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Copeland Athletic Complex Takes Shape

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Carol Best

Construction on the $14.1 million Copeland Athletic Complex is progressing. Looking from the west toward Mur-Len Road, the stadium site is on the bottom left with the track on the upper right.

Stadium site: Locker rooms will be in the buildings to the left and right. The structure forming the concessions and restrooms is in the middle. The stands will connect the buildings. Cook Center is to the right.

Associate Vice President for Facilities Services Jon Spence recently hosted a walk through of the construction progress in the stadium. Readers can enjoy his tour here.

Track site: The first layer of the track is in place. Additional surfacing will be installed as weather permits. The daytime temperature must stay above 50 degrees and overnight above freezing for installation. The track is located at the corner of Mur-Len and Sheridan (143rd St.).

The Copeland Athletic Complex is named for 1984 MNU alumnus and six-term Olathe Mayor, Michael Copeland. Copeland passed away August 20, 2020, leaving a mark of incredible leadership on Olathe and MNU.

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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.