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Basketball Cougars embark on exciting season
By Jack Moore 

Mount Vernon Nazarene University knows where to escape from the cold winters and how to see some great action courtside at a basketball game. MVNU men’s basketball tips off the season with some insight from the players. “A lively young group,” said graduate student Milton Gage. “I feel like we definitely have our work cut out for us; but, you know, we're a team full of hard workers.” 

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The conference that the Cougars compete in continues to be considered one of the hardest in the NAIA, or the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. These players know this all too well. Senior Carter Jones said, “Super excited for league play. We play in probably the best NAIA conference; super competitive every night.” 

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While the competition stays the focus of practice, there is something else on the players’ minds. Redshirt junior Trent Koning reflected on time spent with the team instead of any award they received over the years, saying, “I’m looking forward to the little moments–spending time on the buses, eating out at Chipotle, just the little things you start to appreciate more as our time starts to lessen.” Whether the team focuses on the competition to come or looks ahead to the memorable moments just waiting to be made, this season seems promising for this group of young men.

MVNU Students Take on CMB University

By Allessia Dugan 

This year, WNZR was fortunate to award scholarships to six students to attend the Christian Music Broadcasters event at CMB University. This two-day event gave students the opportunity to explore a variety of career choices and network with specialists in the field. CMBU provided a setting where students could discover the newest trends, meet mentors and discover how to use their skills in the field. 

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Students who attended this conference stated that they gained invaluable insights from networking. Judah Keith, a senior communication student, said, “I gained an understanding of what job possibilities exist and the steps to take to enter said positions; it helped me to see the wider range of possible careers in radio, rather than just being on air.” 

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Xander Devault, a sophomore, stated, “For me, it was great to get to talk to people who had been in the business. It really helped me to understand that even if I don’t enter the workforce where I want to be, there is always an opportunity to move up and into your niche in radio.” 

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The students commented on the most memorable moments of their time at the CMB event. Devault said, “Game night was the most memorable for me. Not only did we get to play games as a WNZR team, but afterwards we got to spend time with some CMB employees just talking and joking around.” 

Keith stated, “Attending K-Love studios was most memorable. It was incredible–seeing their on-air video and production studios was so impressive.

Marcy Rinehart, WNZR station manager, took the trip with the students. She stated, “CMB University was an amazing experience! This event is equally valuable for university faculty and staff who work closely with students, as it provides a refreshing opportunity to share challenges, strategies and success stories.” 

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The group learned techniques for improving their presence on-air and creating messages that captivate listeners. Regardless of the students’ interests in on-air, production or digital media, this opportunity gave them a chance to gain valuable relationships that may influence their future professions. 

Students Partner with Place 4 Grace 
By Abby Almodovar
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Whether they are folding button-downs or organizing games at a fundraiser, student volunteers at Place 4 Grace’s thrift store know that the time they give is well worth it. At Flannel Fest, a night of family activities and raffles on Nov. 1, attendees likely saw a few faces from our own Mount Vernon Nazarene University in the mix of volunteers working the event. 

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Those taking the Exploring Vocation II course are required to spend 15 hours of the semester in service, and some have connected with Place 4 Grace, an organization that provides crisis housing and educational opportunities for single mothers. The nonprofit’s thrift store on Main Street in Mount Vernon was happy to receive those interested in filling roles to raise proceeds for a Christ-centered cause. 

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Naomi Painter is one such student who has found meaning in her work at the store. She explained, “It’s important to me because it feels like a way to give back to the community. Even though I don’t live in Mount Vernon—I mostly just go to school here—I still end up engaging with the community often.” 

Hosanna Swartz, the Community Outreach Manager at Place 4 Grace, said that the students who volunteer are a blessing. She reflected, “We got the privilege of getting to know them, seeing their hearts and having them come into the store or help out with Flannel Fest. They’ve all been involved in a lot of ways.” 

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Swartz also expressed the sense of shared purpose that she witnessed at the fundraiser, saying, “We’re all here because we all have a heart for this ministry, for moms and babies in need and wanting to love people well.”

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