=) Bnpositive’s Blog

 A man I greatly respect and loved is retiring as president from my alma mater, Mount Vernon Nazarene University. I don’t think I’ve ever met another individual that was in a level of leadership as high as he was, yet still remained as humble and accessible as the most invisible person in a organizational hierarchy. Dr. Fairbanks, you will be missed and your shoes will remain unfilled. I trust your replacement will do an excellent job of continuing to move the University forward, but your shoes will never be filled by another individual. You were unique and a blessing to everyone you met. Thank you!

The article below was taken from the NCN News.

Fairbanks addresses MVNU community for final time as president

Mount Vernon, Ohio–On Thursday, January 25, E. LeBron Fairbanks addressed the Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU) community for the final time as its president. The service took place in the R.R. Hodges Chapel/Auditorium and was open to the public. As the institution’s fifth president, Fairbanks has faithfully served MVNU and the surrounding Knox County, Ohio community for 18 years. During his tenure, much growth and change was witnessed by all on MVNU’s campus:

• Enrollment increased to 2,670 (150 percent increase)
• Operating budget to $43 million (300 percent increase)
• New and expanded academic programs for undergraduate and graduate students taught in traditional and non-traditional formats
• University transition
• Discipline-specific national accreditation
• Midwest regional academic recognition
• New academic and resident life facilities
• Addition of eight satellite campuses
• Development of Campus Ministries division
• Cultural diversity initiatives
• Property expansion from 279 to 405 acres
• MVNU endowment expanded to $12.6 million (400 percent increase)
• Debt burden ratio reduced to 2.1 percent
• Foundation Board created to manage endowment and university funds
• Strategic plans and leadership agendas to guide the university through the decade

There have been a few things, however, that did not and will not change. Through Fairbanks’ years at MVNU, he and those in his charge have challenged students to: 

• Believe God can use them in the world for the cause of Christ, regardless of their academic majors
• View themselves as global Christians with a world mission
• Embrace the theological tradition of the Church of the Nazarene and the lifestyle guidelines of the denomination and MVNU
• Live their lives as holy men or women of God following graduation, regardless of where their vocation takes them

In the days ahead, Fairbanks and his wife, Anne, who has been equally dedicated in serving MVNU and its constituents, will spend a few months in Florida following the February 1 transition date for incoming president Daniel Martin. Fairbanks intends to finish writing a book he has been working on for several years. In addition, he will chair a Missional Review team assessing the Church of the Nazarene International Board of Education (IBOE) and the Education Commissioner.The Fairbanks will then travel to The Netherlands in late March where LeBron will participate in meetings of the International Course of Study Advisory Committee (ICOSAC) and IBOE. They also plan to return to European Nazarene College (EuNC) for the fall 2007 semester to teach in EuNC’s extension program throughout Europe.

My good friend, whom I’ve never met, Jason Kotecki has tagged me with the 5 Things You Didn’t Know meme.

Hmmm, 5 things you didn’t know about me. That may be a hard one, I think most of the people that read this blog, probably know me fairly well, then again, maybe they don’t so here it goes.

1. Preacher’s Kid - that’s right, my daddy was and is a preacher man. As well as his dad before him, and his dad’s dad before him. As well as both of my brothers are ministers, but no longer in the traditional sense of the word. I know, I’m the weird one. Closest I came was pursuing the life of a missionary, but that didn’t happen either.
2. Three Near Death Experiences - I’ve almost died three times in my life. Actually, you could probably say I’ve almost died many more times than that and just didn’t realize it. There’s been at least three times though where it seems death was obvious. You can read about those times on my personal website here.
3. Rejected by Every NBA Team - I never played basketball, but I did apply for a job with every NBA team before I graduated from college. I was applying for a position in their media services or public relations departments. Somewhere in a folder I’ve got rejection letters from everyteam, along with NASA and Harvard. I figure if you’re going to be rejected, you might as well aim high.
4. Virile - It may seem odd to say that about yourself, but I figured I’d add it since my wife and I got pregnant with our first son on our honeymoon night. Actually it was more like the honeymoon morning around 4am. We flew into Boston and then drove to New Hampshire up in the mountains. I got a little lost in the mountains of New Hampshire before we found our resort. We made up for lost time though.
5. Domesticated - Before you go off thinking you know what I’m talking about, let me clarify. For me this means I’ve never stepped foot outside of the good ‘ole United States of America. I’m hoping with my involvement in blogging and making friends around the world, one of these days I’ll be able to go overseas for something. I really want to go to Australia and I actually know a few people there now.

That’s it, did you know that stuff about me or was it news to you? Let me know in the comments.