MidAmerica Nazarene University received the Kansas State Board of Nursing (KSBN) Certificate of Excellence in recognition of the nursing program’s pass rate that was above the national average for first-time takers of the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The award covers the testing period from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011. The exam must be passed to receive licensure as a registered nurse.

According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), which administers the test, about 88 percent of U.S. educated bachelor’s-prepared nursing graduates passed the test on their first attempt in 2011, while KSBN reports a 2011 state pass rate of 86 percent. MNU’s traditional BSN-prepared graduates can boast a 93 percent first-time pass rate. Additionally, 100 percent of the 2011 graduates of the university’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program passed on the first attempt.

Susan Larson, PhD, dean of MNU’s School of Nursing and Health Science credits exceptional students and a dedicated faculty.

“Congratulations to our hard working faculty for preparing our students for this significant achievement,” Larson said.

Former Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Tom Cross was recognized May 10, as a "Legend in the Field of Strength and Conditioning" by the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches association (CSCCa). Full story here.

Register now to join area educators at Using the Cloud to Build Blended Learning Experiences June 11 and 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at MNU. John Kuglin, senior technology consultant, retired associate dean, and former NASA grant administrator for the University of Montana, will lead this exciting, two-day professional development conference. This workshop will focus on vital characteristics of 21st Century teaching and learning including:

•  instruction and assessment
•  digital tools and resources for higher order thinking
•  learning through authentic assessment

Kuglin is known as a technology pioneer and a visionary leader in K-16 education.   He has been featured on CNN for his innovative uses of technology in the classroom, has testified before the U.S. Senate on classroom technologies, and served as consultant and on-air host for a 10-part technology series on the Learning Channel. He was identified as one of the Top 25 Education Technology Advocates in the United States by District Administrator magazine, as well as awarded the Power Teacher designation - one of only ten such designations in the country - by USA Today.  He is also a nationally acclaimed keynote speaker addressing the nation’s largest technology conferences.

Kuglin's career began as a teacher and then was promoted to technology director in Missoula, Montana. Early in his career, he developed and directed two nationally known technology-training centers for Telecommunications, Inc., the nation’s largest cable company at that time.  Kuglin served as senior director of technology for McREL (Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning) a part of the U.S. Department of Education's research and development lab system which serves all 50 states and 20 foreign countries.  From this position, he was recruited by the University of Montana to serve as an associate dean and a NASA grant administrator for the university.  After retiring from UM, Kuglin served as vice president for education and training for ComChoice, Inc. There he conceptualized and helped to develop products that enhanced feature films to serve as standards-based instructional materials.   To regain first-hand, practical knowledge of the current state of public education, he returned to a K-12 district in 2006 to serve as the chief information officer for the Eagle County School District in Vail, Colorado.  There, he successfully oversaw the complete rebuild of the district’s technology systems funded through the passage of a $128 million bond which he helped secure.  For three years, he researched and directed the technology components for the bond construction projects, as well as managed all facets of technology learning in the district’s 18 schools.  His experience is current, practical and relevant to the actual status of technology, students, and learning in America’s schools today.

Registration for the two-day conference is $25. The registration deadline is June 1, and participation is limited to the first 150 registrants.

REGISTER ONLINE AT:
www.mnu.edu/tech-conference

Or call (913) 971-3528 or email gkmurray@mnu.edu.

Retiring Professor of Nursing Virginia R. Schafer, PhD, was awarded emeritus status for 32 years of excellence in educating nursing students at MNU. Schafer joined the faculty early in the university’s nursing program and has seen it grow from a traditional four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing to include, the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing, the RN-BSN, and the MSN programs.

Virginia "Ginny" Schafer read the prayer at the close of the traditional Harvest Prayer Ceremony after Baccalaureate May 5.

MidAmerica Nazarene University celebrated its 41^st annual Commencement Saturday, May 5 for graduate, and adult studies and Sunday, May 6 for traditional undergraduates, with a combined total of 680 graduates.

In his commencement address on Saturday MNU President Dr. David Spittal encouraged the graduates to celebrate the moment but to press on for the future that God has planned for them. Dr. Carla Sunberg, MNU alumna and co-district superintendent of the East Ohio district of the Church of the Nazarene addressed the traditional commencement gathering on Sunday. Having served in leadership positions in churches and for non-profits internationally, Sunberg’s perspective inspired enthusiastic response from the audience.

Two graduates, Lauren Brumley and Ashford Collins-Johnson, received the American Heritage Award, the highest honor given to traditional undergraduates. Top graduates from several programs were chosen to participate in the ceremonies; conducting Heritage Choir, leading prayer and giving scripture readings.

Retiring nursing professor Virginia R. Schafer, PhD, was awarded emeritus status for 32 years of excellence in teaching at MNU. Daniel Rexroth, president and CEO of John Knox Village, a leading continuing care retirement community in Lee’s Summit, Mo., was honored with the Distinguished Community Service Award in recognition for his service to the MNU Board of Trustees in facilitating the seven-month executive search process for MNU’s new president in 2011-12.

Activities over the weekend also included the School of Nursing and Health Science’s Nursing Pinning and MNU’s traditional Harvest Prayer Ceremony held on the Campus Mall after Baccalaureate. More than 6,000 people were estimated in attendance over the two days of events.

MidAmerica Nazarene University recognized Daniel D. Rexroth, president and CEO of John Knox Village, for his service to MNU. Rexroth was awarded the Distinguished Community Service award at the university’s 41^st Commencement ceremony on May 6. Rexroth volunteered his expertise to the MNU Board of Trustees in facilitating the seven-month search process for MNU’s new president in 2011-12.

“Dan’s service to his profession, his community and church are extensive," said MNU President David Spittal. “This assignment required a significant contribution of time and engagement over many months. The university and its Board of Trustees are grateful for his leadership throughout this process.”

Rexroth has been CEO and president since 2001. John Knox Village in Lee’s Summit, Mo., is one of the largest continuing care retirement communities in the nation. The not-for-profit provides a continuum of services, from independent retirement living to skilled nursing care, for about 2,000 residents and 3,000 Greater Kansas City community members.

Daniel Rexroth, President and CEO, John Knox Village

Award Winner's Bio:

Daniel Rexroth joined John Knox Village in 1990 as executive director of the Village Care Center. He was promoted to vice president of the Village’s health services division in 1991 before becoming Village president in March 2001.

Rexroth is a seasoned administrator in the health care and retirement industries. He was administrator at North Shore Terrace, an award-winning, six-star retirement center in Chicago from 1985 to 1990. Throughout the 1980s, Rexroth also served as a health care consultant. In his role as a consultant, he helped to develop programming, staffing and quality programs for new developments and troubled organizations in Florida, Illinois and Indiana.

Since 1990, Rexroth has been an integral member of several professional boards and committees such as Caring Communities Insurance Company, American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA), Continuing Care Accreditation Commission (CCAC), Nursing Facilities Agent Corporation, Missouri Association of Homes for the Aging (MoAHA) and State of Missouri Certificate of Need Program.

Rexroth has a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Ball State University and a bachelor’s degree from Olivet Nazarene University.

More than 60 patrons attended the presentation and book signing by MNU alumnus Phil White, including a special guest. Warren Hollrah, former staffer at the National Churchill Museum at Westminster College in Fulton, Mo., attended with local friends. Hollrah’s interest was piqued due to the subject matter. White’s book chronicles the events surrounding Churchill’s famous “Iron Curtain Speech” given at Westminster College in 1946. Through White’s research, he and Hollrah have become acquainted. White will speak at Westminster later this year. For more about Our Supreme Task: How Winston Churchill’s Iron Curtain Speech Defined the Cold War Alliance, visit http://philipwhitebooks.blogspot.com/p/book.html.

Caption: Rob and Debbie Givens of Overland Park, Kan., Warren M. Hollrah, Kingdom City, Mo., Edie and Rev. Dan Gates, Olathe, Kan., with author Phil White at MNU’s Mabee Library April 19.

Jazz Ensemble in Spring Swing

April 29, 7:30 p.m.
Join MNU Jazz Ensemble for an evening of music!  During this hour, listeners will enjoy the ensemble’s year in retrospect, featuring swing, gospel, and Latin music. Admission is free and the public is invited.

MNU Band Student Honors Recital

April 27, 5 p.m.

Bell Cultural Events Center

Free tickets available by calling Bell Center Box Office at (913) 971-3636.

Spring Into Fitness. a 5K Run & Family Fun Run/Walk on April 28, is sponsored by Kansas Action for Healthy Kids in partnership with MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU) School of Business.  Spring Into Fitness will raise funds to support wellness grants in Kansas schools and kickoff "Let’s Move In School."  Held at Cook Center on the MNU campus, the 5K run begins at 8 a.m. and the Family Fun Run/Walk starts at 9 a.m.

To learn more information and register, click here:  Spring into Fitness-5K Run & Family Fun Run/Walk.  Early bird registration ends April 6th!