Welcome! This is your opportunity to talk about what marks MVNU and the people of MVNU have made in your life. In addition, tell us how you are now making your mark in your family, church, community, and world!
February 12, 2008 by mvnucougars
Welcome! This is your opportunity to talk about what marks MVNU and the people of MVNU have made in your life. In addition, tell us how you are now making your mark in your family, church, community, and world!
My study, internship, ministry, and friendships from MVNU made a huge mark on my life, confirming my call to ministry and equipping me for a life of service. I read many books that shaped my thoughts. I experienced success and failure, learning how to grow from both. I was invited to participate in ministry to those around me. And I formed life-long relationships with colleagues and friends.
Recently, I started a website where you can upload original worship music (mp3s and sheet music) to share with others.
http://worship.myownlittlereality.com/cgi-bin/enter.cgi?fromlink=mvnumark.wordpress.com
I attended MVNC for one year, from Aug. ’77 to May’78. While I never graduated I will always be grateful for the impact that the college had on my spiritual life. I am now in my sixth year of pastoring at Core Creek UMC in eastern North Carolina. At the same time I am over halfway through the Mdiv program at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY and plan to go on and get my doctorate degree.
Diane LeBlanc
What is most amazing about all this is that it took 26 years to finish what I had started at MVNC. That is what happens when you join the Marine Corps, get married, have a family and try to finish up. 18 moves in 22 years equated to lost credits and a lot of $$$. When I finally graduated with my BS in Religion from Mount Olive College in ’04, 9 of the credit hours on my transcipt were from Mount Vernon.
What was invested in my life, and the spiritual seeds that were planted have brought forth the fruit of 27 years of marriage, a daughter that is serving as a YWAM missionary in Africa, a daughter that has served in the Navy as a Religious Program Specialist and is currently working on a religion degree from Liberty, and a son that has been called to Ministry to Youth, currently working on his bachelor’s degree.
Thank you MVNC which is now MVNU for leaving such an amazing hand-print on my life. My story is part of your story and I will be eternally grateful for the love, support, and spiritual guidance that came from you!
Joyfully serving,
Hey MVNU! (Miss you!)
Leaving my mark… well… how about tire tread? Because I’m sure the 2600+ miles I drove to move to California one month after graduating in 2006 left a few marks… especially around Texas. (Sorry about that!)
The mark left on my heart though from my family at MVNU (yes… family) is one that I’ve carried with me to the ‘left coast’. Being able to learn and grow, I was ultimately transformed and prepared for the job I have now at KDUV FM. This year alone we were finalist for Large Market of the year in the industry. On a local level we impact 80,000+ listeners in Central California everyday, not to mention thousands more through our stream over the net.
When I got to California, my job changed within 4 months to where I was on air. If you know anything about radio, that just doesn’t happen. Not right out of school, and certainly not without 3 or more years of experience at a medium station to work at a large market station. I digress. Needless to say, I was so well equipped by my professors, friends, and mentors at WNZR and other departments on campus that rolling into the role I was needed for didn’t take much of a transition. In fact I’ve had people completely surprised that I’ve been able to handle some of the work that’s been required. But it’s my love for this industry that makes that happen.
That’s another thing… passion. We have the eternal flame (sometimes flicker) on campus and I’d see it all the time, but at the risk of sounding a tad cheesy… MVNU lit a fire for me too. By allowing me to me who I am and grow in an environment that only cultivated that and challenged me to become even better I’m able to devote my talents wholeheartedly into my job and ministry without a second thought.
My Pastor said last week that its not what you do that defines who you are, but who you are is what actually matters. Very true. For the ‘what are you doing in your church’ section, I’m doing whatever is asked. I haven’t filled a leadership role or led a bible study because frankly, there are brothers and sisters out there more well equipped at teaching than I am. But being allowed to fill a support or service role has been a real blessing.
Tying a bit of my work and church together through the community would be the things like relief work during the California wild fires last fall. Seeing a group of brothers and sisters grab paint brushes weekend after weekend to wipe out graffiti in our neighborhoods. Bring hope to the hopeless, encouragement to the weak, and rejoicing with those that are on the mountain top… that’s what Romans 12:15 is all about and its a verse that stuck with me during a chapel service at MVNU my Junior year.
I may not be in Mount Vernon, Ohio… or frankly the east coast anymore… but through emails, calls, facebook/myspace we’re all able to stay connected. To see just how my other classmates are thriving too means that I wasn’t just some ‘whiz’ or a special case. I also know myself far too well to ever believe that ha! But… it’s MVNU and the striving… not for perfection… but excellence, that’s been instilled within us.
Thanks for everything… and so much more.
Betsy Sharp
MVNU Alum ’06
My time at Mt. Vernon was one of the best times in my life. God sent my life mate, and friends that will always remain dear to me. We were a small community that learned to “grow up” and draw closer to God and each other. What a great atmosphere for doing that! I’m very thankful for this place.
I started going to MVNC because my parents convinced me it was a good deal because they could get an apartment off campus for my brother and I and we’d share a car. Turns out I roomed with my brother in Oakwood Freshman dorm our first year. In addition, it turns out I fell in love the college, campus and everything else about the Naz’.
The experiences and growth I achieved at MVNU are cherished to this day. From communication classes with Dr. Kyong Kim, to drama classes with Dan Behr and chapel with Gary Sivewright. They are all memories I’d love to relive again.
The friendships and support received from both fellow students and staff was also more valuable than I can explain.
I can’t really say I’m directly using the major and minor I came away from campus with, but the education, faith, training and knowledge I absorbed during my four years on campus stay with me through every day’s decisions and steps along this path of life.
I graduated from MVNC in 1985-wow, that seems so long ago and yet just like last week. I am married, have four children, teach and we are active at our home church with childrens ministries. I am also in the process of finishing my last two classes to complete my masters degree. One of my courses is Human Growth and Development and while I was sitting in lecture and listening to the prof. my mind wandered back to MVNC and Dr. Dorothy Burton. She was my professor for Human Growth while I attended MVNC and she was one of the professors that taught me the “art of teaching” and making a difference in the world not only as a teacher but as a Christian. There’s a saying ” People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” I knew Dr. Burton cared. Not only for me as a student but as a person as well. I may not remember all the theories from her class but I do remember the Godly example she set for all of us. Many times since 1986 I have reflected upon my time at MVNC and how it has impacted my life and my teaching career for Christ. Thank you MVNC and thank you Mrs. Dorothy Burton.
Hi MVNU,
My time at MVNU taught me what it means to be myself. Even though I’m now in the Navy and am headed to even greater things, I’ve realized that through all my searching, MVNU made me start it all.
My friends from there are still here today and are still involved in who I am shaping myself to become with the help of God, the US NAVY, friends and most of all family, I am finding what it takes to be true to myself.
Thanks for the enlightening moments.
LOL, Grace Kirkland (Class of 05′)
Teaching at a boys’ boarding school, I hear quite a few ideas about what they think college will be once they get there. After they have given me their thoughts on the craziness, freedom, and “happiness” they think they will encounter while in college, I tell them that there are things that matter in college much more than those hollywood ideals of their college days.
These are the things that I most remember from MVNC. the relationships that I had with the faculty and students. I tell my students about having color parties with Ms. Stweart at her house. They are pretty schocked when I tell them that my professors where available for help on work outside of the classroom. When I think about how personal my experience was, I just get a smile on my face. GOD directed me to just the place that I needed to mature and grow up. The personal and spriritual maturity was a wonderful “byproduct” of going to college. In going to MVNC for an education, I got so much more in the package.
I still remember the communion time during my last Student revival services when I re-dedicated my life to His calling and direction. Everytime I take communion GOD reminds of that time and how He has helped since those days. I only realized how blessed I was when talking to my wife about her college experience. Her thoughts are not so pleasant, and don’t evoke the memories that MVNC help me to create.
I want to thank the faculty for the time, energy, and support that they gave me in my college years. As a teacher, I relaize each year more and more how being a true teacher is being someone who wants to invest time into peoples’ lives.
thanks, Bill Thomas ’89
I am curious if there would be an interest in signing my petition for a MVNU Ohio license plate. I will then make available BMV petition 481. The state requires @ least 1,000 signatures. lets show our pride and accomplish this goal! This link will take you to the BMV 4810 form to look it over.
http://www.bmv.ohio.gov/pdf_forms/4810.pdf
Class of 2008
“MVNU” Ohio License plate!!!
I am curious if there would be an interest in signing my petition for a MVNU Ohio license plate. I will then make available BMV petition 481. The state requires @ least 1,000 signatures. Lets show our pride and accomplish this goal! This link will take you to the BMV 4810 form to look it over.
http://www.bmv.ohio.gov/pdf_forms/4810.pdf
Class of ’08
I look back fondly on my time at Mt. Vernon, as it was a time of great academic, social, and spiritual growth in my life. I met my future wife along with many lifelong friends and experienced God’s grace in various ways.
Now that I am employed in a university setting myself, I hope I can play a part in touching the lives of others the way God touched my life through the faculty, staff, and overall campus of MVNC(U)!
Hey there MVNU!
Wow, the mark you made on my life started when I was 13 when I first visited with my youth group and youth Pastor Dave Curtiss. When I stepped on your grounds, it was love at first sight! Can it be that was almost 30 years ago???
It was on your grounds and in your halls that I was prepared for a career in teaching and ministry. I met lifelong friends, and my wonderful husband Lynn. I grew in my faith and my walk with the Lord and made the faith of my family my own. I almost matured into an adult – I’m still working on that!
After 12 years of teaching, my call into youth/children’s ministry was fulfilled. Dr. Saunder’s advice to stay on the education track proved to be excellent advice. He told me that God could always open the doors into ministry in His timing, but my degree in elementary education would be solid.
Whew…I could go on for hours reminiscing the mark that MVNC(U) has made on my life. The education profs, Juanita Daniel, The Donohos and The Princes and oh the pranks we pulled during those years!
Thank you MVNU for the mark you have made on my life. It’s always a thrill to tell others about you and I’m thankful for the mark you are making on other family members.
I’ll be back to visit you in just a few months for my 20 year reunion and Homecoming. DID I JUST SAY THAT?
With fondness,
Becky
I had then privilege of graduating Group 3 Excell! We had ten people in a class that was serving as a model and a beginning of what has become a great program.
Through attending Excell, I was able to be the first in my family to receive a bachelor degree and continue on and receive a masters Degree from Ohio University. It truly was “life Changing” as per the motto!
Ron Bolander, Doug Pilsbury, and many others served as great role models and inspirations for what many of us desired to become. They challanged our assumptions and molded our minds into higher thinking with a christian heart. Their understanding of adult learners along with their deep faith of God made for a great combination in creating a new generation of christ centered business professionals.
Thank-you MVNU for catapulting my faith, thinking, career, and ability to “give back” through christian values and practice in all I do.
I stumbled upon this page after searching the MVNU site with my daughter on the other end of the phone attempting to add money to her present cougar card. I found myself browsing thru the homecoming pictures for familiar faces and many memories came rushing back.
I can say that attending MVNC was one of best decisions and blessings in my young life. Upon high school graduation I knew I wanted to go to college, away from home, but with no specific major field in mind. I had originally wanted to attend Trevecca Naz because I did not want to do the same thing as my sister. But when I attended a Jr/Sr day on campus I was hooked. Every where I turned, someone was saying hello and smiling. I still remember someone tossing me a Frisbee with a school logo on it and catching it in front of the library. They were impressed with my skill and I was impressed with the school. After my first year at MVNC I determined my major to be Nursing. I completed a 2 year associate degree and went on to receive my BSN in nursing from Capital University. During my studies at Capital I was required to take an ethics class. The professor of the class was strongly negative toward Christian schools and their “RULES”. He believed that if you just allowed people to do as they pleased instead of burdening them with restrictions there would be less problems with alcohol and other areas of contention. I purposely took the time to share with him that the choice I made to attend a school with these supposed restrictions was a choice I made willing. That strength, determination and maturity to stand up for my choices and faith came directly from my time at Mt Vernon.
My most memorable things range from the passion of Professor Fairchild teaching Zoology, Traveling to Washington DC with Prof. Youngman for the experience with the class Forms of Contemporary Ministries and several memorable chapels; including but not limited to ‘There’s an X in Sex’ and ‘Showers of Blessings’. But one of the biggest things that I have never forgotten and have taken me thru many tough times in life (and quoted to a friend less than 3 days prior to writing this note) are what I believe to be the most infamous words to me came from then, Chaplin Cox. Which were spoken at my orientation way back in the fall of 1979. His words of wisdom were quirky, yet strength to me thru many years. They were as follows:
“Go to college, stay in college, stay until you’re through,
If they can make penicillin out of mold, they can make
something out of you”
I bid a gracious thank you to the people whose vision for the school made it a reality; for those whom went before me, were there with me, and especially for those who attend at present and are the future.
I did not know Christ when I started at MVNU, then MVNC. Had my life taken any other course, I would more than likely not have seen my son baptized this Easter. I think the biggest impact on my coming to know Christ was the sense of community and the opportunity to learn about what Jesus did for me.
The friendships I made while on campus were/are still precious to me. I was a bit older when I started to earn my degree and each and every person I came to know inspired me in some way. I can honestly say that I am more because our paths crossed.
Life doesn’t always make sense, God doesn’t always make sense but when He fills your life with Grace like that, it is impossible to doubt it’s origin.
Thank you MVNU and thank you Art Department for providing an environment and student body that continues to motivate and enrich my life.
Well, MVNC (now MVNU) has been making a difference in my life since the spring of my senior year of high school. I had been offered a great scholarship at West Liberty, in WV. That’s where I was headed. Then a group from our church took a trip to MVNC. This was back in 1973. The campus was so much wide open spaces – no chapel building, nothing in those fields, no apartments, etc.
Walking across those fields, I truly believe God spoke to me – not audibly, but certainly within my heart, and told me that MVNC was the place I needed to go. When I got home and told my parents, they were quite unhappy. In fact, I was told that if I didn’t go to West Liberty, then they would not help me with college. My grandparents – who were not far from retirement at that point, told me that I could just move in with them, work at raising money as best I could, and they would help as much as they could. MVNC hooked me up with part time work study jobs, helped me get some student loans, and four years later, I was graduating in the second B.A. degree class of campus.
So the education changed me. The spiritual life changed me. Going to class where often we opened in prayer. Wonderful chapels, evening speakers who hung out with us in the dorms or around campus, the most amazing concerts, and living on campus with hundreds of brothers and sisters – mind boggling. I remember water battles in Oakwood, tubing at the Bible College, late night talks with Vicki Smith, Nancy Kean (now Flowers), Larry Rader, Dennis Bray, Jim Gilley, and so many others.
I remember working with various groups at Mt. Vernon 1st church – the first year, I was one of the college chaperones of a kids church trip to the Columbus Zoo and one of my charges had his glasses pulled off his face by a monkey! I remember falling in love with Pastor and Mrs. Archer. And I remember, in later years, my great friend David Wine and our fun with the Teen Bible Quizzers of 1st Church.
There were tough times – hard classes, a car accident, stressing out over a variety of things. And there were insightful times – times spent with Dr. Garsee and others talking over how to live a Christian life.
I remember a Sunday morning sermon by Pastor Archer from Jeremiah, where God revealed to me that dispite all my flaws, he was still the potter and was able to reform me into something useful.
I remember believing I had falled in love. And I remember when the relationship was one that resulted in me driving through a blizzard to propose to the young lady who eventually married me and has put up with me for so many years since those days.
The amazing thing is that this past summer, I went to spend a week on another Nazarene campus. And it brought it all back, so much so that I longed to be living on campus again.
That’s quite an impact, if 30 years later the person still remembers a community so important that it feels fresh.
I came across this site while searching for in formation on my old singing group Faith Inc. The 4 years at MVNC were amazing to me 1973-1977, and I have so many memories of amazing professors that challanged me, loved me and formed my spiritual maturity.
Prof Goodman gave us the deep understsnding of the New Testament that he had aquired, Dave wine was youg enought to relate to us as freshmen in goodwin hall and DR.Cubie was intellectual to draw out the truth in our arguments.
All this has con tributed to many good years and good decicions in 30 tears of business. God bless friends like Ron Bolender and larry Verdin for their contributions to my life, to Bill Carte, Greg Spangler, Mike Nicodemous, Audie Whipkey, John Coffman And al others in our 4 years that made Faith Inc. the ministry that it was.
MVNC is missed and thought of many times as i go through life.God bless all that crossed my life during those years. Al Atkisson
Alfred, Thank you so much for sharing your memories! So glad to hear that MVNU has made a difference in your life.
Take care and have a blessed week.