Tag: Mount Vernon

Steve Michael Presented with the 2026 Chet Foraker Legacy Award at MVNU Homecoming

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart talks with Steve Michael, class of 1976 and former member of the MVNC baseball team, who will be presented with the 2026 Chet Foraker Legacy Award at MVNU’s Homecoming Weekend.

Click HERE to listen to the entire conversation, or click the image link below!

Steve tells us more about himself and where he is at now. He also talks about where he is from and what brought him to MVNU all those years ago. His family had strong connections to the the Nazarene Church and on his visit, he met Coach Foraker who paved the way for him to attend and play baseball.

He graduated from MVNU in 19076 as a member of the first baccalaureate class of MVNU. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in History with a minor in Spanish.

Steve takes us through his journey post-graduation. He had dreams of becoming a college professor and he chased that dream by heading to Ohio State University to get his PHD.

He ended up back at MVNC where he became the Head Baseball Coach for one year before enrolling in his PHD program. After all of this, the academic doors didn’t open for him and he ended up enlisting in the US Air Force and spent 40 years in his profession of defending our country.

Steve talks about his love for baseball and when the romance started for him. It began when he was a child and he fell in love due to the competitive nature of the sport and the intense rivalry between hitter and pitcher.

He also talks about his collegiate career at MVNC. Steve was a primary pitcher for the Cougars but he also was able to hit consistently and play both sides of the ball. For his outstanding play he also received awards and became the first ever MVNU player to receive 1st-team all-conference recognition.

Steve goes into more detail about his coaching career here at MVNU. He was tasked with being the head coach for the 1978 season and he jumped at the opportunity.

He says that his biggest contribution to the baseball program was helping Sam Riggleman become the head coach following Steve’s departing to Ohio State for his PHD. Coach Riggleman set MVNU Baseball on the successful path it is today and Steve is thankful that it worked out.

Steve shares a couple of his favorite memories from when he was at MVNC. One comes from a big win over Kenyon College in the 1973 season, where his teammate hit a homerun in extra innings to win.

A second memory that stands out for him comes from the 1976 season where he played a pivotal role, pitching and hitting, in two huge wins over conference rivals. The wins gave them a berth in the NAIA District Playoffs.

Steve tells us what it means to him to be awarded the Chet Foraker Legacy Award. He is honored and deeply grateful top receive this recognition, and he hopes that this accolade will be viewed along with the great class of 1976.

He also views this award as a validation that his choice to come for MVNU was the best decision he could’ve made.

Steve gives his advice to current MVNU athletes. He also gives his two cents to the MVNU Baseball team. He urges the Cougar Baseball team to cherish every moment with the program.

The last time Steve was on campus was last year for Homecoming. He got to attend the dedication for the new baseball clubhouse.

Steve shares his greatest learning experience that MVNC gave him. He credits MVNC with giving him the opportunity to mature and break away from his home. Without coming to MVNC he most likely would never have left his hometown and his life would look completely different. He also mentions why he thinks it is so important for alumni to stay connected to MVNU. There is a lot that comes along with staying connected such as nurturing college friendships as well as supporting students who are on the same walk that you were on.

Click HERE for more info on MVNU’s Homecoming Weekend!

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The Morning Thing Hosts Share Their Favorite Way to Share Kindness to Celebrate World Kindness Day

Today on Friday, November 13th is World Kindness Day! To celebrate, The Morning Thing hosts share their favorite way to share kindness to others.

Click HERE to listen to this week’s Friday Favorites, or click the image link below!

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Former MVNU Softball Standout Stephanie (Johnson) Smith to Join Cougar Wall of Fame

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart talked with former MVNU softball standout Stephanie Johnson Smith, who will be inducted into the Cougar Wall of Fame during Homecoming Weekend.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation or click on the picture link below.

Smith shares that she grew up in Tallmadge, Ohio, near Akron, and came to MVNU after learning about the university through friends and the opportunity to play softball. She earned degrees in Health and Physical Education and Exercise Studies and remained an additional semester to complete student teaching.

After graduation, Smith accepted a position at Worthington Christian School in Columbus and has remained there for 20 years. She teaches physical education, health, fitness, nutrition, and weight training classes and says she has enjoyed a long career helping students develop healthy habits and life skills.

Smith discusses her experiences coaching after college, including nearly a decade coaching high school soccer and softball. After stepping away from coaching to focus on raising her family, she recently returned to the sidelines through girls flag football and youth softball.

She also updates listeners on her family life. Smith and her husband Brad have been married for 16 years and have two children, Brinley and Beckett, who attend Worthington Christian School. She says their family stays busy traveling to sports and activities, with both children actively involved in athletics.

Smith reflects on her softball career, which began in tee ball as a young child. She credits her father, who coached her through much of her youth and high school career, for helping develop her love for the game and teaching her the importance of hard work and preparation.

She also looks back on her four seasons as the Cougars’ shortstop. While she enjoyed many successes on the field, Smith says her favorite memories center on the friendships she built with teammates and coaches. She recalls team trips, bus rides, and time spent together as some of the most meaningful parts of her college experience.

Smith reacts to the many honors and records she earned during her Cougar career, including several all-conference and academic recognitions as well as numerous places in the MVNU softball record book. She says she had not thought much about those accomplishments in recent years and views them as a reflection of the teammates and coaches who helped her succeed.

She also discusses learning that she would be inducted into the Cougar Wall of Fame. Smith says she was surprised when she received the phone call and was especially excited to learn she would be inducted alongside former teammate and close friend Heather. She describes the recognition as both humbling and meaningful.

Click HERE for more information on MVNU’s Homecoming events!

Stephanie (Johnson) Smith played for the softball team from 2003-2006 as a shortstop.


She holds MVNU records for:

– Most career at bats with 550
– Most career doubles with 57
– 5th in most games played with 163
– 4th in highest career batting average with an average of .400
– 3rd in career hits with 220
– 2nd in career RBI’s with 141
– 2nd most career in assists with 403.

As a freshman in 2003, Johnson was named:

– American Mideast Conference Honorable Mention
– American Mideast Conference Freshman of the Year
– NCCAA East Region Team
– NCCAA Honorable Mention All-American
– Cougar Sports Associates’ “Freshman of the Year,” and
– the 2003 Team Most Valuable Player as a Freshman!

In 2004 as a sophomore, she batted .359, had a team best 14 doubles, five triples, two home runs, 29 runs scored, and 34 RBIs. She was also named to:

– the AMC South Division Second Team
– NCCAA East Region Team, and
– NCCAA Honorable Mention All-American Team.

In 2005 as a junior, Johnson was named:

– American Mideast Conference South Division Second Team
– NCCAA East Region Team
– NFCA Great Lakes Region Second Team
– NCCAA All-American First Team
– American Mideast Conference All-Academic Team
– NCCAA All-America Scholar-Athlete
– NAIA All-America Scholar-Athlete, and
– ESPN The Magazine© Academic All-District IV First Team. In 2006, as a senior, she was named:
– American Mideast Conference South Division First Team
– NAIA Region IX Team
– NCCAA East Region Team
– NCCAA East Region Player of the Year
– NCCAA All-American First Team
– American Mideast Conference All-Academic Team
– NCCAA All-America Scholar-Athlete and
– NAIA All-America Scholar-Athlete

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Kevin Henthorne Recognizes Veterans Day with WNZR!

WNZR’s Marcy Rineheart talks to Kevin Henthorn, Executive Director of Knox County Veterans Services, about the importance of Veterans Day and honoring the men and women who have served our country.

Click HERE to listen to the entire conversation or click the image link below!

Kevin Henthorn discusses the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day. Memorial Day is a day to recognize those who have served and passed. Veteran Day is a time to recognize those who have served and are currently alive. Kevin discusses the Knox County Veterans Services and what his job entails. The KCVS’s main objective is to advocate for Veterans. Kevin says his job is to “spoil” veterans.

Kevin talks about Veterans’ benefits and services. He helps veterans know what services and benefits they qualify for. He also shares how veterans can connect with their offices.

Kevin shares what special celebrations and recognitions are taking place for Veterans Day in the Knox County Community. The KCVS aids the local schools in their Veterans Day ceremonies. Kevin shares some final thoughts for Veterans; Kevin emphasizes that Veterans are not alone in their struggles and the KCVS is there for all veterans.

Click HERE to learn more about Knox County Veterans Services!

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Friday Favorites: The Morning Thing’s Favorite Basketball Memory

Friday, November 6th is National Basketball Day and the MVNU Men’s Basketball Team has their home opener on this night! For this week’s Friday Favorites, The Morning Thing hosts will share their favorite basketball memory.

Click HERE to listen to this week’s Friday Favorites, or click the image link below!

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P.O.D.’s Sonny Sandoval Shares a Story of Faith, Redemption, and Restoration

WNZR’s Xander Devault speaks with Sonny Sandoval, lead singer of the metal band P.O.D., ahead of Sonny’s appearance at Tragedy Into Triumph on Wednesday, November 4.

Click HERE to listen to the entire conversation, or click the image link below!

Sonny reflects on his 35 years with P.O.D. and the many different musical genres the band has been part of throughout its career. He shares how he encountered God at an early age and eventually recognized an opportunity to use music as a way to share God’s love with others. Sonny also explains what P.O.D. means when describing themselves as “too Christian for the world and too secular for the church,” and how the band has remained committed to its message while reaching people from all walks of life.

When reflecting on the meaning of Tragedy Into Triumph, Sonny describes it as a picture of redemption and restoration, representing the journey from being lost to being found. Looking back on his own life, he recognizes the ways God rescued him from where he was headed and gave him a new purpose.

Sonny also opens up about his personal faith journey and the lasting impact his mother had on his relationship with God. He remembers how she continued to praise and thank God throughout her battle with leukemia, even as her health declined and she eventually passed away. Her example encouraged Sonny to make his own faith a priority by spending time in prayer and reading his Bible. As his relationship with Christ grew, he began to understand how God could use his life experiences and the platform he had through P.O.D. to reach others with the message of Jesus.

Although Sonny admits that being in the spotlight is not always comfortable, he recognizes the responsibility that comes with the opportunity to influence others, even if it means reaching just one person. He encourages people to bring all their emotions to God, whether they are experiencing anger, hurt, or disappointment, and reminds them that difficult past experiences do not disqualify anyone from being used by Him.

Sonny points to the many people in the Bible who were far from perfect but were still called by God, emphasizing that it is His goodness, grace, love, and Spirit that qualify us for His purposes. Having been involved in some of the first Tragedy Into Triumph events, Sonny has maintained a connection with founder Wendell Brown and hopes to encourage those who may want nothing to do with God to experience a change of heart. Above all, he wants people to understand their identity in Christ, discover the freedom that comes through knowing Jesus, and recognize that God can use their stories, including their tragedies, to bring hope and encouragement to others.

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Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr Shares City Updates with the October Spotlight on Mount Vernon

Mayor Matt Starr Shares Updates on Mount Vernon Projects, City Services and Upcoming Events

Click HERE to hear the full conversation or click on the picture link below.

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart talked with Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr about the latest projects, improvements and happenings around the city. Mayor Starr provided updates on several ongoing construction projects, including improvements to Burgess and Hamtramck Streets, sewer infrastructure work on West Gambier Street, progress on the new Riverside Park pickleball courts and remediation work at the Knox Cattle Company Dam. He also discussed construction of the new Mount Vernon Police Department facility, which is expected to be operational in 2028, along with plans for future municipal court facilities at 40 Public Square.

Mayor Starr also highlighted several city service updates, including the start of leaf pickup on November 2, improvements to neighborhood property maintenance and plans to address pedestrian safety through additional sidewalks and bridge repairs. He shared updates on city council decisions, police and fire department activity, and the city’s decision not to renew its contract for Flock license plate reader cameras while privacy and data ownership questions remain. In addition, Mayor Starr reflected on Mount Vernon’s 250th anniversary tree dedication at American Heritage Park, discussed upcoming memorial additions to the park and encouraged residents to attend the annual Veterans Day ceremony and visit the traveling Eyes of Freedom exhibit. Looking ahead, the city will continue focusing on infrastructure improvements, transportation projects, and development of the 2027 budget.

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Wendell Brown Highlights Tragedy Intro Triumph 2026!

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart talked with Wendell Brown, District Superintendent of the North Central Ohio Church of the Nazarene and founder of Tragedy Into Triumph.

Click HERE to listen to the entire conversation!

Wendell shares about his journey into ministry, serving as a pastor from 1994 to 2017 before being appointed District Superintendent 10 years ago and he explains the process of selecting and maintaining the role ass District Superintendent.

He explains the large footprint of the North Central Ohio Nazarene District, which includes communities from Delaware and Mount Vernon to Port Clinton, Ashtabula, Wooster, and Holmes County.

Wendell shares how the idea for Tragedy Into Triumph began while he was serving in Tennessee. Inspired by the story of former NFL player Siran Stacy, who lost his wife and four children in a tragic accident, Wendell felt God calling him to create an event focused on stories of hope and transformation through Christ.

Wendell shares how God has worked through Tragedy Into Triumph over the years, highlighting stories of people who have overcome addiction, loss, and difficult life circumstances through faith in Jesus Christ.

He tells the story of a woman whose life was transformed after attending an event. Through her faith journey, she found hope, recovery from addiction, and restoration with her children. Wendell explains the ministry’s message that no matter the tragedy, whether caused by personal choices or circumstances beyond our control, God can bring healing and transformation.

Wendell shares details about the 2026 Tragedy Into Triumph event happening November 2-4 at R.R. Hodges Chapel on the campus of Mount Vernon Nazarene University.

Doors open at 6:15 p.m. with services beginning at 7 p.m. each night. The event will also be streamed worldwide through a nationwide simulcast.

He shares that last year’s event reached more than 1,000 churches and approximately 1.5 million viewers, with over 12,000 making the decision to follow Christ.

Wendell introduces the first featured speakers:

Former Victoria’s Secret model Kylie Bisutti, who will share her testimony about identity, purpose, and finding true worth in Christ.

Carey Nieuwhof, one of the world’s top podcasters and church leadership voices, will share his personal struggle with anxiety, depression, and burnout, and how God brought healing and restoration.

The final night will feature Sonny Sandoval, lead singer of P.O.D., who will share how God transformed his life despite growing up in difficult circumstances surrounded by drugs and violence and how he overcame it.

Wendell explains how this year’s topics were chosen to address struggles many people face, including identity, mental health, and overcoming obstacles in life.

Wendell reminds us that the services are on November 2, 3, 4 at the R.R. Hodges Chapel/auditorium at MVNU and he shares the mission of Tragedy Into Triumph: to share real-life stories of transformation so people can find hope, believe in Christ, and overcome life’s struggles.

He emphasizes that everyone faces difficult seasons and that hearing authentic stories of God’s work in people’s lives can provide encouragement and direction.

Wendell explains that while people may debate theology or religion, personal testimonies of changed lives provide powerful evidence of God’s transforming work.

Wendell highlights additional resources available through Tragedy Into Triumph, including the book Living in Triumph, podcasts, free Bible studies, and ministry curriculum for churches, youth, and children.

He shares details about the ministry’s growing documentary series, including an upcoming episode featuring Brian “Head” Welch of the band Korn and a future release featuring former football coach Mark Richt.

The Tragedy Into Triumph event is free and open to the public November 2-4 at R.R. Hodges Chapel on the campus of Mount Vernon Nazarene University. Wendell asks you to pray that people who need hope will attend and that lives will be transformed through the stories shared during the event.

Livestream information, event details, and ministry resources are available at tragedyintotriumph.com.

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WNZR Highlights The Least Of These Ministries!

WNZR’s Josiah Styer is joined by Amy McDougle with Least of these ministries.

Click HERE to listen to the entire conversation!

Least of these provides a sober living home for women, the home is not actually located in Knox County, but it is open to women of all around to support people there and they help with women at the county jail to reach Christ. They’re currently working on preparing the house and developing their programing.

Amy founded and is the sitting president of Least of These Ministries, she started by just doing Bible study at the Knox County jail, the women were coming to jail and hating it, vowing not to come back yet still returning; it was at this moment that she realized how powerful addiction is and it inspired her help others deal with addiction, have a place to go, and be transformed in Christ.

You can reach out to Amy at their website at tlot2540.org to volunteer. She asks that you pray for them to remain faithful to what the lord asks them to do and that the right women would find their program.

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