Key Takeaways
- Cedarville University will launch a graduate Strategic AI Leadership Certificate in January 2027, aiming to equip professionals with AI literacy, competency, fluency, or mastery grounded in a biblical worldview.
- A Florida Advisory Council has been created to guide the university’s new Clearwater campus, which will first offer a Bachelor of Arts in biblical and theological studies starting Jan. 4, 2027.
- The Board of Trustees approved a fully online Master of Education (M.Ed.) with an educational‑leadership concentration, pending external approvals, to strengthen Christian educators’ teaching and leadership skills.
- The university’s tennis facilities will be renamed the Dr. Delyte “Dee” Morris Tennis Complex and undergo a $1.2 million renovation, including lighting and pickleball‑ready courts, slated for completion in summer 2027.
- The Bolthouse Academic Center, a $39.7 million, 51,422‑square‑foot building, is nearing completion and will house the School of Education and Social Work plus several humanities departments, with an anticipated opening in April 2027.
- Nine new faculty appointments were approved, and longtime music professor Dr. Lyle Anderson was granted emeritus status upon his retirement in May 2027.
Overview of Board Decisions
During its fall meeting earlier this month, the Cedarville University Board of Trustees endorsed a series of initiatives designed to advance the institution’s Christ‑centered mission. These actions span academic program expansion, geographic growth, facility improvements, and personnel recognition. Collectively, they reflect a strategic push to prepare students and professionals for leadership in a rapidly evolving world while remaining anchored in biblical truth.
Strategic AI Leadership Certificate Set for January Launch
Cedarville University continues to expand its graduate academic offerings with the introduction of a graduate certificate in strategic AI leadership, with classes slated to begin January 2027. Previously approved by the Board of Trustees through an electronic vote in August 2026, the certificate has now received all required external approvals, clearing the way for its launch. The program is designed for anyone holding a bachelor’s degree who wishes to deepen their understanding of artificial intelligence and its implications for organizational leadership and decision‑making.
President White’s Vision for AI Education
Dr. Thomas White, president of Cedarville University, emphasized the university’s ambition to lead in AI education:
“This certificate represents part of Cedarville’s plan to lead the way in AI… We want every student to have AI Literacy working toward Competency while training some to achieve AI Fluency and others Mastery. We seek to graduate biblically faithful, servant leaders equipped to engage AI with skill and discernment.”
His statement underscores the integration of technical expertise with a biblical worldview, positioning graduates to navigate emerging technologies responsibly.
Florida Advisory Council to Guide Expansion
As Cedarville prepares to expand its educational presence in Florida, trustees approved the establishment of a Florida Advisory Council to support its newest location. The council will provide guidance and strategic insight as the university prepares to welcome students to its Clearwater, Florida location for the first time on Jan. 4, 2027. Initially, the site will offer a Bachelor of Arts in biblical and theological studies, extending Cedarville’s commitment to biblically faithful higher education beyond its Ohio campus.
White’s Remarks on the Florida Initiative
President White highlighted the council’s role in fostering community partnerships:
“This new Advisory Council will be strategic in helping Cedarville build with wisdom, listen with humility, and serve with clarity… We want to serve the churches and advance God’s Kingdom in Florida. To do that well, we will need to listen to pastors, ministry and business leaders and develop partners in ministry that will offer insight and help advance the Gospel.”
The council is expected to meet up to three times annually to discuss future plans, gather feedback, and pursue philanthropic investment that will advance Cedarville’s mission in the Sunshine State.
New Master of Education Program Expands Graduate Offerings
The Board of Trustees also approved the addition of a new, fully online Master of Education (M.Ed.) program designed to strengthen educators’ teaching, leadership, and ability to support student learning. Pending external approvals, this 30‑credit‑hour, non‑licensure M.Ed. with a concentration in educational leadership will consist of 10 courses emphasizing curriculum development, instructional innovation, leadership, research, and assessment. Grounded in a biblical worldview, the program will integrate Christian principles with educational practices, preparing educators to address evolving classroom needs while fostering student growth and academic success. The program will also explore digital learning strategies to equip educators for today’s changing educational landscape. Students will apply their knowledge through a capstone project addressing real‑world challenges in classrooms and schools. Courses will be taught by Cedarville faculty and credentialed, experienced educational leaders from Christian school partnerships, including superintendents, principals, and headmasters. Through its partnership with the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), Cedarville plans to collaborate on promotion to expand access to graduate education for Christian school teachers and leaders.
Tennis Complex Renamed and Renovated to Honor Coach Morris
The board approved naming the university’s tennis facilities the Dr. Delyte "Dee" Morris Tennis Complex, recognizing Morris’ 42‑year association with Cedarville University and its tennis program, her longstanding dedication to Cedarville athletics and the university community. Morris joined Cedarville’s faculty in 1977, serving as a professor, physician assistant, and tennis coach. She led the Lady Jackets tennis program from 2007 to 2018, recording 432 victories and winning 11 conference championships. Her athletic achievements earned her induction into three athletic halls of fame: Geneva College, her alma mater; Cedarville University; and the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA).
Renovations to the tennis complex are scheduled to be completed during summer 2027, supported in part by a $200,000 gift from the United States Tennis Association (USTA).
“The project represents an investment in Cedarville’s athletic facilities and its commitment to providing quality resources for student athletes.”
The total cost for the renovation, including lighting, is approximately $1.2 million. The facility will include 12 courts, with three of the courts also containing pickleball court layouts. The current facility will be removed, and a new base and court surface will be placed in the same location.
Bolthouse Academic Center Progresses Toward Completion
Cedarville University’s $39.7 million Bolthouse Academic Center is nearing completion, marking another significant milestone in the university’s continued investment in academic excellence and campus growth.
“The 51,422‑square‑foot facility will house the school of education and social work and the departments of history and government, psychology and English, literature and modern languages.”
The building will feature six classrooms, research laboratories, faculty offices, student study rooms, and a Center for Political Studies. A distinctive dome overlooking a three‑story atrium will serve as an architectural centerpiece for student learning and collaboration. Construction continues to advance, with the second and third floors approaching 90% completion. Current exterior work includes the courtyard, seating walls, steps and sidewalks. Interior improvements include cabinetry and casework installation, terrazzo flooring, painting, doors and hardware. Upcoming milestones include final painting on Nov. 2, terrazzo completion on Nov. 6 and flooring installation by Nov. 15. The project follows the successful completion of the university’s capital campaign last fall, which raised $39.7 million to fund the academic center. The building is expected to open in April 2027, with faculty moving into their new offices in May. Students will begin attending classes in the facility when the fall semester starts in August 2027. The Bolthouse Academic Center represents Cedarville’s continued commitment to providing innovative learning environments that support academic excellence, faculty collaboration and student success.
Faculty Appointments and Emeritus Recognition
The board approved nine faculty appointments across multiple academic disciplines:
- Parvathy Das, D.N.B. — Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Richard Dudley, M.B.A. — Assistant Professor of Finance
- Jacob Grasser, Pharm.D. — Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice
- Madison Hultgren, M.S.N., RN — Assistant Professor of Nursing
- Amos Kasperek, Ph.D. — Associate Professor of Spanish
- Alexis Newsome, D.N.P., RN — Assistant Professor of Nursing
- Matthew Schultz, M.F.A. — Assistant Professor of Visual Communication Design
- Alex Shaeffer, M.A. — Instructor of English
- David Wiseman, M.F.A. — Assistant Professor of Communication
These appointments support academic programs in health sciences, business, humanities and communication while reinforcing the university’s emphasis on academic excellence and student mentorship.
Trustees also approved granting emeritus status to Dr. Lyle Anderson, senior professor of music, upon his retirement in May 2027. Anderson has served at Cedarville University since 1970, contributing more than five decades to the university’s music program and academic community. His longstanding service represents a significant commitment to Christian higher education and the development of generations of Cedarville musicians.
Closing Reflection
Collectively, these decisions illustrate Cedarville University’s proactive stance in expanding its academic reach, enhancing campus infrastructure, and honoring long‑serving members of its community. By launching AI‑focused credentials, establishing a Florida presence with advisory guidance, enriching educator preparation through a new M.Ed., upgrading athletic facilities, and completing a state‑of‑the‑art academic center, the university seeks to equip students and professionals with the knowledge, skills, and biblical foundation necessary to lead and serve in a rapidly changing world. As President White noted, each opportunity is viewed as a provision from the Lord, with the prayer that these efforts will bring glory to God and advance the Gospel.
https://www.cedarville.edu/news/2026/trustees-announce-ai-certificate-advance-florida-expansion