Mount Vernon Nazarene University

2011-2012 Catalog

Denominational Relationship and Control

A coeducational university of the arts and sciences, Mount Vernon Nazarene University is the official university of the East Central Educational Region of the Church of the Nazarene. Primary responsibility for sponsorship and support of the University is charged to the Nazarene congregations in Ohio, West Virginia, and the eastern half of Kentucky, with control delegated to the Board of Trustees elected by the annual assemblies of the Central Ohio, East Kentucky, East Ohio, North Central Ohio, Northwestern Ohio, Southwestern Ohio, West Virginia North and West Virginia South districts. Many of the students come from this church constituency. However, the University is not narrowly sectarian; students of like ideals are welcome to the university community.

As an institution of the Church of the Nazarene, Mount Vernon Nazarene University stands in the Wesleyan evangelical tradition, as summarized in the "Articles of Faith" in the Manual, Church of the Nazarene. According to this "Agreed Statement of Belief," we believe:

  • In one God – the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
  • That the Old and New Testament scriptures, given by plenary inspiration, contain all truth necessary to faith and Christian living.
  • That man is born with a fallen nature and is, therefore, inclined to evil, and that continually.
  • That the finally impenitent are hopelessly and eternally lost.
  • That the atonement through Christ is for the whole human race; and that whosoever repents and believes on the Lord Jesus Christ is justified and regenerated and saved from the dominion of sin.
  • That believers are to be sanctified wholly, subsequent to regeneration, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
  • That the Holy Spirit bears witness to the new birth and also the entire sanctification of believers.
  • That our Lord will return, the dead will be raised, and the final judgment will take place.

To these ends, the Mount Vernon Nazarene University curriculum follows a liberal arts pattern, which encompasses career preparation at the college level in selected professional and pre-professional areas of study.