Meet MNU's David Spittal

David J. Spittal is president of MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU) in Olathe, Kansas, a role he assumed in February. Son of a Nazarene pastor, he was born and raised in Canada. He and his wife, Donna, have two married sons, Todd and Ryan, and six grandchildren.

Explain your career progression:
I began by teaching high school music, choral and instrumental. From there I had opportunity to do interim work hiring or recommending teachers including traveling to colleges. The path led to roles including assistant superintendent of schools in Conyers, Indiana, then superintendent of schools in Marion, Indiana, and Fort Wayne, Indiana.

While in Fort Wayne, I received a call to serve at Indiana Wesleyan University, and then to the presidency of Southern Wesleyan University in Central, South Carolina.

Are you involved in social media?
No. I'm so busy in reality that I don't have time for the technical side of it.

What is your favorite food?
In the dessert category, carrot cake.

Favorite childhood memory?
We lived a distance from my grandparents but eventually moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and lived near my father's parents.

How does the church retain its young people?
We have segregated them as youth far too often. This younger generation has not heard the witness of the older generation. So youth, becoming young adults, suddenly seem lost because they've never been a part of that world before.

The best hope is to bridge them to the local church when they come out of one of our Nazarene Schools. If we don't do this, we'll have a mass exodus of young adults who will find a place of service elsewhere. They want to be a part of Kingdom work now. That's the challenge. That's why I'm passionate about pastors and youth pastors making our schools available to our youth. We can't afford to slip up on this one.

How did you get started in the arts?
As a kid in church, I'd practice drawing portraits. That started my love of art.

Three things you'd take to a deserted island?
My wife. A Bible. Cell phone (and hope it works).

Best quality in Donna?
I have a wife who loves adventure and new opportunities. I cherish the fact that what we've done, we've done together.

Why come out of retirement to take the helm at MNU?
It was a phone with a compelling invitation. I don't view it as coming out of retirement to take a job. I see it as pursuing God's plan for my life. It never has been a job. Rather, Donna and I talk about going on another of God's adventures. The Bible doesn't say anything about retirement, anyway.

Are you sailing much these days in Kansas?
No. The 'Second Wind' is in storage, trying to decide its future. I love to sail.

What are ways local churches can support Nazarene higher education?
I wish every church would make sure students experience a Nazarene school early in their high school years. I wish every church had a tuition matching program. Some do. Some churches have an endowment program, it's that important to them. We cannot ignore the connection between church and school. Nazarene higher education is a jewel. Most denominations don't have this in the way we do.

How do we make Christian higher education more affordable?
It comes to this: how much do we value it? For families and students, it's a lifetime commitment to change everything. Across all of our schools we depend on the generosity of donors. In addition to that, Nazarene schools are heavily investing in student scholarships. When you bring that together, Nazarene schools are comparable to, or competitive with, other schools. Nazarene higher education is still a strong value.

What would surprise us about you?
I tend to see humor in a lot of things that others may not notice.

Best part about being a grandparent?
Having them all together in one place for a holiday. Holidays are great.

Does working with college students offer humorous moments?
It's a gift to work around young people. I've been in education for over 40 years. My entire adult life has been surrounded by young adults. A lot of serendipitous moments exist with college students.

Favorite sport?
Baseball.

Team?
I'm a Cubs fan. I like to cheer for the underdog.

What are you reading?
Forgotten God by Francis Chan. He's writing about how desperately we need the Holy Spirit and how we have become so wrapped up in doing what we do that we have forgotten the power the Holy Spirit brings.

I think that the emptiness we often feel in our churches and lives is that longing for the Holy Spirit that we so desperately need.

Why are you passionate about Christian higher education?
The transformation that occurs at that point in the life of a young adult, it's at that point they have opportunity to be a part of an institution that educates, nurtures, and equips young adults. To be involved at this time of their lives is a thrilling opportunity.

Holiness Today 

Please note: All facts, figures, and titles were accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of original publication but may have since changed.