Announcement Archives - ��ϳԹ�

Supporting Degree Completion: North Park Boosts Transfer Scholarships

Megan Voypick — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 21:51:55 +0000

��ϳԹ� will increase its merit-based scholarship awards to transfer students by up to 25%, a move that will provide more access and should help traditional transfer students reach degree completion.

Under North Park’s new award structure, students will receive up to 18,000 annually, depending on their GPA. Transfer students with a GPA of 2.5 and above are eligible for the scholarships. This is the second time in five years North Park has increased its transfer scholarship amounts.

Associate Director of Transfer Admissions Malcolm Parker said, “At ��ϳԹ�, scholarships serve as an indispensable bridge that enable our transfer students to reach their academic and personal aspirations. By providing financial support, we open doors of opportunity, ensuring each student can unlock their full potential and thrive in their educational journey.”

The scholarship increase is the latest example of how North Park supports its transfer students. North Park continues to offer transfer credit agreements with many Chicagoland community colleges. These agreements ease the transition from a two-year college to a four-year college, helping students transfer as many credits as possible.

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North Park Joins Community in Providing Much Needed Supplies to New Arrivals

Kennedy Murphy — Fri, 15 Dec 2023 15:17:06 +0000

Students, faculty, and staff at ��ϳԹ� last month gave away clothing, blankets, and supplies to more than 225 newly arrived migrants from Mexico and Venezuela who are currently housed in a former military base nearby.

The 60 volunteers, comprising North Parkers and representatives from the North Park Community Association, Alderman Samantha Nugent’s office, Aramark, and other community groups, collected and distributed the items. They also hosted a lunch for the new arrivals—which included men, women, and children—featuring traditional Latin American food.

North Park held the event in Hamming Hall, and items distributed included coats, shoes, gloves, hats, undergarments, and blankets. Once news of the event spread through the community, people stepped forward to contribute. One local woman, a knitter, heard about the effort on social media and sent a message to her fellow knitters across the country. They responded by providing 500 hand-knit hats for the migrants. A group from Highland Park heard of the event and brought 10 carloads of donated clothing.

The event was an apt reflection of North Park’s mission, according to Tony Zamble, director of University Ministries.

“We are preparing students for lives of significance and service,” Zamble said. “Part of our mission is giving students the opportunity to experience the idea of God’s glory for neighbor’s good. These people are our neighbors; it’s a no-brainer that we would be involved.”

So many people donated, Zamble said, that the group hosted a second, smaller-scale event at Peterson Elementary School several days later. Zamble and Vice President for Student Engagement Frank Gaytan said they hope this event is a spark for similar efforts. One idea in discussion is developing student-led English language classes for the migrants.

“We do these things intentionally because it really is who we are,” Gaytan said. “And not just this single event with the migrants, but we want our students to serve all our neighbors, Chicago, and the world. This is who we are.”

In September, the City of Chicago approved the $1.5 million purchase of the former U.S. Marine Corps facility at 3034 W. Foster Ave. to house 500 migrants for up to 60 days each.

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North Park Theological Seminary Dean Dennis Edwards Releases Book on Christian Humility

Kennedy Murphy — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 20:13:47 +0000

Renowned speaker and writer Rev. Dr. Dennis Edwards, dean of North Park Theological Seminary (NPTS), has released his much-anticipated book Humility Illuminated: The Biblical Path Back to Christian Character, which examines the importance of being humble while practicing the Christian faith.

At a book signing hosted by North Park’s Seminary, Edwards met with students, staff, and local pastors and engaged in a question-and-answer session with audience members. He was introduced by Jon Boyd, associate publisher and academic editorial director at InterVarsity Press, which published the book.

“I want to talk about how rare Dennis is,” Boyd said. “He’s a scholar in biblical studies who wants to bring that scholarship to fruition for the church, and that is a beautiful thing. For it to come in book form is a gift.”

In the book, released November 7, Edwards examines America’s obsession with competition and how the drive to be the best creates a society of haves and have-nots that favors the elite. And yet, he writes, some of our greatest innovations have humble roots in immigrant and underserved communities.

“From a biblical perspective, the most remarkable models of godliness emerge from among the lowly. This view from the bottom reveals that humility includes a submissive posture before God as well as a peacemaking posture with other people,” he wrote.

An in-demand speaker and ordained pastor in the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC), Edwards spent October addressing ECC pastor and spouse retreats in four conferences, the Pacific Northwest, Midsouth, Great Lakes, and Southeast. He spoke about the value of humility, arguing it is perhaps the single most distinctive identity marker of followers of Jesus.

In addition to serving as dean of NPTS, Edwards is vice president for church relations and an associate professor of the New Testament. He earned his PhD and Master of Arts in Biblical Studies from Catholic University and holds degrees from Cornell University and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. His recent publications include Do Black Lives Matter: How Christian Scriptures Speak to Black Empowerment, co-edited with Lisa Bowens, and Might from the Margins: The Gospel’s Power to Turn the Tables on Injustice.

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North Park Rises Nine Spots in Rankings

Megan Voypick — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 17:01:49 +0000

U.S. News & World Report releases best colleges list.

North Park has significantly moved up the charts in two key categories in the . In the 2023 list, North Park was ranked #30 for best Regional Universities in the Midwest, up from #39 last year, and was ranked #8 for Top Performers on Social Mobility in the Midwest, up from #15 last year.

The social mobility ranking means North Park excels at helping students from underprivileged backgrounds enroll in and finish college.

In its annual ranking, U.S. News & World Report considered 17 measures of academic quality at 1,500 degree-seeking institutions. The magazine also takes into account student satisfaction, attending costs, and campus life in determining its rankings.

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Congrats to Students on the Spring 2023 Dean’s List

Ana Funduk — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 18:46:37 +0000

North Park is proud to announce the spring 2023 Dean’s List. In order to qualify, students must earn at least 12 semester hours of credit and achieve a GPA of 3.5 or higher for the term. All courses must have been completed.

Congratulations to this semester’s Dean’s List students:

Austriaco, Jonathan D

Azzo, Angelina

Babbo, Maximo Francisco

Banks, John Tyler

Barriga, Angel

Barrios, Giwu Paulo

Bartlett, Robert Larue

Bolivar, Leidy Ximena

Bonto, Trisha Faye

Booker, Darien Joseph

Bragg, Garrett J

Bringman, Erik

Brown, Ameerah S

Bulanhagui, Angelo Elazegui

Bulwa, Adam D

Camacho, Rey Jesus

Cardenas, Citlalli

Chow, Jordan M

Cruz-Gonzalez, Montserrat A

Cudmore, Cedrik N

Dabeca, Jasmina

Dahl, Katherine Johanna

Dahlberg, Lillian Rae

Dervisevic, Mujo

Doughty, Acacia F

Egbebi, Kudus A

Eix, Emily Ellen

Erimia, Stella S

Flo, Isak

Frank, Malka M

Fremouw, Clark John

Friel, Chase K

Gabriel, Kayla E

Garrett, Stark Atticus

Geonanga, Alyssa Louise Hinayan

Gissinger, Olav Kvaale

Gligorevic, Aleksandar

Gordon, Veronica Rose

Gutman, Marli S

Hansson, Josefin Louise

Hearl, Brock Andrew

Herescu, John P

Abonce, Gabriela

Abou Tara, Carol B

Abreu, Rebecca Wilson

Aco, David Michael Feliciano

Aco, Joshua F

Acob, Sherly Serdenia

Adam, Ninos

Adame, Judy Yang

Ademulegun, Olaoluwaposi Ademidun

Adjiwanou, Ornelia Joanita Miwanonvi

Adkinson, Jason Gabriel

Adusei, Precious P

Aedling Ring, Thea Elisabeth

Aguilar, Steve

Aguilos, Kiara Kirsten

Ahlen, Maya

Ahlgren, Emelie Caroline

Ahmad, Iram Bashir

Akinlade, Oluwatofunmi V

Alagar, Teiya Levani

Alanis, Raul Jr

Almendras, Estrella C

Alvarez, Brenda A

Alvarez, Jennifer S

Alvstad, Stella Marta Lois

Alzola, Maria Aranzazu

Amadon, Mary Gretchen

Amarei, Philip Nicholas

Ames, Abigail Grace

Amezcua, Manuel J

Ansari, Sanah B

Aparicio, Jacqueline

Arakaki, Reece Shiro

Ardelean, Bianca

Argiropoulos, Bill John

Arkoub, Wahib

Arroyo, Yenci

Arsenis, Nicole Kristine

Artajo, Matthew R

Ashorian, Lucas

Asp Lundborg, Ruben

Assoofee, Maryam

Attefall, Sarah Hedvig Maria

Atto, Melissa M

Avila, Felix Jesus

Avila, Yareli

Ayala, Joseph Alcaudio

Ayar, Christian K

Ayeski, Kevin James

Back, Agnes Linnea Maria

Baiocchi, Claire Elizabeth

Baithey, Melissa A

Baker, Daniel J

Baker, Eden Claire

Baker, Rebekah Joy

Balestra, Stefania Alessandra

Ball, Sebastian Z

Balmaseda, Abigail Marie

Baumgartner, Nolan P

Bawm, Langjaw Ting

Benares, Ria Lauren

Bergqwist, Anna Linnea

Bergstrand, Clara Emma Frida

Binkley, Erika Wynne

Blan, Karim Alla

Blatchford, Carson Paul

Bogg, Lina Love Mikaelsdotter

Boles, Jiliyn Minhua

Bora, Andrea

Borkeeiet, Angelica

Borst, Liberty Grace

Boudakh, Danielle M

Boudakh, Nicole Teresa

Brammer, Rebecca Ann

Brandt, Love

Brinkmann, Gabriella Carolyn

Broekhuijsen, Friso

Brooks, Daniel Vern

Brown, Cassidy A

Buduan, Jonathan Paolo

Bugge, Maria Elise Calizo

Bullard, Lily Elise

Burkholder, Christian Miles

Bush, Derekmikel’ Devon

Buss, Maggie R

Bustos, Jetzabelle M

Buzdugan, Bogdan Emanuel

Caballero Fiallos, Stephanie Nicole

Cabrera, Vicente Javier

Cafferkey, Edward James

Camargo, Jasmine

Camper, Makenna Caitlin

Capilla Scurto, Lucia

Carter, Caleb

Carter, Maurice Arndell

Castaneda, Joseph Guillermo

Causgrove, Logan Phillip

Cazes, Carla Elsa

Celis, Azary

Chapello, Anthony S

Chase, Amelia R

Chaudhary, Maryam Fatima

Cheney, James Paul

Chhakchhuak, Lalhnehpuia

Chmura, Julia

Choi, Ji Na

Cikmirovic, Seila

Colucci, Jessica Lynn

Condoy, Alejandro Eduardo

Corachea, Eryn Nyl Guillen

Corona, Kaitlyn

Coronel, Fiorela Danely

Crisan, Debora R

Crouch, Abigail E.

Cruz, Desiree Mariah

Cuyun, Abigail Joenna

Damm, Anton

Dao, Frans

Daoud, Andrew George Michael

Daoud, Christin M

Daoud, Christopher Michael

Darrow, Ella Jeannine

De Carro, William Jacob Juhani

De Luca, Joshua Peter

De Luca, Olivia Elizabeth

Dejworek, Michal Jozef

Del Pilar, Alexander

Dero, Benail G

Desilma, Michael

Diaz, Jesse James

Diaz, Karina

Diaz-Santos, Cristian Alexander

Dibra, Enesa

Dickinson, Hannah Lucille

Dinelli, Anthony James

Divito, Alexander Ian

Durakovic, Aila

Duran, Maritza

Duvall, Eva Marguerite

Dvorak, Carter Richard

Dyngeland-Sunden, Anna Felicia

Easterling, Joi A

Eck, Matthew Layne

Efstathiou, Labrene Alexandra

Ekman, Victor

Eriksson, Olivia Rut

Esho, Maryam Nabeel

Espinoza, Marlene

Estevane-Praxedis, Gabriela Jasmine

Estrada Trujillo, Keely Mary

Fasogbon, Ayomide E

Fedosyeyeva, Ivanna

Feely, Bridget Amber

Feliciano, Ariana Yvette

Fiorenza, Cole D

Fitiu, Edward

Flores, Jacob G

Foote, Ava Joy

Fousias, Annamaria S

Futi, Fidelie Ma-Nzambi

Gabriel, Christian Shamoun

Gagen, Madison Ann

Galvan, Alfredo Ventura

Garcia Martinez, Valeria

Garcia, Axel Damian

Garcia, Luis Angel

Garcia, Scarlett E

Garza, Sofia E

Gatta, Christina R

George, Aleena Merry

Geronimo, Julia Alexa

Giannoni, Kristoff Giuseppe

Glanas, Catharina Felicia

Gomez, Amando

Gomez, Sergio J

Gonzalez, Emily

Gonzalez, Samantha

Gorman, Erin Taylor

Green, Justen Thomas James

Grivot Volkmann, Sofia

Guerrero, Sebastian A

Gustafsson, Lisa Johanna Maria

Gutierrez, Alejandro R

Gutierrez, Angel

Gutosic, Lejla

Guzman, Frida T

Guzman, Manuel Alejandro

Haas, Tyler

Habash, David N

Hackney, Claire Elizabeth

Hahn, Lucy Rae

Halilovic, Adis

Hamad, Adam

Hankins, Annalise

Hanna, Jonathan

Hanna, Rudolph B

Harter, Madison Taylor

Haska, Sophia Erika

Hasmonek, Sophia Grace

Hatieganu, Alexandra J

Hayden, Zachary Paul

Haynie, Keaton Lily

Heathcoat, Kaely Jetsia

Heinz, Emilia R

Helm, Teo

Heppner, Grace M

Hernandez, Graciela

Hernandez, Jesus

Hernandez, Mariel Fernanda

Hernandez, Nicole

Hernandez, Ricardo Alexis

Herrera, Darlene

Hiatt, Lillian May Joy

Hibben, Zacchary Michael

Hidalgo, Karl Anthony Taduran

Hill, Quadrell

Himatay, Jenelle Caitlin

Hjelle, Ida Elise

Hoglund, Hans Lars Gunnar

Holkert, Cecilia Elise Kristina

Horton, Charis Alison

Hougen, Kaya D

Howell, Samuel Philip Sabio

Huang, Elaina Meishan

Huang, Weizhen

Huebner, Rhianna Nichelle

Hughes, Dylan A

Hultgaardh, Maerta

Hunjan, Reechard Zorawaar

Hunt, Campbelle C

Hunt, Megan Elizabeth

Huseman, Theodore R

Hussein, Hadeel

Ingerson, Isaac Daniel

Ingrao, Ty Aaron

Invencion, Tristan J

Irizarry, Jonathan David

Isaac, Aniar

Jackson, Samuel Jack

Jacob, Kevin B

Jaffery, Syeda W

Jakubowski-Leon, Wesley Dakota

Jamil, Haris

Janovsky, Rebecca Paulene

Jara, Nick Ivan

Jasko, Kathryn Elizabeth

Javed, Tahira

Jepsen, Riley Donald

Jimenez, Carlos Elijah

Jimenez, Crystal

Johnsamson, Jonah I

Johnson, David Steven

Jones, Jenna Ware

Jubran, Omar Muhammad

Kalamperovic, Dino

Kalantzis, Izabella K

Kalemba, Frank L

Kao, Anne

Karam, Daniella S

Karlsoeen, Sander Andrem

Kass, Samantha Marie

Kawa, Julia Aleksandra

Kayo, Isabelle K

Kazmi, Zainab B

Khan, Zeeshan Amir

Khoshaba, Destiny M

Khoshaba, Faith Eden

Khoshaba, Jonathan

Khoury, Samantha

Kisija, Ilhana

Klein, Emma Jean

Klein, Julia Grace

Kleiner, Michael

Kochanowski, Kinga

Kodial, Jatin Singh

Koraeel, Jennifer

Kozor, Thomas Mitchell

Kromwell, Ubaydullah Hamid

Kruse, Victor Erik

Kuriakose, Christeena

Kyosev, Georgi Georgiev

Lajin, John L

Lamb, Elijah Brennan

Langstaff, Hailey Anne

Lara, Daniela

Lasalle, Emily Lynne

Layeeq, Safah

Le, Huy

Ledezma, Julian

Lenzie, Roy Hazel

Leon Collada, Berta

Lezama, Viviana

Libu, Siya S

Lichter, Aly Ana

Lim, Ellie Catherine

Lima, Crystal Emerald

Lind, Alva Anna Lovisa

Lindberg, Ellen Charlotte

Lisova, Anastasia

Little, Jaclyn Joy

Lopez Fajardo, Briseyda L

Lopez, Arianna Daniela

Lopez, Julian T

Lorenz, Kayla A

Lorica, Zoe Rebekah Emi

Lostetter, Lauren Anne

Lozada, Fernanda Aeri

Lozano, Matthias Domingo

Lucchetto, Gianfranco

Lucero Blancas, Joanna Yaneli

Lunde, Tobias

Lynch, Delaney M

Macam, Kirsten F

Madrid, Frederick Kyle Zafra

Magardician, Moses D

Magno, Mark Jason Pedrola

Malik, Sana

Mangalindan, Shae A

Maniwan, Antonio Jose Mah

Manlongat, Kaitlyn Claire Z.

Maratos, Anna S

Marin Figueroa, Shaira X

Marin, Jessica

Marion, Daniel Steven

Marsano, Alanis F

Martinez, Alexandra C

Martinez, Carlos Antonio

Martinez, Miguel Angel

Martinez, Sa-Lah E

Martini, Alicia

Marty, Samuel

Mazur, Samanta Laura

McEvilly, Mary-Grace Marie

McKinstry, Cade Michael

McKnight, Lauren A

McTighe, Kristiana K

Mejia, Gianluca

Memon, Aayesha Abid

Mendenhall, McKenna L

Mendro, Samantha Marie

Menjivar, Lizbeth A

Mercado, Olivia M

Meza, Enrique Ivan

Miazek, Patrycja Weronika

Mikhail, Gabriela Mary

Mikolajczyk, David Tomasz

Miller, Anna Elise

Miller, Esther Rose

Miller, Gwendolyn Eve

Miller, Hanna Joy

Miller, Jennifer L

Miller, Liam N

Miranda, Dayanni Alexandra

Miron, Nathan Benjamin

Mirzapolis Adeh, Anmary

Mitchell, Trinity Summer

Modi, Dhruv Kirankumar

Moes, Taylor Louise

Molander, Mira Mady

Molek, Dawid

Montelongo, Dana L

Moreno, Madai

Morey, Christian Lee

Morrison, Claudia Rose

Moy, Rebecca L

Mudalige, Ometh Heenkenda

Mujeeb, Amra

Mun, Emily S

Mustafa, Maram Majid

Nang, Takeo Garrett

Nano, Melinda Nichole

Naples, Lilly D

Naseh, Artin

Neborg, Hugo Eric, Benjamin

Nelson, Erik T

Nelson, Lance Christian

Newell, Adrian T

Nguyen, Duong Bao Khang

Nguyen, Matthew Hai

Nguyen, Quynh N

Nguyen, Van

Nichols, Ava Elizabeth

Niemann, Kayla A

Nilsson, Elvira Ingrid Margareta

Nkuku, Ikenna Edward

Nordqvist, Linn Christin

Norrmann, Shakira

Notali, Ishtar M

Nuese, Jackson J

Nunez, Nora Marielena

Nwankwo, Chizolum R

Nystrom, Wilda Maria Isabelle

Nytko, Emily E

Odisho, Anthony G

Ohanes, Brenda

O’Hara, Erin Marie

Okeke, Ijeamaka Venus

Olsson, Klara Kristina Sofia

Olsson, Saga Helena

Ombogo, Jereme C

Oropesa, Helen Isabelle

Owegie, Anita O

Padilla, Brandon Germaine

Palackic, Samir

Palomares, Ciro Mateo

Parker, Ellie Rose Mae

Parker-Fox, Aaliyah P

Parra, Carina

Pasca, Rahela E

Passarelli, Rossella Ada Christina

Patel, Vishal H

Patino, Katie

Patino, Yesenia

Patton, Katherine Marie

Patton, Lydia D

Payne, Parker Reese

Pehlic, Amanda A

Pena-Cisneros, Valeria Nahomi

Perdue, Jaden Brooke

Perez, Gerardo

Perez, Jose

Perez, Jose Manuel

Perruffel, Sophie Isabelle

Perry, Victoria Judaea

Petersen, Victoria T

Pham, Vy Lam Trieu

Philip, Sharan Biju

Pineda, Gabriel Alejandro

Piwowarski, Kevin

Plata, Alexander

Pogue, Julia Renee

Poort, Suzann Olsen

Pop, Sara

Porter, William F

Posada Torres, Alexia Giselle

Powell, Noah Thomas

Prieto, Daniel Robert

Protofanousis, Ana Marianthi

Psyhogios, Nikoletta

Quibell, Lesly Naomi

Ramgren, Evelyn Grace

Ramos, Joaquin Antonio

Rangel Espinosa, Abel B

Rathod, Jaydevsinh Vishnuji

Rayyan, Yasmeen J

Reardon, Emma Alanna

Rebollo, Jasmine

Resendez, Giovanni Rafael

Rex, Eliza R

Reyes Delgado, Wilber

Reynolds Duncan, Saeauna Reynolds

Reynolds, Frida Isabel

Rhea, Isaac Daniel

Richards, Ashley S

Richmond, Abby James

Rickert, Samantha M

Rios-Herrera, Elaiza

Riziki, Georgette

Rizos, Christina M

Robinson, Davante P

Robinson, Samuel Jeffery

Robles, Angie Nicole

Robles, Anthony Alexander

Robles, Yesenia

Rodda, Megan Lee

Rodrigues, Jessica

Rodriguez, Adriana S

Rodriguez, America Belem

Rodriguez, Daniel

Rojas, Kevin G

Roman, Vivianne Mariana

Rotramel, Kayla Marie

Rottman, Annaliese Jenn

Rounseville, Kimberly S

Rude, Caleb J

Rugland, Herman

Ruiz, Erik Julian

Rullander Rudenstam, Felicia Maria

Russ, Shelby Louise

Ryan, James David

Rydberg, Oskar Johan Valur

Rydell, Nils Gustav Vidar

Rzepecki, Elizabeth Anne

Sabovic, Dino

Sadah, Shanna

Saddiqa, Amna

Salgado-Hernandez, Alexandra

Sanchez, Brian

Sanchez, Daniel Junior

Sanchez, Jasmine

Sanchez, Juridia Alondra

Sanchez, Marybeth

Sandoval, Karla Natalie

Sandoval, Selena

Santiago, Jade Symone

Santos, Isabella

Sapolu, Kayla M

Sator, Hanik

Sawyer, Abigail J

Schaffer, Joseph Stephen

Schmidt, Brian Angelo

Schneider, Brett Robert

Schroeder, Aiden Michael

Schuh, Davianna Yasmine

Seignious, David Girma

Self, Griffin K

Sensmeier, Abigail Gove

Serrano, Yaritza

Shaikh, Mariyum Huda Mohammed Salman

Shawel, Sandy Mary

Sheaff, Abigail Ruth

Sheldon, Lindsey M

Sheth, Atiq A

Shimizu, Ami

Shumlansky, Gustaf John

Sia, Erika Rose

Siakavelis, Petros Xrisovalantis

Siddiqui, Hamna I

Sighete, Naomi

Simon, Sharon M

Singh, Manisha

Skog, Matilda Ida

Smolle, Tim Sture

Snyder, Sydney Allison

Soedergaard, Johanna Helena

Soenderland, Aslak

Solgos, Evelea G

Sommerfeld, Nathan Alexander

Sorisho, Stephanie J

Sotelo, Jayla C

Sparlin, Katelyn Rae

Spasic, Tanya Maria

Ssebugwawo, Jordan Nicholas

Stalberg, Marcus Evald Gunnar

Stan, Sara Denisa

Starr, Jacob C

Stramaglio, Nicolett E

Strathman, Josie Lael

Suarez, Jayleen Victoria

Suqi, Leila Luz-Ingrid

Surowka, Alexandra Anne

Svendsen, Moa Elisabet Laerke

Swanlund, Tre Roger

Swanson, Justin Andrew

Sward, Alfred Gustaf

Swedberg, Sofie

Szmigielski, Julia M

Tamo, Katrina

Tamras, Jeania Janet

Tan, Madelyne Angelina

Tauscheck, Megan Lynn

Tegnhed, Anna

Tejera, Michell Paola

Thomas, Anjana S

Thomas, Jonathan Miles

Thomas, Lydia C

Timba, Mandisa

Tinajero, Stephania N

Tkoletz, Kathleen R

Toca, Philemina Frances

Tomuta, Stephanie Emily

Tomy James, Angela

Torres, Arely

Trachtman, Ellie

Tran, Hieu Ha Minh

Tran, Nguyen K

Tveit, Tore

Tvenning, Faith

Ujkashi, Armend

Ujkashi, Lindon

Underwood, Emily K

Uribe, Sebastianas Dainius

Vaaland, Christian Finnesand

Valdes, Thalia

Valentin, Arianna

Van Doorn, Alva Julia Linnea

Vander Ploeg, Madelyn M

Vargas, Denisse

Vargas, Yariliz Teneal

Vassar, Delaney Sloan

Vata, Berna

Vazquez, Itati

Velic, Melisa Na

Ver Beek, Erika F

Vidmo, Alexander Kristoffer

Villarreal, Angelina Y

Vinson, Kate E

Viotoh, Ametepe Jacques

Vitkovsky, Ester

Vogelsburg, Thea H

Vu, Giang Q

Vujic, Ajla

Vukasin, Stefan

Wallin, Rocco Michael

Watt, Marcus D

Wehseler, Morgan Janet

Wennerqvist, Jakob Gustav Victor

Wentzel, Elise Rosalie

West, Amara Jayde

Wester, Marcus Alexander Oliver

Wetzel, Hannah G

Whitmore, Olivia A

Wideman, Claire Elizabeth

Wilburn, Skyler Janice

Williams, Jeffrey F

Williams, Tyleah A

Wilson, Mason A

Wolke, Emma Lissette

Woods, Conner J

Woodward, Cole Douglas

Yahya, Hakham M

Yang, Jason

Yokhanna, Klara S

Yonan, Adam S

Yonkman, Olivia C

Yoon, Mary Suh

Youkhana, Ashley Ann

Youmran, Jamila

Young, James Joseph

Yunan, Marita T

Yuquilima, Erick F

Zaar, Ella Maria Bianca

Zapien, Daniel

Zarco, Daisy

Zepeda, Alejandro

Zethraeus, Hanna

Zhen, Tony

Zhong, Kevin

Zingsheim, Isabelle D

Ziskind, Julian

Zola, Joseph Andrew

Zung, Langjaw Ting

Zuniga, Joselin

The post Congrats to Students on the Spring 2023 Dean’s List appeared first on ��ϳԹ�.

Making North Park Proud

Ana Funduk — Thu, 02 Mar 2023 15:58:47 +0000

Congratulations on your achievement to all the students who made the fall 2022 Dean’s List. Degree-seeking students with at least 12 semester credit hours at ��ϳԹ� and a GPA of 3.5 or higher are eligible for this honor. .

The post Making North Park Proud appeared first on ��ϳԹ�.

Art and Education Student Facilitates Access to Free Admission for Fellow Undergraduates

Ellen Almer — Thu, 24 Feb 2022 21:35:23 +0000

North Park and the Art Institute of Chicago (AIC) have partnered to offer all North Park undergraduate students free admission to the AIC. The University Partner Program also includes special exhibitions, virtual programs and lectures, professional development, an invitation to , and two dates during the academic school year for the entire North Park community to enjoy free admission.

North Park’s Student Engagement office presented the idea of being part of the partnership opportunity to one of its very own students, Emily Underwood, an Education and Art major. As the fine arts representative in Student Government, Underwood sat side-by-side with Student Engagement staff members to plan the program and make it a reality.

Emily Underwood

“If Student Engagement sees that you have an idea, they work tirelessly to make sure you are connected with the right people to make it happen,” said Underwood. “I am so excited to have been a part of this which I know will be used and loved by North Park students,” added Underwood.

Viewing Chicago as an extension of the classroom, North Park’s curriculum integrates experiential learning opportunities spanning the arts, sciences, nonprofits, ministries, businesses, and civic organizations.

Gabriela Vazquez, Student Activities Coordinator, is always looking for opportunities for students to engage the city. “Having the ability to create customized events and access to the wealth of resources at such an important museum aligns with North Park’s city-centered, intercultural and Christian distinctives,” said Vazquez.

“Being involved in this partnership opens up even more opportunities for the city (Chicago) to be a part of our classroom. The art world can be brought into every classroom,” said Underwood.

In addition to free admission for all undergraduate students with a valid North Park ID, the partnership benefits also offer:

AIC’s renowned encyclopedic collection, archival materials in the Ryerson and Burnham Libraries, lectures, and programs
50 general admission tickets for faculty, staff, and other guests
10% discount on first time memberships (up to Member Plus level) for North Park students, staff, and faculty (excluding student and e-member levels)
Two virtual opportunities
Invitation to Jobs at Art Museums (JAM), an annual museum career awareness event
Opportunities for special professional development programs
Concierge service for planned group trips, meetings, classes, or tours

Complementary admission to AIC is valid through January 31, 2023.

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Rev. Tammy Swanson-Draheim Is Nominated for President of the Evangelical Covenant Church

Ana Funduk — Thu, 17 Feb 2022 20:57:06 +0000

��ϳԹ� is delighted to congratulate Seminary alumna Rev. Tammy Swanson-Draheim on her as president of the Evangelical Covenant Church.

Upon election of delegates gathering for the ECC’s , in Kansas City, MO, June 23–25, Swanson-Draheim would become the first female president in the denomination’s history.

A lifelong Covenanter, Swanson-Draheim earned her MBA at ��ϳԹ� and her Master of Divinity degree from the North Park Theological Seminary. She has served the ECC for more than 23 years, as chaplain at Covenant Home of Chicago, as lead pastor of First Covenant Church in Mason City, Iowa, and, since 2011, as superintendent of the Midwest Conference.

She was selected by the ECC’s 27-member Presidential Nominating Committee from a pool of more than 40 excellent candidates and six finalists.

Committee Chair Steve Dawson said, “the Holy Spirit confirmed in our votes what we had prayed for—clear discernment and unity of mind. Our process was bathed in prayer.”

As the University of the Evangelical Covenant Church, we at ��ϳԹ� are deeply grateful for the committee’s service to the church, and we thank God for Rev. Swanson-Draheim and for the many gifted leaders throughout our denomination!

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In the Love of Truth: Rev. Dr. David Kersten is Retiring from a Life of Significance—in Service to the ECC

Ana Funduk — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 18:17:13 +0000

Even as a child, growing up in the Detroit suburb of Warren, Michigan, Dave Kersten had a profound sense of the holy, and of God.

“My mom was a deeply spiritual woman,” Kersten said, “almost mystical. When I was in high school, we read Confessions of St. Augustine together. My whole life, I had people telling me, ‘You are going to be a pastor.’ ”

Those people were right.

But Rev. Dr. David Kersten himself wasn’t entirely sure until years later, in 1981, when he completed an internship at Greenwood Community Covenant Church in rural Summerdale, Alabama. The internship was a one-year requirement of the Master of Divinity degree he was pursuing at the North Park Theological Seminary—and he liked his work at that church so much he stayed an extra year.

“We survived a hurricane, got a relief grant, put roofs on homes,” Kersten said. “We built an outdoor lighted sports court for basketball and volleyball in the church yard—had it up and going in two weeks—and it’s still there. I fell in love with preaching. I fell in love with pastoral care. I just got immersed in it.

“I had a deep sense of call coming out of that experience.”

Kersten’s sense of call stayed deep. It led to more than 20 years as a Covenant pastor—with congregations in Alabama, Florida, Washington, and Minnesota. It led to 11 years as executive minister of the Department of the Ordered Ministry in the ECC, the pastor to pastors. And it led to a decade as Vice President for Church Relations at ��ϳԹ� and Dean of the North Park Theological Seminary.

Now, after 40 plus years devoted to the Evangelical Covenant Church—and to God’s mission on Earth—Rev. Dr. David Kersten, C’77 S’82 DMin’97, has decided to retire, effective August 1, 2022.

In announcing Kersten’s retirement to the campus community, ��ϳԹ� President Mary K. Surridge wrote: “We heartily congratulate Dave on this well-earned milestone, his thoughtful planning for this important transition—and profoundly thank him for a long and valued career of service that has brought so much to the Evangelical Covenant Church, to our seminary, and to ��ϳԹ�.”

A Through Line to North Park

Kersten began attending Bethany Covenant Church at age 12, and met his future bride, Sandi, in junior high Sunday school there.

“She is a fourth generation Swedish Covenanter,” Kersten said. “She knew she was going to North Park since birth. I found out about ��ϳԹ� from her, and got recruited to play basketball.”

An “honest” six feet seven inches tall, Kersten was a starting center for the Vikings (off and on), and he recalls “a great experience playing at ��ϳԹ�. We had a good blend of city kids and Covenant kids playing together on the team. It was one of my deep immersions in race.”

He earned his bachelor’s degree from North Park in psychology and human services in 1977, (he and Sandi were married the August after graduation); he earned his Master of Divinity from North Park in 1982; and, already a Covenant pastor, he earned his Doctor of Ministry in Preaching from North Park in 1997.

Preaching and Posting Up

The newly ordained Covenant pastor served at Bethany Covenant Church in Miami for three years during a turbulent time in South Florida. Racial tensions remained high after the May 1980 riots in Overton and Liberty City. (The riots—which occurred after an all-white jury acquitted four police officers of beating a black insurance salesman to death after a traffic stop—had resulted in 18 deaths and an estimated $100 million in property damage.)

And there were other challenges. As Time Magazine wrote in November 1981:

”South Florida—that postcard corner of the Sunshine State, that lush strip of hibiscus and condominiums stretching roughly from Palm Beach south to Key West—is a region in trouble. An epidemic of violent crime, a plague of illicit drugs and a tidal wave of refugees have slammed into South Florida with the destructive power of a hurricane.”

At Bethany Covenant Church, Kersten helped launch an Hispanic ministry. It was the beginning of a cross-cultural ethos woven early and throughout his journey.

Kersten then pastored at Highland Covenant Church in Bellevue, WA, just outside Seattle, for 11 years, and again took his enthusiasm for basketball with him.

“We built a lovely indoor gym,” he said, “still in great use to this day.”

But it wasn’t all preaching and posting up in the paint for Pastor Dave. In 1994, his ninth year at Highland, Kersten and another church employee were stabbed by a mentally ill parishioner. Both men recovered, but an artery in Kersten’s right shoulder was severed and he underwent emergency surgery.

“I received more than 500 cards and notes from all over the Covenant,” he said. “Addressing my own PTSD issues related to that incident made me a better pastor.”

News reports at the time said that Kersten was in critical condition—and that he forgave his attacker, who was found not guilty by reason of insanity.

“He is remorseful and motivated for treatment,” Kersten said then. “We knew he wasn’t in his right mind when we went there.”

Highland helped launch a Spanish church, and also helped settle 20 Russian refugee families.

Next Kersten pastored at First Covenant Church in St. Paul, MN, founded in 1874—“an urban church looking for some new energy and life.” Kersten did not build a basketball court this time, “but we did establish a 3 on 3 tourney in the church parking lot!”

They also renovated the church, which Kersten describes as “a gorgeous old sanctuary with exquisite acoustics.”

At First Covenant, where the church had previously settled 100 Hmong families, Kersten helped start a Haitian congregation, “and many are in the church still to this day.”

The Pastors’ Pastor

After six years in St. Paul, Kersten accepted the position of executive minister of the Department of the Ordered Ministry in the ECC, and served for 11 years. The denomination’s executive minister is in charge of credentialing and endorsement of the ministry, continuing education for the denomination’s some 2,000 pastors, as well as care and crisis intervention. He is the pastors’ pastor.

During Kersten’s time as executive minister, the department developed the Sustaining Pastoral Excellence program with a $1.67 million grant from the Lilly Endowment in 2003—the first Lilly grant won by any ECC entity.

“The grant funded tremendous resources for pastors,” Kersten said, “in spiritual direction, vocational counseling, leadership development and preaching. These were all programs developed by pastors for pastors, with the intent of placing agency for vocational development directly in their hands. The programs still continue to this day.”

Since that first Lilly grant, ECC institutions including North Park, have won an additional $13 million for various programs funded by Lilly.

Innovation at the Seminary

As dean of the North Park Theological Seminary for the past 10 years, Kersten has helped shape a generation of vocational leaders for the whole church—and a generation of people answering God’s call to ECC ministry in particular. Think of the ripple effect: in all, more than 400 Christian leaders “called, equipped, and sent” to serve God’s global mission.

“Innovation has been the hallmark of Dave’s decade as seminary dean,” President Surridge said. Under his leadership the seminary partnered with the ECC and several ECC regional conferences to create the convenient and affordable Ignite program of cohort distance learning. North Park’s Master of Arts in Christian Formation equips youth pastors, camp directors, adult educators and others to invite the Holy Spirit into the lives of the people and communities they serve. Dual degrees are available in partnership with the School of Business and Nonprofit Management.

And the renowned School of Restorative Arts (SRA) at Stateville Correctional Center, and at Logan Correctional Center for women, offers a master’s degree in Christian Ministry to free and incarcerated students who study together on the inside.

“SRA is a model of innovation that exemplifies North Park’s mission,” Surridge said, “and beautifully realizes all three of the University’s distinctives—Christian, city-centered, and intercultural.”

Kersten said his vocational arc—“pastor for over 20 years, a pastors’ pastor for 11 years, and a decade of forming new pastors—I guess it’s a unique portfolio. I have always been in love with preaching, and in love with pastoral care.”

As a pastoral presence in all his roles, Kersten has demonstrated an exceptional ability to bring scripture into the present moment with vital relevance for the community he serves.

“It begins with a deep listening to the text,” he said, “then commentary and looking at the scholarly interpretation of the text, and then I go back to the context I’m preaching in—what is happening in that community?—and I look for connection points.”

A sustaining verse for Kersten for the past 25 years—and still today as he stands at the threshold of retirement—is John 16:12. Jesus says: “I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.”

“That has been a North Star for me,” Kersten said.

“It opens us up to where is the trail of grace in any crisis or in any inflection point—what is God going to reveal to us in this moment, that allows for optimism and a sense of anticipation?”

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In the Love of Truth–Rev. Dr. David Kersten is Retiring from a Life of Significance in Service to the ECC

lcpostrobinson — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 15:31:17 +0000

Even as a child, growing up in the Detroit suburb of Warren, MI, Dave Kersten had a profound sense of the holy, and of God.

Those people were right.

But Rev. Dr. David Kersten himself wasn’t entirely sure until years later, in 1981, when he completed an internship at Greenwood Community Covenant Church in rural Summerdale, AL. The internship was a one-year requirement of the Master of Divinity degree he was pursuing at the North Park Theological Seminary—and he liked his work at that church so much he stayed an extra year.