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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 AM Homecoming Visit Day Check-In (for prospective students) Cunningham Center (Grand Rotunda)
9:30 AM Homecoming Chapel College Church (Main Worship Center)
11:30 AM Alumni Award Honorees Luncheon (invite only) College Church (Dining Room)
12:00 PM Lunch** Cunningham Center (Wylie Commons)
12:30 PM Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Bell Center (Performance Hall)
2:30 PM Women’s Basketball Scrimmage vs Bethel (KS) College Cook Center
3:00 PM Hymn Sing-Along Bell Center (McIntire Room)
5:00 PM MNU 60-Year Birthday Bash* Campus Mall
6:00 PM Track & Field Dedication Ceremony Copeland Athletic Complex
7:00 PM COLLAGE: Performing Arts Concert* Bell Center (Performance Hall)
7:00 PM Volleyball Game vs William Woods* Cook Center
7:00 PM Class of 1976 Reception Cunningham Center (Hight Lounge)
8:30 PM Friends of the Performing Arts Dessert Reception (invite only) Bell Center (Sunderland Theatre)
8:30 PM Nursing Class of 1981 Reunion & Reception Cunningham Center (Tollefson Room B)
8:30 PM Class of 1981 Reception Cunningham Center (Tollefson Room A)
9:00 PM Men’s Soccer Alumni Indoor Game Toca-Fusion Fieldhouse (NW Olathe)
*Event requires registration | **Event is at your own expense
8:00 AMHomecoming Celebration Breakfast*College Church (Uphaus Hall)
9:00 AMFootball Visit Day Check-InCopeland Athletic Complex
9:00 AMWomen’s Soccer Alumni GatheringCook Center (North Gym)
10:00 AMClass Reunions* 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016, 2021Metz/Smith/Bell
10:00 AMGolden Reunion: Class of 1976*College Church (Garrett Chapel)
10:00 AMVolleyball Alumni GameCook Center
10:00 AMNursing Alumni Brunch & Facility Tour*Cook Center
12:00 PMLunch**Copeland Athletic Complex
12:00 PMMen’s Basketball Blue vs White Intrasquad ScrimmageCook Center
1:00 PMWomen’s Soccer Game vs Grand View*Pioneer Field
1:00 PMHomecoming Football Game vs Missouri Baptist*Copeland Athletic Complex
3:30 PMMen’s Soccer Game vs Grand View*Pioneer Field
5:00 PMPioneer Family Feast*Cunningham Center (Wiley Commons)
5:30 PMPioneer Store (Open till 7PM)Cunningham Center (The Pioneer Store)
6:30 PMMNU Night of PraiseCampus Mall
7:30 PMNight of Praise AfterglowCunningham Center (Sun Lounge)
8:30 PMAthletic Training Reunion & ReceptionCunningham Center (Tollefson Room)

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

8:00 AMPresident’s Memorial Prayer Breakfast (invite only)Bell Center (Grand Lobby)
9:00 AMHomecoming & Family WorshipCollege Church
10:30 AMGolden Reunion Sunday School ClassCollege 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

Carols of Hope Christmas Concert
Bell Cultural Events Center - Mabee Performing Arts Hall
Dec 13, 2026 @ 6:00pm
to Dec 13, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Hosted by KCTV5's Sharon Chen, this free concert will feature the Mokan Divisional Brass Band and Songsters, along with special guests - the Youth Chorus of Kansas City. You’ll hear all of your favorite Christmas songs, and will have the chance to join in on a sing-a-long with all of the musicians. There will also be an ugly Christmas sweater contest this year, with judging taking place in the Bell Center lobby at 5:20 PM. The winners will be announced during the concert.
Carols of Hope Christmas Concert
First Act - Finding Nemo Jr.
Bell Cultural Events Center - Mabee Performing Arts Hall
Nov 12, 2026 @ 7:00pm
to Nov 15, 2026 @ 3:30pm
Are you ready to go under the sea? Join Nemo and friends live on stage this fall! Based on the classic Disney PIXAR movie and the stage show at Disney World, Finding Nemo JR. features music by the composers of Frozen and Coco! Finding Nemo JR. follows the journey of Marlin and Dory as they travel across the ocean to find Marlin’s son, Nemo. As they take this journey, they meet characters like Crush the Sea Turtle and a bunch of sharks! Brand new to the First Act stage, we can’t wait to see it come to life this November!
First Act – Finding Nemo Jr.
First Act - Footloose
Bell Cultural Events Center - Mabee Performing Arts Hall
Nov 5, 2026 @ 7:00pm
to Nov 8, 2026 @ 4:30pm
Footloose the Musical follows the story of Ren McCormack, a young man who moves from the big city to small town Bomont where dancing is banned. But as Ren soon discovers, in Ecclesiastes 3 it says, “there is a time for every purpose under heaven… a time to laugh and a time to weep. A time to mourn and a time to dance.” Join us this fall to bring this classic story to life on the First Act stage!
First Act – Footloose
Festival of Christmas 2026
Bell Cultural Events Center - Mabee Performing Arts Hall
Dec 5, 2026 @ 6:00pm
to Dec 6, 2026 @ 5:00pm
An MNU tradition, the powerful forces of the MNU Concert Band, MNU Choirs, and MNU Chamber Orchestra with members of the community, present a worshipful festival of Christmas carols, classical works, and holiday favorites including audience sing-along moments.
Festival of Christmas 2026
Innovation Academy Invitational
MidAmerica Nazarene University - Cunningham Student Center
Feb 6, 2027 @ 10:00am
to Feb 6, 2027 @ 2:30pm
Join us for MNU's Innovation Academy Invitational for high-achieving seniors in high school. You’ll get an inside look at the Innovation Academy, connect with faculty through group interviews, and hear directly from current students about their experience.
Innovation Academy Invitational
Theatre | Miracle on 34th Street: The Live Musical Radio Play
Bell Cultural Events Center - Mabee Performing Arts Hall, stage
Nov 20, 2026 @ 7:30pm
to Nov 22, 2026 @ 9:30pm
Come experience the magic of Christmas complete with desserts and drinks! This is a live radio musical radio play featuring live foley (sound effects) and a score of holiday carols sure to put you in the mood to celebrate. Do you believe in Santa Claus? Come find out if he really exists!
Theatre | Miracle on 34th Street: The Live Musical Radio Play

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