Floor Statement Tribute to Dr. Paul Dixon

FLOOR STATEMENT TRIBUTE TO DR. PAUL DIXON

Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a fellow Ohioan, a leader in higher education, a dear friend, and a good neighbor -- Dr. Paul Dixon. He is the current President of Cedarville University, a Baptist liberal arts university located very near my home in Greene County, OH. Dr. Dixon is planning to retire from that position in June after 25 years of successful leadership. As the longest-serving president of any college or university in Ohio, Paul led the University through an unprecedented period of growth and has served as an example and friend to many in our community. Mr. President, I would like to take a few minutes to tell my colleagues in the United States Senate about Paul's unwavering support and dedication to higher education. He is an exemplary educator and a well respected and committed member of our local community.

Though he is retiring from his current position as University President, we are pleased that he will remain at the University as Chancellor and will continue to be a role model in our community.

Paul was born in Cincinnati, OH, and graduated from Tennessee Temple University in 1961, and Temple Baptist Theological Seminary in 1964. After graduation, he spent 14 years as an evangelist where he traveled the country preaching and ministering to communities and churches and spoke for professional sports chapel programs, including the Cincinnati Reds and Bengals, the former Houston Oilers, and most of the National League of Baseball. He moved from Chattanooga, TN, to Cedarville, OH, in 1971 when his wife, Pat, took a position with the faculty of the Language and Literature Department of then Cedarville College.

In 1978, Cedarville University Trustee member, Donald Tyler, recommended Paul to the Board of Trustees as a replacement for the retiring University president Dr. James T. Jeremiah.

At the time, Donald was sure the idea of an evangelist serving as president would shock his fellow Trustees. But, as Dr. Murray Murdoch's book, Cedarville College: A Century of Commitment, tells the story, Donald Tyler felt compelled to suggest the successful young evangelist to the board as a candidate for the College's next leader.

Donald Tyler already knew Paul well as an influential evangelist. But he also observed Paul's interest in and involvement with college students as a Cedarville resident and husband of a faculty member. Even though he was not a CEO or business leader, Paul demonstrated leadership skills and began to establish himself as a visionary within the community. Ultimately, these observations convinced Donald that Paul was the right person to serve as the new president, and the entire Board of Trustees agreed. A glance at the past 25 years of Paul's tenure reveals Donald Tyler's instincts served the University well.

Paul's success as president of Cedarville University may be due in part to his God-given ability to balance stability and change. With a strong vision and foresight, Paul led the University into a period of tremendous growth. Throughout his 25 years of leadership, $100 million in facilities have been built on a campus that has expanded from 180 to 400 acres. The school attained university status in 2000 and now offers more than 100 programs of study, including a graduate degree. Enrollment grew from 1,185 students in 1978 to more than 3,000 today. Dr. Dixon also championed the University's focus on technology, positioning the institution as an award-winning leader and pioneer in the digital age.

I must say, Mr. President, that the quality students that Cedarville University produces is a testament to Dr. Dixon as a role model and to the high standards he sets for the faculty and students. Without question, Paul Dixon sets the bar high. But, the young people who graduate from Cedarville University, not only leave the school with a diploma, but they also leave the school with a strong set of values to guide them in their future lives. That, Mr. President, is due in no small part to Dr. Dixon's dedication to each and every student and his commitment to leading by example.

Mr. President, apart from Paul's contributions to the growth and success of Cedarville University and its students, he is an admired leader throughout the surrounding community. KeyBank president, William Hann, said this of Paul:

"Paul is value-driven. He is admired by the entire business community because of his character, compassion, and leadership."

Also, Mike Stephens, President of Greene Memorial Hospital in nearby Xenia, OH, and former Cedarville University student, remarked:

"I have worked with Dr. Dixon on several community leadership activities. He is a well respected and sought after community leader, both for his ideas and vision."

Over the years, Paul has served the area through his leadership on several local business and community boards.

He served on the Regional Board of Directors for KeyBank in Dayton; was a member of the Springfield/Clark County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors; and was a part of the Greene County Development Task Force, as well as the Greene County Blue Ribbon Committee.

In addition to serving on these boards and committees, Paul has hosted several events at the University aimed at community outreach and development. Every year, Dr. Dixon has hosted "Farmer's Night" with about 250-300 local farmers attending and "Community Night" with about 400 community leaders in attendance. These events have brought people together to share problems, success stories, and ideas to better improve our community.

Jackie Pyles, a resident of Cedarville, had this to say about Dr. Dixon:

"Through 'Farmer's Night,' 'Community Night,' and consulting area businessmen in their areas of expertise, Dr. Dixon has brought the University and community into a relationship where they are more supportive of each other. With Dr. Dixon's genuineness, love for people, and his sincere sensitivity, he has helped people not look at the University as a separate entity, but rather as an intricate part of this community."

I couldn't agree more.

Paul Dixon has positively influenced the individual lives of many, especially his students. Students, University staff members, and people in the surrounding community all speak of Paul's love for people and impeccable personal integrity. Reflecting upon this legacy, current Trustee member, Dr. Eugene Apple, said this:

"The accomplishments during Dr. Dixon's tenure as president are well known and very impressive: new programs, campus expansion, enrollment growth, and on and on. Having served on the Board of Trustees for more than 20 years, I noted one characteristic that seemed to rise above all else -- his integrity, not only with the Cedarville family, but in a very quiet way with others in need of support, advice, consultation, and help."

The mantle of his presidency has been passed on to Dr. William E. Brown, former president of Bryan College of Dayton, TN, and I congratulate Dr. Brown and welcome him to our community. As I said, Dr. Dixon will not be far. He will continue to preach, represent the University among a variety of constituencies, and tell the Cedarville University story wherever he goes. Paul will end his presidency the way he began it, and that is by serving people and serving the community.

Mr. President, Paul has a famous motto: "Everything we do ought to have quality stamped all over it." It is well known by Cedarville University students, staff, faculty, and the surrounding community. It truly captures the essence of who Dr. Paul Dixon is as a person and his mission in life. As the longest-serving college president in Ohio and the 12th longest-serving president in our Nation, Paul's example of stability, commitment, leadership, faithfulness, and quality is unparalleled.

My wife, Fran, and I extend our deepest appreciation to Dr. Paul Dixon for his dedication to college students, his leadership in higher education in Ohio, and his service to the village of Cedarville and the surrounding area. We both cherish Paul and his wife Pat's friendship and wish them our warmest congratulations and an enjoyable retirement.

I thank the Chair and yield the Floor.