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Cedarville To Honor Alumni Living Out Core Values

by Rachel Ward, Student Public Relations Writer – September 29, 2025

Faithful service. Lifelong excellence. Christ-centered impact. These qualities will take center stage at Cedarville University on Saturday, Oct. 4, when it honors Jim Leightenheimer, Grace Norman, and Craig and Carolyn Williford during a special chapel service.

Faithful service. Lifelong excellence. Christ-centered impact. These qualities will take center stage at  on Saturday, Oct. 4, when it honors Jim Leightenheimer, Grace Norman, and Craig and Carolyn Williford during a special chapel service. 

Norman and the Willifords, since graduating from Cedarville, have used their talents to display love for God and others with integrity and excellence. Leightenheimer served Cedarville for 43 years as a faculty member before retiring at the close of the 2024–25 academic year. 

Celebrating Lifelong Service and Excellence 

Leightenheimer will receive the Distinguished Service Award for his long-standing impact on students and his contributions to Christian broadcasting. He joined Cedarville’s  department in 1982. Among his many accomplishments, Leightenheimer founded the university’s student radio station, WSRN, which evolved into Resound Radio. Leightenheimer will speak in chapel on Monday, Sept. 29. 

, a two-time USA paralympic gold medalist, will receive the Young Alumna of the Year Award. A 2020  graduate, Norman recently won a gold medal in the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. She holds three American records, and two world records in the Paralympic T44 category, exemplifying excellence in both athletics and her personal life. Norman will speak in chapel on Wednesday, Oct. 1. 

 will receive the 2025 Alumni of the Year award for their contributions to global ministry and Christian higher education. Both graduated in 1975, and in a  on the Cedarville Stories podcast, they expressed a deep appreciation for others in their class. 

“We have so many friends [in the class of 1975] who are worthy of this honor,” said Carolyn. “We feel the only way we can accept this award is if we represent our class and their commitment to serving God.” 

Carolyn earned a degree in  and has taught at Bryan College. She is also the author of nine books, including three she wrote with her husband. Dr. Craig Williford, who earned a  degree, pastored several churches and served as president of Denver Seminary, Trinity International University, Multnomah University and Warner University. He will speak in chapel on Thursday, Oct. 2. 

Honoring Faithful Impact 

Diana Perkey, senior director of advancement and alumni engagement, led the selection process. She said the awards recognize alumni who are using what they learned at Cedarville to make a lasting impact for Christ. 

“It's not just the people on stage who are making a difference for the Lord,” said Perkey. “It’s the moms, the teachers, the nurses — people who are living their everyday lives with Christ as their focus. We hope to encourage others to keep pressing forward in what they’ve been trained to do.” 

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 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. &˛Ô˛ú˛ő±č;