He is quiet, unassuming, confident; 2011's Valedictorian, Chapin Cavender, may be moving on to studying Biomedical Engineering at the University of Alabama Birmingham; but he will be taking Coram Deo (the presence of God) with him. 

While at CDA, Chapin learned that his time and talent were gifts he should give back. He spends much of his time tutoring others in physics and mathematics.  As the Vice President of the House of Wallace, Chapin says he enjoyed working on house projects, because he got to see everything work together and watch as the students grew closer to each other and their school.

Chapin says that CDA’s classical Christian education provides a broad educational background from which to begin college, learning how to think rather than what to think prepares students to defend their own viewpoints. Which he says will not only be vital in the classroom, but that it will be “important to be knowledgeable enough to explain why you are a believer”, always prepared to give an answer for his hope that lies within.

Freshman Biology with Mrs. Ligon set Chapin on his current path of becoming a medical student.  He admits it was his favorite class at CDA, but appreciates the combination of physical and life sciences that led him to become interested in Biomedical Engineering.  He looks forward to studying how to replicate and then advance medical miracles such as tissue regeneration and materials for artificial joints.

In preparation for this career path, Chapin interned at Baylor Medical Center last summer, shadowing surgeons in the operating room. When not observing surgeries, he was researching databases of patient records, analyzing why doctors perform one procedure over another. Judging from his future plans, it seems that he will continue to contribute his time and talent for God’s glory.

A National Merit Scholar, Chapin earned a full ride to the University of Alabama Birmingham with a stipend for internships or for study abroad.

Commencement Speech