The act of looking beyond
what seems realistically possible
shows the cumulative power
of the MNU community
At
a time when Americans are focusing on how If the MNU statement “Our pioneering spirit and pas-

to get by on less, buckle down, and ride out sion to serve spark purposeful lives” is to have meaning, it
the storm, MNU dared to issue a huge chal- must be more than just words; it must be the impetus for a
lenge to students, faculty and staff: to give of themselves in focused future.
unprecedented, countercultural ways. And to start doing it
“I am excited about our service vision and the energy
this year. And to continue it campuswide every year.
behind it,” says President Ed Robinson. “I’m reminded of
“eW ’ve asked the campus to think about what could the parable about the mustard seed. From small acts of faith,
happen, if, in the midst of the economic crisis, we turn a mighty effort can take root and grow beyond expectations,
the focus outside of ourselves,” says Randy Beckum, vice even beyond one’s imagination.”
president for community formation and university chaplain.
What if? . . . the resources were in place
“hW at if, at a time when we think we couldn’t do anything,
we do more than ever before?”
to make it possible
If you look at the numbers, it might seem
Intentional service to others has always been an integral
daunting, if not impossible. Last year
part of the MNU university experience. In fact, the desire
charitable giving nationwide fell by the
to serve often exceeds the knowledge of where to
largest percent in five decades. History
focus that energy. Linking eager
shows that when unemployment rates
volunteers with available op-
and foreclosure rates are at their high-
portunities is a full-time job. Ac-
est, volunteer rates are at their lowest
tually, two full-time jobs. And
— a pattern that’s expected to continue
MNU found the right answers.
for several years.
ith the “what if” question firmly in mind, MNU beganW
Considering that MNU students
imagining “how” to achieve a goal clearly beyond an
already play a significant role in serving the community,
ordinary approach. After much hard work and research,
increasing the amount of service seems ambitious. Yet the
Beckum says a solution emerged. Early in 2008 funding re-
call – and message – of MNU’s mission leads one to con-
quests were developed and submitted, and in August 2009,
sider not just “how” to make a difference in the world, but
MNU received two grants from AmeriCorps VISTA (Volun-
to figure out “where” and “how much” one can give.
teers in Service to America), a program of the Corporation
for National and Community Service.
The AmeriCorps grants provided two full-time volunteer
coordinator positions on campus. Fittingly, both were filled
by MNU alumnae.
4 | Accent magazine | Fall 2009
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21