MVNU’s Humphrey, Yoder honored for Excellence Beyond the Call

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio (April 20, 2022) — Faculty and staff at Mount Vernon Nazarene University celebrated the contribution of peers during the Excellence Beyond the Call awards reception held Tuesday, April 19, in Foster Hall. The honorees, Brian Humphrey and Rodney Yoder, were nominated by peers and selected by the award committee through a review process.

Humphrey, Assistant Professor of Physical Education and Athletic Trainer, has gone above and beyond the call of duty. According to those who nominated Humphrey, his commitment to his students in the classroom, and keeping student-athletes healthy and on the playing field, is second to none.

“Brian has a servant’s heart and through his multiple roles on campus, he shows Christ’s love to our students. Much of Brian’s service to the campus community is not visible. As the head athletic trainer, he is often on campus before the sun rises to ensure the safety of our student-athletes at a morning practice, and he is often on campus long after the sun sets to ensure safety for MVNU and visitor safety at athletic competitions,” stated a colleague. “As a faculty member, Brian serves our students in the classroom, and he does have high expectations for their work and wants all students to be successful. In his roles at MVNU, Brian interacts with hundreds of students on a weekly basis, and his positive influence can be seen.”

Rodney Yoder serves MVNU as the Post Office Receiving Clerk and is described as dependable, helpful, kind, consistent and hardworking. Peer nominations show dedication to his position and his spirit of outstanding service to the MVNU community.

“In the two years that I’ve worked with Rodney, I have seen him go over and beyond for the faculty, staff and students at MVNU. He will come in on snow days to deliver rush packages,” stated a colleague’s nomination. “When there are year-end deadlines, he will come in during the holiday break to ensure departments have all their letters and packages. He truly cares for the students and works tirelessly in all weather conditions to make sure each department has their needed purchases.”

The quarterly award includes recognition at an employee reception, a certificate, and $500. The honor was developed and sponsored by donors, who are members of the faculty and staff, to applaud outstanding service, innovation, collegiality, peer leadership, and going beyond the call of duty as recognized and nominated from their peers. Nominations were reviewed by the Excellence Beyond the Call Award Committee, chaired by Mel Severns, University Registrar.

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