Jane Frickey from Lifewise Academy tells us about this exciting new program coming to Mount Vernon City Schools! She tells us about what Lifewise Academy is, how she got involved, and how you can sign your student up to join the program!
Go to lifewise.org/interest/, type in your school district, and click “visit school district page” to sign up and learn more.
We know many students in our area are getting ready to go back to school, and many students are going back this week. We want to help you and your child have a smooth transition as they head into the school year!
This morning on The Morning Thing, we shared some relaxing things you can do before the semester starts. Click HERE to see the full list. We especially loved the idea of taking a hike (and the weather forecast looks promising for a hike this week!), cleaning out your closet, and going berry picking. Take some time for both you and your student to unwind before the school year starts.
Is your child feeling anxious for the school year? Sometimes starting new things can make children nervous. If they are, here’s 5 tips from Johns Hopkins Children’s Center:
Click HERE to learn more about easing your child’s anxiety.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University held a short reception on Friday afternoon at Ariel Arena to officially announce the 8th President of MVNU.
Dr. Carson Castleman was joined at the reception with his family, Dr. Angela Castleman and their two children Claire and Carter. Dr. Carson Castleman will serve as the 8th President in the University’s history, replacing Dr. Henry Spaulding II who retired earlier this year. You can hear Dr. Castleman’s full comments below.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University Board of Trustees is proud to announce the election of Dr. Carson Castleman as the University’s 8th president. He will begin his tenure on Oct. 1, 2023.
His remarkable career in Christian higher education spans over 26 years and includes expertise with both traditional and non-traditional student enrollment and engagement. Currently serving as the Vice President of Student Experience and External Relations at Indiana Wesleyan University, Dr. Carson Castleman oversees the student experience of over 8,500 students across the United States and around the world. He has been instrumental in developing innovative partnerships that have resulted in growing the 2022-23 enrollment by more than 1,700 students.
“The Board is pleased to welcome Dr. Carson Castleman as the next president of Mount Vernon Nazarene University. Through a very robust national search process, we have found a collaborative leader in Dr. Carson Castleman. He has the right education, experience, interest, drive, and passion to lead MVNU into a bright future,” said Rev. Edward Phillips, J.D., MVNU Board of Trustees, Chair. “Dr. Carson Castleman’s enthusiasm and welcoming style is infectious, and he has built a distinguished career with many accomplishments that have made him the unanimous choice of the Board of Trustees. We believe Dr. Carson Castleman is the right leader to move MVNU to new heights as the premier Christian university in the region.”
Dr. Carson Castleman has been a part of the MVNU Community his entire life. He grew up within the nurturing community of Covington Central Church of the Nazarene on the Eastern Kentucky District. This unique connection makes him the first president to emerge from our very own region. He is a fourth generation Nazarene and has been a steadfast and dedicated member of the Church of the Nazarene his entire life. He is currently a member of Generations Church of the Nazarene, which he helped plant over 15 years ago. His contribution to the church includes service as a local church board
member, six years on the General Board for the Church of the Nazarene, and six years on the Eastern Kentucky District Advisory Board.
He began his higher education career in the MVNU Admissions Office as an admissions counselor and later as Associate Director of Admissions. He then was hired as the Director of University Advancement. After serving as the Chief Enrollment Officer at Nazarene Theological Seminary, he moved to Indiana Wesleyan University where he has spent the last 20 years in progressive roles as a faculty member, dean, associate vice president and vice president.
Dr. Carson Castleman’s impressive track record in Christian higher education, coupled with his deep commitment to Christian values, makes him an ideal choice to lead MVNU as it continues its mission to educate the whole person and cultivate Christ-likeness for lifelong learning and service.
“We are unapologetically a Christian higher education institution and an extension of the Church of the Nazarene, offering hope in a dying world where there are many hindrances to the harmonious exchange of ideas and the clashing of values,” said Phillips. “It was imperative we find the right leader to build on the success of the past and move MVNU into an even brighter future.”
“I am humbled and honored for this opportunity to serve my church and MVNU, a place Angela and I love so deeply,” said Dr. Carson Castleman. “Our lives started here in the 1990s, and our first child was born here, so we truly feel like we are coming home. Words cannot describe our gratitude and excitement to serve the MVNU community in this capacity.”
Dr. Carson Castleman graduated from Northern Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication/English. He earned a Master of Science in Human Resource Management from Indiana Wesleyan University and a Master of Arts in Religion and Counseling from Liberty University. He completed his Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership and Administration from Capella University.
Dr. Carson Castleman will be joined by his accomplished wife, Dr. Angela Castleman, who has served 24 years in the field of education, in various roles including classroom teacher, building administrator, and university professor. She is a 2000 alumna of MVNU. She is currently serving her fifth year over three terms on the MVNU Board of Trustees, where she has participated on the strategic planning, academic affairs, and institutional advancement committees. Dr. Angela Castleman recused herself from the presidential search process. Following the election she submitted her resignation from the board, effective immediately. She is eager to join her husband in the work and ministry of MVNU.
They have two children, Claire, 20, and Carter, 15. They currently reside in Florence, Kentucky.
SEARCH FOR NEXT PRESIDENT
The Presidential Search Committee, comprised of select members of the Board of Trustees and faculty and staff representatives, voted early in the process to hire a search firm, FaithSearch Partners, with experience in generating and vetting a strong pool of qualified candidates.
The search firm met with campus and community stakeholders, and surveyed faculty and staff to develop a thorough profile detailing what the ideal candidate should embody in their faith, education, experience, skill set, and other characteristics.
The nationwide search resulted in incredible interest in the position with final candidates interviewed by the Presidential Search Committee, who then made their recommendation to the Board of Trustees.
“I am delighted with the election of Dr. Carson Castleman to be the next president of MVVNU. He is a proven leader and innovator in higher education and a committed churchman. He also brings a deep love for the university, the place he began his career. He is coming home, and we welcome him,” said Dr. David Wilson Sr., MVNU Transitional Leader. “We give thanks to God for His leadership in the search process. Many people have spent countless hours, fasting and praying that God would lead us – and He has!
Dr. Carson Castleman succeeds Dr. Henry W. Spaulding II, who served at the University over the past 14 years, most recently as the President from 2012 until his retirement earlier this year.
Drs. Carson and Angela Castleman will be introduced to faculty, staff, and invited guests this afternoon. Official plans for the inauguration will be announced when they become available.
For more information on Dr. Carson Castleman, visit mvnu.edu/ https://www.mvnu.edu/officesandservices/officeofthepresident.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, four-year, intentionally Christian teaching university for traditional age students, graduate students, and working adults. With a 327-acre main campus in Mount Vernon, Ohio, MVNU emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual growth, and service to community and church. MVNU offers an affordable education both in-seat and online to nearly 2,000 students from 25 states and 11 foreign countries.
We all occasionally struggle with our confidence, but sometimes we hear those annoying whispers of doubt that hinder our self-esteem and personal growth. This morning, we shared some tips from GoodTherapy.org to grow your confidence. Here are some of our favorite tips:
Face your fear head-on: Fear is almost always the root of your lack of confidence. When you face your fear, you can come out of it on the other side feeling liberated, proud, and of course, more confident.
Befriend failure: No one is perfect. The more you fail, the more you learn and grow. If you’re trying something new and you fail, it just gives you a chance to learn from your mistakes so you can try again. Remember, failure isn’t the end of the road, it may just be the beginning of something great.
Doubt your doubt: Sometimes we have doubtful thoughts. If you find yourself thinking thoughts like “I can’t do this” or “I’m not good at this,” ask yourself “why not?” When you start doubting the doubt, you begin to see that there isn’t much truth to those thoughts, and you can begin to see what your doubts are holding you back from.
Listen to empowering music: Music is powerful! You can create a playlist of songs that make you feel good, or you can listen to WNZR. We’re here for you 24/7, 365 days a year with music that will encourage and inspire you. Click HERE to listen to us live.
Click HERE to read the full article.
We are all called to share the love of Jesus with the world, but this can seem challenging or intimidating. Crosswalk.com shares 5 ways to share the Gospel message.
The first is to let God’s love flow through your life. 1 John 4:8 says that “God is love.” When you love other people, you are pointing them toward God. Love inspires people, which makes it easier to share the Gospel with them.
The second way is to listen to people’s stories. Stories are so powerful because God designed us to love stories. Jesus told a lot of stories, also called parables, to teach us spiritual truths. We all have stories, and our stories are valuable. When you listen to people, make sure you’re really listening to what they have to say and listen more than you speak. Then, you can ask them to consider how God is in their story.
The third way is to not judge people and accept them for who they are. This can be tricky, as a lot of people worry about being judged by others when they talk about God. Remember that only God can judge people, and we will be judged if we judge other people (see Romans 2 and Matthew 7). Make sure that the people you talk to are comfortable and relaxed by not judging them or their story. After all, God meets us where we are, so meet others where they are. Be a safe person.
The fourth way is to highlight what nature reveals about God. Nature is wonderful, especially because it reveals God’s character. You can have fun with this one! Take a walk with a friend, go stargazing, or find a fun outdoor activity you both like (hiking, fishing, playing a sport, and so on), and use your time outside to let nature inspire your conversations about God.
The fifth way is to encourage questions rather than just give answers. Encourage people to ask spiritual questions. Remember, the only bad question is the unasked question! Asking questions inspires people to seek God even more. Encourage them to try praying, even if they’re still not sure about God yet, and point them towards studying the Bible to find answers to their questions (and if not to answer questions, to learn more and become even more curious!). Try to answer their questions as you can, but never try to answer a question you don’t know the answer to. Help them find and answer and you can learn more too!
Click HERE to read the full article from Crosswalk.com.
“Ohio is an incredibly diverse state that’s not only home to beautiful Amish Country and Appalachia, but also a Great Lakes Region of over 300 miles of shoreline. Known as the North Coast, this stretch is filled with a beautiful shoreline and historic lighthouses,” Sarah McCosham shares from OnlyInYourState.com!
For National Lighthouse Day, which was August 7th, The Morning Thing hosts shared a fun trip that you can take along that North Coast to visit 5 lighthouses in Ohio! Find the full trip HERE.
We hope you have some fun with friends or family visiting and exploring our beautiful state.
Today is finally the day for our annual Dog Days of Summer Dog Costume Parade at August First Friday in downtown Mount Vernon.
This morning Alyssa and Allison shared their favorites from the full DIY list that we shared on Thursday’s show.
Check out our Friday Favorites HERE.
Lacey Filkins, the Executive Director of Experience Mount Vernon, gave us all the details about August First Friday.
First Friday has something for everyone – both for you and your dogs! Lacey tells us all about the fun events, including WNZR’s dog parade!
There will also be a car cruise-in. Click HERE for more information about the cruise-in, as well as the traffic and street closures tonight. Lacey also shares details about parking in our conversation. Click HERE to listen.
Stay connected to Experience Mount Vernon by heading to their website HERE so you don’t miss any of their fun downtown events.
The Morning Thing hosted the monthly MVNU Update on Friday, 8/4/23.
Dr. James Smith, MVNU’s Vice President of University Relations, shared details about the MVNU 2027 strategic plan. He discusses the timeline for the plan, and the 8 strategies within the plan. He shares the 13 initiatives in the plan, and how MVNU is currently adopting the initiatives.
He also gives an update on the MVNU presidential search. Dr. Smith also shares what he is most looking forward to in the fall semester.
Click HERE to listen to the conversation.
Stay up to date with MVNU at mvnu.edu.
Fear and anxiety are emotions that plague many of us at some point in our lives. The uncertainties of the future, challenges, and unexpected circumstances can leave us feeling overwhelmed and anxious. However, in times of distress, turning to the Bible can be a source of great comfort and strength. Within its pages, we find verses that provide encouragement, reassurance, and hope to help us fight fear and anxiety.
The Morning Thing shared 10 Bible Verses from Crosswalk.com that help remind us that God is in control and fight against fear and anxiety. You can read the full list HERE.
When fear and anxiety threaten to overwhelm us, these ten Bible verses provide a powerful source of comfort and encouragement. They remind us of God’s love, His constant presence, and His ability to strengthen and sustain us. By focusing on these verses and incorporating them into our lives, we can find peace in the midst of life’s storms, knowing that we are not alone and that God is always there to guide us through any challenge we face.
Rise and Shine 