Dr. Warren Rogers III ’98/’09 MA will serve as executive director of the Olivet Nazarene University (ONU) Foundation, beginning July 1, 2026. He was appointed to this position by University President Gregg Chenoweth in March 2026.
“Warren is dignified, a non-anxious presence, a listener, well-organized, a pithy public speaker, and one who has my complete trust in articulating and representing our mission,” President Chenoweth said in his announcement of this appointment. “His background as a financial advisor is particularly valuable as the ONU Foundation focuses on major gifts, estate planning, and long-range financial sustainability.”
Dr. Rogers began at Olivet in student recruitment. He later led enrollment management for two Nazarene universities, then became a financial services broker with Northwestern Mutual. He earned a Certificate in Fund Raising Management from the Lilly School of Philanthropy. Since 2018, he has served as an advancement officer on Olivet’s Development team.
“Warren Rogers is uniquely suited to lead the ONU Foundation into its next season of impact and growth,” said Dr. Brian Allen, vice president for institutional advancement. “I am also grateful that Warren will continue serving on the front lines of our development work as an advancement officer, even as he assumes new leadership responsibilities within the ONU Foundation. We could not ask for a more qualified candidate who is so well respected and aligned with our mission.”
Dr. Rogers’s own story is deeply tied to Olivet. He was a student whose education was made possible through donor generosity, and today he serves those same ministry partners with authenticity and credibility. That lived experience allows him to speak naturally and convincingly about impact — because he has personally experienced it.
“What a privilege to invest in the university where I have been blessed!” Dr. Rogers said. “These are exciting days, and I am thrilled to serve alongside faithful stewards of the Olivet Foundation. May the Lord continually grant us knowledge, wisdom and understanding as we manage the resources He provides.”
Dr. Rogers’s father is a retired Nazarene pastor, and his family moved many times during his childhood. He was born in England. He attended preschool in Los Angeles, elementary school in Mississippi, middle school in West Virginia and high school in Iowa.
His Olivet journey began in 1993 as a freshman student. He majored in Communication and worked at Shine.FM, the campus radio station. He interned at FOX32 in Chicago during the reign of the Bulls and Michael Jordan.
“I benefited from the generosity of ministry partners and donors who funded my Olivet scholarship and helped me make it to graduation,” said Dr. Rogers. “Today, I am blessed to work with donors who give to help this current and future generations of Olivet students flourish.”
Dr. Rogers met his wife, Jeena (Samuel) ’98, at Olivet, and their kids have followed here. Their daughter, Maya, graduated in 2025. Their son, Sam (Warren IV), will finish in 2027, and their daughter, Ava, in 2029. Their youngest, Ruby, is in eighth grade.
About the Olivet Nazarene University Foundation
The Olivet Nazarene University (ONU) Foundation was established in 1969 and has grown through the support of Olivet alumni and friends. Foundation funding is carefully invested, using the expertise of investment professionals to manage each gift for growth. This helps ensure that Olivet’s mission continues far into the 22nd century. Gifts are made to existing or newly created endowed accounts.
The ONU Foundation is experiencing a remarkable season of growth and generosity. During 2025, The Foundation received a record $3 million in new endowed gifts for program support, reflecting a growing interest in strengthening Olivet’s academic offerings. An additional, $3.3 million in new gifts were received for student scholarships, making a transformational impact on students’ lives.
Through careful investment and professional stewardship, gifts to existing or newly created endowed funds are positioned for long-term growth ensuring lasting impact for generations to come. The Foundation now manages more than $82 million in assets, all dedicated to advancing Olivet’s mission.
Learn more about the ONU Foundation and giving for endowed scholarships at https://www.olivet.edu/giving/ways-give/the-onu-foundation/
