Category: Big Blue Crew

WNZR Senior Spotlight: Isaiah Clark

It’s Senior’s Week at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, and WNZR is celebrating the grads who have been part of the station along the way.

WNZR’s Eric Brown caught up with Isaiah Clark, a graduating student earning his associate degree in Communications and Media.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

Isaiah is from Butler, Ohio, and says MVNU had always been on his radar. His dad is a graduate, and growing up, Isaiah spent time on campus attending different events. When he heard about the communications program, it felt like a natural fit—even though he admits he wasn’t exactly sure what he wanted to do at first.

That started to change during his freshman year. After taking Intro to Radio, Isaiah was on the air the very next semester. He says if he could go back and do it all over again, he would in a heartbeat.

During his time with WNZR, Isaiah stayed busy. He worked as an on-air DJ, helped with the video crew, and was involved with Lifeline. Along the way, he learned how to communicate, work as a team, and help run events and fundraisers.

One of his favorite memories is Lifeline itself. Isaiah says the support from upperclassmen and seniors made a big difference, helping calm nerves and build confidence as he stepped into that experience.

Another standout moment goes back to his freshman year during Homecoming weekend. Isaiah helped with eight different events and had the chance to connect with alumni—something he says helped him feel even more a part of the MVNU community.

Looking ahead, Isaiah says he would love to pursue something in journalism or sports photography. He enjoys writing and telling stories, and as he takes the next step, he simply asks for prayer and clarity about what’s ahead.

Click HERE to learn more about WNZR!

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WNZR Senior Spotlight: Naomi Kinne, Graphic Designer

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart is talking with senior Naomi Kinne as part of Seniors Week at MVNU.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

Naomi is from Circleville, Ohio, and says MVNU had been on her radar for a long time. Growing up, she heard about the university often through her Nazarene church, which made the decision to come here feel like a natural one.

She’s a Graphic Design major with a minor in Communications—something that fits her well. Naomi says she’s always been creative and enjoyed making things, even contributing graphics to her high school yearbook. So pursuing graphic design in college just made sense.

That creativity carried over into her work at WNZR. Naomi applied to be the station’s graphic designer last year and has been part of the team ever since. Along with her design work, she’s also been on-air and involved with the video team—helping with graphics, cameras, and production as needed.

When it comes to sports, Naomi says football is her favorite overall, but she especially enjoys being part of WNZR’s basketball streams.

Looking back, one of her favorite memories is simple—being at block party, enjoying free food, and spending time with friends.

As graduation approaches, Naomi says her next steps include staying on campus through May, attending CMB Momentum, and continuing the job search over the summer. She’s also considering a possible internship in Florida.

As she looks ahead, Naomi asks for prayers—for clarity, direction, and trust in what God has next, both for her and for her family back home.

Click HERE to learn more about WNZR!

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WNZR Senior Spotlight: Traven Griffith, Music Director

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart is catching up with senior Traven Griffith as part of Seniors Week at MVNU.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

Traven grew up right here in Mount Vernon and says coming to MVNU was largely about one thing: getting the chance to be on WNZR, a station he’d been listening to for nearly a decade.

Now a Communications and Digital Media major, he’s spent the past three years doing just that. You’ve likely heard him on-air as a DJ, or behind the scenes helping with events, games, and summer shifts. For the past two years, he’s also served as Music Director—something he didn’t originally expect.

Traven thought he might go into production, but after a conversation, Marcy saw leadership potential and tapped him for the Music Director role. It’s an experience he says helped him better understand how a radio station operates day-to-day.

Looking back, Traven says it’s hard to believe how fast the time has gone. One of his favorite memories is freshman year—meeting people in the department and finally getting to live out his childhood dream of being a DJ. He even remembers calling into the radio as an 8-year-old and being thrilled just to be part of it.

There are also some unforgettable moments along the way—like the 2024 Dog Parade, when a storm rolled in right before things started. Traven laughs about scrambling to dump water out of the tent and getting soaked, but still having a great time.

As Music Director, he’s enjoyed working with artists like TobyMac and for KING & COUNTRY, while also helping introduce new music to listeners.

Next up, Traven is looking toward a career in video editing—something he’s loved even longer than radio. As he starts that job search, he’s asking for prayers and direction for what’s ahead.

Click HERE to learn more about WNZR!

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The Morning Thing Friday Favorites – our favorite Easter Memories

On this Good Friday, The Morning Thing hosts shared their favorite Easter memories. It is a special Easter edition of Friday Favorites!

Click HERE or on the link below to hear from Marcy, Xander, Josiah and Eric.

The WNZR Staff wish you and your family a Happy Easter!

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WNZR’s Meet the Staff Monday w/Kyra Warren

Kyra Warren is a new and energetic member of the WNZR radio team, bringing both passion and personality to the station.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation with WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart!

Originally from Wheelersburg, Ohio, Kyra’s journey to Mount Vernon Nazarene University was shaped by a meaningful experience at Nazarene Youth Conference. That moment helped guide her decision to attend MVNU, where she is now a junior majoring in communications and media. Her interest in radio comes naturally—she jokes that she loves hearing herself talk—but it’s also been strengthened through her coursework and hands-on opportunities.

At WNZR, Kyra serves as an on-air DJ and is actively involved behind the scenes as part of the WNZR.TV video crew. In addition, she contributes to the university’s stream team, where she runs camera and graphics, particularly for men’s volleyball—her favorite sport to follow. Her enthusiasm for media production and broadcasting continues to grow as she gains more experience in these roles.

Outside of the studio, Kyra enjoys spending time with friends, especially those in the communications department. One of her favorite memories from this school year involves her time in Redwood Dorm, where she shares a fun and ongoing “feud” with her upstairs neighbors—who also happen to be longtime friends from church. The group has developed a playful tradition of secretly stealing items from each other’s apartments, with one memorable incident involving the temporary disappearance of Kyra’s fridge.

Music is another important part of Kyra’s life. Her favorite artist is Riley Clemmons, and her favorite song, “Godsend,” holds special meaning to her. She shares that she played the song often during an impactful season of her life, and it continues to resonate with her today. When it comes to food, Kyra keeps it simple—she loves hotdogs, especially when they’re part of fun events with friends. On weekends, she enjoys relaxing and finding new things to do with the people closest to her.

Family plays a central role in Kyra’s story. She describes her dad as her favorite person in the world, noting how similar they are. During her high school years, her dad faced cancer and overcame it with strength and resilience. Even in the midst of that challenge, he remained focused on caring for others, leaving a lasting impression on Kyra. She also shared that she once dreamed of becoming a flight attendant, even choosing to attend college in part because she needed to be 21 for the job. While her goals have since changed, that dream reflects her adventurous and people-oriented spirit.

Kyra’s favorite Bible verse is Proverbs 1:7: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” This verse continues to guide her perspective on faith, learning, and growth.

You can catch Kyra Warren on the air on Tuesdays from 1–2 PM and Wednesdays from 10–11 AM on WNZR.

Click HERE to check out WNZR’s website!

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WNZR’s Meet the Staff Monday w/Destini Turcotte

WNZR is excited to welcome Destini Turcotte as a new member of the radio team.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation with WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart!

Originally from Boston, Massachusetts, Destini began her college journey at Eastern Nazarene College. After the school closed, she transferred to Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU), where she is now a junior making a meaningful impact across campus.

Destini serves as an on-air DJ for WNZR while also working as the Communication Department Assistant. In this role, she helps keep the department organized by ensuring equipment like cameras are returned on time and that everything stays in order behind the scenes. In addition to her work in radio, she supports the theatre department with social media and contributes to Lakeholm Viewer, showcasing her creativity and dedication to storytelling.

One of Destini’s favorite memories comes from stepping into a lead role at the last minute during a theatre production—a moment that highlights her adaptability and passion for the arts. She also enjoys campus traditions like Oaktoberfest and Sonfest. When it comes to music, her favorite artists include Josiah Queen and Forrest Frank. Outside of work and school, Destini loves tacos and burritos—especially with sour cream—and spends her weekends exploring coffee shops around Ohio with friends. Iced coffee is always her go-to.

Destini draws inspiration from Walt Disney, whose films she grew up watching. Among her favorites are Cinderella, Tangled (Rapunzel), and the more recent film Luca. A fun fact about her is that she was on a bowling team in 5th and 6th grade—and she still has her jersey to this day.

Over the summer, Destini felt a call to ministry and has since traveled to different countries as she continues seeking where God is leading her. Her favorite Bible verse, Psalm 18:17, reflects her faith journey: “He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me.” She sees this verse as a reminder of God’s protection and care throughout her life.

You can tune in to hear Destini live on WNZR on Mondays from 2–3 PM and Tuesdays from 1–2 PM.

Click HERE to check out WNZR’s website!

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WNZR’s Meet the Staff Monday with Josiah Styer

If you’ve tuned into WNZR lately, you may have heard a new voice bringing energy, authenticity, and a love for radio to the airwaves. Meet Josiah Styer, a freshman from Wooster, Ohio, who is quickly becoming a vibrant part of the MVNU campus community and the WNZR radio team.

Click HERE to hear the full interview!

Josiah chose Mount Vernon Nazarene University because of how strongly the communication, radio, and ministry departments stood out to him. As a Communications and Media major, he was looking for a place where he could grow creatively and spiritually—and MVNU checked all the boxes. Now, as an on-air DJ at WNZR, he’s getting the chance to live out that passion in real time.

His love for radio actually started long before college. Growing up, Josiah spent time listening to a variety of radio programs, and somewhere along the way, something clicked. That exposure sparked a deep interest in audio production and storytelling through sound. Fast forward to today, and he’s not just listening—he’s the one behind the mic, connecting with listeners and sharing music that matters.

When he’s not in the studio, Josiah is deeply involved in campus life. He plays percussion in both Pep Band and Jazz Band, and if there’s a game happening, chances are you’ll spot him in the student section. In fact, some of his favorite memories come from being part of the Cougar Crazies—especially themed games. One standout? Valentine’s Day, when the section was filled with red and pink, and the energy was unforgettable.

Musically, Josiah has a clear favorite right now: “Can’t Steal My Joy” by Josiah Queen. It’s a song that resonates with him on a personal level, reflecting a message of unshakable joy that aligns with his faith. And when it comes to food, nothing beats his mom’s homemade mac and cheese—a comfort classic that still holds the top spot.

Outside of music and radio, Josiah enjoys spending time outdoors, especially biking, but he’s also all about having fun—whether that’s playing games or just hanging out with friends. He values relationships deeply, and when asked about the most important person in his life, he doesn’t hesitate to say his dad. Josiah admires his dad’s energy and character and hopes to follow in his footsteps.

Here’s a fun fact: Josiah is a big fan of romantic comedies. He loves a good laugh mixed with a heartfelt story, and his favorite film is While You Were Sleeping. It’s a movie he appreciates for its humor, warmth, and timeless charm.

But beyond the fun and hobbies, Josiah also has a powerful personal story. He shared that during his early high school years, he struggled to find close friendships. That began to change during his sophomore year, especially through his involvement in youth group, where he found a genuine community of believers. That season of life shaped his faith in a meaningful way, and today, it continues to influence who he is.

One Bible passage that has stayed close to him is Psalm 13—a passage that honestly wrestles with feelings of waiting and questioning, yet ultimately returns to trust in God. It’s a reflection of both struggle and hope, something Josiah relates to deeply.

You can catch Josiah on-air every Tuesday and Thursday from 9–10 PM.

Click HERE to learn more about 90.9 FM WNZR!

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