2009 Alumni Award Winners

In 1964, the Cunninghams came to pastor the then 46-member Olathe Church of the Nazarene. Paul & Connie were instrumental in bringing MNU to Olathe and growing a college/community church. Thirty years later, when Paul accepted the call of General Superintendent, the Olathe congregation had grown to nearly 3,000.

Now, in 2009, Paul has been granted General Superintendent Emeritus status after 16 years of denominational leadership. Paul & Connie have traveled across the USA and numerous world areas as servant leaders to the Church of the Nazarene. The Cunninghams have three adult children – all alums of MNU – Paul Mark, Lori Wegley, and Connie Jo Mason; they have seven grandchildren.

Michael Copeland (MNU 1984) is serving his third term as Mayor of the City of Olathe. As an active proponent of literacy in the Olathe community, Mike was honored for his work with the Olathe Reads program and literacy initiative in Olathe’s Title I elementary schools.

As President and CEO of Security Savings Bank of Olathe, Michael serves on several key boards: Security Savings Bank, Olathe Chamber of Commerce, MNU Foundation, Olathe Library, and the Advisory Council of the Health Partnership Clinic of Johnson County.
He and his wife Maria live in Olathe with their two daughters, Olivia and Abigail, and their son, Joshua.

Mary Gleckler Barnes, D.O. completed her Biology/Chemistry degree at MNU in 1979, then worked in cancer research at KU where she co- authored several studies. Mary practices medicine with Richard in Lander, Wyoming where she manages a five physician practice servicing the largest Indian reservation in the country.

Richard Barnes, M.D. completed his Biology/Chemistry degree at MNU in 1980, going on to work with Mary at KU in cancer research. While he and Mary practice in Lander, Wyoming, he has served on hospital boards, state medical society boards and is currently involved in developing an electronic health record system with the Wyoming Department of Health.

Richard and Mary met while at MNU and were married by Dr. Paul Cunningham at Olathe College Church of the Nazarene. They have two birth children and three adopted children, two from India. Their daughter Miranda (MNU 2009) began Medical School at KU this summer.