Introduction to MNU

OUR HISTORY
Founded in 1966, MidAmerica Nazarene University opened its doors to students in 1968 with an enrollment of 263. Since that initial semester of operation, enrollment has increased dramatically and now totals approximately 1,900. The University offers undergraduate academic majors in 39 areas, a degree-completion program in Management and Human Relations, a baccalaureate degree affiliation with European Nazarene Bible College in Germany, and graduate-level programs in education and business administration.

MidAmerica is located 19 miles southwest of downtown Kansas City, Missouri, on a 105-acre campus in Olathe, Kansas, the county seat of Johnson County. Because of its strategic location in the Greater Kansas City area, students and faculty have access to the cultural, recreational and employment advantages of this metroplex. The permanent control of the University is vested in a board of trustees elected from the various districts of the North Central Region of the Church of the Nazarene: Iowa, Joplin, Kansas, Kansas City, Minnesota, Missouri, Dakota, and Nebraska.
 

THE MISSION STATEMENT
MidAmerica Nazarene University is a comprehensive liberal arts university offering undergraduate and selected professional and graduate degrees. Sponsored by the North Central Region of the International Church of the Nazarene, the university is committed to serving the church and its global mission.

A Christian community in the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition, MidAmerica Nazarene University seeks to transform the individual through intellectual, spiritual, and personal development for a life of service to God, the church, the nation, and the world.
 

THE VISION STATEMENT
MidAmerica Nazarene University is a Christian community of higher education where students are being transformed for a life of service and leadership.
 

OUR MOTTO: TO LEARN . . . TO SERVE . . . TO BE
The Mission of MidAmerica Nazarene University as a holiness, liberal arts university is summed up succinctly in the motto TO LEARN, TO SERVE, TO BE.

TO LEARN denotes the pursuit of excellence. Liberal arts in the context of Christian holiness calls for commitment to a life of learning.

TO SERVE means involvement in a life of compassion. The pursuit of excellence is to be blended with Christlike compassion.

TO BE points to a journey toward wholeness. Wholeness means loving God with heart, soul, mind and strength. The journey toward wholeness makes every desk an altar, and every classroom a cathedral where faith and learning are blended together.
 

INSTITUTIONAL GOALS
The University has four primary goals which are defined as the development of the student, service to God and humanity, career preparation, and an understanding of America's heritage.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE STUDENT.
In seeking to meet the needs of whole persons, the University provides a wide variety of intellectual, social, and religious activities that serve a developmental function in students. These include the general education program, the major fields of preparation, chapel and convocation emphases, campus social events, annual fall and spring revival services, and intercollegiate/intramural athletics.

SERVICE TO GOD AND HUMANITY.
The University promotes its ideal of service through emphases on social concerns, the Office of Compassionate Ministries and other organizations of the Associated Student Government (ASG), chapel programming, and special events such as the annual Festival of Youth in Missions.

CAREER PREPARATION.
Preparation for a rewarding professional life is a goal that is reached in the successful educating of students in a major field of their choice, and is assessed by means of a required senior comprehensive examination or project. All academic divisions of the University emphasize formal objectives and a balance between the liberal arts and courses in specialized areas. The ultimate goal is to develop broadly educated individuals with specific skills and career knowledge related to a potential field of service and work.
 

UNDERSTANDING AMERICA'S HERITAGE.
The goal of understanding America's heritage and an awareness of its distinctive opportunities and responsibilities in the world community is accomplished in several ways. These include participation in campus governance through the ASG, the sponsoring of political clubs on campus, the annual American Heritage Lectures featuring articulate speakers on appropriate themes, a Multicultural emphasis each year and an Americana section in Mabee Library and Learning Resource Center. General education courses seek to address the uniqueness of America’s position in the world and to challenge students to develop an appreciation of both Western and non-western cultural aspects of the human family.
 

COLORS:	Scarlet, Royal and White
MASCOT:
MOTTO:	To Learn, To Serve, To Be
THEME:	Colonial/American Heritage
ALMA MATER:	On a Kansas hill were planted Dreams of hope from Heaven's Light; Pioneers' undaunted spirits Kept the vision burning bright. Now it stands with sure foundation. God directs its destiny Like the eagle soaring higher: Ever stronger, ever free.   MidAmerica we laud you, Lift our praise to Heav'n above. Stately pillars oft remind us Of the hallowed halls we love. Keep the torch for freedom burning, Fuel'd with passion for the right! Grant us faith that ever reaches To the Source of Truth and Light. Words by Dr. Jerry Nelson Music setting suggested by Dr. Jerry Nelson "Ode to Joy"-Beethoven