MVNU and employee receive two chamber awards
January 25, 2010
MOUNT VERNON, Ohio -- Mount Vernon Nazarene University and one of its employees were recently honored with Knox County Chamber of Commerce awards presented at the annual Chamber dinner in January.
MVNU’s new Buchwald Center, located in downtown Mount Vernon, received the Heart Award, given to a chamber member business for achieving and maintaining architectural design that complements the community. Also nominated for the award this year were Centerburg Pointe and Pierce Hall at Kenyon College. The William and Evelyn Prince Student Union on MVNU’s campus was nominated for the award in 2006.
MVNU leaders desired to preserve some historic architectural elements and overall creative spirit of the original structure of the Buchwald Center, built in 1904. At the same time, MVNU desired to develop a modern atmosphere that took advantage of natural light, expansive space, and the downtown location. Environmental sustainability was of primary importance. The Buchwald Center became the first LEED certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building in Knox County. A pre-construction walk-through of the building was held with community leaders in May 2008. Just 15 months later, the Buchwald Center officially celebrated its open house on September 4, 2009.
Students and faculty now enjoy a facility more than four times the size of the original art building on main campus. This structure is one of the largest for art among the schools in the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. Community members can experience a variety of art in the Schnormeier Gallery, adult and graduate education options, and potential future art workshops for all ages. MVNU looks forward to exploring potential partnerships with COTC, the Heritage Center Association, downtown merchants and areas schools to maximize their impact.
Dr. Margie Bennett, director of Institutional Research & Compliance and professor of mathematics, received the Women in Business Leadership Award, given to a Chamber member who serves as a role model encouraging young women to achieve their full leadership potential. Bennet has been a resident of Knox County for 33 years.
When asked about Bennett’s accomplishment of exemplifying leadership in the business community, Joel Daniels, Vice President for Extended Campuses and New Business Development for COTC, stated: “For many years Dr. Bennett has provided strong, steady leadership for education in our community. Specific service in particular for: MVNU and the Boards of the Mount Vernon City Schools and the Knox County Career Center. Each of these operations has been served well by Dr. Bennett’s quiet, confident style of leadership. She is a tremendous role model for other professionals in that she conducts herself with class and dignity at all times. Our community and the “business of education” in our community are fortunate to have a person willing to provide such steadfast leadership and service.”
Assistant Professor of Business at MVNU and MVHS graduate Kelly (Clutter) Rush added that “Dr. Margie Bennett has been one of my most trusted mentors for many years. At critical times in my life, Dr. Bennett has always been there to offer support and encouragement, to give wise council and to provide a balanced perspective. Most of all, she has modeled what a truly successful business woman looks like, all while raising a beautiful family. If I can achieve even a small fraction of what Dr. Bennett has accomplished in her tenure, I will consider my career successful.”
For more information about MVNU, visit www.mvnu.edu or call (740) 392-6868, ext. 4341.
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