On Saturday, October 9, 2021, Wheaton College will honor Clarence Edwards, Jr. as an "honorary alumnus" of Wheaton College as part of the College's Homecoming Weekend. When the announcement occurs that afternoon, and the recognition given, it will be to someone nearly everyone affiliated with Wheaton for the past 30-plus years knows as "C-Train".

Earlier this year, the Alumni Association Board of Directors voted to give "honorary alumnus" status to Clarence "C-Train" Edwards, Junior. "This honor comes with deep appreciation for his outstanding service at Wheaton College and we are delighted to welcome him to the Wheaton alumni family," states Cindra Stackhouse Taetzsch '82, Wheaton's Senior Director for Vocation and Alumni Engagement and Executive Director of the Wheaton College Alumni Association.

Edwards will be recognized for his "honorary alumnus" status at halftime of Wheaton's Homecoming football game against Augustana on October 9. Following that football game, Edwards will be honored at a come-and-go reception in conjunction with Wheaton's "Hall of Honor" inductions that day. All are invited to attend and congratulate C-Train.

Wheaton President Philip Ryken comments, "Mr. Clarence Edwards has served as a faithful encourager and model Christian for generations of student-athletes. This honor secures the place he already holds in our hearts as a permanent member of the Wheaton College community."

Edwards arrived on Wheaton's campus in 1979. His path to Wheaton College came via the United States Army. In 1969, while enrolled as a student at Wilson Junior College (today known as Kennedy-King College) in Chicago, Edwards was drafted into the U.S. Army. He remained in the service for 13 years and was stationed in international locations such as Germany, South Korea, and Italy. In 1979 he was appointed to the ROTC program at Wheaton College, a role he served in until 1982.

In 1983, Edwards began working for SAGA, the food service provider for Wheaton College. In the early 1980's he began working with Wheaton's club sport ice hockey program, a team he still works with today. It was also in this time he started assisting many of Wheaton's varsity sport programs. For many years he has worked and volunteered in a variety of roles including assisting with equipment, equipment cleaning and maintenance, security for the student-athletes' belongings, and more. In 1988, he began working directly for Wheaton College's Physical Plant Department (now known as Facilities Management) as a member of the custodial staff. He retired from this role in August of 2021. Edwards notes, "I have probably worked in every building on campus at some point in my time here."

Since his arrival on campus, C-Train has interacted with thousands of Wheaton students. He states, "Working with students is my favorite part of my time on this campus." He is among the most recognized members of the Wheaton College community and is often greeted by alumni when they see him on returns to campus.