Giving Societies

Giving Recognition Societies

The giving societies at Mount Vernon Nazarene University honor and reflect the tradition of alumni, friends, and organizations that generously provide private support continuing to confirm the institutional mission. The legacy of giving began almost 50 years ago when the rolling farmland was purchased for the purpose of expanding Church of the Nazarene institutions of higher education. Equipping graduates for a lifetime of meaningful service in their families, churches, and communities remains an important distinctive in the Church of the Nazarene.

Many have faithfully supported MVNU through gifts of cash, real estate, gifts-in-kind, matching gifts, securities and with planned gifts through wills, trusts, or other estate planning. With gratitude the institution recognizes donors in annual giving and lifetime giving societies.

Give Now Join the President's Circle

President’s Circle - Honors those individuals who have given gifts of $1,000 or more during our current or prior fiscal year (July 1 – June 30). Names to be added monthly.

Steven W Nease Society – Honors those who have a fully funded endowment which creates permanent ongoing scholarships.

Heritage Society - Honors those individuals who have generously made a future commitment to MVNU through a bequest or other planned gift.

1968 Society - The 1968 Society honors the cumulative generosity of those who have generously given $1 million or more to MVNU in lifetime giving.

Lakeholm Society - Named after the original Columbus Delano Lakeholm property purchased for the Church of the Nazarene to establish a college in Mount Vernon, the Lakeholm Society recognizes lifetime giving of $100,000 to $999,999.

Pioneer Society - “Lifetime Giving Societies” Partnership levels in the Pioneer Society are named in honor of our longest serving pioneer faculty celebrating the cumulative 119 years of sharing their gifts and resources to advance the mission and vision of MVNU.

Gift Range:

$5,000- $19,999 | Named for: Mr. Richard R. Fairchild, Professor of Biology
$20,000- $49,999 | Named for: Rev. William R. Bennett, Sr., Registrar and Director of Admissions
$50,000- $74,999 | Named for: Dr. Charles R. McCall, Professor of Bible and Greek
$75,000- $100,000 | Named for: Dr. Judith W. Chesnut Ruiz, Professor of Spanish

Founders’ Society - Consecutive Giving Societies Partnership levels in the Founders’ Society are named in honor of our presidents who served between 1972 - 2007 celebrating their contributions and service to advance the mission and vision of MVNU.

- Dr. John A. Knight, 1972-75
  Knight Partner - Annual recognition of those giving 3 – 4 consecutive years.
- Dr. L. Guy Nees, 1975-80
  Nees Partner - Annual recognition of those giving 5-9 consecutive years.
- Dr. William J. Prince, 1980-89
  Prince Partner - Annual recognition of those giving 10-19 consecutive years.
- Dr. E. LeBron Fairbanks, 1989-2007
  Fairbanks Partner - Annual recognition of those giving 20 or more consecutive years.

President's Circle

Honors those individuals who have given gifts of $1,000 or more during our current or prior fiscal year (July 1 – June 30). Names to be added monthly.

Stephen W. Nease Society

Honors those individuals who have fully funded an endowment for MVNU students. Named for our founding president, Dr. Stephen W. Nease.

Heritage Society

Lifetime Cumulative Giving Societies

1968 Society

In 1968, Mount Vernon Nazarene University was founded and now offers a liberal arts education with a solid evangelical Christian foundation and mission. The 1968 Society honors the cumulative generosity of those who have generously given $1 million or more to MVNU in lifetime giving.

Lakeholm Society

Named after the original Columbus Delano Lakeholm property purchased for the Church of the Nazarene to establish a college in Mount Vernon, the Lakeholm Society recognizes lifetime giving of $100,000 to $999,999.

Allegheny Technologies
Robert† Allen
Armco Foundation
Ashland Inc Foundation
Harlan† and Marie Ault
Russell (H) and Margaret (’78*) Bailey
Leonard and Betty Boesger
Bone Scholarship, J.G.
James and Maureen Buchwald
Lyle and Barbara Campbell
Charles E Schell Foundation
Church of the Nazarene Foundation
Cooper Energy Services
Cooper Tire Rubber Foundation
Cubbon Lumber & Land Company
John† ('90) and Lora (H) Donoho
First Knox National Bank
Chet (H) and Marie Foraker
Ford Motor Company Fund
Fort Recovery Industries
Dale† (’88*) and Edith† Foster
GAR Foundation
Goodyear Tire & Rubber
Amos and Maxine Hackworth
Kevin (’81) and Teresa (’81) Hansher
Paul and Patricia Hetsler
Frank† (’99*) and Dolores† Hyson
Jeld-Wen Foundation
Knox County Properties LLC
Kokosing Construction
Kresge Foundation
Dale and Susan Kuglin
Chuck and Elizabeth Mallory
Marathon Oil Company Foundation
David ('80) and Annette ('80) Merki
Mount Sterling First Church of the Nazarene
MVNU Women’s Auxiliary Main Chapter
PepsiAmericas Inc
PPG Industries Foundation
Prudential Foundation
Mary Ramser
Mark and Denise Ramser
Daniel and Kaye ('86) Ranke
Marvin† and Marilyn Salsbury
Ted and Ann Schnormeier
Daniel and Sandy Sertell
William† (’95) Stroud
Teagle Foundation Inc.
Thorne Management Inc

Pioneer Society

Partnership levels in the Pioneer Society are named in honor of our longest serving pioneer faculty celebrating the cumulative 119 years of sharing their gifts and resources to advance the mission and vision of MVNU.

Dr. Judith W. Chesnut Ruiz, Professor of Spanish
Dr. Charles R. McCall, Professor of Bible and Greek
Rev. William R. Bennett, Sr., Registrar and Director of Admissions
Mr. Richard R. Fairchild, Professor of Biology

Chesnut Partner: Reflects lifetime giving of $75,000–$99,999

McCall Partner: Reflects lifetime giving of $50,000–$74,999

American Electric Power
Coca-Cola Refreshments USA Inc
Patton Cox
John R Cubbon
William (’96) and Christine Culler
Thomas (’86) and Tressa Daley
Charles Eshenaur
Alan and Phyllis Fairchild
G T E Foundation
Gen Corp Auto Polymer
Ruth† Gilley
Hanford and Norma Gunnerson
Darwin† Harter
Hobart Corporation
Rick† (‘76) and Victoria Johnson
K. Allin† (98*) Kahrl
Charles† Lail
Gary and Betty LaLone
Liberty Mutual
Steven (‘77) and Candi Mershon
Marion First Church of the Nazarene
Thomas and Kitty McCann
Thomas and Beverly Messenger
Mount Vernon First Church of the Nazarene
Ruby† Murphy
National City Bank
Nationwide Insurance Foundation
Norma† Park
Olin Corporation
James Perry
Shawn and Michelle Reesman
William and Helen Resor
Rockwell International
John Seavolt
Gregory and Cynthia ('84) Sizemore
Standard Oil Co
David† and Phyllis Stoer
T R W Foundation
John and Elizabeth Taylor
Thomas and Robin Terbizan
Frederick and Sally Weghorst

Bennett Partner: Reflects lifetime giving of $20,000–$49,999

Fairchild Partner: Reflects lifetime giving of $5,000–$19,999

Lifetime Consecutive Giving Societies

Founders Society

Partnership levels in the Founders’ Society are named in honor of our presidents who served between 1972 - 2007 celebrating their contributions and service to advance the mission and vision of MVNU.

Dr. E. LeBron Fairbanks, 1989-2007
Dr. William J. Prince, 1980-89
Dr. L. Guy Nees, 1975-80
Dr. John A. Knight, 1972-75

Fairbanks Partner: Annual recognition of those giving 20 or more consecutive years.

Prince Partner: Annual recognition of those giving 10 - 19 consecutive years.

Nees Partner: Annual recognition of those giving 5 - 9 consecutive years.

Knight Partner: Annual recognition of those giving 3 – 4 consecutive years.

(H) indicates honorary alumni
(*) indicates honorary degree
(†) indicates deceased

More Information

Development Office
1-800-367-9294, option 2
development@mvnu.edu

GIVING SOCIETIES