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Homecoming

Join in the largest migration of Pioneers, as alumni and friends descend upon the MNU campus for a weekend of meaningful activities designed to help everyone remember, relive, and reconnect.

Homecoming & Family Weekend

October 9-11, 2026

Homecoming is the largest gathering of MNU alumni all year long. We welcome alums and their families to campus for a weekend full of fun and meaningful events and activities. We worship, enjoy fellowship with each other, cheer for our teams, admire the talent of our current students and our fellow alums, recognize the purposeful lives we lead, and celebrate the faithful lives of those we have lost in the past year.

It is a powerful weekend and we want as many alums as possible to join us on campus every year.

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Schedule of Events

Check back soon for an updated schedule.

9:00 AMHomecoming Visit Day Check-In (for prospective students)College Church
9:30 AMHomecoming ChapelCollege Church
11:00 AMPassion to Serve Sculpture DedicationCampus Mall
11:00 AMMNU Archives: Self-Guided Tour (till 5:00 PM)Mabee Learning Commons (Smith Archives)
11:30 AMAlumni Award Honorees Luncheon (invite only)Cunningham Center (Austin Room)
12:00 AMLunch**Cunningham Center (Wiley Commons)
12:30 PMAthletic Hall of Fame Induction CeremonyBell Center (Performance Hall)
3:00 PMHymn Sing-AlongBell Center (McIntire Room)
3:00 PMReception: MBB Alumni of the 1960s & 70sCook Center (Allega Room)
5:00 PMCopeland Athletic Complex DedicationCopeland Athletic Complex
6:00 PMBig Tent BBQ Dinner*Copeland Athletic Complex
7:00 PMCOLLAGE: Performing Arts Concert*Bell Center (Performance Hall)
7:00 PMFootball Alumni GatheringFieldhouse
7:00 PMTrack & Field/XC Alumni GatheringPioneer Track
7:00 PMClass of 1975 ReceptionCunningham Center (Hight Center)
8:30 PMFriends of the Performing Arts Reception (invite only)Bell Center (Gilmore Room)
9:00 PMMen’s Soccer Alumni Indoor GameToca Fieldhouse (NW Olathe)

*Event requires registration | **Event is at your own expense

8:00 AMWomen’s Soccer Alumni GameCook Center (North Gym/2nd floor)
8:30 AMHomecoming Celebration Breakfast*College Church (Uphaus Hall)
9:00 AMFootball Visit Day Check-InCopeland Athletic Complex
9:00 AMWomen’s Soccer Alumni GatheringCook Center (Allega Room)
10:00 AMClass Reunions*Metz/Smith
10:00 AMGolden Reunion: Class of 1975*College Church (Garrett Chapel)
10:00 AMVolleyball Alumni GameCook Center
10:30 AMNursing Alumni Brunch*Cunningham Center (Tollefson Room)
11:30 AMNew Sports Performance Center: Open House (till 12:45 PM)Land Gymnasium
12:00 PMTailgate Lunch**Copeland Athletic Complex
12:00 PMWomen’s Soccer Game vs Clarke University*Pioneer Field†
1:00 PMHomecoming Football Game vs Central Methodist*Copeland Athletic Complex
2:30 PMMen’s Soccer Game vs Clarke University*Pioneer Field†
5:00 PMPioneer Family Feast*Cunningham Center (Wiley Commons)
5:30 PMPioneer Store (Open till 7PM)Cunningham Center (The Pioneer Store)
6:00 PMMNU Night of PraiseCunningham Center (Founder’s Plaza)
7:00 PMMen’s Basketball Alumni ReunionCook Center (Allega Room)
7:00 PMWomen’s Basketball Alumni GameCook Center
7:00 PMNight of Praise AfterglowCunningham Center (Sun Lounge)
8:30 PMMen’s Basketball Alumni GameCook Center
8:30 PMMNU Jazz Band ReunionCunningham Center (Tollefson Room)

*Event requires registration | **Event is at your own expense |†Time and/or location subject to change

8:00 AM President’s Memorial Prayer Breakfast (invite only) Bell Center (Grand Lobby)
9:00 AM Homecoming & Family Worship College Church
10:30 AM Golden Reunion Sunday School Class College Church (Choir Room)
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Homecoming 2025 Highlights

Homecoming Information

The 2026 Alumni Awards

Each year, we honor several alumni who have led purposeful lives following their days at MNU. These awards include: Alumna of the Year, Alumnus of the Year, Young Alum of the Year, and Carrying the Torch. In 2022, we created the Michael Copeland Civic Leadership Award to honor alumni who are serving in the public sector. If you would like to nominate a Pioneer for any of these awards, please fill out the Nomination Form by May 1. Recipients will be announced in August and will be honored during Homecoming & Family Weekend, October 9-11.

NOMINATE
NOMINATE

Events

First Act - Urinetown
Bell Cultural Events Center - Mabee Performing Arts Hall
Nov 6, 2025 @ 7:00pm
to Nov 9, 2025 @ 4:30pm
In a Gotham-like city, a terrible water shortage, caused by a 20-year drought, has led to a government-enforced ban on private toilets. The citizens must use public amenities, regulated by a single malevolent company that profits by charging admission for one of humanity’s most basic needs. Amid the people, a hero decides that he’s had enough and plans a revolution to lead them all to freedom!
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First Act - Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Bell Cultural Events Center - Mabee Performing Arts Hall
Oct 30, 2025 @ 7:00pm
to Nov 2, 2025 @ 4:30pm
Jeff Kinney’s popular character takes center stage as Greg’s cartoon diary becomes a hilarious and heartfelt musical. Will Greg’s plans to become popular lead him to sacrifice his one true friend? Can anyone avoid the dreaded Cheese Touch? Grab a hall pass and don’t be late for an adventure familiar to anyone who actually survived middle school.
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Chorus Kansas City | Gloria!
Bell Cultural Events Center - Mabee Performing Arts Hall
Dec 12, 2025 @ 7:00pm
to Dec 12, 2025 @ 8:30pm
CKC brings together adults of all ages who share a love for making beautiful music and building meaningful friendships. Their winter concert will feature Antonio Vivaldi’s “Gloria” accompanied by chamber orchestra and works by contemporary composer Elaine Hagenberg.
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Innovation Academy Invitational
MidAmerica Nazarene University - Cunningham Student Center
Mar 7, 2026 @ 10:30am
to Mar 7, 2026 @ 3:00pm
MNU's Innovation Academy Invitational is for high-achieving juniors and seniors in high school. During the event, students
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Fountain City Brass Band | Bells-a-Plenty
Bell Cultural Events Center - Mabee Performing Arts Hall
Dec 13, 2025 @ 7:30pm
to Dec 13, 2025 @ 9:30pm
Celebrate the magic of the season with the internationally acclaimed Fountain City Brass Band as they return to the Bell Center for a festive evening of music, memories, and merriment!
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College and Career Day
Cunningham Center
Oct 29, 2025 @ 9:00am
to Oct 29, 2025 @ 12:00pm
This special event is designed for high school students who want to explore what’s next after graduation.
Read More

Navigate Your Alumni Journey

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Pioneer Football

Dr. David Spittal​

President

EdD; Educational Administration (Higher Education/Public Relations), Ball State University
MSE; Music, Ball State University
BS; Music & Art Education, Ball State University

Dr. David Spittal has been the president of MidAmerica Nazarene University since 2012. Under his leadership, the university is striving to reach the next level of God-honoring excellence.

Prior to coming to MNU, Dr. Spittal served as president of Southern Wesleyan University in Central, S.C., from 1994 to 2011. During his 17-year tenure, the university experienced historic growth and expanded to five campuses and learning centers. His work led SWU to strengthen and build relationships with the local and regional community.

An influential member of the local community, Dr. Spittal serves on various councils and boards including the Council of Advisors of the Olathe Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trustees for the Kansas Independent College Association and Kansas Independent College Fund. He is a member of the USA/Canada Council of Education of the Church of the Nazarene.

He and his wife Donna have two grown sons and six grandchildren.

University Cooperative Program

Advantages of the MNU & Cleveland University-Kansas City Cooperative Program:

  • Accelerated pathway to becoming a Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine
  • Acceptance into Cleveland for all students who complete appropriate coursework at MNU with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher.
  • Specialized advisor for students of MNU who intends to pursue professional study at Cleveland.

To qualify for program entry at MNU students must:

  • Desire to pursue a career in Chiropractic Medicine
  • Major in Kinesiology

To qualify for program entry at Cleveland students must:

  • Complete an application to Cleveland 6 months in advance of desired entrance date.
  • Complete a minimum of 99 hours of an undergraduate degree at MNU.
  • Maintain a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA
  • Complete all coursework as outlined in the agreement between MNU and Cleveland.

Other restrictions and qualifications may apply.

For additional information, contact Leigh Kreshel at lakreshel@873515.com

University Cooperative Program

Advantages of the MNU & Southwest Baptist University Cooperative Program:

  • Preference points on application into a highly competitive program.
  • Mission alignment between Southwest Baptist University and MNU.

To qualify for the MNU & Southwest Baptist University Cooperative Program  students must:

  • Have a minimum 3.0 overall GPA.
  • Complete the GRE
  • Complete the PT application through PTCAS
  • Provide documentation of 40 hours observation in physical therapy.
  • Complete selected prerequisite courses with a minimum of “C” and a 3.25 prerequisite GPA.

Your adviser will work with you to ensure that you take the required prerequisite courses to qualify for this program.

For additional information, contact Leigh Kreshel at lakreshel@873515.com

University Cooperative Program

Advantages of the MNU & Washington University School of Engineering and Applied Science cooperative program:

  • 3+2 Option: Students spend 3 years at MNU and then transfer to WashU for 2 years to earn an undergraduate engineering degree from WashU and a bachelor’s degree from MNU, or
  • 3+3 Option: Students spend 3 years at MNU and then transfer to WashU for 3 years to earn an undergraduate engineering degree from WashU, a bachelor’s degree from MNU, plus a master’s in engineering from WashU.
  • Combines the best of MNU with the strength of a top engineering school
  • Students participating in the 3+3 options receive a 50-60% tuition discount at WashU
  • GRE is not required for admission

To qualify for entry into the program at MNU students must:

  • Enter the program at MNU at the beginning of the freshman year through the application process
  • Maintain an overall GPA of 3.25 or better in science and mathematics courses
  • Meet regularly with the MNU pre-professional committee

To qualify for program completion at WashU students must:

  • Complete all General Education requirements at MNU
  • Complete a minimum of 90 credit hours of transferable college credit
  • Complete the following courses:
    • Chemistry: one semester of general chemistry with lab
    • Computer Programming: One course or certified proficiency in a high-level language
    • English Composition: One course or certified proficiency
    • Humanities and Social Sciences: At least 15 hours (see WashU website for specific prerequisites)
    • Mathematics: See WashU website for specific prerequisites
    • Physics: One year calculus-based physics with lab
  • See WashU website for department-specific prerequisites

To learn more about program offerings at MNU and degree specific prerequisites, visit engineering.wustl.edu/dualdegree

Other restrictions and qualifications may apply.

For additional information, contact Craig Masters at cmasters@873515.com

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The campus is closing at 3pm & classes and activities after 3pm are either canceled or remote, 12-01-2025