Cedarville University mourns the death of a student over break

By Avonlea Brown

Over 100 Cedarville students, faculty and staff gathered in the Scharnberg Business and Communication Center room 103 at 4 p.m. on Thursday in a memorial service for Seth Wagoner. Over the winter break, Cedarville received news that Wagoner, a sophomore Accounting major, died on December 16 due to a car accident. 

Dr. Jon Wood opened the ceremony with a sermon on John chapters 15 through 17 and excerpts from Wagoner’s obituary. Family and friends of Wagoner, including his parents Shawn and Eleanor, traveled from New York, Virginia and other locations to attend the service. Wagoner is survived by five siblings and his grandparents Carol Updike, Diane Bagamary, Mike and Mary Lou Wagoner.

Several speakers illuminated Wagoner’s personality and walk in faith for those in attendance: Ashlynn Robinette, Assistant Director for chapel music and Heartsong, provided insight into Wagoner’s wit and talent on the electric guitar; Christian Eppich, President of Alpha Chi Leadership and Service fraternity, spoke on Wagoner’s heart for service and desire to learn; and Andrew Gentry, a member of Wagoner’s chapel band, spoke on his amiable nature. 

As the testimonies reflected, and as his obituary wrote, Wagoner was known for “his sharp intellect, vibrant personality, and unwavering faith.” His impact on the people around him left a lasting impression of acceptance and worth that he found in Christ. 

“From the beginning, Seth wasn’t just a bandmate, he was a good buddy,” Gentry said. “He made me feel accepted, even though I’m a freshman. He never made me feel awkward or like I had anything to prove. He always made each member of our team feel valued, seen and loved.”

“He always said some sort of quick, sarcastic, witty comment followed up by a knowing smile,” Robinette said. “I’m super grateful to have been just a small witness to what God was doing in his heart and his mind here at Cedarville.”

Members of Heartsong led the congregation in song during the service and tears shed in sadness turned to worship as those in the room honored the life and ministry of Sethe Wagoner. 

“As Matthew 5:16 says, ‘In the same way, let your light so shine before others so that they may see your good deeds and give glory to your Father who is in heaven,’” Eppich said. “While we mourn the loss of Seth we also celebrate that he lived out that verse in our community and in other people’s communities, and we celebrate the example that he set even as a sophomore. Seth helped model what it means to serve like Christ.”

Avonlea Brown is a senior Broadcasting, Digital Media, and Journalism major and editor of Campus News for Cedars. She likes reading, traveling, and learning new things.