WNZR presents the February 2024 MVNU Presidential Update

This month’s MVNU Update was special. We had the wonderful opportunity to talk with MVNU President, Dr. Carson Castleman and Rev. Dave Mills, our new Vice President for Spiritual Life and Church Relations.

Dr. Castleman talks about the start of spring semester and how he feels about his team heading into the second month of 2024. He also discusses his top priorities for MVNU for the month of February.

Rev. David Mills tells us a bit about himself, including the reason he decided to pursue ministry, and the story of how he came to be at MVNU.

Our update reveals the special connection between Dr. Castleman and Rev. Mills and how they are sharing a living space while they wait on their families to arrive full-time in Mount Vernon.

Rev. Mills discusses his role as head of Church Relations and his goals to connect with local churches and Nazarene Churches within the MVNU region. He also shares what is on his heart as he takes on the important role of ministering to the students of MVNU.

Our MVNU Update includes messages for students, faculty and staff and prayer requests for the Castleman and Mills families.

Click HERE to enjoy the entire conversation.

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

Click HERE to see a list of job openings at MVNU.

The Mount Vernon Police Department receives the Large Size Business of the Year Award from Experience Mount Vernon

The Mount Vernon Police Department won the award for Large Size Business of the Year.
Chief Robert Morgan shares about his department – 34 officers, 40 total employees.
Click HERE to hear Marcy Rinehart’s conversation with Chief Morgan.
He talks about being connected to Experience Mount Vernon providing safety at the downtown events and also how positive it is to allow his officers connect to kids and families on a personal level.
We talk about the K9 unit and how the kids love them and love to see the police cars.
We also talk about the PAK United group – Police and Kids events will be coming up in the spring.
You can stay connected at the PAK United Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064635570460

Stay connected with Experience Mount Vernon!
Website – experiencemv.org
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ExperienceMountVernon
Phone – 740-393-1481
Email – director@experiencemv.org

MTVarts receives the Non-Profit Organization of the Year Award from Experience Mount Vernon

Jessica Ryals, Development for Education and Bruce Jacklin, Artistic Director with MTVarts share their thoughts about winning the award for Non-Profit Organization of the Year. They highlight upcoming events for the spring and summer.
They talk about being part of First Fridays and Community Corner.
New website is coming soon –  mtvarts.com
Click HERE to hear Marcy Rinehart’s conversation with Jessica and Bruce.

Stay connected with MTVarts:
Website – www.mtvarts.com
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/MTVarts

Stay connected with Experience Mount Vernon!
Website – experiencemv.org
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ExperienceMountVernon
Phone – 740-393-1481
Email – director@experiencemv.org

Ann Weisent-Page of Knox Foodies receives the Spirit of Heritage Award from Experience Mount Vernon

Ann Weisent-Page of Knox Foodies received the Spirit of Heritage Award. This award honors an individual for their hard work throughout the year to support downtown Mount Vernon. The award is like the Volunteer of the Year Award.
Ann shares how Knox Foodies started and talks about how she volunteers throughout the year bringing food trucks to downtown events.
Click HERE to hear Marcy Rinehart’s conversation with Ann Weisent-Page.

Ann shares how to stay connected to Knox Foodies – on Facebook search for Knox Foodies LLC. @KnoxFoodies on Instagram

Stay connected with Experience Mount Vernon!
Website – experiencemv.org
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ExperienceMountVernon
Phone – 740-393-1481
Email – director@experiencemv.org

Jen Odenweller receives the Walter Rudin Award from Experience Mount Vernon

Jen Odenweller received the Walter Rudin Award. This award honors an individual for their long-term, lifetime service to support downtown Mount Vernon.
Jen talks about her passion for downtown Mount Vernon and how fortunate our community is to have Experience Mount Vernon building wonderful partnerships.
Click HERE to hear Marcy Rinehart’s conversation with Jen Odenweller.

Jen also talks about the legacy of Walter Rudin and how she is working to continue his work of revitalization, continued investment and supporting and promoting our heritage.

Stay connected with Experience Mount Vernon!
Website – experiencemv.org
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ExperienceMountVernon
Phone – 740-393-1481
Email – director@experiencemv.org

Experience Mount Vernon hosts their annual Awards Breakfast

Lacey Filkins, Executive Director of Experience Mount Vernon shares her thoughts about the Awards Breakfast.

Click HERE to hear Marcy Rinehart’s conversation with Lacey.

She talks about the birth of her son Maxwell. She shares some highlights from the 2023
events – great crowds, fun exhibits for kids and community support.

Lacey Filkins also gives us more details about several awards that were handed out.
She also tells how you can get involved in 2024 – as a volunteer or a sponsor.
First Friday dates are set for 2024!
Website – experiencemv.org
Phone – 740-393-1481
Email – director@experiencemv.org

Congratulations to the Experience Mount Vernon 2023 Award Winners!

2023 Small Business of the Year: Baxter’s Wine & Whiskey

2023 Mid-Size Business of the Year: Mount Vernon Grand Hotel

2023 Large Business of the Year: Mount Vernon Police Department

2023 Non-Profit of the Year: MTVarts

2023 Community Pride Award: The Annex by The Gund at Kenyon College

2023 Spirit of Heritage Award: Ann Weisent-Page  

2023 Walter Rudin Award: Jen Odenweller

January 2024 Spotlight on Mount Vernon with Mayor Matt Starr

Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr shared updates on the City with The Morning Thing on Friday, 1/26/24.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation.

Topics included:
• A discussion about current construction and maintenance projects for the city.
o He talks about the partnerships with other groups in the process of these construction and water projects.
o Mayor Starr talks about adopting the school routes and how the city will be making these safer by adding crosswalks in the warmer months.
o Updates on the water projects around the city
• Update on a neighborhood revitalization grant
• Update on the development at the old Middle School Property on Mulberry Street
• Mayor Starr shares updates from Mount Vernon City Council:
o Welcome to Mike Miller as he joins the council
o Logistics of council meetings and the expectations for council members
o Rules of conduct and online auctions
o Approval for the city to be a part of the exciting Fourth of July celebration in 2026, highlighting Ohio’s significance in the union.
• Update from Mount Vernon Budget Meeting on Saturday, January 20th
• Mayor Starr gives an update on the new 2.7 acres the city of Mount Vernon just bought for a potential new fire station.
• Mayor Starr shares his thoughts about the city’s response to the Winter weather that has impacted Mount Vernon.
• Updates from the Mount Vernon Police Department
o the new captain and the sergeant’s test that recently occurred
o funding for both the police and fire departments and how they are thriving
• Updates from the Mount Vernon Fire Department and he awards that some of the fire department members have received
• Mayor Starr gives updates about city plans during February
o The recreation board meets on February 7th at 7:00
o The Patriotic and Memorial Committee will begin planning
o Planning for the 2024 season for Hiawatha Water Park and Pool
o Logistics Planning for the Fireworks for the future
o America 250 planning committee
• Mayor Starr shares his goals for February and other important updates and projects on the horizon
• Mayor Starr shares some of the biggest priorities for his team in 2024.
• He also shares how we can pray for him and his team.

To stay in touch with the City, go to:

  • Website – http://www.mountvernonohio.org
  • Facebook – The City of Mount Vernon
  • Twitter – CityMV1805
  • YouTube – The City of Mount Vernon
  • LinkedIn – City of Mount Vernon, Ohio

The Food For The Hungry Crew celebrates a day of giving!

On Friday, 12/8, a very large broadcast crew met and worked together to bring the 2023 Food For The Hungry Broadcast to the Knox County community.

We brought in equipment and expertise from several companies, over 25 college students from Mount Vernon Nazarene University, two MVNU professors and a lot of volunteers.

The Knox Memorial and Theater buzzed with excitement as we shared check presentations, total announcements from many events and collections, and handed out 21 Winter Grants to local food initiatives. It was an incredible day!
Our current Food For The Hungry total is $263,502.08 and 11 truckloads of food!
Click HERE to listen to the crew as they share their thoughts after a 7-hour broadcast raising funds and celebrating a giving community.
The drive continues until 12/31 and you can still give at http://www.foodforthehungrycares.org
Last year, the extra donations over the 2022 goal enabled Food For The Hungry to give out $25,000 in Summer Grants to help feed kids over the summer months. Every dollar counts!
Thanks for helping us to live out the mission, “Working Together to Care for Our Neighbors”!

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