Cedarville University

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Cedarville University is a private, co-educational university located in Cedarville, Ohio, United States.At its founding, the school was affiliated with the conservative General Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in North America, General Synod, now Presbyterian Church in America. Today, Cedarville is an independent Baptist school. Across all academic disciplines, student life is influenced by codes of personal conduct, community service, and theological study.Chartered by the state of Ohio and accredited by the Ohio Board of Regents, Cedarville University is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.HistoryCedarville College was chartered in 1887 by the New Light Reformed Presbyterian Church; at the time, the surrounding township was largely Presbyterian. The first classes were held in 1892, though the college did not officially open until 1894. David McKinney was the college's first president.After McKinney, Dr. Wilbert McChesney served as president from 1915 to 1940. McChesney guided the college during World War I and the Depression, and also served as professor of New Testament when the Reformed Presbyterian Seminary was located at Cedarville. In addition to his duties at Cedarville, McChesney served seven terms in the Ohio Legislature. The Rev. Walter Smith Kilpatrick replaced McChesney, serving from 1940 to 1943. He is the only alumnus of the college (1934) to serve as president, having graduated with honors. Kilpatrick’s brief tenure faced financial challenges and the impact of World War II.