Strategic Initiatives Strengthened with $15M Gift

Transformation in the lives of students is at the heart of a Cedarville University education.?Now,?Cedarville is poised to continue enriching the Cedarville experience?with?a?$15 million gift to the university?from an anonymous donor?and the creation of?a?new?senior-level?strategic initiatives?position approved by the Board of Trustees?at its October 2024 meeting.?

Dr. Thomas White, president, announced?the anonymous $15 million gift to the?One Thousand Days Transformed?campaign?on Friday during the university’s annual State of the University address as part of its homecoming activities.?The?One Thousand Days Transformed?campaign is the most successful fundraising?initiative?in Cedarville’s 137-year history.?

The generous?anonymous?donors gave toward the final facility planned as part of the?campaign — a new $35 million Academic Center. The grand domed, all-brick, three-story Center will provide classroom, collaboration, and office spaces for faculty and programs that make up Cedarville’s academic core, including history and government; English, literature, and modern languages; psychology; education; and social work.??

“We are grateful for God’s incredible blessing upon this institution, only He could have orchestrated this unexpected gift and laid this?need on the hearts of the donors,” said White. “We give all glory to God.”?

With?the $15 million?—?one of the largest gifts in Cedarville’s history?—?this final campaign facility?is $5 million from reaching?its?goal?and beginning the construction process. The building?will be?built along?the eastern edge of campus off State Route 72.??

The $175 million One Thousand Days Transformed campaign is?comprised?of?four key priorities. They include:?

-- Expanding?capacity?through the addition of new campus facilities?

-- Maximizing affordability and minimizing student debt through scholarships?

-- Enhancing the student experience?

-- Providing long-term sustainability for the university????

New Senior Level Strategic Initiative?Position?

The Board of?Trustees?also approved?the formation of?a?new?senior-level?position that will focus on strategic initiatives. In doing so, they also approved the?hiring of Dr. Bob Lutz as the founding vice president?for?strategic initiatives.???

In this role, Lutz will lead?efforts to advance Cedarville's strategic?objectives,?initially?focusing on?the development of online undergraduate programs. His leadership is expected to play a crucial role in maximizing the impact of the?university’s flourishing dual enrollment program by extending the possibility of a Cedarville education to students who?choose not to pursue a residential college experience.?

A 2001 Cedarville graduate,?Dr. Lutz began his career in higher education at Cedarville University as a resident director and later as the associate dean for student leadership development.?Before coming back to Cedarville,?Lutz was vice president for student development and dean of students at Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, Florida.?

“Dr. Lutz returns to Cedarville with proven higher education leadership in strategic planning and execution?and data-driven decision-making,” said White. “He is a perfect fit with Cedarville’s mission and?values,?and I look forward to his leadership in the area of our online undergraduate initiative and other strategic opportunities.”?

After graduating from Cedarville University,?Lutz?went on to earn a master’s degree in higher education student affairs from Ohio State University and a doctoral degree in educational leadership from the University of Dayton.?

New Academic Program?

A new Master of Arts in Communication and Organizational Leadership?degree?program?was?also?approved by the trustees.?This program, proposed by the Robert W. Plaster School of Business and the Department of Communication, is?a 33-credit, online program. Specializations within the program include general leadership and management, social media and cybersecurity, healthcare management and digital communication and marketing.??

The program now moves to the?Ohio Department of Higher Education and?Higher Learning Commission for approval before the?program will?officially begin.?

Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is a Baptist university with undergraduate programs in arts, sciences, and professional programs, and graduate programs. With a?total?enrollment of 6,384 students in more than 175 areas of study, Cedarville is one of the?largest private universities in Ohio and is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, and high graduation and retention rates. For more information about the University, visit?cedarville.edu.?

Read the full story: https://www.cedarville.edu/news/2024/15-million-gift--vp-for-strategic-initiatives--and-new-master-s-degree-highlight-trustees--fall-meeting