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Student Life

A Community of Caring

Discover what belonging looks like by meeting new people, sharing memories, and immersing yourself in MNU’s time-honored traditions.

New Student Orientation (NSO)

Student moving in to a dorm

New Student Orientation is designed to help students successfully transition to MNU.

Contact: Student Development

Phone: 913.971.3279

Email: studev@ebasd.com

Residence halls will open at noon on January 4, 2025.

New Student Orientation will be held on January 6, 2025.

Required For All First-Time MNU Students

For Traditional Undergraduates

Your college journey at MidAmerica Nazarene University begins with New Student Orientation.  During NSO, new undergraduate students under 25, including commuters and transfers, engage in a comprehensive introduction designed to support your transition to college life at MNU.

 

During NSO, you will learn what becoming a Pioneer means and receive the necessary knowledge to prepare for classes. You’ll participate in high-energy group activities, get tips to care for your spiritual, emotional, and social needs, and start forming a plan for academic success. You’ll also meet some of our amazing faculty, staff, and student leaders.

We hope you will catch a spirit of excitement and feel a sense of belonging as you adjust to life at MNU. We look forward to the start of each semester when our campus gets new life with your arrival. We’re sure this will kickstart a fantastic semester, making memories and friendships. We can’t wait for you to be part of MNU. This is where it starts!

 

NSO is a required orientation program to welcome incoming first-time freshmen, commuters, and transfers under 25.

NSO Schedule

Questions? Contact Student Development 913.971.3297

6:00 pm Dorm move-in begins [Circle Drive]

OPTIONAL

8:30 pm – 10 pm Ice Cream Social [Cunningham]

OPTIONAL

10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Registration & finalization [Cunningham]

Pete’s Place open [Cunningham]

Pioneer Store open [Cunningham]

Student IDs [Cunningham]

11:00 am Cafeteria opens [Cunningham]

(Cafeteria open for those on meal plans.

Guests and commuters can pay at the door)

\\\\\\ NSO REQUIRED EVENTS //////

2:45 pm Opening convocation [Bell]

4:00 pm Freshman Seminar group kick-off

5:30 pm Dinner [Cook]

7:30 pm “Lives of the Pioneers” and Sowing

Prayer [Bell]

Following Sowing Prayer: Time to say goodbye to parents

9:30 pm Commuter/transfer party [Cunningham]

9:30 pm Freshman dorm parties [Lanpher/Stockton lobbies]

9:45 am Light breakfast [Bell]

10:00 am Worship [Bell]

11:30 am Lunch [Cunningham]

1:15 pm Community topics [Bell]

3:45 pm Pioneer games [Cunningham]

 

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES AFTER 5PM

5:00 pm Dinner [Cunningham]

5:00 pm 7:00 pm

Connect & play [Cunningham]

7:00 pm Free time 😊

8:00 am Prayer walk Optional [Weatherby]

8:30 am Breakfast [Cunningham]

9:00 am Preparing for day one of classes

[Freshman Seminar classrooms NSO]

12:00 pm Lunch [Cunningham]

1:00 pm Academics open office Hours

1:00 – 3:00 pm Still have questions? Staff & Faculty will be available to help.

[Student Development, Cunningham]

*Campus offices will be open until 5:00 pm for students to finalize class registration and account payment details.

What to do before NSO

Complete your Admissions Checklist

Then it’s time to start packing and start thinking like a Pioneer!

Traditions

Rootbeer Fest

We kick off the start of each new school year with a sand volleyball tournament, rootbeer floats and other outdoor games. This is a part of our Welcome Week, where there are activities each night.

Clubs & Organizations

Associated Student Government provides an opportunity for the students of MidAmerica Nazarene University to make a contribution to the campus community.

This can be done through a leadership role or by being an active participant in its activities and programs. Responsibilities of the Associated Student Government include sponsoring social activities, encouraging academic excellence, fostering an environment conducive to spiritual growth, and representing the student body to the Board of Trustees and administration. These activities provide invaluable experience for students. It is hoped that the citizenship skills acquired at MidAmerica Nazarene University will lead to a lifetime of citizenship. In this respect, Associated Student Government plays an important role in the educational process.

Associated Student Government provides an opportunity for the students of MidAmerica Nazarene University to make a contribution to the campus community.

This can be done through a leadership role or by being an active participant in its activities and programs. Responsibilities of the Associated Student Government include sponsoring social activities, encouraging academic excellence, fostering an environment conducive to spiritual growth, and representing the student body to the Board of Trustees and administration. These activities provide invaluable experience for students. It is hoped that the citizenship skills acquired at MidAmerica Nazarene University will lead to a lifetime of citizenship. In this respect, Associated Student Government plays an important role in the educational process.

The MNU branch of the National Collegiate Business Honor Society. It exists to recognize outstanding academic achievements of Business students.

Educators Rising Collegiate is an organization equipping professional teacher candidates to become teacher leaders servicing learning communities by providing opportunities for leadership, professional development beyond course requirements and networking with local teachers and administrators. This group hosts the annual honors evening for education majors, The Education Jubilation.

Enactus is an international organization that brings together students, academic and business leaders who are committed to entrepreneurial action to enable progress around the world. YOU and your peers get to take complete ownership of what projects to conduct, who to work with, how to coordinate projects, and how much time to invest on projects.

Club Meetings:

Fridays 9:30 a.m. – 10:20 a.m. in Metz 117

 

All are welcome!

An interdenominational Christian sports ministry to see the world impacted for Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes.

Go Groups are campus service groups that are involved in going to Olathe and Kansas City communities and serving the people in these places. There are a variety of opportunities to serve the elderly, low-income families, those with special needs, and more, available with these groups. Go Groups allows our campus to put our faith into action as we love the last, the least, and the left out.

Students from all majors come together to appreciate history in a variety of activities. Some of these include hosting guest speakers, touring local museums, or making excursions to historic sites around the Kansas City area.

Basketball (men’s and women’s)

Dodgeball

Flag football (men’s and women’s)

Pickleball

Softball

Spikeball

Table Tennis

Volleyball (indoor and sand)

Kansas State Student Nurses Association

An organization for nursing students, which exists to promote ideals and purposes of the nursing profession.

The Student Investment Club’s purpose is to learn about the importance of wise investing. Investing objectives, measurement of returns, alternative uses of funds, security markets, and the elements of risk, tax, and various other aspects of managing investments. You will learn to be Biblically responsible with investing by screening investments

An international honor and professional association in education. The mission is to provide leadership for the education profession, to promote academic excellence at all educational levels, to provide leadership development for its members, to foster an environment for professional growth, and to recognize outstanding educators.

The MNU branch of the National Honor Society of Psychology. The organization exists to further the science of psychology.

The Student Diversity Council (SDC) is a group of diverse, young, passionate students who want to make a difference on campus and in the surrounding community by promoting appreciation and awareness of the variety of cultures at MNU. SDC hosts several events throughout the year to promote diversity and inclusion. The SDC is an official council under Associated Student Government (ASG) and holds annual elections for student leadership positions.

If you are interested in joining the Student Diversity Council, please contact Seth Watkins, Assistant for Student Development at scwatkins@ebasd.com.

KC Life

Major League Sports

Kansas City, Missouri, is a vibrant hub for sports enthusiasts, offering a diverse range of teams and events that captivate fans year-round. At the heart of the city’s sports culture are the Kansas City Chiefs, reigning champions of the NFL, whose electrifying games at Arrowhead Stadium are a must-see for football aficionados. For those drawn to the excitement of soccer, the KC Current Women’s Soccer team represents the city with skill and passion in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), showcasing top-tier athleticism and teamwork. Meanwhile, baseball lovers cheer on the KC Royals at Kauffman Stadium, where the atmosphere is always electric during the MLB season. Whether you’re watching a touchdown pass at Arrowhead, witnessing a thrilling soccer match with the KC Current, or enjoying America’s favorite pastime with the Royals, Kansas City promises unforgettable sports experiences for newcomers to the metro.

Big Time Attractions

KC boasts an array of cultural and historical attractions that enrich the experience of living near Olathe, Kansas. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art stands as a beacon of artistic excellence, housing a world-class collection that spans thousands of years and includes renowned masterpieces from around the globe. At the Kauffman Performing Arts Center, students can indulge in the city’s vibrant performing arts scene, with its stunning architecture and a lineup of ballet, symphony orchestras, and Broadway shows that cater to diverse tastes. For those intrigued by history, the National World War I Museum & Memorial offers a profound journey through one of the defining chapters of the 20th century, set against the backdrop of a striking memorial that honors those who served. These attractions not only showcase Kansas City’s cultural richness but also offer students in Olathe a chance to explore and engage with art, history, and performances at their finest.

Food & Beverage

KC is a treasure trove for food and beverage lovers, and if you’re an undergraduate student with a taste for the extraordinary, you’ll definitely want to check out Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que, The Roasterie, and McLain’s Bakery. Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que is a must-visit for its legendary ribs and brisket, slow-cooked to perfection and slathered in mouthwatering sauces that make every bite a celebration. For a caffeine fix, The Roasterie offers an amazing selection of locally roasted coffee beans, so you can fuel your late-night study sessions with some of the best brews in town. And when it comes to satisfying your sweet tooth, McLain’s Bakery has you covered with its scrumptious cookies, cakes, and pastries, perfect for a study break or a treat to share with friends. These local gems make Kansas City a delicious destination for any student craving exceptional eats and drinks.

Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

Kauffman Performing Arts

National WWI Museum & Memorial

Union Station KC