MidAmerica Nazarene University 50th Anniversary: My Story

The year was 1971 and I had graduated from high school in 1969. After briefly attending two colleges with very little to show for it, I was “impressed” to enroll in Mid-America Nazarene College.  A church service at Springfield, MO First Nazarene, with Dr. Bill Draper and the original Colonial Quartet, was where I felt that impression.   I enrolled for the fall term.  My dad drove me to college, along with my good friend, Bonnie Shoaf.  Bonnie gave me $10 and they dropped me off.  That was all I had. 

I went through registration and when it came time to meet Jim Elliott at the financial desk, I told him I only had $10 in my pocket.  He told me to come and see him in his office on Monday.  Over the weekend I was hired by Bob and Mary Hughes (Hughes Shoes) in downtown Olathe.  When I met Mr. Elliott, I told him I now had a job and that I would be paid $40 per week on Saturdays.  I told him that on each Monday I would put $30 on my school bill, I would be sending $4 home to my church, and that I would live on $6 a week for all my other needs.  He asked me if I had a car, and I said, “no.”  In that case, you can stay this semester.  I stayed.

I graduated from MANC in May of 1974.  In 1972 I married a young professional nurse (Bonnie Shoaf) and she was able to land a position at St. Luke’s School of Nursing in Kansas City.  We worked hard.  We paid all we could on my school debt.  I was not able to participate in many extra-curricular activities, because I had to work 40 hours per week in order to stay in school.  It was not easy, but I just didn’t know any other way.  My parents were not able to pay for my education.  I had no scholarships or grants.  On the day I graduated, I went into the business office and made my last payment on my school debt.  I graduated debt free and without any loans to repay.  I appreciate my education.  I love MNU.  I am indebted to all those who helped me make it through.

I was privileged to serve on the Board of Trustees a few years later, and also on the Executive Committee of the Board.  Prior to that, for six years I served as the youth pastor of College Church of the Nazarene in Olathe, KS.  Dr. Paul Cunningham hired me, and I am forever grateful to him for such an unbelievable opportunity.  I have now been in pastoral ministry for about 40 years, and I owe much of it to MNU and College Church. The nurturing and training I received from the dedicated servants in those institutions cannot be overstated.

MidAmerica Nazarene University is celebrating its 50^th Anniversary this year.  My heartfelt congratulations and thanks to all who have contributed to the success of this great university.  I am proud to be part of the history and the contribution MNU has made in thousands of lives.