Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU) held its 2025 Homecoming & Family Weekend, welcoming alumni from classes spanning 1970 to 2020 and hosting over 40 activities on campus and in downtown Mount Vernon.
The event began with the President’s Prayer Breakfast, where Rev. Kent Estep, senior pastor at South Charleston First Church of the Nazarene and MVNU Class of 1987 member, spoke about community. “The description that Luke gives of the church in Acts chapter 2, verse 42, defines the church this way: ‘They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teachings, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers,’” Estep said. “This morning, I want to emphasize — they were devoted to doing life together.
“We’ve done life together as South Charleston First Church of the Nazarene for 58 of my 60 years. Pivotal for me in this understanding of what it means to do life with others was my time at MVNC. I don’t know that there’s a better representation of Luke’s description than what I experienced — and what can still be experienced — in a college environment at Mount Vernon Nazarene University.”
Estep recalled his experiences with professors Dr. Wayne Yerxa and Dr. Terrell Sanders as examples of community at MVNU. “This is living as a community of love, all while being reminded that God is our example,” he said.
Dr. Carson Castleman, MVNU President, commented on Estep’s remarks: “I’ve been reminded through Rev. Estep that attending MVNU is more than just earning a degree. It is allowing Christ to shape who you are, who you became and who you will become. The four years that a student spends here will impact the next 40 years of their life, because this is where faith deepens, friendships are formed, calling is clarified and character is strengthened.”
During Friday's Homecoming Chapel service, attendees marked the rededication of R.R. Hodges Chapel/Auditorium after its restoration through a campus campaign called Transformation Begins in Each Seat. The ceremony recognized three-and-a-half decades during which the chapel served as an important space for worship and personal development.
“Today, we gather in gratitude and awe, standing in a space that has shaped the hearts, the minds, and the callings of generations,” Dr. Castleman stated during his opening remarks at the ceremony.
Alumni awards were presented during chapel: Dr. Ronald Bolender received Distinguished Alumni Service Award; Richie Johns and Bethany Johns were honored with Outstanding Young Alumni Award; Kevin Jack received Outstanding Clergy Alumni Award; Kent Estep was given Phineas F. Bresee Pastoral Service Award; Ked Frank and Michelle Frank received Matthew 25 Servant Leadership Award.
Rev. Brad Thompson addressed attendees about his experiences at MVNU: “I was doubting God and had so many questions,” he said about his student days at MVNU. “What I remember in that season the most is that there were chaplains, there were professors, there were leaders at this school who made space for me. They asked me questions about my experience… They were patient with me in this educational journey. What I learned at MVNU was that I experienced people who were present, attentive and faithful. You see it was God who began this calling of ministry in my life. He began it but he used a foundational experience at MVNU of people… professors and teachers who showed me what it is to be faithful.”
Friday night saw seniors Bryer Shipley (secondary education major from Norwich) crowned King and Lauren Warder (graphic design major from Hartville) crowned Queen by their peers before a men’s basketball game.
In athletics recognition during Homecoming weekend festivities:
- Rachel Kerns (Women’s Basketball) was inducted into Cougar Wall of Fame after achieving several program records including sixth all-time scorer (1,551 points), all-time leader in assists (654) and steals (335), fifth for three-pointers made (193), among other marks.
- Kemar Jackson (Men’s Soccer) also joined Wall of Fame after recording notable stats as defender—19 goals over four seasons along with seven assists while anchoring defense with over one hundred career saves.
Additional information about award recipients can be found on MVNU's alumni awards page. Details on athletic honors are available via the university athletics website. For photo highlights from Homecoming & Family Weekend events visit the university's Flickr album.
