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Exquisite Evening Raises Over $800,000 for Scholarships

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Carol Best

More than 400 individuals attended President’s Honors, including prominent community members, alumni, faculty, and staff. Their generous support and presence at the event demonstrated their commitment to MNU’s mission and the importance of providing for deserving students.

President David Spittal expressed his gratitude to all the attendees, sponsors, and volunteers who made the evening a tremendous success. “The President’s Honors gala is a testament to our community’s incredible generosity and support. Thanks to their contributions, we can continue transforming lives through education and empowering our students to make a difference in the world,” said President Spittal.

The funds raised at the gala will profoundly impact the lives of MNU students, enabling them to pursue their dreams and achieve academic excellence. Next year’s event is scheduled for April 11, 2025.

Jan
20
MNU’s 20th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration
College Church of the Nazarene, 2020 E. Sheridan, Olathe, Kansas
9:30 am

Jan
24
January Virtual College Affordability Seminar
Online
10:00 am

11:00 am
Jan
30
MNU Family Weekend at Great Wolf Lodge
Great Wolf Lodge, Kansas City, KS
3:00 pm

11:00 am
Jan
31
Olathe's Got Talent 2026
Bell Cultural Events Center - Mabee Performing Arts Hall
7:00 pm

9:00 pm

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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.