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Convenience or Crime?: Apprehending AI at MVNU
By Olivia Wood, Staff Writer and Video Team
“At Mount Vernon Nazarene University, the influence of AI is increasingly visible—even if quietly woven into academic life, campus operations and student culture. As enrollment grows and the demands on resources rise, AI presents both opportunities and challenges that are beginning to define the university’s trajectory.”
Were you able to catch that ChatGPT’s AI software completely wrote the above introduction? Now that you know, reread it and ask yourself if it sounds any different. Does it sound like it is written by a computer pulling from multiple human sources?
In recent years, artificial intelligence has become increasingly faster and better, in everything from generating photos to writing essays. At the same time, however, the question of how to use AI with integrity and where to integrate it into our lives has become a louder and more urgent question to address. MVNU addresses it in nearly every academic syllabus and often in classes. Beyond this, both students and faculty alike are still exploring how and when, if at all, it is OK to use AI.
When asked about the current situation of AI on campus, Dr. W Brett Wiley, the Director of General Education, head of the Honors Program and English professor, said, “It’s put a level of distrust among all students and faculty, not because I assume everyone’s cheating but because I’m constantly asking, ‘Did they do this work?’” However, he continued, “I think it’s important to note the different ways it’s being employed, at least in the way I’m seeing it.”
Many honors students across campus built upon Dr. Wiley’s statements in their various disciplines. A sophomore, Lacey Walden, noted that, “It undermines the academic work of real humans by causing that distrust of the student by professors who have experienced students that use AI to get the answers.” Another sophomore, Joe Backus, admitted, “I don’t think AI should be used to complete tasks; I think that AI should be used to aid tasks.” A senior, Destiny Fullerton, observed that in the arts, “Knowing that AI can’t replace the creativity in the classroom gives the professors a lot more leeway as to how…it can help students.”
As seen above, many different opinions surround the mystery of apprehending AI. For now, what students should know was said best by Dr. Wiley: “As much as I think AI will have a broad impact on industries and jobs, I think that there will always be people who think and discuss.” For the benefit of both us and our future, let us here at MVNU aim to be those people.
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A Lifetime In Art
By Naomi Painter, Staff Writer
“Almost Cut My Hair” by Crosby, Stills and Nash is an anthem of rebellion against the man, of preserving one’s identity in the face of pressure to conform. For John Donnelly, this label defines his 36-year tenure as an art professor at MVNU, his lifelong journey as an artist and the title of his exhibition on display at the Schnoermeier Art Gallery downtown. For those who are familiar with the art professor, his long hair, usually pulled back in a ponytail or bun, is a signature mark of his and will soon be missed around campus as he retires from the teaching life.
Having known he would be an artist since kindergarten, Donnelly’s exhibit represents a lifetime of work. Using a variety of different mediums, from paint to wood to actual chairs, Donnelly has a unique approach to art making: “The art is inside the painting–I’m ultimately trying to make a painting, not a painting of something else . . . it’s not illustrating the experience, it’s trying to paint the experience itself.” This idea finds its way into all his works, but especially in the more abstract paintings, which he compares to instrumental music.
Donnelly looks back fondly on his years at the school, recalling trips with students, sabbaticals to explore his own art and senior shows that celebrate the culmination of his students' studies.
As a professor at a Christian university, he considers his art and faith inextricably intertwined: “I often say they’re closer than not–the spiritual journey and the artistic journey for me are very parallel and pursuing something that I can’t fully know, and it’s also alive and continues to reveal itself to me . . . so it’s not like this is a Christian painting or that is a Christian painting . . . it’s like my life and my art are inseparable.”
Though he plans to retire from teaching, Donnelly now intends to pursue his art more passionately. Though his adventures here have spanned three decades, countless students and carried him across the world from Italy to the Faroe Islands, Donnelly’s life in retirement will surely be similar to his artistic technique: “I’m painting something that I don’t know what it’s going to look like in the end, and that’s exciting to me.” MVNU thanks him for his talent and service and hopes his endings are as exciting as his beginnings.
MVNU Cougars Make Third Straight Trip to Nationals, Built on Culture of Unity and Growth
By Jackson Bush, Staff Writer
For the third year in a row, the MVNU Cougars women’s volleyball team heads to the national tournament in Sioux City, Iowa — a milestone that speaks to not only their talent but the unity and culture that the program has cultivated under Coach Mosher.
The Cougars clinched their national appearance by sweeping the University of Rio Grande Red Storm in straight sets (25-13, 25-19, 25-22) on Nov. 22 in Ariel Arena, improving their overall record to 26–8.
Senior libero Jaelyn Tang — a defensive anchor and team leader — said what really sets the team apart is the love and closeness they share off the court. “Because of that, we are able to lift one another up and be encouraging in times of need,” she said.
That closeness isn’t just talk: per Tang, the girls spend much of their time together even outside of practices and matches. As a freshman, Tang looked to older teammates for guidance; now she reflected, “My role has evolved … I have been able to switch roles and guide those younger than me.”
Broadcasting the Cougars’ games this season were juniors from MVNU’s men’s volleyball program — Xander DeVault and Ethan Cline — who observed the growth and consistency of the team up close.
“Coach Mosher has done a great job at building this squad and maintaining their success,” said DeVault. “It seems they are to the point where every year they don’t rebuild but just reload.”
He added that the team’s performance has steadily improved — from shaky early losses to a unit he hardly recognizes now — all because of their bond. “These girls play not only for a win or for glory, but they play for each other, and that is something special.”
Cline echoed a sentiment – “Each and every year … they gain more experience and hunger because they then know what it takes … to get one step closer to achieving their ultimate goal, which is to win a national championship.” He believes the 2025 roster has the depth and talent to beat any team in the country — provided they bring their best to Iowa.
Their journey — built on recruitment, hard work and an unshakeable team culture — demonstrates that success isn’t just about star players or stats but about relationships, resilience and trust. For seniors like Tang, the trip to Iowa represents more than just another tournament: it’s a final chapter alongside teammates who have become like family, and it’s a legacy she hopes will continue long after graduation.
As she said, “There is no other team I would want to fight alongside.”
