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News Category: Alumni

Capt. Tammie Jo Shults: Pilot, Mentor, Woman of Faith

Captains Dean and Tammie Jo Shults in front of a small plane

On April 17, 2018, Capt. Tammie Jo Shults made history by safely landing a heavily damaged Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 after a catastrophic engine failure and cabin decompression—an act of skill and composure that saved 148 lives. On April 11, 2025, the 1983 MidAmerica Nazarene University alumna was inducted into the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame.

Heart Conference Names Todd Garrett Athletic Director of the Year

Todd Garrett, vice president of university advancement and athletics on the campus of MNU

After a very successful 2024-25 athletics season for MNU, Director of Athletics Todd Garrett, yesterday he was named Conference Athletic Director of the Year by the Heart of America Athletic Conference. The Pioneer athletics department celebrated multiple conference titles and national appearances.

Generations of Purposeful Ministry

11 members of the Spindle family at President's Honors

MNU welcomed several members of the Spindle family at President’s Honors April 11, 2025. MNU President Emeritus Dr. Richard and Dr. Billy Spindle served as honorary co-chairs of the annual scholarship fundraising gala.

MidAmerica Nazarene University Announces Selection of Next President

Dr. Jon North

MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU) is pleased to announce the selection of Dr. Jon D. North as its next president following an extensive national search conducted in partnership with FaithSearch Partners. He will assume the role on July 1, 2025, becoming the sixth president in the university’s history.

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.

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