Purposeful Lives Start Here

Welcome to the energy and excitement that is MidAmerica Nazarene University!

Your Place for Purpose

MNU students pursue a pioneering spirit and cultivate a passion to serve within a Christlike community as they learn how to lead purposeful lives. You’ll see purposeful lives manifested in class, in dorm rooms, chapel, the dining hall, clubs, labs, clinical experiences, groups, troupes, teams, counseling sessions, advising sessions, friendships, relationships, the heat of competition, quiet moments, thin places, studying, learning, challenging yourself, overcoming, stepping outside of your comfort zone, asking for help, prayer, success, failure, in a leap of faith, in Christ…because Purposeful Lives Start Here.

Profiles of Purpose

Capt. Tammie Jo Shults: Pilot, Mentor, Woman of Faith

On April 17, 2018, Capt. Tammie Jo Shults made history by safely landing a heavily damaged Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 after a catastrophic engine failure and cabin decompression—an act of skill and composure that saved 148 lives. On April 11, 2025, the 1983 MidAmerica Nazarene University alumna was inducted into the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame.

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Student Profiles

Written in Faith: Student-Athletes Leave Lasting Thoughts For Visitors

Just two days before MidAmerica Nazarene University dedicated its new Copeland Athletic Complex, members of MNU’s Association of...

Generations of Purposeful Ministry

MNU welcomed several members of the Spindle family at President’s Honors April 11, 2025. MNU President Emeritus Dr....

Student Makes Groundbreaking Discovery in REU Experience

Senior physics and mathematics double-major Saragrace Felvus was one of eight students participating in a highly competitive Research...

Student Success: Danielle Hertzler, Class of 2024

“Everyone’s journey is different,” says Danielle Hertzler who just graduated from MNU’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing...

Alumni Profiles

Rachel Marlow’s Purposeful Journey from Student to Kansas Teacher of the Year

Each time Rachel Marlow (MEd ’15) enters her music classroom at Central Elementary in Olathe, she brings not...

Purpose Beyond Position

When Dr. Nancy Damron (’95, MEd ’98) first stepped onto MidAmerica Nazarene University’s campus, she wasn’t sure what...

Breaking Cycles, Building Futures: Justin Pickens Inspires Future Educators

When Justin Pickens (’10) stood before 300 high school students considering a career in education, he shared a...

A Purpose-Driven Path to Justice

Andrew Speicher (’98) lives out MNU’s mission daily as a husband, father, attorney, and community leader. His faith...

Purposeful Lives In Action

Audrey Weaver, Shawn Evans and Abby Kovalcik are MNU's 2025 Alumni Award Recipients.

Dr. Jeff DeGraffenreid Honored with Michael Copeland Civic Leadership Award

MidAmerica Nazarene University is proud to announce Dr. Jeff DeGraffenreid (’96, MEd ’99) as the 2025 recipient of...

Paying It Forward With Purpose

Apa Visinia, Jr. (’23, MBA ’25) is living out his purpose in a rewarding job that allows him...

Living His Purpose Through The Law

When Jerry Wallentine (’95) arrived at MidAmerica Nazarene University in 1991, he brought with him a deep Nazarene...

Purpose Continues in "Retirement"

Roxanne (Alexander ’81) Jones, RN, BSN, MA, never imagined her nursing career would take her around the world—and...

Purpose Leads Alum Back to MNU

Growing up on MidAmerica Nazarene University’s campus, Jared Kellum (’16, ABSN ’19, MSN '25) always felt at home...

Community Profiles

Back On Campus and Ready to Roll!

Why would a university buy a vintage fire truck? For MNU, the answer is simply history, mission and...

Olathe Mayor John Bacon to Receive Michael Copeland Civic Leadership Award

Olathe Mayor and MNU Alumnus John Bacon will be honored with the Michael Copeland Civic Leadership Award from...

Transformational Experiences for MNU Nursing Students in Ecuador

MNU nursing students traveled to Ecuador to help children who rarely see a healthcare provider. Along with two nursing...

Alumni Spotlight: Major John Roland

On January 16, 2024, one of MNU's own, Olathe Police Major John Roland, a 2004 graduate, was honored...

Prayer Partners

Join in praying with and for MidAmerica Nazarene University by signing up today to be a Prayer Partner. All of our partners will receive a printable prayer guide, as well as regular emails on specific ways to pray for MNU, for our students, faculty and staff, and for members of the extended Pioneer family. Thanks in advance for praying for MNU!

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

Purposeful Lives Start Here

Your Place for Purpose

Profiles of Purpose

Capt. Tammie Jo Shults: Pilot, Mentor, Woman of Faith

Student Profiles

Alumni Profiles

Community Profiles

Prayer Partners

Pioneer Football

Dr. David Spittal

President

University Cooperative Program

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

To qualify for program entry at MNU students must:

To qualify for program entry at Cleveland students must:

University Cooperative Program

Advantages of the MNU & Southwest Baptist University Cooperative Program:

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

University Cooperative Program

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

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

To qualify for program completion at WashU students must:

Add Your Heading Text Here

Purposeful Lives Start Here

Your Place for Purpose

Profiles of Purpose

Capt. Tammie Jo Shults: Pilot, Mentor, Woman of Faith

Student Profiles

Alumni Profiles

Community Profiles

Prayer Partners

Pioneer Football

Dr. David Spittal​

President

University Cooperative Program

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

To qualify for program entry at MNU students must:

To qualify for program entry at Cleveland students must:

University Cooperative Program

Advantages of the MNU & Southwest Baptist University Cooperative Program:

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

University Cooperative Program

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

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

To qualify for program completion at WashU students must:

Add Your Heading Text Here

Dr. David Spittal