2022 Alumni Awards

2022 ALUMNI AWARD RECIPIENTS

Dr. Eric Clarkson (‘01), Alumnus of the Year: Eric is owner and family physician at Pratt Family Practice in Pratt, KS. He is also medical director for emergency services and the free health clinic there.

Eric met his wife, Amy (Morsch ’99) Clarkson, MD, (Alumna of the Year 2016 recipient) as a student at MNU. The couple have three children and are active in their community and church, Abundant Harvest Church of the Nazarene, where Eric serves on the board, acts as youth director, and has taught Sunday school for six years.

“MidAmerica provided the backdrop and was the catalyst for nearly every good thing in my life,” says Eric. “It provided me critical leadership experiences through being a part of the residential life team as an RA my sophomore and junior years. It is where I met my best life-long friends. At MidAmerica I was given the opportunity to be a member of a student ministry team in Papua New Guinea with Youth in Mission. There I met Dr. Bill McCoy and decided I wanted to be a physician.

Saralyn (Schmidt ‘72) Brown, Alumna of the Year: is a member of MNU’s Pioneer Class, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a BA in English. As a student, she was heavily involved in campus life, including Heritage Singers, Conestoga yearbook staff and a member of Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities.

At MNU, Saralyn met Allen Brown (‘72) and they have been married for 50 years and have two grown children and four grandchildren. They enjoy life-long friendships with many classmates, including some they have vacationed with over the years. The couple visit MNU almost every year. “I especially like coming for the President’s Honors event (where I always manage to spend money!)” Saralyn says. Saralyn recently retired as executive vice president of Don Miguel Foods, a national food processor, in Anaheim, California. She is a member of Anaheim First Church of the Nazarene, where she has served as treasurer for 31 years.

Ashford Collins (’12), Young Alum of the Year: Ashford Collins enrolled at MNU in 2008 to play football and pursue a degree in elementary education. There he immersed himself in serving as a resident assistant, in the Black Student Union, in Gospel Choir, and as a youth mentor at College Church of the Nazarene.

Ashford is an assistant principal at Valley Park Elementary School in the Blue Valley School District in Overland Park, Kansas and is pursuing a doctorate in education.

Ashford Collins, Margaret Gilliland, Ron Ryckman, Jr., Saralyn Brown, Eric Clarkson, MD.

“MNU gave me an opportunity to continue my education while providing an organic faith experience,” says Ashford. “The relationships and experiences from MNU helped me grow into the person I am today.” While at MNU, he met his wife, Cary (Hayes ’11) Collins. The couple have two children; Avery Monroe (7), and Demi Juliet (4). They live in Overland Park, Kansas.

Margaret Gilliland, Carry the Torch Award:

Margaret Gilliland, thought she was filling in temporarily when Don Metz, PhD, MNU’s first academic dean, asked her to help in 1969. As it turned out, she stayed and progressed from resident educator to Vice President for Student Development over a 40-year career. “It’s proof that you never know where a decision will lead you,” Margaret says. “Those two weeks turned into one of the most exciting careers for me.”

Margaret and her husband, Rollin, were fixtures in MNU residence halls for many years. Rollin worked in the university’s facilities department. Margaret was the “dorm mom” in Stockton and Rice halls for women. After completing her graduate degree, Margaret founded MNU’s Career Development Center, which prepared students for life after college for many decades. Later she was named vice president and dean. “The Lord led me to a 40-year career I never dreamed of, and I am thrilled to have been a part of many things at MNU.” Margaret retired in 2009 and now lives in Shreveport, LA.

Ron Ryckman, Jr. (’94) , The Michael Copeland

Civic Leadership Award: Ron Ryckman is the inaugural recipient of this award for outstanding civic service. Currently Kansas Speaker of the House, he represents the 78th district in Kansas. He is finishing his fifth term in office; Ron was elected Speaker of the House in 2016 and is completing his unprecedented third term. He previously served as chairman of the House Social Services Budget Committee and the House Appropriations Committee. He also served on the Olathe City Council from 2009 to 2017.

Ron earned a BA in business administration and played Pioneer basketball. He now owns and operates a commercial roofing business.

Ron has been married to Kim (Banz ’95) Ryckman for 27 years and they have three children, Haley, Christian, and Chase.

MNU ATHLETIC

HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

Baseball - Jordan Eckley (’16) ministry major

A centerfielder, Jordan was named 1st team All-Conference, Conference Player of the Year, and NAIA honorable mention All-America in 2014 while leading the Pioneers to the conference title. He was named 2nd team All-Conference in 2015. In 2016, he was named conference player of the week 3 times, and he earned 1st team All-Conference, Conference Player of the Year, and NAIA 1st team All-America while having one of the best seasons in MNU history.

Jordan is a licensed realtor. He and his wife Kelly live in Prairie Village, Kansas, with their two dogs.

Women’s Soccer - Kim (Nigh ’09) Gonzalez sociology major

As goalkeeper, Kim was a three-time NCCAA honorable mention All-American, and two-time NAIA honorable mention All-American. She was named 1st team All-Conference in 2005, and 1st team All-Conference and Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2008.

Kim worked in case management for the developmentally disabled for the last eight years, and currently enjoys being the mother of two little girls. She lives in Spring Hill, Kansas, with her husband David and daughters: Catalina and Liliana.

Track & Field - Michelle Myers Maxwell (’03) athletic training

Michelle was a five-time NAIA All-American hurdler for indoor and outdoor track. In 2002, she earned 4th place at nationals in the 400 hurdles, and 5th place in the 100 hurdles. In 2003, she was 5th place in the 55 indoor hurdles, and 6th place in the 100 outdoor hurdles. She was also on the national runner up 4x400 meter relay squad.

After earning her degree, Michelle worked for SERC Physical and Hand Therapy in the Kansas City area from 2004-2007. She currently works at CoxHealth in the Level 1 Trauma Center where she has served for 13 years as a physical therapist assistant. She lives in Ozark, Missouri, with her husband Cory (’02) and their children: Maliyah and CJ.

Football - Tyler Rodden (’10) math education major

As offensive lineman, Tyler anchored the Pioneer line for some of the best teams in MNU history. He was a 1st team All-Conference selection for three playoff teams from 2007 to 2009, creating running lanes for 2-time All-American running back Pat Ealy. Rodden was also named a Strength and Conditioning All-American in 2010.

He is in his 13th year in education, having worked in the Olathe and Shawnee Mission School districts. He is a math teacher, head boys wrestling coach, and assistant football coach at Olathe West High School. He and his wife Ashley (Mayhle ’10) live in Olathe with their children: Paisley, Paxton, and Pearson.

Meritorious Service - Jim Smith, former MNU Dean of Students

Renaissance man Jim Smith has a legendary legacy at MNU. Among other roles, he served as dean of students and men’s head basketball coach. He can currently be seen on the sidelines of every home contest with his camera, generously providing free photos to the athletics department.

Jim is a realtor living in Olathe, Kansas, and has 3 grown children, 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.