MVNU faculty receive top honors

Rachel Young and Liz Stroop celebrated for outstanding service at Mount Vernon Nazarene University.

Mount Vernon Nazarene University President Dr. Carson Castleman, left, honors the Excellence in the Call Award winners, Liz Stroop and Dr. Rachel Young; and along with Rev. Dave Mills, Vice President of Spiritual Life and Church Relations.

MVNU

Published February 15, 2026 - 8:00 a.m.

Faculty and staff at Mount Vernon Nazarene University gathered Feb. 4 in Thorne Performance Hall of the R.R. Hodges Chapel/Fine Arts Center to honor their colleagues at the Excellence in the Call awards reception. Dr. Rachel Young, Associate Professor of Social Work, MSW Program Director, Division Chair: Human and Public Services; and Liz Stroop, Marketing Department Project Manager, were celebrated for their dedication to MVNU’s mission.

The quarterly award includes recognition at the employee reception, a certificate, and $500. Developed and sponsored by faculty and staff donors, this honor recognizes outstanding service, innovation, collegiality, peer leadership, and going beyond the call of duty as recognized and nominated from their peers and chosen by the Excellence in the Call Award Committee.