“Cedarville University, more than anything else, instilled integrity in my life and actions ... Having all of my professors invest in me and encourage me spiritually developed those core values of integrity, trust and character that I cherish today,” he said. “Practical classroom experiences like writing a bill were so helpful. I will put these lessons into practice in Columbus.”
Mathews served in the military — in the U.S. Army National Guard in the Infantry Regiment as battle captain, Cavalry Regiment as platoon leader, a special military assignment as protocol officer, and Infantry Brigade Combat Team as a religious affairs specialist. Since graduation from Cedarville, he has also worked in the office of the Ohio Treasurer as the policy and legislative assistant and special assistant to the treasurer.
While at Cedarville, Mathews was a member of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program and served as the vice president of his class in his junior year.
Mathews received the Distinguished Military Honor Graduate award in 2018, which is awarded to the top 20% of ROTC Army graduates nationwide. He completed the Infantry Basic Officer Leaders Course in 2020, Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Training Academy in 2022, earned a Graduate Certificate in Negotiation Mastery in 2023 and masters in executive leadership from Liberty University in 2023.
Members of Cedarville’s faculty said they felt he had an impact on the history and government department, saying it was “neat” to see him graduate, serve in the army and then come back to continue serving through politics.
“He’s a real, credible role model for students who want to get into politics. He is someone to look up to,” said Glen Duerr, the chair of the history and government department. “We’re seeing a lot of young graduates step up and ask what they can do or what impact they can make with how God’s gifted them.”
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