A Cedarville Commencement Legacy: Seven Siblings, One Alma Mater
With diplomas in hand and futures on the horizon, 905 graduates crossed the stage at Cedarville University’s 129th commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 3, celebrating years of academic achievement, spiritual growth and personal transformation.
With diplomas in hand and futures on the horizon, 905 graduates crossed the stage at Cedarville University’s 129th commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 3, celebrating years of academic achievement, spiritual growthand personal transformation.
The ceremony honored 758 undergraduate students, 147 graduate students and 21 who completed an accelerated dual-degree program. Among them were 26 international students, 48 honors scholars, and 21 graduates who earned a perfect 4.0 GPA.Dr. Thomas White, president, delivered the commencement address at both ceremonies.
But for many, including computer science and cyber operations major Anna Kauffman, commencement was more than a ceremony—it marked the start of a meaningful career. Kauffman will soon join Lockheed Martin’s cyber research and development division. Her classmate, David Reid, also graduating with dual degrees in computer science and cyber operations, will begin his career with the U.S. Department of Defense in Washington, D.C.
Kauffman’s graduation carries special significance within her family. She is the seventh sibling to earn a degree from Cedarville since 2010, continuing a legacyestablishedby her parents,Jamesand Debora Kauffman. Though they did not attend Cedarville themselves, their children—Matthew (2010), Aaron (2013), Steven (2016), Philip (2017), David (2021), Rachel (2024), and now Anna (2025)—representnearly everyacademic department at the university. Steven’s wife, Cassie, also joined the Cedarville legacy, earning degrees in Spanish and chemistry in 2016.
Thecommencementceremony also featured the presentation of the prestigious President’s Trophy to four standout seniors for excellence in academics, leadership,serviceand Christian character. The recipients were Blythe Anderson, Christian Eppich, Abigail Shepherd, and William Galkin.
President’s Trophy Recipients
Blythe Andersonof Greenville, Wisconsin,earned a degree in nursing with a minor in Bible.Anderson left a remarkable impression on the Cedarville campus through her service as adiscipleship leaderandcouncil member, her academic contributions as a student grader for anatomy and physiologycourses, and her involvement in a Global Outreach trip to Arizona.
She wasawarded the School of Nursing’s Clinical Practice Award, which is presented to only one studenteach year, recognizing her exceptional skill and compassion in the field.
“Blythe is incredibly gifted in a wide variety of ways,” said Aaron Cook,director ofdiscipleshipministries. “She is a constant optimist and selfless servant… those who spend significant time with her end up looking more like the Lord Jesus.”
Following graduation,Andersonwill begin her professional career as a labor and delivery nurse atThedaCareRegional Medical Center in Neenah, Wisconsin.
Christian Eppich, acomputerscience major with a specialization invideogameengineering,demonstratedexemplary leadershipbyserving as president of the Alpha Chi men’s service organization, playing on thejunior varsity men’sbasketball team, and teaching Sunday school at his church. He alsoparticipatedin a spring break Global Outreach trip to Boston and served as the School of Engineering and Computer Science representative in the Entrepreneurship Club.
Originally fromIjamsville, Maryland,Eppichis known forthecollaborative spirit and deep faiththat heconsistently used to uplift those around him. Whether leading a memorial initiative for a late classmate or bringing classmates with him to academic advising meetings, his empathy and initiative have left a mark.
“Christian has shown great strength of character and a heart after the Lord,” said Lt. Gen. (Ret.)Loren Reno,special advisor to the president and Eppich’smentor. “He received difficult feedback with meekness and led with compassion.”
After graduation, Eppichwill begin his career as anassociateconsultant in IBM Consulting’s Project Management service line in Washington, D.C.
Abigail Shepherd graduates with a major inmolecularbiology and minors in Bible,pre-seminary, andhonors. A Cedarville, Ohio,native,Shepherdhas been deeply engaged in both academic and spiritual life on campus.
Shepherdserved as aresidentassistant in Willetts Hall, graded for biology classes, andparticipatedin several Global Outreach trips. In 2024, she was selected for the prestigious Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory REU Fellowship, where she studied aging and regenerative biology in Bar Harbor, Maine.
Beyond the lab and classroom,sheis recognized for her humility, gospel-centered life, and meaningful investment in others.
“Abbiis exceptionally intelligent with a scientific curiosity for the world and analyzes from a deeper level than most people,” said Dr. Tracy Collins, associate professor of biology. “What impresses me most about Abbi, however, is her humility. She is genuinely thankful to those who have contributed to her life andultimately givesGod the credit for hersuccess.”
After graduation,Shepherdplans to remainin the Dayton region forwork before applying to graduate school in 2026, where she hopes to continue bridging scientific inquiry with biblical truth.
Will Galkingraduatedwith a major inhistory and minors inpublicpolicy, Bible,pre-MDiv, andhonors. From Murray, Utah, Will has had a wide-reaching influence across campus as awritingcentertutor, member of theforensics team, anddiscipleshipcouncil leader. He played a key role in Synergy Connect, a ministry initiative mobilizing students to serve in gospel-needyareas,and heparticipatedin a Global Outreach trip to Arizona.
“Will has consistently modeled the highest values ofCedarville,pursuingacademic excellence in submission to biblical teaching,” said Dr. Robert Clark, associate professor of history.“He seeks to know Christ and communicate that truth across cultural boundaries.”
Will’s vision for kingdom impact is matched by a servant’s heart and a gift for leadership. Known for his strong convictions and gentle humility, he is deeply respected by peers and faculty alike.
This summer, William will serve at Immanuel Mission on the Navajo Reservation and work as a paralegal. In the fall, he will return to Cedarville to pursue his Master of Divinity and continue his involvement with Synergy Connect.
Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offersundergraduateandgradu