从60年代中期开始, when a young Nazarene pastor approached a local banker with the idea to propose Olathe, 堪萨斯, as the location for anew Nazarene college to today, MidAmerica Nazarene University has enjoyed strong ties and outstanding support from its hometown. The vision of Pastor Paul Cunningham and local banker R.R. 奥斯本, imagining what the college could bring to a town of about 15,000, forged support among community members. Land was donated, funding was raised, and the 拿撒勒人教会 chose Olathe as the site.
Today, thousands of MNU alumni call Olathe and the surrounding 堪萨斯 City metro home. They serve their communities as teachers, 医生, 护士, 律师, 警察, 消防队员, 企业主, 公务员, 部长, and just about any occupation one can think of. Olathe’s current mayor is John Bacon, a 1985 alumnus. His predecessor, Olathe’s longest-serving mayor, was Michael Copeland from the class of 1984. 领导 from MNU alumni can be seen far and wide across the region.
As the university grew, so did Olathe, exceeding 145,000 in2023. With the area’s top public school system, 充足的就业, 繁华的商业, 工业与运输业, 小径, 湖泊和公园, and an easy commute to all 堪萨斯 City has to offer, Olathe is a great home for many Pioneers.