Jon North, vice president for university advancement, announced today that MidAmerica Nazarene University is the recipient of a 7.5 million dollar gift. This unrestricted cash donation is the largest one-time gift the university has received in its 43-year history. North says the gift represents the culmination of many months of work and is evidence of the donor’s confidence in MNU.
 
“Our donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, has a heart for Christian higher education,” North says, “and considers it a tremendous responsibility to practice good stewardship of what God has provided.”
 
The gift adds to the many positive developments that have occurred at MNU this past year. The university is seeing the benefit of its efforts to allocate resources into high growth areas. University officials say that these decisions have allowed MNU to make progress toward achieving goals stated in the university’s 2010 five-year strategic plan. They cite positive indicators from this fall such as:
·        traditional undergraduate enrollment 5% higher than projected,
·        25% increase in graduate and adult revenues,
·        undergraduate applications up 11% from last year,
·        support from Nazarene churches up 5%,
·        Regional Nazarene churches partnering with MNU for a three-year, $7 million Pioneering the Future campaign for scholarships for Nazarene students, and
·        net income and cash flow from operations significantly up from last year.
 
“This gift is a game changer,” says Kevin Gilmore, MNU’s vice president for finance. “It will allow us to take MNU to the next level by providing an operating reserve that we have needed for several years and reducing our reliance on short-term financing. It will also add to the positive momentum we are experiencing, which we trust will encourage further generous support.”
 
North says the donor considers the university’s mission “to educate and inspire servant leaders,” worthy of this investment, and supports the institution’s vision “to be a premier Christian university with global impact,” adding that through its alumni, students and faculty, MNU has had an impact in 150 countries worldwide.
 
“Our donor has had many years of exposure to MNU and what we do,” North states. “We are so grateful for this amazing demonstration of support that will provide more opportunities to educate young people and adults in a Christian learning environment.”
 
MNU’s interim president, Dr. Jim Diehl, cites three major factors in securing this gift and the university’s positive turn around.
 
“These three factors are the leadership of our administration in making difficult but strategic decisions; the exceptional dedication, hard work, and sacrifice of our faculty and staff over the last two years in adding growth programs while tightening their belts; and God’s divine intervention,” Diehl asserts. The Holy Spirit has moved on this campus this fall. From a significant time of renewal during Spiritual Deepening Week, to securing this timely gift, God shows us once more that He is at work. This is not the first time He has done the impossible at MNU, and now it has happened again.”
 
To learn more about MNU visit www.mnu.edu/give.

 While looking to transfer to a university with a stronger Christian community with a better learning environment, Kori Page Rienbolt found MNU.

“I chose MNU because of the strong Christian community and the small class sizes,” she says. “I transferred over the winter break and it went smoothly! Everyone was so friendly and helpful.”

When it comes to advising her friends and family Kori Page adds, “I love MNU and speak highly of it to everyone. My professors are caring and enthusiastic. I am encouraged and inspired by them daily.”

If you are thinking of transferring, let us show you how easy it can be. Email admissions@mnu.edu or call us at 800-800-8887.

MidAmerica Nazarene University recently announced it has instituted a flat per-credit-hour rate for its accelerated bachelor’s degree completion programs for active military and active reserve members. Qualified military personnel will pay $250 per credit hour, a savings of more than 30 percent. University officials believe the move demonstrates a significant commitment to making a bachelor’s degree more accessible to service members.
 
“Lowering our tuition rate demonstrates our commitment to service members,” says Dr. Stephen Ragan, vice president for academic affairs. “Cutting tuition by 30 to 50 percent is a strong statement about the level of our commitment.”
 
Having served in the Navy during the Vietnam War, Ragan understands the challenges military personnel can encounter when trying to obtain higher education. He and Graduate and Adult Studies admissions director Kenny Merschbrock, who served in the Army during the first Gulf War, spearheaded MNU’s effort to become a Servicemember Opportunity College (SOC) certified institution. Merschbrock considers the move a way to honor service members in recognition of their service to the United States.

“We recognize that our troops serve in often dangerous environments with less compensation than they might have in private life,” Merschbrock states. “Because military personnel frequently move, it makes it very difficult to complete a degree. MNU and the SOC association have agreed to work together to make it easier for service members to enroll in college programs by simplifying credit transfers.”
 
MNU will work to seek feedback from active service members to ensure that the university is continually working to improve their experience, but for the time being Merschbrock says MNU has officially become a “Military Friendly Institution.”
 
Current programs at MNU that qualify for the special rate include the Bachelor of Business Administration, the Bachelor of Arts in Management and Human Relations, the Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration and the RN-BSN program. All programs are accelerated and can be completed in as little as one year to eighteen months. In addition, the public administration major is completed 90 percent online, and the RN-BSN is offered 100 percent online (as well as on site), adding another level of convenience for the service member.
 
For more information on the military tuition rate and programs at MNU contact Graduate and Adult Studies Admissions at (913) 971-3277.

Washington, D.C. - As colleges across the country honor their graduates this commencement season, the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) honored MidAmerica Nazarene University as a leader among institutions of higher education for their support of volunteering, service-learning, and civic engagement. MNU was admitted to the 2010 President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for engaging its students, faculty and staff in meaningful service that achieves measurable results in the community.

The Corporation for National and Community Service, which has administered the Honor Roll since 2006, admitted a total of 641 colleges and universities for their impact on issues from literacy and neighborhood revitalization to supporting at-risk youth. Of that total, 511 were named to the Honor Roll, 114 received the recognition of Honor Roll with distinction, 11 were identified as finalists, and six received the Presidential Award.

"As members of the class of 2011 cross the stage to pick up their diplomas, more and more will be going into the world with a commitment to public service and the knowledge that they can make a difference in their communities and their own lives through service to others, thanks to the leadership of these institutions," said Patrick A. Corvington, Chief Executive Officer of CNCS.  "Congratulations to MidAmerica Nazarene University and its students for their dedication to service and commitment to improving their local communities.  We salute all the Honor Roll awardees for embracing their civic mission and providing opportunities for their students to tackle tough national challenges through service."

MNU has made commitment to service a vital part of its students' curriculum and campus life. Over the last five years $1 million has been raised for mission trips or service projects, and 500 MNU students have been on service and mission trips in the U.S. and abroad. "We've had a global impact and we want to continue growing those opportunities for students to learn and to serve," says Randy Beckum, MNU vice president for community formation. A total of 851 institutions applied for the 2010 Honor Roll, a nine percent increase over last year, and a sign of the growing interest by colleges and universities in highlighting their efforts to engage students in making a difference in the community.

On campuses across the country, millions of college students are engaged in innovative projects to meet local needs, often using the skills learned in classrooms.  In 2009, 3.2 million college students dedicated more than 307 million hours of service to communities across the country, service valued at more than $6.4 billion.  Business and law students offer tax preparation and legal services, and college student volunteers provide meals, create parks, rebuild homes after disasters, conduct job training, run senior service programs, and much more.

The Corporation for National and Community Service is a strong partner with the nation's colleges and universities in supporting community service and service-learning.  Last year, CNCS provided more than $215 million in support to institutions of higher education, including grants to operate service programs and the Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards for college tuition and student loan repayment.  CNCS is a catalyst for service-learning programs nationwide that connect community service with academic curricula. Through these programs, in classes, and in extracurricular activities, college students serve their communities while strengthening their academic and civic skills.

CNCS oversees the Honor Roll in collaboration with the U.S. Departments of Education and Housing and Urban Development, Campus Compact, and the American Council on Education. Honorees are chosen  based on a series of selection factors, including the scope and innovation of service projects, the extent to which service-learning is embedded in the curriculum, the school's commitment to long-term campus-community partnerships, and measurable community outcomes as a result of the service. For a full list of recipients and descriptions of their service, visit www.NationalService.gov/HonorRoll.

The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) is a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through its Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America programs, and leads President Barack Obama's national call to service initiative, United We Serve. For more information, visit NationalService.gov.

OLATHE, Kan. — The MNU cheerleading team will make its first-ever appearance at the National Cheerleaders Association College Nationals this week. More than 5,000 cheerleaders and some 200 college teams will be traveling to Daytona, Fla., to compete.  MNU competes in the Large Coed NAIA Division. MNU earned an at-large bid during the HAAC competition and also a bronze bid at NCA summer camp to qualify.  MNU will perform at 3:23 p.m. on Thursday, April 7 in the prelims.  Finals are on Friday when MNU will compete between 3:30 and 6:15 p.m.
The team has been practicing its competition routine since December while attempting to  overcome great setbacks in the loss of team member Brandon Smith due to a fractured lower leg, Matt Crow to a fractured wrist, and Rachenda Rockwell to a concussion.  All three members continue to encourage the rest of the team in their preparations.
MNU competitors include: Emily Lawler, Rachenda Rockwell, Kirsten Warman, Erin Winter, Jessa Winters, Lani Haliey, Jeffi Holman, Cody Morrow, Hagen Rose, Joe Comacho, J.D. Wood, Ian Labbe, Matt Crow, Leon Robinette, assistant coach Kassie Jacobson and head coaches Jessica and Josh Magaha.

MNU Cheerleading

MidAmerica Nazarene University, founded in 1966, is a private, Christian, liberal arts university offering 40 undergraduate degree programs with three adult degree completion programs, as well as five professional graduate degrees in business, education, nursing, and counseling, and a post-graduate certificate in play therapy. Online offerings include classes in education, nursing and management. Study abroad as well as service-learning experiences are encouraged through MNU’s Go Global and ServiceCorps programs. The campus is located on 105 acres in Olathe, Kan., and operates a location in Liberty, Mo., for adult and graduate programs. More information may be found at www.mnu.edu.

Last Chapel $50,000 Check Presentation!

In spring of 2010, at our last chapel for the school yearm MNU students officially handed over the $50,000 check to build the Guatemala health clinic. You'll also see the announcement of next year's "Passion to Serve Project."

Other News stories:

NBC Action News:
http://www.nbcactionnews.com/news/local/story/Students-help-build-clinic-in-Guatemala/eU0T9mlKqke07B2wzNxgiQ.cspx

Article in The KC Star:
http://www.kansascity.com/2010/04/27/1907375/mnu-students-dream-comes-alive.html

MNU’s Student-led "Passion to Serve" Project Surpasses $50,000 goal in less than a year

MNU’s “What If” campaign was based on the premise that “if” the  1,000 faculty, staff, and students each donated $25 per semester, giving only $2 a week, than at the end of the current school year the amount raised would total more than $50,000. They were right.

At the April 16 chapel service of MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU), the campus community surpassed its goal of raising $50,000 for the construction of a health clinic in rural Guatemala, which will be operated by Heart to Heart International.

Donations at the April 16 MNU Chapel service totaled $10,525.50, which resulted in a total amount raised in the 2009-10 academic year of $50,612.77.

The groundbreaking for the clinic’s construction was Jan. 31, 2010, and the completion of the construction funds ensures the clinic will be operational according to the project’s timetable. Other partnerships in the project included Rotary International and Engineers Without Borders (Kansas City Chapter).

The check presentation will occur 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 27, on the campus mall area at MidAmerica Nazarene University.

In attendance at the event will be Jon North, CEO of Heart to Heart International, Dr. Ed Robinson, President of MNU, Randy Beckum, Vice President of MNU Community Formation, and Jorge Coromac, Heart to Heart program officer and Guatemala native. The MNU Gospel Choir and Musica Latina will be performing.

Also revealed at the ceremony will be MNU’s 2011 “Passion to Serve” project, which is the construction of an orphanage in Kenya.

An array of breakfast items has been donated by Olathe area restaurants, including Chick-fil-A. The event is free and open to the public.

Teams leave May 5 for the first of two summer trips to the clinic site.

See more about the Guatemala Clinic

MNU’s Student-led "Passion to Serve" Project Surpasses $50,000 goal in less than a year

MNU’s “What If” campaign was based on the premise that “if” the  1,000 faculty, staff, and students each donated $25 per semester, giving only $2 a week, than at the end of the current school year the amount raised would total more than. $50,000. They were right.

The MNU campus community surpassed its goal of raising $50,000 for the construction of a health clinic in rural Guatemala, which will be operated by Heart to Heart International. Donations at the April 16 MNU Chapel service totaled $10,525.50, which resulted in a total amount raised in the 2009-10 academic year of $50,612.77. Subsequent donations have pushed the total donation to Heart to Heart to more than $52,000.

The groundbreaking for the clinic’s construction was Jan. 31, 2010, and the completion of the construction funds ensures the clinic will be operational according to the project’s timetable. Other partnerships in the project included Rotary International and Engineers Without Borders (Kansas City Chapter).

A campus event celebrated the event Tuesday, April 27, on the campus mall area at MidAmerica Nazarene University.

In attendance at the event were Jon North, CEO of Heart to Heart International, Dr. Ed Robinson, President of MNU, Randy Beckum, Vice President of MNU Community Formation, and Jorge Coromac, Heart to Heart program officer and Guatemala native. The MNU Gospel Choir and Musica Latina performed.

Also revealed at the ceremony was MNU’s 2011 “Passion to Serve” project, which is the construction of an orphanage in Kenya.

Teams leave May 5 for the first of two summer trips to the clinic site.

Hear from current students the story behind the Guatemala clinic, and how the idea sprang up into almost reaching the goal of raising $50,000 to build this clinic...

 

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Background for the Guatemala Clinic Project

In cooperation with Heart to Heart International's WASH program and the community of Patanatic, Guatemala, MNU set a goal of raising $50,000 this in the 2009-10 academic year to buy materials for a much needed health clinic. The clinic  is set to be built by professional workers and volunteers from the community of Patanatic, Guatemala.

This is a partnership MNU seeks to reproduce in other communities around the world.

The “What If” campaign was based on the premise that  “if” the  1,000 faculty, staff, and students each donated $25 per semester, giving only $2 a week, than at the end of the current school year the amount raised would total more than. $50,000. The campus collected money during Tuesday chapel services (nicknamed "Twos-days"), selling T-shirts with the campaign theme "IF", and looking to individual donors and creativity from students as to how to raise the funds.

MidAmerica agreed to send three teams of students and staff in 2010 to help the community in erecting the new health clinic. Teams will be sent in March, May, and June.

A Preview of the Clinic

Land

In June 2009, the village of Patanatic approached Heart to Heart and offered to donate the land. The land will have a 20-year lease. After that term, the community will be able to sustain the clinic using their own doctors, nurses, and midwives.

Supplies

Clinic Construction
Heart to Heart has partnered with MNU campus to raise $50,000 in building and construction costs.

Hospital Equipment
All equipment and supplies has been donated by notable medical companies including Johnson & Johnson and Welch-Allyn.

Labor

Construction Work
Patanatic has secured 900 local volunteers for the building of the clinic, this is one for each family in the community. Sixty are skilled workers and will help supervise and direct the volunteers. Furthermore, Heart to Heart has a partnership a U.S. organization called Engineers Without Borders who are in the process of collaborating with schools and city councils to map out neighborhoods in an effort to improve bathroom facilities and create a sewage system for the community.

Medical Staff
Initially, Heart to Heart will hire a part-time doctor, social worker, and dentist, and will still rely on its consistent U.S. volunteers to help run the clinic. Heart to Heart is in the planning stages of providing scholarships for students in that community to be trained and serve in their home region. The  goal is to have the clinic be entirely self-sustaining within 20 years, after the lease on the land ends.

The Health Clinic Building

 

First Floor: The first floor of the clinic will be complete with pharmacy, laboratory, X-ray room, dentistry room, midwife room, and three overnight patient rooms.

 

 

 

Second Floor: The second level will house up to twenty Heart to Heart short-term volunteers. It is complete with conference room and living quarters, which include a kitchen, bath facilities, and laundry.

 

 

Rooftop:
The rooftop will have garden which provides medicinal plants and herbs. It will serve also as a leisure area and parking for the clinic's ambulance. Solar panels will supply power to the clinic allowing it to continue operating in the situation of a natural diaster.

The clinic has a partnership with the only other hospital (located several hours away) to ensure that the entire region has healthcare and the same education opportunities. The will operate under the same models and principles.

Heart to Heart Medical Pledges

Seven schools in the Solola region, found in the southwestern part of the country, have been selected to have their students receive the following services:

• Full health assessments and medical tracking
• Hand washing and hygiene education
• Anit-parcidic medication
• Opportunity to have stool sample tested
• Temporary water filers for each home

• Bio-sand filters for each school (lasting 20-25 years)

April 21, 2010: Goal is Achieved - $50,621.77

 

 

 

 

     On April 10th, 2010 MNU students Austen Harbor, Brittney Sharpes Hoffman, Adam Launius, and Liz Mehrmann will be holding a non-perishable food drive event for their Public Relations class, with all proceeds being donated to the Olathe Food Pantry. The Olathe Food Pantry  rations foods to the Olathe Community on a weekly basis, and have informed MNU that their primary need is for donations of beans and rice at the moment, though any kind of non-perishable good is welcome.
    Taking a step away from the traditional food drive, Can for the Cause will have students will form groups of up to 4, and be sent out into Olathe subdivisions via car in an 'Amazing Race' attempt to gather the most non-perishable food items in 2 hours.
    Can for the Cause's biggest incentive is the grandest prize of all: a Best Buy gift certificate of $150. Students are in the running for a number of other worthy prizes as well, such as gift certificates to Chick fil' A, Noodles & Company, Sheridan's, Trolley's, Starbucks, and a host of others. The winning team will be determined by the weight of food collected.

The event will be held from 3:00 - 5:00pm on April 10th at the Tipping Point (In Land Gym), and anyone is welcome to participate. All participants will be treated to snacks and soda afterward.