Alumni
Alumni Wall of Flame
Welcome to the Mount Vernon Nazarene University Alumni Benefits and Resources page. These pages are designed to inform, serve, and represent MVNU's alumni. You are a member of the Alumni Association by accumulating 24 credit hours.
The Bresee Pastoral Alumni Service Award, named in honor of the founding pastor and primary architect of the Church of the Nazarene, recognizes exemplary pastors who embody his legacy of passionate holiness preaching, compassionate service to the marginalized, and visionary leadership in building holistic ministry. This award celebrates clergy who advance the denomination's Wesleyan-Holiness heritage while fostering educational and communal impact. Nominees must be ordained elders in good standing within the Church of the Nazarene, with at least 20 years of active pastoral service.
The Distinguished Alumni Service Award (previously known as the Medallion Award) honors those graduates who took the school’s motto, “To Seek to Learn is to Seek to Serve,” into their adult lives to further God’s Kingdom where He chose to use them.
The Honorary Alumni award is bestowed upon persons whether they be faculty, staff, community members or trustees, who gave of themselves sacrificially to found this college or who have contributed significantly to the lives of students.
The Matthew 25 Alumni Award is given to individuals who embrace the spirit of service, charity, kindness, and stewardship as presented by Jesus in Matthew’s gospel in chapter 25. The recipients exhibit in their character and actions what Jesus teaches regarding faithful stewardship of God-given gifts. Such stewardship is a clear measure of true discipleship. Those who receive the Matthew 25 Award embody the calling to love and care for “the least of these.” They do not give charity merely from surplus but out of obedience, from surrender. Theirs is a compassion that costs, welcomes the stranger, and risks reputation for the sake of the Gospel.
“For I was hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty, and you gave me drink, I was a stranger, and you welcomed me, I was naked, and you clothed me, I was sick, and you visited me, I was in prison, and you came to me.” (Matthew 25:34–36, ESV)
The Outstanding Clergy Alumni Award is presented to an MVNU alumnus serving in a pastoral position — lead pastor, staff position, or parachurch/faith-based position — who demonstrates living the MVNU motto in that pastoral position.
The Outstanding Young Alumni Award is presented to an MVNU alum who has graduated in the last 10 years, and is making a significant impact in their world by living the MVNU motto.