North Park University Welcomes New Members of Board of Trustees
Board discusses University's enhanced enrollment efforts
CHICAGO (November 13, 2012) — The North Park University board of trustees participated in groundbreaking ceremonies for the Nancy and G. Timothy Johnson Center for Science and Community Life, and heard updates on other University projects and initiatives during its fall meeting here October 26–27. Dr. David Parkyn, University president, also welcomed seven new trustees, each of whom will serve five-year terms:
- Thomas Bagley, Chicago, founder and senior managing director, Pfingsten Partners, LLC
- Grant Clay, Clay Center, Kan., lead pastor, Clay Center Covenant Church
- Gail Dahlstrom, Etna, N.H., vice president for facilities management, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, N.H.
- Dawn Helwig, Chicago, actuary, Milliman, Inc.
- Stephen Johnson, Warrenville, Ill., executive vice president, field operations, Imagine Solutions, Dallas
- Michael L. Jordan, Kerman, Calif., pastor, La Viña Covenant Church
- Albert Tizon, Upper Darby, Pa., associate professor of evangelical and holistic ministry, Palmer Theological Seminary, King of Prussia, Pa.
Johnson Center highlighted
The Nancy and G. Timothy Johnson Center for Science and Community Life is expected to be completed for the start of the 2014 academic year. Board members and University leaders thanked Tim Johnson and David Helwig, board chair, for their leadership of Campaign North Park, which is raising funds for the Johnson Center and other University initiatives. The building project is essential for student learning and growth, Johnson told the trustees, adding that he and Nancy were "deeply honored" to have the building named in their honor. The Johnsons are North Park alumni, and both have served the institution in a variety of ways over several years.
Undergraduate enrollment efforts enhanced
The University is enhancing efforts to increase undergraduate enrollment for 2013 in response to changes in enrollment and in the market for higher education, President Parkyn said in his report to the board.
North Park's board of trustees met at the Chicago campus October 26–27.
He cited several market conditions that have affected enrollment at North Park: a greater reluctance to borrow funds to pay tuition costs; a need for great convenience in academic program delivery; the competitive Chicagoland market; and increases in competition from schools in other regions of the country.
The North Park University president and Nate Mouttet, vice president for enrollment and marketing, told the trustees the University conducted an external and internal review of admissions procedures with representatives of Noel-Levitz, a higher education consulting firm. In addition, University faculty and staff participated in community gatherings, discussing enrollment data, recruiting of students, and ideas to address student recruitment in future years. As a result of these discussions, the University is instituting several steps to increase undergraduate enrollment, they reported:
- Adopt more personal connections with prospective students
- Increase the size of special events to attract students
- Increase the number of prospective student visits to the campus
- Target increased financial aid
- Expand communication flow to students, particularly for applicants and admitted students
- Reinstate the University’s brand awareness campaign with focus on the Chicagoland region
- Set priorities so recruiters focus personal attention on those students most likely to enroll
The next meeting of the North Park University board of trustees is February 8–9, 2013.
Use @npunews to follow North Park University News on Twitter. For further information or resources, contact John Brooks, Director of Media Relations and News, via email or at (773) 244-5522. Learn more about North Park University.
Next Steps
Learn more about undergraduate admissions and your future as a student at North Park University.