Alumni Award Winners 2007-08

The 2007 recipients of the Alumna and Alumnus of the Year awards and the Carry the Torch award have been announced by the MNU Alumni Association.

Carry the Torch Award: Richard Trimmel

Richard Trimmel ('72)

Richard Trimmell is a Major for the Salvation Army’s Western Divisional Headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska, as well as Assistant Divisional Secretary for Corps Development.  Richard has been with the Salvation Army since 1985, and prior to that he served as pastor of Summit View Church of the Nazarene in Kansas City, Missouri.

In addition to ministering to the Corps church and operating ongoing compassionate ministries, Richard has initiated and successfully operated several new programs including: an annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner, Homeless Shelters in Nebraska and Missouri, Hot Meal programs and more. 

Richard graduated from MidAmerica in 1972 with degrees in Religion and History.  Richard is married to his fellow Pioneer classmate, Shirley Beth Vincent, and they are the parents of four grown children – Theresa, Steven, Angela and Joy They also have four grandchildren.

In Richard’s reflection of his time at MidAmerica he states, “My four years at MNU were the foundation for my being a dedicated Christian minister, social worker, father and husband.  I will always be indebted to MNU for providing the setting for a good Christian education and for placing wonderful, spirit-filled people in my life who helped me mature in my own faith.”

Carry the Torch Award: Jon North

Jon North ('92)

Jon North is the Chief Executive Officer for Heart to Heart International, a global humanitarian organization that works to improve health and to respond to the needs of disaster victims worldwide.  Jon has been with Heart to Heart since 1993 where he previously served in a variety of roles including logistics, finance and administration.

Jon graduated from MidAmerica in 1992 with an International Agribusiness degree and then earned his Master of Business Administration degree in 1994. He also played football for the Pioneers and served as team captain. Jon is an active member of Central Church of the Nazarene and is involved in many civic and volunteer projects. In 2005, he was named by Ingram’s Magazine as one of Kansas City’s Top 40 community leaders under the age of 40.

Jon is married to alumna Faith Palmer, and they have four children: Drake, Lexie, Hayden and Audrey. 

Jon’s years at MidAmerica had a profound impact on his life.  When asked about his experience, he stated, “My passion to serve was awakened at MidAmerica on my first Work and Witness trip to Georgetown, Guyana. The seed was planted in my heart to spend my life on behalf of the hungry and oppressed.  MNU also impacted me by instilling in me the desire to be Christ to a hurting world.  Through grace and compassion I can be Christ to those in need.”

 

Alumna of the Year: Kay Croy

Kay Croy ('72)

Katie Croy is the new coordinator for the Master of Arts, Teaching and Learning programs at Point Loma Nazarene University. Prior to accepting this position, Katie was the chair of the Education Department at San Diego Christian College, and she taught for many years in public schools and at Nazarene Bible College.  Katie is also an accomplished writer who has been published in Holiness Today magazine as well as The Wesleyan Woman. Katie and her husband, Dan Croy, have also been involved for many years in marriage enrichment ministries and were recognized for their work with the Servant Leadership Award by the Church of the Nazarene.

Katie graduated from MidAmerica in 1972 with a degree in music. She later earned her Master of Education degree through MNU in 1996 and her doctorate in education from the University of Missouri at Kansas City in 2002.

Dan and Katie currently reside in San Diego, California, where they attend San Diego First Church of the Nazarene and are very involved in music and marriage enrichment ministries. They have two grown children – Kasey and Nathan – and three grandchildren. 

To Katie, MidAmerica was the bridge that brought her from her humble beginnings to focus on dreams she never thought possible.  She states, “Professors who always pointed me towards Jesus were a daily gift to my spirit.  Rev. Draper, Professor Main and Dr. Smith were all models of Christian character and I still get misty eyed when I hear the old hymn “It’s Real.” I have built upon the foundation established during my four years at MNU.  The foundation was firm and I know it will hold until I see Jesus face to face.”

Alumnus of the Year: Rocky Lamar

Rocky Lamar ('76)

The accomplishments of Rocky Lamar during his first 21 years as head coach of the men’s basketball program at MNU are almost too numerous to describe. Only a handful of teams in the nation have accomplished what Rocky’s teams have achieved.

In addition to being recognized five times as Coach of the Year in the Heart of America Athletic Conference, Rocky received the same honor from the NAIA District 10 in 1992. Conference championships and national tournament appearances are a regular part of the routine for Rocky’s teams.

But 2007 was Rocky’s most notable year yet. In March, his team won the NAIA Division II national championship, and Rocky was rewarded accordingly with “Coach of the Year” honors from the National Association of College Basketball and the NAIA. And there is no doubt that, at some point during this upcoming season, Rocky will record his 500th win as coach of the Pioneers.

But as Rocky himself states, “Coaching isn’t about winning and losing. It is really about building relationships and helping young men find their way in the world as great Christian men which we so desperately need.”

Rocky graduated from MidAmerica in 1976 with a degree in physical education.  While at MidAmerica, Rocky met his wife and best friend, Jo, and they have two grown children, Chaz and Sarah.  Rocky and Jo are actively involved at College Church in Olathe and enjoy teaching fifth grade Sunday school. 

Rocky describes MidAmerica as his “lifesaver.” A rebellious pastor’s kid, Rocky was far from the Lord when he transferred to MidAmerica. He states: “When I arrived on campus, I couldn’t believe how caring people at MNU were. Every professor went out of their way to help me, and every coach was there to make sure I got it right. They did it in such a way that I realized that the God my dad served was truly a loving, caring Father who would never leave or forsake me, now matter how much I deserved to be forsaken. Today MNU is still impacting my life and the lives of the student athletes I recruit.”