Resilience and perseverance: the ability to adapt, grow, innovate, and advance in the face of challenges. In this issue of the North Parker, we celebrate God’s hand of provision and protection over the life of our university and the spirit of resilience and innovation we see in the North Park students, faculty, staff, and alumni who embody that spirit.

From our student engagement leaders who are finding new and creative ways to advance student success to our University Ministries team investing in multi-level discipleship initiatives for the faith development of our students, you will see our mission expressed.

We have been trusting in God’s guidance and provision, adapting through challenges and emerging stronger, for 134 years.

You will learn about our grant partnerships with the National Science Foundation supporting first-generation North Parkers in the STEM fields and an exciting new synthetic biology internship program we have built with Northwestern University. Our devoted faculty members constantly seek unique and exceptional opportunities for our students.

You will read about increasing success for North Park student-athletes, including eight Viking football players receiving All-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) honors and our first-ever CCIW champion women’s tennis team.

Finally, we hope you will find motivation and inspiration in some of the remarkable stories of our alumni featured in this issue—alumni who have crafted impressive and impactful careers in unconventional ways—using the best of their North Park experience while faithfully following God’s call upon their lives.

Faith in action, significance, and service—the living mission of North Park University. We have been trusting in God’s guidance and provision, adapting through challenges and emerging stronger, for 134 years. We pray this issue encourages you in your own journey, and thank you for your enduring love for North Park.

Faithfully,
 
Mary K. Surridge
President