Former Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Rev. Dwight Edward Douglas, 71, of Olathe, Kansas, passed away January 2, 2022.
Former Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Rev. Dwight Edward Douglas, 71, of Olathe, Kansas, passed away January 2, 2022.
Beginning in 1995, Dwight held several full-time administrative roles at MNU including vice president for institutional advancement, assistant to the president for church and community relations, and director of operations. During his tenure, Dwight worked with three MNU presidents. He led fundraising efforts in capital campaigns and served as project manager for the construction of Cook Center which houses MNU’s athletics and training facilities, nursing classrooms and Bell Family Arena.
Recently, in retirement, Dwight returned to MNU to serve as a volunteer providing outreach to MNU regional pastors through MNU’s Office of Church Relations.
Dr. David Spittal, president, remarked on the professional and personal qualities he observed in Dwight Douglas.
Dwight was passionate about people. As a natural born leader, he invested deeply in the lives of those around him and never missed an opportunity to serve their needs.” Spittal said. “In his professional life, he was trusted, influential and dependable. Colleagues describe Dwight as loyal, humble, a good friend and a constant encourager. These qualities, and many more, were not merely habits or behaviors, but the outward expression of an inward heart totally dedicated to his Lord.”
DR. DAVID SPITTAL
Prior to working at MNU Dwight, served on the pastoral staff at Nazarene churches in Boise, Idaho, Seattle, Washington Portland, and Oregon City, Oregon. He also worked in the division of Christian Life and Sunday School and the Church Growth Division at Nazarene World Headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri.
During the last ten years of his career, Dwight worked at Quality Technology Services in Overland Park, Kansas, as their director of community relations.
Dwight held a Bachelor of Arts from Northwest Nazarene University and a Master of Religious Education from Nazarene Theological Seminary.
Service to others was a hallmark of Dwight’s life. Some his service roles include chaplain and assistant public information officer for Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue in Oregon, member of the Olathe Rotary Club in Olathe, Kansas, speaker and mentor for Gift of Life in Overland Park, Kansas, advisor to the US Dream Academy based in Silver Spring, Maryland, and member of various work and witness teams that traveled throughout the United States and internationally.
While serving at MNU, Dwight faced a health challenge few encounter, resulting in a heart transplant. During this time, colleagues observed the inspirational response of their leader and friend. It seemed that whatever he was faced with, Dwight found a way to work through it with positivity and faith in his Lord.
Rev. Phil Rhoades, district superintendent of the Joplin, District Church of the Nazarene said working with Dwight “was a pure delight.”
“Dwight was so kind and compassionate,” Rhoades said. “After his heart transplants, he still had a driving passion for ministry and he lived his life doing what he loved. His love for MNU was so apparent, even when he was restricted because of health he was still doing what he could. His words about others fit him best, ‘what a guy!’”
Dwight is survived by his wife, Marita (Howard) Douglas, his daughter Danna (’98) and son-in-law Kevin (’97) Dahl, his son Michael (’01) and daughter-in-law Jenn Douglas, his daughter Lisa (’05) and son-in-law Brent (’04) Hazen, and grandchildren TJ and Trevor Dahl, Kimberlynne and Camden Hazen, and Piper and Baron Douglas.
A celebration of life was held at College Church of the Nazarene, January 15, 2022.
Among other tribute options, the family included the following:
MidAmerica Nazarene University Foundation
Donovan and Esther Douglas Endowed Scholarship for Children of Pastors
2030 E College Way
Olathe, KS 66062
www.mnu.edu/give-online
A full obituary is online at https://www.penwellgabelkc.com/Obituary/208955/Dwight-Douglas/Olathe-KS.
