Mount Vernon Nazarene University has been recognized by the John Templeton Foundation as a character-building University. We were one of 134 four-year undergraduate institutions selected for the honor roll, which recognizes colleges and universities that emphasize character building as an integral part of the University experience.

"Effective character education encourages young people to develop the virtues, integrity and ideal of service so vital to our society," said John M. Templeton Jr., president of the John Templeton Foundation. "The Honor Roll colleges and universities actively affirm and uphold character education initiatives essential to the mission of higher education and inspiring students to lead ethical and civic-minded lives."

The foundation's selection criteria were designed to evaluate the extent to which MVNU inspires students to develop and strengthen their moral reasoning skills; encourages spiritual growth and moral values; provides community-building experiences; advocates a drug-free lifestyle; and conducts a critical assessment of character-building programs and activities.

The John Templeton Foundation was established in 1987 by international investment manager Sir John Marks Templeton. It distributes 50,000 complimentary copies of its Honor Roll for Character-Building Reference Guide to public libraries, high school guidance counselors and interested parents and students. Copies are available by calling 1-800-245-1285.

The following is MVNU's write-up in the 1997-1998 edition of the Honor Roll for Character-Building Universities.

To achieve its motto "To seek to learn is to seek to serve," MVNU strives to equip students with requisite skills and essential knowledge to be effective change agents, citizens, and stewards in the global village of the 21st century. Through our affiliation with the Church of the Nazarene, we focus on the competence of character that empowers graduates to function competently as professionals, citizens, and Christians.

Inspires students to develop and strengthen their moral reasoning skills

MVNU's mission to seek, learn, and serve emphasizes competence, character, and moral development. All students complete a four-course morality and values sequence within the curriculum. Student development policies and spiritual life emphasis reinforce personal responsibility and integrity.

Encourages spiritual growth and moral values

Students and faculty attend separate chapels on Monday, each service being conducted by its respective leaders. Community chapels on Wednesdays and Fridays allow faculty and students to worship together. Special spiritual emphases include the opening convention, revivals, and lecture series. The chaplain and vice president for religious life share leadership responsibilities for spiritual development.
Their staffs organize Bible studies, covenant groups, mission opportunities, and evening worship programs. Residence groups and student organizations conduct additional religious activities. The spring revival is distinctive in that students plan and conduct all aspects of the services, reflecting the University's commitment to spiritual leadership development. Also, faculty recruitment focuses on serving as role models and incarnating values in the classroom.

Provides community-building experiences

Service-learning opportunities span all University divisions. Student organizations conduct mission and community service projects for prisons, rest homes, and facilities for the handicapped. Several academic disciplines (education, religion, and social work) require students to participate in guided service-learning via field experiences, practicums, internships, and student teaching. Other students may elect to participate in these internships. The chaplain's staff orchestrates additional service activities. Each year they organize a Community Service Week for the Mount Vernon community. Habitat for Humanity, American Red Cross, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and Knox Pregnancy Services received assistance in October, 1996. Each December, athletic teams and student organizations sponsor the Food for the Hungry drive in concert with local civic organizations.

Advocates a drug-free lifestyle

MVNU prohibits alcohol, drug, and tobacco use for all students and employees. MVNU strives for a redemptive solution when substance use comes to light. The initial steps involve a judicial council review. Initial treatment involves counseling, drug or alcohol education, or radical rehabilitation. If these redemptive attempts fail, the councils may initiate suspension, expulsion, or termination.

The University advocates a drug-free lifestyle through spiritual life services, campus-wide educational forums, and residence hall programming. All students must complete the course, Principles of Health and Fitness, in which a special unit is dedicated to substance abuse and the drug-free lifestyle.

Conducts a critical assessment of character-building projects and activities

We assess educational, spiritual, and character-building programs through measures that evaluate the orientation program, new student satisfaction, alumni achievement, and academic programs. We continuously use feedback to refine policies and procedures. This feedback was especially valuable in developing judicial councils. Previously, administrators disciplined violators of lifestyle guidelines. Assessments indicated that discipline was often inadequate and inconsistent. As a result, we created residence hall judicial councils, which include students, to deal with discipline. Discipline is now more consistent and students have developed significant character in their new responsibilities. The judicial councils provide a prime opportunity for developing leadership, facilitating community building and enhancement, and merging personal accountability with responsibility.