COVID-19 Catch Up
COVID-19 Catch Up
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Keep up with all the stories and opinions of students. Opinions published are not necessarily those of MVNU, the Church of the Nazarene or Viewer advertisers. The Viewer does not necessarily uphold or advocate opinions published.
Dr. Bossley’s Sabbatical Adventures
by Isaac Curtis
At MVNU, professors are both able and encouraged to take sabbaticals for a multitude of reasons. These reasons could include but are not limited to, rest, pursuing new research and/or exploring new academic interests. Dr. Bossley, associate professor of biology, stated that he “pursued a sabbatical for all of those reasons.”
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Dr. Bossley had a couple of adventure projects he journeyed on throughout his sabbatical. The first was a trip that involved on-the-ground research in Israel and Egypt to develop a new curriculum for a new MVNU travel-abroad course entitled “Ecology of the Holy Land.” He shared that this specific project involved “two separate trips to the Holy Land (one in January and another in May) to study the wildlife, geology, geography and history of the land.” There, he lived and studied among other students and adventurers at Jerusalem University College, which is located on Mt. Zion in Jerusalem. While he did a lot of research there, he also stated that he had time to sightsee many famous biblical event sites as well.
For his other sabbatical trip, he traveled to Belize and Guatemala to continue work on a research project of his on the birds of the Mayan world. He stated that he was joined alongside Dr. Dan Mosher, who is a retired MVNU environmental biology professor. Dr. Bossley said that the primary goal of this project was to “develop a field guide on the birds that inhabit Central America and include the Mayan names for the birds in the book. In this regard, the book will provide taxonomic and ecological information but also contribute to language and culture preservation.”
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There was some time between these two trips, but Dr. Bossley kept himself busy while at home. During this time, he worked on a manuscript with Grace Brubaker, who is a 2021 graduate of the MVNU environmental biology program and was a part of the honors program. He said that the results of her honor’s project “Establishing water willow in the Kokosing River” was accepted for publication in the respected ecological journal Northeast Naturalist. He had this to say about Grace’s accomplishment – “It is exciting to see research conducted here at MVNU published in the scientific literature.”
Dr. Bossley added why sabbaticals are important to him and his fellow professors. He said, “The sabbatical experience provides a great opportunity for professors to pursue research, develop curriculum for new courses, take a break from the normal busyness of academia, experience life from different perspectives and seek God. All of this is ultimately helpful in the classroom, too, as it provides new pictures I can incorporate into presentations and new stories I can share with students, which helps to enrich the class experience.”
WNZR Attended CMB University Over Homecoming Weekend
by Josiah Sidle
A handful of students from Mount Vernon Nazarene University’s communications department took a special trip down to Nashville, TN, for CMB University (CMBU) on Nov. 10-12. “What exactly is CMB University?” you may ask. Serving as an extension of Christian Music Broadcasters, an organization started in 2002 to increase awareness of Christian radio, CMBU is a two-day event for college students between the ages of 18-24. Held annually in Nashville, this event serves as a networking experience for students to exchange ideas and receive guidance that will empower them to be an effective and informed next generation of broadcasters.
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Allison Prouty, one of the attendees on this recent trip, reminisced, “I knew I would get to meet some awesome people and catch up with people I’d met last year.” Prouty knew attending this year that she would be inspired once again for a future in Christian radio. “I knew that I would get to learn more about working in radio. Last year, I left feeling very excited about Christian radio and a future career in it, and I knew that I would get inspired [again] this year.”
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The interactions with the professionals is where Prouty seemed most intrigued. Engaging with established figures sparked a particular motivation. “I got to hear from a lot of knowledgeable pros during some breakout sessions about how music is released to radio, some tips and tricks for music directors, and how to make my time on-air even better,” she added. It's safe to say that Prouty had a very successful trip this year at CMBU.
Another attendee, Mike Basko, said “I was expecting a fun time and a good opportunity to grow in my field.” From music to radio and many other fields, CMBU brings broadcasters from many diverse markets. Whether you want to be in radio, video, management, or anything like that. CMBU is worth [attending].”
CMBU offers a great platform for networking and learning as well as igniting passion for those seeking a career in broadcasting. As echoed by Prouty and Basko, this trip offers a great opportunity to receive valuable knowledge and feedback from industry professionals. All of this can help put students on the right track for a bright future in broadcasting.
Dance Club Combines Fun and Exercise
Written by Faith West
Here at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, it seems that students start a new club every day; and recently, the extensive list gained a new addition: the Dance Club. Started by MVNU freshmen Allison Fahy and Chloe Parries, Dance Club provides a space for dancers of all skill levels to come together and enjoy a time of fun while also exercising.
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For Fahy, the inspiration to start the club came after she stopped dancing in high school and no longer had a creative outlet. She explained, “I missed the time in my life where I could just turn my brain off and dance, so I wanted to create a space where I could do that with people who wanted to have fun while they got some exercise.”
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In order to achieve this fun atmosphere, each Dance Club meeting begins with group stretches led by the student choreographer of the week. Then, the leaders will play a Just Dance video to get everyone moving. Finally, the meeting concludes with the student choreographer teaching the group a short dance combination comprised of various styles.
Though the Dance Club provides a fun and creative outlet for many people, Fahy hopes the group will also provide a space of stress relief for the campus community. She stated, “College isn’t easy, and it’s hard to take time for yourself throughout the week; but taking one hour on Tuesday nights to come laugh and dance is a great way to take a breath and remember that you are here for a reason.”
Whether you have danced for years or never danced before, Fahy and Parries would love to see you at the next Dance Club meeting. The group meets every Tuesday from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Barn. For more information and updates, follow the Dance Club’s Instagram account: @mvnu_danceclub.
Mastering the Camera
by Morgan Mills
Brian Baby is an analog photographer who is passionate about teaching students the discipline and art form that is photography. Baby is focused on teaching his students the elements of design such as line, shape, form and texture.
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Baby has had 25 years of teaching at the college level and says that the passion students have for his classes and their journey with photography is what keeps him in the classroom. The mission that he has for his students is to break out of the monotony of the “point and shoot” method that is often tied to digital cameras. Baby wants to teach his students the ability to slow down and focus, “Take it off automatic and you become the master of the camera. You are in control.” Anybody can learn this skill and students from all majors are able to participate in the classes that he offers.
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Baby will be teaching darkroom photography in the spring and will provide loaner cameras for students who do not already own one. In his class, students will be able to strengthen their ability to see the beautiful in the mundane and be able to capture it accordingly. Baby says that the students have taught him how to be a better professor to them as they navigate the art of photography. Through guidance and an array of projects, students are able to strengthen their portfolios with stunning photographs. Baby walks them through the printing process as well as gives them ways to access their visual side.
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When asked about his favorite part of teaching, Baby replied, “Seeing the growth, intellectually and visually. Learning how to master the medium.” Baby recounted numerous stories of watching students love on to different methods of photography and how their art had improved. He’s excited for his darkroom photography class in the spring and is thrilled to see the pieces that his students will create.
Early Birds Take on Turkey Trot
by Judah Keith
Homecoming at Mount Vernon Nazarene University means many different things. It represents the reuniting of old classmates, a weekend full of nail-biting games with electric atmospheres and plenty of additional activities for all to enjoy. Among the numerous activities this past weekend, one encouraged people to rise and shine in support of the cross country program. Fittingly named the Early Bird Turkey Trot, participants lined up at the R.R Hodges Chapel to take part in a 5k race across MVNU’s campus.
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“We had a great turnout,” noted cross country head coach Simon Taylor, who organized and oversaw the event, “I felt really good about it. I had a goal of 50 runners, and we ended up with 56.” His favorite part of the whole thing? “It was really cool seeing people stick around after they finished and cheer on the other runners as they finished up,” said the fifth-year head coach.
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Serving as a fundraiser, the money will help the team with remodeling, building space into a locker room, providing an area that will not only be beneficial for current athletes but will also help with recruiting potential runners. The new area will give runners a place to hang out and have their own space, something the program currently doesn’t possess. If you missed your chance to participate in the 5k, there’s still plenty of ways to support cross country. When asked about how people can support the team, Taylor replied, “People can support us in prayer,” elaborating further with, “I am a firm believer in the power of prayer. You can specifically pray that Christ would remain first and foremost in everything that we do. Pray for our athletes, that they will be able to navigate school, practice, work, and other social activities in an optimal and healthy way.” If this race is any indication, support from the surrounding community of this campus will not be an issue anytime soon.