MVNU Celebrates 47th Annual Homecoming with Alumni and Friends
MOUNT VERNON, Ohio — Mount Vernon Nazarene University celebrated its 47th annual homecoming celebration Nov. 10-11.
Highlights from Friday included the President’s Prayer Breakfast, homecoming chapel, the MVNU men’s and women’s basketball classic, and the homecoming queen coronation.
“I have often referred to MVNU as a prayer uttered in adoration of God and on behalf of the world. Homecoming 2017 reminded me that those prayers are uttered for nearly 50 years. The stories of faith are told on the faces of those who have walked this campus in faith. I especially enjoyed meeting with the Pioneer Class,” remarked MVNU President Henry W. Spaulding II, Ph.D. during the President’s Prayer Breakfast on Friday.
Friday night’s Cougar athletic events in Ariel Arena brought a win for the Lady Cougars as they scored a close 81-75 victory over Point Park University (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania). The MVNU men’s basketball team was victorious over the University of Rio Grande (Rio Grande, Ohio) with a 92-73 win.
After an exclusive Alumni Celebration in Foster Hall on Friday, senior Haley Conrad was crowned the 2017 homecoming queen. Her court included Ashley Gingerich and Abigail Hilton, both seniors; Kristen Osborn, junior; Madeline Frantz, sophomore; and Esther Hart, freshman.
“The ladies selected to the homecoming court embody the mission of the school and have been selected by their peers for the leadership, involvement, and service. We congratulate them and thank them for giving to the life of the university and making our campus an incredible place!” said Travis Keller, Director of Alumni Relations.
Saturday’s events included the Knox Needs Homecoming 5k Run/Walk and Cycling Event, reunion brunches for alumni classes, MVNU Music Department concerts, and a final showing of MVNU Theatre’s “The Matchmaker.”
MVNU women’s basketball once again celebrated a 67-45 win over visiting Carlow University (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), while MVNU men’s basketball fell to Shawnee State University (Portsmouth, Ohio) by a final score of 78-66.
During halftime of the men’s basketball game, MVNU Athletics honored five current staff members who were previously inducted into the Wall of Fame: Jeana Howald, Mel Severns, Paul Swanson, Keith Veale, and Kendra Lambert.
Dave Parsons was inducted into the MVNU Wall of Fame in recognition of 21 years of distinguished service in sports information for MVNU Athletics.
“It was truly a great privilege to be the storyteller for Cougar sports for 21 years,” said Parsons. “Getting to watch great coaches and student-athletes work hard to be their best both in sports and in life and then sharing those stories with as many people as possible was a very rewarding experience for me.
“However, most importantly, it’s the relationships that I cherish the most. Every year, I was blessed with a new group of freshmen and transfers with unique abilities and stories to add to the rich history that was already being written. It truly was a tremendous blessing to cross paths with so many great people during my time at MVNU.”
For more Homecoming 2017 highlights, visit facebook.com/mvnualumni and save the date for Homecoming 2018 as MVNU celebrates its 50th anniversary in Fall 2018.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, four-year, intentionally Christian teaching university for traditional age students, graduate students and working adults. With a 327-acre main campus in Mount Vernon, Ohio, and several convenient Graduate and Professional Studies locations throughout the state, MVNU emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual growth, and service to community and church. MVNU offers an affordable education to more than 2,200 students from 32 states and 19 countries/U.S. territories.
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