Dear Alumni and Friends of Northwest Nazarene University,
One of the great privileges of serving as President of Northwest Nazarene University is the opportunity to reflect on who we are, why we exist and how God continues to shape our story. Each time I walk our campus, worship in chapel or visit with alumni who carry NNU in their hearts, I am reminded that this institution has always been about formation, calling and faithful obedience.
That is why the theme of this issue of The Messenger—Humble in Heart, Bold in Mission—is especially meaningful to me. It was also the guiding theme of my Presidential Inauguration, not because it marked a new direction for NNU, but because it named, in simple and faithful language, what this University has always been, and what I believe God continues to call us to be.
That same theme will anchor our future, helping guide the strategic decisions we will make, the priorities we will set and the ways we will prepare students to live faithfully and lead courageously in a changing world. Together, we carry both the responsibility and the privilege of stewarding this mission for the next generation.
From our earliest days, NNU has been grounded in the conviction that Christlikeness begins with humility. We believe education is not merely the accumulation of knowledge, but the transformation of the whole person: heart, soul, mind and strength. Humility keeps us teachable, dependent on God, attentive to others and anchored in grace. It reminds us that our lives, our gifts and our vocations are not self-generated, but God-given.
At the same time, humility has never meant passivity at NNU. A humble heart shaped by Christ produces a boldness rooted not in ego, but in obedience. It forms men and women who step forward in faith, serve sacrificially, lead with courage and carry the love of Christ into the world with confidence and conviction.
This issue of The Messenger tells that story—your story—through the lenses of Faith and Calling, Career and Service and Community and Legacy.
First, Faith and Calling. One of the enduring gifts of an NNU education is the way faith is woven into every dimension of life. Alumni often share that what set their experience apart was not just what they learned, but how they learned to listen to God’s voice, to the needs of others and to the quiet stirrings of calling within their own hearts.
Calling does not always arrive with clarity or certainty. For many, it unfolds gradually, shaped by prayer, mentors, community and sometimes redirection. Yet NNU has long been a place where students are encouraged to ask deeper questions: Who has God created me to be? How am I being called to serve? And how can my life reflect Christ’s redemptive work in the world?
Second, Career and Service. At NNU, we have never drawn a sharp line between vocation and ministry. We believe all work, when offered to God, can be holy work. Whether you serve as teachers, nurses, engineers, pastors, entrepreneurs, artists or caregivers, the common thread is a commitment to excellence shaped by service.
Bold mission shows up in boardrooms and classrooms, hospitals and sanctuaries, research labs and rural communities. It shows up when you lead with integrity, advocate for the marginalized, pursue innovation for the common good and remain faithful amid complexity and change. Your careers are not simply paths of professional advancement; they are platforms for witness, compassion and lasting impact.
Third, Community and Legacy. NNU has always understood that formation happens best in community. From classrooms and residence halls to worship spaces and athletic teams, relationships are central to who we are. The sense of belonging experienced here, the friendships formed, the mentors who invested in you and the faculty and staff who believed in you continue to ripple outward through your lives and communities.
Legacy, then, is not measured only in buildings or endowments, though those matter. It is measured in lives shaped, students mentored, families strengthened, churches served and communities transformed. It is seen in alumni who give back generously—not just financially, but through prayer, presence and advocacy—ensuring future generations experience the same Christ-centered education that shaped them.
As we look ahead, Northwest Nazarene University remains committed to this sacred work. We are preparing students for a rapidly changing world while holding fast to the unchanging truth of the gospel. We do so with deep gratitude for those who have gone before us and hopeful confidence in what God is still doing.
To our alumni and friends: thank you. Thank you for carrying NNU with you wherever God has called you. Thank you for living humbly, serving faithfully and leading boldly. Your lives are a testimony to the power of an education rooted in Christ and oriented toward service.
May we continue, together, to be a people who are humble in heart, grounded in grace and shaped by love, and bold in mission, stepping into the world with courage, compassion and conviction for the sake of Christ.
With gratitude,
Mark DeMichael
President
