Whether teaching in their chosen field or serving in a remote area of the world, MNU professors have exciting plans for the COVID “protocol-relaxed” summer of 2021. Able to travel with fewer restrictions, some will step far outside their comfort zones. Others will hone new skills. All will have a break from one of the most challenging years they have experienced thanks to the pandemic.
Aaron Bohn, MNU’s assistant professor of digital communications, is taking the trip of a lifetime to Tokyo, Japan where he will work at the Olympics originally scheduled for summer 2020. According to Bohn, 9 out of 10 people on the planet will watch the events with 210 countries represented and 8,500 hours of television footage. It is the biggest global television audience ever. While his role is under wraps until after the games, he will share his experiences later this summer and readers can follow his adventure during the Olympics July 23 to August 8, 2021, on Instagram at @Acebohn.
Chris Crawford, EdD, LAT, ATC, assistant professor of kinesiology, is reprising his role as an athletic trainer for athletes in the games when he reports to the Paralympics Games in Tokyo, Japan, August 24-September 5. In 2016, Crawford served on the medical staff for the Paralympic Games in Rio. He has worked with the International Paralympic Committee Swimming events since volunteering for training in 2013. Crawford will assist athletes with injuries, as well as provide therapy in joint work, flexibility and stretching to keep the athletes game ready.
Tokyo, Japan, the Alaskan Bush, and a camp in Missouri will be the temporary home for some of MNU’s intrepid professors this summer. Follow MNU’s social media for photo updates this summer.
Though the Puerto Rico Collaborative Piano Institute will be virtual this year, Jessica Koebbe, DMA, adjunct instructor of piano, is helping conduct the institute June 12-18. Each day will feature internationally acclaimed musicians from the U.S., Greece, Chile, Brazil and more, in workshops, lectures and recitals. There are two international piano competitions and participants who choose to, will earn college credit from MNU for their performance in the institute. Fingers crossed, next year Jessica and the other musicians will be live in Puerto Rico.
Addison Lucchi, MLIS, MBA, instructional and research librarian, associate professor, is participating in All Nations Kansas City’s CPx-Church Planting Experience in June. Addison shares that the conference will help him explore faith integration in his work and teaching. Addison hopes his time at CPx will help him grow in his ability to minister to MNU students through leadership, service, prayer, teaching and devotionals.
Jamie Kootz, adjunct instructor for natural, health & mathematical sciences is going off-grid as she leads a mission team of 23 individuals to Alaska in July. They will first work in Seward, Alaska for a week and then a week in the bush completing building projects and ministering to those who visit the Burl Post Retreat.
The remote retreat center is only accessed by boat or bush plane landing on a lake or river. Visitors to the center seek restoration with GOD and the beauty of his creation, inspired by a lake in front of the retreat and the surrounding mountains.
Dr. Joshua Hovis, adjunct instructor teaches college algebra during the semester. This summer he will serve as a camp counselor at Missouri Nazarene Teen and Boys Camp. The camps are at Pinecrest Camp & Conference Center, part of the Missouri District of the Church of the Nazarene. He also will enjoy Missouri District Family Camp there or as Joshua calls these events, the Nazarene Triathlon. [If you were raised in the Nazarene faith this is both amusing and apropos.]
Whatever you are doing this summer, we hope you’ll follow MNU’s Facebook for photos from our professors’ and instructors’ adventures.
