Scenes from Cedarville

The Graduate and I traveled via airplane to Ohio last week to visit her dream college and to visit Grandma in neighboring WV. We departed late on Monday evening, spent the night in the USO at Chicago O'Hare, and flew to Dayton in the early AM. Not the best travel plan, but when bought with airline miles, last minute, you take what you can get! :) Renting a cute little red Ford Focus, we were on our way for an "unofficial" walk around at the college. We approached with  much trepidation as The Graduate was fearful it would not measure up to her expectations. What if it wasn't all her imagination had made her believe it would be? We drove through rolling farmland prepared for planting season. It was a lovely spring day as the pictures can attest. Everything was in bloom and the sun was shining brightly.  We stopped by admissions and let them know we were on campus "unofficially" and planned on just walking around a bit. They showed us a class schedule and showed us our schedule for our next day's "official" tour.  We opted to sit in on a Christian Integration Worldview class after exploring a bit. The topic was Hell and your perception of it, the teacher a young Asian man named TC, and the classroom large and bright with approximately 20 students. This class is a required class for Juniors and we really enjoyed it. Everyone graduates from CU with a Bible Minor. Afterwards, we went to dinner before returning for the Brass Choir and Symphonic Band concert that evening in the Dixon Music Building. It was wonderful and, although very tired, the music entertained us very much. The Graduate was particularly interested in the percussion section! As an added delight, we ran into a dear friend on our way out of the building, who promised to meet up with us for chapel and lunch the next day.

The next morning we awoke (LATE) to another beautiful day. Our two alarms had failed to work. We hurried to the campus to attend an early morning Forensics Science class as our schedule for the day did not allow for any other class visits. We had three scheduled meetings with other professors instead in the afternoon.

My pictures are rather backwards as these were taken at the end of the day. In a rush to get to class, we didn't have time to stop and take morning pictures. The day was absolutely gourgeous and everyone was outside enjoying the warm weather. I even couldn't resist the urge to walk around barefoot in the soft grass! All of the buildings are circled around this lovely pond full of fish. (they are catch and release only, but it was fun to watch them. Someone was even fishing!) I tried to take some photos of the fish and their fins, but I don't see them in any of these shots.

I loved the reflections in this one and the tulips were so pretty against the water.

The Graduate could tell you which building was which, but I am forgetting all ready. There were not that many so I don't know why I am having such difficulty. I think the one above is the ministry building, the only building with a theme, "the Light of the World". If you take note of the glass walls on the left, they are to let the light of the day shine into the building and at night all of the lights from inside radiate out to the world. There is a beautiful mosaic in the lobby with Cedarville spotlighted showing the rays going out from there.

This is the courtyard outside the student center. The days of creation are on the displays surrounding the clock.

After meeting with the band director in the afternoon, we were invited to attend their jazz rehearsal. They were preparing for an upcoming competition as well as a worship service at a nearby church. He introduced The Graduate to the group who welcomed her heartily. In the entire band, there were only two girls, one who played trumpet and a female vocalist. However, there were three percussionists, two who play set and one who plays the "toys". He told her he had an opening for set player and that she could audition in the fall if she attends CU. I wish she was still in jazz band here, honing her skills in preparation for that. Her alumni jazz band, although fun, does not give her much in the way of guidance and direction.......She was not even anticipating being in jazz, but wanted to be in the concert band. She was so excited to see the tympanii and other real percussion instruments. Often, being a homeschool band, we make do with what we have (doing amazingly well in the process). Above, she was asked to come play with them and added a tambourine to the song. Everyone was really friendly and the vocalist was so excited to think there would be more girls!

We also met with a theatre professor. This is the outside of the theatre in the student center. He gave us a tour of the backstage, the dressing rooms, the design room for sets and costumes, the sound and light rooms, and the dance studio and he talked a mile a minute. The Graduate loved him and the theatre. It made her question her major. She found out that one recent graduate had gone onto a job at the Sight and Sound Theatre in Lancaster, PA. THAT would probably be her absolute dream job! Here they had just done "The Star Spangled Girl" and typically do three major productions a year. They were just tearing down the sets for the above. It was so nice.  He was suprised to find out she was considering forensics science and also loved the theatre....although he said he has students switch between the two both ways. The two interests do seem a bit incongruent.

In the morning, after a brief powerpoint and talk regarding Cedarville and it's many attributes, we attended Chapel at 10 AM along with the entire student body of around 3,000. Chapel occurs five days a week and is required with only 8 excused abscences allowed per year. It was Share and Praise day from the students. After singing with their worship band, we heard powerful testimonies from many students at how God is working in their lives. Often, I was amazed at their sharing and found myself near tears a number of times as I heard about God's mercy, grace and provision.  It was one of my favorite parts of the day. It was comforting to know she would be surrounded by students and staff that have Christ at their center.

The empty chapel.

There was a Juried Art Exhibit in the Student Center. We enjoyed walking around and looking at the expressions of creativity amongst the CU students. I loved what the Graphic Design Studio had created. I kept thinking, "OK, I want to go to college HERE! and have all these opportunities."

I loved this old door, but did not see the skeleton inside the door frame. The Graduate had to take me back to look for it. Can you see it?

Elliv is an annual spring event that is surrounded by secrecy and excitement in the weeks leading up to it. The theme is not revealed until a certain time when the committee comes into the student center and decorates it all for the students to find one morning. I don't remember the theme for this one, but it was something to do with "Color Me......something". Apparently, everything had been white until they came in and splatter painted it all including the piano downstairs. The show was going to be the next weekend prior to finals. If you didn't notice Ellive is VILLE spelled backwards.

The cafeteria called Chuck's is in this same building. It boasts a Mongolian grill, omelet bar, homemade food, and a wonderful variety of fare. We enjoyed taco salads for lunch courtesy of CU. We were blessed to eat with our friend from WA who was happy to see a face from home! She also gave us later tours of the dorms, both unit and hall types. It was great to walk around with her and enjoy a coffee from the coffee bar too. 

Our tour that morning began in the fitness center where this rock wall resides along with numerous workout options including raquet ball courts and the gym for intramurals and the NCAA basketball games. They are Division 1 in the NCAA and that is a new standing for them just this year.

It was all very clean, bright, and new. I would love to be able to go here daily and work out. :)

This was our tour backwards as we started here and ended in the grass above. It was a great introduction to Cedarville. I think it exceeded her expectations and put my heart at ease if this is where God desires for her to be in the upcoming years. We are still seeking His will for direction and guidance as we make these tough decisions. Finances is our major concern although she was offered an academic scholarship and has a few other small ones that make things a bit more accessible. We are proceeding as if it is possible because all things are possible with God, huh? We are waiting and praying patiently while working on numerous job applications and resumes. Prior to our trip, a small job came up that provides 10-15 hours/week at minimum wage, but we are still looking for more for her. She interviews this week for a bank teller position and we are praying that this one comes through for more hours and more money towards college. We would appreciate your prayers too.

Thanks for enjoying our journey to Cedarville with us!

Ellie and The Graduate~