Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU) has announced that its radio ministry, WNZR 90.9 FM, is a finalist for the 2025 Christian Music Broadcasters (CMB) University Station of the Year award.
According to MVNU, The Lifeline is among five finalists for this prestigious award, competing with stations from Cedarville University, College of the Ozarks, the University of Northwestern, and Huntington University. These stations have been recognized for their excellence in programming and service. Founded in 1986, The Lifeline blends Christian music with local news and student-produced content. It offers both ministry and media training while actively participating in events like the Knox County Fair and the Mount Vernon Music & Arts Festival.
In 2023, The Lifeline received the first-ever CMB University Station of the Year Award for its creative programming and strong community engagement. This milestone highlighted its broader mission. According to MVNU, the winner of the 2025 award will be announced during the Christian Music Broadcasters Awards Dinner on May 30.
Joe Rinehart, MVNU director of broadcasting, expressed his thoughts on this recognition: "It is always an honor to be nominated as one of the top 5 Christian university radio stations in the country." Rinehart further said that WNZR can make a strong case in areas emphasized by CMB: kingdom impact and embracing digital platforms. He added that it is wonderful that peers in the industry share this sentiment. "These are all friends and colleagues of ours who are doing great work in their communication and media programs across the country," he said. Rinehart also mentioned that "the growth of Christian radio on both traditional and digital platforms means the future is bright as we train students to make a difference and glorify God through this vocation of broadcast and digital media production."
MVNU was founded in 1968 as a Christian liberal arts college located in central Ohio and affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene. Grounded in Wesleyan-Arminian theology, MVNU combines academic study with spiritual growth to foster Christ-centered leadership, learning, and service. The university's main campus spans 327 acres and serves approximately 2,100 students from 22 states and 21 foreign countries. The campus community includes students from over 40 Christian denominations and emphasizes a student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1, over 30 sports teams, and strong financial aid support.
