Greene County News Report
CEDARVILLE — Cedarville University was ranked the second healthiest in the country by picallies.com
The website recently revealed its list of the the 20 healthiest in the U.S. and Cedarville was cited for its predominately drug- and alcohol-free campus.
The University of Akron is viewed as the healthiest in the country. Rounding out the top 10 are Dartmouth, Harvard, University of Denver, Georgetown University, University of Alabama, University of Texas, University of Michigan-Flint, and Central Piedmont Community College.
Staying drub and alcohol free are significant factors in maintaining good physical, emotional, and spiritual health, according to the school. But at the core of Cedarville’s healthy standard is its general education course, Physical Activity in the Christian Life (PACL), that all students take as freshmen.
In PACL, students learn about fitness and health and the importance of it for a successful life. Professors center their instruction on fitness, aerobic, strength and flexibility in the semester-long course. Once a benchmark has been determined for each students’ overall fitness, professors can help students increase their aerobic, physical strength, and flexibility capabilities so they can be more productive in their lives. Students are also taught nutritional information and how to handle — or avoid stress.
“PACL is the one class that all students will use for the rest of their lives,” Jeff Reep, director of career services said. “We teach students from their freshman year on the importance of caring for their physical well being. By making good choices in exercise,eating, and handling stress, we believe people will be more productive, and, most importantly, their lifestyles will honor God.”
Most universities offer a physical fitness-type of program. What sets Cedarville’s course apart, however, is its concentration on using our bodies and mind to honor God.
“We are continually working to help our students develop God-honoring habits in PACL,” said Evan Hellwig, chair of the department of kinesiology and allied health. “The students who take this course seriously will develop life-enhancing skills that will serve them well for the rest of their life.”
Cedarville University also offers its students and faculty and staff a fitness center with free weights, aerobic exercise equipment, and multiple gym floors for various sports and activities.
