MidAmerica Nazarene University Fall 2015

Transcription

ACCENT
MidAmerica Nazarene University
4
Six Alumni Put
Education to Work
at FCA
16
Homecoming &
Family Weekend
2015 photo gallery
22
Fall 2015
Refugee Crisis
on Her Doorstep A first-hand account
PRESIDENT'S
PERSPECTIVE
FROM THE PRESIDENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Come and Follow Me
GPS devices have dramatically changed how we plan a trip. We can enter our
destination and “magically” it plots the best route. A gentle voice then gives
turn-by-turn directions, corrects our mistakes and warns us of dangers or
delays along the way. There are times I am confident I know a better route
only to discover stalled traffic or obstacles I could have avoided if I had just
listened to that voice.
Jeremiah 6:16 records God’s warning to Israel and a crossroad that
demands a decision. They were about to be attacked and their choice would
mean either life or death. One path was the way of the Lord, which led to
assurance and blessing. The other was the lesser path that led to despair and
destruction. Israel chose poorly and defied the voice of God. Israel’s choices
provide an excellent metaphor for our own encounters with God.
I enjoy hearing students share their plans for the future. Their dreams
are often perfectly aligned with their education and career goals. A plan
is important at any age, but God often confronts our best-prepared plans
with these crossroads. His plan challenges our comfort zone and can even
seem illogical. Similar to Israel, the Lord says, “When you encounter me at
these crossing places, stand still, seek the good way, ask for directions; then
confidently walk in the way of the Lord with peace and assurance.”
For almost 50 years, this university has been a crossroad for thousands of
students whose lives have been transformed by a God who called out to them.
This issue of ACCENT includes stories of those who responded to his call
and are witnesses of an amazing adventure of faith. Just as Jesus called his
disciples, God’s quiet voice still invites us: “Come and follow me!”
The MNU Experience
04
16
President
Campus News
08
We Got Google Fiber!
12
MNU to become a Google
campus
Learn While You Play
Center for Games & Learning
Becomes Resource for Educators
Homecoming & Family
Weekend
13
16
Photo gallery
Quality Product, Solid
Strategy, Engaged Culture
20
22
Accent is published by MidAmerica Nazarene University and mailed free to alumni,
friends and supporters of MNU. It is produced for University Advancement by the
MNU Marketing and Communications Office. Postage is paid at Olathe, Kan., and
additional mailing offices.
Dr. David J. Spittal
04
Six different majors, six
different jobs, same mission
20
Ervin Cash ('81) outlines a
formula for business success
When Europe's Refugee
Crisis Hits Home
22
Alum Teanna Sunberg's ('91)
first-hand account
Dewey's New Look
28
Makeover for Campus
Coffee Shop
News or comments: [email protected]
» View photo galleries and even more stories online at www.mnu.edu/accent.
Volume 39, Number 2
MANAGING
MANAGING EDITOR
EDITOR
Carol
(Knight
'81,
Carol (Knight '81,
MAMA
'08)'08)
BestBest
CONTRIBUTING
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
EDITOR
Kim (Suderman '05) Campbell
Kim (Suderman, '05) Campbell
CONTRIBUTORS
April (Loomis '96) Hansen
Rachel Phelps ('09)
02 ACCENT MAGAZINE / FALL 2015
Accent is published
by MidAmerica
ART AND DESIGN ART AND DESIGN
CONTRIBUTORS
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Nazarene University and mailed free to
Josh Klekamp ('10)Daniel Hawkins ('06)
Chad Jenkins
Daniel Hawkins ('06)
andVidetich
supporters of MNU. It
Russell Kelly
ThayerLawler
('17) ('11) Kelly (Lawler '11) Chesleyalumni, friends
Dan
Jeremy Hoffpauir
is produced forLindsay
University
Advancement by
Willmer
PHOTOGRAPHERS
the
MNU Marketing
and
Communications
Pete Brumbaugh ('90, MBA
'04)
Hannah
Bostic
('18)
Jen Christenson ('07)
Office. Postage
is paid
at Olathe,
Nicole
Lavine
('15) Kan., and
Josh Klekamp ('10)
additional mailing
offices.
Josiah
Crandall ('14)
Josh McCullock
News or comments: [email protected]
HELPFUL LINKS
STAY CONNECTED
On The Cover
Between classes,
www.mnu.edu/alumni
02 freshmen
President’s Message
Abby Hansen, Joy Randle and
www.mnu.edu/give
06
Campus News
Alexis Braaten enjoy one of
www.mnu.edu/student-referral
13 places
Faculty
News
the most beautiful
on
(Undergrad)
20
Athletics
campus.
www.mnu.edu/referral
22
Advancing MNU
(Grad & Adult)
24
Alumni News
ARTICLES
HELPFUL LINKS
04
The MNU Experience
www.mnu.edu/alumni
10
Why I Teach
www.mnu.edu/give
14
Commencement
www.mnu.edu/newsroom
17
Student Profile
www.mnusports.com
18
With Purpose
Many Faces of
Ministry at FCA
By Carol Knight (’81, MAOA ’08) Best
Photo (left to right) Issac Yamamoto, Nick Hill, Quinten
Johnson, Zach Johnson, Fred Olson and Steve Beckerle.
MNU alumni serving at the FCA National Support Center.
THE MNU EXPERIENCE
FCA's Mission
To present to coaches and athletes, and all whom they
influence, the challenge and adventure of receiving Jesus
Christ as Savior and Lord, serving Him in their relationships
and in the fellowship of the church
during that time. I am a servant by
nature, so behind-the-scenes support
fits the gifts God has given me.”
Hill and Johnson interact daily with
other MNU alums including Beckerle,
FCA accountant and intercultural
studies major Quinten Johnson (’09),
and Fred Olson (’83), the ministry’s
director of finance.
although he was preparing to be a playby-play announcer – he was KMNU’s
general manager and the “voice” of
Pioneer athletics – working at FCA full
time became a “longing.”
“FCA has been the main channel of
spiritual growth and fellowship in my
Christian walk,” Stillman says. “It’s
where I was saved, strengthened and
encouraged in my walk during high
considered working in sports ministry.
But having joined MNU’s new FCA
huddle last spring, Yamamoto learned
about the opportunity to work at FCA
summer camps. Placed in three
Missouri camps from Table Rock Lake
to St. Louis and Excelsior Springs,
Yamamoto discovered a new calling.
“I wasn’t sure what my response would
be to sports ministry,” he says, “but I
We’re like the coaches of the
coaches, regarding spiritual
leadership. Athletes spend
so much time with their
coaches. What better way to
spread the Gospel?”
--Issac Yamamoto
There’s a common theme among
six diverse current and former MNU
students and alumni who work for
the Fellowship of Christian Athletes
National Support Center in Kansas
City, Missouri. They all say they were
led to work there and they have
passion, not only for their jobs, but for
the mission of their organization.
FCA unites faith and sports to impact
others for Christ. With more than
11,900 certified huddles (clubs) in 47
countries and 86,500 youth attending
FCA camps, the organization makes
a global difference for Christ. The
National Support Center in Kansas City
resources the thousands of FCA field
representatives, athletes and coaches
who are boots-on-the-ground in this
mission.
Nick Hill ('15), FCA’s technology
support consultant, majored
in interdisciplinary studies in
communication and design at MNU.
Hill always gets involved in a big
way. As a student, he was a cofounder of MNU Productions (audio/
video), a member of Associated
Student Government, Residence Hall
Government and Heritage Choir, as
well as a yell leader and football team
manager. He also used his love for
technology as a res-tech, providing
student IT help. Not surprisingly he
belonged to an FCA huddle in high
school. Now he puts that enthusiasm
to work at FCA.
“I get to support, train and troubleshoot
for staff nationally and internationally
with a variety of technology and
software questions,” Hill says. “I use
technology in new ways to support
our field staff who are actively serving
their communities and spreading the
Gospel. It’s a big team!”
Hill was referred to work at FCA
by Zach Johnson (FS ’07), the
organization’s Apple product support
and online events coordinator. Both Hill
and Johnson wanted to work for FCA
for several years before an opportunity
presented itself.
“Another alum, youth ministry major
Steve Beckerle (’05) worked at FCA
as intranet manager and loved it,”
Johnson says. “When I decided I might
be a good fit here, it was actually
another four years before I came on
staff. God was working out the details
An accounting major, Olson spent six
years in the field of public accounting.
After taking a year off to study at a
Bible school, he got the opportunity
to assist FCA’s chief financial officer.
Promoted to his current position in
2000, Olson now has 25 years of service
at the organization.
“I oversee day-to-day financial
operations of the FCA ministry,” Olson
says. “Serving with FCA has been a real
privilege for me, and has allowed me to
utilize my professional background.”
Though not at the National Support
Center, Brett Stillman (’12), a field
associate in St. Louis, also works for
FCA. The mass communications major
interned in St. Louis the summer
before his senior year and says
school. It challenged me to serve in
college, and now it’s my calling and
vocation.”
Like the others, Stillman has no plans
to work elsewhere.
“Honestly, [in five years I see myself]
still serving the coaches and athletes
of St. Louis and North County,” he
says. “God is working in some tough
environments and it's awesome to be
on the front lines of it!”
Pioneer linebacker Isaac Yamamoto
('16), a senior from Sequim,
Washington, landed an FCA internship
this summer. A transfer student from
Lower Columbia College, Yamamoto
came to MNU to play football and
major in kinesiology and had not
realized I have a calling for it. We’re like
the coaches of the coaches, regarding
spiritual leadership. Athletes spend so
much time with their coaches. What
better way to spread the Gospel?”
Yamamoto intends to complete his
degree and work in some area of
strength and conditioning for athletes.
He knows that God will lead him to an
opportunity to use his education and
calling for His glory.
Whether behind the scenes or on the
front lines, each of these Pioneers have
found their calling and passion at FCA.
»
See more photos online
www.mnu.edu/accent
CAMPUS NEWS
S C H O O L O F P R O F E S S I O N A L & G R A D U AT E S T U D I E S
P U R P O S E F U L LY D I F F E R E N T
Passion to Serve returns to Haiti
In 2013, 21 MNU students—in
partnership with Heart to Heart
International—traveled to the
mountains of southeast Haiti to help
construct a new school. The journey
to the site was long, and the work
often difficult, but those involved were
united by “Dégagé”—a common Creole
term meaning “make do with what you
have." Dégagé was adopted as the title
of the entire project that year, made
possible by MNU’s annual studentorganized relief and outreach effort
called “Passion to Serve.” By the end
of the year, Dégagé had raised nearly
$60,000 for the project, and the school
in Haiti now educates hundreds of
children in the small village of Cascade
Pichon.
The success of the project and the
students’ experiences in Haiti made
a lasting impression on the Pioneer
community. So much so that this year’s
Passion to Serve project returns to
Haiti, in partnership again with Heart
to Heart International. “LQVE Haiti” is
the name of this year’s project, created
in honor of nursing student Quincy
Foster—nicknamed Q—who passed
away January 1, 2015, in a tragic
automobile accident. An avid soccer
player, Foster had traveled to Haiti
in 2013 as part of Dégagé, and there
developed a love for the Haitian people,
as well as a newfound conviction
to return to the country for
missions work in the future.
the Dominican Republic. Additionally,
senior nursing students from MNU
will travel to the Southeast region and
assist local clinics by providing basic
medical care.
Passion to Serve organizers will
send four teams of volunteers to
Haiti throughout the 2015-2016
academic year. The first group
traveled in June and included
Quincy’s parents, Jonathan
(’91) and Johnna (Palmer, ’89)
Foster and students Shay Foster
(Quincy’s brother), Annie Huff,
and Dylan Aebersold ('15)—all
of whom helped make further
improvements to the school in
Cascade Pichon.
Three additional teams will serve the
communities of Anse-a-Pitres, Thiotte,
Grand-Gosier, and Belle-Anse in 2016.
In these villages, Pioneers will work
alongside the Haitian people to build
a soccer field, organize leagues and
tournaments and provide assistance in
the escalating Haitian refugee crisis on
the southeast border between Haiti and
Alumni and friends can support the
LQVE Haiti project and help students
reach the $50,000, goal by donating
online on the Passion to Serve website
mnu.edu/passion-to-serve-project.
More information on volunteer work
can be obtained by contacting MNU
ServiceCorps at
[email protected].
Brigadoon
MNU's fall musical
A fully online MBA & AA
At MNU, two of our most popular programs are now available entirely online.
Earn your Associate of Arts in Business or your Master of Business
Administration in a fully online program. You’ll learn from the same expert
faculty in a convenient format that fits into your life.
SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
www.mnu.edu/online
CAMPUS NEWS
CAMPUS NEWS
Building Strong Foundations
Helping students succeed through
early intervention is the goal of the
new Student Success Network directed
by Rick Hanson (’88), associate
vice president for academic and
professional success. The group
of administration, staff and faculty
from student development, wellness,
residential life and academic support,
meets weekly to determine which
students need assistance and what
kind of support should be offered.
“We aren’t waiting for students to come
to us,” Hanson says. “We have systems
in place to help identify those who may
be having academic difficulty for a
variety of reasons.”
In addition, anyone can contact a
member of the network to refer
a student. Hanson says first-time
and transfer students can find the
transition to university life challenging.
“We really want to help (students)
succeed. Sometimes they don’t know
there are resources available or they
don’t know how to connect to them.”
Several resources for students are
either new or enhanced this year. One
such area is counseling. Elizabeth
(Eudaley,’94) Diddle, director for
counseling and wellness, provides
resources surrounding healthy life
choices. Through residence life and
other programs, Diddle provides
education on healthy sleep and mental
health topics, as well as support
groups for issues like grief. Two new
counselors provide options for students
seeking professional therapy.
Academic support has been enhanced
at the Kresge Center as well. Expanded
services include full-time specialists
in writing and mathematics. Testing
for admissions and placement, as well
as proctoring, are offered along with
free tutoring for all students – both
in person and through the live online
tutoring service Smarthinking.
American Heritage Week Rekindled
Providing assistance when a student
needs it is necessary and admirable.
But how much better would it be to
solve many problems before they
happen? Such is the goal of a related,
comprehensive study taking place
this year to evaluate the first-year
experience. The Foundations of
Excellence task force is a group of staff,
administration and faculty charged
with re-evaluating every touch point
between the university and a first-time
or transfer student.
Hanson says this exercise has the
potential to “revolutionize” the firstyear experience for MNU students.
“The goal is a seamless hand off
from admissions to orientation to
the classroom,” Hanson says. “If
we improve student success and
satisfaction, remove the barriers and
enhance the process, students are
more likely to remain at MNU.”
These activities are supported by a grant
from the U.S. Department of Education, Title
III Strengthening Institutions Program; 78%
is federally-funded and 22% is non-federally
funded over the five-year project period.
SEEDS Program Success Leads to Grant Extension
MNU’s “Students Engaged In Exploring
and Designing Solutions” (SEEDS)
project has made considerable
progress, says Dr. Nancy (Humo, ’95,
MEd ’98) Damron, dean of the School
of Education. In fact, the Kansas
Board of Regents (KBOR), provider of
the initial funding for the project, has
granted a temporary, no-cost extension
of the grant so grade school students
can demonstrate their progress in one
of the four STEM (Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Math) disciplines.
This exciting turn of events is due
to the significant progress made by
SEEDS participants—48 teachers from
the Turner and Kansas City Public
Schools districts—in their professional
development and teaching practices
in STEM courses. The purpose is to
improve instructional methods and
ultimately boost student achievement.
The grant also provides training in how
to use the Next Generation Science
Standards (NGSS), a set of academic
In preparation for MNU’s 50th
anniversary in 2016, the university is
reintroducing programs and traditions
that hold significant value to its
students, alumni, staff and faculty. The
Donald S. Metz American Heritage
Week is one such program and was
held September 15-17, 2015.
• Economic Inequality in American
Society, presented by Bo Cassell,
moderated by Abby Hodges, PhD.
American Heritage Week was originally
introduced in 1968 by the university’s
first academic dean, Dr. Donald S.
Metz, to celebrate and honor the
American heritage. This year’s event
included a Convocation featuring
special guest Allen Brown (’72),
attorney and member of the first
graduating class. Brown spoke on
the unique nature of our democracy
and the importance of engaging as
Christians and U.S. citizens to preserve
and protect our civil liberties.
• Terrorism and the Privacy/Security
Debate, presented by Todd Hiestand,
JD, moderated by Andrew Overholt,
PhD.
Brown and his wife, Saralyn (Schmidt,
’72), also spoke at the MNU Tuesday
Luncheon following the Convocation.
• The Confederate Flag and the Power
of Symbols, presented by Elizabeth
George, PhD, moderated by Jordan
Mantha, PhD.
Reinstituting American Heritage Week
is one way in which the university is
honoring its roots and the commitment
of MNU founders to uphold and
honor this heritage. At the time
of its founding, then Mid-America
Nazarene College adopted the theme
of “American Heritage Education”
to emphasize the ideals of racial
tolerance, compassion, service and
patriotism through its curriculum and
activities.
Later that week three forums were held
to explore how Christians can respond
to current issues facing society today.
Faculty members presented on the
three topics. Student panels posed
questions and audience members were
then invited to interact with questions
and comments. The forums included:
“Today, the principles of American
heritage education still ring true,”
MNU President David Spittal says.
“By offering varying perspectives on
the many social and civil struggles
we face as Christian citizens, we are
creating the opportunity for better
understanding of one another and our
individual responsibilities.”
secondary science curriculum for the
Kansas City, Kansas School District,
says employing a less traditional style
of exploring content in more authentic
ways takes time, but puts the emphasis
on learning through context rather
than memorizing scientific facts. One
practical example currently used in the
classroom is about Newton's laws.
a collision of a compact car or a
semi-tractor trailer, students explore
those collisions using balls of different
masses while they predict, observe and
explain those collisions,” Gillette says.
“From this single activity, students
then generate questions and construct
models to help explain their questions
and observations.”
“Instead of lecturing about equal
and opposite reactions or what the
mathematical relationship is between
Gillette says MNU’s program has
been helpful to teachers making
these important changes in how they
By Russell Thayer ('17)
standards and content organization
practices developed by the National
Research Council. For educators
teaching in one of the four STEM
disciplines, Damron says knowledge of
these standards is essential.
“Both data and feedback from teachers
demonstrates that a strong impact
has been made through the SEEDS
program,” Damron says
Dr. Brandon Gillette, director of
teach STEM courses. “Collectively, the
NGSS involve a number of significant
instructional shifts. The SEEDS
program has provided a learning
space for teachers to engage in the
discussion and practice for how to
address these shifts.”
More information on teacher education
and the School of Education at MNU is
available at www.mnu.edu/learn.
CAMPUS NEWS
Electronic Transcripts Now Available
By Russell Thayer ('17)
The convenience of ordering a transcript online and having
it delivered digitally is now a reality for MNU students and
alumni. According to MNU Registrar James Garrison (’90),
his office’s work to implement electronic transcript ordering
and delivery will save valuable time for students and alumni.
If a student or alumnus needs a transcript sent to another
authorized institution that participates in the National Student
Clearinghouse (NSC) program, a certified digital copy in the
form of a PDF can be made available through their secure
server regardless of the time or day. In fact, a digital copy of
the transcript can be sent to anyone as long as the recipient
has Internet access.
requests are processed within one hour, as long as the form is
completed correctly and the system is not experiencing a high
volume of requests.
For those still wanting to mail or pick up a paper transcript,
Garrison says those requests will always be honored,
although he believes those requests will become less
common as the digital option gains popularity.
“We still allow for holding a paper transcript,” Garrison said.
“However, close to half our students — maybe in the 40
percent range — have decided to send it electronically in the
past month, and that’s a very good thing. It’s very fast, and
helps the students and alumni in so many ways.”
According to MNU’s official transcript ordering page (located
under the “Resources” tab on MNU’s main website), most
Olathe Campus Enters Phase Two of Technology Renewal
Becoming a Google Campus
Whether in the dorm, the classroom,
out on the campus mall or at a
desk, MNU students and employees
will soon enjoy significantly faster
Internet speeds and greatly enhanced
bandwidth with phase two of MNU’s
primary campus technology renewal.
Phase one was completed in
September with the installation of new
fiber optic cable across campus.
As Vice President for Finance Kevin
Gilmore (’84) says, “Phase one was
fiber in the ground; phase two is the
local area network which includes new
equipment, switches and routers within
the buildings connecting to the fiber.”
The new local area network is an
extensive upgrade according to Mark
Leinwetter, information technology
services manager.
“It’s a new local area network that
includes hardware that extends the
signal to all new internal and external
Wi-Fi,” Leinwetter says. “Users
will notice a remarkable, tangible
difference in speed and bandwidth.”
Another benefit is the new
comprehensive network management
system that will allow IT to monitor
the system 24/7 and make changes
and new configurations as needed,
resulting in less down time for users.
Phase two completion is scheduled for
the first half of 2016.
Grant funding for this project
has allowed project directors
to be even more forward
thinking in their planning
for redundancies and future
replacement contingencies.
“We have conduit in place parallel
to the conduit in use so that when
the fiber needs replacement, it
can be done without disrupting
service,” Gilmore says. “This was
suggested by our consultants
and further aided by access to
the grant funding.”
Enhancing user experience
exponentially will be the addition
of Internet service provider
Google Fiber. The lightning fast
1G speed of Google fiber is at least
10 times faster than current speed.
Google approached MNU with their
ultrafast service for select businesses
that is currently available only in
Austin, Texas, Kansas City and Provo,
Utah. The installation of Google Fiber
will require a build out
to the campus and Santa
Fe Commons and should
be complete within the
next three to six months.
These activities are supported
by a grant from the U.S.
Department of Education,
Title III Strengthening
Institutions Program;
100% is federallyfunded .
Center for Games & Learning Becomes Community Resource
Since its inception last fall, MNU’s
Center for Games & Learning has
moved beyond researching the use of
games to enhance learning and has
become a resource for educators in
Kansas and for the local community
itself. Nearly 200 Olathe School
District teachers attended training this
summer to learn how to implement
games in the classroom. The Center’s
professionals are teaching Johnson
County Juvenile Justice staff how to
implement games in curriculum used
with juveniles in the system, and in
November, they will present to the
faculty at Southwestern College in
Winfield, Kansas. In all they will make
16 presentations this year on behalf of
the Center.
According to Lauren Hays, program
co-director, being a resource for
educators and the community is how
the Center integrates itself with the
mission of the university.
“Expanding the work of the Center
through community outreach is how
we are looking for ways to serve the
community,” says Hays. “Holding a
conference for teachers this summer
allowed us to make connections for
many of the presentations we are
doing now.”
Hays says the Center has many more
activities planned. This year it will
support a board game club in the
Spring Hill, Kansas School District.
Using pre-service teachers from the
School of Education will give MNU
students valuable experience while
assisting the school district with a
positive activity that increases their
students’ confidence and academic
achievement. On November 21 the
Library and the Center will be a site
for International Game Day (IGD15),
a global, free event for the public in
which anyone can use the Center’s
games.
Additionally, Hays says that using
games in the classroom has spread
beyond the initial research cohort at
MNU. Professors are finding more
ways to enhance learning with games
in a variety of courses and the results
of the research will soon be available.
The Center also hosts community
game nights that are open to the
public, and patrons can check out
games with their community patron
cards.
MNU's Center for Games & Learning is
funded by a grant from the Institute of
Museum and Library Services.
The Institute of Museum and Library
Services is the primary source of
federal support for the nation’s
123,000 libraries and 35,000 museums.
Our mission is to inspire libraries
and museums to advance innovation,
lifelong learning, and cultural and
civic engagement. Our grant making,
policy development, and research
help libraries and museums deliver
valuable services that make it possible
for communities and individuals to
thrive. To learn more, visit www.imls.
gov and follow IMLS on Facebook and
Twitter.
The Center for Games and Learning at MidAmerica
Nazarene University is made possible by a grant from
the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services; grant
number (SP-02-14-0038-14).
13 ACCENT MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2015
i
i
New Student Orientation
Welcome Week
Rootbeer Fest. Service Projects. White Light Event. Pioneer Prayer Walk.
It’s one of our favorite weeks of the year.
ARTICLE TITLE
ARTICLE TITLE
7.
1.
6.
1. The Class of 1975 celebrates their 40th reunion
5. Senior Zach Relf cheers on the men’s soccer team
2. Students cheer on the Pioneer football team
6. Freshman Bailey Fimreite samples some barbeque
8. Students have fun during one of the many Pioneer
athletic events
3. Pioneers dominate Evangel, winning 31-14
7. Senior Nick Syrie and Navia Palu ('14) enjoy the
Big Tent
9. Future Pioneers hang out in the Kids Zone
4. Homecoming queen and king, Seniors Addie
Limmex and Josh Woodward
8.
11. Men’s soccer beats Evangel, 8-0
12. Mike ('76) and Denise ('78) Cork, and Don ('78) and
Sheila (Vandervoort, '79) Byrd
10. The BBQ contest offers great smells and samples
9.
2.
4.
3.
5.
11.
10.
12.
13.
14.
17.
13. Alumni award winners (L-R): Chaplain, CPT Pete
Robinson (’04), Dr. Kelly (Ryman, '98) Mattix and Mr.
Britt Mattix (’99), and Molly (Frei, '05) Latchaw
14. Captain Pete Robinson accepts his Alumnus of
the Year award from Dr. David Spittal and Alumni
Director, Kevin Garber
15. Ken Medema leads an incredible chapel service
16. The Pioneer Pathways 5k had runners of all ages
15.
17. MNU Athletics Hall of Fame 2015 inductees (L-R)
include Matt Schneider (’07), Danny Hawkins (’09),
Penny (Eastman, '10) Morin, Justen Wack (’06) and
Mike Birge (’97).
18.
18. Freshman Shay Foster and junior Garret Stalder
participate in the Heritage Choir Meet & Sing with
alumni
19. The bonfire crowd included current students and
alumni
20. Alumni and friends reconnect on Saturday morning
21. Professor Abby Hodges moderates a STEM
(science, technology, engineering and math) panel
featuring alumni working in those fields.
16.
19.
20.
21.
IT'S
ALWAYS
ABOUT
PEOPLE
By Carol Knight (’81, MAOA ’08) Best
A new position at Gardner Denver Inc.,
“The biggest concerns in the NFL
a company in Georgia specializing in
right now are concussions and player
pump technology for industrial, mobile,
safety,” Cash says. “A lot is being done
energy and environmental markets,
with helmets, but we are making the
led Cash to the energy technology
surface they fall on softer,” he says,
industry. Then a Japanese company
referring to the football field.
called Rinnai tapped Cash for his
strategic business leadership skills.
His turf-warming project will require
His experience in Japan, along with
installing heated water lines 12-15
his marketing, manufacturing and
inches below the surface. Cash says
energy background, dovetailed nicely
this will “trick the turf into thinking it
in his new job. In 2002, the company
is 70 degrees all year round.” The field
sold 6,500 units. By 2008, Cash led
will not be rock hard in the winter and
Rinnai to 170,000 units in sales with an
grass will grow year round.
aggressive marketing and advertising
effort. Using radio, television and
“The real driver behind this is player
Internet, along with Major League
safety,” Cash says. “It’s interesting
Baseball, the NFL
when you can take
and NASCAR, Cash
technology and use
employed ads to
it to solve every day,
introduce his product
important problems.”
“I was asked to start a
to the market. Now
business unit from a clean
Rinnai has the topsheet of paper; developing What would Cash say
selling tankless water
is the most important
strategy, marketing,
heater in the U.S.
takeaway from his
everything about sales; I
career experience?
got a new perspective.”
Continuing in the
energy industry, and
“It’s always been about
always gravitating
strategy and culture,”
to companies that
he says. “I spend a lot
utilized green technology, Cash became
of time on the business strategy – how
president and CEO of Robert Bosch
to compete, how to win – and right in
Thermotechnology North America
the middle of that is setting a culture
in 2009. In 2012 he was recruited for
where people like to work, people are
his current position of president and
engaged, they’re teammates, they’re
CEO of AERCO. AERCO high-efficiency
people who want to take responsibility,
commercial boilers and water heaters
and where people get recognition.
are in Hilton and Marriott hotels,
It’s about how to get people in the
numerous universities and schools,
organization excited about the business
and major commercial buildings
so you have all the energy of the people
throughout the U.S. Cash says a typical
focused on one mission.”
week in his job includes two to three
days in the office and the rest at 35,000
If that philosophy sounds good,
feet, traveling to places like Italy, China,
consider visiting MNU this spring to
Korea and Germany where AERCO’s
hear more. Cash will be the featured
suppliers are located.
speaker at the April 19, 2016, MNU
Tuesday Luncheon for alumni and
But an exciting new project Cash is
friends.
working on is much closer to home
– MNU’s home that is. AERCO’s
equipment is already running at
Arrowhead Stadium and a new project
Check out more photos
will begin after the current football
www.mnu.edu/accent
season.
...............
...............
H
e travels the world, comes home to the 32nd floor
of a Manhattan skyscraper, runs an international
company, enjoys world-class cuisine and writes
an insightful travel log for his friends on Facebook, all while
keeping his Kansas City ties intact. Ervin Cash (’81) is the
president and CEO of AERCO International, the originator of
semi-instantaneous water heating for commercial application.
Nearly a third of the buildings in Manhattan use his company’s
systems. His success could make Cash intimidating, but
a brief conversation with this MNU alumnus puts one
immediately at ease.
Cash is humble and personable. He has nothing to prove,
and his résumé speaks for itself. He has marketed highend products, led new business development, engineered
manufacturing solutions in several industries, managed
quality assurance programs and driven strategy and
competitive growth for an energy technology producer.
Through it all, he says he wouldn’t change a thing about his
choices at MidAmerica where he majored in communication
and human relations and minored in math and physics.
“I knew no matter what I was going to do, I was going to work
with people,” Cash says. “That’s the most important part of
anything you do. My paradigm is people skills, technical skills,
business skills and on top of that, strategy.”
Throughout his career in manufacturing, operations,
marketing and beyond, Cash’s approach to success is problem
solving with the customer’s needs at the center of the
equation. Having gained much of his knowledge about people
in his undergraduate studies, Cash then pursued a mechanical
engineering degree at the University of Kansas, an MBA at
Xavier University and post-graduate study at Harvard Business
School in strategy and competitive advantage.
From his work on the factory floor programming micronaccuracy inspection equipment at then Allied Signal (now
Honeywell) in Kansas City, to engineering and quality
assurance, Cash’s employers have asked him to start new
things. He created the quality assurance program for Makino
Inc., a manufacturer of machine tools for applications
worldwide. The Japanese-owned company sent him for
training in Japan.
“It was intriguing,” he says. “I like
different cultures and languages.”
Soon, Cash was the plant manager.
The company president noticed that
when Cash interacted with customers
touring the plant, he always asked the
same thing, “How are you going to use
this equipment?”
“I would get an idea from how they
were going to use it, of how to build the
quality assurance into the equipment,”
Cash said. “The president said, ‘I want
you to move that process over to the
business side.’ This is how we would
win business.”
That move became a turning point in
Cash’s career.
»
By Teanna (Matz, '91) Sunberg
There, at the foot of their tent, I took a seat on a pink
tablecloth that shielded me from the dirty ground. I received
the offered tea, sweet and hot, and we talked about a once
beautiful Syria, about their family who came and those
who stayed behind, and about the baby that is on the way.
Muhammad hoped that they would reach Germany before
his first child was born. This is the sort of concern any
normal father expresses, but in their current context, the
stress was intensified by the fact that he and his wife are
refugees.
I looked around Keleti train station at more than 3,000
people who made up the first significant wave of refugees
into the European Union (EU). Though their journeys have
started in various parts of the Middle East – Iraq, Iran,
Syria, Afghanistan – the paths that brings them to Europe
converged in Turkey. From that last Muslim nation, they
embarked upon a dangerous journey across choppy seas
to the coast of Greece. They walked and took buses, taxis
and trains to move through Macedonia, Serbia, Hungary and
on to Croatia, then Slovenia. They hope to finally settle in
Denmark, Sweden or Germany.
Their journey, and that of those still coming, is fraught with
danger, disappointment and a heroic determination to keep
moving in spite of obstacles. Smugglers have demanded
nearly $2,000 per person for the dangerously over-crowded
boats. Taxi drivers have charged upwards of $700 per person
for an hour-long journey, and buses help them complete
only a portion of the thousands of kilometers they must
travel. By the time Muhammad’s family reached Budapest’s
international train station, Keleti, and bought their train
tickets to Germany, they realized their plight had become
a topic of international political debate. As leaders argued,
discussed and disagreed, Muhammad and his family waited.
“It has been a long hard journey for my wife, so I wanted
to take her to a hotel. But, when I gave the man our
documents, he said, ‘You are Syrian, go away.’”
September 2015 saw the unprecedented
arrival of thousands of refugees from the
Middle East at the Hungarian border near
Budapest. Missionary Teanna Sunberg
traveled daily to the Keleti train station
from her home just 45 minutes away from
the turmoil. Sunberg ministered to the
refugees who were not allowed to continue
on to other European Union countries
where they hoped for a safe haven. This is
Sunberg’s story of one such refugee family.
Muhammad’s family were some of the lucky ones who
had a tent, but their six-day wait in Keleti was intensified
by a famine of information and made miserable by a lack
of privacy, no showers, no possibility to cook a meal and
crude bathroom options. No one understood why Eastern
European governments were prohibiting their transit and
when or if they would ultimately be allowed to continue
their trek towards a new home.
The month of September brought a refugee crisis that
cut a human swath through the heart of Eastern Europe.
Some estimates are that more than 300,000 Middle
Eastern people left their war-torn homes, their
devastating economic situations, and their systemically
volatile political and social landscapes to find a new
place of peace in Western Europe. Each of their stories
has elements of desperation and courage. Most Syrian
children have not been able to attend school for the last
two to three years, people show photos of rubble that
were once streets and everyone has a story marred by fear.
As we spoke, Muhammad’s mother called from Syria,
where she is waiting for them to finish their journey. She
cannot travel due to a weakened heart condition.
“Do you want to talk to my mother?” Muhammad asks,
giving me his phone. “She is an English teacher and quite
fluent. She will be happy to practice her English with you.”
The voice that reached from Aleppo to Budapest was clear
and beautifully accented. I reassured her that the children
were well, and that I could see their healthy faces before
me at the opening of their tent.
“Thank you. Thank you for telling me this. I am worrying
a lot,” she says, “but, you see, in Syria there is no life
anymore. Our children cannot die. They must live. They
must find a way to live.”
About Teanna ('91) and Jay ('90) Sunberg They have been missionaries to Russia, Bulgaria and Hungary for nearly 22
years. They have four daughters: Lexi (19), Sophia (16), Lydia (14) and Jenna (13).
Sunberg says her daily focus in September was on the refugees, first at Keleti,
then at the border crossing near the village of Röszke. The crisis has since moved
to Serbia and Croatia. Now the Hungarian refugee camps are the Sunbergs’ focus
as they seek ways to be accepted as volunteers in the camps. To learn more,
read Sunberg’s blog at centraleuropenaz.org. Want to help teams assisting the
refugees? Visit Nazarene Compassionate Ministries at NCM.org.
Families make their way from Serbia into
Hungary along an old WWII train track
Two Syrian girls share their dream: a
house with peace in the streets
The feet tell the story of kilometers walked
and the pain of the journey
MNU ATHLETICS
MNU ATHLETICS
Volleyball Takes Conference — Proceeds to Nationals
Men’s Soccer Goes to Nationals
After an up-and-down start, the MNU volleyball team captured its fourth straight conference title and tournament to qualify for
Nationals for the fifth year in a row. The Pioneers started 6-5, but won 16 of their next 20 matches to finish strong. Sophomore
Rachel Kater earned a National Setter of the Week honor along with three conference weekly honors. The Pioneers were 25-9
moving on to the Opening Round of Nationals on Nov. 21.
Men’s soccer enjoyed another fine season in one of the toughest conferences in the NAIA. With two HAAC teams ranked in the
top 5 and MNU sitting at #11, an 8-2 conference record is impressive. Six Pioneers earned All-Conference honors (Alvaro Beltran,
Eduardo Heringer, Lucas Machado, Bryce McClanahan, Stephane Philippe and Eddie Morales). A win over Benedictine at the
conference tournament sent the team to Nationals to face Roosevelt (Ill.) on Nov. 21.
MNU athletes make the grade.
The NAIA named 20 MNU students Scholar Athletes
and 8 teams Scholar Teams in 2014-15.
Want to learn more? Visit mnusports.com
Women’s Soccer
Football
The MNU women’s soccer team enjoyed one of its best seasons in program
history, going 12-5-3 (8-2-2) heading into postseason play. The Pioneers
earned the #3 seed in the tournament and garnered six All-Conference
honorees (Taryn McClendon, Sarah Schmidt, Kalyn Pfaff, Anesa Curic, Kelli
Reid and Hannah Benedict). The team ended their post season earning a
first-ever #25 ranking.
After making the playoffs last year, the Pioneers got off to a
tough start in 2015, losing four of their road games. Running
back Javon Taylor averaged over 100 yards rushing per game
and tied a national record with a 99-yard touchdown run in
Week 9. MNU finished the season 6-5 overall and 4-1 in the
Heart of America South earning them second place in the
division.
Cross Country
MNU Cross Country started their first season with high
expectations and a small squad of dedicated runners. Early
individual wins on the women’s side, along with a team
win at Johnson County Community College bolstered the
team. The men started strong, winning the William Jewell
invitational. As competition grew stronger, Pioneer times
have gotten faster, and training seems to be working. Both
teams placed in the top five post season. Kaylee Shanley,
Halley Dean, Jac Chelman and George Robinson qualified for
Nationals Nov. 21.
The University Fund
Servant-Leader
Personified
A true Pioneer, Otto William Theel, Jr., MD, 92, passed
away October 26, 2015. A great supporter and friend
of the university since its inception, Dr. Theel created
the Mid-America Nazarene College Honorary Alumni
Association in 1969 when the newly opened college had
no alumni. Ninety-five charter members assisted with
student recruitment and fundraising. As a result Dr.
Theel was honored by the college with the Layman of the
Year Award. The group would go on to raise thousands
of dollars through the years with varied activities and an
annual banquet. Dr. Theel also served on the MANC and
MNU board of trustees and the MNU Foundation board of
directors.
A faithful member of Nall Avenue Church of the
Nazarene, Dr. Theel served on the boards of his church,
the Church of the Nazarene’s Kansas City District
Layman’s League, and the district’s advisory board.
He also served as treasurer of the Kansas City Rescue
Mission.
Dr. Theel was known for encouraging others to give to
MNU through his matching gift challenges.
Give.
Surviving Dr. Theel are his wife Beulah, three children,
nine grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
So our students can prepare to change the world.
A Little Planning Can Make a Big Difference
A planned gift to MNU makes a difference in the lives of students, as well
as your own:
Make a difference.
Give today.
MNU students are working actively to transform the world
through service and Christ-centered career preparation.
www.mnu.edu/give-online
877.496.8668
Be part of the transformation by giving to
the University Fund. Your support directly equips
students to change the world, both now and in the future.
•
Charitable Gift Annuity: Receive a tax deduction and fixed income for
life.
•
Securities: Receive a tax deduction and tax avoidance on the gain.
•
Bequest: Name MNU as a beneficiary of your will, trust, retirement
plan, or life insurance policy.
•
Real Estate: Receive a tax deduction and tax avoidance on the gain.
If you have already included MNU in your estate plans, please contact us so
we can welcome you to the Cornerstone Society.
Be part of the change. Support the University Fund.
877.496.8668
[email protected]
www.mnugiving.org
Coffee and fresh pastries?
Soup and salad?
In the library?
Dewey’s Book & Bean, one of the most enjoyable
spots on campus, has been in operation since 2009.
Tucked into a corner on the first floor of Mabee
Library, it’s become a popular spot for students to
grab a coffee and a snack between classes. With
additional student services and a variety of new
library-sponsored events, Pioneer Food Service
director Steven Richmond partnered with several
groups on campus to complete a mini renovation of
the physical space and the menu itself.
“We saw a need to combine some of our other
grab-and-go food offerings from around campus
and create longer hours of operation to better serve
students,” says Richmond.
He’s not joking. Dewey’s is now open Monday
through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. until midnight,
from 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Friday and from 6
p.m. to midnight on Sunday. A fresh paint job, new
logo and greatly expanded menu are additional
improvements that have taken place this fall.
members, the university marketing office and facility services
pitched in to help with the idea, construction and design and
create a new menu.
It’s no secret to the campus community that
students have wished for a café-style eatery on
campus for quite some time. Several library staff
While the library staff dream about expanding Dewey’s even
further, students are pretty excited about the recent changes.
So are we – check them out!
Fresh bakery items like this cinnamon roll,
have been a huge hit. So has the Harvest Cup
– a Nutella mocha with caramel and hazelnut.
Students can now choose from a variety
of fresh salads.
The Pioneer Pete is a new addition to
several gourmet sandwiches.
Loyal Layman Leaves Significant Legacy
He never set foot on MNU’s campus.
In fact, he rarely left his birthplace of
Lipscomb County, Texas. But David
Jesse Hostutler loved the Lord,
believed in supporting his church and
through his extended family of nieces,
nephews and cousins, found value in a
small Christian college in the Midwest.
Hostutler, a farmer, rancher and – later
in life – an oil man, made a bequest of
$1.3 million to MNU. Upon his death in
July 2013, the university received the
unexpected gift and set out to learn
more about this quiet, Christian man
who gave so generously to further the
mission of MNU.
As it turned out, Hostutler had many
ties to MNU. Dr. Randy Cloud, chair of
Christian Ministry and Formation, is
his great nephew. The Clouds and the
Hostutlers are large families with deep
roots in Texas and the Church of the
Nazarene. Growing up in the panhandle
of Texas, Hostutler was close to
his nephew, Cloud’s father. Cloud
remembers visiting his Uncle David
every summer for family reunions.
“He lived a plain and simple life,” Cloud
says. “He was married and had no
children, but all the nieces, nephews
and cousins called him Uncle David.
He was the family patriarch in a sense.
Everyone wanted to hang out with him.
He was the fun uncle who was always
doing something interesting.”
Eileen Walker of Olathe is Hostutler’s
niece. She remembers the Hostutler
farm was always fun for the children.
“Jumping in the hay, playing with the
cousins, they were a relaxed Texas
family and all the children thought the
world of Uncle David,” she recalls.
His homestead was near Higgins,
Texas, an important cattle-shipping
point in the late 1800s that developed
when the railroad came through. The
town is quite small now, under 500 in
population. Born in 1919, Hostutler
became a rancher and loved his life
on the Texas grasslands caring for his
cattle and farming. Walker says the
outdoorsman’s hobby was fishing, and
he kept a boat at a nearby lake.
Hostutler was a loyal layman and
staunch supporter of Higgins Church of
the Nazarene his entire life, serving on
the church board and as an usher. Even
after he moved to a nursing home 30
minutes from Higgins, he still attended
whenever the weather was good.
..................
“He just saw the influence of
MNU through his family and
for that we are blessed now
and far into the future.”
..................
Rev. Wes Harper, Hostutler’s former
pastor, says the layman was largely
responsible for keeping the church
going financially.
“As is typical of many farmers and
ranchers who had spent years
scratching out a living in West Texas,
they gained the means to be supportive
of others financially when the oil and
gas wells came through,” Harper says.
“It wasn’t uncommon for David to hand
me a check for the church or Nazarene
Compassionate Ministries when I
visited him in the nursing home. And
he supported many other projects in
Higgins.”
Through his financial support, his loyal
attendance and his solid Christian
example, Hostutler had a hand in
shepherding church members who
would be launched from the town of
500 to become ministers, missionaries,
chaplains and committed laypeople.
In this way, his influence in the world
is much larger than he probably ever
knew.
Among his extended family are several
ministers and many others who chose
a Christian education at colleges such
as Southern Nazarene University
in Bethany, Okla., and MidAmerica
Nazarene University. According to
Cloud, more than 20 former students
and alumni of MNU are relatives of
Hostutler.
Upon receipt of the unrestricted gift,
MNU wanted to direct a portion to
an area for which Hostutler would
have had an affinity. A portion was
set aside to form the David Hostutler
Memorial Scholarship Fund. As a
part of the endowment for ministerial
scholarships for students, the fund will
grow and benefit students for years to
come.
“There are quite a few pastors from
our family, so it’s a good fit. He would
be pleased,” Cloud says. “This surprise
gift is proof that one never knows
how far one’s influence will go. It also
shows that we never know where God’s
blessings will come from.”
Cloud says though his uncle never
visited MNU, he was able to see the
value of a place like this.
»
For information on
how you can leave a
legacy at MNU visit
mnugiving.org
ALUMNI & FRIENDS
ALUMNI & FRIENDS
ALUMNI NEWS
Jeremi (Heiney, ’88, MEd '05) Wonch
was awarded the Presidential Award
for Excellence in Mathematics and
Science Teaching (Kansas), by the
National Science Foundation.
Below,” was named CD of the Year by
the Rural Roots Music Commission.
He’s also a four-time nominee for the
Academy of Western Artists’ Western
Artist of the Year award.
Catherine (Brunet, ’89) Brandt
was appointed assistant principal
at Northeast Elementary School in
Montgomery County, Tennessee.
Michael Downs (’95) accepted the
assignment of lead pastor at Cross
Pointe Church of the Nazarene in
Salisbury, Maryland.
Rev. Jonathan Foster (’91) has written
and published a book inspired by the
loss of his daughter Quincy Foster (FS,
’16). “This artistic story is born out of
sorrow and joy, pain and love. It offers
a simple but extraordinary answer to
the question, ‘Where Was God on the
Worst Day of My Life,’” Foster says.
Monica Smith ('00) graduated from
the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar
Association's Bar Leadership Academy
and was selected as an “Up & Coming
Lawyer” for Missouri Lawyers Weekly.
She attended the National Association
for Drug Court Professionals
conference in Washington, where she
met with U.S. Senator for Missouri,
Roy Blunt, to discuss Kansas City’s
specialty courts. Monica currently
serves on the Police Athletic League
Junior Board.
A portion of the proceeds from each
book will go to a project in Haiti
through Heart to Heart International.
The project is related to MNU’s Passion
to Serve Project in Haiti. See the book
at www.LQVE.org.
John D. Thexton (’92) earned a PhD at
Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian
University in August 2014. His degree
is in Pastoral Theology and Counseling
and his dissertation is titled “Neighborlove from a margin: a pastoral
theological construction employing
class analysis.”
Gregory Hager (’94) has recorded
seven albums since 2009. He performs
at more than 100 concerts each
year, drawing impressive crowds to
churches, rodeos and Christmas
events. His latest album, “In the Valley
Luke Johnson (’03) earned a Doctor
of Musical Arts in wind conducting at
the University of Kansas in May 2015.
He is currently assistant professor of
music and director of bands and music
education at MNU.
Martin Kelsey (’04) was hired to host
a middle school science show called
“STEM in 30” at the Smithsonian
National Air and Space Museum in
Washington, D.C.
So Choi (’07) was awarded the 20152016 Kansas Art Education Association
Outstanding Overall Educator of the
Year. An art instructor at Leawood
Middle School, So works closely with
her colleagues and members of the
community to implement integrated
learning across subject areas. An
example of these opportunities include
entering students in the Scholastic Art
Awards as well as local events such as
the Johnson County Library Bookmark
Contest. She has been a professional
Alumni Directory
to be Published
development presenter in her district
and at the Kansas Art Education
Association Conferences.
MNU alumni can expect to be
contacted soon by PCI of Dallas,
Texas, to update their contact
information for inclusion in a new
alumni directory which will publish
in October 2016. MNU has partnered
with PCI, publisher of directories
for many colleges and universities
such as Texas A&M, Georgetown and
Rutgers, to verify alumni data and
obtain information such as field of
occupation.
Sarah (Rowland, ’09, MSN ’10)
Miller graduated with an EdD in
interdisciplinary leadership from
Creighton University in May 2015. Her
dissertation research, “Nurses’ Faith
and Its Impact on the Provision of
the Spiritual Component of Holistic
Care” has been accepted for poster
presentations at Nurse Educators
at The Rockies Conference in
Breckenridge, Colorado, in July and
Sigma Theta Tau International’s 32rd
Biennial Convention in Las Vegas,
Nevada, in November of this year.
Mike Snider ('10) serves as fire chief
in Liberty, Missouri, and was recently
elected vice president at the Missouri
Valley Division of the International
Association of Fire Chiefs conference.
In addition, he will serve as president
in 2017.
Julian Vaughn’s (’10) 2015 single
“Ride Along” reached #1 on the Jazz
Billboard charts. Julian is a smooth
jazz musician from Kansas City,
Missouri, who performs in concerts
worldwide.
Liza Zumbrunnen (’11) was hired as
high school band director at Heritage
Christian Academy in Olathe, Kansas.
Andra Kee ('13) was awarded the
Stewardship Sermon Scholarship by
Stewardship Ministries of the Church
of the Nazarene. Funds for this
scholarship are awarded annually to
up to five pastoral ministry students
enrolled in either a religion or Christian
education program at a USA or
Canada Nazarene institution of higher
education. Andra attends Nazarene
Theological Seminary.
Two area alumnae are using their MNU education to live their passion every day at work.
Megan McGee (’12), is director of donor cultivation for Great Plains SPCA, one of
the largest no-kill animal shelters in the Kansas City area. As a student in MNU’s
bachelor’s-degree completion program, McGee conducted research on ways to
raise money for animal welfare as one of her course projects. After graduation she
decided to volunteer at a local animal shelter. What she calls a random visit to the
Pet Adoption Center of Great Plains SPCA turned into a job in 2013.
Emily (Lefler, ’06) Hawkins is a social marketing manager for Great Plains SPCA.
Managing the highly engaged audiences on the organization’s Facebook, Twitter,
Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube, blog and Snapchat platforms, Hawkins’ creativity has
helped the Great Plains SPCA Facebook page grow from 1,500 to 50,000 fans.
“Behind every pet is a person, so when we are helping a pet in need, we are also
directly helping that person or family who may otherwise not have had a place to
turn,” Hawkins says.
- Need a "cute" fix? Check out a video filled with adoptable
puppies and kitties at mnu.edu/accent.
HAVE NEWS?
Want to share births, marriages, new jobs
and accomplishments with Accent? Please
send to [email protected] or connect
with us on social media.
It doesn't matter how you connect with
us, we just want to hear from you!
According to Kevin Garber, director
of alumni relations, alumni can be
certain that their contact information
will not be sold to any third parties.
Additionally, alumni can purchase the
directory for $100 through PCI.
“We hope this new directory will be
very useful to our alumni and help
them keep in touch or reconnect with
friends and classmates,” Garber said.
2016 Calendar
Help MNU’s graphic design program
with your purchase of a 2016 desk
calendar featuring the art of 10 MNU
alumni. All proceeds go to the graphic
design program. Available online at
themerc.mnu.edu.
CONNECT ONLINE
facebook.com/MNUAlumniandFriends
twitter.com/mnu_alumni
youtube.com/MNUAlumni
linkedin.com
ALUMNI
ARTICLE
& FRIENDS
TITLE
(1)
(10)
(15)
ALUMNI & FRIENDS
Help us
welcome
our newest
PIONEERS
(14)
(21)
→ BIRTHS
→ MARRIAGES
1) Brody (’08) and Jenae (Jakobitz,
’09) Bell, a daughter: Tory Hope,
born Apr. 10, 2015.
8) Christopher (’09) and Jennifer
(Kirk, ’10) Godwin, a son: Jacob
Brooks, born Sept. 3, 2015.
19) Cory (’02) and Michelle (Myers,
’03) Maxwell, a son: CJ, born Aug.
20, 2015.
Christopher and Amanda (Adams,
’11) Fuller, June 6, 2015.
2) John (’04) and Christina Booth, a
son: Asher Munro, born June 10,
2015.
9) Zach and Kelli (Harris, ’09)
Haeffner, a daughter: Hadley Jo,
born Sept. 8, 2015.
Matt (’15) and Brenna (Bohlman,
’15) Selden, June 27, 2015.
3) Cole (’10) and Rachelle (Warren,
’10) Branstetter, a son: Malachi,
born Sept. 21, 2015.
10) Brad (’01) and Lori (DeBord, ’02)
Hewitt, a daughter: Kayley Jo, born
April 30, 2015.
20) Derek (’13) and Becky
(Wieczorek, ’13) McGowen, a
daughter: Madison Lynn, born
Sept. 5, 2015.
4) Ashford (’12) and Cary (Hayes,
’11) Collins, a daughter: Avery
Monroe, born Aug. 31, 2015.
11) Jeremiah (’04) and Kristin
(Breuklander, ’04) Higgins, a son:
Miles Eugene, born June 4, 2015.
5) Sidney (’01) and Deena (Moore,
’01) Dement, a daughter: Maya
Sunanda, born Mar. 13, 2015.
12) Lynn (’08) and Melissa (Weidert,
’07) Hoffman, a son: Nash
Nicholas, born June 4, 2015.
6) Kevin and Miranda (Barnes, ’09)
Edwards, a daughter: Elizabeth
Grace, born May 21, 2015.
13) Bradley (’10) and Brittney
(Thornton, ’09) Jonker, a daughter:
Harlee Jane, born Aug. 29, 2015.
7) Travis (’04) and Melissa
(McKellips, ’06) Emerson, a
daughter: Arabella LeeAnne, born
June 4, 2015.
14) Corey (’99) and Jill (Bachman, ’98)
Kenney, a daughter: Alice Mae,
born May 29, 2015.
25) Geoff (’11) and Whitney (Jenkins,
’01) Rodden, a daughter: Harper
Kay, born May 5, 2015.
15) Cody (’09) and Christina
(Summers, ’08) Kraemer, a
daughter: Kinsley Marie, born July
24, 2015.
26) Eli (’10) and Ashley (Kyle, ’11)
Stewart, a son: Creighton Eli, born
June 15, 2015.
(23)
21) Ryan (’08) and Rebekah Means, a
daughter: Naomi Gene, born May
21, 2015.
22) Jonathan and Alicia (Godwin, ’05)
Parker, a son: Landon, born Mar.
2, 2015.
23) David (’06) and Jennifer (O'Neill,
’06) Platter, a daughter: Jori Beth,
born Aug. 27, 2015
24) Dave (’08) and Lauren Richards, a
son: Beau David, born July 8, 2015.
Daniel and Cherith (Campbell, ’15)
Boone, May 23, 2015.
Richard and Sara (Glass, ’12) Wise,
June 14, 2015.
Justin and Laura (Miller, ’13)
Schaper, October 18, 2014.
Matthew (’14) and Amanda
(Neufeld, ’13) Comfort, September
4, 2015.
Al and Sandra (Pierson, ’79)
Ehrhardt, November 24, 2014.
Spenser and Maddison (Pippert,
’12) Bennett, August 1, 2015.
Douglas (’15) and Morgan (Sands,
’15) Eichman, June 1, 2015.
16) Cameron (FS ’92) and DaVonne
(Wright, ’93) Lee, a son: Bodhi Ray,
born July 1, 2015.
27) Ashley (’09) and Sarah
(Worthington, ’09) Thompson, a
son: Travell Alexander, born Apr.
28, 2015.
17) Kevin (’12) and Ashley (Mackey,
’12) Liddle, a son: Carter Jason,
born June 12, 2015.
28) Mark (’07) and Heidi (Veldhuizen,
’10) Van Sickle, a daughter: Rylie
Mae, born July 29, 2015.
Brady (’10) and Tara Yantis,
October 11, 2014.
18) Ethan and Amanda (Edwards,
’08) Lowry, a daughter: Madison
“Maddie” Sueann, born June 29,
2015.
29) Evan and Taylor (Ford, ’09)
Zimmerman, a daughter: Erika
Catherine, born Aug. 20, 2015.
Corey and Micah (Yantis, ’07)
Fischer, July 31, 2015.
Rob and Rachel (Schillie, ’09)
Bevins, August 15, 2015.
→ CONDOLENCES
(24)
(26)
(27)
Delmira “Delmy” DeBow (FS ’76), July 22, 2015.
Rachel (Weigelt, ’95) Maxwell, October 12, 2015.
Daniel Hertweck (’76), June 15, 2015.
Teresa Kay Anderson (’00), July 16, 2015.
Rev. Larry Lott (’76), July 13, 2015.
Spencer Dixon (FS ’11), October 10, 2015.
Craig Crenshaw (FS ’80), August 19, 2015.
James W. Ackerson, Sr., MNU faculty emeritus, October 30, 2015.
Garry Rush (’83), August 10, 2015.
Dr. B.J. Garber (MNU Board of Trustees 1975-83), July 24, 2015.
Rev. Bryon L. Wixom (’87), August 1, 2015.
Otto William Theel, Jr., MD, October 26, 2015. (See pg. 27)
University Advancement
2030 E. College Way
Olathe KS 66062-1899
Change Service Requested
Friday, April 8, 6:30 p.m.
MNU Cook Center
Join us for an inspiring evening of exquisite food, live
and silent auctions, and special entertainment. This
signature event has raised nearly $2 million with all
proceeds benefiting student scholarships at MNU.
Plan now to be part of the 2016 President’s Honors,
a night to celebrate God’s faithfulness and donor
generosity. Be sure to reserve your tickets early!
LEARN MORE AND PURCHASE TICKETS AT WWW.PRESIDENTSHONORS.ORG

MidAmerica Nazarene University Fall 2015

Transcription

Similar documents

This Issue - MidAmerica Nazarene University

aluMni nEWs - MidAmerica Nazarene University

Beyond the Horizon - MidAmerica Nazarene University

Splash Lagoon Family Fun Weekend!

Homecoming Week Flyer - College of Education

program overview - Art of Problem Solving Foundation

orthmont Today - Northmont City Schools

Alpha Kappa Psi Important Dates for the 2013 Spring Semester

Alumni Insider - King`s College

project profile - Bowden Contracting Co.

kentucky beta newsletter - Bowling Green

Thursday, April 24 @ 7:30pm AMC BarryWoods 24