THANKS 2025
OLIVET NAZARENE UNIVERSITY
CONTENTS
We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people... Colossians 1:3-4
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
HONOR ROLL OF DONORS
Faithful partners move Olivet forward by investing in a Christ-centered education that transforms students' lives. Olivet’s 2025 Honor Roll of Donors celebrates your commitment to helping students grow in faith, community, and purpose. Thank you for making this transformation possible.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
DR. GREGG CHENOWETH
It’s a privilege to welcome a prospective student into the right question. It isn’t, “What is your dream?” but, “What is God’s dream for you?”
That little difference sets loose a completely different trajectory
their university years. It’s not about where they’ll do their work, but which university helps them work on a worthy life.
We also find joy in partnering with you toward that enormous cause! You are missional investors who, fairly, want to see a return as we demonstrate mission fidelity, unapologetic Christian identity, and excellence without elitism.
You might like to know that through a recent Student Satisfaction Survey of 90,000 college students, Olivet student satisfaction beats the national norms on 10 of 12 criteria. The No. 1 rated satisfaction is “showing concern for the individual.”
This annual report is just a snapshot of the beautiful tapestry you weave with us. Go ahead: feel good about what you’ve done! And continue to imagine with us what is to come from the faith- and hopefilled young leaders who are sent out as change agents.
We can’t overstate it. Higher education really does have a higher purpose. Olivet is a big idea. A very big one! Thank you for making it a reality. We are grateful!
Investing in Others, Growing in Christ
Gracie Amburgey’s time at Olivet has reflected a deep commitment to spiritual growth, community impact and personal integrity.
During her three years on the chaplain team for Upper Room (a student-led weekly worship service), plus two years as an RA, Gracie has gained experience in ministry coordination and peer mentorship. These opportunities to invest in the lives of others have resulted in rich personal development.
“Before coming to Olivet, I would describe myself as lukewarm,” Gracie reflects. “I knew all of the right answers. I knew the way to act to be a ‘good Christian,’ but there wasn’t a heart change. It is because of the opportunities that I've had here that I've truly been able to grow into the woman God intended me to be.”
As much as she’s poured into others at Olivet, Gracie has also received personal investment from other students, faculty and staff.
“My friends have carried me through hard times, holding faith for me when I had none,” she reflects.
“I’ve had professors who truly care about my life, who want to see me at my best. I’ve had mentors who have breathed life into me, not only spiritually but mentally and personally. They taught me what it looks like to live into this call that has been placed on my life.”
Gracie’s journey at Olivet has additionally been strengthened by the financial support she received
THE OLIVET FUND
OPENING DOORS
Every year, the Olivet community helps write thousands of stories — stories of students discovering purpose, building confidence, and finding a place to belong. Annual giving makes these stories possible. Your support opens doors to scholarships, mentoring, spiritual formation, and hands-on experiences that shape futures.
story by Lauren Beatty
through annual donor generosity and endowed scholarship awards, which offset her merit-based scholarships and loans. She is grateful for the lasting impact of the generosity.
“Scholarship support really helps lighten the burden that loans can bring after school,” she says.
“Your donation allows me to continue to pursue the Lord through education to spread His word. I hope you see that your giving is a way to shine the light of Jesus to others, because that is what you are doing.”
Aleithia, class of 2026, says:
"I really appreciate how Olivet connects people and offers opportunities for students to get involved on campus and in the community. I will never take for granted the ways I have been mentored, equipped, and prepared for what lies ahead. I wouldn't be who I am today without the students and professors who have encouraged and prayed for me. I feel like I belong here for my college career, and I also belong in the Kingdom of God."
Faithful supporters like you make academic, personal, and spiritual transformation possible for Aleithia and many other students.
Visit olivet.edu/giving to learn more.
PLANNING A LEGACY OF HOPE
By including Olivet Nazarene University in your Will or estate, you can plan a legacy of hope that strengthens programs and provides scholarships for generations to come. Explore how your gifts can help fuel the mission, fund excellence, and secure the future of Olivet.
Please contact Walter “Woody” Webb at 815-939-5171 or wwebb@olivet.edu .
We also partner with PhilanthroCorp, a trusted organization that offers free, personalized estate planning guidance. Their team will walk you through your options and help you take the next step with confidence.
You can contact PhilanthroCorp directly and confidentially at 800-876-7958 — and be sure to mention Olivet.
Senior Gracie Amburgey, Pastoral Ministry Major
COMBINED GIFT REVENUE
GIFTS
$18,600,999
This year, long-term investments and donor commitments helped Olivet achieve an overall surplus. At the same time, operating expenses for this twelve-month period exceeded operating revenue due to rapidly rising healthcare costs and the inflationary pressures affecting existing contracts.
While these broader cost increases present real challenges, we are encouraged by steady progress in reducing long-term debt, identifying efficiencies to manage expenses, growing net assets, and advancing a strategic agenda focused on sustainable growth.
Your generosity makes an extraordinary difference. Your gifts empower us to meet today’s challenges with clarity, confidence, and purpose. Together, we are transforming students’ lives, strengthening our mission, and securing the future of the University for generations to come.
July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025
The impact of your thoughtfulness, prayerfulness, and financial support cannot be overstated. Please continue to pray for God’s guidance and blessing as we move forward—faithfully and confidently—together. Thank you.
Home Away From Home
Barry and Gayle Huebner both grew up in sizable families but spent over a decade together without children. However, both were passionate about fostering a familial environment in their community.
In their one-bedroom house in the north suburbs of Chicago, they frequently hosted family, friends, friends of friends and, at times, practical strangers.
Gayle says, “At the time, it helped focus us. That was our way of expanding our borders and fulfilling things in our life that we longed for.”
Eventually, Barry and Gayle welcomed two daughters to their family, Elizabeth ’13 and Christina ’17. They were still very intentional about opening their home to whoever needed a meal or a bed.
In 1996 Barry accepted a new management role within Midwest Transit and, with no prior connections to the area, the family moved to Bourbonnais and began to establish new roots.
“Almost right away, Gayle volunteered with children’s ministry at College Church, and I had the opportunity to co-host a home group for college students,” Barry says. That decision would lead to 16 consecutive years of college-aged ministry. Sometimes, the Huebners hosted students for a month over the summer while doing a campus job. Other times, they hosted individuals working on a master’s program at Olivet or starting their careers in the area.
Barry and Gayle also decided to generously share from their resources. Their commitment to students and Olivet’s mission has been invaluable over several decades.
“Two of our core values are faith and education,” Barry says, “and Olivet’s mission lines up with those things perfectly. Over many years of hosting students and alumni, we saw Olivet through the eyes of the kids in our homes.”
“We continued to host people for so many years because we saw the end result,” Gayle reflects. “We watched that first group graduate and saw the doctors-, nurses-, psychologists- and teachers-to-be cross the stage. We knew their faith would take them even further than their academic preparation.” Barry says, “Most importantly, over time spent with each group, we got to see the kids’ faith grow.”
Barry is retired, and he and Gayle now spend a significant amount of time with their own grandchildren. But they still love to host scores of their bonus “kids” at their lake house in Michigan and during Homecoming reunion years when families return to Olivet. The Huebners continue to advance Olivet’s mission through several areas of support and engagement.
“The important thing is to invest your time in people,” Gayle says. “You get back what you invest. And we’ve received a lot.”
Gifts to the University, invested through the Olivet Foundation, turn generosity into legacy. By supporting an existing endowed account or establishing a new one, you help secure Olivet’s tomorrow and empower generations of students. Through professionally managed accounts, your gifts are invested to grow over time, creating an enduring impact that echoes far into the future.
Every endowed gift is directed by a Gift Agreement between
and you, the
BARRY AND GAYLE HUEBNER story by Lauren Beatty from Olivet the Magazine, Summer 2025
Olivet’s Board of Trustees, Foundation Board, and Alumni Board guide the University to maintain the utmost integrity. We’re grateful for those who serve with prayerful governance — along with the exemplary leadership of our administrative team — to protect and advance our historic mission.
NAZARENE UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Dr. Gregg Chenoweth
University President
Dr. Timothy Crump
Chairman
Dr. Brian Wangler
Vice Chairman
Dr. Mark Hostetler
Secretary
Rev. Andy Albright
Rev. Terry Armstrong
Rev. Wesley Ball
Dr. David Bartley
Rev. Terry Bate
Dr. Cheri Betz
Dr. Steven Bohall
Mrs. Anita Breeden
Rev. Lloyd Brock
Rev. Ken Bushey
Mrs. Jennifer Caplinger
Rev. Cory Clark
Mrs. Ashley Dagostino
Rev. Andy Dayton
Rev. Chris DeMott
Mr. DeWayne Doty
Rev. Rodney Durr
Rev. Brad Dyrness
Rev. Makenzie Flores
Dr. Jim Forshee
Mr. Daniel Garde
Rev. Ryan Garner
Mrs. Lisa Garvin
Dr. Esther Ghebremichael
Rev. Daniel Gilmore
Rev. Nathan Gray
Rev. Jason Hawk
Dr. Justin Hayes
Rev. Joel Heald
Rev. Jared Henry
Mr. Daniel Hirst
Rev. Matthew Jones
Dr. Michael Kitsko
Mr. Vance Lane
Rev. Irene Lewis-Wimbley
Mr. Stephen Lyle
Ms. Kimberly Meiste
Mrs. Laura Mondy
Rev. Travis Myers
Dr. Darin Nossett
Rev. Rob Prince
Dr. Dena Reddick
Mrs. Jill Rice
Mrs. Amanda Riggle
Mr. Ken Roat
Mr. Mel Sayes
Mr. Ken Schmidt
Dr. Stacey Schmidt
Mrs. Cheryl Sherwood
Mr. Lowell Short, Jr.
Dr. Jess Soulia
Rev. Rich Stadler
Rev. Jamie Stamm
Rev. Michael Taylor
Rev. Scott Whalen
Mrs. Yvonne Wilson
Rev. Jonathan Young
OLIVET NAZARENE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
BOARD
Dr. Gregg Chenoweth
University President
Dr. Walter “Woody” Webb
Executive Director
Mr. Mel Sayes
Chairman
Dr. Dan Rexroth
Vice Chairman
Mr. Barry Huebner
Secretary
Mrs. Pamela Anderson
Dr. Jeriel Beard
Mr. Richard Dykhouse, Sr.
Mr. Harvey Gifford
Mr. George Kalemkarian
Mr. Michael McGraw
Mrs. Beth Pennington
Mr. Lowell Short, Jr
Mr. Christopher Shride
Mr. Kevin Sims
Dr. William Slattery III
Dr. Jessica Swanson
Dr. John Workman
Ex-Officio Members
Dr. Brian Allen
Dr. Timothy Crump
Mr. Matthew Foor
OLIVET NAZARENE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI BOARD
Dr. Gregg Chenoweth '90
University President
Dr. Brian Allen '82
Vice President for Institutional Advancement
Mrs. Susan Wolff '94
Assoc. Vice President for Institutional Advancement
Ms. Erika Moeschke ’12
Senior Director of Alumni Relations & University Advancement
Mrs. Lisa Garvin '90 Alumni Association President
Mr. Ryan Walker '06
Alumni Association Vice President
Mr. Tim Alderson '75 Alumni Association
Historian/Secretary
Rev. Joel Heald ’08
Trustee Ministerial Representative
Dr. Jim Forshee ’79
Trustee Lay Representative
Mr. Curtis Besco ’95
Mrs. Karen Bontrager ’86
Mr. Spencer Cook ’10
Mr. LaMorris Crawford ’06
Mr. Jordan Gallup ’06
Dr. Eric Johnson ‘94
Mrs. Alison Kelley ’01
Mrs. Beth Long ’06
Mr. Matt Lyle ’09
Dr. Cassie Mecklenburg ’03
Mr. Addison Newell ’15
Dr. Chris Peal ’86
Mr. Michael Reddy, Jr. ’90
Mr. Bill Religo ’67
Mrs. Jordan Schriver ’15
Mrs. Missy Veeck ’95
Dr. Amy Williams ’90
YEAR 3: BLESSINGS & CAMPAIGN IMPACT
BLESSINGS & CAMPAIGN IMPACT
Year 3 of the Campaign for Olivet embodies the hope we share. Statistics and stories are more than mere markers in time. Dr. Gregg Chenoweth, president, points to Colossians 1, saying, “Our priorities seem to be good works in God’s eye. We praise Him that we bear fruit already from them.”
Transformation through you
• The University returned to a 77 percent freshman-to-sophomore retention —higher than the national average. Overall, the Fall ‘24 to Spring ‘25 retention rate was Olivet’s highest in 10 years (91 percent). ONU athletes retain 9 percent higher than the NAIA average.
• Students received a record amount of scholarships this past year, including $2.1M in endowed scholarships through the Olivet Foundation. ONU limited net price increases to 2.9 percent/yr, while inflation has averaged 4.2 percent.
• Olivet encourages worship, prayer, Scripture reading, bearing witness, displaying stewardship, service, and fellowship in the Body of Christ. Students have flooded the altar at Revival and other services, and a spirit of renewal is evident.
• University debt reduction continues — on pace to retire $24M over five years. Annual efficiency savings now total $7.8M.
• 1,100 new students is the 3rd highest over 5 years. Cumulative enrollments over 3 years from niche strategies moved from 125 to 843 (ROTC, military base, Pacific Rim, Atlantic Southeast, Nazarene Youth Conference, and Early Scholars).
Impact and inspiration
During Michael’s journey to Olivet, he experienced a challenging home life, housing instability, and insufficient finances. Olivet’s counselors, however, stepped in with relief. They secured an on-campus job for Michael and helped him file under “independent status.” With housing and assistance, Michael made it to orientation and move-in day, smiling all the way.
Thanks to you
Strength & Hope, the Campaign for Olivet Nazarene University, allows us to focus on significant priorities. Dr. Chenoweth says, “Thanks to you, ideas arrive, accomplices assemble, resources gather, and Olivet moves ahead in productivity, not mere activity!”
OLIVET
We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people...
Colossians 1: 3-4