Each year MNU commemorates the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at a community celebration during the university’s chapel service. On January 16, 2024, one of MNU’s own, Olathe Police Major John Roland, a 2004 graduate, was honored with the university’s MLK Living Legacy Award. John, a Texas native, first attended MNU in 1990. An athlete, he played football and ran track for the Pioneers. Along the way he decided to settle in Olathe and joined the police force.

Serving the community of Olathe has been a passion for John. He has served as a member of the Tactical Support Unit and a field training officer. During this period he returned to MNU, earning a degree in management and human relations. That academic achievement led to his promotion to sergeant, filling the roles of patrol supervisor, school resource officer supervisor, and public information officer. He was promoted to captain in 2016. In 2019 a promotion to major allowed him to command the Support Services Division, Investigations Division and currently the Patrol Division.

John recently graduated from the prestigious FBI National Academy Session 288. He has two daughters, Keylee and Kamryn whom he loves spending time with. He is an active servant at Nexus Church.

Enjoy a short video of the Martin Luther King Community Celebration at MNU. A gallery of photos is on MNU’s Flickr account.