COVID-19 Catch Up
COVID-19 Catch Up
Clubs Create Connection
By Abby Almodovar
The experience at Mount Vernon Nazarene University is so much more than the pursuit of a degree—it’s also the people and communities that students get to be a part of here. The Club Carnival on Jan. 20 filled the REC with tables of student leaders who showcased options for group involvement to their peers.
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A new club drew attention to passersby, and the students manning this table were eager to share their encouragement for signing up. Theater club, according to Naomi Painter, is “a good way to kind of expand yourself and try some things you wouldn’t do otherwise.” She admitted, “It’s hard for people to get into theater because it feels like a lot to be on stage—but this club is kind of a soft launch.”
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Chloe Hall also expressed her heart for the arts, reflecting, “Theater has been a really good sense of community and has helped me get involved more and make a lot of friends.”
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In addition to clubs that foster belonging, the carnival also presented Community and Service Ministry Opportunities, known as CoSMO groups on campus. These groups create avenues for volunteering and missional work. Cougs for KSP is a new addition this year, and its purpose is to support Knox Starting Point Pregnancy and Family Resource Center. Zoey Hover explained, “Everything that Cougs for KSP does helps with anything that we as college students can do—raising money and just bringing awareness to students on campus.”
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Students, through these groups, have a platform to advocate and benefit the issues they care about as well as foster the connection that is integral to this university.
The Impact of SGA Elections on Student Leadership
By Kyra Warren
With the Student Government Association elections having concluded at Mount Vernon Nazarene University on Monday, students are now looking forward to seeing how the newly elected leaders will shape campus life. The election is more than just a popular vote, as the process determines the representatives who will advocate for student needs, coordinate events, and help shape the overall campus experience.
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Delaney Brinkman, the current administrative chairperson of SGA, outlined the structure of the election process as a whole. “Right now, we just finished up applications for our director positions as well as the vice president and student body president roles,” Brinkman explained prior to the election. “Next week, we’ll be interviewing all of them, and after that we will campaign. People get to campaign all over campus and social media.”
Brinkman emphasized the structured nature of the elections. “For all of our director roles, if there’s more than one qualified candidate, both are put on the ballot. If there’s only one, it becomes a yes or no vote,” she said. For the student body president and vice president, interviews determine eligibility, but they are placed on the ballot regardless of competition.
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For those who have experienced SGA elections firsthand, such as Drayton Berry, freshman class president, the process has revealed the depth of the decision-making involved. “From the outside, it looks simple, like a popular vote,” Berry said. “But once you’re in, you realize there is a board, internal voting, and a lot of collaboration behind the scenes. It’s a complicated but effective process.”
Beyond the logistics, candidates must consider the weight of their responsibilities. Berry advises future candidates to remember that SGA is more than just a title. “Your character matters a lot. While on SGA, you represent a lot of what the school stands for. You have to be a team player because there’s so much teamwork involved in making events happen and advocating for students.”
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Isaac Vance, the current sophomore class president, also relayed the same feeling and emphasized the power of student voices. “SGA can be very impactful for this campus,” Vance said. “We’re able to write proposals for needs we see and plan events that benefit the entire student body. If you want someone in a position, vote for them. Every vote counts. There have been some really close races and some landslides, but that’s the excitement of student elections.”
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Now that the election results are in, students eagerly anticipate the new leadership and ideas that the new SGA members will bring to MVNU. With the election behind them, the student leaders will soon start working on their goals and improvements to campus life.
MVNU to Host unplugged concert featuring Render the Hearts
By Isaiah Clark
Students looking for a night of live music and community won’t want to miss Render the Hearts as they bring an unplugged performance to the 586 and Ariel Arena.
The Christian rock band blends rock, blues and pop with heartfelt, honest lyrics. Payton Lawellen, a graduate assistant with MVNU Campus Life, said that the band’s authenticity is what makes them stand out.
“A lot of Christian music can feel a little surface-level, but Render the Hearts brings depth and real emotion to their songs,” Lawellen said.
Students can expect a mix of original songs and covers with a variety of musical styles throughout the night. While the concert is rooted in worship music, the band isn’t afraid to step outside that genre.
The idea for the concert came from students who wanted more live music on campus.
“We’ve heard from students who would love to see more concerts, whether that’s acoustic sets or bigger performances,” Lawellen said. “This is a step toward that.”
Beyond the music, the night offers a chance to unwind and connect.
“With winter in full swing and classes picking up, this is a great way to take a break,” Lawellen said. “Grab food from the 586, bring some friends and just enjoy the music.”
Lawellen is especially excited to hear “Broken Things,” a song about Jesus as the “buyer of broken things.”
“This isn’t just about entertainment, it’s about community, music and creating space to breathe,” Lawellen said.
Render the Hearts will perform on Friday Feb. 7 at 8:00p.m. In the Prince Student Union. The event is open to all students, faculty and staff.