WNZR presents the September 2025 MVNU Presidential Update

MVNU President Dr. Carson Castleman stops by to give his September update to WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

He is excited to start the 2025-26 school year and is happy to see the students back on campus and out in the community.

He says enrollment is growing in both traditional and non-traditional students and they have added 13 new faculty members.

Dr. Castleman talks about the restructure of the university into two schools. CAPS stands for College of Arts and Professional Studies for non-traditional students. CAST which is the College of Arts and Sciences is the traditional 18–22-year-old students. They also restructured the deans and administrative roles of the staff.

Dr. Castleman talks about the 4 C’s which was a focus on the recent Faculty and Staff Awards earlier this month: conviction, conversation, care, and connection.

He explains how the 4 C’s are a centerpiece for the MVNU community.

Dr. Castleman shares a special bible verse as a focus for the university this year from Isaiah 43:19 (NIV), “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

He says that the cabinet helped determined the verse because MVNU is stepping outside the normal doom and gloom at other campuses and that God is doing something new here at MVNU and we are changing the world.

Dr. Castleman gives an update on the construction at the Chapel. He said there was an issue with carpeting over the summer and that put the project behind. He said God provided both in time and financially to help get the campaign finalized.

Dr. Castleman gives an explanation on the opening of the entrance at front of campus that had a security hut. He said that he received some feedback and believed that the entrance needed to be re-opened for several reasons.

He also gives an update with the Hunter Wright hub in downtown Mount Vernon.

Dr. Castleman gives an update on his plans are for the fall and he is planning on staying on campus this fall as some transitions take place and is getting back in the classroom.

Dr. Castleman gives some words of encouragement to the students, faculty and staff.

Dr. Castleman also explains how we can pray for the students, faculty, staff and university this fall.

Click HERE to find out more about Mount Vernon Nazarene University.

MVNU Faculty invite you to the fun and interactive Education Fair at September First Friday

September First Friday’s theme is “Back to School”! MVNU Faculty members encourage you to join the focus on education in downtown Mount Vernon. Families are invited to participate in the education activity and department fair located in the Public Square. From 6pm to 9pm, you be able to visit multiple tables hosted by MVNU Departments. You and your kids will get the chance for hands-on learning and exploration. Find out more about MVNU and have some FUN this Friday 9/5 from 6pm – 9pm.

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart talked with these professors:
Click HERE to hear their conversations.
Dr. Jose Oomman – Engineering – This department will offer tours of the newly renovated Hunter Wright Hub for Engineering and Computer Science. Stop by the basement of 18 East Vine Street.
Dr. Jon Bosley – Environmental Biology – Stop by their table to see rocks, minerals, fossils, plants and other items related to biology.
Dr. Dawn McKee – Communication Sciences and Disorders – Stop by and pick out a gently used book and a children’s book about stuttering. Find out about MVNU’s Speech Therapy Services.
Dr. Rachel Young – Social Work – Their table will focus on self-care! Stop by to pick up your own self-care bag!
Professor Amy Dubusky – Education – Stop by their table and make an origami bookmark. You can also sign up for a book giveaway and a book bundle.
Dr. Deb Garee – Nursing – Stop by their table and pick up a sensory bag filled with health care items. They will also be giving away gently used children’s books.

Don’t forget to stop by Big Blue and see talk to students in the Communication & Media (Digital Media) Major. You can be part of a live broadcast, sign up for a great prize basket and sing our Birthday song!

We will see you and your family this Friday from 6pm – 9pm in downtown Mount Vernon!

It is NEW Student Move In Day at MVNU!

WNZR joins MVNU’s celebration of New Student Move In Day.
We talked with Campus leaders about this special day and their goals for the 2025-2026 Academic Year.

MVNU’s Director of Residence Life, Sarah Mowry

MVNU’s NEW Executive Director of Enrollment, Jon Nicholas

MVNU’s VP of Student Life, Dr. Matt Spraker

MVNU’s VP of Spiritual Life and Church Relations, Dave Mills

MVNU’s Assistant Director of Traditional Enrollment, Ben Slater

How Do You Start Your Day?

There is an adage, “The Family that Prays Together, Stays Together.”

On the Morning Thing Wednesday, we shared 7 morning prayers for your family to start your day.

Experts from Crosswalk.org say by starting the day with prayer it helps your family find hope and encouragement with our most powerful tool – prayer.

Click HERE for the 7 prayers from Crosswalk.org.

There is still time for summer!

Today, on The Morning Thing, we shared some great ideas for a late summer picnic! There is still time to get outside while the weather is good, so take this opportunity, grab some food, and have some fun!

There is 100+ great ideas for creative and classic food!

Click HERE to view the full list!

It’s Back-to-School Time!

Today on The Morning Thing, we had mixed feelings about sharing some back-to-school content! It is always a bittersweet moment.

We had the opportunity to share some great tips for you and your kids when it comes to getting back in the groove of things. Today, we highlighted how to deal with anxiety and how to make the first day of school easier, as well as how to develop good sleep habits for your young students.

We will share more of these on the show tomorrow!

To see the full list of tips click HERE!

MVNU Update – We talk with New Executive Vice President Colleen Derr!

We are very excited that our MVNU Update is back!

Marcy got to talk with Colleen Derr, MVNU’s new Executive Vice President! They go over her background and what she does here. Colleen also shares her vision for our great university and her messages to students and staff.

WNZR joins Women United to pack backpacks and tour the new Salvation Army “Learning Lighthouse”

Today was an exciting day at the Salvation Army in Mount Vernon. A group of Women United joined together to pack 300 backpacks for the Salvation Army. Women United is an affinity group of the United Way of Knox County Ohio comprised of passionate women who offer their time, talent and treasure to improve lives throughout Knox County.
After packing backpacks for local students, the ladies had the chance to tour the new Salvation Army 13,270-square-foot childcare center called “The Learning Lighthouse”.

Captain Christine Moretz shared a timeline for opening the new center, plus an update on fundraising.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation or click on the link below. Pictures from the event are also included below.

Do’s and Don’ts for parents of graduates!

The Morning Thing was focused on the Class of 25′ today! The hosts shared these do’s and don’ts when it comes to communicating with your adult child. These are just some good ideas and tips on how to effectively communicate and conduct yourself when your kids move off to college!

Click HERE to see the full list!

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