For our Friday Favorites this week, The Morning Thing hosts shared their favorite songs from artists coming to Sonfest 2024! We hope to see you on the campus of Mount Vernon Nazarene University on Saturday! Gates open at Noon!
The Morning Thing shares exciting news from the United Way of Knox County!
United Way of Knox County proudly celebrated its first annual Day of Caring, a remarkable day of community service and volunteerism that took place on Friday, September 13, 2024. This inaugural event brought together individuals and business volunteers from a wide range of organizations, including Kokosing Construction, Knox Community Hospital, Park National Bank, Hospice of the Western Reserve, Knox Public Health, the Winter Sanctuary, Hope Now Furniture Bank, Interchurch, Fredericktown Fire Department, and the American Red Cross.
Volunteers participated in a variety of impactful projects across Knox County, demonstrating the power of collaboration and the collective commitment to making a difference in the community.
Key activities included:
Free smoke alarm installation in homes across Fredericktown, in partnership with the American Red Cross and Fredericktown Fire Department.
Home construction alongside Habitat for Humanity to support families in need of affordable housing.
Renovation and construction work at Interchurch in Centerburg, providing much-needed improvements to their facility.
Service projects at local community organizations, including Salvation Army, Knox County Head Start, and The Freedom Center.
United Way is deeply grateful for the tireless efforts of the many volunteers who contributed their time and energy to make the Day of Caring a success. Their dedication is a testament to the strength of Knox County’s spirit of giving and service.
“We are thrilled with the outpouring of support for our first Day of Caring,” said United Way of Knox County Program Director Halle Krajenski. “The passion and enthusiasm of our volunteers made a tremendous impact in just one day, and we are excited to see how this event will continue to grow and strengthen our community in the years to come.”
The Day of Caring also served as an inspiring showcase of the community programs and initiatives made possible by generous United Way donations. Each project exemplified the meaningful, lasting impact that United Way-supported efforts have on the lives of Knox County residents.
As United Way kicks off their annual Charitable Campaign, Executive Director Katie Ellis shared her thoughts: “This day is a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when we come together for a common cause. The projects completed today reflect the heart of our mission—to create real, lasting change. As we launch this year’s campaign, we are grateful for the volunteers, partner organizations, and donors who make it all possible. Together, we can continue building a network of social support for everyone in Knox County.”
MVNU’s President, Dr. Carson Castleman, talked with WNZR for our monthly MVNU Update.
Dr. Castleman shares his thoughts about the kickoff of fall semester. Click HERE to hear the full conversation.
We covered many topics including:
His favorite moments from his first official Move In Day and Welcome Week as MVNU’s President.
A heart-warming story of how a donor helped give a very special gift (bibles) to our students.
MVNU enrollment numbers for the 24-25 academic year.
How MVNU has embraced the students of Eastern Nazarene College after the news of their closure.
Transition in MVNU University Relations, Development and Alumni Relations.
Dr. Castleman shares exciting news for MVNU. This summer, MVNU celebrated the launch of two new programs: Master of Social Work and our first doctoral-level program — Doctor of Nursing Practice. He tells us more about these new opportunities for students.
Dr. Castleman announces a few new exciting partnerships for MVNU.
He also shares MVNU’s NEW tagline for marketing – where meaning meets momentum
Dr. Castleman shares highlights from the MVNU University Dinner, a time to celebrate faculty and staff.
He also shared his top priorities for MVNU as we head into this new academic year.
MVNU’s Theme Verse this year is 1 Thessalonians 5:24
Highlights of MVNU’s calendar for the month of September.
He shares a special message for MVNU students. Faculty and staff as they wrap up their first week of classes.
Dr. Castleman tells us how we can pray for MVNU in the month of September and how we can pray for him and his family.
Click HERE to stay up to date with news from MVNU.
Today for our Friday Favorites, The Morning Thing hosts celebrated Grandparents Day. It is coming up this Sunday, 9/8! Click HERE to listen in as Alyssa, Marcy and our new co-hosts Shawn and Xander share memories of their grandparents.
MVNU has launched the first doctoral level program – DNP, Doctor of Nursing Practice. Debra Garee, DNP, RN, MVNU’s DNP Director and Associate Professor of Nursing stopped at WNZR to share about the new program. She talked about the different concentrations within the DNP program and the length of the program. Debra shared that courses are broken into 3 categories: DNP Foundational Courses, DNP Core Courses and Didactic and Clinical Courses. She shared how to register for an informational session and find more information. Debra also talked about how this powerful statement guides the program: Empowering Leaders, Enriching Souls: Transforming Healthcare Through Faith and Knowledge.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University is excited to be part of September First Friday. Multiple departments will have informational tables set up on the public square. There will be hands-on, interactive activities for kids of all ages.
WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart talked with several faculty members about the exciting plans for First Friday. They each shared about their roles at MVNU and what they were most excited about for fall semester. They also talked about the latest news from their departments.
Featured Faculty: – Dr. Jennifer Ballenger, Assistant Professor of Youth and Family in the Christian Ministries Department – Dr. Jessica Grubaugh, Dean for the Jetter School of Professional Studies (includes Business, Education and Social Work Programs), Education Department Chair – Dr. LeeAnn Couts, Dean for the School of Natural and Social Sciences, Professor of Psychology and Director of Academic Summer Camps – Dr. John Packard, Chair of the Music Department and Band Director – Dr. Colleen Bryan, Professor of Psychology and Department Chair for Psychology, Criminal Justice, Emergency Management and Homeland Security
Stop by the MVNU tables and have some FUN! Psychology—Coloring books focused on: What can I be? Biology—Creepy Crawly Things and More (Plant and Animal Life) Education—Monster Origami Bookmarks and a gently used book plus some book drawings Christian Ministry—Games, Popcorn and More Music—Make your own musical instrument Nursing—Hands on Nursing Activities Fairbanks Center for Global Engagement—Partnership with Kenyon Admissions Table
A discussion about current construction and maintenance projects for the city. He shared an update and timeline for construction near Dan Emmett Elementary School.
An update on other Mount Vernon City Departments
Updates from Mount Vernon City Council
Updates from the Mount Vernon Police Department
Updates from the Mount Vernon Fire Department
Update on the Together Knox Community-Driven Project
Discussion on the special awards given out during the 2024 Mount Vernon Music & Arts Festival
Upcoming events on the City’s calendar in September
Immediate goals for September
The retirement of Mount Vernon City Auditor Terry Scott
Insight into projects on the horizon for Mount Vernon
MVNU welcomed new students to campus on Thursday, 8/29. We took some time to celebrate their arrival and wish them well for the 24-25 academic year. For our Friday Favorites today, The Morning Thing hosts shared their favorite memory from college. Click HERE to hear from Alyssa, Judah and Marcy.
He shared details of the schedule including a special new grand finale at 5:45pm. All worship bands will join together for a special ending song. Dave also shared how Praisestock will raise money for Food For The Hungry of Knox County. Praisestock will also welcome over 20 local ministries and organizations to setup information tables at the event. Find out more at www.praisestock.org
Here is Sunday’s schedule: 10:00am: Welcome and Community Worship Service (led by First Church of the Nazarene Worship Team), Love Offering, Communion 11:30am: Break 12:00pm: First Church of the Nazarene (Mount Vernon) Worship Team 12:45pm: Set Free Worship Team 1:45pm: Salvation Army Worship Team 2:45pm: Chestnut Ridge 3:45pm: Covenant Christian Church Worship Team 4:45pm: Trinity Church Worship Team 5:45pm: Joint Song (All) to close event. “How Great Thou Art (Until That Day)” 6:00pm: Closing Comments
Between performances, various Christian-based organizations in the community will be featured in an interview-style format. Times are tentative and subject to change. Event will proceed rain or shine (but pray for “shine”)
An exciting live auction was held on Saturday at the Mount Vernon Music & Arts Festival. There were 25 wood challenge items created by local artisans. The Kiwanis Club of Mount Vernon partnered with the festival to bring 17 pies made by local celebrities to the auction.
Here are the results for this year’s auction. Thanks to Cheryl Splain from Knox Pages for sharing these results with us.
•Pie auction and wood challenge raise over $13,000
Thanks to auctioneers John Sperry, Jerry Scott and Matt Fowler.
•The inaugural celebrity pie auction brought in $4,135
•The 2024 Wood Design Challenge followed the theme “Boutique Decor.” The design challenge brought in $9,200.
•Susan Ramser paid $3,000 for Matteo Lybarger’s Dry River coffee table. (highest bidder)
Celebrity Pie Auction bakers and buyers:
•Bakers – Matt Starr, Mount Vernon Mayor, and Joann Starr, Apple. Buyer – Cliff’s High Performance, $275
•Bakers – Bruce White, President/CEO Knox Community Hospital, and Kathy White, Key Club liaison, Blueberry. Buyer – Terry Scott, $275
•Baker – Chris Hiner, Regional President Park National Bank, Peach Bourbon Cheesecake. Buyer – Dr. John Berry, $275
•Bakers – Jeff Scott, Executive Director Knox County Foundation, and daughter Annaliese Scott, Cherry. Buyer – Jay Nixon, $300
•Baker – Dr. Carson Castleman, President Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Chocolate Cream. Buyer – Todd Sands, $225
•Baker – Judge Jay Nixon, Knox County Probate and Juvenile Court, Peach. Buyer – Wendi Fowler, $200
•Baker – William Seder, Jr., Superintendent Mount Vernon City Schools, 2 Peanut Butter pies. Buyers – ACS Title, $300; Pie #2 resold to Wendi Fowler, $300
•Baker – Dr. John Berry, President Central Ohio Technical College, Strawberr. Buyers – Matt & Joann Starr, $200
•Baker – Cindy McDowell, Senior Closing Officer ACS Title, Dutch Apple with Caramel. Buyers – Dave McDowell Auctioner, $250; resold to David Bouchard, $100
•Baker – Tina Cockrell, Public Health Education & Nursing Division Director Knox Public Health, Pumpkin. Sold for $125 (not sure on buyer)
Rise and Shine 