October, 2000

On August seventh we began a new school year with 14 classes and 33 students. After two months the returning students are hard at work and the new students are now coming through the door kicking off their shoes, helping themselves to snacks and drinks and finally relaxing into a totally new learning experience. It has been fun to see them bond with one another and their instructors. They are a wonderful group... diverse but very excited about interacting with one another. We have students from public, private and home school situations as well as a class of adults who are having way too much fun! Please pray for our student's growth in grace, as well as their intellectual growth.

Film nights every first and third Fridays have been busting out the walls of the tiny bedroom that we have been using for that purpose, so we have finally broken our "no TV in the living room" rule and purchased another set. Now we can spill over into a second room with the same film being shown at the same time via some tiny satellite thing. Don't ask me how it can possibly work! Then all come together in the larger room for discussion afterwards. There were 34 for The Matrix this past Friday night. So if you had given up hope of getting a seat...come back! We now have lots of room...at least for the time being!

The Thrushes, Malaspinas, and Purcells hosted a Back to School Luau at the Thrushes house in September. The kids and adults had a great time with lots of fun, food, music and uninterrupted time for conversations...breaks during classes just don't afford enough time for that sort of thing!

The student-organized (Jacqueline Thrush and Michelle Schaeffer) Cambridge Philosophers Club will hold it's first meeting this Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m. at the Thrush's home: 5204 Serrento Court. This is a time for students to bring articles, poetry, music, etc. to be shared and discussed with the group. A series of videos by R. C. Sproul which cover various "isms" such as Secularism, Existentialism, etc. also will be viewed. Everyone is asked to bring a snack or a 2 liter drink. Call Jacqueline Thrush at 647-0964 for more information.

The Imperial Symphony Orchestra and Robert McDuffy, violinist will present a concert Tuesday, October 10th at the Youkey Theatre (Lakeland Center) at 7:30 p.m. All Cambridge students and friends are encouraged to attend. The ISO offers students a special price of $5.00.

As most of you know, Dustin Kirby has joined us as the study center's first full-time faculty member. Dustin teaches our Languages & Critical Thinking Curriculum. The curriculum includes Latin, Greek, Logic, History and Redemption, Apologetic Method and Modern/Postmodern Philosophy. We are grateful for the Lord's provision that has enabled us to have Dustin as a full-time instructor. We also welcome Eric Fullgraf, Cannon Kirby and David McWilliams as adjunct instructors.

The first two Cambridge Study Center students to enter college (1999) both opted to attend Covenant College. Josh Howell was voted president of his class and Aaron Mesh was named the new editor of the Bagpipe, Covenant's school newspaper. Both Josh and Aaron are enjoying their sophomore year and Lookout Mountain's cool weather.

Ben Keim is a freshman at the University of Virginia and an Echols Scholar. Echols Scholars design their own course of study and are exempt from all core curriculum requirements. He also is a National Merit Scholar finalist for Polk County. Ben began studying with Bruce in 1996 (he was 13 at the time) and is the first student to complete four years at Cambridge Study Center. Congratulations Ben!

Rebekah Forman was named a Maclellan Scholar and is a freshman at Covenant College. She is one of only thirteen freshman students given this prestigious award. Maclellan Scholars must demonstrate academic excellence and leadership ability. Rebekah participated in the study center's Thought's Captive supplementary class designed for students in public and private schools. She was salutatorian of the 1999-2000 graduating class at Lake Region High School in Winter Haven.

David Macey, also a freshman at Covenant College, writes that he is enjoying all his classes at Covenant especially Euro Continental Philosophy and General Psycology. He describes even his core classes as very good. To quote David, "college life can (depending on how well it's done) be a lot of work--but what great work! What a beautiful vocation. I want to maximize this blessing!" and social life is fine and dandy as well....we're glad David is having a great first year!!

I have to admit to having "empty nest" syndrome regarding ALL the above students...we miss them and each one's unique presence in our home. It is wonderful to keep in touch with them and to hear such positive things about their college experiences.

We want to thank Don Rule for the endless hours and enthusiam he has given to setting up the Cambridge Study Center website! Visit us at www.cambridgestudycenter.org to see a super website and learn more about the study center.

Two thirds of the students enrolled in Cambridge classes receive scholarship assistance from the non-profit Cambridge Study Center Foundation. The Foundation also provides funds to cover some of the operating expenses of the study center. As the number of study center students increases, the work of providing scholarships and operating funds has become a significant challenge! The Foundation also is considering the purchase of larger facilities for the study center. Tax deductible donations should be sent to:

Cambridge Study Center
541 South Florida Avenue
Lakeland, FL 33801
Phone: (863) 686-4862
FAX: (863) 686-4872