Latest news with #Cedarville
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
NEW AI Courses Bring Competitive Advantage to College Students
Ohio's Cedarville University Announces NEW AI Initiative NEW AI INITIATIVE STRENGTHENS EDUCATION KNOWLEDGE IS POWER CEDARVILLE, OHIO, May 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As artificial intelligence (AI) and data science transform industries, redefine professions and raise urgent ethical questions, universities are racing to prepare students for a future shaped by intelligent machines and vast data ecosystems. In response to this global shift, Cedarville University has launched a new academic initiative designed to equip students with cutting-edge skills in AI and data science — all grounded in ethical reasoning and biblical principles. The Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DSAI) initiative will debut with six new courses in August 2025 and serve as a foundation for specialized tracks within the university's computer science, cyber operations, electrical engineering, mathematics and physics programs. The initiative is the culmination of several years of interdisciplinary collaboration among Cedarville faculty. It began in 2017, when a group of professors with expertise in fields such as business analytics, computer science, statistics, physics and engineering began offering seminars and workshops on data science and machine learning. 'In a world increasingly influenced by AI and machine learning, it's crucial that Christian students not only understand how these technologies work but also help shape their development in ways that reflect biblical values,' said Dr. Steven Gollmer, senior professor of physics and one of the initiative's founding members. 'We want our students to lead in this space with both technical excellence and ethical integrity.' The DSAI courses will equip students with skills in widely used programming languages like Python, R, and SQL and competencies in data analysis, machine learning algorithms and AI applications such as neural networks and natural language processing. Just as importantly, the curriculum emphasizes ethical data use and theological reflection on topics like human creativity and the value of work. 'AI opens the door to many opportunities, but it also raises challenging questions,' Gollmer said. 'What does it mean to be human in an age of intelligent machines? How do we ensure that AI enhances, rather than diminishes, the dignity of work and the individual? These are questions our students must be equipped to answer.' The rise of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT helped accelerate the university's efforts to finalize and approve the initiative. The new introductory course, DSAI-1000, will be available to students across all majors and is intended to introduce them to the ethical and technical dimensions of AI and data science. 'This is just the beginning,' said Gollmer. 'While our initial focus is on programs where our faculty already have strong expertise — like computer science, mathematics, physics, and engineering — we've designed this initiative to be flexible. Other disciplines, such as business, biology or education, will eventually be able to build their own tracks using the same DSAI core.' The initiative also highlights the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of modern technology. Data science, which blends computer science, statistics and domain-specific knowledge, has become essential across fields as diverse as health care, economics, linguistics and psychology. 'Technology is reshaping nearly every profession,' Gollmer added. 'By equipping students with strong data and AI skills — and by rooting that training in a Christ-centered worldview — we're preparing them to lead with wisdom in a complex and rapidly changing world.' Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online 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 Attachments NEW AI INITIATIVE STRENGTHENS EDUCATION KNOWLEDGE IS POWER CONTACT: Mark D. Weinstein Cedarville University 937-766-8800 mweinstein@
Associated Press
19-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Is a College Education Worth It?
CEDARVILLE, OHIO, May 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With rising tuition costs, college students and their families are increasingly weighing the benefits and costs of a four-year degree. So are many of the nation's leading universities. To stay relevant, colleges and universities are launching new academic programs, constructing modern facilities and preparing for another academic year. In doing so, many higher education leaders are acknowledging a growing reality: not every high school graduate should pursue a four-year degree — especially when technical skills can be learned through alternative educational paths. Still, the value of earning a bachelor's degree remains clear. According to a report from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, individuals with a bachelor's degree earn, on average, 75% more than those with only a high school diploma. The same report notes that four-year college graduates will earn a median income of $2.8 million over their lifetime — nearly double the earnings of those with just a high school diploma. Even so, it's important for students to align their career interests with the cost of their education. Cedarville University, a private Christian university in Ohio, is taking that balance seriously. Committed to delivering a rigorous education from a biblical worldview, the university has been a trendsetter in higher education. While enrollment has declined at many colleges in recent years, Cedarville has seen record-breaking growth for more than a decade. What's behind Cedarville's continued growth? Vision. Leadership. And a willingness to innovate. The university is now introducing a new approach to undergraduate education with a fully online format launching for the 2025–26 academic year. Alongside five undergraduate majors, this new online format offers a special program for students with an undeclared major. Called Smart Start, the program allows students to begin their college journey online, explore potential majors and stay on track to graduate — all at a reduced cost. Smart Start will launch in August. The fully online program offers general education courses that apply to any major and is priced at just $375 per credit hour — significantly less than a traditional on-campus experience. According to the Student Research Group, approximately 80% of college students change their major at least once, and 10% change it more than once. With that in mind, Smart Start gives students the opportunity to explore academic interests without losing time or money on credits that won't count toward their degrees. 'This is why well-planned starting programs are valuable to consider,' said Dr. Bob Lutz, vice president for strategic initiatives. 'This initiative allows students to begin their basic studies at a time when they may just be trying to figure out what academic direction to pursue.' Alongside Smart Start, Cedarville is launching fully online degree programs in accounting, communication, finance, management and information technology management. Students can progress toward their degrees while exploring a variety of academic interests. Cedarville's liberal arts general education core and Bible minor offer a broad academic foundation, allowing students to sample different fields without taking unnecessary courses. A cornerstone of Smart Start is the Blueprint: Success in College course, part of the first-semester curriculum. Developed by The Cove, Cedarville's Academic Enrichment Center, the course focuses on personal development, academic skills such as time management and note-taking and how to effectively use university resources. 'More students are taking college courses online, and we want to give them the ability to develop these skills wherever they are,' said Kim Ahlgrim, director of The Cove, Cedarville's academic enrichment center. 'Smart Start and Blueprint are designed to help them succeed from day one.' Another key benefit of Smart Start is the ability for students to 'kick the tires' on different subjects without wasting time or money. Every course counts toward graduation, allowing students to maintain momentum while finding the right academic path. Once students choose a major, they can move forward with confidence, knowing they've explored their options. The Smart Start Major Discovery Plan is a forward-thinking solution that empowers online students to discover their interests while staying on track to earn their degrees. 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 Written by Rich Stratton Attachments Mark D. Weinstein Cedarville University 937-766-8800 [email protected]
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Small town museum gets recognition during International Museum Day
CEDARVILLE, Ill. (WTVO) — Nine different museums in Stephenson County helped celebrate International Museum Day and one of them earned recognition for its focus on preserving history. Director of the Cedarville Area Historical Society (CAHS) Wendy Bade said she's been wanting to do something with all of the county museums. 'We weren't going after International Museum Day in the start,' Bade said. 'We were just trying to get all of the museums together as a group. While we were doing that, we realized that today was International Museum Day.' The Historical Society was joined by eight other local museums for Sunday's celebration. 'When we got together and we saw this day was coming up, it's like well, we haven't really done anything in the past to get everybody together and celebrate this day together,' CAHS President Steve Myers said. 'I think so far, it's working well. I've seen a lot of enthusiasm.' Bade said the event brought awareness to the importance of preserving history, and the recognition of area museums. 'We're located at the top of the hill in little Cedarville,' Bade said. 'In talking to some individuals, they do not even know that the museum exists, so really, our biggest focus from all of us, all of the museums is just to get the word out that we're here.' Myers said tons of people are involved in making the magic happen at these museums. 'It's not just one person that does all this,' Myers said. 'It's a community and it's people who care and want to talk about history.' Myers said he is proud of the recognition Cedarville received from the event. 'Every small town has a story to tell, and I think every area deserves to have that said,' Myers said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Innovative Trainer Makes Healthy Habits Achievable
Navy Vet, Cedarville Professor Builds 5-in-1 Exercise Equipment Total Body Trainer Using the Trainer CEDARVILLE, OHIO, May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Obesity in the United States is a serious, yet common and costly, chronic disease. According to a study by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 42% of Americans are obese, which accounts for almost $173 billion in medical expenditures. What are some ways healthcare experts can help Americans get this growing medical crisis under control? Dr. David 'Pete' Peterson, assistant professor of exercise science at Cedarville University, has focused his professional career in helping people manage a healthy lifestyle through exercise. It is his desire to help everyday people create good habits by getting into a healthier physical condition. With help from the new Commander Total Body Trainer, designed by Peterson, people with all levels of athletic ability and all kinds of fitness goals can improve their health. Peterson began designing his all-in-one fitness machine in 2020, when individuals were forced to move away from public fitness centers because of COVID-19. He started with a five-in-one lower body trainer that was unveiled at Cedarville University in 2022. This device focused on five simple exercises that individuals with decreased mobility and other health concerns could safely perform. The new Total Body Trainer takes potential workouts a step further. The new machine, which uses the person's body weight and resistance bands, is more comprehensive than Peterson's initial trainer. The new Total Body Trainer allows users to perform over 20 different exercises and can be used in various commercial and personal settings. The Total Body Trainer debuted on Cedarville's campus in some of Peterson's exercise classes for university faculty and staff in March 2025. 'Dr. Peterson is attentive, supportive and thorough,' said Dr. Sarah Gump, director of strategic communications at Cedarville and one of the students in Peterson's class. 'The Total Body Trainer is customizable to your personal physique and goals. I love to end my day with a good workout.' Peterson, a retired Navy veteran, spent four years teaching at the U.S. Naval Academy before coming to Cedarville as assistant professor of exercise science in 2018. He specializes in weight training, strength and conditioning. His degrees in exercise science and his history as a competitive powerlifter make him the right person to pioneer new training devices. 'Though I initially made it for home gym and personal training use, I do see the machine having wider applications and plan to make it commercially available,' Peterson said. 'It takes up minimal space and is easy to store, so it's perfectly suited for both personal use and group exercise classes. I am excited to have several of these trainers here at Cedarville for faculty, staff and student use.' The first batch of trainers arrived from the manufacturer in February, and Peterson will make any necessary tweaks to the design before making the trainers more widely available. 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 Written by Sarah Mummert Attachments Total Body Trainer Using the Trainer CONTACT: Mark D. Weinstein Cedarville University 937-766-8800 mweinstein@
Associated Press
14-05-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Innovative Trainer Makes Healthy Habits Achievable
CEDARVILLE, OHIO, May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Obesity in the United States is a serious, yet common and costly, chronic disease. According to a study by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 42% of Americans are obese, which accounts for almost $173 billion in medical expenditures. What are some ways healthcare experts can help Americans get this growing medical crisis under control? Dr. David 'Pete' Peterson, assistant professor of exercise science at Cedarville University, has focused his professional career in helping people manage a healthy lifestyle through exercise. It is his desire to help everyday people create good habits by getting into a healthier physical condition. With help from the new Commander Total Body Trainer, designed by Peterson, people with all levels of athletic ability and all kinds of fitness goals can improve their health. Peterson began designing his all-in-one fitness machine in 2020, when individuals were forced to move away from public fitness centers because of COVID-19. He started with a five-in-one lower body trainer that was unveiled at Cedarville University in 2022. This device focused on five simple exercises that individuals with decreased mobility and other health concerns could safely perform. The new Total Body Trainer takes potential workouts a step further. The new machine, which uses the person's body weight and resistance bands, is more comprehensive than Peterson's initial trainer. The new Total Body Trainer allows users to perform over 20 different exercises and can be used in various commercial and personal settings. The Total Body Trainer debuted on Cedarville's campus in some of Peterson's exercise classes for university faculty and staff in March 2025. 'Dr. Peterson is attentive, supportive and thorough,' said Dr. Sarah Gump, director of strategic communications at Cedarville and one of the students in Peterson's class. 'The Total Body Trainer is customizable to your personal physique and goals. I love to end my day with a good workout.' Peterson, a retired Navy veteran, spent four years teaching at the U.S. Naval Academy before coming to Cedarville as assistant professor of exercise science in 2018. He specializes in weight training, strength and conditioning. His degrees in exercise science and his history as a competitive powerlifter make him the right person to pioneer new training devices. 'Though I initially made it for home gym and personal training use, I do see the machine having wider applications and plan to make it commercially available,' Peterson said. 'It takes up minimal space and is easy to store, so it's perfectly suited for both personal use and group exercise classes. I am excited to have several of these trainers here at Cedarville for faculty, staff and student use.' The first batch of trainers arrived from the manufacturer in February, and Peterson will make any necessary tweaks to the design before making the trainers more widely available. 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 Written by Sarah Mummert Attachments Mark D. Weinstein Cedarville University 937-766-8800 [email protected]
