Portraits of Strength & Hope | 2024 Lay & Ministerial “O” Awards

2023 "O" Award: Anthony Hoovler '88, MD
When Anthony Hoovler arrived at Olivet Nazarene University in the fall of 1984 from a small town in southwestern Ohio, he didn't realize the impact ONU would have on his life. His parents, Arthur '63 and Carolyn, as well as a few aunts, uncles and [Link]cousins, had attended ONU, so the Bourbonnais campus was already familiar to him. But he was beginning his own ONU story.

During the summer before his freshman year, Anthony had connected with another incoming freshman, Reagan Kling, during a campus visit. On move-in day, Anthony was thrilled to learn that Reagan was just down the hall on the second floor of Chapman Hall and that they shared some classes together. Forty years after their first handshake, they and a group of other alumni stay in regular contact as "Olivet brothers."

While at ONU, Anthony was a resident assistant for two years in Hills Hall and played on the Tigers golf team. As a pre-medicine major, he spent much of his time in Reed Hall of Science, as a learner, a student teacher, and a laboratory assistant in both zoology and organic chemistry.

"The quality of my education was truly exceptional," Anthony says. "Dr. Armstrong, Dr. Ferrin, Dr. Johnson, Dr. Colling and others were so dedicated to my professional development. And I will always be thankful to Dr. Ivor Newsham, who was also VP for Academic Affairs, for teaching me independent study physics so I could complete my requirements for med school. I'll never forget that sacrifice Dr. Newsham made on my behalf."

Anthony graduated from ONU in 1988 with a BA in zoology and minors in chemistry and French. He was accepted to several medical schools and chose the University of Louisville School of Medicine, funded by a scholarship from the U.S. Navy. He recalls that much of his first-year medical school curriculum was a review because he was so well-prepared at ONU.

After receiving his MD in 1992, Anthony did his internship training in San Diego. While there, he met Jenifer, who became his wife. She is a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, and she and Anthony have been married for more than 29 years.

Trained in Internal Medicine, Aerospace Medicine, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Anthony's professional career has been unconventional. Beyond providing traditional medical care in hospitals and clinics, he has treated patients in several different countries, cared for service members on board four different combat ships, and even served on a U.S. Navy ship docked in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

Anthony also learned to fly helicopters in the military and spent three years with the U.S. Marine Corps as a flight surgeon. "Flying helicopters was an amazing experience," he says. "Admittedly, it was quite dangerous. But thankfully, the protective hand of the Lord was with me, and I'm still here!"

Following more than 13 years of military service, Anthony and Jenifer settled in the Pacific Northwest, and Anthony joined a large multispecialty group, providing endocrinology care. Today, he serves as a medical director with Novo Nordisk, one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. Though he no longer wears a white coat, he does have the privilege of impacting the care of millions of people worldwide.

Anthony and Jenifer attend Calvary Chapel in Poulsbo, Washington. He serves as chair of the Missions Board and plays keyboards on the worship team.

Remaining active in the ONU community, Anthony serves as a board member of Catalyst ONU, an alumni group supporting the natural sciences. He has also been a guest lecturer in the Biological Sciences and Chemistry departments, sharing his real-world experience. He served on the ONU Alumni Board for six years.

In 2021, in collaboration with his "Olivet brothers," Anthony led the establishment of the HB Brothers '88 Student Scholarship. "Many of us received foundation scholarships as students, myself included, from families and groups who didn't even know us," he says. "But they knew we could excel professionally and grow spiritually at ONU. We just want to pay that forward and support future generations."

2023 "O" Award: Benjamin Kayser '02/'04 MBA

[Link]

He has not taken on any significant formal leadership roles in a company or organization. He doesn't have a big resume to show for his efforts. The work that Lt. Col. Benjamin "Ben" Kayser '02/'04 MBA is most proud of is how he loves people unconditionally and invests in them deeply. His greatest desire is that the young men and women he encounters will get to know and experience Christ, and then will go out and love others the way Jesus loves them.

When Ben began his higher education at Olivet Nazarene University, he had a few simple goals: play sports, obtain a business degree, and find a wife. Although he accomplished all of those goals, he experienced an even more significant life change. Through the love and example of the students and faculty of ONU, Ben committed his life to Christ in 2000.

One day, as he was sitting on the third floor of Benner Library, the Lord confronted Ben with Matthew 16:24−26. God asked him to give up everything in this life to find eternal life with Christ. At that moment, Ben knew he had a choice: Will I surrender everything to Jesus and go "all in"?

As a ONU student, Ben had been spending time with Dr. Carol (Maxson) Summers '88, who generously hosted him and other students over school breaks; with Dr. Glen Rewerts in the McGraw School of Business; with Dr. Kent Olney, whose course on marriage and family psychology continues to educate Ben today; Dan Heefner '01, one of his ONU Tiger baseball teammates. Ben saw that they had peace, but he did not. He watched them love others selflessly, but he did not. Ultimately, he knew they had Jesus, but he did not.

After some prayer and struggle, Ben answered God's call with a resounding, "Yes!" Dr. Rewerts and Dan discipled Ben in how to follow Jesus, make disciples, and love others selflessly.

At ONU, Ben received a ROTC scholarship and also completed his Master of Business Administration degree. Then he embarked on a career journey that has repeatedly given him opportunities to share his faith. After graduation, he enlisted for active duty in the U.S. Army and was deployed as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom for a 15-month tour of duty. In 2010, he joined the staff at Fort Liberty, North Carolina. Since 2013, Ben has served as an Air Force Reserve Chaplain.

Ben is married to his college sweetheart, Elizabeth "Betts" (Babcock) '02. They are the parents of seven children: Grace (who attends ONU through the Veritas Program), Bella, Chloe, Anna, Ruth, Isaiah and Ezekiel. Their family has hosted more than 60 people (mostly soldiers) to live in their home for a few months or even years. They have individually discipled hundreds of other soldiers, family members and children - who are now spreading the good news of Jesus Christ and His love for us all over the world for the glory of God!

For 14 years, Ben and Elizabeth served with The Navigators ministry. In 2024, they began serving with Oaks International to proclaim Christ and multiply disciplemakers for the glory of God and the joy of all nations. They have trained or are in the process of training 16 full-time missionaries.

Ben and Elizabeth also oversee three disciple-making communities at Fort Liberty. Some of the people whom they have discipled are now pioneering a new disciple-making community at Fort Bliss, Texas.

"The reach of U.S. military personnel is remarkable," Ben says. "My hope is that, through it all, people see the ways we are trying to honor the Lord, and that they are inspired to go and do the same. Our goal is to reach the nations, and it is incredible to witness that happening."

"O" Awards
Since 1957, Olivet's alumni association has honored outstanding alumni through the presentation of the "O" Awards at the annual fall celebration. A lay recipient and a ministerial recipient are chosen from nominations submitted to the Alumni Board. Qualified individuals represent the ideals of the University and have distinguished themselves in their professional titles.

Learn more about how you can become part ofOlivet's mission for many years to come. Contact campaign director Susan Wolff at [email protected] or call 815-928-5776 to schedule an appointment with a member of our team.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.