Mount Vernon Nazarene University President Henry W. Spaulding II has announced the appointment of Tracy Waal to the position of vice president for Student Life as of 1 August.

“Tracy Waal has worked with youth and emerging adults for most of his professional ministry," Spaulding said. "He cares about our students and he loves MVNU. He will bring insightful leadership to the Student Life office. His demonstrated work ethic positions him to hit the ground running on 1 August.”

Waal, originally from Oskaloosa, Iowa, attended and volunteered with the youth group at his home church, Gateway Church of the Nazarene.

"After graduating from college, I returned home to Gateway Church of the Nazarene to begin my ministry," Waal said. "Many great people mentored and stretched me and planted seeds that helped me grow to where I am today."

Waal joined MVNU in 2009 as the assistant director of recruitment until 2013. After that, he served as director of Admissions from 2013 to 2018 and has served as an adjunct faculty member for public relations.

“For nine years I’ve been privileged to work with some of the most passionate people in the world to recruit prospective students to join an amazing community," Waal said. "Now I’m excited to continue the rich MVNU tradition of stretching students to reach their God-given potential in every area of their lives.”

Outside of MVNU, Waal has more than 25 years of experience working directly with high school and college students. He served as a youth pastor at Hope Community Nazarene in Oregon, Ohio, from 1999 to 2007 and was the co-founder of Neighbors of Hope, a nonprofit ministry to widows of East Toledo, Ohio, from 2007 to 2009.

“We truly have something unique [at MVNU]," Waal said. "This campus is filled with faculty and staff that invest deeply in the lives of our students. They’re challenged and stretched, often beyond what is comfortable, and experience growth in ways they couldn’t even imagine. I’ve seen this happen with hundreds of MVNU students, including my two oldest daughters, and I recognize more than ever that this is our calling and purpose. Efforts to develop every student’s body, soul, mind, and spirit will continue to be our top priority.”

Waal graduated from MidAmerica Nazarene University in 1992 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and received an MBA from MVNU in 2014. Waal was ordained as a deacon of the Church of the Nazarene in 2005. Tracy and his wife, Rhonda, have four children: Bethany (’17), Kailey (’18), Neti, and Meke.

MVNU is proud to join Spaulding in congratulating Waal on the new position.

--Mount Vernon Nazarene University