Rev. Tracy Waal Appointed Vice President for Student Life
MOUNT VERNON, Ohio — Mount Vernon Nazarene University President Henry W. Spaulding II, Ph.D. has announced the appointment of Rev. Tracy Waal to the position of Vice President for Student Life as of August 1.
“Tracy Waal has worked with youth and emerging adults for most of his professional ministry. He cares about our students and he loves MVNU. He will bring insightful leadership to the Student Life office. His demonstrated work ethic positions him to hit the ground running on August 1,” said Spaulding.
Waal, originally from Okaloosa, Iowa, attended and volunteered with the youth group at his home church, Gateway Church of the Nazarene.
"After graduating from college, I returned home to Gateway Church of the Nazarene to begin my ministry. Many great people mentored and stretched me and planted seeds that helped me grow to where I am today," said Waal.
Waal has over 25 years of experience working directly with high school and college students. He served as a youth pastor at Hope Community Nazarene in Oregon, Ohio from 1999 to 2007 and was the co-founder of Neighbors of Hope, a nonprofit ministry to widows of East Toledo, Ohio, from 2007-2009. Waal joined MVNU in 2009 as the assistant director of recruitment until 2013, then as director of admissions (2013-2018) and has served as an adjunct faculty member for public relations.
“For nine years I’ve been privileged to work with some of the most passionate people in the world to recruit prospective students to join an amazing community. Now I’m excited to continue the rich MVNU tradition of stretching students to reach their God-given potential in every area of their lives,” said Waal.
“We truly have something unique here. This campus is filled with faculty and staff that invest deeply in the lives of our students. They’re challenged and stretched, often beyond what is comfortable, and experience growth in ways they couldn’t even imagine. I’ve seen this happen with hundreds of MVNU students, including my two oldest daughters, and recognize more than ever that this is our calling and purpose. Efforts to develop every student’s body, soul, mind, and spirit will continue to be our top priority,” said Waal.
Waal graduated from MidAmerica Nazarene University in 1992 with a bachelor of business administration degree and received an MBA from MVNU in 2014. Waal was ordained as a deacon of the Church of the Nazarene in 2005. Tracy and his wife, Rhonda, have four children, Bethany (’17), Kailey (’18), Neti, and Meke.
MVNU is proud to join Spaulding in congratulating Waal on the new position.
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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