COVID-19 Catch Up
COVID-19 Catch Up
Welcoming the New President
By Sam Henthorn
Mount Vernon Nazarene University has its traditions that it holds; however, one of the most notable recent ones is the mark of a new era for MVNU with the inauguration of a new president. On April 3, the welcoming of Dr. Carson Castleman was celebrated with his inauguration into the role of MVNU President. In the chapel, students and faculty alike joined together to give this warm welcome to Castleman. His wife, Dr. Angela Castleman, was present, as well as David Mills, the vice president of spiritual life.
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Faculty and staff came from all over campus and beyond to celebrate this special moment. Laurie Cellar, senior human resource specialist at MVNU said that apart from the music and ceremony, she enjoyed hearing encouraging statements about the new president, “Those who spoke offered confirmation of his character and enthusiasm for the vision he has for MVNU in the days ahead,” she said.
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It was all a part of honoring Castleman, who stated, “As I designed the inauguration and had a phenomenal team that came to my side to help me, my number one goal was to make sure that Christ was edified and at the epicenter of it. I feel that happened. It was a holy time, in my opinion,” when he was interviewed by the campus radio station, WNZR. Castleman made one of the historic moments of MVNU a sight to behold.
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With this new job comes responsibility for Castleman, who has a goal in mind for MVNU moving forward. Castleman stated, “Mount Vernon is a great place for people to come and be a part of a community of faith that is committed to changing the world through the love of Christ,” adding this was his statement for his upcoming time as president. He wants to make the people who come, go, and are at MVNU to reflect God's love on the world. That is his vision of how he is going to run this campus.
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Sarah Scott, associate director of admission events, said that she was overjoyed by the inauguration. “The [inauguration] ceremony was beautiful, wonderful, spirit filled, and it really just gave me a good sense that we were in good hands,” said Scott. “Dr. Castleman is very excited to be here and to lead Mount Vernon.” Scott echoes this excitement to have Dr. Castleman back on campus with the rest of the community.
The inauguration was only the beginning of what Castleman wants to bring to the table. “I could sense the presence of Christ in that room,” Castleman stated, feeling that this was God’s plan for him.
Dr. Tocheff closes out full-time career at MVNU
By Zach Baur
Doctor Robert Tocheff, often known by the nickname “Doctor Bob,” has had a prolific career teaching music at Mount Vernon Nazarene University since 1981. After 43 years, Tocheff has recently announced that he will be retiring from full-time work. “There are many reasons that have led to my retirement, but I am grateful that I have been given the privilege of continuing to direct Collegians and Handel’s Messiah for the foreseeable future,” said Tocheff.
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Tocheff has always had a passion for music. When asked about his motivation for pursuing a teaching career, he stated, “I’ve always enjoyed the classroom but especially the rehearsal classroom atmosphere, where incredible music making happens.” After graduating high school, Totcheff, “was faced with the choice of pursuing an engineering degree in my father’s footsteps, or to follow my heart and pursue music. When I entered MVNC, it was a natural fit to choose the music education track.” Back then, what is now MVNU, it was a two-year institution named Mount Vernon Nazarene College. He finished his bachelor’s degree in music education at Olivet Nazarene University. He would later go on to gain a master’s degree at Wright State and finally a PhD at The Ohio State University, all with a choral emphasis.
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Tocheff has described choral conducting as his “first love,” and this passion still shows. When asked about his fondest memories at MVNU, he replied that, “Fully answering this question would fill an entire book for sure.”
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One of his favorite memories is his conducting and directorship of the Treble Singers Women’s Choir from 1981-1991 and then Collegians Chorale from 1991 and onward. Both choirs were accepted to perform at the Ohio Music Education Annual under his leadership and toured throughout Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky.
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Shortly after beginning to direct the Collegians Chorale, MVNC’s then chaplain Gary Sivewright invited them to travel abroad to Hungary as part of an initiative that was very significant to the startup of the Nazarene Church in Hungary. “This involvement is one of my most cherished endeavors. Then I caught the travel abroad ministry ‘bug’ and began to plan and execute mission trips on my own with Collegians Chorale. I’ve done nine of these, most recently in May 2023.”
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Tocheff and the Collegians Chorale have also toured in France, Portugal, Austria, Germany, Italy, Croatia, Spain, the Czech Republic, and The Netherlands. He has also directed the Collegians as they sang the National Anthem at MLB games for the Cleveland Guardians and the Cincinnati Reds. “Also very meaningful to me was the 12 years that I chaired the music department and led it through the first accreditation process with NASM (National Association of Schools of Music).”
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Dr. Tocheff is not only passionate about music but also incredibly passionate about the MVNU community and his faith. He declared, “To hone my choral conducting craft in an atmosphere that celebrates my faith in Jesus Christ is the highest privilege I can think of. I am so glad that MVNU is not merely “affiliated” with the Nazarene Church but integrally connected as a valued arm of the denomination. This community has been incredible for me professionally and with my family.” With such a storied and prolific career, Tocheff has a vast amount of wisdom, experience, and love for his students. The message he would like to leave for the many students he has mentored throughout the years is this: “Study hard; become excellent in your discipline, while all the time keeping Christ at the center of your goals and dreams. ‘In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will direct your paths.’”
Lifeline was in full swing here at MVNU back in March! WNZR’s annual fundraiser, run by Marcy and Joe Rinehart, lifeline has always been a great experience for all the staff and students here at MVNU. Lifeline involves several separate days starting with a day of prayer in praise and a matching challenge day. This experience has had quite a positive response from the students involved.
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The lifeline fundraiser continues to give hope to the WNZR station in showing the love from listeners. Senior, Mike Basko with the student leadership team stated “Lifeline is awesome because you really get to be involved in something bigger than yourself. It's amazing to hear what the listeners have to say about the encouragement they have received from listening to the station. It's a testament that the listeners believe in the ministry of WNZR.”. Lifeline’s theme for this year was “I believe it” inspired by Jon Reddick’s song as a declaration of faith and trust in God's power to work miracles and fulfill his promises. Mike stated, “this year’s theme really made me realize how not only we believe in the life of Jesus, but we also believe in the ministry and impact of Christian radio.”
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Students also expressed how much fun they had working behind the
scenes in lifeline and how Joe and Marcy Rinehart have made this such an enjoyable experience for them. Senior, Colin Ashworth expressed how this experience has given him more insight into the program, “Marcy and Joe make this fundraiser a fun thing, but it also really helps you see what goes into raising money in a ministry that means so much to our community and listeners”. Lifeline's current total is at $85,061 and climbing! You can donate online at wnzr.fm.
