The President's Honors Gala, MidAmerica Nazarene University's premier annual fundraising event to benefit student scholarships, raised more than $650,000 April 8. Over the last five years, donors contributed more than $2.5 million through this event, which includes sponsors, live and silent auctions, and donations to the Scholarship Challenge.

Honorary co-chairs for the event were the Larry and Donna McIntire family of Joplin, Missouri. McIntire is chairman of the Board of Trustees for MNU and a longtime supporter of Christian higher education at MNU.

Edgar and Maron Moore were honored posthumously with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Having generously supported many community and educational organizations in their lifetime, the couple provided for MNU in their estate planning. In December 2015, shortly after the passing of Maron, the university learned it would be the recipient of $9.5 million in assets from the Moore estate. This is the largest one-time gift in university history.

MNU President David Spittal expressed his gratitude for this commitment from the Moores.

“I’m humbled by the tremendous sacrifice and investment that Edgar and Maron Moore have made,” Spittal said. “On the eve of our 50th anniversary as a university, the Moores have ensured that MNU’s future is brighter than ever.”

Among the sponsors of The President’s Honors gala were:

Legacy Sponsors

  The Otto Theel Family

Presenting Sponsors

  Tim and Gail Buchanan

  The Dr. Larry and Donna McIntire Family

Platinum Sponsors

  Barkman Honey

  D. Ray and Elaine Cook Foundation

  Olathe Medical Center

Gold Sponsors

  Fry Orthodontic Specialists

  Dr. H. Chris and Janet Halvorson

  Dr. Gary and Vickie Morsch

  Pioneer College Caterers, Inc.

  Plexpod (Gerald and Dianna Smith)

  Ruckus Group (Ryan Chamberlin/Matt Johnson)

Next year’s President’s Honors is set for April 7, 2017. More information may be found at mnu.edu/giving. A gallery of photos from the 2016 event is available on Flickr.

--MidAmerica Nazarene University