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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.

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)

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.

Events

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.
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.
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.
We Love Alums Week
MNU Alumni & Friends Facebook and Instagram Pages
Mar 2, 2026 @ 7:00am
to Mar 6, 2026 @ 6:00pm
Join us March 2-6 for We Love Alums Week in telling the MNU story through your personal experience. Participation is free.
Olathe's Got Talent 2026
Bell Cultural Events Center - Mabee Performing Arts Hall
Jan 31, 2026 @ 7:00pm
to Jan 31, 2026 @ 9:00pm
Olathe’s Got Talent is designed for individual students who want to showcase their talent in a local talent competition. Over $11,000 in scholarships to be awarded by local businesses. Two special scholarships may be available through JCCC and/or MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU) for students with an interest in attending those institutions.
KCMTA - Multi Piano Concert 2026
Bell Cultural Events Center - Mabee Performing Arts Hall
Jan 4, 2026 @ 3:00pm
to Jan 4, 2026 @ 4:00pm
Kansas City Music Teacher's Association invites you to our Multi-Piano Concert, which features many levels of performers on a stage filled with grand pianos, simultaneously playing duets under the direction of a conductor. Please join us for the suspense, celebration, duels, and dreams in our “Heroes and Villains” concert at 3:00pm on Sunday, January 4.

Navigate Your Alumni Journey

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

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.