[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 65 (Monday, May 5, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5718-S5719]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO DR. PAUL DIXON

  Mr. DeWINE. 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. Dr. Dixon is the current president of 
Cedarville University, a Baptist liberal arts university located very 
near my home, my wife Fran's home in Greene County, OH. Dr. Dixon is 
planning to retire from that position in June of this year after a 
quarter of a century of great 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

[[Page S5719]]

served as an example and friend to many in our community.
  I would like to take a few minutes to tell my colleagues in the 
Senate about Paul's great support and dedication to higher education. 
He is an exemplary educator and a well respected and committed member 
of our local community.
  Though Paul 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 Dixon was born in Cincinnati, OH, and graduated from Tennessee 
Temple University in 1961, and Temple Baptist Theological Seminary in 
1964. After graduation, Paul 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 the Bengals, the former Houston Oilers, and 
most of the National League of baseball. He moved from Chattanooga, TN, 
to Cedarville, OH, in 1971 with 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 the year 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 students 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, and Members of the Senate, that the 
quality students that Cedarville University produces is really a 
testament to Dr. Paul Dixon as a role model and to the high standards 
he sets for the faculty and for the students. Without question, Paul 
Dixon sets the bar high. But the young people--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 is due, in no small part, to Dr. 
Paul Dixon's dedication to each and every student and to his commitment 
to leading by example.
  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, said this:

       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 Dixon 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 Dixon 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 to 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 so many, 
but particularly his students. Students, university staff members, and 
people in the surrounding community all speak of Paul's love for people 
and his 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 away. He will continue to preach, continue to 
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 by 
serving the community.
  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.

                          ____________________