Category: back to school

Encouragement for Back to School Week

The Morning Thing is celebrating Back to School Week! This transition can be stressful for students and families.

Here is a list of Back-to-School messages of encouragement for you and your family. We have included a Bible verse with each message. Our prayer is that you will find strength and peace as you walk through this important time of the year. Thanks for allowing us to be a Lifeline to you and your family!

  1. Start this school year knowing that God is with you every step of the way.
    “Be strong and courageous… for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
  2. When school feels overwhelming, remember you don’t have to figure everything out on your own. Trust God to guide you.
    “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” — Proverbs 3:5–6 (NIV)
  3. A new school year means new opportunities to learn, grow, and discover the gifts God has given you.
    “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.” — Colossians 3:23 (NIV)
  4. You may not know everything this school year will bring, but you can know who goes with you.
    “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you.” — Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)
  5. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, try something new, or make mistakes. Wisdom begins with being willing to learn.
    “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all.” — James 1:5 (NIV)
  6. Your grades and accomplishments don’t determine your worth. You are already wonderfully made and deeply loved by God.
    “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” — Psalm 139:14 (NIV)
  7. Be the student who brings kindness into the classroom, the hallway, the lunchroom, and everywhere you go.
    “Be kind and compassionate to one another.” — Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
  8. When you’re nervous about a test, presentation, new class, or new school, give that worry to God.
    “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” — 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
  9. You have the chance to make someone’s school year better simply by encouraging them.
    “Encourage one another and build each other up.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)
  10. Let your attitude stand out this school year. Choose joy, kindness, patience, and grace even when the day gets difficult.
    “Do everything without grumbling or arguing.” — Philippians 2:14 (NIV)
  11. Some days will be challenging, but difficult days don’t mean you should give up. Keep going.
    “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest.” — Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
  12. God can use you right where you are — in your classroom, on your team, in your club, and among your friends.
    “Let your light shine before others.” — Matthew 5:16 (NIV)
  13. When you don’t know what comes next, take the next step in faith and trust God with the rest.
    “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” — Psalm 119:105 (NIV)
  14. Be confident in who God created you to be. You don’t have to become someone else just to fit in.
    “We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.” — Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
  15. Before the homework, practices, activities, and busy schedules take over, remember to make time for God.
    “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness.” — Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
  16. When something doesn’t go the way you planned, remember that one setback doesn’t define your future.
    “For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.” — Proverbs 24:16 (NIV)
  17. Look for the student who feels left out. A simple hello, invitation, or seat at your table could mean more than you realize.
    “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” — Luke 6:31 (NIV)
  18. There will be plenty of voices telling you who you should be. Make sure God’s voice is the one you listen to most.
    “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” — Romans 12:2 (NIV)
  19. Pray about your school year — your classes, teachers, friendships, decisions, challenges, and dreams. God cares about all of it.
    “In every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” — Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
  20. As you head back to school, remember this: You are never walking into that building alone. God is already there.
    “The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” — Psalm 121:8 (NIV)

The Morning Thing is here every weekday morning from 6am – 9am. It is a great start for your day!

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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.

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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!

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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

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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.

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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!

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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!

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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.

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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.

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