In a moving all-campus worship service on Wednesday, February 13, students, faculty, and staff prayed for the physical, emotional, and spiritual protection of President Mary Surridge.
The special service, along with an all-campus lunch and academic symposium, was part of the continuing weeklong celebration of President Surridge’s inauguration.
In her message, Rev. Dr. Donna Harris, president of Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis, encouraged the North Park community to rally around President Surridge and one another.
Dr. Harris called on North Park employees to be more than simply co-workers to one another, and for professors to get to know their students on a deeper level.
“Spur one another toward love and good deeds,” Dr. Harris said, quoting Scripture. She encouraged North Parkers to maintain their passion for the school’s city-centered mission. “Always be a healing balm and remedy for the city’s challenges,” she said.
In a stirring moment, Dr. Harris encouraged the congregation to show their support for President Surridge via rousing applause. She also evoked Exodus 17:12, which describes how Aaron and Hur held Moses’ arms aloft when he grew tired while battling to protect the Israelites.
Later in the service, President Surridge was prayed for by, student Anosh Wasker C’19, North Park Trustee Erin Oleniczak C’99, Trevor James G’04 S’05, associate dean of the School of Professional Studies, and Lance Davis, Executive Minister of Develop Leaders and Ordered Ministry.
The campus then gathered in the gymnasium for a buffet lunch, with a menu that was selected by students, including a variety of comfort foods. Guests enjoyed music by North Park’s student Jazz Ensemble, led by Joe Lill, as well as a student-produced video honoring President Surridge and a presentation of gifts by the Student Government Association.
After the all-campus lunch, North Park University trustee Dr. Kathryn Edin C’84 presented an academic symposium: Enlightened Hearts, Warmed Intellects: City Challenges and Opportunities and North Park Possibilities. In her talk, Dr. Edin, university faculty at Princeton University, one of the nation’s leading poverty researchers, discussed the history of immigration and public housing in Chicago, and how history has set the stage for North Park’s urban mission.
Following a panel discussion with North Park faculty members and questions from the audience, participants were invited to the Johnson Center for the archival exhibit Women of North Park, an interactive visual display that highlights the various contributions of women throughout North Park history.
The day concluded with a women’s basketball win over CCIW opponent, Elmhurst College. During halftime of the game, President Surridge and Dr. Jack Surridge were honored for their shared ministry in Athletics at North Park University.