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:

• Lowell Hodges
• Joseph Hodges
• Reverend McClung
• Percy Morrison
• Freshmen and sophomore students
• The Galence Breck Company
• George Jetter
• Roger Nutter helped lay the brick for the flame, as well, and he graduated in the Pioneer Class.