For our Friday Favorites today, The Morning Thing hosts share their favorite memories with our Seniors in the MVNU Class of 2026. Congratulations to Abby Almodovar, Zane Menzie, Isaiah Clark, Kai Mays, EJ Temple, Jackson Bush, Kara Jenkins, Naomi Kinne and Traven Griffith!
Click HERE to hear our memories or click on the picture below.
As part of Seniors Week at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart sat down with graduating senior EJ Temple to talk about his journey to MVNU, his time with WNZR, and what’s next after graduation.
Click HERE for the full interview!
Temple, who is from Mount Gilead, says his path to MVNU took a few turns. After attending Waynesburg University and Columbus State, he transferred to MVNU for his junior and senior years. He studied Communications and Digital Media with a focus on sports announcing.
At WNZR, EJ worked on The Viewer, served on the video team, and spent a year as a DJ. He says his favorite role was working behind the camera during sports broadcasts and video projects. Temple says one of the biggest things he learned during his time at the station was patience and how to work with people at different experience levels.
Looking back, EJ says he still remembers being nervous about getting accepted to MVNU, but now sees how worthwhile the journey has been. Some of his favorite memories came while working courtside at basketball games, including a funny moment during a women’s game when a player was less than thrilled to see the camera pointed her direction after a fall on the court.
After graduation, Temple will begin a job with Bankers Life selling life insurance. He says his background in sales and communication helped lead him toward the career. EJ asks listeners to pray for him as he prepares for his insurance exam and begins this next chapter.
Click HERE to learn more about WNZR!
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!
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!
Seniors Week 2025 wrapped up today on The Morning Thing.
We have honored graduates from the MVNU Department of Communication.
Today, we featured Senior Taylor Tyler. We talked about why she decided to come to MVNU and get connected to WNZR. We shared memories, lessons learned and recognized her as the 2025 Outstanding Member of the WNZR Leadership Team!
We talked about the future and celebrated her time at WNZR and Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU).
Click HERE to enjoy our conversation with Taylor Tyler from Alexandria.
We wrapped up Seniors Week on Friday. We have been sharing memories all week with our MVNU graduates. For our Friday Favorites, The Morning Thing hosts shared their favorite memories with our WNZR Seniors.
It is a special week on The Morning Thing – it’s Seniors Week 2025! We are honoring 7 graduates from the Communication Department this year. Join us each day as we honor these amazing students. We will share memories, talk about the future, and celebrate their time at WNZR and MVNU.
On Monday, we talked with Leandra Viscioni from Mansfield.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation.
It is a special week on The Morning Thing – it’s Seniors Week 2025! We are honoring 7 graduates from the Communication Department this year. Join us each day as we honor these amazing students. We will share memories, talk about the future, and celebrate their time at WNZR and MVNU.
On Monday, we talked with Jack Moore from Johnstown.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation.
MVNU’s President, Dr. Carson Castleman stopped by the WNZR Studios to talk about the academic year and to celebrate the Class of 2024.
Dr. Castleman shared his thoughts about the 2023-2024 Academic Year.
He talked about the most significant moments during his time as President.
He also discussed the plans for increasing student enrollment in the 2024-2025 academic year.
Dr. Castleman shared his top priorities for MVNU as we head into Summer 2024. He will be traveling quite a bit over the next few months.
Dr. Castleman offered a special message for the Class of 2024 as the campus celebrates graduation this weekend. He also has messages for returning underclassmen, and faculty and staff.
Dr. Castleman told us how we can pray for MVNU and his family throughout the summer months.
Click HERE to hear the entire conversation.
Click HERE to stay up to date with news from MVNU.
This week, The Morning Thing is shining the spotlight on our WNZR Seniors!
We have 8 graduating seniors on our Big Blue Crew.
On Wednesday, we shared a conversation with Mackenzie Holder.
Mackenzie is from Johnstown, Ohio. She is graduating with a degree in Communication and Media (Digital Media).
Mackenzie shares what brought her to MVNU and how she found her way to WNZR.
She has held many jobs at WNZR including Office Assistant, Co-Host of The Morning Thing, Communication Department Assistant, Voice of the Cougars Social Media Team, plus Head Editor of the Lakeholm Viewer.
Mackenzie shares some memories and lessons that she has learned over these past 4 years.
She asks for prayer for her future. Mackenzie will be attending Miami University in the fall to get her Masters Degreee in Sports Management.
Click HERE to enjoy the conversation!
Congratulations to the Class of 2023!
Rise and Shine 