Cedarville Students Combine Faith and Science at Au Sable Institute
A new generation of Cedarville University students is integrating faith and science to shape the future of environmental policy and stewardship through hands-on research at the Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies.
A new generation of students is integrating faith and science to shape the future of environmental policy and stewardship through hands-on research at the Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies.
Through Cedarville’s long-standing partnership with the Michigan-based institute, students gain immersive, field-based learning experiences led by Christian experts committed to environmental sustainability and biblical stewardship.
“The Au Sable Institute partnership allows our students to engage directly with professionals and researchers in the field,” said , professor of and Cedarville’s campus representative for the institute. “They gain valuable experience that helps them stand out to employers and graduate programs.”
This past summer, 11 Cedarville students enrolled in 18 courses at the institute, exploring subjects like forest management, insect ecology and marine biology.
One of those students was Ruth Santel, a junior major from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Santel completed three field-intensive courses — Forest Management, Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology — over eight weeks.
“Originally, I didn’t know what to expect,” Santel said. “But I ended up loving it so much that I signed up for two more classes at the last minute.”
Her coursework included hands-on research, data collection, and professional networking. Santel toured an oriented strand board (OSB) factory, conducted small-animal trapping and observation and studied the effects of deforestation.
Her experience reflects the broader impact of Cedarville’s partnership with Au Sable, where students apply classroom knowledge to pressing global challenges such as deforestation, biodiversity loss and sustainable resource management – all through a faith-based perspective.
“Field-oriented courses help students develop the technical and analytical skills they need to succeed,” said Gathany. “Our students are well prepared, and employers recognize that immediately.”
By combining academic excellence with a biblical worldview, Cedarville’s environmental science program prepares graduates to address complex environmental issues ethically and effectively.
“The only complaint I’ve ever gotten from a student,” Gathany added with a laugh, “is ‘Why didn’t I go sooner?’ It’s a transformative experience for every student who participates.”
Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,265 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked among the nation’s top five evangelical universities in the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at .