WNZR talks with MVNU’s new President – Dr. Carson Castleman

WNZR presents the October 2023 MVNU Presidential Update.
MVNU’s new President, Dr. Carson Castleman, talked with WNZR during his first week on the job.

Dr. Castleman is MVNU’s 8th President. He shared his history working in higher education including starting out in the MVNU Admissions Office. He shared memories from being part of this community 26 years ago.

Dr. Castleman also shared how he heard about this position and how he came to the decision to put his name into consideration.

Dr. Castleman gives his top priorities at MVNU which include focusing on growing enrollment, building a relationship with the Church of the Nazarene, and fostering a culture of hospitality. He also shares what it means to be Unapologetically Christian as a university.

Dr. Castleman shared about his family and his process of moving to Mount Vernon. He shared messages for students, faculty, and staff. He also shared how we can be praying for him and his family during this transition.

Click HERE to stay up to date with news from MVNU.

Let’s Cultivate Gratitude!

It can be a difficult thing to do, but its not necessarily about trying to stay positive all the time. Instead, its more about trying to pull the good from the situations and circumstances of every day life. If we do this, we can find that there is a lot in life to be thankful for! God calls for us to count our blessings, so lets try and find some good to be thankful for. How can we do this? Well, our cohosts found a few great ways to get started in your journey of cultivating a gratitude practice!

Here are a few examples of how to practice gratitude!

KEEP A GRATITUDE JOURNAL.

Studies show that keeping a gratitude journal can have positive psychological and physiological effects. There are a variety of ways to build this practice, including:

  • Try the “three good things” exercise where you keep a daily record of three good things for which you are grateful.
  • Start a “G.L.A.D.” practice. G.L.A.D. is an acronym for Gratitude, Learned, Accomplished, Delight. It’s about finding joy and balance by paying attention to certain aspects of daily life that frequently go unnoticed.

WRITE THANK-YOU NOTES.

Make your gratitude practice social by writing and sending thank you letters to someone who has done something for you. (Note: emails and even texts count.) Studies show that this act can strengthen relationships, help people to appreciate what they’ve received in life, and feel like they’ve given something back to those who have helped them.

Click HERE for the full list from the John Hopkins University blog.

Blessing Offor is coming to Sonfest 2023 at MVNU

Sonfest is this Saturday (9/16) at Mount Vernon Nazarene University. All this week, The Morning Thing and The Afternoon Drive are featuring conversations with the artists coming to Sonfest this year.

Today, we talked with Blessing Offor. He shares some of his favorites with us including coffee, favorite snack while touring, favorite book and some of his best memories while being on the road. He also talks about some of his favorite artists that have worked with him on some powerful collaborations.

Blessing Offor gives us a preview of Saturday’s show and encourages everyone to come and have fun at Sonfest. He is passionate about creating music for everyone!

We also play Rapid Fire with Blessing Offor and learn what instrument he would like to play and the song he wishes he had written.

Click HERE for more details about Sonfest 2023 and to see the complete schedule.

Click HERE to connect with Blessing Offor.

KB is coming to Sonfest 2023 at MVNU

Sonfest is this Saturday (9/16) at Mount Vernon Nazarene University. All this week, The Morning Thing and The Afternoon Drive are featuring conversations with the artists coming to Sonfest this year.

Today, we talked with KB. He shares how he first got involved with music, including how Christian Hip Hop saved his life by introducing him to Jesus.
KB also shares his inspirations when it comes to making his music. These names might surprise you – Charles Spurgeon and Frederick Douglas.

He gives us insight on the writing process and shares what he is currently working on in his career.

We also play Rapid Fire with KB and learn what song he wishes he had written.

Click HERE for more details about Sonfest 2023 and to see the complete schedule.

Click HERE to connect with KB.

The Morning Thing Friday Favorites – we LOVE the artists coming to Sonfest 2023

Today for our Friday Favorites, The Morning Thing hosts shared their excitement for Sonfest 2023 at Mount Vernon Nazarene University. Each host talked about their favorite artist that will be on the Main Stage at Sonfest this year. We hope you join the Big Blue Crew on Saturday in the MVNU Grove for this incredible day of music and ministry.

Marcy Rinehart is excited to see DAMAC – click HERE


Alyssa Sidle loves Aaron Cole – click HERE


Josiah Sidle can’t wait to see Joseph O’Brien for the first time – click HERE


Allison Prouty is super excited to see Blessing Offor on stage at his piano – click HERE


Judah Keith has been a fan of KB since he was a kid – click HERE


Click HERE for more details about Sonfest 2023 and to see the complete schedule.

Aaron Cole is coming to Sonfest 2023 at MVNU

Sonfest is this Saturday (9/16) at Mount Vernon Nazarene University. All this week, The Morning Thing and The Afternoon Drive are featuring conversations with the artists coming to Sonfest this year.

Today, we talked with Aaron Cole. He shares about his background and growing up in the field of music. Aaron started recording music at the age of 4. He talks about how he fell in love with rap music at the age of 12 because of the influence of his uncle.

Aaron also shares the story of how he got connected with TobyMac and his many collaborations in Christian music.

Aaron shares how people are the inspiration for his music and how excited he is to perform for the Sonfest crown on Saturday.

Click HERE for more details about Sonfest 2023 and to see the complete schedule.

Click HERE to see how you can win tickets with WNZR!

Click HERE to connect with Aaron Cole.

Joseph O’Brien is coming to Sonfest 2023 at MVNU

Sonfest is this Saturday (9/16) at Mount Vernon Nazarene University. All this week, The Morning Thing and The Afternoon Drive are featuring conversations with the artists coming to Sonfest this year.

Today, we talked with Joseph O’Brien. He shares what he is looking forward to this year and shares some fun memories from past Sonfest appearances.
Joseph gives his background in music and how he first got interested in music, and how his music today is close to Scripture and seeks to inspire the younger generation and the outcasts.
Joseph talks about his time on “America’s Got Talent” and how he was signed to TobyMac’s record label, Goatee Records.
He also shares about how Christian radio has impacted him and people in his life. He tells us about some songs that he loves to perform.
Joseph tells us about a funny memory on the road with Steven Curtis Chapman! He also has some advice for you!

Joseph O’Brien’s bio:

Singer/Songwriter Joseph O’Brien is creating and performing music to help inspire every generation to follow Jesus. Growing up with two musical parents, the TN native had music running through his blood from day one. At age 12, he taught himself how to play the piano and realized that is where his passion was. His talent took him to the quarterfinals of “America’s Got Talent,” where O’Brien wowed the judges and audiences with his quirky personality, dynamic range and emotional depth, delivering unforgettable renditions of classic songs and original compositions alike.

Click HERE for more details about Sonfest 2023 and to see the complete schedule.
Click HERE to see how you can win tickets with WNZR!
Click HERE to connect with Joseph O’Brien.

Damac is coming to Sonfest 2023 at MVNU

Sonfest is this Saturday (9/16)at Mount Vernon Nazarene University. All this week, The Morning Thing and The Afternoon Drive are featuring conversations with the artists coming to Sonfest this year.

Today, we talked with Damac. He shares what he is looking forward to this year and shares some fun memories from past Sonfest appearances.

Damac gives his background in music and how he first got involved in rapping. He also shares how his Dad inspired him to pursue music.

Damac shares some of his cool experiences performing on the road and getting the opportunity to minister at a juvenile detention center.

He also gives us a preview of the album that his is currently working on that is dedicated to his late Mother.

Damac Bio:
Damac’s ministry began in 2007 after Michael Lacoste accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord & Savior. With a newfound faith and a passion for youth, his mission became clear: create art that magnifies Jesus and influences the youth. He wanted to make Deeply Anointed Music About Christ (Damac). His first concerts were in front of small groups of students. The size of the crowd did not matter at all;it was all about sharing Jesus. Since then, Damac has released three albums (Immaculate, Supremacy, and Journey) selling over 5,000 copies independently.

Click HERE for more details about Sonfest 2023 and to see the complete schedule.

Click HERE to see how you can win tickets with WNZR!

Click HERE to connect with Damac.

MVNU goes “Back to School” for September First Friday

Downtown Mount Vernon will be busy with activities tonight (9/1). Don’t miss the Back-to-School Celebration for September First Friday!

Mount Vernon Nazarene University is joining in the back-to-school celebration with a department and organization fair on West Gambier Street. Be sure to stop by to participate in activities and learn more about all the great things students and faculty are doing in our community!

Click HERE to find out more information about September First Friday.
Click HERE to find out more about Mount Vernon Nazarene Univesity. (Check out the NEW website)!

The Morning Thing shared conversations with 3 MVNU Faculty members about the activities planned for tonight.
– Dr. Rachel Young, Assistant Professor of Social Work, Traditional Social Work Program Director & Department Chair and GPS Social Work Program Coordinator
– Dr. Jessica Grubaugh, Associate Dean for the Jetter School of Professional Studies
– Dr. Dora Hawthorne, Professor of English and Chair of the English and History Departments

The Big Blue Crew shares encouragement to MVNU Students

Today is the first day of classes for Mount Vernon Nazarene University. Members of the WNZR Staff share messages of encouragement to new and returning students.
We hope that you have a great day and make this a great semester.
Remember to connect with WNZR to find encouragement every day.
Find us at 90.9FM, wnzr.fm, wnzr.tv and apps for every phone.

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