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Event Category: Bell Center Events

MNU Choirs | Messiah

Choir promo photo

Join us for a stirring full performance of Handel’s timeless masterpiece, Messiah—the greatest story ever told, brought to life through one of the most beloved musical settings of all time.

MNU Festival of Christmas 2025

Choir, band, and orchestra performing on stage

An MNU tradition—the powerful forces of the MNU Concert Band, MNU Choirs, and MNU Chamber Orchestra with members of the community present a festival of best loved Christmas carols and selections from Handel’s Messiah including audience sing-along moments.

MNU Concert Band | From Sea to Sky

Band concert promo with aerial view of band

Experience an evening of captivating music, featuring compositions inspired by God’s creation. From Sea to Sky will include renowned composers, Grace Baugher Dunlap, Viet Cuong, and Cait Nishimura, among others. There’s also a rumor that music from a classic film score involving battles in outer space might also be heard…come to find out!

Kansas City Movement

Two ballet dancers

A vibrant dance showcase featuring young performers presenting a variety of styles including ballet, modern, lyrical, jazz, and tap.

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.

Dr. Jon North

President

EdD; Ethical Leadership, Olivet Nazarene University
MBA; MidAmerica Nazarene University
BA in International Development, MidAmerica Nazarene University

Dr. Jon D. North was elected the sixth president of MidAmerica Nazarene University in 2025 and is the first alumnus of MNU to hold this position.

Before he was elected president, Dr. North served MNU as the senior vice president for University Advancement and executive director of the MNU Foundation. Over the past 15 years, his leadership has elevated the university’s landscape. Under his direction, the MNU Foundation’s assets quadrupled, laying a strong financial foundation for the future.

He also spent 17 years with Heart to Heart International, a global humanitarian aid organization based in the Kansas City metro. As an active member of the Kansas City community, Dr. North serves on various non-profit and community boards.

Dr. North and his wife, Faith, are both MNU graduates, as are their four adult children and two daughters-in-law. The Norths live in Olathe and are active members of Central Church of the Nazarene in Lenexa, Kansas.

Darrel Anderson

Vice President for Finance

Master of Accountancy, University of Missouri
BA in Business Administration, MidAmerica Nazarene University

Darrel Anderson brings a wealth of strategic finance, budget development and cash flow management to his role as MNU’s Vice President for Finance. Anderson has more than 30 years of public and private experience. He has held the CFO position at a variety of companies, including his position as the CFO for the State of Indiana’s Department of Revenue. Anderson’s interest in finance began at MNU, where he earned his undergraduate degree in business administration.

He and his wife reside in Olathe.

Lisa Hood

Vice President for Strategic Expansion

MLA; Psychology, Baker University, 2015

Lisa Hood has been with MNU since 2015, previously serving as School of Professional and Graduate Studies director of business partnerships and community relations.

As vice president, Hood provides leadership for the SPGS strategic growth initiatives and recruitment along with student services and support systems.

Her career prior to MNU includes positions at two other universities. She served at the Institute for Professional Development and Helix Education assigned to Baker University and worked as associate director of admissions at both Avila University and Baker University. She holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Emporia State and a Master of Liberal Arts with a concentration in psychology from Baker University. In addition to her current responsibilities, Hood teaches sociology courses at MNU.

Hood and her husband, Joe, live in Olathe. They have two college-aged daughters.

Mr. G. Todd Garrett

Vice President for Institutional Advancement

MEd; MidAmerica Nazarene University
BA; Physical & Health Education, MidAmerica Nazarene University.

Mr. G. Todd Garrett serves as the Vice President for University Advancement & Athletics. Mr. Garrett has served MidAmerica Nazarene University with distinction for nearly three decades, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to our Christian mission and remarkable success across multiple roles.

As a 1994 MNU graduate, Mr. Garrett began his professional journey as an educator in the Olathe Public Schools before returning to MNU as the Head Baseball Coach from 1998 to 2006. His career has progressed through increasing levels of responsibility, including Director of Athletic Development, Director of Development & Corporate Partnerships, and, most recently, Director of Athletics since January 2017.

Todd and his wife, Karen, are both MNU graduates, as are their two adult children and their daughter-in-law. The Garretts live in Gardner, Kansas and attend Life Church of Overland Park, Kansas.

Daniel Rincones

Vice President for Student Development

MA, LPC, SATP MA; Counseling, 2015, MidAmerica Nazarene University
Post-graduate Certificate; Sexual Addictions Treatment Provider, 2017, MidAmerica Nazarene University
BA; Bible, Theology and Religion, 2009, MidAmerica Nazarene University

Daniel began his career in student development as a resident educator and assistant chaplain at MNU. He also served as youth pastor at Christ Community Church of the Nazarene in Olathe from 2008 to 2013.

Daniel served as director of residential life beginning in 2015 and transitioned to dean of students in 2020 before being named vice president in 2021. He is also an adjunct professor in the Department of Counselor Education at MNU and serves local clients as a licensed professional counselor.

“I am thrilled about the opportunity to continue my work with MNU students,” Daniel says. “Our mission of creating a transformational experience in the lives of today’s students is more important than ever as they navigate young adulthood and societal issues while they earn their education.”

Rincones and his wife, Kylee, a licensed professional counselor employed by the Olathe School District, reside in Olathe.

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