Each year, the MNU Alumni Association selects outstanding alumni and friends of MNU to honor. The alumna and alumnus of the year awards are presented to recipients selected for outstanding achievements, not only in their careers, but also for their contributions and service to the university, church or local community.
Alumna of the Year
Catherine (Maxwell ’90) Wiens | Cathy is the chief compliance officer for Olathe Health, now part of the University of Kansas Health System. She has served in various healthcare administration roles since 1990 including nine years in behavioral health and 25 years with Olathe Health. Cathy enjoyed three years as adjunct professor for MNU and looks forward to other teaching opportunities in the future.
While a student at MidAmerica she was a member of Heritage Choir. She says MidAmerica gave her a great foundation, and strong connections, and that some of her college professors are still her good friends now.
Cathy has been a member of College Church of the Nazarene since 1991 serving in various children and adult ministries as well as on the church board. She is married to David Wiens (FS ’86) and they have one adult son.
Alumnus of the Year
Dr. William Sawyer (’83) | Bill is the chief administrative officer at the International Church of the Nazarene Global Ministry Center, where he has served for eight years. Before joining the denomination’s leadership team, Bill was a bi-vocational pastor in California, working as an executive with TransUnion, a Fortune 500 financial services company, and leading the congregation at Santa Ana (California) First Church of the Nazarene.
Bill grew up on the MNU campus. His father Dr. Robert Sawyer, was one of the founding faculty members. He says what he remembers most about the founding faculty in those early days is the commitment they made to prayer and fasting. What helped Bill develop and live out his faith is the Godly influence of his parents and the leaders of MidAmerica.
Bill and his wife Nancy (Farabee ’82) have eight children, including MNU alum Victoria Sawyer (’21).
Young Alumni Award
The Young Alumni award is presented to a recent traditional student who demonstrates early success by age 30. This year’s recipient is Andrew Bauerle.
Captain Andrew Bauerle (’14) | Drew is an active-duty chaplain serving in the U.S. Army. Now stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado, he recently served in a forward combat zone in the Middle East, where he ministered to hundreds of U.S. and Allied servicemen and women.
Drew says he invested a lot of life in MidAmerica. He says it is a place where he likes to check in and see what is happening on campus and with the people who formed his life. When looking for a college, Drew remembers the first thing he heard that made a difference for him; “You are here to do what God is calling you to do, and we are going to help foster that.”
Drew and his wife Jessa (Winters ’15) reside in Colorado Springs with their daughter, Ember.
Carry the Torch Award
The Carry the Torch Award is selected based on humanitarian contributions to MNU, the church, and the community. MNU recognizes these recipients who live out MNU’s values of Pioneering Spirit, Passion to Serve, and Purposeful Lives. This year’s recipients are Dr. Chris and Janet Halvorson.
Dr. Chris and Janet Halvorson | The Halvorsons have been long-term supporters of MNU and its students. Chris is a retired physician and Janet is the daughter of MNU’s founding academic dean, Dr. Donald M. Metz. She and Chris have continued Dr. Metz’s legacy of advocating for MNU students within a Christ-centered context.
The Halvorsons lived most of their adult lives watching MidAmerica grow from a cornfield to the thriving campus it is today. In those early days, when they visited Janet’s parents, they wondered what in the world their parents were doing there.
Chris and Janet have continued Dr. Metz’s legacy of investing in the university. Their fingerprints are all across the campus. They have served on countless committees, planning, dreaming, envisioning what could be, and planting their influence. They are tremendous advocates for a Christ-centered education. Their lives and legacy exemplify a pioneering spirit, passion to serve, and purposeful lives.
Chris and Janet reside in Olathe and have three adult children, Amy, Scott (‘85) and Jon (‘97).
MNU Michael Copeland Civic Leadership Award
Named for the late Olathe Mayor and esteemed alumnus Mike Copeland (‘84), this award is presented annually at Homecoming to a worthy leader. This year, that person also happens to be an alumnus. John Bacon (’84) was honored by MNU President David Spittal for his commitment to the Olathe community and his efforts to continue building on the legacy left by his predecessor.
“As a public servant, John Bacon has consistently demonstrated a deep passion for improving the lives of Olathe residents,” said Spittal. “His leadership has fostered economic growth, strengthened community bonds, and enhanced the overall quality of life for Olathe’s citizens.”
John’s receipt of the Michael Copeland Civic Leadership Award is a testament to his dedication and reflects the values that MNU holds dear—service, leadership, and a heart for the community.
