The Eternal Flame was constructed in 1970 as a gift from the Mount Vernon Nazarene College Pioneer Class. Standing on a 20-foot tower, the original structure displayed two plaques, one listing the members of the first graduating class and the second which reads, “The Eternal Flame, Pioneer Class of 1970 — First and Everlasting.” The flag poles on either side of the Eternal Flame were donated by the sophomore class as a memorial to David Nease, nine-year-old son of founding college president Dr. Stephen Nease.
Those who participated significantly in the project included: