2022 Alumni Award Recipients
This year at Homecoming & Family Weekend, we will be honoring five outstanding alumni with various awards. We are privileged to host them on campus during the weekend, while they interact with current and former students.
Alumnus of the Year
Dr. Eric Clarkson ('01) is the owner and family physician at the Pratt Family Practice in Pratt, KS. He also serves as the medical director for the local emergency services and the free health clinic in town. He practices a full range of family medicine services, including surgical obstetrics, hospital, nursing home, and clinical medicine.
While at MNU, Eric met his wife, Dr. Amy (Morsch ’99) Clarkson, who was the recipient of the Alumna of the Year Award in 2016. The couple now has three children and are active in their community and their church, Abundant Harvest Church of the Nazarene, where Eric serves on the board, acts as youth director, and has taught Sunday school for six years.
“MidAmerica provided the backdrop and was the catalyst for nearly every good thing in my life,” says Eric. “It provided me critical leadership experiences through being a part of the residential life team as an RA my sophomore and junior years. It is where I met my best life-long friends. These friends, and now their families, continue to provide joy and encouragement 25 years later. While at MidAmerica I was given the opportunity to be a member of a student ministry team in Papua New Guinea with Youth in Mission. While there I met Dr. Bill McCoy and decided I wanted to be a physician. Most importantly, MNU is where I first rollerbladed past Amy Morsch and thought, "I need to get to know that girl!". Two years later, I finally asked her out!”
Alumna of the Year
Saralyn (Schmidt '72) Brown is a member of MidAmerica Nazarene University’s Pioneer Class, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1972 with a BA in English. As an MNU student, she was heavily involved in the campus community, including being a member of Heritage Singers and Conestoga staff as well as a member of Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities.
While at MNU, Saralyn met Allen Brown ('72); the two married and now have two grown sons and four grandchildren. Saralyn and Allen have been married for 50 years, and they enjoy life-long friendships with many people they met at MNU, including some they have vacationed with over the years.
The couple enjoys visiting MNU almost every year. “I especially like coming for the President’s Honors event (where I always manage to spend money!)” she says.
Saralyn is recently retired as Executive Vice President of Don Miguel Foods, a national food processor, in Anaheim, CA. She is a member of Anaheim First Church of the Nazarene, where she has served as the Treasurer for 31 years.
Young Alum Award
Ashford Collins (’12) came to MNU in 2008 to play football and pursue a degree in Elementary Education. While here, he immersed himself in serving as a resident assistant, in the Black Student Union, in the Gospel Choir, and as a youth mentor at College Church of the Nazarene.
Ashford currently serves as an assistant principal at Valley Park Elementary School in the Blue Valley School District and is pursuing his doctorate in education.
“MNU gave me an opportunity to continue my education while providing an organic faith experience,” says Ashford. “The relationships and experiences from MNU helped me grow into the person I am today.”
While at MNU, he met his wife, Cary (Hayes ’11) Collins. “Cary is the bomb! She has done everything from study abroad in Central America to teach Spanish in multiple settings to fostering children and dogs,” says Ashford. “I share this because she has had a tremendous inspiration and impact on my life.”
The couple have two children, Avery Monroe (7), Demi Juliet (4) and live in Overland Park, Kan.
Carry the Torch Award
Margaret Gilliland
In 1969, Donald Metz, MNU’s first academic dean, asked Margaret Gilliland to fill in for a job at MNU for two weeks…and she worked here until her retirement, 40 years later! “It’s proof that you never know where a decision will lead you,” says Margaret. “Those two weeks turned into one of the most exciting careers for me.”
She and her husband, Rollin, started their time at MNU in residence halls. She eventually became the Resident Director of Colony West, and was the ”dorm mom” in Stockton and Rice halls for women. Subsequent roles included Dean of Student Life and the Vice President of Student Development. Margaret is credited with founding the MNU Career Development Center, which prepares students for life after college.
“The Lord led me to a 40-year career I never dreamed of, and I am thrilled to have been a part of many things at MNU.”
Margaret retired in 2009 and eventually moved back to her hometown of Shreveport, LA, where she is enjoying reconnecting with extended family and getting involved in a new church. “I returned to the congregation where I came to the Lord as a teen,” she says. “I’ve come full circle.”
Michael Copeland Civic Leadership Award
Ron Ryckman Jr. (’94) is the inaugural recipient of this award. Ron is currently Kansas Speaker of the House and represents the 78th district in the Kansas House of Representatives. He is finishing his fifth term in office; Ron was elected Speaker of the House in 2016 and is completing his unprecedented third term. He previously served as chairman of the House Social Services Budget Committee and the House Appropriations Committee. He also served on the Olathe City Council from 2009 to 2017.
Ron, a 30-year Johnson County resident, earned his degree in business administration from MidAmerica Nazarene University while playing on the basketball team. After graduation, he entered the construction business and now owns and operates a commercial roofing company. Ron has a heart for public service and has put his business experience to work representing his constituents in Olathe and Kansas at large.
Ron takes considerable pride in sponsoring activities and delivering on benefaction through his church, Living Hope Church of the Nazarene, and has devoted time to other area philanthropic organizations such as Kids TLC, the Bi-State Commission, and Olathe Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
Ron has been married to Kim (Banz ’95) Ryckman, a local schoolteacher, for 27 years and they have three children, Haley, Christian, and Chase. Ron enjoys coaching youth basketball, football, and baseball.
These individuals will be recognized at several events during Homecoming & Family Weekend, including Homecoming Chapel (where they will be introduced to the campus community), the Homecoming Celebration Breakfast, Homecoming Football Game, and the Alumni Showcase (where we will formally present them with their respective awards).