by Rachel Ward, Student Public Relations Writer
When people invest in others 鈥 personally, professionally and spiritually 鈥 they often spark a ripple effect that shapes futures. Across the nation, leaders are embracing this mindset, mentoring and equipping those who follow.
Leading With Purpose at The River
Bill Montgomery, president and CEO of The River Radio in Columbus, Ohio, models mentorship and servant leadership in the lives of his employees at the leading Christian radio station in Ohio and his students at . Montgomery has taught as an adjunct instructor in the department of since 2012.
The River, a network of Christian radio stations operated by River Radio Ministries, broadcasts across Ohio with a mission to uplift listeners through positive music, spiritual encouragement and community engagement. Montgomery joined the organization in 2008 and became CEO after years of service and innovation within the ministry.
Student Success Sparked by Mentorship
Laci Strouse, a senior major from Sunbury, Ohio, has benefited from his leadership. After Strouse sent her credentials to Montgomery directly, he invited her for a job interview. In that process, he also introduced her to the station鈥檚 chief operating officer 鈥 an interaction that led to a unique internship offer.
鈥淭hey asked me what my ideal internship would look like,鈥 said Strouse. 鈥淚 told them I want to use my skills in the business side of writing and participate in evangelistic opportunities in the community. They crafted an internship based on everything I wanted. I was the very first intern they ever did that with.鈥
Strouse accepted a full-time summer internship, which led to a part-time position during the school year. As she started work, she discovered she wasn鈥檛 alone in her Cedarville roots 鈥 many of her co-workers were Cedarville alumni.
鈥淲e talked about our experiences and how campus has changed since they were here,鈥 said Strouse.
Growth Beyond the Comfort Zone
Even with a supportive work environment, the job challenged her.
鈥淚 was asked to take on many tasks outside of my comfort zone,鈥 said Strouse. 鈥淐edarville prepared me for that because professors encourage us to put ourselves out there and do things that we鈥檙e not usually willing to do.鈥
A Legacy of Leadership
Professor also benefited from Montgomery鈥檚 investment. A 2022 graduate with a degree in , Stroud interned at The River during his time at Cedarville. After graduating, he joined the station full time for three years before returning to Cedarville this fall to teach communication.
As Montgomery builds bridges between the university and the media industry, he is preparing the next generation of professionals for the future. As he leads, he is not only shaping individual careers but also influencing tomorrow's world.
About Cedarville University
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 its ranking in the Wall Street Journal鈥檚 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. places Cedarville among the nation鈥檚 top five evangelical universities. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.