MVNU stepping into the gap

MVNU stepping into the gap

This process in Eastern Nazarene College’s case is guided by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education. ENC established formal teach-out partnerships with five schools along with a secondary list of approximately 30 more schools that were offering help…

read more

ENC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Hosts Special Olympic Event

May 14, 2024

QUINCY – On Sunday, April 28, the Eastern Nazarene College (ENC) Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) hosted a Special Olympics Unified Sports basketball game at the Lahue Athletic Center between the Dorchester Blue Devils and the SOLynn Bombers from Lynn, Massachusetts.

SAAC President Delaney Walker and SAAC Vice President Ahidali DeHuelbes, along with the SAAC Executive Board members and team representatives, played crucial roles in organizing the event with guidance from SAAC advisor and head Men’s Basketball coach Aaron Loredo.

“Hosting Special Olympics MA at Eastern Nazarene was extraordinary! To not only see our student-athletes engage with the Special Olympics athletes but to see the support of our student body was heartwarming,” commented Loredo. “We wanted to make sure the Special Olympics athletes felt great energy competing in our gym. We look forward to continuing this partnership.”

The Special Olympics Unified Sports program, founded in Massachusetts, boasts over a million participants worldwide. The program allows participants to improve their physical fitness, sharpen their skills, and learn acceptance and inclusion. ESPN has served as the Global Presenting Sponsor of Special Olympics Unified Sports since 2013, supporting the growth and expansion of this program that empowers individuals with and without intellectual disabilities to engage through the power of sports.

“It was fantastic being able to watch the athletes play basketball, a game that I love so much, and to be a small part of making the event happen,” offered Walker, a Women’s Basketball and Soccer teams senior. “Our group is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to partner with Special Olympics and we are excited for more opportunities to host events like this in the future.”

“Hosting the Special Olympics was so amazing! Seeing the student body, coaches, and staff members watching these kids play, I felt nothing but joy and happiness,” said DeHuelbes, a junior on the Women’s Basketball team. “The participation from the SAAC members and both basketball teams was awesome. I would love to have them come back and be the superstars they are and play the game I’ve loved since I was five years old.”

“It was incredible to have our student-athletes come together to support the Special Olympics teams that came to campus. The atmosphere in the gym made the event much more memorable,” stated Deeana Castro, SAAC social media coordinator and a junior on the Women’s Soccer team. “This partnership with the Special Olympics is something that I would love to continue for future years.”

One of the four core values of the mission of the ENC Athletic Department is Service. In conjunction with SAAC, ENC Athletics recognizes the importance of looking beyond ourselves and finding ways to serve God and the community. Following the model of Christ, we are devoted to the development of servant-leaders as a central part of the athletic experience.

MVNU stepping into the gap

MVNU stepping into the gap

MVNU Stepping into the gapThe first step taken by any college moving to closure is finding teach-out partners that will enable students to finish their progress in as seamless a fashion as possible. This process in Eastern Nazarene College’s case is guided by the...

Nease Library – Preserving the Legacy

Nease Library – Preserving the Legacy

The announcement of closure brought about many activities of transition and care for transferring students, completing students, and the employees of Eastern Nazarene College. Beyond the care for the community of people at ENC, nothing has likely garnered more...

Board Announces Developing a Plan for Closure

The Board of Trustees of Eastern Nazarene College today announced it has voted unanimously to begin the process of closing ENC and transitioning it into a new educational enterprise that will carry on ENC’s legacy of providing a transformational education that equips...