By Anna DeWine
CEDARVILLE — Cedarville University dedicated its newly renovated Jeremiah Chapel Friday morning in the Dixon Ministry Center.
During its annual Homecoming Chapel, Dr. Thomas White, president of Cedarville University, welcomed faculty, alumni, and students and thanked everyone for their support of the renovation project.
The $3 million renovation, which took three months to complete, includes updated theatre-style seats, paint, carpeting, and projection screens, along with a new customizable sound and lighting system. On the backs of many of the seats is a small plaque with the initials of a donor and a Bible verse.
The fundraising campaign for the chapel is the most successful to date. The project was completely funded through private donations.
“Yet we all know, nobody contributed to a chapel renovation and expansion because of seats, carpet, paint, walls, a beautiful opportunity to do things up here, lights or any of that because that’s not what matters. What matters are the lives that are transformed in this auditorium,” White said during his address.
According to White, when he asks students what they want to change or not change within the University, daily chapel and the Bible minor are the most frequent answers for what students want to never change.
“Chapel at Cedarville University is the heartbeat. Chapel will always be the heartbeat of Cedarville University and today I’m pleased to say to you that our heartbeat is very strong,” White said.
Another recent addition to the University includes two new athletic buses. Future plans for the University include a new dormitory, Jenkins Hall, which will replace Faith Hall this summer, along with a renovation and expansion for The Hive, the campus snack shop.