Mount Vernon Nazarene University Commemorative Issue, Volume One by Mount Vernon Nazarene University

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CELEBRATING Ȱ YEARS Commemorative Issue

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Mount Vernon Nazarene University 2IKBG@ ƦȰƤ

NOW

A DIVINE HERITAGE Emily Rogers, Editor

Master site development scheme of Mount Vernon Nazarene College in Mount Vernon, Ohio by Jack Nusbaum, architect at Bowman-Nicek & Associates Inc. Consultants, circa 1968.

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From the first days of MVNC’s Communicator to two 2018 commemorative issues of the MVNU NOW, we reminisce and remember together over the past 25 years of our journey. In the pages of these special issues, we tell our story from founding days to the present through the voices and landmark moments of the university’s seven presidents, notable alumni, faculty, staff, and friends. Together we share the history, legacy, and vision that defined who we are and shaped our purpose and mission. This is just the first part of our journey leading up to the fall issue where we will explore the second 25 years. From the dream stage in the minds of the Church of the Nazarene leaders of the 1960s who found the amount of money raised to buy the property to be initially short of the asking price, to the challenges posed by the current changing landscape in higher education, MVNC/U has found itself, at times, in places where only miracles could turn the tide in its favor. The possibility of success was often impossible or, in the very least, improbable. However, guided by determined teamwork and graced with the certainty of being a community willed and planted by God, MVNU has stretched its influence across the decades and remained faithful to a God-given, life changing vision that continues to impact the lives of those who walk its campus. For nearly 50 years, MVNC/U has worked to fulfill the divine promise evident at its birth. Through the sacrifice and faithfulness of countless individuals, an institution that welcomed a Pioneer Class in 1968 now boasts more than 20,000 alumni scattered across the globe. We believe that God will continue to use this university to shape lives and change the world with the love of Christ. I would like to especially thank those who donated their time and talent to making this collaborative magazine possible and whose names you will find in these pages.

Editor’s Note: Some articles including reprints have been edited for brevity and clarity.

THERE IS CHALLENGE AND EXCITEMENT IN THE NEW

Commemorative Issue

CELEBRATING 5Ȱ YEARS

ɋ Dr. Stephen W. Nease, Founding President Every man has at one time dreamed of being a Columbus discovering new lands, a Galileo delving into new worlds of science, or a John Glenn pioneering space travel. And yet, exciting though the new may be, real success results from dependence upon established truths. America was discovered because ancient rules of navigation could be followed; the explorations of the astronomer depend upon proven mathematical calculations; successful space travel results from past experience analyzed by the computer.We thrill to the challenge of founding a Christian College. The search for a site, enlistment of a dedicated faculty, enrollment of a student body, and plans for a stimulating curriculum stir the pioneer spirit within us. And yet, as we progress, we too must recognize our dependence upon established truths. We would plan to bring into being the ﬁnest college possible. God’s eternal Word shall be our cornerstone. We would challenge each student to their academic best that they might effectively serve God and their fellow man. We would again prove that scholastic excellence and spiritual vitality complement one another – that the best scholars are those who ﬁrst have committed their lives to Jesus Christ. We confess that we alone cannot solve each problem to be met in providing a Christian education for our young people. Our motto would ever be the words of Jesus “Without

me, ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). And, we would believe what is implied, “With Him, all things are possible.” We admit to great aspirations as we accept this challenge, and we would invite all of like concern to help assure that they shall be carried out. With Daniel Bunham we would: “Make no little plans, they have no magic to stir men’s blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble, logical diagram once recorded will never die but long after we are gone will be a living thing, asserting itself with growing intensity.”

Reprinted from “Concern for Youth Vision for the Future: A Plan for Christ-centered Education” circa 1966.

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"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." John 15:5 KJV

Education: Brown University, A.B. (’45); Eastern Nazarene College, Th.B. (’47); Boston University, M.Ed. (’57); Eastern Nazarene College, D.D. (’66); Harvard Divinity School, graduate studies

Commemorative Issue

CELEBRATING 5Ȱ YEARS

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Dr. Stephen W. Nease

Family: Christine (Hardy) Nease; children, Linda, Floyd, Stephen, David Hardy (d. 1970), Melissa, and David Wayne

Mount Vernon Nazarene College Founding President Dr. Stephen W. Nease was instrumental in developing “Zone A Junior College” into MVNC. Alongside founding faculty and staff, Nease paved the way for the initial fundraising to transform 800 Martinsburg Road from “a cornﬁeld to a college.” With Nease’s ofﬁcial inauguration in 1969, the campus began to take shape with Founders Hall, Faculty Hall, Campus Center, student housing, the Multi-Purpose Building, and tennis courts. The Pioneer Class presented MVNC with the Eternal Flame as a gift in 1970.

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MEMORIES OF MY FATHER ɍ

Linda (Nease) Scott

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“Mount Vernon Nazarene College ... is a new holiness college moved by the conviction that ‘To Seek to Learn is to Seek to Serve’ ... and endeavoring to bring each student to his highest potential of service to God and his fellowman.” — Dr. Stephen W. Nease, 1968 I was 14 ... that time of my life when the world revolved around teen activities and social events. General Assembly was an opportunity to be with other teenagers from our denomination. I was definitely looking forward to the event that summer of 1964, with no inkling of the fact that it would radically change our family’s future direction. I remember my father talking about the action of the Assembly to establish two new Nazarene colleges — one in Ohio and the other in Kansas. His chief worry, as I recall, was the financial impact that the rezoning would have on the college he currently served, Eastern Nazarene College (ENC). I don’t think he ever considered that the impact would be much more deeply personal. He was the Director of Development for ENC, chiefly charged with raising funds to support the college. Father to four children, aged four to 14, he was constantly on the road preaching and raising money for the college, as his father had done before him, and Ohio was one of the strongest zones for ENC college support. It was indeed a concern. And then came the phone call from Dr. Harvey Hendershot, newly-elected Chair of the fledgling “Zone A Nazarene College” Board of Trustees. Dad suddenly came home from his ENC office (a spot 20 feet from where I am typing this) to talk to Mom — visibly shaken. I know they spent time in prayer and deep searching for God’s will in this uncharted territory. As the decision was made, no one could ever have guessed the blessing, nor the cost, of their move to Ohio. So we went — to Columbus for the first year as the location was being determined. Then to Mount Vernon where we lived in the Lakeholm Mansion prior to the building of the president’s home behind the campus. We waited for the school bus at the hedges and gate — both gone now — that were in front of the mansion. The four of us — aged six

to 16 — worked at adapting to this new reality as Dad traveled continuously, working to piece together this ﬂedgling institution — raising money; planning buildings; hiring staff, administration and faculty; designing curriculum for accreditation; and establishing the Mount Vernon Nazarene College family who began the adventure in faith together. Precious people, precious days. There were victories and heartaches, not the least of which was the loss of my little brother (age nine), their youngest child, David, who fell through thin ice and drowned in the pond behind the house. Our family loves water and enjoyed that pond and misses it even now, but the loss was deep for all of us. Through it all, God sustained and grew the seeds that were planted. It was not easy, but it was God-ordained and we remain thankful for the memories of those treasured beginning days.

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They were pioneers. Taking steps into the unknown. 2ôöąüǯöüāú øĉøąČćûüāú ùĂą ô shared and divine vision. Paving the way for those to come.

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PIONEER FACULTY 01

Dr. Stephen Nease

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Dr. B. Keith Clinker Education, Chairman of the Division of Social Science and Dean of 2MN=>GM Ǡ:BKL

Rev. Claude Schlosser Director of Development and Finance

Rev. William Bennett

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Librarian ơ Everett Holmes

History 14

Dean and Chemistry 09 Marie Birchard

English

Speech

Larry Buess

Tamara Evans German and French; English

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Richard Fairchild

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Audrey Wright

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Sociology Ʀ9

Mathematics

Chet Foraker Physical Education and Director of Physical Education

Judith Chesnut

Biology

10 Rev. William Bridges 11

Spanish 15

Nancy Fetty Secretary Studies/ Typing

13 Glen Chesnut

Library Consultant 08 Dr. W. Lloyd Taylor

English

Bursar 07 Ruth Gilley

Sharon Buess

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Rev. Charles McCall

Charles Imel

Religion

Physical Education

Reuben Rodeheaver

Margaret Imel

Music and Director of Fine Arts

Physical Education

Berniece Garsee

Joanne Bechtel

Music

Rev. Jarrell Garsee

Nancy Davis

Religion

Physical Education

Linda Henderson

Doris Ferguson

Music

English

Cecil Inman

Jean Foster

English

Music

Alice McCutchen

Clara Pattison

Grace Foraker

Jenny Hall

Percy Morrison

Printing and Mailing

Head Cook

Women’s Counselor

Switchboard

Betty Morrison

Delbert Quillen

Harold Billman

Juanita Ferguson

Superintendent of Building and Ground

Switchboard

Maintenance

Landscaping

First Secretary

Roberta Shackelford

Betty Robison

Eileen Bennett

Ineta Hart

Lazlo Dezse

Dean's Secretary

Cook

Library Secretary

Dorm Resident Director

Groundskeeper

Roland Ferguson

Betty Taylor

Elizabeth Brooks

Mildred Clinker

Accountant

News Bureau Direction

Cook

Irvin “Brooksie” Brooks

Faculty Secretary

Ruth Schreck

Britta Bridges

Eunice Schlosser

Maintenance

Nota McCall

President’s Secretary

Registrar’s Secretary

Bookstore Manager

Janet Quick

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Virginia Wilhelm

Byron “Barney” Hall

George Gribben

Library Secretary

Pat Pumphrey

Cook

Saga Food Director

Development Associate

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Elaine Ostrander Music

NOT PICTURED

PIONEER STAFF

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Education, Registrar, and Director of Admissions

05 Richard Schuster

Founding President

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Tom Ostrander Music

Dorothy Pforsich Music

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THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME ǘ “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Conference of Seventh-day — Romans 12:4-5, NIV Adventist, headquartered in Since September of 1966, Mount Vernon at the time. “Zone A Nazarene College” To help matters, there was and Mount Vernon, Ohio also a campaign well unwere linked. Newly-elected derway to raise $250,000 to President Stephen W. Nease, purchase the land. On Sept. trustees, and the site selec- 16, 1966, Mount Vernon was tion committee visited the chosen and a community Lakeholm Farm and the offer of 209 acres was acstreets of Mount Vernon, the cepted. last city on the list, and saw the potential that sparked “I can’t imagine a more idea divine move. Described al location, and a property as a city 45 miles northeast with better potential for deof Columbus, Ohio, Mount velopment. Town is alive — Vernon had a growing pop- county seat calls itself the ulation of 16,000 and rec- colonial town of Ohio. Was ommendations from the selected an All-America City Executive Vice President of in 1966. Lovely shopping the Chamber of Commerce, area, work is good, seven along with letters from the new industries located there mayor, bank presidents, and this year alone,” founding the president of the Ohio President Nease said in an

article from the local newspaper (Mount Vernon News, April 24, 1967). “The people of the town can’t seem to do enough to welcome us. They fully know our goals as a Christian college, our standards," he said. The partnership between the City of Mount Vernon, local churches, and the support of many residents and families only grew from there. Over months and years, students, faculty, and staff members set foot on new ground with opportunity and support. While MVNC was still growing, local churches would host meals, church services, and other events for the Pioneer Class while campus facilities were still taking shape. The relational impact of this partnership was immeasurable. Community was not only another name for the city of Mount Vernon, it became the term that described an inevitable bond between the new college and the town for which it was named.

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PIONEER CLASS: FIRST AND EVERLASTING

has tremendous meaning for On Sunday, Dr. Nease delivered a powerful faculty, administration, and challenge to the graduates. This was a call for unity of spirit, nation, and world — a students. unity that can only be found in God. The Two flag poles were erected theme for the message was “The Whole beside the Flame. The Chris- Gospel — For the Whole Man — To the tian flag was presented by Whole World.” In the evening, Dr. Lawrence Rev. Claude Schlosser, and an Hicks, pastor of Ashland, Kentucky First Of all the milestones passed during MVNC’s American flag donated by the Nazarene Church, delivered a compelling evangelistic sermon. short history, this first commencement sea- local American Legion post. son ranks as one of the most important. Simply because what our graduates become Following this ceremony was On Monday, June 15, at 2 p.m., the very first reflect on what we are: A college worth only the President’s banquet in commencement exercises of MVNC were as much as the young men and women that honor of the graduates. High- underway with the awarding of degrees to lights of MVNC’s history were 103 men and women. Nearly 1,000 visitors, it is able to produce. moving, but the reflections friends, and families of graduates were on Commencement activities began on Sat- and emotions of the students the mall in front of Hyson Campus Center urday, June 13, amid a slight drizzle with so soon to leave MVNC were for the proceedings. Dr. Eugene Stowe, General Superintendent of the Church of the the ceremonies for the presentation of the the most memorable. Nazarene, delivered an address asking for Eternal Flame given to the college by its first graduates. “First and Everlasting” has been A candlelight communion ser- the student’s full commitment to evangethe motto of MVNC’s 1970 graduates, and it vice was also conducted that lize our world with the message of Christ. evening by college chaplain Dr. John Knight. Commencement season for any college brings with it sorrow for having to leave the places and friends that become so much a part of a person, and a myriad of hopes and expectations for the future. So it was at Mount Vernon Nazarene College in June of 1970. But, there was so much more.

Reprinted from The Mount Vernon Nazarene College Communicator, August 1970

"We Seek to Follow His Flame Which Shines Before Us" - Dr. Stephen Nease

Ɋ The Eternal Flame was constructed in 1970 as a gift from the Mount Vernon Nazarene College Pioneer Class. Standing on a 20-foot tower, the original structure displayed two plaques, one

listing the members of the ǯąĆć úąô÷Ĉôćüāú class and the second which reads, “The Eternal Flame, Pioneer Class of 1970 — First and Everlasting.” The flag poles on either side of the Eternal

Flame were donated by the sophomore class as a memorial to David Nease, nine-year-old son of founding college president Dr. Stephen Nease. Those who participated ĆüúāüǯöôāćÿČ üā ćûø project included:

Lowell Hadges, Gerald Hadges, Rev. McClung, Percy Morrison, freshmen and sophomore students, The Galence Breck Company, and George Jetter.

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to think twice to remember my children’s birthdays but I can remember some of the snippets of history over 60 years in the making. I remember Randy Holmes using his electric shaver during Glen Chesnut’s history class. I remember sitting through Esther Schlosser Martin’s 8 a.m. poetry class studying the text, “How Does a Poem Mean?” by John Ciardi. I still don’t know. I remember thinking that Pam Conrad and Larry Morgan looked like brother and sister. (They married early into our college years.) And, I still think they could pass for brother and sister.

MVNC: AS I REMEMBER IT ɋ Randall E. Davey

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I didn’t choose to attend Mount Vernon Nazarene College. Rather, my parents chose for me. The conversation went something like this. “You want to go to Point Loma Nazarene in San Diego? Fine, but we’re not going to give you a dime. If you go to Mount Vernon, we’ll help you as much as we are able.” To be fair, both of my parents are deceased and can’t speak for themselves but I’m reasonably conﬁdent that some iteration of this narrative is spot on.

I remember coming back from Thanksgiving break to learn that Doris Ferguson, beloved English prof, was hospitalized, not to return to the class. I remember Professor Charles McCall being ﬁve minutes into a lecture and in his southern drawl he paused to say, "Oops, I forgot prayer.” I remember Dr. Earl Vastbinder, a guest chapel speaker, talking about some people being sand in the machine of our personality. I’ll not mention the classmate we dawned “Sandy” as a result of that sermon. I remember, sadly, the February day David Nease drowned.

I remember Marty Butler, known in the Akron district as “the boy who prayed like a man.” (That same Forfeiting warm, California breezes, the Pacific boy can be seen in an old yearbook, jumping out of coast and an established campus, I waded full on a cake wearing a two-piece bathing suit, celebrating to the field of dreams, buildings yet to be, to a col- Eric Darr’s birthday.) He still prays like a man. lege with no upperclassmen, a garage for a library and some faculty barely older than the students I remember a late night visit to the President’s ofthey taught. In lieu of an ocean, I had to settle for fice when Dr. Stephen W. Nease said to me, “If you the Kokosing River and a nearby sewage treatment can do anything other than preach and still be in the will of God, do it.” plant. Enough. Odd, isn’t it, that at this age, I habitually forget Mount Vernon was a place, a people, an unequaled where I parked my car, can’t for the life of me, re- experience for which I’ll forever be grateful. There, I member passwords for every gadget I own and have met my wife, Bonnie. Need I say more?

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FROM THE GROUND UP

Lakeholm was built as the home of Columbus Delano while serving as Secretary of the Interior under President Ulysses S. Grant from 1870 to 1875. Today, historic Lakeholm is a focal point on the MVNU campus and a symbol of the institution's ties with the Mount Vernon community.

þȷȰ Percy Morrison’s ofﬁcial title was superintendent responsible for tearing down old farm buildings of maintenance and grounds. His wife, Betty, was to make way for college buildings and dormitories that he was basically credited for building. the college’s ﬁrst switchboard operator. According to Betty it was clear that if Percy was involved in something, there would be an interesting story to be told about it. The story of how the Morrisons came to MVNC is no exception. Percy and Betty were residents of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and knew Dr. Stephen W. Nease from Eastern Nazarene College and later petitioned him to be the speaker at their church’s dedication in Irwin. The plan to start a college was still in its infancy, but Percy told Nease to call him if he ever needed a carpenter. Nease did just that.

Percy with help from farm hands and two of his sons, Bob and Larry, prepared the campus for its ﬁrst class of students. He did it all, except for clearing the manure out of the old horse barn — that one he left for Bob and Larry. Percy continued to work for the college until 1983 when he retired. Although Percy passed away in 1994, his legacy lives on through the lives of those who remember him, particularly his wife. Betty has always acknowledged that God played a big role in placing them right where they needed to be.

“Coming to Mount Vernon was a wonderful venture, By May 1967, the Morrisons had made the move and we have no regrets,” she proclaimed. to Mount Vernon where Percy’s ﬁrst project was to build the President’s house — now the Couchenour “We thankfully obeyed the Holy Spirit and left all to House. Percy's experience as a general contractor follow God’s call.” made him a jack-of-all-trades. Percy was largely

Excerpts reprinted from The Lakeholm Viewer, February 2012

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Dr. John A. Knight

Commemorative Issue

CELEBRATING Ȱ YEARS

Education: Bethany College; University of Oklahoma; Vanderbilt University, Ph.D.

Family: Justine (Rushing); children, John, James, and Judith

Before his inauguration in 1972, Dr. John A. Knight was chaplain and chair of the Religion Department at Mount Vernon Nazarene College in 1970. During the “Knight years,” the president furthered the effort for four-year accreditation that Dr. Nease had initiated. MVNC became a four-year institution in 1974, and the education degree program was added in 1975. Knight had a heart for the Mount Vernon community, and represented MVNC on several area committees and boards, and was named “Man of the Year” in 1973.

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A LEGACY OF LOVE AN INTERVIEW WITH Justine Knight

ǘ Before becoming the President of Mount Vernon Nazarene College, Dr. John A. Knight served as Chaplain and Chairman of the Religion and Philosophy Department in 1970. “He loved being there and he loved teaching,” said Justine Knight, John’s wife. Justine remembers MVNC Founding President Dr. Steven Nease calling and inviting John to be the chaplain. “So, John, after he thought and prayed about it, thought that was what he’d like to do,” said Justine. It turned out that John was just what the college needed as a college chaplain. “John really enjoyed his time at Mount Vernon. He loved being with the students, and walking with them from one part of the campus to the other. He would sit down and talk with them," Justine recalled. "He just loved being there."

“I think his legacy would be that he loved ... it was just a job doing what he loved," Justine said. "He loved teaching. He loved being a chaplain. He just loved everything about the college. He did whatever he could to help the college; to help it grow. And that effort was recognized in the community.” As John wrote in a farewell letter in the MVNC Communicator in 1975:

“I do not have words to express my deep gratitude for this great opportunity that has been mine during these years. The many kindnesses Two years later, on Aug. 21, 1972, Knight was elected as shown to the Knight family MVNC’s second president. After accepting the position, have been unmerited, but Knight was handed the regular presidential responsibilities greatly appreciated. and more. According to Justine, “John was very active and they were always wanting him to come and do something The MVNC miracles will go else. He always did what he could ... he felt like the com- on and on because of the munity was our ﬁeld. They were always asking him to be on faithfulness of God. He ‘is some of the (community) boards.” able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we In addition to his presidential responsibilities, John contin- ask or think, according to ued to maintain his service as an active Mount Vernon com- the power that worketh in munity member. He was on the YMCA Board of Directors, us, unto Him be glory in the Advisory Council of the Salvation Army, and the Blue the church by Christ Jesus Ribbon Finance Committee for Mount Vernon City Schools. throughout all ages, world John was able to utilize his ﬁnancial skills by balancing the without end. Amen.’ (Ephecollege’s budget and eliminating the debt in 1974. sians 3:20, 21).”

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THE EARLY DAYS: Roberta (Shackelford) Simmons Ɍ

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Roberta Shackelford had just graduated from Eastern Nazarene College and was living in Massachusetts when her aunt and uncle wrote her about a new Nazarene college in Ohio — Mount Vernon Nazarene College. Roberta, originally from Warren, Ohio, was thrilled to seize an opportunity to work closer to home and was employed as a secretary to Academic Dean Lloyd Taylor in July of 1968. Roberta was Roberta said that Juanita ood job also familiar with MVNC’s founding President Dr. Stephen Ferguson gave up a good in Akron to work at MVNC. W. Nease, who was also fresh from ENC. Juanita would live in Mount Mou o nt e work “It was exciting to come to MVNC because Dr. Nease was Vernon during the me on here. I was familiar with their family so I wasn’t afraid to week and drive home e with start this new opportunity. They gave you a comfortable the weekends to be her husband and children. hildren. feeling; they were kind,” Roberta said. Roland later left his job in it in i “Coming here was like family. Everybody came from all Akron to be with Juanita around but we didn’t know anybody, we were just here Mount Vernon where they together. We became family to one another. That was the lived on one salary while This hand operated adding MVNC got off the ground. most special part of being a part of something new.” Roberta described the early days of MVNC just as one “That’s a common theme would describe coming into a new family: welcoming, ex- you found in the early days at MVNC: self-sacriﬁce. You citing, challenging. never felt that it was a sacri“Those early years were so special. In the summer we would ﬁce, it’s just God’s calling on have dinners together, games, and after school started we your life,” Roberta said.

machine was used by the ĆöûĂĂÿ Ć ǯąĆć comptroller, Roland Ferguson from 1967 to 1995.

would come together. We were all family,” Roberta said. “God’s hand was on all of As a single woman in the late 1960s, Roberta said families them that were here.” Simmons currently like Percy and Betty Morrison and Roland and Juanita Ferruns the campus ăĂĆć Ăǰöø: guson took her in and made her feel at home.

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BONDING WITH CHEMISTRY Joseph H. Lechner, Ph.D. Professor of Chemistry

The halls were truly alive with the sound of music in fall 1979. At precisely 7:25 a.m. (MVNC still had 7:30 classes in those days), strains of a familiar hymn rang out from the bell tower atop Campus Center. Another hymn was played at 4:30 p.m.when most classes (except science labs) were ﬁnished for the day. Richard Schuster, our librarian, kept the pre-recorded tapes in his ofﬁce. Everyone was aghast one morning when a prankster had surreptitiously switched tapes, causing the carillon to play a Beatles tune. Soon after the morning chimes subsided, Faculty Hall resonated with the baritone voice of Dr. Gary Burkholder, who always opened biology class by leading students in a hymn. The music department was housed in a temporary frame building, approximately where the library parking lot is today. Chapel was held in the Multi-Purpose Building, whose acoustics weren’t well suited for singing; so choirs rehearsed in Faculty Hall’s large lecture auditorium. How lovely to be serenaded with selections from Handel's Messiah during afternoon laboratories. I don’t think our music faculty ever found out that their grand piano occasionally functioned as a chemistry demonstration table.

þȷ Students, then as now, were our reason for existence. Tina was the first student to introduce herself, on the steps of Campus Center. I’ll never forget my first Organic Chemistry class. Those brave souls will never forget their final exam. They began working at 10 a.m. Seven hours later, they were still at it and no one would leave, so I had to bring them dinner. I learned my lesson and did not give open-book exams again. That group of 10 earned at least five doctoral degrees. Jim and Tina became family-practice physicians. Susan became a clinical psychologist. Kathleen earned a dual M.D.-Ph.D. and did important research on pathogenic viruses. Steve flies jumbo jets for Delta Airlines. MVNC’s computer science program was in its infancy. Their laboratory was a narrow room in Faculty Hall. Nobody owned a personal computer. Applications that we take for granted today were nonexistent. Since I was determined to create a grade-keeping program, computer science majors were kind enough to allow me to use the lab’s sole video terminal. Jim Skon and Tim Myatt (both seniors that year) went on to earn graduate degrees, then returned to become valued colleagues and lifelong friends.

Lechner plans to retire at the end of the 2017-18 academic year

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CELEBRATING 5Ȱ YEARS

Dr. L. Guy Nees

Education: Northwest Nazarene College, B.A. (’59); Nazarene Theological Seminary, B.D. (’62); Wesley Theological Seminary, D.Min. (’76); Pasadena College, graduate studies; Hamma School of Theology, graduate studies; Howard School of Divinity, graduate studies

Family: Doretta (Wagner) Nees; children, Tom, Ron, Lois, Carol

Dr. L. Guy Nees had the opportunity to revise key curriculum at Mount Vernon Nazarene College. As MVNC produced its ﬁrst bachelor of arts graduates, Nees developed facilities for art and music and student housing like Maplewood, Elmwood, and Central Complex. Nees’ presidential campaign brought in $1.15 million to expand the Campus Center building to the present day dining commons. Nees had a reliable and friendly reputation among his peers and the community, and spent time fostering relationships to spread the word about MVNC.

MEMORIES OF MY FATHER'S LEGACY Tom Nees

ǘ I remember 1976 well when my father, L. Guy Nees, became president of Mount Vernon Nazarene College. I had recently started the Community of Hope inner-city ministry in Washington, D.C.,where MVNC students came each January for an intensive immersion in urban ministry. It was good to have my parents close by with my father in a position to encourage students to learn about and commit themselves to compassionate ministries. I always thought of his calling as a compassionate evangelist lived out in the course of his various assignments as pastor, college president (at Canadian Nazarene College as well as MVNC), district superintendent, and after MVNC as director of the World Mission Department. Twice during his ministry, he spent brief periods as an itinerant evangelist. He was first and foremost a preacher of the Gospel. For him, that was always good news. He brought that calling to Christian higher education in the Church of the Nazarene. In addition to serving as president of CNC and MVNC, he was a member of the trustees at Olivet Nazarene College, chairman of the board of Nazarene Theological Seminary and board chairman at the newly relocated Pasadena College which later became Point Loma Nazarene University. When he left MVNC in 1980 to become the director of World Missions, one of his first projects was to organize Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, the denomination’s relief and development ministry of compassionate evangelism. He was a warm and generous leader, compassionate and kind to his family as well as those he served. He described himself as a servant of the church. And the church drew on his servant leadership in a variety of ways. When called upon to lead the newly-founded MVNC through the important transition from a junior college to a four-year baccalaureate institution, he was willing and eager to help chart a path to the future that is MVNU today. The spacious home provided for the president added to the enjoyment my parents experienced while at MVNC. On the edge of the campus in the Ohio countryside, it provided a place of rest and restoration for Dad and an ideal setting for my mother, Doretta, to extend hospitality to the campus community. She kept a busy schedule of social events for the staff, faculty, and students as well. The growth and development of MVNU since those critical transition years remains a significant part of his legacy. He always felt honored to serve as President of MVNC.

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DAVE SKELTON, FLOYD HOFFMAN

'70

PIONEER STUDENT BODY'72 PRESIDENT MVNC SOPHOMORE

Commemorative Issue

relationship with each professor, staff member, and fellow classmate was instrumental in grounding me in my Christian faith and preparing me to follow my calling to be a Christian layman.”

CELEBRATING 5Ȱ YEARS

“ Without a doubt my

TIMELINE

þȷ Dr. L. Guy Nees elected president.

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þȶȴ MVNC founded by action of the General Assembly of the Church of the Nazarene.

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MVNC elected to membership in the Ohio College Association.

Accreditation of the teacher education program.

Mount Vernon Nazarene College named for the City of Mount Vernon, Ohio.

Multi-Purpose Building and Oakwood Hall.

The “Service Above Self” award was given for the ﬁrst time in June to Mark Forgrave of Columbus, Ohio.

First Blue-Green Day took place.

The MVNC campus was formally dedicated on June 14.

At commencement 146 graduating sophomores received degrees. W. T. Purkiser, editor of the Herald of Holiness, was the commencement speaker.

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þȷ North Central Association of Colleges and Schools accreditation reaﬃrmed for 10 years.

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Joined the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Ohio and the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges.

MVNU Woods property purchased, 72 acres. Athletic Director Dr. Lora Donoho was elected to the executive committee of the NAIA.

New dining hall completed. Alpha Chi Honor Society formed.

Teacher education program accreditation reaﬃrmed.

Enrollment at MVNC topped 1,000 for the ﬁrst time as 1,005 students registered for fall term.

Cedar Apartments constructed.

A $175,000 Title III grant received.

MVNC’s ﬁrst alumni appointed as missionaries were David and Fonda Fahringer (’73) in Manzini, Swaziland.

Glen Noggle ends 4-year career as MVNC’s alltime leading basketball scorer (1,785).

Parry Business Services building, Student Health Services, Elmwood Apartments constructed.

Gymnasium opened. Launched campaign to expand Campus Center and cafeteria.

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Elected to membership in the Greater Ohio Athletic Conference.

WNZR began broadcasting in May when the 300-foot tower was completed.

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MVNC pitcher Tim Belcher dra ed #1 by N.Y. Yankees. Regents Hall constructed.

Baseball coach Sam Riggleman was named NAIA Area VI coach of the year, and Paul Swanson the Greater Ohio Athletic Conference coach of the year in volleyball.

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Birch Apartments constructed.

R.R. Hodges Chapel/ Auditorium and Fine Arts Center and Free Enterprise Business Center dedicated.

Renamed the Multi-Purpose Building to the Donoho Recreation Center.

MVNC’s highest enrollment, 1,087 students, in fall.

First annual Pastors Appreciation Day.

Admissions Welcome Center constructed.

Groundbreaking for chapel/ auditorium building

Tony Campolo was the featured speaker at the Thomas F. Staley Distinguished Christian Scholar Lecture Series at MVNC.

Heritage Book Shoppe opened.

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20th Anniversary celebrated.

Central Complex renovated.

Dr. Stephen Nease elected as ﬁrst president by the Board of Trustees; land in Mount Vernon, Ohio purchased by public subscription, was deeded to the Board of Trustees; charter received from the State of Ohio.

The ﬁrst students (191) arrived on campus Oct. 12.

The ﬁrst two-year (associates) degrees awarded.

Dr. John A. Knight elected president in August.

Received accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools for the granting of fouryear (bachelor’s) degrees.

First bachelor’s degrees awarded.

Academic Services building constructed.

Dr. William J. Prince elected president.

Dr. Bob Benson was the featured speaker at MVNC’s annual opening convention, Sept. 8-10.

State Department of Education ranked MVNC education department in the top 10 percent of universities and colleges in Ohio.

Col. James Irwin, a member of the 1971 Apollo 15 lunar mission, visited MVNC Sept. 24-25.

Dr. E. LeBron Fairbanks elected president.

Master of Ministry program launched.

Adult education degree completion program and The Church Growth and Ministry Resource Center began.

On Sept. 16, the city of Mount Vernon’s oﬀer of 209 acres was accepted and MVNC was born. The acreage was the major portion of the Lakeholm farm which had been the estate of Bert W. Martin, philanthropist and civic leader. The ﬁnal dollar amount needed was raised by the community in just three days for the purchase of the land.

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MVNC plays ﬁrst athletic contest, men’s basketball: Dyke 91, MVNC 72. The ﬁrst Homecoming Queen, called “Miss Cougar,” was Bonnie Ferguson. Pioneer Hall, Founders Hall, Campus Center constructed.

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Faculty Hall completed. Pioneer Class gi ed The Eternal Flame. Dr. Eugene Stowe, general superintendent of the Church of the Nazarene, was the commencement speaker for the ﬁrst ceremony in June.

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Received accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools for the granting of associate (twoyear) degrees. Galloway Hall opens.

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Elected to membership in both the NAIA and Mid-Ohio Conference. Balancing of the budget with no debt.

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Central Complex and Maplewood Apartments constructed. The Bell Tower was completed in late fall. The ﬁrst annual Dr. Lawrence B. Hicks Lecture Series took place April 20-23.

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A continuing education program for ministers began in January. Five courses were oﬀered in the non-degree program. Spring 1978, Jim Justice won the NAIA District 22 golf title in sudden death playoﬀ.

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The Women’s Auxiliary of MVNC expanded to include women from the educational region. Volleyball team wins NAIA District for the ﬁrst time.

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Paul Swanson was named Mid-Ohio Conference coach of the year.

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Plans for free enterprise center in place. MVNC men’s basketball NCCAA National Runners-up. MVNC baseball team NCCAA National Champions.

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Thorne Performance Hall dedicated. College Experience Enhancement Program (CEEP) began. EXCELL started.

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Celebration of MVNC’s 25th Anniversary.

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Dr. William J. Prince

Commemorative Issue

CELEBRATING 5Ȱ YEARS

Education: Bethany Nazarene College, B.A.; Nazarene Theological Seminary, M.Div.; Bethany Nazarene College, D.D.

Family: Evelyn (Imel); son, Shelburne

Dr. William J. Prince set his eyes on higher things early on in his presidency at Mount Vernon Nazarene College. Prince had a vision for more space for students to learn and to grow. Prince initiated a $5 million campaign to construct a chapel and ﬁne arts building and executed the expansion of the campus with Regents Hall, the Proper Road “MVNC Woods” property, WNZR radio station, student housing, and more. Prince was also known for his ambitious thinking and consistent follow through.

ON THE AIR 'G Ƥ +4," LM:KM>= ;KH:=<:LMBG@ BG $+ LM>K>H MAKHN@A 6,80 ơn on your radio dial. Directed initially by speech communication professor Henry Smith, the station could be heard in Mount Vernon and over most of Knox County. Christian music and Cougar athletics led the way alongside news and community events. For the full story and more BF:@>L MAKHN@AHNM 6,80þL ABLMHKR OBLBM FOGNn>=Nu ơ

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ON BEING A PRESIDENT: Dr. William J. Prince

Q: Why did you decide to come to Mount Vernon? A: Well, ﬁrst I was elected to come by the Board of Trustees. After prayer, consideration, and visiting the campus, I felt like it was God’s will to come. Then too, I am intensely interested in Christian higher education, especially through the Church of the Nazarene. Q: There is a tendency to think that any time you have a church college or a Christian college that the education is not optimum. It is not as good as it could be. Now how do you react to that? A: Well, I think that’s a secular viewpoint. It is not accurate. Many leaders national, politically, in business and the teaching ﬁelds, are products of the small Christian college. And that number is increasing.

Q: Mount Vernon Nazarene College is considered to be the younger brother to the other Nazarene colleges. We aren’t as established. Is that reputation going to take us a while to grow out of, or do you think we have grown out of it? A: Well, we are in our teenage years, and those are maturing years. We are developing, I believe, a reputation that is sound. Our students that graduate from here, I believe as a whole, are making a mark in life. I guess it does take some time to have a reputation that is accurate in terms of the perception of the reality of what the school is. But we are getting there. Q: People are always talking about the biggest problem of the college. What is our biggest asset? What are our strengths?

A: I think the biggest asset is the spiritual life of the college. It is really our number one concern because we feel that all of us are spiritual people and if we fail there then we have failed everywhere. I appreciate the spiritual life of this campus. I think there is depth of spiritual life and concern that is an emotional expression, but which is really an expression to God and to humanity of what Christ means to them and to our world. I feel that is a strength. I think another strength is our academic work. The classroom is a strong point. We have strong faculty. I think we perceive ourselves as a Christian college. I think the fellowship of such a place where young people meet young people with standards, with principles, and a desire for spiritual life that appeals to them is vital.

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Excerpts from “On Being a President” by Bob Sevier Reprinted from The Mount Vernon Nazarene College Communicator, June-July Issue, 1981

Commemorative Issue

CELEBRATING 5Ȱ YEARS

þȸȹɆ 9

Dr. E. LeBron Fairbanks

Education: Trevecca Nazarene College, B.A. (’64); Scarritt College, M.A. (’67); Nazarene Theological Seminary, M.Div. (’70); Princeton Theological Seminary, M.Th. (’71); Princeton Theological Seminary, fellow in pastoral leadership education, (’76);

Nazarene Theological Seminary, D.Min. (’78); Harvard University, postdoctoral studies (’91)

Family: Anne (James); son, Stephen

Dr. E. LeBron Fairbanks was instrumental in the transformation of Mount Vernon Nazarene College to Mount Vernon Nazarene University. Fairbanks saw the 61,000 square-foot R.R. Hodges Chapel Auditorium come to fruition in 1990, along with Thorne Performance Hall. Fairbanks envisioned the future of MVNC with landmark additions in the Free Enterprise Business Center (The Jetter School of Professional Studies), the Thorne Library and Learning Resource Center, and adult education in the Executive Center for Lifelong Learning (EXCELL, now the School of Graduate and Professional Studies). Other developments included the construction of the Prince Student Union, the Jennie K. Moore building (The Clarence and Jennie Moore Center), and satellite adult education campuses. MVNC became Mount Vernon Nazarene University on Aug. 1, 2002. Soon after, the university saw an exciting increase in enrollment and an increase in acreage, as the campus expanded to 401 acres.

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Dr. William J. Prince, general superintendent of the Church of the Nazarene, prays the commissioning prayer as Dr. E. LeBron Fairbanks kneels at the alter during the inauguration service in March 1990.

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COUGARS ROAR 1&0-3%& Ɯ ǉ7# 0 HISTORY After more than a decade of building, shaping and sometimes rebuilding programs, Cougar athletics have gained respectability. The teams of the 80s and 90s have come a long way from those early days of playing in the recently converted dairy barn or a rented facility off campus. But while coaches strive to win and work to bring out the best in their athletes, the overriding theme of Cougar athletics is the development of the individual. Coaches and players develop not just a sense of teamwork and camaraderie on

þȷȰ The Cougar basketball team K>IHKM>=ER K><HK=>= BML ǣKLM OB<MHKR BG Ƥ ơ PBMA :G ơr PBG HO>K Mount Vernon Bible College. Catcher Jerry Carter recorded the "HN@:KLü ǣKLM AHF> KNG BG : =HN;E> header victory over Ohio Valley College in May of 1971.

'G ABL ǣKLM R>:K :M MA> A>EF H? MA> baseball squad, Sam Riggleman’s Cougars posted a 10-4 record and won a share of the Mid-Ohio Conference crown. Riggleman was , ' BLMKB<M ƦƦ <H:<A H? MA> R>:Kn

Commemorative Issue

CELEBRATING 5Ȱ YEARS

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þȸƤ Athletic Director Dr. Lora Donoho was elected to the executive committee of the NAIA, the ǣKLM PHF:G >O>K MH L>KO> BG MA:M capacity. The volleyball team aced and spiked its way to an , ' BLMKB<M ƦƦ <A:FIBHGLABIo

the court, but friendships to last a lifetime. Chet Foraker, first men’s basketball coach, and the college’s first athletic director, got the Cougars headed in the right direction in 1970. Dr. Lora Donoho broke new ground as she became athletic director and professor of physical education in 1975. She was the first woman in the United States to direct a collegiate athletic program for both men and women. Following are some highlights of Cougar athletics through the first 25 years of MVNC.

and Coach Debbie Lore was G:F>= BLMKB<M ƦƦ <H:<A H? MA> year. The Cougar baseball team again captured the Mid-Ohio Conference crown.

professional sports team, Belcher broke into the majors with the Los Angeles Dodgers near the end of the 1987 season.

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2H<<>K IE:<>= ǣO> IE:R>KL HG MA> ǣKLM :G= L><HG= EEr+-" M>:FL and Eric Forseth was named co-coach of the year. Later that school year, Barb Mollica was chosen all-conference and alldistrict for her basketball play. +>E 2>O>KGL P:L MA> ǣKLM +4," baseball player to be named to MA> , ' EEr F>KB<:G ǣKLM M>:Fn Gary Wetherell was drafted by the Detroit Tigers.

þȸ The women’s volleyball team accumulated the most wins of :GR M>:F BG L<AHHE ABLMHKR : Ʀ r record. Soccer players Joel Taylor :G= E:G 2A:Ǡ>K P>K> G:F>= Academic All-Americans, two of ƦƦ IE:R>KL G:MBHGPB=>n

þȸȳ Seating was at a premium at Cougar baseball games as nearly 50 professional baseball scouts attended every time Tim Belcher was on the mound. Sporting a sizzling fastball, the Sparta G:MBO> P:L =K:?M>= ǣKLM BG MA> nation by the Minnesota Twins BG MA> :F:M>NK =K:?Mn 1A> ǣKLM Cougar athlete to be drafted by a

þȸ Athletic Director Lora Donoho was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame, while Cougar basketball star and student-athlete Tom Clark were awarded the Emil S. Liston award for the NAIA’s top Ǔ

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Years

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Tim Belcher was ćûø ǯąĆć +4," Cougar Athlete to be drafted by a professional sports team. He broke into the majors with the Los Angeles Dodgers near the end of the 1987 season.

college junior in both academics and athletics. Baseball coach Sam Riggleman was named NAIA Area VI coach of the year, and Paul Swanson the Greater Ohio Athletic Conference coach of the year in volleyball.

MVNC volleyball players put together the best season on record with a 31-7 record and Paul Swanson was named Mid-Ohio Conference coach of the year. In his third year at MVNC, men’s basketball coach Bernie Balikian was also MOC coach of the year.

Commemorative Issue

CELEBRATING 5Ȱ YEARS

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þȸ Both baseball and softball had stellar seasons in 1988 as the men’s team captured the NAIA District 22 championship, placed ǣO> IE:R>KL HG MA> EEr+-" M>:F and three on the NAIA All-District squad.

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On senior honors night, Feb. 22, the Cougars honored Ron &HEF>L ;R F:DBG@ ABF MA> ǣKLM MVNC player in school history to have his jersey retired. The Lady Cougar softball team recorded its best records in school history, rolling through the regular season placing second in MOC, NAIA District 22 and NCCAA national play and Coach Jeana Howald earned co-coach of the year honors in the district. Senior Mark Voisard led Cougar pitchers with a 6-1 record, 59 strikeouts, and a 1.18 ERA in 45.2 innings. Voisard attracted pro scouts in both his junior and senior seasons, and was selected by the Toronto Blue (:RLn -IMBG@ MH ǣGBLA ABL <HEE>@B:M> career, he bypassed the Blue Jays and was drafted the following year by the Colorado Rockies.

The volleyball Cougars put MH@>MA>K : Ʀ r L>:LHGn 1BǠ:GR Jones and Trista McNeal were named NCCAA All-Americans. Shawn Alazaus, a junior transfer from Marietta College, led Cougar pitchers with a 5-4 record and a 3.41 ERA. He was drafted in the 13th round of the June 3 amateur draft and signed with the New York Yankees.There are a total of 10 baseball Cougars drafted or signed by professional teams, however, only Alazaus, Mark Voisard, and Tim Belcher remained active in the highly competitive arena of professional baseball.

Reprinted from The Mount Vernon Nazarene College Communicator, Fall Issue, 1993

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THE GRAPEVINE THE WAY WE WERE

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Dr. Nease worn his ‘hippy’ wig to chapel yet?”

Dr. John Knight had an “Alumni Chapter Meeting” when he was recently visiting Olivet Nazarene College as speaker for their Opening Convention. On September 17, Dr. Knight met with several MVNC grads now at ONC. He said that all were happily situated, liked their classes and professors, but that they missed @HH= HE= +4,"n ):MAR +:A:Ǡ>R and Harriet Bryant recently returned to MVNC for a weekend and brought good reports from Olivet. Thirty MVNC grads now attending Trevecca have sent a card to the “MVNC Family.” Here are some of the comments: “The weather here in Trojan country is terribly hot and humid, but you know The Pioneers; we’ve been trained for almost any type of combat with Mother Nature!” “We hope that everything at MVNC is going well … Has

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Judith Ann Knight was born to Dr. and Mrs. John Knight on Marty Butler of ><>F;>K Ʀ :G= P>B@A>= Barberton, Ohio was elected MVNC 5 lb., 5 oz. Dr. Knight is Professor of Philosophy and Religion, and ENFGBüL ǣKLM president. He was College Chaplain at MVNC. the vice-president 1A> ǣKLM 2>KOB<> ;HO> 2>E? of the student award was given to the student council his last who best embodied the college year at his Alma motto, “To Seek to Learn is to Seek Mater, and is now in his junior year at to Serve.” This award was voted on Bethany Nazarene by the faculty, and was awarded to Mark Forgrave of Columbus, Ohio. College. Also in his junior year þȷȶ at BNC is Gene Bruce Granger is working on Grate, elected a master’s degree at Ball State vice-president of University in Indiana. He is also the association. playing trumpet with the Bill He is from Rutland, Ohio. B.J. Gaither Trio. His home address is Wheeler, MA> ǣKLM Celina. secretary, is from Karen (Wesley) Portsmouth, Ohio Smith has been and is continuing “sewing up a her school work storm” and not for at Trevecca. Another Trevecca herself. Married student won the treasurer’s post. to Kevan W. She is Debbie Lore whose home is Smith on Sept. Charleston, West Virginia.

Ȳȵ Years

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-G> ?>:MNK> H? MA> ǣKLM :GGN:E MVNC Alumni Luncheon was the >E><MBHG H? : ;:LB< L>M H? HǤ<B:ELn nominating ballot had been mailed earlier and the elections were conducted from the nominees thus presented.

12, 1975, she has been whipping up HNMǣML ?HK <HNGMKR :G= -IKR LM:KL BG<EN=BG@ *RGG G=>KLHGn ):K>Go ü 9r o A:L L>KO>= :L LNI>KOBLHK H? <NLMHF F:=> <EHMA>L ?HK MA> LAHI BG PAB<A LA> PHKD>=n Lynn :G= Brenda (Clendenen) Shelby A:O> K>EH<:M>= BG ,HKMA !>G=o -K>n *RGG BL M>:<ABG@o ;NM IKH;:;ER FHK> >Q<BMBG@o BL <H:<ABG@ LBG<> ABL M>:F BL MA> 6K>LMEBG@ Ƥ BLMKB<M "A:FIBHGLABI M>:Fn &> BL :ELH <H:<ABG@ O:KLBMR ?HHM;:EEn *N<DR ?HK MA> <HNIE>üL <ABE=o ;HKG BG ><>F;>K H? Ƥ o MA:M A> P:L : ;HRp

þȷȸ Dale Robert Schultz, L>KOBG@ PBMA MA> BK $HK<>o BL BG -DBG:P: PA>K> A> PBEE ;> LM:MBHG>= NGMBE (:GN:KR H? Ƥ Ƥn

K>LI><MBO>ERn 1A> MPH :K> +4,"üL ǣKLM :ENFGB MH ;> :IIHBGM>= :L FBLLBHG:KB>Ln

Mr. :G= Mrs. Daniel Osborn, +:KBHGo -ABHo LHGo Jason Michael, (:Gn Ʀ s :R H? MA> ;B@ ;EBSS:K=ptn :G PKBM>L MA:M A> BL IE>:L>= MH A>:K AHP P>EE +4," BL IKH@K>LLBG@ :G= MA:M A> K>:EER FBLL>L MA> <HEE>@> :G= ABL <E:LLF:M>Ln &> BL >FIEHR>= :L :LLBLM:GM :=O>KMBLBG@ F:G:@>K ?HK MA> +:KBHG 2M:K G>PLI:I>K :G= PBEE ;> IE:RBG@ ;:LD>M;:EE ?HK MA> +:KBHGr-23 <:FINL G>QM R>:Kn

Mark L. Taylor (G ’73) has been >E><M>= MH K><>BO> HG> H? MA> Ƥơơ Ƥ ơ :G?HKMA %K:=N:M> $>EEHPL :G= A:L ;>>G :P:K=>= : $NE;KB@AM %K:GM MH LMN=R :M MA> 3GBO>KLBMR H? +NGB<A BG 6>LM %>KF:GR =NKBG@ MA> Ƥ ơr Ƥ L<AHHE R>:Kn +:KDo :G= ABL PB?> Deborah (G ’73), :G= =:N@AM>KL 0:<A>E :G= 0>;>D:A PBEE ;> E>:OBG@ ?HK %>KF:GR BG 2>IM>F;>Kn

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Commemorative Issue

CELEBRATING 5Ȱ YEARS

þȷȹ Dennis Bates BL GHP : FBGBLM>KB:E LMN=>GM :M !>MA:GR ,:S:K>G> "HEE>@>n &> K><>GMER L>KO>= :L +BGBLM>K H? +NLB< :M >E "BMR $BKLM "ANK<A H? MA> ,:S:K>G> BG >E "BMRo -DE:AHF:n >GGBL BL F:KKB>= MH ü Ʀ @K:=o Jackie (Griesinger) Bates. David :G= Fonda Warmouth Fahringer, Ƥ 9 n n @K:=N:M>L H? +4,"o :K> ;>@BGGBG@ MA>BK ǣKLM M>KF :L FBLLBHG:KB>L BG +:GSBGB 2P:SBE:G= BG MA> :K>:L H? F>=B<:E M><AGHEH@R :G= IA:KF:<Ro

Bahram (G ’77) :G= Cootje Fessehazion (G’78) :K> GHP EBOBG@ BG "HENF;NLo -ABHn !:AK:F A:L M:D>G ABL @>G>K:E >Q:F ?HK : .An n =>@K>> BG %NB=:G<> :G= "HNGL>EBG@n "HHMC> A:L <HGMBGN>= A>K PHKD HG : =>@K>> BG #G@EBLA #=N<:MBHGn

þȸȲ Earl (68-70) :G= Judi Suman (70) A:O> : ;:;R @BKEo 1:K: *:BG>o ;HKG ><n Ʀơo Ƥ Ƥn 1A>R :K> EBOBG@ BG $BG=E:Ro -ABHn

þȸȵ 6> :K> L:= MH K>IHKM MA> =>:MA H? Joy Armstrong Pelley HG $>;KN:KR Ʀ o Ƥ o H? <:G<>Kn 2A> BL LNKOBO>= ;R A>K ANL;:G= Robert (’71), son, (>Ǡo :@> Ƥ9o :G= =:N@AM>Ko (:<DB>o :@> Ƥơo :EE H? ":I> "HK:E s$*tn (HRo : Ƥ ơ @K:=N:M>o P:L MA> ǣKLM I>KLHG MH K><>BO> : =BIEHF: ?KHF +4,"n

Jim (76) :G= Kathy (Beam) 0:=<EBǠ> s t :K> L>MME>= :L FBLLBHG:KB>L BG ,>P %NBG>: :G=

Joy Armstrong Pelley is the ǯąĆć úąô÷Ĉôćø ăąøĆøāćø÷ Ċüćû ûøą ÷üăÿĂĀô õČ $ĂĈā÷üāú .ąøĆü÷øāć ą: 2ćøăûøā 6: ,øôĆø ôć +4," Ć ǯąĆć öĂĀĀøāöøĀøāć:

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þȸȷ Steve Michael (’76) BL :G HǤ<>K in the U.S. Air Force, Intelligence Division. Steve received his Ph.D. from the Ohio State University in June 1985. Cynthia (Jones) Michael (’79) has taught elementary school for the last eight years. The Michaels have two sons, Bret and Seth, and live near Washington, D.C.

(78) is an evangelist’s wife, and lives in Mount Vernon. She and her husband, Douglas (79), have two children: Michaele, 5 and Benjamin, 3. The Boquists have been in full-time evangelism since Ƥ n Jennifer (Witter) Robinson (78) is a registered nurse consultant, while her husband, Randy, is an engineer. They live in Bradford, Ohio, with their two children, 8:<A:KRo :G= &:GG:Ao n

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þȸȸ Ron (’77) and Tamara (Provance) Bolender (’80) are very busy at their alma mater. Ron is the assistant registrar and Tammy is an assistant professor of accounting. They have one son, Chadwyck Scott. Tammy received the President’s Award for Teaching Excellence for the 1987-88 school year. W. Shelburne Prince (85) and Karen Ann Burke were married Aug. 13, 1988, at the First Church of the Nazarene, Dallas, Texas. Shelburne is employed by the computer division of L.T.V. Company in Dallas, while Karen works for the First Republic Bank in Dallas.

Tim and Denise (Powers) (79) Smith are involved in ministering to men and women in jails and prisons in Ohio as part of The Way Out Prison Ministry. They are both involved in leadership positions in their church where Denise also plays the piano and sings in the choir. They have two children, *R=B: s t :G= ":E>; sƤtn Steven A. (79) and Rogera (Smith) (79) Flack pastor the Orrville Church of the Nazarene. Rogera works in the bookstore at the College of Wooster. Steve has two <ABE=K>Go (:K>= s t :G= 1RE>K s tn

Rebecca Pence (90) and James Dixius were united in marriage on +:K<A Ʀ9o Ƥ Ƥn 1A> BQBNL ?:FBER resides in Mount Vernon where Rebecca owns a piano studio and will begin graduate studies in the fall.

þȹȲ Deborah (Flemming) Boquist

Barbara S. (Collum)(81) Weaver is a reading and math teacher in Bladensburg, Ohio. She and her husband, Michael, have two =:N@AM>KL 0:<A>E s t :G= #FBER s9tn

þȹȳ Joetta McQueen (77) and her husband, William Morgan, live in Wadsworth, Ohio where she is currently in private practice as an attorney at law and teaches part time at Akron University School of Law. Vince Arnold (81) and his wife, Julie, are the proud parents of *H@:G 0>B= ;HKG HG ,HOn ƦƦn Vince is a professor of history at Concordia College. The Arnold family lives in Moorhead, Minn.

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Mark (82) and Vivian (Roman) Justice (82) and their son, Roman s to P>E<HF>= AHF> >OBG Michelle on April 1, 1991. The Justice family lives in Wilmington, N.Y.

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November 9 in Granville, Ohio. The couple reside in Newark, Ohio where Tim is employed by Glidden Paint Co. and Jean works for Nelson & Nelson CPAs of Mount Vernon.

Timothy Blasczyk (89) and Jean (Wyatt) (91) were married on

Mount Vernon Nazarene University is seeking comments from the public about the University in preparation for its periodic evaluation by its regional accrediting agency. The college will host a visit on October 8–9, 2018, from a team of peer reviewers representing the Higher Learning Commission. The team will review the institution’s ongoing ability to meet HLC’s Criteria for Accreditation (http://www. hlcommission.org/Policies/criteria-and-core-components. html). MVNU has been accredited by HLC since 1972. Submit comments to HLC at hlcommission.org/comment or mail them to the address below. All comments must be received by Sept. 8, 2018. Public Comment on MVNU Higher Learning Commission 230 S. LaSalle St., Suite 7-500 Chicago, IL 60604-1411

Ȳȵ Years

are making progress in learning Pidgin English.

Commemorative Issue

CELEBRATING 5È° YEARS

Founding President Dr. Stephen W. Nease, left, joins former presidents L. Guy Nees, Dr. William J. Prince, and Dr. E. LeBron Fairbanks to celebrate MVNC's 25th Anniversary in 1993.

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MOUNT VERNON NAZARENE COLLEGE MARKS Ʀ TH ANNIVERSARY ǘ Mount Vernon Nazarene College celebrated its 25th anniversary with a series of special events on Oct. 12 and 13. Past college presidents, alumni, faculty, staff, and students were featured in the activities of the two days. MVNC’s first president, Dr. Stephen Nease, was the special speaker at the noon meeting of the Mount Vernon Rotary Club on Oct. 12 at the Alcove Restaurant. Dr. Nease spoke about the first days of the college, assembling faculty and staff and getting funding to open the school. He literally carried the college in a suitcase until office space was available on the campus. On Oct. 13, a convocation chapel service took place with Dr. William J. Prince as the speaker. Now a general superintendent in the Church of the Nazarene, Dr. Prince was the fourth President of MVNC. A formal processional and re-

cessional, with faculty and administrators in academic regalia, and special music by the Collegians Chorale were highlights of the event, attended by an estimated 1,600 people. Mayor Ernie Farmer brought greetings from the City of Mount Vernon. Approximately 100 people attended the dedication ceremony of the Nease Rehearsal Hall. The facility in the south wing of the R.R. Hodges Chapel / Auditorium and Fine Arts Center was dedicated in memory of David Hardy Nease, who drowned in a pond behind the president’s home in 1970. A photo of David and a descriptive plaque was later installed in the hall. Dr. Nease stated that the rehearsal hall was a ﬁtting tribute to David as he loved music and was attempting to learn the violin. Many pioneer faculty and staff as well as other friends of the Nease family were in attendance. David’s broth-

er, Floyd, and others shared memories of the nine-yearold. The Mount Vernon/Knox County Chamber of Commerce joined in the celebration by hosting MVNC’s former presidents, as well as current trustees and cabinet members at its noon meeting at the Alcove. Dr. L. Guy Nees, third president of MVNC, shared fond memories of the college and living and serving in the Mount Vernon Community. The day concluded with a silver anniversary concert featuring an organ prelude by Dr. Stephen Self, Collegians Chorale, ministry groups New Covenant and Rejoice, and alumni soloists. Approximately 1,000 guests attended the concert, which was also presented across the MVNC educational region as a celebration of MVNC’s silver anniversary.

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Reprinted from The Mount Vernon Nazarene College Communicator, Winter Issue, 1993

50th ANNIVERSARY EVENTS '18 Ɍ DISTRICT ASSEMBLY

South Central Ohio District IKBE Ƥ rƦƤ

North Central Ohio District July 10

Eastern Kentucky District (NG> ƤƦrƤ9

Southwestern Ohio District (NER Ƥ rƤ

Northwestern Ohio District June 14-15

West Virginia North District (NER Ʀ rƦ

East Ohio District June 17-18

West Virginia South District N@NLM ƤrƦ

AUGUST

MVNU UNIVERSITY DINNER

FIRST DAY OF CLASSES N@NLM Ʀ

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OCTOBER

th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

DECEMBER

NOVEMBER

HOMECOMING 2018 Golden Gala

For more information visit mvnu.edu/50

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LOOKING BACK… THE '8ȹǖþ ȳ YEARS

Anne and I will never forget the life-changing telephone call to us in Manila, Philippines from Dr. Harold Graves, Sr., Mount Vernon Nazarene College board chair. The time was 3 a.m., July 28, 1989, Ma- The early years in Mount Vernon were difficult for Anne, nila time. He informed us of Stephen and me. From Manila (a metropolis of 15 million in my election as president of population) to Mount Vernon (a city of 15,000). the college. We needed some time to process the news since I had recently attended a profoundly impacting Lausanne Congress on World Evangelism with delegates from 192 countries worldwide. With new commitments to the global mission of the Christian church, I was unsure as to how these re-affirmed convictions fit into a regional college in the United States. After about three days of solitude and prayer, Anne and I accepted the assignment. We communicated to Dr. Graves that “...living outside the United States for 10 of the past 12 years, we believe, will enable us to lead the campus community to think more globally, live more simply, give more generously and love more deeply.”

It took me only a few weeks on campus in 1989 to realize that my first major capital building campaign would be to finance and construct a new library facility. I didn’t realize that the planning, fundraising, and construction project would take us about seven years to complete what is now the Thorne Library/Learning Resource Center. During the November 1989 annual meeting of the MVNC board, three months after we arrived in Mount Vernon, I asked the board to approve a strategic planning committee to shape “A Decadal Agenda” for the board to consider as the strategic direction for the college. The report was submitted to the board in November 1991 and unanimously adopted. It became the roadmap for college growth during the 1990s. Early in my tenure at MVNC, I identified for the board four priorities to which I should give at least 80 percent of my time. 1. Spiritual leadership to the campus community; 2. College-wide strategic thinking, planning, and implementation; 3. Christian leadership development — locally, regionally and worldwide; and 4. Major donor cultivation/gifting and endowment development. These priorities characterized me at my best and convicted me at my worst during the first five years of my tenure at “The Naz”! What a growth-producing journey.

Ȳȵ Years

E. LeBron Fairbanks

800 Martinsburg Road Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050

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