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Accent Magazine

Current and Past Issues

Accent Magazine

Read about the Next Generation of Educators, plus President’s Honors, Commencement and all the latest from Alumni.

Alumni, please submit your news to Class Notes.

Births, adoptions, weddings, condolences, educational and career accomplishments, or good news, is of interest! Your submission will be reviewed, and upon approval, published in print or online, pending available space.

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Accent Extras

Dr. Jeff DeGraffenreid Honored with Michael Copeland Civic Leadership Award
MidAmerica Nazarene University is proud to announce Dr. Jeff DeGraffenreid (’96, MEd ’99) as the 2025 recipient of...
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Dr. Jeff DeGraffenreid Honored with Michael Copeland Civic Leadership Award
MNU Researchers Target Threat to Bees
With guidance from the Barkman Endowed Professor of Science, Dr. Rion Taylor, they are sequencing the metagenome of...
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MNU Researchers Target Threat to Bees
Student Perspectives As Dr. Spittal Bids Farewell
Dr. David Spittal assumed MNU’s presidency in 2012 and has become an integral part of many lives through...
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Student Perspectives As Dr. Spittal Bids Farewell
Archival History, Artifacts Serve Greater Good
Nestled on the second floor of the Mabee Learning Commons, the Marge Smith Archives serves as a bridge...
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Archival History, Artifacts Serve Greater Good
Students Land Prestigious STEM Research Spots
For the third year in a row, MNU science students have earned highly competitive Research Experiences for Undergraduates...
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Students Land Prestigious STEM Research Spots
MNU’s Next Goldwater Scholar: Alexandra Cummins
Alexandra (Alex) Cummins is MNU’s second-ever Goldwater Scholar. The honor, which includes a scholarship organized by the Barry Goldwater...
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MNU’s Next Goldwater Scholar: Alexandra Cummins
Dr. Chelsea Comadoll Named Barkman Endowed Professor in Chemistry
MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU) is proud to announce that Chelsea Comadoll, PhD, associate professor of chemistry, has been...
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Dr. Chelsea Comadoll Named Barkman Endowed Professor in Chemistry
New Hybrid BSN Gives Students Greater Flexibility
Starting this fall, MNU is offering a new way to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)...
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New Hybrid BSN Gives Students Greater Flexibility

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Summer 2024

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Dr. Abby Hodges

Vice President for Academic Affairs

PhD; Organic Chemistry, Yale University 
MS; Organic Chemistry, Yale University 
BS; Chemistry, Denison University

Dr. Hodges began her career in higher education at Azusa Pacific University as a chemistry professor from 2008 to 2014. She then moved to MNU where she taught and in 2018 was appointed Chair of the Department of Natural, Health, and Mathematical Sciences. From 2022-2023, before accepting the Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Hodges was the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Dr. Hodges’ career research has focused on protein folding and protein engineering, and she has mentored over twenty students in these research projects. She has also furthered the MNU first-year experience program and chaired the General Education committee for five years. Dr. Hodges was recognized as the MNU Faculty of the Year in 2021.

Dr. Hodges lives in Olathe with her husband Ryan and two boys.

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