Mount Vernon NOW Winter 2013 by Mount Vernon Nazarene University

Winter 2013 • www.mvnu.edu

PROFILES IN

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Meet Lena Crouso and several other outstanding professors starting on page 11.

Also, introducing DR. HENRY W. SPAULDING II, MVNU’s 7th President

Winter Wonderland

Students enjoy a horse-drawn sleigh ride across campus through the fresh snow (1986).

Mount Vernon NOW

PASTOR. ACADEMIC. UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT. MEET HENRY W. SPAULDING.

OnNov. 2, 2012, the Mount Vernon Nazarene University Board of Trustees unanimously elected Henry W. Spaulding II, Ph.D., to serve as the seventh president of MVNU. “Dr. Spaulding’s academic experience and credentials speak for themselves," said Rev. Geoff Kunselman, Chair of the MVNU Board of Trustees, shortly after the announcement. "Dr. Spaulding has spent his career serving and shaping Nazarene higher education. I am confident that he will be a visionary leader who will continue to guide Mount Vernon Nazarene University in pursuit of academic excellence within a community of faith and service."

Dr. Spaulding is no stranger to the MVNU community. Arriving in 2009, he has provided leadership in a broad range of capacities, serving as both the Chief Academic Officer and Provost under the leadership of Dr. Daniel Martin, who resigned last year when he was elected

president at Seattle Pacific University. Dr. Spaulding was named interim president of MVNU during the transition.

During Spaulding’s time as provost, he helped guide the University through a comprehensive General Education revision which was implemented this academic year. He also directed MVNU through the Ohio Board of Regents' 10-year reauthorization process, and spearheaded the effort which led to the achievement of a Level II designation from the Higher Learning Commission for MVNU's online academic programs.

An ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene, Spaulding is a pastor at heart, and has served churches in Kansas, Georgia, and Virginia. He is also the author of several books including We Believe: Engaging the Doctrinal Heritage of the Church of the Nazarene (2011) and a number of articles and academic papers on a wide range of topics.

You’ve been serving as the interim president since July and you were the provost since 2009, so how has your day-to-day job changed in this new role?

There is a lot more of an external focus now. I’m making a concerted effort to better get to know a number of our external constituencies—pastors, church leaders, donors and alumni, as well as our local Mount Vernon community. In fact, very shortly, I will meet with several community leaders and the community foundation. And, of course, more students have made their way on to my Facebook page. The truth is, while I was the provost, I did a lot of the presidential duties that I do now, but it is really different. The

biggest single difference: there is nobody to check with when a decision needs to be made.

You come into this position with a unique blend of experiences as both an ordained pastor and an academic. How do you think those experiences will serve you in this role?

Well, I think it has been the tradition in the Church of the Nazarene to elect a president either from off campus, from the district superintendent’s role, or internally from the area of University Relations, because people have considered the role of president as primarily an external role with an emphasis on fundraising. So, my experience as a professional theologian, and as an

administrator, changes the trajectory of what the presidency means for me as opposed to what it might have meant for others who have been elected to this office.

One benefit will be that I understand and have experience working in the trenches of higher education, and I understand what the academic issues are. As a professional theologian, hopefully, it will give me a leg up on understanding the depth and diversity of the theological discussion of the Church of the Nazarene and in the Christian faith.

I also see this role from a pastoral perspective as I saw my provost position. Here pastoral means the priestly function, along with the prophetic and the kingly functions —the three offices of Christ. I think that there is a real opportunity, in some ways, to be a pastor to the leadership of the city, for example. I don’t see myself as a chaplain necessarily, but I do envision the leadership of this University on that path, similar to institutions like Notre Dame or Catholic University of America, of course with a Protestant point of view.

You have almost four years of experience here, directly at MVNU. Now that you’ve been chosen as president, could you articulate some of what your vision is for MVNU?

First and foremost, I look forward to working with the faculty in order to enhance the academic reputation of this university—our programs and the level of discourse on this

Interview by Jeffrey Scott

Photo by Kristin Van Valkenburg

campus. We have an outstanding faculty here at MVNU offering an excellent academic experience and I have a strong commitment to building on that great tradition. I also have a real interest in putting policies and practices in place that will help us to engender the kind of community that is genuinely Christian—so that our policies, attitudes and actions reflect our faith. I want to have the kind of community life here that is attractive to people to work in, study in, and is known in Mount Vernon and around the region as a vibrant Christian community.

I am also taking a close look at the steps we can continue to take to stabilize our campus finances and, in fact, thrive in what is currently an uncertain economic environment. Finally, I want to lead MVNU toward a reconceptualization of the Christian University—to ask ourselves: What will be the impact of the economic realities around us, the pedagogical shifts, the upside down classroom, the massive

A few of the "outstanding faculty" members Dr. Spaulding is speaking about are profiled on pages 11-20.

open online classroom movement, the impact of technology? In general, I want us to ask the question: What should a private Christian University look like in the 21st century?

Those are big questions. Have you begun to think about some of the answers?

The first is to be a place where scholars and professionals within our tradition— within the Christian faith and, more specifically, the Church of the Nazarene— can work together and be in conversation with one another so that they can articulate what it is that the faith means now. We must be a community of teachers and scholars and professionals who are serious about integrating the Christian faith and vibrant scholarship, and we must develop ways in which the narratives of the Christian faith, and specifically of Wesleyan tradition, influence every aspect of life and can be handed over to the next generation.

"WE HAVE AN OUTSTANDING FACULTY HERE AT MVNU AND, I BELIEVE, OFFER AN EXCELLENT ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE. I AM COMMITTED TO BUILDING ON THAT GREAT TRADITION."

How is technology affecting or changing higher education?

Well, I think we are going to have to incorporate more technology-based education. There’s no doubt about that. We currently have an online technology community here at MVNU that I consider to be the think tank for these issues—a group of people who all feel passionate about technology and how it can be best used.

Here is why this is important: because this is the world in which our students live. They are arriving to class with iPads, laptops, and phones with more processing power than any computer I had access to when I began teaching. They rightly expect that these can and will be useful educational tools. Facebook, Twitter and digitization are going to force us to change the way we teach. The truth is that, in some ways, the traditional “talking head” form of education that I grew up with and that is so near and dear to some is going to

die a slow and painful death, I think. So we are going to have to find new and creative ways to better use technology.

There are a number of elements connected to this idea, such as the extreme cost of books or the proliferation of online video. These are significant developments that will change what college looks like, not just at MVNU, but everywhere. Right now, there are people building digital libraries of great lectures on every subject imaginable. What will that mean for the traditional lecturebased model of teaching? It is a serious mistake to assume that higher education in the United States is moving toward some type of “post-professor” era, as some have articulated. But it is clear to me that the professor’s role will change and as a result, there may be fewer professors in the future.

I believe that this may pose a wonderful opportunity for MVNU, in that one of the primary distinctives of our University is that we strive to do more than impart book knowledge, though we happen to do that exceedingly well. Our philosophy of education is one that is more holistic, involving character development, spiritual and emotional growth, and learning together. Our professors are mentors. Professors and students learn in relationship with one another. They share meals and pray together. This model of learning is not something that can easily be replaced by technology. Character is still pretty hard to get through a fiberoptic cable.

What do you see as some of MVNU’s most significant strengths? What do we already do that works really well for us?

We have a real strong sense of the importance of relationships. That’s partly because it’s in a small community, and partly because it’s in Ohio, much more than most places where I have worked. That is a real strength for us. Another strength is that we really do believe in the liberal arts here, and are willing to bleed for them because we emphasize that they are important. I think the secret is that “liberal arts” has, for the most part, become just a slogan at many colleges and universities. Either that, or the idea just doesn’t exist at all. At best, it involves a kind of a weak smattering of courses that generally expose one to some literature or classical ideas, but there really is no coherence attached to it. I truly believe that our approach is different.

I also happen to think that our campus and location are tremendous advantages. We have room for growth and expansion here in Mount Vernon—in fact, probably more space than we will ever need. Our proximity to Columbus provides great advantages in terms of internships, job placements, and urban study environments.

with that, we really have to also work hard to make sure we have sufficient scholarships for our students—grants, not something they have to pay back—that allows them to graduate with as little debt as possible. We have to help our students understand during these crucial years that debt is real money and not just a number on a piece of paper.

IN GENERAL, I WANT US TO ASK THE QUESTION: WHAT SHOULD A PRIVATE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY LOOK LIKE IN THE 21ST CENTURY

So the next question that follows is: What would you identify as a few of MVNU’s biggest challenges moving forward?

Our biggest challenges are to have a sufficient enrollment to sustain our economic model, and to have a sufficient faculty base to provide the high-quality education to which we are committed. The challenges facing Mount Vernon Nazarene University are not very different from those facing any private Christian university in the current economic environment.

The challenge is a two-sided coin. The first side is financial stability, relating to scholarships, tuition, value, and affordability. On the other side is the need to maintain a vigorous educational environment with a vibrant Christian identity grounded in the Wesleyan tradition. I believe every private faithbased college is wrestling with these questions.

You mentioned affordability. It seems we hear more and more every day about the economics of higher education—the rising cost of tuition and the staggering amount of student debt graduates are carrying. How is MVNU addressing these issues?

The single most important action we can take to make our University more affordable is to double our efforts in career development and career services, creating internships and employment opportunities so that when our students graduate, they are walking into good jobs and receiving good salaries. In tandem

All of us working in higher education understand that the current economic model has become a national obsession right now. Here is what I can promise you: we are committed to keeping our tuition as low as it possibly can be, and our discount rate—our scholarships—as high as it possibly can be. MVNU must connect students with employers and/or graduate schools so that when they leave here, their investment begins to pay dividends.

In the first few weeks on the job, you met with almost every single constituent group on campus in a series of open forums and dialogue sessions. Could you talk a little bit about that experience?

It has been a great experience. My big take-away from those conversations is that the people at MVNU love being here, and they really want to maintain the kind of community that has been associated historically with the University. I look forward to many more of these conversations going forward.

What are some of your most immediate priorities here during the spring semester?

The first priority is to connect with each of the constituencies that are invested in the success of MVNU. I truly want to make sure every voice is heard, and every individual feels valued, from students to staff, from faculty to administrators, and from pastors and other church and community leaders to our great alumni and donors. So I am going on a “listening tour” of sorts. I plan to be on each of the districts on our educational region. I want hear from our alumni. I am going to

THE CHALLENGE FOR MVNU IS TO MAINTAIN OUR IDENTITY AND DEVELOP A FINANCIAL BASE

SUFFICIENT ENOUGH TO DELIVER OUR PROGRAMS. THOSE ARE QUESTIONS THAT I BELIEVE EVERY PRIVATE FAITH-BASED COLLEGE IS WRESTLING WITH.

continue to meet with those on campus who carry out the day-to-day work of this institution. I will try to be present because I think presence is very important in this role.

Another priority, of course, is to recruit a talented and experienced individual to serve as Vice President for Academic Affairs. This is a very important role at any university, and will be crucial to the future of MVNU.

Do you see the MVNU presidency as a long-term role for you?

I see this as something like a 10-year project. It will take ten years to attempt to put in place the kinds of people, plans, and structure that we are going to need to succeed. I may serve longer than that. Who knows? But I don’t think this is a three- or a five-year project. It takes time, and that’s why the strategic plan is a 10-year plan with three year cycles under each of the strategies and initiatives. I have committed in my own mind to this being the last assignment that I will have in the Church of the Nazarene. If plans go the way I hope they will, I think the decisions we make will not be for the short term. They are going to be made for the maximum long-term gain.

When you speak with families of prospective students about the academic culture at MVNU, what do you say?

I tell them that we have as strong a chemistry program as any other school our size. I say that our biology department regularly places people in medical school, and that graduates of MVNU are accepted into quality law schools every year. I point out that we have two Ph.D.’s from the University of Chicago on faculty at MVNU, Kevin and Dora Hawthorne, which is a real testament to our ability to attract highly qualified professors. We

have a mathematician of the first rate in John Noonan. It is very rare in a school our size to have a Ph.D. in Accounting, Debra Snyder. When considering our Computer Science faculty, we offer two of the brightest minds and most innovated people in the field, Dr. Bob Kasper and Dr. Jim Skon. It is simply amazing that a school like ours has two people like that on our campus.

Prospective students need to know that if you come to MVNU and graduate from our teacher education program, the opportunities are great for securing a wonderful teaching position. Our Education Program is well-known and highly regarded throughout the state.

The strides made in our Nursing program have been incredible. MVNU had a 100% pass rate for the NCLEX this year (the

exam nursing graduates take to become Registered Nurses). That is phenomenal. Not many schools are able to say that. Much credit goes to Carol Dorough, the Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences, and her tremendous faculty and staff.

I could go on and on, and I am certainly leaving a number of strong programs and professors off of this list, but this gives you an idea. I don’t have to try very hard to make the case for academic quality at MVNU. We need to continue to shine a light on these and other stories, and I will be the first in line to lead the charge.

One more question. What do you do in your free time? When you’re not being president, what is Dr. Spaulding doing?

I mostly enjoy being with my family and reading. I do not watch much TV but I do like to watch football — especially the Florida State Seminoles — as well as other sports. Attending the various sports and other activities on campus is a priority and a significant change of pace from my day-to-day work. Let me remind you that “being president” is not something I do only in the office – it is a 24-hour responsibility but it is my privilege to serve MVNU in this position. I want what is best for this University and the Kingdom!

Dr. Henry W. Spaulding II was elected as the 7th President of Mount Vernon Nazarene University on Nov. 2, 2012.

Spaulding has held a variety of roles and positions during his more than 30 years in higher education, including Professor of Religion at Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, Massachusetts; Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee; and Director of the Master of Divinity Program at Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri.

After completing his undergraduate work at Trevecca, Spaulding received his Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree from Nazarene Theological Seminary in 1977, and completed his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree at The Florida State University in 1982.

Spaulding's wife, Sharon, also a graduate of Trevecca, is a teacher. They have three grown children.

The President’s Circle encourages and recognizes annual giving by individuals supporting the transformational education experience offered at Mount Vernon Nazarene University.

COMMITMENT

Commitment to give

Your commitment to give $1,000 or more during the current fiscal year (June 1 – May 31), whether a one-time donation or a regular monthly contribution, is vital to MVNU’s mission.

Commitment to pray

Your commitment to pray for MVNU—for our students, faculty, administration, and community— is critical.

Commitment to the mission and vision

Your commitment to help advance the mission and vision of MVNU.

BENEFITS:

Communication from MVNU including personal messages from the President, Mount Vernon NOW magazine, and The Flame newsletter

Invitations to special events with the President

Recognition in the President’s Annual Report (if desired)

Coupons from Baker Bros., MVNU Athletics, and the Cougar Corner Bookstore

“I ask that you prayerfully consider joining others who are already a part of the President’s Circle, so that the mission of MVNU might reach the next generation of students. You will grow richer by investing some of your means in the lives of our students, present and future. Together we can work ‘To Change the World with the Love of Christ.’”

Dr. Henry W. Spaulding II President

Students, faculty, and friends, participating in MVNU's J-Term Israel-Jordan academic travel program, pose in front of the Al Khazneh (“The Treasury”), the most famous of the more than 800 carved tombs in Petra.

photo by Carlos Serrão

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE PROFILES IN

It is impossible to separate MVNU’s commitment to both faith and learning. The two really do go handin-hand. And this dual commitment is perhaps best exemplified by the men and women who make up the MVNU faculty—scholars, servants, mentors, teachers.

MVNU’s faculty members live out their faith, in no small part, by providing their students with the highest-quality academic training and pursuing their passions with intellectual vigor and integrity. In doing so, they bring our mission to life each day in the classroom.

“We are a university in which our faith demands excellence in scholarship, while our educational pursuits are given meaning in the person of Jesus Christ.”

– Henry W. Spaulding II, Ph.D.

photos by Kristin Van Valkenburg

B.S. Nursing

Southern Nazarene University

M.S. Nursing

University of Texas at Tyler

Ed.D.

Nova Southeastern University

Carol Dorough

Dean, School of Nursing and Health Sciences

“Students coming to MVNU can sometimes find the academic expectations challenging, especially those who intend to pursue Nursing. But they can also expect to graduate with the capacity to excel in their vocation, and will have developed an awareness and appreciation for individual patients created in the image of God.”

AT A GLANCE:

100%

Percentage of 2012 graduates who passed their NCLEX exam to become Registered Nurses!

MVNU’s School of Nursing and Health Sciences is housed in Hunter Hall, a beautifully restored and renovated facility in downtown Mount Vernon.

Hunter Hall Offers:

• 3 simulation rooms with life-like and responsive mannequins

• 2 large practice labs

• SMART technology throughout the building

Demand for nurses will climb 36% by 2020.

(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Dr.

Dorough began her career as a medical technologist before becoming a registered nurse.

As an RN, she worked in intensive care, cardiac care, home health, and nursing education.

Dr. Dorough’s husband, Jim, serves as MVNU’s Chaplain for Graduate and Professional Studies programs. They met as students at Southern Nazarene University while traveling together in a student ministry group. Their family also traveled and served together as evangelists for eight years.

“It is an amazing experience to watch a learner grow, and to know I contributed. To be able to teach academics and Christian principles at the same time is a special privilege and responsibility, one I do not take for granted.”

BRAD WHITAKER

Director of Academic Support, Professor of Mathematics, School of Natural and Social Sciences

Dr. Whitaker spent his earliest years in Swaziland and South Africa as the son of missionaries. “English was not my first language,” he says. He can also claim to be from Mount Vernon, having attended high school there when his father taught math at MVNU. Dr. Whitaker and his wife, Leslie, are also well-known for regularly hosting students in their home for meals, game nights, and Bible studies.

AT A GLANCE:

Leads the Office of Academic Support, which supports students with:

• Peer Instruction

• Individual Tutoring

• Supplemental Instruction.

Helped develop MVNU’s Nease Institute, which serves as a summer bridge for students who may need additional support making the transition to college.

Holds 2 graduate degrees from Columbia University, one of the eight “Ivy League” schools.

Was named the 2012 MVNU Faculty Member of the Year

Taught high school for 2 years in the Commonwealth of Dominica for the Peace Corps.

Dominica is a 16 X 30 mile island in the eastern Caribbean.

B.S. Math/Physics

Southern Nazarene University

M.A. Mathematics Education

Teachers College, Columbia University

Ed.D. Mathematics Education

Teachers College, Columbia University

“I am often asked, ‘Why, with a doctorate in Mathematics Education from Columbia University, would you move your wife and your two young boys to a small town in Ohio, when you could be living and teaching in San Diego or New York City?’ For me, the answer is clear: a scholarly Christian community where I am challenged to grow. At MVNU, you will find a community of scholars, a community of Christians, and you will find a community that challenges you to prepare for the vocation to which God has called you—a life of service.”

Lena Crouso

Assistant Professor of Education

Born in the U.S., Prof. Crouso is the daughter of Indian immigrants—her father moved their family to the States to study at Rice University during the space race—who has been married to “a rural Ohio farmboy” for 30 years. She describes her life as an eclectic mix of places, cultures, faiths, and traditions.

“As a little girl, I used to go into my mother’s Puja Room (a traditional Hindu room of worship) to pray to the gods of her selection, and about 6 years ago, God gave me a really incredible reflection that He was in that room. Even before I knew Him, He knew me. And was calling me to Him.”

B.S. Math Education, Ohio University

M.Ed. Counselor Education, University of Central Florida

Ed.S. School Leadership, Stetson University

AT A GLANCE:

Prof. Crouso was awarded MVNU’s 2012 President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching

MVNU offers 14 different teacher education tracks to choose from.

Education is projected to be one of the fastest growing fields in Ohio and nationally over the next decade.

MVNU’s School of Education and Professional Studies also offers programs in:

• Family and Consumer Sciences

• Physical Education

• Social Work

“MVNU Education students get the best job offers and regularly finish at the top of their class.”

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B.A. English

Bishop Herber College, India

MSW Social Work

Bishop Herber College, India

Ph.D. Social Work

Bharathidasan University, India

PACKIARAJ ARUMUGHAM

Professor of Social Work

“Although born and brought up in a Christian family, I had no interest in Christianity. At the age of seventeen, I was contemplating suicide. Around that time, I attended a Christian convention in my hometown in South India. That day, I made a personal commitment to Christ.”

Among the newest members of MVNU faculty, Dr. Arumugham specializes in Marriage, Family, and Christianity within the context of Social Work. These academic pursuits take on a different flavor given his background. A native of India, Dr. Arumugham moved to the United States in 2004, and his recent scholarly publications reflect this international experience:

“Marital Quality in Inter-caste and Intra-caste Marriages.”

The International Journal of Interdisciplinary Social Sciences (2011).

“Corruption and the Need for Good Governance.” Reinventing Public Management & Development in Emerging Economies (2011).

“Open Taboo: Sexuality and the Asian Indian American Community.” Caring for the South Asian Soul: Counseling South Asians in the Western World (2010).

SOCIAL WORK AT MVNU…

The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the employment of social workers to increase by 22 percent by 2016!

In Ohio, a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) must have at least a bachelor’s degree in social work.

See what social work students have to say!

Dr. Beal has been teaching Biology at MVNU since 2007, and is quite familiar with the landscape of middle Ohio, having grown up in Mansfield. Her expertise is in the fields of Immunology, Cell Biology, and Microbiology. She’s known for both her distinguished scholarship (she owns a U.S. patent!) and fun and engaging personality (playing intramural volleyball with several biology students).

Most recent publication: “Two-stage cooperative T cell receptor-peptide major histocompatibilty complex-CD8 trimolecular interactions amplify antigen discrimination” Immunity, 2011.

“I recently heard from a former student who is now in graduate school. She wanted to share with me that not only did she feel academically prepared by MVNU, but she is even helping out several of her peers who are struggling! That’s the biggest compliment I can receive.“

Carrie

Beal

B.S., Ashland University

Ph.D., Immunology and Molecular Pathogenesis, Emory University

Associate Professor of Biology

While the Hawthornes may not be the only pair of MVNU professors who happen to be married to one another, they do make a unique and formidable team.

Dora, from western Pennsylvania, and Kevin, who grew up among the oil refineries of southeast Texas, met at the University of Chicago during their graduate programs. They now account for a full third of the English department and have as many Ph.D.’s between them as children.

Kevin’s expertise in the Greco-Roman Classics allows him to teach across several artificial boundaries on MVNU’s campus. “My personal interests span the range and interconnections between literature, history, philosophy, theology, language and rhetoric,” he says.

Dora discovered a passion for teaching during a two-year stint teaching the English language and American culture in China after college. She explains, “I experienced firsthand how conversations about culture and literature quickly move to conversations about what we believe. I discovered as a teacher what I’d already known as a student: the classroom can be a powerful place of encounter and transformation. I felt called.”

“I certainly appreciate the general character of the faculty I work with, but they also impress me as teachers. They not only know their subjects, but also give attention to the craft of teaching.”

Dr.

Kevin & Hawthorne

Kevin Hawthorne,

AT A GLANCE:

Communication, English, and Political Science—all MVNU Arts and Humanities majors—are also each named by The Princeton Review as “Top 10 College Majors” for 2013. Travel programs abound! MVNU students study Art in Italy, Literature in NYC, or Politics in Washington, D.C.

Prof. Andrew Hendrixson (Art) has been featured in several editions of New American Paintings, a nationally competitive juried exhibition in print.

Dr. Chris Devine (Political Science) wrote and published two books about baseball history while he was still in high school!

& Dora Hawthorne

“I long for students to know and own their intellectual inheritance as Christians. The Christian literary-theological tradition from Augustine to Dante to C.S. Lewis embodies a wealth of intellectual, spiritual, and aesthetic resources that we urgently need today.”

Dr. Dorothea Hawthorne, Assistant Professor of English

B.A. Literature, Grove City College

M.A. English Literature and Literature University of Chicago

Ph.D. English Literature and Literature University of Chicago

ERIC VAIL

Assistant Professor of Theology

AT A GLANCE:

Dr. Vail’s areas of expertise are Creation, Sin, Atonement, and Pneumatology (the study of the interaction between humans and God).

Creation and Chaos Talk, Dr. Vail’s first book, was published last year.

MVNU’s John A. Knight Bible and Theology Conference annually brings together scholars from across the Wesleyan-Holiness theological tradition. This year’s conference will take place in the fall. www.mvnu.edu/johnaknight

Other jobs Dr. Vail has held include:

• swimming instructor

• worship leader

• housekeeper

• truck driver

• forklift operator

• apartment manager

B.A. Philosophy

Northwest Nazarene University

M.Div.

Nazarene Theological Seminary

Ph.D. Religious Studies: Systematic Theology

Marquette University

“I’m really passionate about helping students develop a love for thinking critically about their faith, and developing a real depth of reflection.”

Dr. Vail comes from a long line of academics. “I’m a third-generation Nazarene professor,” he admits. An ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene, Dr. Vail also pastored in St. Joseph, Missouri, before arriving at MVNU. He and his wife, Carrie, have been married for 11 years, and have two young sons.

“I tell people all the time, ‘You don’t have to be a religion major to take classes in the School of Theology and Philosophy.’ I love it when business students, education majors, and others show up in my classes. I think these subjects will serve them well professionally.”

CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES

MVNU co-sponsored the only face-toface debate in the race for Ohio's 7th Congressional District between U.S. Rep. Bob Gibbs, the Republican incumbent, and Joyce Healy-Abrams, the Democratic challenger, on Tuesday, October 30, at Kenyon College.

The MVNU Music Department's performance of "Silent Night" from the 2012 Advent Service was featured on HLN's "Morning Express with Robin Meade" on Friday, Dec. 14, as part of its "Holiday Sing-A-Long" series.

Three faculty members from the English and Modern Languages Department presented papers at the annual Midwest Modern Language Association conference held in Cincinnati, Ohio, from November 8-11.

Dr. David Wilkes presented “Putting the Bite on the Past: Travesty as Bakhtinian Tribute in Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.”

Dr. Dora Hawthorne presented “Shylock as Jacob or Laban?: Usury and Narrative Capital in The Merchant of Venice.” And Dr. Brett Wiley presented “Hemingway’s Hysterics: Hyperrealism’s Debt to Modernism.”

Dr. Chris Devine recently published an article titled "Social Issues, Authoritarianism, and Ideological Conceptualization: How Policy Dimensions and Psychological Factors Influence Ideological Labeling" in the August 2012 issue of Political Psychology (Volume 33, Issue 4, pp. 531-552).

John Donnelly was recently selected for two exhibitions/ fundraisers in which he has donated artwork: "Art for Life,” at the Columbus Museum of Art and "Art For the Environment,” at the Loft Gallery in Columbus Ohio.

Andrew Hendrixson will have his work and writing included in the International Painting Annual, Vol. 3.

JETTER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

MVNU business faculty played a prominent role in the 2012 Christian Business Faculty Association (CBFA) conference, held June 25-28. Dr. Robert Roller’s paper, “Leading the Way in Faith-Learning Integration: Seventeen Methods,” was awarded the “Best Theme Paper” award for the conference. Dr. Margaret Britt was honored as the inaugural recipient of the CBFA’s Teaching Excellence Award. Tim Chesnut’s presentation, “Leading the Way with YouTube at my Side,” earned a “Best Practices” award. Both Chris Neuenschwander and Jill Risner presented their dissertations in the Dissertation Showcase.

Dr. Robert Roller, along with Frank Markow (Life Pacific College) and Pam Giles (Indiana Wesleyan University), presented the results of an empirical study, “Bridging the Cultural Divide: Addressing Adult Programs as SubCultures on Traditional College Campuses” at the 2012 annual meeting of the Christian Adult Higher Education Association (CAHEA) in Nashville, Tenn.

Dr. Robert Roller was chosen as a winner in the CCCU’s Free Market Forum Essay Contest on “F.A. Hayek and the Foundations of a Free Society,” and was chosen to present his essay, “Biblical Perspectives on The Road to Serfdom,” to the Forum participants, which include leaders from government, business, and academe.

Dr. Kelly Rush successfully defended her doctoral dissertation, “Loan Performance in Cleveland, Ohio’s Subprime Mortgage Market: An Examination of Mortgage Outcome in Loans Originated for Different Purposes,” and completed her Doctor of Business Administration degree from Anderson University. She now holds the record for the fastest time-to-defense for the Anderson DBA program!

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES

Dr. Candace Fox presented at the Ohio Association of Teachers of Family and Consumer Sciences conference. Dr. Fox presented in two sessions in the morning and she participated on an afternoon panel. The goal of the conference was to encourage teachers to mentor their students to become FCS teachers.

Marilyn Greer will retire at the end of this academic year (May 2013). We celebrate her influence over generations of education majors.

Dr. John Hollingsworth retired in December 2012. We thank him for his service to our students and community.

Dr. Sharon Metcalfe had a paper accepted for presentation at the annual American Educational Research Association conference in San Francisco in April 2012. The paper is titled “The Effect of Strengths Intervention on Pre-Service Teacher Dispositions During the Student Teaching Experience. ”

Dr. Sharon Metcalfe successfully defended her dissertation. Her research was on The Effect of Strengths Intervention on Pre-Service Teacher Dispositions During the Student Teaching Experience.

SCHOOL OF NATURAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

The Sixteenth Conference on Bioethical Issues took place on the MVNU campus Oct. 25-26, 2012, featuring keynote speaker, Wesley J. Smith, J.D., a Senior Fellow in Human Rights and Bioethics of Discovery Institute.

Dr. Bradley Whitaker, Professor of Mathematics and the Director of Academic Support, was honored as Faculty Member of the Year at the University Dinner on August 27, 2012.

SCHOOL OF NURSING AND HEALTH SCIENCES

MVNU received word that 100% of our 2012 nursing graduates have passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) in order to become Registered Nurses. Achieving a 100% pass rate is a rare feat, and we are proud of the Nursing program and our graduates for this tremendous achievement.

SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY AND PHILOSOPHY

Pastors and district superintendents from across the MVNU educational region gathered with the School of Theology and Philosophy faculty and representatives from the Church of the Nazarene's Global Ministry Center on October 15 and 16 to address five key strategic priorities for the USA/Canada region. The event was designed to allow each of these Nazarene leaders to explore opportunities for partnership and collaboration.

The School of Theology and Philosophy partnered with the History and Political Science Department to sponsor a panel discussion on the intersection of faith and politics in the 2012 election on October 11, 2012. Panelists included Mrs. Christina Bohn (Biblical Literature), Dr. Christopher Devine (Political Science), Rev. Scott Peterson (Chaplain), Dr. Matthew Price (Christian Education), and Dr. Eric Vail (Theology).

STAFF UPDATES

Joyce Applegarth, Administrative Secretary to the Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities, was recognized as Staff Member of the Year at the University Dinner on August 27, 2012.

Adam Diener (Information Technology) has achieved the certification of Apple Certified Technical Coordinator. Adam is the first MVNU staff member to become Apple Server certified.

Dennis Hoffman (Facilities) attended the "Energy Advantage Workshop" at the headquarters of Philips Lighting in Somerset, New Jersey. Some of the topics discussed were LED technology and applications, the human and business impacts of light and color, lighting today’s office environment, and energy management.

Patrick Rhoton (Director of Campus Safety) received the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR) 2012 Distinguished Service Award. This award is given to a CUPA-HR member who has provided outstanding service to the association through constituent activities, such as service in governance or leadership roles, or through professional development contributions in support of the association.

WNZR

WNZR’s license has been renewed for another 8 years by the FCC. The official approval date is listed as Sept. 25, 2012. Our next license renewal filing deadline will be June 1, 2020.

ATHLETICS

The MVNU Athletic Department, in conjunction with WNZR and the Communication Department, have expanded their live video streaming of campus athletic events to include women’s volleyball and both men’s and women’s soccer. Men’s and women’s basketball continue to be featured as well. You can watch the Cougars “live” or “on demand” by logging on to www.wnzr.tv.

Paul Swanson, MVNU head women's volleyball coach and Director of Athletics, became the first coach in NAIA history to reach the 1,000-win total when the Lady Cougars rallied to defeat Cedarville University on Nov. 1, 2012. Swanson, who is in his 30th year overall and his 29th season at MVNU, has a .733 winning percentage at MVNU and was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame in 2008.

GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES

MVNU will open a new Columbus-New Albany site for GPS programs in the summer of 2013. The new site, located in the Albany Park Office Building at 5150 East DublinGranville Road, offers larger and more flexible academic space, and will enable MVNU to better serve our growing non-traditional students. When opened, the current Gahanna and Polaris sites will be combined into this one, premiere location.

MVNU CARES

The campus community collected monetary donations and food items to serve 1,015 families during the university's annual FEED920 initiative as part of Knox County’s Food For the Hungry program. That translates to $5,000 and 30 truckloads of food!

The MVNU community raised more than $6,000 this year for The Luke Commission (TLC), an organization providing health services in the most remote areas of Swaziland. These donations provide test kits to fight the HIV/AIDS and TB epidemics ravaging the nation. www.lukecommission.org

IN MEMORIUM

William

, who served as MVNU’s fourth president from 1980 until his election as General Superintendent of the Church of the Nazarene in 1989, passed away on December 24, 2012. He was 82.

Dr. Stanton Parry, MVNU’s Vice President of Finance and Management from 1974 until his retirement in 1990, passed away on Sept. 17, 2012. He was 87 years old.

Dr.

J. Prince

HOMECOMING HOMECOMING

2012 2012

MVNU's annual family reunion is always memorable. In addition to annual traditions such as the Food for the Hungry 5K, Queen's Coronation, and the Homecoming Concert, this year's festivities included several special events looking forward to next year's opening of Ariel Arena, MVNU's state-of-the-art athletic facility. You won't want to miss Homecoming 2013 , when Ariel Arena is unveiled.

1980s

The Grapevine

Bruce D. Helmbrecht (’83) is the Owner/Operator of BD Helmbrecht Sharpening Services. His wife, Beth-Marie, is Assistant Manager/Team Lead at Tractor Supply Co. They reside in Mechanicsville, Vir. bdhelmbrecht@clear.net

1990s

Larry Herges (‘91) completed his first year as Athletic Director/Dean of Students at Taylor High School in North Bend, Ohio. Larry has been an administrator of athletics for the past 11 years at three different high schools. He and his wife, Kelly, have two sons, Alex (11) and Nolan (12). lherges@gmail.com

Todd Feasel (’95) was hired as the Clinical Director for the Mental Health and Recovery Board of Licking and Knox County. tbfeasel@gmail.com

Charity (Gilroy ’95) Hardman published her first book for children of all ages, “Redolf the Rude Nosed Reindeer,” which was inspired by her daughter, Harmony. cgilroy@live.com

Carina Hilbert (’97) is now a full-time teacher of Spanish and English at Albion (MI) High School. Additionally, she is the Drama Club moderator and coach of the Forensics team. carina.hilbert@gmail.com

2000s

Hayley (Thompson ’00) Neumeier and her husband, Matthew, announce the birth of Luke Holden Neumeier on Dec. 5, 2011. He joins brother Jake (6) and sister Natalie (5).

Kimberly Rhyan (’00) was hired as the Director of Student Engagement and Leadership at Columbus State Community College in April 2012. Her son, Carter, was born on Nov. 18, 2010. kimberly.c.rhyan@gmail.com

John (’01) and Alison (Aceto) Marsh were married on Oct. 13, 2012. John works for Northern Trust and Alison is a 2ndgrade teacher. They reside in Chandler, Ariz.

Jill (Salsbery ’01) Risner graduated with her Doctor of Business Administration degree from Anderson University in May

2012. She is Professor of Marketing at MVNU. Jrisner1@mvnu.edu

Todd Bowman (’03) was recognized as the 2012 Faculty Member of the Year at MidAmerica Nazarene University for his work developing the nation’s only accredited, post-graduate certificate program in the area of sexual addiction treatment.

Beth (LaFon ‘03) Cavender and her husband, Ric, announce the birth of Ezekiel Jude Cavender on May 21, 2012. He joins older brother Silas (3). ejl0807@aol.com

Jessica (Pope ’03) Franz and husband, John, announce the birth Molly Le Franz on June 2, 2012. She joins older sister Amelia. jessicaleighfranz@gmail.com

Paul (’03) and Sarah (Carr ’05) Sheneman announce the birth of Zachary Isaac Sheneman on June 21, 2012.

Steve (’03) and Maibeth (Dodds ’05) Waers welcomed Grant Christopher on Sept. 2, 2011. He joins big brother Cooper (3).

Jane (Kuntzman ’04) Baldwin and her husband, Matt, announce the birth of Tanner James Baldwin on Sept. 11, 2012. He joins older sister Kylie (2).

Kimberly (Haflett ’05) Grandinette and her husband, Paul, announce the birth of Paul Lawrence Grandinette, Jr., on Aug. 17, 2012. squeakz2001@aol.com

Nate (’05) and Hope (Tallent ’02) Owens announce the birth of Peter Allen Owens on Sept. 7, 2012. He joins older brother Forest Levi (2). san.il.defanso@gmail.com

Bethany (Mahaffee ’06) and Kevin Jack (’06) announce the birth of Emily Elaine Jack on May 26, 2012. She joins big sister Madelyn. Kevin is the lead pastor of Crosspoint Community Church in Maysville, Kent. Bethany currently works for a state program visiting developmentally delayed infants in their homes. bethanyjack@gmail.com

Andrea (Miller ’06) and Kyle Reynolds (’06) announce the birth of Zoe Grace Reynolds on July 24, 2012. Kyle is a youth pastor at Cross Point Community

Church in Dickson, Tenn. Andrea is an art teacher at Dickson Academy and owns AR Designs, a graphic design company.

Courtney (Foltz ’07) Cummings married Hunter Cummings on April 21, 2012. She received her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Fuller Graduate School of Psychology in Sept. 2012. She and Hunter now minister to youth at Mount Vernon (OH) First Church of the Nazarene.

Beth (Ryder ’07) and Adam Gage were married on June 2, 2012. Beth works for the J.M. Smucker Company and Adam works for Wenger Pipeline. They reside in Dalton, Ohio. beth.ryder@yahoo.com

Dan Mahaffey (’07) became the Senior Pastor at Buckhannon (WV) Church of the Nazarene in July 2012, after serving there as the Associate Pastor of Worship and Discipleship. pastordan2011@gmail.com

Brittany (Arnett ’08) Colston received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Belmont University. Her husband, Alex (’09), is working on a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Trevecca Nazarene University.

Laura (Clowson ’08) Packert married Brian Packert on May 13, 2012. She recently received her Masters of Education in School Counseling from Malone University and serves as a school counselor for Worthington City Schools. Laura and Brian reside in Westerville, Ohio.

Ryan (’09) and Lauren (Brooks ’11) Breth were married on Sept. 8, 2012. Ryan is a physical therapist assistant and Lauren works for 3M. They reside in Columbus, Ohio. rybreth@gmail.com

Justin (’09) and Amy (Barrel ’09) Cline announce the birth of Elizabeth Jo Cline on Aug. 15, 2012.

2010s

Brett Foster (’10) graduated with his Master of Education in School Counseling in June 2012 from Ohio University. He is the ninthand tenth-grade school counselor at Paulding (OH) High School.

Nathan (’10) and Kristin (Hershberger ’04) Porter announce the birth of Cole Ivory James Porter on June 18, 2012. Nathan is currently the Student Ministries Pastor at London (OH) Church of the Nazarene. pastornateporter@gmail.com

Chelsea (Compton ’10) Skaggs married Michael Skaggs on June 23, 2012. chelsea.b.skaggs@gmail.com

Kimberly (Henderson ’10) Taylor and her husband, Jason, announce the birth of Whitney Rae Taylor on Aug. 2, 2012.

Ashley (Noggle ’11) Moore married Bryan Moore on Sept. 22, 2012.

Leah Ralston (’12) accepted a position as music teacher at the Windward Nazarene Academy in Kaneohe, Hawaii, on the island of Oahu. lralston@windwardnazarene.com

IN MEMORIUM

Joye (Loehner ’85) Boquist of Ashland, Ohio, passed away on Aug. 21, 2012. Joye served as a class representative on the MVNU Alumni Council. She is survived by her husband, Randy, and her mother, Rose Ann Loehner. Please

The office of Institutional Research invited recent graduates (from December 2011 to May 2012) to complete the annual Employment/ Enrollment survey. The survey helps MVNU better serve our graduates’ professional growth and development. If you haven’t updated your contact information in a while, do so at alumni.mvnu.edu. Congratulations to David Wickliff! He is the winner of the Kindle Fire HD tablet, which was this year’s survey incentive give-away.

Spring 2013 Alumni Travel Schedule:

FEBRUARY

28 Cleveland, OH, 12 p.m, LongHorn Steakhouse, Independence (Rockside Road)

MARCH

4 Dayton, OH, 12 p.m., Red Robin @ Fairfield Commons (Beavercreek)

5 Indianapolis, IN, 12 p.m., California Pizza Kitchen @ Circle Center Mall (Downtown)

11 Charleston, WV, 12 p.m., Fifth Quarter (Downtown)

12 Morgantown, WV, 12 p.m., Ruby Tuesdays @ Pierpont

28 Findlay, OH, 12 p.m., Cheddars

APRIL

8 Lima, OH, 12 p.m., Olive Garden

Where in the World Are MVNU Alumni?

Send us a picture of yourself on the road! Just make sure your MVNU spirit is visible in your photo. Submit your pictures to alumni.mvnu.edu. Please include:

1. Name(s) including maiden name

2. Class Year

3. Location of picture

4. A brief description of your photo

Take a look at these recent submissions:

Joyce

Rebecca Pennington (’09) served at several orphan care centers in Soshanguve, South Africa, during a recent mission trip.

Nathan Okuley poses mid-air in Rome during a break in his work with Campus MovieFest.

(Hardy ’74) Diesman in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

Buchwald Plaza

MVNU was pleased to unveil Buchwald Plaza in September, an outdoor green space in downtown Mount Vernon, providing outdoor seating, greenery, and some additional parking. The plaza is open and available to the public and will continue to strengthen MVNU’s relationship with the Mount Vernon community.

FAST FACTS:

Buchwald Plaza was made possible by private donations and a generous grant from the Community Foundation of Mount Vernon and Knox County. The lot is adjacent to MVNU's Buchwald Center and Hunter Hall and was originally the site of the S.S. Kresge building, which was destroyed by fire in 2010.

Buchwald Plaza received the Heart Award from the Knox County Chamber of Commerce, which recognizes architectural heritage that complements our community.

JUNE 19-27, 2013 INDIANAPOLIS, IN

Join MVNU in Indianapolis

MVNU booth

Join us in Indianapolis to worship with the global church, reconnect with your friends, and enjoy a family-friendly vacation during General Assembly! It’s also your chance to get acquainted with our new president, Dr. Henry W. Spaulding II. We’ve designed a variety of activities for you and your family.

JUNE 19-24, 2013 Indiana Convention Center

Come visit MVNU’s booth in the Convention Center! Get information about MVNU, browse the new Admissions website, update your contact information with the Alumni Association, and meet Dr. Spaulding and other MVNU leaders.

Alumni & Friends Luncheon SUN, JUNE 23, 12:30 p.m. Indianapolis Marriott Downtown, Ballroom 7-10

This will be another opportunity to introduce Dr. Spaulding and give you a chance to get to know him. We will also present a Citation of Merit Award during this luncheon, so you do not want to miss it!