10/06/2026
🏆 Celebrating our 2026 Distinguished Service Award recipient: Mike Zahare
For Mike Zahare, “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God” has been more than a Bible verse—it has been a guiding principle throughout his life.
Growing up in Fairbanks, Alaska, Mike learned the value of Christ-like service from his parents and began serving alongside them at Fairbanks First Church of the Nazarene at just seven years old. That example continued at Northwest Nazarene College, where Matthew 6:33 helped shape his faith, family and professional life.
Mike earned his degree in Business Administration from NNC in 1981 before going on to earn his J.D. from the University of Washington. Along the way, he met his wife, Dawn, at NNC. They married in 1983 and have built a life centered on family, faith and service.
That commitment to service has extended to NNU for more than two decades. Mike joined the NNU Alumni Board in 2001, became a member of the Board of Trustees in 2004, and has served as Chair of the Board since 2019. He has also faithfully served his local church in Anchorage for decades.
Though Mike may be uncomfortable in the spotlight, his response to this honor reflects the verse that has guided his life: the focus isn't on him, but on seeking first the Kingdom of God. We’re honored to recognize Mike Zahare with the 2026 Distinguished Service Award for his extraordinary commitment to serving the NNU community and living out a lifetime of faith in action.
Join us during Homecoming & Family Weekend as we celebrate Mike and our other 2026 alumni award recipients at the Alumni Awards Celebration Chapel on Friday, November 6 at 10 a.m.
Following chapel, join us for a special Alumni Awards Luncheon, where we’ll go deeper into the stories, careers and impact of this year’s honorees.
Tickets for the luncheon are available at nnu.edu/homecoming
Congratulations, Mike! We’re grateful for your many years of faithful service to NNU and beyond.
