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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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)!

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

Class of 2008

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

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′)