Dr. Carson Castleman Gives First Comments as Newly Elected President at MVNU

Mount Vernon Nazarene University held a short reception on Friday afternoon at Ariel Arena to officially announce the 8th President of MVNU.

Prayer held at the reception around the Castleman Family.

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.

Boosting your confidence

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.

Fresh ways to share the Gospel

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.

The Morning Thing Shares 5 Lighthouses in Ohio You Need to See!

“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.

The Morning Thing Shares Their Favorite DIY Dog Costume Ideas!

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 shares details about August First Friday

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.

August MVNU Update with Dr. James Smith

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.

The Morning Thing Shares Bible Verses That Help with Fear and Anxiety

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.

The Gifts of Relationships!

As parents, our journey with our children doesn’t end when they reach adulthood; it merely takes on a new and meaningful dimension. While the nature of our relationship may evolve, maintaining a strong bond with our adult children remains as important as ever. There are also some great benefits and gifts that come with maintaining our strong relationship with your kids when they become adults. On The Morning Thing today we shared a list of them from Crosswalk.com, find them HERE.

In conclusion, maintaining a relationship with our adult children is an essential aspect of parenthood that brings immense benefits to both parents and their grown-up offspring. From providing emotional support and wisdom to celebrating milestones and strengthening family bonds, the value of this timeless bond cannot be overstated. Embrace this new chapter with open arms, and you’ll find that the love between parent and child continues to grow and flourish in the most beautiful ways imaginable.

WNZR Presents the Full Live Broadcast from the 2023 Sale of Champions!

Listen back as we announce every Grand and Reserve Champion during the Sale of Champions broadcast brought to you by Revere Roofing Company, Thom Collier, e-Merge Real Estate Champions, and Valley ATV.

Listen to the full broadcast HERE.

Here are results from the sale:

· The Grand Champion Market Goat was shown by Trevor Jobes of Mount Vernon. He is from Mount Vernon and part of the Boots and Banner 4H Club. Trevor was also the Champion Senior Showman and Master Showman.

A large group of buyers bought the animal for a price of $8,300!

They included: Jobes Insurance, Smihhisler Meats, Park National Bank, Revere Roofing Company, Pro Select LLC Exterior Services, Alumni Roofing, BTB Show Pigs, Precision Welding, Small’s Asphalt and Paving and Small’s Farms.

· The Reserve Champion Market Goat was shown by Hannah Creasap of Mount Vernon. She is part of the Anything Goes 4H Club. Hannah was also Champion 1st Year Showman.

Rylee and Danielle Miller bought the animal for a price of $2,000

· The Grand Champion Broilers (pen of 3) were shown by Hailey Elliott of Loundonville with Better Livestock 4H Club.

Trillium Farms bought the animals for a price of $2,000

· The Reserve Champion broilers were shown by Bailey Higgins of Mount Vernon with the Animals R Us 4H Club.

Seed Consultants Inc. and Smetzer’s Tire Center bought the animals for a price of $3,000

· The Grand Champion hog was shown by Haley Unger of Centerburg with the Animals R Us 4H Club. Haley was also the Heavy Weight Division Champion.

John Hinderer Honda bought the animal for a price of $4,000

· The Reserve Champion hog was shown by Bryer Boeshart of Danville with the Chapelview Barn Buddies 4H Club. Bryer was also the Reserve Heavy Weight Division Champion, and Champion Bred, Born and Raised.

A large group of buyers bought the animal for a price of $8,500. They included: Wiley Farm, Jobes Insurance, Small’s Farms, Small’s Sand and Gravel, Riley Farms, Danville Feed and Supply, Curtis Trucking, Kari Ball Agency, and Tyler McCann.

· The Grand Champion Rabbits (Market Fryers) were shown by Dawson Staley of Fredericktown with the Blue Ribbon Livestock 4H Club.

Knox Community Hospital bought the animals for a price of $2,750

· The Reserve Champion Rabbits were shown by Ryan Zollars of Fredericktown from the Blue Ribbon Livestock 4H Club.

Alumni Roofing bought the animals for a price of $4,500

· The Grand Champion Market Beef Steer was shown by Charley Beheler of Fredericktown. She is part of the Smokin’ Spurs 4H Club.

Beheler Excavating bought the animal for a price of $22,000

· The Reserve Champion Market Beef Steer was shown by Kennedy Algire of Fredericktown and the Country Critters 4H Club.

The Shoppe On Main bought the animal for a price of $5,000

· The Grand Champion Dairy Market Feeder was shown by Logan Whitney of Danville. He is part of the Creative Kids 4H Club.

John Hinderer Honda Powerstore bought the animal for a price of $2,750

· The Reserve Champion Dairy Market Feeder was shown by Zachary Besancon of Gambier and The Outsiders 4H Club.

Small’s Asphalt and Morning Star Labradors and Boarding bought the animal for a price of $2,500

· The Grand Champion Market Dairy Steer was shown by Ethan Swendal of Howard with Creative Kids 4H Club.

Didinger Crop Services bought the animal for a price of $5,500

· The Reserve Champion Market Dairy Steer was shown by Sierra Shields of Howard with the Creative Kids 4H Club.

Alumni Roofing bought the animal for a price of $4,000

· The Grand Champion Market Lamb was shown by Paisely Reynolds of Mount Vernon with the Animals R Us 4H Club. Paisely was also Grand Champion Bred, Born and Raised, Champion 1st Year Showman and 9-Year-Old Skillathon Winner

TD Landscape bought the animal for a price of $2,750

· The Reserve Champion Market Lamb was shown by Mason Reynolds of Mount Vernon with the Animals R Us 4H Club. Mason was also the Champion Intermediate Showman.

John Hinderer Ford bought the animal for a price of $2,250

(Paisely and Mason are sibilings!)

· The Grand Champion Pen of 3 Market Lambs was shown by Bryer Boeshart of Danville with the Chapelview Barn Buddies 4H Club.

A group of buyers bought the animals for a price of $6,500. They included: Small’s Asphalt, Alumni Roofing, Kari Ball Agency, Didinger Crop Service and Seed Consultant Inc.

· The Reserve Champion Pen was shown by Chesnee Fairall from Centerburg and Animals R Us 4H Club.

John Hinderer Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram Superstore bought the animals for a price of $3,000

· The Grand Champion Turkey was shown by Brynley Kirkpatrick from Butler with the Clovers of the Valley 4H Club.

Knox Community Hospital bought the animal for a price of $2,200

· The Reserve Champion Turkey was shown by Case Armstrong from Mount Vernon with the Down on the Farm 4H Club. Case was also Reserve Champion Senior Showman and 16-year-old Skillathon Winner.

John Hinderer Honda bought the animal for a price of $2,300

There was one 4H member with MULTIPLE ANIMALS in the Sale:

Bryer Boeshart had the:

1. Reserve Grand Champion Market Hog – sold for $8,500

2. Grand Champion Pen of 3 Market Lambs – sold for $6,500

Bryer’s Sale Total: $15,000

There was a special sale of a hog at the end of the Sale of Champions.

The hog was donated by Brieann Dunaway to be auctioned off to benefit Bernie and Hadleigh Douglas and their family. Their son was recently diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. 100% of the proceeds of this sale will benefit their family. Processing is being donated by Dee-Jays Custom Butchering.

The hog was sold for $12,000 in the sale arena. The buyers were the Shoppe on Main and Alumni Roofing Company.

Special Awards:

The Junior Fair Sales Committee presented 3 Hall of Fame awards this year.

This award recognizes individuals and organizations that go above and beyond normal efforts to benefit the sale, the Junior Fair and most importantly the Knox County Youth involved in 4H and FFA.

The 2023 recipients are: John Curtis, John Hinderer Dealerships and Alumni Roofing Company.

David Greer Award from Mount Vernon Kiwanis Club: 1st place for a $500 scholarship – Mia Armstrong 2nd place for a $250 scholarship – Justin Zollars 3rd place for a $100 scholarship – Leah Gourly

Knox County Junior Fair Outstanding Exhibitors:

Beef – Josie Kidwell Beef Feeder – Hunter Lohr Dairy Market Feeder – Aaron Snyder Market Dairy Steer – Sierra Shields Goat – Hannah Creasap Poultry – Adrian Clutter

Rabbit – Brookelyn Yoder

Sheep – Ethan Staley

Swine – Ansley Daubenmier

Cattleman’s Award: Walker Wiley

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