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Former Vice President Rev. Dwight Douglas Passes

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Joseph Kim

Former Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Rev. Dwight Edward Douglas, 71, of Olathe, Kansas, passed away January 2, 2022.

Former Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Rev. Dwight Edward Douglas, 71, of Olathe, Kansas, passed away January 2, 2022.

Beginning in 1995, Dwight held several full-time administrative roles at MNU including vice president for institutional advancement, assistant to the president for church and community relations, and director of operations. During his tenure, Dwight worked with three MNU presidents. He led fundraising efforts in capital campaigns and served as project manager for the construction of Cook Center which houses MNU’s athletics and training facilities, nursing classrooms and Bell Family Arena.

Recently, in retirement, Dwight returned to MNU to serve as a volunteer providing outreach to MNU regional pastors through MNU’s Office of Church Relations.

Dr. David Spittal, president, remarked on the professional and personal qualities he observed in Dwight Douglas.

Dwight was passionate about people. As a natural born leader, he invested deeply in the lives of those around him and never missed an opportunity to serve their needs.” Spittal said. “In his professional life, he was trusted, influential and dependable. Colleagues describe Dwight as loyal, humble, a good friend and a constant encourager. These qualities, and many more, were not merely habits or behaviors, but the outward expression of an inward heart totally dedicated to his Lord.”

DR. DAVID SPITTAL

Prior to working at MNU Dwight, served on the pastoral staff at Nazarene churches in Boise, Idaho, Seattle, Washington Portland, and Oregon City, Oregon. He also worked in the division of Christian Life and Sunday School and the Church Growth Division at Nazarene World Headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri.

During the last ten years of his career, Dwight worked at Quality Technology Services in Overland Park, Kansas, as their director of community relations.

Dwight held a Bachelor of Arts from Northwest Nazarene University and a Master of Religious Education from Nazarene Theological Seminary.

Service to others was a hallmark of Dwight’s life. Some his service roles include chaplain and assistant public information officer for Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue in Oregon, member of the Olathe Rotary Club in Olathe, Kansas, speaker and mentor for Gift of Life in Overland Park, Kansas, advisor to the US Dream Academy based in Silver Spring, Maryland, and member of various work and witness teams that traveled throughout the United States and internationally.

While serving at MNU, Dwight faced a health challenge few encounter, resulting in a heart transplant. During this time, colleagues observed the inspirational response of their leader and friend. It seemed that whatever he was faced with, Dwight found a way to work through it with positivity and faith in his Lord.

Rev. Phil Rhoades, district superintendent of the Joplin, District Church of the Nazarene said working with Dwight “was a pure delight.”

“Dwight was so kind and compassionate,” Rhoades said. “After his heart transplants, he still had a driving passion for ministry and he lived his life doing what he loved. His love for MNU was so apparent, even when he was restricted because of health he was still doing what he could. His words about others fit him best, ‘what a guy!’”

Dwight is survived by his wife, Marita (Howard) Douglas, his daughter Danna (’98) and son-in-law Kevin (’97) Dahl, his son Michael (’01) and daughter-in-law Jenn Douglas, his daughter Lisa (’05) and son-in-law Brent (’04) Hazen, and grandchildren TJ and Trevor Dahl, Kimberlynne and Camden Hazen, and Piper and Baron Douglas.

A celebration of life was held at College Church of the Nazarene, January 15, 2022.

Among other tribute options, the family included the following:

MidAmerica Nazarene University Foundation
Donovan and Esther Douglas Endowed Scholarship for Children of Pastors
2030 E College Way
Olathe, KS 66062

A full obituary is online at https://www.penwellgabelkc.com/Obituary/208955/Dwight-Douglas/Olathe-KS.

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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.

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.