports the understanding between Dr. Ruby and the administration. The Board of Trustees wishes to express gratitude to Dr. Carl Ruby for his service to Cedarville University.
“The Board also approved the recommendation of the Academic Council to conclude both the B.A. in Physics and the B.A. in Philosophy programs. In line with the University’s stated objective to equip Cedarville graduates who think broadly and deeply, the Board affirmed that the philosophy minor should continue and be strengthened, that philosophy courses will be available to all students as part of general education, and that the Honors program should continue to be a priority. All current philosophy majors will be able to complete their programs, as required by our regional accreditor, the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association.”
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Trustees Approve Philosophy Major Cut, Support Ruby’s ResignationJan 25, 2013 … Cedarville’s board of trustees voted to end the philosophy major, a statement released through email by John Gredy…
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After professors and alumni fight to save philosophy major … – CedarsIn addition to the blog, a petition to Restore Critical Thought to Cedarville has … “I don’t know if that’s a significant rea…
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Not Trustees’ Job to Approve or Disapprove Ruby’s Resignation, Scharnberg Says by Zack Anderson
Cedarville’s board of trustees wasn’t responsible to approve or disapprove Carl Ruby’s resignation, board chairman Lorne Scharnberg said….
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Cedarville U. Eliminates Philosophy Major | Inside Higher EdCedarville U. Eliminates Philosophy Major. January 29, 2013 – 3:00am. The Board of Trustees at Cedarville University, a Baptist college…
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Media Takes Notice
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Despite the resounding setbacks of the results of the January 2013 Trustee Meetings, the Let There Be Light / Our CU Protest movement had gained sufficient steam for Mark Oppenheimer to take notice in the New York Times on February 15, 2013:
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A Christian College Struggles to Define Itself – The New York TimesFeb 15, 2013 … An Ohio Christian College Struggles to Further Define Itself. Andrew Spear for The New York Times. An official’s e…
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Megan Pant of the Dayton Daily News followed suit two days later:
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Cedarville students, alumni question university’s direction… | www …Feb 17, 2013 … The recent retirement of Cedarville University’s president and the abrupt resignation of a top administrator — und…
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Open Letters
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The following open letters, hosted on the LTBL blog, give an overview of reactions/requests from a range of students and alumni:
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Joshua Steele, ’13:
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Open Letter to Cedarville Admins and Trustees | Soli Deo GloriaJan 13, 2013 … Even more importantly, at Cedarville I have fallen in love with the Gospel … your approval of the White Papers on om…
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Jonathan Demers, ’11:
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Open Letter: Jonathan Demers ’11
(NOTE: Open Letters hosted on Let There Be Light reflect the express views/concerns of the author(s), and not necessarily those of our en… -
Blake Hereth, ’11:
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NOTE: Open Letters hosted on Let There Be Light reflect the express views/concerns of the author(s), and not necessarily those of our ent…
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Sarah Jones, ’10:
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NOTE: Open Letters hosted on Let There Be Light reflect the express views/concerns of the author(s), and not necessarily those of our ent…
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David Olsen, ’84:
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Open Letter: Dr. David Olsen ’84 | Let There Be LightFeb 1, 2013 … Open letter to the Provost and Trustees of Cedarville University: I am writing to you as a concerned 1984 alum of Cedar…
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Zach Schneider, ’14:
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Open Letter: Zach Schneider ’14 | Let There Be LightFeb 2, 2013 … **NOTE: Open Letters hosted on Let There Be Light reflect the express views/ concerns of … To the Board of Trustees at…
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And Zak Weston, ’13 (SGA President, 2012-13):
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Open Letter: Zak Weston ’13 | Let There Be LightFeb 10, 2013 … Open Letter: Carl Ruby and Chris Williamson’s resignations. by Zak Weston. Cedarville University has lost some of …
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In addition, Sarah Jones (’10) wrote an informative series of blog posts at the Save OBU blog on the situation at Cedarville:
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Save OBU: Cedarville University: A Very Brief Introduction
Cedarville University Series Part 1 – Cedarville: A Very Brief Introduction Part 2 – The Worst are Filled with Passionate Intensity Part … -
Save OBU: The Worst are Filled with Passionate Intensity
Part 3 – In my Cedarville University Series Part 1 – Cedarville: A Very Brief Introduction Part 2 – The Worst are Filled with Passionate …
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Save OBU: Things Fall Apart
After the Cedars controversy, I spent a semester overseas. By the time I returned to campus, I’d started dating the son of a high-ranking…
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Save OBU: The Center Cannot Hold
Cedarville University Series Part 1 – Cedarville: A Very Brief Introduction Part 2 – The Worst are Filled with Passionate Intensity Part …
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Cedarville Trustees Call Special Meeting: Saturday, February 23, 2013.
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Hopes rose slightly as the CU Trustees called for a special meeting in February. Perhaps the movement had gained enough steam to reverse some of the decisions made/approved of at the January meeting.
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In Atypical Times, Saturday Trustee Meeting Just as Atypical by Zack Anderson
Cedarville’s board of trustees is having a specially called meeting Saturday. And trustee Chris Williamson, who submitted his resignation… -
However, the results were just as negative, if not more so, the second time around. Chris Williamson’s protest resignation was approved by the Board. Bill Rudd, a Trustee for over two decades and previous Board Chair, also resigned, among others.
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Board Approves Williamson’s Resignation, Ruby Decision Unchanged by Cedars StaffThe following is an official statement from the university on the Saturday meeting of the board of trustees. Cedars will have continuing …
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Board Membership and Graduation Speaker Change After Saturday Meeting by Zack Anderson
Former trustee Chris Williamson said he won’t be speaking at graduation as originally planned, and trustee Bill Rudd has resigned, long-t…
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The Fallout
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In March 2013, Paul Dixon (former Cedarville President and Chancellor) took to the chapel stage in front of faculty and staff to reassure the Cedarville family (including alumni and donors) that everything was alright at Cedarville as the University “Mov[es] Forward with Confidence.” However, given the events of the previous year (see above) and the propagandist tone of Dixon’s address, many found his statements particularly unsettling. If you don’t have time to watch the entire speech, focus on the last 10-15 minutes:
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Moving Forward With Confidence | Dixon Video | Cedarville University, a Christian College
A U.S. News top-ranked liberal arts Christian college, Cedarville University is nationally recognized for quality academics, student sati… -
The following two articles provide a summary of where things stood as the 2012-13 academic year came to a close at Cedarville University. The first contains quotes from Carl Ruby, TC Ham, Chris Williamson, and Bill Rudd:
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A Farewell to Cedarville – The VentriloquistApr 24, 2013 … A Farewell to Cedarville Joshua Steele. As what was once a vision for the future has become an agenda for returning to…
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The second piece takes a closer look at Cedarville’s Bible Department, which although it officially becomes a School (again) in 2013-14, is losing at least a few professors:
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Changes for Bible Department as Faculty Depart by Lauren … – CedarsApr 29, 2013 … Many changes have occurred at Cedarville over the past year, especially in the Bible department. Professor T.C. Ham sa…
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Furthermore, Chris Williamson and Bill Rudd were not the only trustees to resign within the past year. Current estimates place the trustee turnover within the last year at 8 members. The following piece from Dayton Daily News briefly mentions the most recent appointees to the Board.
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One of the most recent “new” trustees was actually a CU Board Member from 2003-2011: Paige Patterson, the President of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.However, as Faith Beauchemin (CU alumna) notes, Patterson’s reappointment to the Board should raise significant concerns about the identity and future of the University:
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10-cent jackpot: Paige Patterson Should Not Be Re-Elected To The Cedarville University Trustee BoardAnyone associated with Cedarville University knows there’s been a shift in leadership in recent months. Two of the most visible men on ca…
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The 2013 CU Layoffs
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On the morning of May 15, 2013, Jon Purple (former Dean for Student Life Programs) announced via his personal Facebook page that, after 22 years of service, he had been laid off. The news quickly spread via social media.
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Screenshot from Jon Purple’s FB page announcement. -
BREAKING: @cedarville lays off Jon Purple (Dean for Student Life Programs) after 22 yrs of service.
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However, Dean Purple was only one of 29 people who were laid off that morning by the University. Cedars came out with the following piece that same day:
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Purple Laid Off After Contract Not Reissued by Zack AndersonDean for Student Life Programs Jon Purple – a Cedarville employee for 22 years – was laid off this morning, he said. He has until the end…
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Please Share This Story and Stay Tuned for Further Cedarville Coverage…
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Let There Be Light 
Now CU is on track since this whine was written. Reading this brought James 3 to mind.