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.

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