____ MVNU's History

A Brief Overview | Building Projects | Miracle on the Kokosing

MVNU's History: A Brief Overview

> Founded in 1968 as Mount Vernon Nazarene College, a two-year institution, on the Lakeholm farm grounds in Mount Vernon, Ohio. Began with only a few buildings, barns and sheds surrounded by corn fields.

> First president was Dr. Stephen Nease, who served from 1968 until 1972.

> Dr. Nease founded MVNU’s motto: “To seek to learn is to seek to serve.”

> Dr. John A. Knight followed as the second president from 1972 to 1975.

> Full accreditation was granted by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools in 1972 which extended MVNU’s offerings to include bachelor’s degrees. MVNU added a variety of programs and majors to develop into a full four-year institution.

> Dr. L. Guy Nees served as the third president from 1975-1980.

> Dr. William J. Prince faithfully carried out presidential duties from 1980-1989.

> From 1989-2007, Dr. E. LeBron Fairbanks diligently served as MVNU’s fifth president. MVNU saw much growth during this period.

> In 1990, MVNU expanded to include the Adult and Graduate Studies program (formerly Excell), a degree completion program for non-traditional students which includes associate’s, bachelor’s, and graduate degrees. Adult and Graduate Studies now has campuses in seven locations with more coming soon: Mount Vernon, Columbus-Polaris, Gahanna, Mansfield, Newark, Cincinnati, Lima, and Newark.

> Transitioned to University status on August 2, 2002, to be officially named Mount Vernon Nazarene University.

> MVNU’s first graduating class under the University title in May 2003 was the largest graduating class ever with more than 500 traditional undergraduate, AGS, and honorary degree recipients.

> Fall 2005 enrollment saw numbers hit a record high of 2,549, including traditional undergraduate students and adult and graduate students.

> Student numbers increased again in fall 2006 with more than 2,600 total students.

> A new women's softball field was built on the West Campus across State Route 586 from main campus, to be used for the spring season 2007. This was the first structure completed on this property.

> Dr. Daniel Martin took office as MVNU's sixth and current president on February 1, 2007.