MVNU hosted new student move-in day on Thursday, 8/24.
To honor those students, The Morning Thing hosts shared their favorite memories from their freshman year at MVNU.
Welcome to all new students. We are glad that you are here!
WNZR joins Mount Vernon Nazarene University to welcome new students today to campus.
It is NEW Student Move-In Day!
Tiffany Van Dame, MVNU’s Director of Student Life talked with Allison Prouty about this exciting day. She shared an overview of this year’s schedule including what she is most looking forward to as students return to campus.
Tiffany also shared goals that she has for the 23-24 school year and exciting new things that are happening for the student body.
Tiffany shares a special message for students and their families. She also shares how we can pray for her and her team as the school year begins.
Enjoy the conversation!
Today is a special day at Mount Vernon Nazarene University. It is NEW Student Move-In Day.
Dr. Matt Spraker, Vice President of Student Life talked to WNZR about the activities planned for this day and his goals for this academic year.
He also shared some exciting news about his office is intentionally reaching out to commuter students and striving to connect them to the student body and campus activities.
Dr. Spraker also shares a special message for new students and their families.
Listen to the full conversation here.
Today, on The Morning Thing, Marcy shared some biblical insight from Author, Jennifer Waddle. She wrote an article for Crosswalk.com called “5 Things You Need to Say NO to for a Good Marriage”.
Click HERE to read the full article.
It is easy to say NO to things that bother us – a telemarketer, kids who want to stay home from school or a child asking for more candy on the shopping trip.
Jennifer challenges us to consider these 5 things you can say “no” to in order to better your marriage.
1. Say “no” to social media comparison.
Say “no” to the damaging effects it can have. Stop scrolling! Stop following and lead the way.
Start thanking God for your spouse.
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.” (Exodus 20:17)
2. Say “no” to too much work.
Having a work/life imbalance is one of the number one problems in marriages.
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. (Colossians 3:23 NLT)
3. Say “no” to too many friends.
Discuss all friendships with your spouse and develop solid boundaries surrounding them. Say “yes” to only those friendships that are supportive of you and your spouse.
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)
4. Say “no” to extended family.
Consider these questions the next time you feel pulled to say “yes” to family members. They may help you gain clarity and decide when it’s time to say “no.”
Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. (Genesis 2:24)
5. Say “no” to debt.
Here are some resources to help you say “no” to debt and maintain financial health.
How to hire a financial advisor
Take control of your finances and career
Master your money
Jennifer Waddle is a Kansas girl, married to a Colorado hunk, with a heart to encourage women everywhere. She is the author of several books, including Prayer WORRIER: Turning Every Worry into Powerful Prayer, and is a regular contributor for LifeWay, Crosswalk, Abide, and Christians Care International. Jennifer’s online ministry is EncouragementMama.com where “Discouragement Doesn’t Win!” She resides with her family near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains—her favorite place on earth.
How will you celebrate?
August 21 is National Senior Citizens Day on the National Day Calendar to recognize the achievements of the more mature representatives of our nation. The day provides an opportunity to show our appreciation for their dedication, accomplishments, and services they give throughout their lives.
On August 19, 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed Proclamation 5847 declaring August 21st as National Senior Citizens Day.
National Day Calendar gives us 5 ideas on how to celebrate:
Friendship.us shared stories of successful seniors. Check out these amazing stories!
Aging gracefully by accepting that getting older means slowing down and not looking or acting younger than you are is absolutely outdated! As these successful seniors show, aging gracefully is really to live with purpose and make the most of life.
1. Colonel Harland Sanders – Established the Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant chain at age 65; nine years and 600 franchises later he sold his share for millions.
2. Laura Ingalls Wilder – Began writing “Little House on the Prairie” at age 65; it later became a beloved television series.
3. Estelle Getty – After years as a relatively unsuccessful actress, she achieved widespread fame at the age of 63 as Sophia in “The Golden Girls” television series.
4. Grandma Moses – The American folk artist whose work was featured at the MoMA in New York and who graced the cover of Time in 1953, didn’t even begin painting until she was 78.
5. Yuichiro Miura – In 2014, he became the oldest person to reach the top of Mount Everest at age 80 and has said he would like to try again at age 90.
6. Rosemary Smith – A rally race champion in the 1960s, she became the oldest person to drive a Formula 1 car in 2017 when she was 79.
7. Doris Self – Recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records as the “oldest video game champion” at the age of 58 by scoring 1,112,300 points in the arcade game Q*bert.
8. Smoky Dawson – Known as Australia’s first cowboy and a pioneer of Western music, he became the oldest person to compose, record, and release a new album at 92 years old.
9. Mohr Keet – This WWII veteran became the world’s oldest bungee jumper in 2010 at the age of 96 (he didn’t begin jumping until the age of 88).
10. Harriette Thompson – A cancer survivor who ran her first marathon at the age of 76, and at 91 years old completed her 15th marathon becoming the second-oldest marathon runner in U.S history.
Click HERE for more information on National Seniors Day.
WNZR is honored to be part of Praisestock 2023.
Praisestock is an annual outdoor live Christian worship event highlighting outreach in the community.
Location: Ariel-Foundation Park, Schnormeier Event Center
Date: Sunday, August 20, 2023
Time: 10am – 6:15pm
WNZR’s Alyssa Sidle talked with Directors Dave Ewart and Ben Staats about this wonderful event. They share the schedule, the importance of having local praise bands this year and whey this event is so important to the community.
2023 Lineup
10:00am: Welcome and Community Worship Service (led by Salvation Army Worship Team)
12:00 noon: Salvation Army Worship Team
12:45pm: Dave and Jen
1:30pm: Faith Outpost Worship Team
2:30pm: Chestnut Ridge
3:30pm: First Church of the Nazarene Worship Team
4:30pm: Covenant Christian Church Worship Team
5:30pm: Trinity Assembly of God Worship Team
Between performances, various Christian-based organizations in the community will be featured in an interview format.
Times are tentative and subject to change. Event will proceed rain or shine.
Food vendors will be at Praisestock.
Exhibitors will be there representing about 25 faith-based organizations throughout Knox County and Central Ohio to discuss their mission and successes. They will answer questions you might have. Many will have special treats or activities for the kids too! (Yes, kids are welcome!)
Here’s a tentative list of exhibitors planning to attend next Sunday:
– Food for the Hungry
– Risen Thrift
– Springs of Love
– Mental Health & Recovery
– Protect Women Ohio
– Center for Christian Virtue
– Hospice of North Central Ohio
– The Least of These Ministry
– KNCM (Knox Network of Christian Ministries)
– WNZR
– Starting Point
– The Lazarus Life Ministry
– Interchurch Social Services
– Hope Now Furniture Bank
– Touch Point
– The Escape Zone
– Place 4 Grace
– Revive Ohio
– Operation Christmas Child
– Joy of Living Camp
– Habitat for Humanity
– Gospel Supply
– Gideons International
– FootPrints for Jesus
– Life Wise Academy
– MMS Aviation
– Salvation Army
Find out more at praisestock.org
We have celebrated Back to School Week on The Morning Thing.
We wish the best of luck to all students and families impacted by this transition.
For our Friday Favorites, our hosts share about their favorite subject in school.
Jane Frickey from Lifewise Academy tells us about this exciting new program coming to Mount Vernon City Schools! She tells us about what Lifewise Academy is, how she got involved, and how you can sign your student up to join the program!
Go to lifewise.org/interest/, type in your school district, and click “visit school district page” to sign up and learn more.
We know many students in our area are getting ready to go back to school, and many students are going back this week. We want to help you and your child have a smooth transition as they head into the school year!
This morning on The Morning Thing, we shared some relaxing things you can do before the semester starts. Click HERE to see the full list. We especially loved the idea of taking a hike (and the weather forecast looks promising for a hike this week!), cleaning out your closet, and going berry picking. Take some time for both you and your student to unwind before the school year starts.
Is your child feeling anxious for the school year? Sometimes starting new things can make children nervous. If they are, here’s 5 tips from Johns Hopkins Children’s Center:
Click HERE to learn more about easing your child’s anxiety.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University held a short reception on Friday afternoon at Ariel Arena to officially announce the 8th President of MVNU.
Dr. Carson Castleman was joined at the reception with his family, Dr. Angela Castleman and their two children Claire and Carter. Dr. Carson Castleman will serve as the 8th President in the University’s history, replacing Dr. Henry Spaulding II who retired earlier this year. You can hear Dr. Castleman’s full comments below.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University Board of Trustees is proud to announce the election of Dr. Carson Castleman as the University’s 8th president. He will begin his tenure on Oct. 1, 2023.
His remarkable career in Christian higher education spans over 26 years and includes expertise with both traditional and non-traditional student enrollment and engagement. Currently serving as the Vice President of Student Experience and External Relations at Indiana Wesleyan University, Dr. Carson Castleman oversees the student experience of over 8,500 students across the United States and around the world. He has been instrumental in developing innovative partnerships that have resulted in growing the 2022-23 enrollment by more than 1,700 students.
“The Board is pleased to welcome Dr. Carson Castleman as the next president of Mount Vernon Nazarene University. Through a very robust national search process, we have found a collaborative leader in Dr. Carson Castleman. He has the right education, experience, interest, drive, and passion to lead MVNU into a bright future,” said Rev. Edward Phillips, J.D., MVNU Board of Trustees, Chair. “Dr. Carson Castleman’s enthusiasm and welcoming style is infectious, and he has built a distinguished career with many accomplishments that have made him the unanimous choice of the Board of Trustees. We believe Dr. Carson Castleman is the right leader to move MVNU to new heights as the premier Christian university in the region.”
Dr. Carson Castleman has been a part of the MVNU Community his entire life. He grew up within the nurturing community of Covington Central Church of the Nazarene on the Eastern Kentucky District. This unique connection makes him the first president to emerge from our very own region. He is a fourth generation Nazarene and has been a steadfast and dedicated member of the Church of the Nazarene his entire life. He is currently a member of Generations Church of the Nazarene, which he helped plant over 15 years ago. His contribution to the church includes service as a local church board
member, six years on the General Board for the Church of the Nazarene, and six years on the Eastern Kentucky District Advisory Board.
He began his higher education career in the MVNU Admissions Office as an admissions counselor and later as Associate Director of Admissions. He then was hired as the Director of University Advancement. After serving as the Chief Enrollment Officer at Nazarene Theological Seminary, he moved to Indiana Wesleyan University where he has spent the last 20 years in progressive roles as a faculty member, dean, associate vice president and vice president.
Dr. Carson Castleman’s impressive track record in Christian higher education, coupled with his deep commitment to Christian values, makes him an ideal choice to lead MVNU as it continues its mission to educate the whole person and cultivate Christ-likeness for lifelong learning and service.
“We are unapologetically a Christian higher education institution and an extension of the Church of the Nazarene, offering hope in a dying world where there are many hindrances to the harmonious exchange of ideas and the clashing of values,” said Phillips. “It was imperative we find the right leader to build on the success of the past and move MVNU into an even brighter future.”
“I am humbled and honored for this opportunity to serve my church and MVNU, a place Angela and I love so deeply,” said Dr. Carson Castleman. “Our lives started here in the 1990s, and our first child was born here, so we truly feel like we are coming home. Words cannot describe our gratitude and excitement to serve the MVNU community in this capacity.”
Dr. Carson Castleman graduated from Northern Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication/English. He earned a Master of Science in Human Resource Management from Indiana Wesleyan University and a Master of Arts in Religion and Counseling from Liberty University. He completed his Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership and Administration from Capella University.
Dr. Carson Castleman will be joined by his accomplished wife, Dr. Angela Castleman, who has served 24 years in the field of education, in various roles including classroom teacher, building administrator, and university professor. She is a 2000 alumna of MVNU. She is currently serving her fifth year over three terms on the MVNU Board of Trustees, where she has participated on the strategic planning, academic affairs, and institutional advancement committees. Dr. Angela Castleman recused herself from the presidential search process. Following the election she submitted her resignation from the board, effective immediately. She is eager to join her husband in the work and ministry of MVNU.
They have two children, Claire, 20, and Carter, 15. They currently reside in Florence, Kentucky.
SEARCH FOR NEXT PRESIDENT
The Presidential Search Committee, comprised of select members of the Board of Trustees and faculty and staff representatives, voted early in the process to hire a search firm, FaithSearch Partners, with experience in generating and vetting a strong pool of qualified candidates.
The search firm met with campus and community stakeholders, and surveyed faculty and staff to develop a thorough profile detailing what the ideal candidate should embody in their faith, education, experience, skill set, and other characteristics.
The nationwide search resulted in incredible interest in the position with final candidates interviewed by the Presidential Search Committee, who then made their recommendation to the Board of Trustees.
“I am delighted with the election of Dr. Carson Castleman to be the next president of MVVNU. He is a proven leader and innovator in higher education and a committed churchman. He also brings a deep love for the university, the place he began his career. He is coming home, and we welcome him,” said Dr. David Wilson Sr., MVNU Transitional Leader. “We give thanks to God for His leadership in the search process. Many people have spent countless hours, fasting and praying that God would lead us – and He has!
Dr. Carson Castleman succeeds Dr. Henry W. Spaulding II, who served at the University over the past 14 years, most recently as the President from 2012 until his retirement earlier this year.
Drs. Carson and Angela Castleman will be introduced to faculty, staff, and invited guests this afternoon. Official plans for the inauguration will be announced when they become available.
For more information on Dr. Carson Castleman, visit mvnu.edu/ https://www.mvnu.edu/officesandservices/officeofthepresident.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, four-year, intentionally Christian teaching university for traditional age students, graduate students, and working adults. With a 327-acre main campus in Mount Vernon, Ohio, MVNU emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual growth, and service to community and church. MVNU offers an affordable education both in-seat and online to nearly 2,000 students from 25 states and 11 foreign countries.
Rise and Shine 