One Thousand Days Transformed: The Campaign for Cedarville.
by Mark D. Weinstein, Executive Director of Public Relations
As Cedarville University concluded the academic year with the conferral of 905 undergraduate and graduate degrees, the institution’s Board of Trustees, in its annual spring meeting, marked several major milestones — including new academic offerings, campus development updates, new faculty hires and the continued momentum of its historic One Thousand Days Transformed campaign.
The large class of graduates reflected Cedarville’s continued growth in student enrollment. Since 2010, Cedarville’s enrollment has doubled from slightly more than 3,100 students to its current enrollment of 6,384, including dual enrolled high school students, residential undergraduates, and graduate students. Cedarville anticipates enrolling more than 1,200 freshmen and transfer students in the fall and will welcome its first fully online undergraduate students in five business-focused majors as part of the new Cedarville Online initiative.
In addition to the official conferral of degrees, the board approved new academic programs, reviewed progress on campus expansion and renovation projects, celebrated fundraising highlights and approved new faculty hires.
“We are grateful for the board’s continued support and wise counsel as we advance Cedarville mission,” said Dr. Thomas White, president. “Their decisions and input during our recent spring meeting affirm our shared commitment to academic excellence, biblical faithfulness, and campus expansion for the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ.”
Academic Expansion: New Degree Programs
Cedarville trustees approved the addition of three new academic programs that align with the university’s mission to provide rigorous, Christ-centered education across diverse disciplines:
·&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ; Bachelor of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies (Online) – Pending external approvals, this 126-hour online program will add to Cedarville’s new online undergraduate degree offerings and meet the needs of remote learners seeking a biblically faithful education that is flexible and affordable at just $375 per credit hour. This program is designed to provide a thorough online theological education that equips students for Christian ministry.
·&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ; Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies (Residential) – This new, on-campus program parallels Cedarville’s Bachelor of Science in environmental science. Through this program’s flexible pathways, students will augment their scientific understanding of the field by engaging professionally in the social, economic, policy and mission fields associated with environmental science. Academic tracks in this program include field ecology, environmental law and policy, community development, environmental communication and an independent track.
·&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ; Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics (Online) – This new, 12-credit, on-campus program in business analytics allows students to address rapid changes in technology — including AI — to automate tasks and analyze data for decision-making. This certificate program is designed for working professionals seeking to enhance data-driven decision-making skills in today’s business landscape. For students interested in additional training, all of the business analytics certificate courses may be applied toward the university’s online master of business administration program.
These new programs reflect Cedarville’s strategic focus on academic innovation and commitment to both in-person and online learners.
Campus Expansion and Renovation Updates
With site preparation and construction set to begin this summer on several building projects, the trustees were updated on the following:
·&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ; The Bolthouse Academic Center – This new, 47,820-square-foot, three-story Georgian-style building will stand as a new campus landmark, complete with a striking 84-foot dome welcoming both students and visitors to campus along Cedarville’s Main Street. Construction will commence this summer with the completion date targeted for the start of the 2027-28 academic year.
Named in honor of William Bolthouse, a long-time supporter and trustee emeritus of the university beginning in 1996, the over-$35 million building celebrates his service and dedication to Cedarville's mission. This is the final project in the $175 million campaign, One Thousand Days Transformed: The Campaign for Cedarville.
The Bolthouse Academic Center will house faculty offices for the school of education and the departments of English, literature and modern languages, history and government, social work and psychology. In addition, the building will include classrooms, student collaboration areas and a new dining option on the east side of campus that will feature a coffee bar with sandwiches and salads.
The building’s construction is made possible, in part, by an anonymous donor who gave $15 million — one of the largest single gifts in Cedarville history — in October 2024.
The campaign funds have already been used to construct the Scharnberg Business and Communication Center, the Chick-fil-A dining commons, the Civil Engineering Building, the Callan Athletic and Academic Expansion and multiple residence halls.
·&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ; New Student Apartments – Designed to support growing residential enrollment and enhance on-campus living options, Cedarville will begin construction on the first four, 12-unit apartment buildings on the eastside of State Route 72 across from the main campus. The two-bedroom apartments will be located near the current cross-country course.
·&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ;&Բ; Dining Hall Renovation – The remodeled main dining facility, located in the Stevens Student Center, will modernize the current dining space while improving the overall student experience. This project began in March and will be ready for students in the fall.
Cedarville’s continued campus expansion, while benefiting its students, also has a significant economic impact in the region and in the State of Ohio. According to a recent report provided by Econsult Solutions, the university’s impact in 2024 to Ohio’s economy was $472 million. Further, another $58 million was generated through student and visitor spending in the greater Dayton region.
It is expected the new construction this summer will continue to bring significant economic impact to the Village of Cedarville, greater Dayton region, and State of Ohio.
Fundraising Campaign Milestone
Cedarville’s most comprehensive fundraising campaign in the university’s 138-year history, One Thousand Days Transformed: The Campaign for Cedarville, is nearing completion. Currently, the campaign has raised $195 million, surpassing the $175 million goal. The only remaining task: closing the $5 million gap to fund the $35 million Bolthouse Academic Center.
“While there are still needs related to the Bolthouse Academic Center,” said Will Smallwood, vice president for advancement, “this milestone is a testament to the faithfulness of our donors, alumni and friends who believe in the mission of Cedarville University.”
The university will celebrate the completion of the campaign at homecoming on October 3.
New Faculty Appointments
Stacey Bose, Ed.D., professor of education. Bose earned her doctoral degree in education from Lehigh University and a master’s in education from East Stroudsburg University. Her undergraduate degree in Bible is from Clarks Summit University. Since 2020, Bose served as the dean of the school of education for Cairn University.
Gabriel Castro, Ph.D., assistant professor of international relations. Castro earned his doctoral degree in political science from the University of Kansas and a master’s degree in politics from Hillsdale College. Since 2021, he has served as a graduate teaching assistant at the University of Kansas while earning his doctorate.
Jonathon Clayton, M.S., instructor of civil engineering. Clayton earned his master’s degree in environmental engineering from the University of Alabama, and he’s expected to complete his doctorate in civil engineering from Alabama in December. Since 2021, he’s served as a research assistant at the University of Alabama, and in 2024, he was an open research Fulbright grantee to Hungary.
Mitchell Constant, D.M.Sc, assistant professor of physician assistant studies. Constant earned his doctoral degree in medical science from Lincoln Memorial University and a master’s in physician assistant studies from the University of St. Francis in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He also earned a master’s degree in civil/environmental engineering from the University of New Mexico.
Brad Garrison, M.S., C.P.A., assistant professor of accounting. Garrison earned a master’s degree in accounting from the University of Cincinnati and a bachelor’s degree in accounting and information systems from Cedarville University. Since 2023, he has worked as an adjunct instructor of accounting at the University of Cincinnati.
Emma Hoelzen, M.S., assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences. Hoelzen will defend her Ph.D. dissertation this summer in pharmaceutical sciences from The Ohio State University. She earned a master’s degree in pharmaceutical sciences and bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from OSU.
Sheri Hooley, MBA, assistant professor of accounting. Hooley earned her MBA from Arizona State University. She currently teaches personal finance and accounting at Worthington Christian High School and is a former professor at Arizona Christian University.
Paul (Ric) Schumacher, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry. Schumacher earned his doctoral degree in radiochemistry and electrochemistry from Washington State University. He earned two master’s degrees, one in executive leadership from Air University and another in electrochemistry and analytical chemistry from Washington State University. Since 2018, he has served as the chief of staff for the Office of Government and External Affairs at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. He is also a former assistant professor at the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Eric Stroud, B.A., instructor of communication. Stroud earned his bachelor’s degree in broadcasting, digital media and journalism from Cedarville University. He is currently pursuing his Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in interdisciplinary studies with a focus on digital arts and AI from Lindenwood University.
The following faculty members, upon their retirement this year, were granted emeriti status:
• Anne Rich, MS, CPA, professor of accounting. Rich began teaching at Cedarville University in 2000.
• James Leightenheimer, MA, associate professor of communication and RESOUND Radio faculty advisor. Leightenheimer began teaching at Cedarville in 1982.
• Jeff Guernsey, DBA, associate professor of finance. Guernsey began teaching at Cedarville in 2003.
• Douglas Miller, Ph.D., professor of chemistry. Miller began teaching at Cedarville University in 1984.
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 .
One Thousand Days Transformed: The Campaign for Cedarville.