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{{Short description|Private university in Bourbonnais, Illinois, US}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2025}}
{{Infobox university
| motto = Education With a Christian Purpose!
| mottoeng = 
| name = Olivet Nazarene University
| image = Olivet-Logo.png
| caption = 
| established = {{start date and age|1907}}
| type = [[Private university]]
| religious_affiliation = [[Church of the Nazarene]]
| endowment = $45.1 million (2020)<ref>As of June 30, 2020. {{cite report |url=https://www.nacubo.org/-/media/Documents/Research/2020-NTSE-Public-Tables--Endowment-Market-Values--FINAL-FEBRUARY-19-2021.ashx |title=U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2020 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY19 to FY20 |publisher=National Association of College and University Business Officers and [[TIAA]] |date=February 19, 2021 |access-date=February 21, 2021}}</ref>
| administrative_staff = 
| faculty = 
| chancellor = 
| president = [[Gregg Chenoweth]]
| title = 
| students = 3,255 (Fall 2022)<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=Olivet+Nazarene+University&s=all&id=147828|title=College Navigator - Olivet Nazarene University|website=nces.ed.gov|access-date=August 10, 2022}}</ref>
| undergrad = 2,519 (Fall 2022)<ref name="auto"/>
| postgrad = 736 (Fall 2022)<ref name="auto"/>
| city = [[Bourbonnais, Illinois|Bourbonnais]]
| state = [[Illinois]]
| country = United States
| campus = [[suburban area|Suburban]]<br> {{convert|250|acre|km2}}
| former_names = Miss Mary Nesbitt's Grammar School (1907–1909)<br>Illinois Holiness University (1909–1915)<br>Olivet University (1915–1923)<br>Olivet College (1923–1939)<br>Olivet Nazarene College (1939–1986)
| colors = Purple & Gold<br>{{color box|#48206e}}&nbsp;{{color box|#fdb913}}
| sports_nickname = Tigers
| athletics_affiliations = [[National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics|NAIA]] – [[Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference|CCAC]] (primary)<br>NAIA – [[Mid-States Football Association|MSFA]] (football)
| mascot =  Toby the Tiger
| nobel_laureates = 
| affiliations = [[Council for Christian Colleges and Universities|CCCU]]
| free_label = Newspaper
| free = ''The Olivet Gazette'' (formerly ''The Glimmerglass'')
| website = {{URL|www.olivet.edu}}
| logo = 
}}

'''Olivet Nazarene University''' ('''ONU''') is a [[Private university|private]] [[Church of the Nazarene|Nazarene]] university in [[Bourbonnais, Illinois]]. Named for its founding location, [[Olivet, Illinois]], ONU was originally established as a [[grammar school]] in east-central Illinois in 1907.  In the late 1930s, it moved to the campus in Bourbonnais. The university is affiliated with the [[Church of the Nazarene]] and is the annual site of the church's ''Regional Celebrate Life'' youth gathering for the Central USA Region.

==History==
Olivet Nazarene University traces its roots to 1907, when the Eastern Illinois Holiness Association<ref name="hunt">{{cite book
  | last = Raser
  | first = Harold E.
  | editor1= Thomas C. Hunt |editor2=James C. Carper
  | title = Religious Higher Education in the United States
  | publisher = Taylor & Francis
  | year = 1996
  | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=lxr_PID7o2IC
  | isbn = 0-8153-1636-4
  | page = 548 }}</ref> started '''Miss Mary Nesbitt's [[grammar school|Grammar School]]''' in a house in [[Georgetown, Illinois]]. In 1908, the school's founders acquired 14 [[acre]]s<ref name="vol2">{{Cite web|url=http://wesley.nnu.edu/wesleyctr/books/2601-2700/HDM2623.PDF|title=''Called Unto Holiness'' Vol. 2 by Westlake Taylor Purkiser. Kansas City: Nazarene Publishing House, 1983.|access-date=Jan 29, 2020|archive-date=April 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412131543/http://wesley.nnu.edu/wesleyctr/books/2601-2700/HDM2623.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> in the village of [[Olivet, Illinois|Olivet]], and moved the grammar school to the proposed campus.<ref name="Olivet">{{Cite web|url=http://www.olivet.edu/about/history/history.asp|title=History at olivet.edu|access-date=Jan 29, 2020|archive-date=August 28, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828131845/http://www.olivet.edu/about/history/history.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref> A [[John Wesley|Wesleyan]]–[[Holiness movement|holiness]] community sprang up around the school.<ref>[http://media.premierstudios.com/nazarene/docs/Why%20These%20Schools%20%20Historical%20Perspectives%20on%20Nazarene%20Higher%20Education.pdf "Why These Schools? Historical Perspectives on Nazarene Higher Education," by Stan Ingersol] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624230418/http://media.premierstudios.com/nazarene/docs/Why%20These%20Schools%20%20Historical%20Perspectives%20on%20Nazarene%20Higher%20Education.pdf |date=2008-06-24 }}</ref>

In 1909, the [[liberal arts college]] was chartered and named '''Illinois Holiness University''', with A. M. Hills from [[Texas Holiness University]] as its first president.<ref name="vol2"/> It was then given to the [[Church of the Nazarene]] in 1912, with [[E. F. Walker]] as president, and inherited one of the most populated Nazarene regions in the United States.<ref name="vol2"/> It was renamed '''Olivet University''' in 1915,<ref>The History of ENC, written by James Cameron, references J.E.L. Moore leaving Eastern Nazarene College in 1919 to become "president of the Pentecostal Nazarene University at Olivet, Illinois." on p.142 and the [https://books.google.com/books/pdf/Yearbook_of_American_Churches.pdf?id=9sF07qbDVhcC&output=pdf&sig=UOr_umkuetKJrtdmrVwn_2Rg2ME ''Year Book of American Churches, 1921-1922'' edited by E.O. Watson, published by Hayworth Publishing Co. Washington D.C.] cites the name as "Olivet University."</ref> and again in 1921 to '''Olivet College'''.<ref name="change">{{Cite web|url=http://archive.org/details/americanuniversi0000song|title=American universities and colleges : a dictionary of name changes|first=Alice H.|last=Songe|date=Jan 29, 1978|publisher=Metuchen, N.J. : Scarecrow Press|access-date=Jan 29, 2020|via=Internet Archive}}</ref>

The economic solvency of the school became a problem in the 1920s, and the trustees were forced to declare [[bankruptcy]] in 1926. The school's treasurer, T. W. Willingham, purchased the school back at an [[auction]] and was elected president. In 1939, the main building on campus was destroyed by fire.<ref name="Olivet"/> This prompted the school to look for a new location. Under President A.L. Parrott, the school moved in 1940, onto the previous {{convert|42|acre|m2|adj=on}} campus of [[St. Viator's College]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.villageofbourbonnais.com/history.cfm|title=History of the Village of Bourbonnais|access-date=Jan 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080423053015/http://www.villageofbourbonnais.com/history.cfm|archive-date=April 23, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> With the move, the school's name was changed to '''Olivet Nazarene College''' (ONC).<ref name="change"/> The school's name was changed again in 1986 to '''Olivet Nazarene University''' (ONU).<ref name="Olivet"/>

The past 20 years have seen a significant change in the culture and image of Olivet.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}} Following the appointment of [[John C. Bowling]] as University president, the university began appealing to a more diverse set of students from different Christian denominations.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}} The school began several different construction projects to mark the growth of the school as a whole.{{Citation needed|date=June 2021}} The university currently is organized with seven academic units: the College of Arts and Sciences, the McGraw School of Business, the Martin D. Walker School of Engineering, the School of Education, the School of Life and Health Sciences, the School of Theology and Christian Ministry, and the School of Graduate and Continuing Studies.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}}

==Campus==
ONU's campus is {{convert|250|acre|km2}} in the village of [[Bourbonnais, Illinois]], outside the city of [[Kankakee, Illinois]],<ref>The college has been in Bourbonnais since 1940, but its seal has traditionally read Kankakee.</ref> with 30 buildings.<ref name="Facts">{{Cite web|url=http://www.olivet.edu/about/fastfacts.asp|title=Fast Facts page|access-date=Jan 29, 2020|archive-date=October 10, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010012446/http://www.olivet.edu/about/fastfacts.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref> Four buildings are original from [[St. Viator College]], including Burke Administration, Chapman Hall, Miller Business Center, and Birchard Gymnasium. There are also satellite campuses for [[adult education]] in [[Rolling Meadows, Illinois]] and [[Hong Kong]].<ref name="NCA">[http://www.ncahlc.org/index.php?option=com_directory&Itemid=192&Action=ShowBasic&instid=1137 HLC of the NCA: ONU profile]</ref>

===Campus features===
{{unreferenced section|date=June 2021}}
Since Olivet Nazarene University relocated to Bourbonnais, the campus has undergone several different waves of construction. In addition, within the past two years,{{Update inline|date=June 2023}} there have been numerous construction projects including the construction of the Betty and Kenneth Hawkins Centennial Chapel, the largest theater in [[Kankakee County]], which seats approximately 3,059 people, and the Student Life and Recreation Center, which opened in December 2012.

In total, there are seven academic buildings (Burke, Wisner, Weber, Reed, Larsen, Forton Villa, and Leslie Parrott), two gymnasiums (Birchard and McHie), and six residence halls (Chapman, Hills, Nesbitt, Parrott, McClain, Howe and Williams). The university also has several off-campus apartment buildings (Old Oak, Oak Run, University Place, Grand, Stadium, Stratford, and Bresee). Centennial Chapel has showcased many Christian artists including [[Bill Gaither]] and [[Chris Tomlin]].

The university has also completed their student life and recreation center which was opened on December 12, 2012. This building serves as central hub for the campus and features an Olympic-sized pool, Jacuzzi, lazy river, resistance pool, indoor track, one of the tallest collegiate rock climbing walls in North America, various classrooms, offices, a fitness center, game room and coffee shop.

==Organization==
ONU is one of nine regional U.S. [[liberal arts college]]s<ref>[http://media.premierstudios.com/nazarene/docs/didache_2_1_Price.pdf ''LIBERAL ARTS AND THE PRIORITIES OF NAZARENE HIGHER EDUCATION'' by J. Matthew Price, Ph.D.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080627054254/http://media.premierstudios.com/nazarene/docs/didache_2_1_Price.pdf |date=2008-06-27 }} [[Eastern Nazarene College]] is the only Nazarene institution to retain the "college" moniker. Different states hold different standards for university status, but Nazarene [[higher education]] is based on the [[liberal arts]] model rather than that of a ''research university''.</ref> affiliated with the [[Church of the Nazarene]].<ref>[http://media.premierstudios.com/nazarene/docs/educregions.pdf Nazarene Educational Regions] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624230421/http://media.premierstudios.com/nazarene/docs/educregions.pdf |date=2008-06-24 }}</ref> ONU is the college for the "Central USA Region" of the United States.<ref>Although its name might suggest that it is the college for the "Olivet" region, no such region currently exists. [[Eastern Nazarene College|Eastern]] and [[Northwest Nazarene University|Northwest]] are the only Nazarene schools to use their regional names. Olivet is named for a former location in the village of [[Olivet, Illinois]]. There was a Nazarene institution once called [[Central Nazarene College]] in Texas.</ref> In terms of the Church of the Nazarene, the "Central Region" comprises the Wisconsin, Northwestern Illinois, Illinois, Chicago Central, Northern Michigan, Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Northwest Indiana, Northeastern Indiana, Indianapolis, and Southwest Indiana districts, which include [[Wisconsin]], [[Michigan]], [[Illinois]], and [[Indiana]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://media.premierstudios.com/nazarene/docs/CentralUSAregiondistricts.pdf |title=Central USA Region |access-date=2007-07-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009211705/http://media.premierstudios.com/nazarene/docs/CentralUSAregiondistricts.pdf |archive-date=2007-10-09 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Each college receives financial backing from the Nazarene churches on its region; part of each church budget is paid into a fund for its regional school. Each college or university is also bound by a [[gentlemen's agreement]] not to actively recruit outside its respective "educational region."<ref>{{cite book| title =Guidelines and Handbook for Educational Institutions of the Church of the Nazarene| publisher =Church of the Nazarene International Board of Education| year =1997| url =http://www.nazarene.org/files/docs/guide.pdf| page =14| url-status =dead| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20091010012525/http://www.nazarene.org/files/docs/guide.pdf| archive-date =2009-10-10}}</ref> The school owns and operates [[Christian adult contemporary]] radio station WONU, which broadcasts from the school's main campus.<ref>"[https://fccdata.org/?facid=&call=WONU&ccode=1&city=&state=&country=US&zip=&arn=&party=&lmspf=&lmspl=&party_type=ELMFA&latd=&lond=&lang=en WONU]", fccdata.org. Retrieved March 28, 2025.</ref>

==Academics==
ONU has been accredited by the [[Higher Learning Commission]] since 1956<ref name="NCA"/> and offers [[bachelor's degree]]s in 67 [[academic major]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.olivet.edu/catalog/index2.htm|title=Olivet Nazarene: 2008-2009 Academic Catalog|access-date=Jan 29, 2020|archive-date=April 8, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090408113106/http://www.olivet.edu/catalog/index2.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> The School of Graduate and Continuing Studies offers [[master's degree]]s, nontraditional adult degree-completion programs, and a [[doctor of education]] degree offered only at Bourbonnais main campus as well as a master of "professional counseling" degree offered at a site in Hong Kong and [[distance education]] for a [[master in education]] degree.<ref name="NCA"/> The doctor of education degree was offered through a unique hybrid/cohort model (both in-class and online).  Starting late 2018, the doctor of education program was switched to full online only version.  The 2007 acceptance rate for students who applied to the college was 70.3 percent.<ref>{{cite web
  | title = Olivet Nazarene University
  | work = Guide to Best Colleges
  | publisher = U.S. News & World Report
  | url = http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/college/items/1741
  | access-date = 2009-05-19
  | archive-date = 2008-12-24
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081224074256/http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/college/items/1741
  | url-status = dead
  }}</ref>

==Student life==
There were 4,636 students at the college in 2007, 3,190 of whom were [[undergraduate]]s.<ref name="nces">{{cite web|url=http://nces.ed.gov/globallocator/|title=Search for Schools, Colleges, and Libraries|publisher=U.S. Department of Education National Center for Education Statistics|access-date=2009-04-14}}</ref> ONU students are from 40 states and 20 countries, and represent 30 [[Christian denomination]]s.<ref name="Facts"/> 
The university offers over 80 different clubs with many different focuses. All of the clubs and student organizations are sponsored by the Olivet Nazarene University Associated Student Council. Some of the most influential clubs on campus include Capitol Hill Gang, the university's political society, and the campus chapter of the [[International Justice Mission]].

The school also supports one club sports team which is loosely affiliated with the university. In 2010, the Black Penguins, a club [[Ultimate Frisbee]] team was created and reached the [[USA Ultimate|UPA's]] College Nationals, reaching that level again in 2014.{{citation needed|date=April 2022}}

==Athletics==
The Olivet Nazarene athletic teams are called the Tigers. The university is member of the [[National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics]] (NAIA), primarily competing in the [[Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference]] (CCAC) since the 1996–97 academic year. They are also a member of the [[National Christian College Athletic Association]] (NCCAA), primarily competing as an independent in the North Central Region of the Division I level. The Tigers previously competed in the [[Northern Illinois-Iowa Conference]] (NIIC) of the [[NCAA Division III]] ranks from 1974–75 to 1995–96; while also becoming a founding member of the [[Mid-States Football Association]] (MSFA) in the 1994 fall season (football-only).

Olivet Nazarene competes in 21 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field (indoor and outdoor) and volleyball; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field (indoor and outdoor) and volleyball; and co-ed sports include cheerleading and marching bands. Club sports include ice hockey.

===Overview===
The [[purple]] and [[Gold (color)|gold]] colors and the ''[[Tiger]]s'' [[athletic nickname]] at Olivet Nazarene have existed since 1940, when ONC students first played [[Bethany Nazarene College]] (BNC; now Southern Nazarene University), and [[Varsity team|intervarsity]] athletics began with another game between ONC and BNC in 1966.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.olivet.edu/admissions/adm_news_story.asp?iNewsID=353&strBack=%2Fnews%2Fnews_archive.asp|title=ONU News: Athletics Unveils New Tigers Logo|access-date=Jan 29, 2020|archive-date=September 6, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060906090946/http://www.olivet.edu/admissions/adm_news_story.asp?iNewsID=353&strBack=%2Fnews%2Fnews_archive.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Training camp===
From 2002 to 2019, the [[Chicago Bears]] held their summer training camp at the school. Although the Bears had an agreement to continue practicing at the university through 2022, they moved the camp to [[Halas Hall]] for the 2020 season.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mayer|first=Larry|url=http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Bears-ONU-reach-nine-year-agreement/8dd0ee74-ad98-4777-8128-e29f2bdfc00a|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130816064145/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Bears-ONU-reach-nine-year-agreement/8dd0ee74-ad98-4777-8128-e29f2bdfc00a|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 August 2013|title=Bears, ONU reach nine-year agreement (Archive)|publisher=[[Chicago Bears]]|date=12 August 2013|access-date=12 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Mayer|first=Larry|url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/bears-moving-training-camp-back-to-halas-hall|title=Bears moving training camp back to Halas Hall|publisher=[[Chicago Bears]]|date=January 14, 2020|access-date=January 14, 2020}}</ref>

==Controversies==
===Evolution controversy===
In 2007, President [[John C. Bowling]] prohibited ONU [[alumnus]] and [[Faculty (teaching staff)|faculty]] member [[Richard G. Colling]] from teaching the general education [[biology]] course which he had taught since 1991.<ref name="Begley">{{cite news| last = Begley| first = Sharon| title = Can God love Darwin, too?|work=[[Newsweek]]| date = 2007-09-17| url = http://www.newsweek.com/id/40907| access-date = 25 June 2013}}</ref> President Bowling banned professors from assigning Colling's 2004 book: ''Random Designer: Created from Chaos to Connect with the Creator'' (Browning Press: {{ISBN|0-9753904-0-6}})<ref name="Begley"/> In the book, Colling argued that "'evolution has stood the test of time and considerable scrutiny,' and that evolution through random mutation and natural selection is 'fully compatible with' faith. In particular, his designing God uses the laws of nature he created 'to accomplish his goals' of, among other things, a wondrous diversity of nature and an ever-changing living world."<ref name="Begley"/>

The 2009-2013 Manual of the Church of the Nazarene states: "The Church of the Nazarene believes in the biblical account of creation ("In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth . . ."—Genesis 1:1). We oppose any godless interpretation of the origin of the universe and of humankind."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://nazarene.org/files/docs/Manual2009-2013.pdf|title=2009-2013 Manual (903.9. Creation)|access-date=Jan 29, 2020|archive-date=May 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160523111118/http://nazarene.org/files/docs/Manual2009-2013.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> The 2005-2009 Manual included an additional paragraph that was removed in 2009: "[T]he church accepts as valid all scientifically verifiable discoveries in geology and other natural phenomena, for we firmly believe that God is the Creator."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.olivet.edu/academics/theistic-evolution/|title=2005-2009 Manual (903.8 Creation)|access-date=Jan 29, 2020|archive-date=October 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011101147/http://www.olivet.edu/academics/theistic-evolution/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In a chapel message delivered 11 January 2006, President Bowling stated: "The Christian faith and some understandings of evolution are not necessarily incompatible. However, I want to be very clear in saying that not every articulation of evolution will do; not at all. That is to say, evolution must be understood in certain ways to be compatible with Christian faith."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.olivet.edu/academics/theistic-evolution/|title="God's Divine Design" – Chapel address by Dr. John C. Bowling, January 11, 2006 (Transcript)|access-date=Jan 29, 2020|archive-date=October 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011101147/http://www.olivet.edu/academics/theistic-evolution/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In October 2007 the School of Theology and Christian Ministry and the Department of Biology issued a statement concerning creation and theistic evolution, which includes this statement: "We affirm the value of science as a way of exploring the revelation of the Creator God in nature. We think that the theory of evolution can be seen as a scientific explanation of the diversity of life on earth, rather than as a godless religion that denies God's hand in the processes of creation."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.olivet.edu/academics/theistic-evolution/|title=Joint statement, Department of Biological Sciences and the School of Theology and Christian Ministry|access-date=Jan 29, 2020}}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

In a September 15, 2007 article about the Colling controversy published in [[Newsweek]], Bowling is quoted as saying: "In the last few months [objections to Colling] took on a new life and became a distraction, and things were deteriorating in terms of confidence in the university." Bowling further said that he banned Colling's book in order to "get the bull's-eye off Colling and let the storm die down."<ref name="Begley"/> In 2009, the conclusion of an [[American Association of University Professors]] (AAUP) investigation<ref>{{cite web|last=Jaschik|first=Scott|title=Academic Freedom and Evolution|url=http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2007/12/10/evolution|work=Inside Higher Ed|access-date=28 June 2010|date=December 10, 2007}}</ref> found problems with shared governance at ONU and that Colling's rights had been violated<ref>{{cite web|title=Academic Freedom and Tenure: Olivet Nazarene University|url=http://www.aaup.org/AAUP/protect/academicfreedom/investrep/2009/olivet.htm|work=AAUP website|publisher=[[American Association of University Professors]]|access-date=28 June 2010|year=2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202164210/http://www.aaup.org/AAUP/protect/academicfreedom/investrep/2009/olivet.htm|archive-date=2 December 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> when Bowling placed the concerns of the more conservative members of its [[Church of the Nazarene|Nazarene]] constituency higher than its principles of academic freedom.<ref>{{cite web|last=Jaschik|first=Scott|title=Faith, Science and Academic Freedom|url=http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/01/15/aaup|work=Inside Higher Ed|access-date=28 June 2010|date=January 15, 2009}}</ref> In 2009, Dr. Colling resigned from the Olivet Nazarene University faculty in an agreement with the school.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/10/14/evolution|title=Inside Higher Ed's News|website=www.insidehighered.com|access-date=Jan 29, 2020|archive-date=January 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200129202225/https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/10/14/evolution|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Homosexuality===
According to the 2009–2013 Manual of the Church of the Nazarene: "Homosexuality is one means by which human sexuality is perverted. We recognize the depth of the perversion that leads to homosexual acts but affirm the biblical position that such acts are sinful and subject to the wrath of God. We believe the grace of God sufficient to overcome the practice of homosexuality (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). We deplore any action or statement that would seem to imply compatibility between Christian morality and the practice of homosexuality. We urge clear preaching and teaching concerning Bible standards of sexual morality."<ref>{{cite book|title=Manual Church of the Nazarene (p. 57)|year=2009–2013|publisher=NAZARENE PUBLISHING HOUSE|location=Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.A.|url=http://nazarene.org/files/docs/Manual2009-2013.pdf|archive-date=2016-05-23|access-date=2013-06-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160523111118/http://nazarene.org/files/docs/Manual2009-2013.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Woody Webb, VP for Student Development, stated: "We want to talk about this issue with students, and we want them to feel safe doing so. If they come to us and want help understanding their same sex attractions, our offices are open. While we won't help a student accept [his or her] same sex attraction and enter a gay lifestyle, if they realize that their same sex attraction is contrary to God's will for them, we will walk with them on their journey."<ref name="Cohea">{{cite news|last=Cohea|first=Jessica|title=Gay: What Would Jesus Do?|url=http://glimmerglass.olivet.edu/2011/03/18/gay-what-would-jesus-do/|access-date=25 June 2013|newspaper=GlimmerGlass|date=March 18, 2011|archive-date=11 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211035815/http://glimmerglass.olivet.edu/2011/03/18/gay-what-would-jesus-do/|url-status=dead}}</ref> According to a controversial article published in the Olivet student newspaper, "[I]f a student needs counseling and indicates that he or she is gay on the application... Olivet counselors are not permitted to counsel them according to University policy."<ref name="Cohea"/> If a student is attempting to overcome homosexual tendencies, the university will accept them into counseling services. The only way that ONU will not accept a student into the counseling program is if the purpose of the counseling is directly related to accepting their homosexuality. In addition, if this is the case, Olivet will refer the student to an outside counseling agency.<ref name="Cohea"/>

In March 2012, the Illinois Defense of Marriage Initiative visited campus, and advocated against gay marriage. That same month, Mike Haley, a motivational speaker and self-proclaimed reformed homosexual, spoke to students during the school's mandatory Chapel.<ref name="Kalantzis">{{cite news|last=Kalantzis|first=Dimitrios|title=Gay issue reignites at ONU|url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/87454625/Olivet-2012|access-date=25 June 2013|newspaper=Kankakee Daily Journal|date=March 31, 2012}}</ref> According to ''The Daily Journal'' "[t]his prompted a small group of students at Olivet to petition for tolerance and an open discussion about homosexuality."<ref name="Kalantzis"/>

===T. J. Martinson===

On June 28, 2019, the university rescinded its job offer of assistant professor to academic and author T. J. Martinson (Ph.D. IU Bloomington, ''The Reign of the Kingfisher''), a third-generation Olivet alumnus, "citing complaints that his novel contained profanity and other elements [including the depiction of prostitution and the portrayal of a lesbian character] that conflict with the school's religious doctrine".<ref name="Day">{{cite news |last=Day |first=Jennifer|title=He was hired to teach at Olivet Nazarene University. And then someone read his book. |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/books/ct-books-tj-martinson-onu-0709-20190710-azax7bxkhjgehcesusq4s7y5vq-story.html|date=July 10, 2019| newspaper=Chicago Tribune|access-date=July 11, 2019 }}</ref>

On July 26, 2019, PEN America released a statement on the controversy: "A professor's dismissal on the basis of a work of fiction suggests a disturbing climate for open inquiry and creative expression at [Olivet Nazarene University]. Unfortunately, the circumstances of Martinson's dismissal give the impression that the institution is more committed to quelling potential criticism and controversy than it is committed to defending the academic freedom of its faculty. In this case, dismissing Martinson over the content of his novel, including the presence of a lesbian character, sends a message of exclusion to the ONU community and is likely to have a chilling effect on the free and creative expression of students and faculty."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pen.org/press-release/illinois-school-fires-new-prof/|title=Firing of Professor Over Novel Threatens Academic, Artistic Freedom|date=2019-07-26|website=PEN America|language=en|access-date=2019-07-27}}</ref>

==Notable alumni==
{{unreferenced section|date=April 2015}}
*[[Paul Cunningham (minister)|Paul Cunningham]], former [[General Superintendent (Church of the Nazarene)|general superintendent]] of the [[Church of the Nazarene]]
*[[James Diehl]], former [[General Superintendent (Church of the Nazarene)|general superintendent]] of the [[Church of the Nazarene]]
*[[R. Wayne Gardner]], notable Nazarene minister and President Emeritus of [[Eastern Nazarene College]]
*[[David W. Graves]], [[General Superintendent (Church of the Nazarene)|general superintendent]] of the [[Church of the Nazarene]]
*[[Ben Heller]], professional baseball player
*[[Adam Kotsko]], author, translator, and professor of humanities at [[Shimer College]]
*[[Tara Beth Leach]], pastor and author
*[[Mike Overy]], professional baseball player
*[[Les Parrott]], professor of clinical psychology for [[Seattle Pacific University]], author, and motivational speaker
*[[Teresa Woodruff|Theresa K. Woodruff]], president of [[Michigan State University]]
*[[Ben Zobrist]], professional baseball player

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.olivet.edu}}
* [http://www.onutigers.com Official athletics website]

{{Nazarene liberal arts colleges and educational regions}}
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[[Category:Olivet Nazarene University| ]]
[[Category:Private universities and colleges in Illinois]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges established in 1907]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene]]
[[Category:Education in Kankakee County, Illinois]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Kankakee County, Illinois]]
[[Category:1907 establishments in Illinois]]
[[Category:Council for Christian Colleges and Universities]]