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Homecoming

Join in the largest migration of Pioneers, as alumni and friends descend upon the MNU campus for a weekend of meaningful activities designed to help everyone remember, relive, and reconnect.

Homecoming & Family Weekend

October 9-11, 2026

Homecoming is the largest gathering of MNU alumni all year long. We welcome alums and their families to campus for a weekend full of fun and meaningful events and activities. We worship, enjoy fellowship with each other, cheer for our teams, admire the talent of our current students and our fellow alums, recognize the purposeful lives we lead, and celebrate the faithful lives of those we have lost in the past year.

It is a powerful weekend and we want as many alums as possible to join us on campus every year.

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REGISTER

Schedule of Events

Check back soon for an updated schedule.

9:00 AMHomecoming Visit Day Check-In (for prospective students)College Church
9:30 AMHomecoming ChapelCollege Church
11:00 AMPassion to Serve Sculpture DedicationCampus Mall
11:00 AMMNU Archives: Self-Guided Tour (till 5:00 PM)Mabee Learning Commons (Smith Archives)
11:30 AMAlumni Award Honorees Luncheon (invite only)Cunningham Center (Austin Room)
12:00 AMLunch**Cunningham Center (Wiley Commons)
12:30 PMAthletic Hall of Fame Induction CeremonyBell Center (Performance Hall)
3:00 PMHymn Sing-AlongBell Center (McIntire Room)
3:00 PMReception: MBB Alumni of the 1960s & 70sCook Center (Allega Room)
5:00 PMCopeland Athletic Complex DedicationCopeland Athletic Complex
6:00 PMBig Tent BBQ Dinner*Copeland Athletic Complex
7:00 PMCOLLAGE: Performing Arts Concert*Bell Center (Performance Hall)
7:00 PMFootball Alumni GatheringFieldhouse
7:00 PMTrack & Field/XC Alumni GatheringPioneer Track
7:00 PMClass of 1975 ReceptionCunningham Center (Hight Center)
8:30 PMFriends of the Performing Arts Reception (invite only)Bell Center (Gilmore Room)
9:00 PMMen’s Soccer Alumni Indoor GameToca Fieldhouse (NW Olathe)

*Event requires registration | **Event is at your own expense

8:00 AMWomen’s Soccer Alumni GameCook Center (North Gym/2nd floor)
8:30 AMHomecoming Celebration Breakfast*College Church (Uphaus Hall)
9:00 AMFootball Visit Day Check-InCopeland Athletic Complex
9:00 AMWomen’s Soccer Alumni GatheringCook Center (Allega Room)
10:00 AMClass Reunions*Metz/Smith
10:00 AMGolden Reunion: Class of 1975*College Church (Garrett Chapel)
10:00 AMVolleyball Alumni GameCook Center
10:30 AMNursing Alumni Brunch*Cunningham Center (Tollefson Room)
11:30 AMNew Sports Performance Center: Open House (till 12:45 PM)Land Gymnasium
12:00 PMTailgate Lunch**Copeland Athletic Complex
12:00 PMWomen’s Soccer Game vs Clarke University*Pioneer Field†
1:00 PMHomecoming Football Game vs Central Methodist*Copeland Athletic Complex
2:30 PMMen’s Soccer Game vs Clarke University*Pioneer Field†
5:00 PMPioneer Family Feast*Cunningham Center (Wiley Commons)
5:30 PMPioneer Store (Open till 7PM)Cunningham Center (The Pioneer Store)
6:00 PMMNU Night of PraiseCunningham Center (Founder’s Plaza)
7:00 PMMen’s Basketball Alumni ReunionCook Center (Allega Room)
7:00 PMWomen’s Basketball Alumni GameCook Center
7:00 PMNight of Praise AfterglowCunningham Center (Sun Lounge)
8:30 PMMen’s Basketball Alumni GameCook Center
8:30 PMMNU Jazz Band ReunionCunningham Center (Tollefson Room)

*Event requires registration | **Event is at your own expense |†Time and/or location subject to change

8:00 AM President’s Memorial Prayer Breakfast (invite only) Bell Center (Grand Lobby)
9:00 AM Homecoming & Family Worship College Church
10:30 AM Golden Reunion Sunday School Class College Church (Choir Room)
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REGISTER

Homecoming 2025 Highlights

Homecoming Information

The 2026 Alumni Awards

Each year, we honor several alumni who have led purposeful lives following their days at MNU. These awards include: Alumna of the Year, Alumnus of the Year, Young Alum of the Year, and Carrying the Torch. In 2022, we created the Michael Copeland Civic Leadership Award to honor alumni who are serving in the public sector. If you would like to nominate a Pioneer for any of these awards, please fill out the Nomination Form by May 1. Recipients will be announced in August and will be honored during Homecoming & Family Weekend, October 9-11.

NOMINATE
NOMINATE

Events

Humanities Preview
Bell Cultural Events Center
Apr 23, 2026 @ 3:30pm
to Apr 23, 2026 @ 9:00pm
If you're interested in majoring in Digital Communications, History, or English, this preview day is for YOU!
Humanities Preview
First Act - Mary Poppins
Bell Cultural Events Center - Mabee Performing Arts Hall
Feb 5, 2026 @ 7:00pm
to Feb 8, 2026 @ 4:30pm
One of the most popular Disney movies of all time is capturing hearts in a whole new way: as a practically perfect musical! Based on the books by P.L. Travers and the classic Walt Disney film, Cameron Mackintosh and Disney’s Mary Poppins delighted Broadway audiences for over 2,500 performances and received nominations for nine Olivier and seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
First Act – Mary Poppins
PGS Education Virtual Information Meeting
Zoom
Mar 31, 2026 @ 4:30pm
to Feb 19, 2026 @ 6:00pm
Join us for an online informational event designed for individuals who want to become licensed teachers, with opportunities to also learn about advanced study for currently licensed educators.
PGS Education Virtual Information Meeting
Performing Arts Preview
Bell Cultural Events Center
Feb 20, 2026 @ 3:00pm
to Feb 20, 2026 @ 9:00pm
If you're interested in MNU band, theatre, choir, or worship arts, this preview day is for YOU! Take an in-depth tour of our Performing Arts facilities, sit on rehearsals, enjoy dinner with current performing arts students, and meet our faculty and directors.
Performing Arts Preview
Alumni Event: January 2026 Webinar
Online Webinar
Jan 5, 2026 @ 7:00pm
to Jan 5, 2026 @ 8:00pm
New year, new you! Learn some healthy habits with Javon Taylor ('17), owner of workplace fitness company Taylor'd Fit in this free online webinar.
Alumni Event: January 2026 Webinar
MNU Family Weekend at Great Wolf Lodge
Great Wolf Lodge, Kansas City, KS
Jan 30, 2026 @ 3:00pm
to Jan 31, 2026 @ 11:00am
Got cabin fever in your house? Consider giving your family a slice of summer in the middle of winter during MNU Family Weekend at Great Wolf Lodge.
MNU Family Weekend at Great Wolf Lodge

Navigate Your Alumni Journey

Engage more deeply in the life and mission of your alma mater. 

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Dr. Abby Hodges

Vice President for Academic Affairs

PhD; Organic Chemistry, Yale University 
MS; Organic Chemistry, Yale University 
BS; Chemistry, Denison University

Dr. Hodges began her career in higher education at Azusa Pacific University as a chemistry professor from 2008 to 2014. She then moved to MNU where she taught and in 2018 was appointed Chair of the Department of Natural, Health, and Mathematical Sciences. From 2022-2023, before accepting the Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Hodges was the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Dr. Hodges’ career research has focused on protein folding and protein engineering, and she has mentored over twenty students in these research projects. She has also furthered the MNU first-year experience program and chaired the General Education committee for five years. Dr. Hodges was recognized as the MNU Faculty of the Year in 2021.

Dr. Hodges lives in Olathe with her husband Ryan and two boys.

University Cooperative Program

Advantages of the MNU & Washington University School of Engineering and Applied Science cooperative program:

  • 3+2 Option: Students spend 3 years at MNU and then transfer to WashU for 2 years to earn an undergraduate engineering degree from WashU and a bachelor’s degree from MNU, or
  • 3+3 Option: Students spend 3 years at MNU and then transfer to WashU for 3 years to earn an undergraduate engineering degree from WashU, a bachelor’s degree from MNU, plus a master’s in engineering from WashU.
  • Combines the best of MNU with the strength of a top engineering school
  • Students participating in the 3+3 options receive a 50-60% tuition discount at WashU
  • GRE is not required for admission

To qualify for entry into the program at MNU students must:

  • Enter the program at MNU at the beginning of the freshman year through the application process
  • Maintain an overall GPA of 3.25 or better in science and mathematics courses
  • Meet regularly with the MNU pre-professional committee

To qualify for program completion at WashU students must:

  • Complete all General Education requirements at MNU
  • Complete a minimum of 90 credit hours of transferable college credit
  • Complete the following courses:
    • Chemistry: one semester of general chemistry with lab
    • Computer Programming: One course or certified proficiency in a high-level language
    • English Composition: One course or certified proficiency
    • Humanities and Social Sciences: At least 15 hours (see WashU website for specific prerequisites)
    • Mathematics: See WashU website for specific prerequisites
    • Physics: One year calculus-based physics with lab
  • See WashU website for department-specific prerequisites

To learn more about program offerings at MNU and degree specific prerequisites, visit engineering.wustl.edu/dualdegree

Other restrictions and qualifications may apply.

For additional information, contact Craig Masters at cmasters@mnu.edu

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