Category: Blog

130 Stories: Joseph Segreti

“I just love that Dr. Walsh and Dr. Madl went out of their way to make sure that we had a family experience and were prepared in an unprecedented time.”

Joseph Segreti, Educational Leadership (Principal endorsement) G‘21

“I’m a teacher and I was looking into pursuing an educational leadership program, so I was put into contact with Dr. Walsh. The first time I talked to him he gave me 45 minutes to an hour on the phone and wanted to take every single question I had.

“The conversation and relationship with him were both so natural, and that continued as I went through the program and even after the program. Through the cohorts Dr. Walsh and Dr. Madl did everything they could to look out for us. Our cohort was two or three classes in when the pandemic hit, but Dr. Madl and Dr. Walsh continued to keep us on track and engage and invest in us.

“They would check on us, whether it be a phone call or an email, and anytime we would call they would pick up and were willing to give us the time. When we were finishing up the program, they wanted to get everybody together just to see each other one last time, so we all went out to lunch. I just love that Dr. Walsh and Dr. Madl went out of their way to make sure that we had a family experience and were prepared in an unprecedented time.”

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130 Stories: Joyce Broman Appel

“It’s because of my love of North Park and those days as a student that it’s on my heart to keep giving. I believe in North Park’s mission.”

Joyce Broman Appel C’45

 

“I attended North Park right in the middle of World War II, so there were very few men on campus. That made it a special time for us women, and we bonded because it was such a different setting. It’s because of my love of North Park and those days as a student that it’s on my heart to keep giving. I believe in North Park’s mission.

 

“I returned to community when my husband started teaching at North Park. Spending those years there really deepened my commitment to North Park. My brothers and sister all went to North Park, as did our oldest daughter.

 

“Last year on Blue and Gold Day I made a matching promise that if a certain number of people raised $2,000 in a certain amount of time, I would match it. I plan to give again on this Blue and Gold Day and I hope that my gift last year inspires people to make a matching gift this year!”

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130 Stories: Todd Durston

“I have so many great memories of North Park, from playing soccer to working on the College News to hanging out in the art building. But, it was the people who made the difference.”

Todd Durston C’94

“I have so many great memories of North Park, from playing soccer to working on the College News to hanging out in the art building. But, it was the people who made the difference. Freshman year I lobbed a snowball at a window in Ohlson House, where the first-year women lived at the time. It broke, and I was terrified. But the RD, Marilyn, showed such grace and kindness when I apologized.

“There were dozens of people like that at North Park, including my wonderful art professors, like Neal Murray. He spent so much time nurturing our talents and encouraging us. During the 90s, there was a strong group of grads going into advertising, a career I wanted to pursue. When I graduated, I almost immediately called on some of those older alums to help me establish my own career. Now, I’m a creative director at a large agency and I get to do all kinds of rewarding work, such as shooting commercials with Elmo. I give so much credit to my North Park education. Oh, and I also met my wife there. Thanks, North Park!”

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130 Stories: Shazad Carbaidwala

“I have fond memories of my time playing for the Vikings football team, and I carry my school pride to this day.”

Shazad Carbaidwala, Business Management, C’01

“I have fond memories of my time playing for the Vikings football team, and I carry my school pride to this day. I still have my game jersey, practice jersey, practice shorts, and other North Park paraphernalia. I remember the camaraderie with all my teammates and all the rigorous training sessions that molded me into who I am today.

“My mentors and coaches taught me about hard work and dedication — a recipe for success not only on the gridiron, but in life. My hours training and learning allowed me to become regional champion bodybuilder and gave me the intellect to start my own personal training business.

“It means the world to me being part of the North Park community. Being a North Park Viking has taught me discipline, hard work, and an Iron Will attitude to accomplish everything I set out to do.”

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130 Stories: Paul De Neui

“Dr. John Weborg came back to me and said, ‘We do not walk in according to seniority. Come and walk in up here with me.’ That has been my experience as a member of the Seminary faculty since 2005.”

Paul De Neui, Professor of Missiology

“During my first convocation as a new faculty member of the North Park Theological Seminary, I was at the end of the line and one of my former professors (I was a student in the seminary in ’81) Dr. John Weborg came back to me and said, ‘We do not walk in according to seniority. Come and walk in up here with me.’ That has been my experience as a member of the Seminary faculty since 2005.”
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130 Stories: Robert Craig

“Classes with Charles Wiberg and Zenos Hawkinson were an incredible experience. I learned how to learn from these men.”

Robert Craig C’75, History and Urban Studies

 

“I grew up in Chicago and attended high school a mile or so down Foster Avenue from North Park at Amundsen High. Nothing in my high school history classes could have prepared me for my first history lecture at North Park—an American history class taught by Dr. Wiberg in the auditorium. It must have been a 101 class because there were over a hundred students. Dr. Wiberg sat on a stool on the stage—no lectern, no notes—and just started speaking. It was the most incredible thing I had ever heard. I was mesmerized! I happened to look around and everyone else had their heads down and were writing in their notebooks. I thought to myself ‘they should be listening to this; it’s wonderful!’ About then the person next to me whispered and told me I should be taking notes. ‘Notes?! What is that?’ I didn’t have a clue! Luckily, I had some great friends who rolled their eyes, laughed at my plight, and then pitched in to give me a crash course in note-taking. It must have worked.

“Being a history major influenced me greatly, not only in my knowledge and understanding of history but in how to research and most importantly to write. Classes with Charles Wiberg and Zenos Hawkinson were an incredible experience. I learned how to learn from these men. Every class required a research paper, and we were taught to write clearly and succinctly. Neither would accept anything but grammatically correct and structurally sound papers. There was no such thing as good writing, only good re-writing. Papers were to be properly annotated and footnoted. It was only after your paper passed muster in these areas that content was examined. When your paper was finally accepted, it was a cause for celebration. The ability to write well was crucial in my chosen profession, and after having those classes I was prepared for just about anything.”

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130 Stories: Terrance Smith

“North Park has served as a community that has aided the growth and development of me as a student and a musician, both professionally and personally.”

Terrance Smith, Conducting and Voice C’15, MA in Christian Formation S’22

“North Park has served as a community that has aided the growth and development of me as a student and a musician, both professionally and personally. I had the opportunity to tour nationally and internationally with the gospel choir and with the university choir. We went to Sweden, California on the west coast, and New Jersey and Boston on the east coast. Singing, leading, and playing a role in the community really helped me grow as a person.

“Dr. Helen Hawkins, who retired last year, also made my time at North Park memorable. Because of our relationship, I was recommended for her position as the Director of the Gospel Choir, which is how I am now a part of North Park faculty and staff. Dr. Julia Davids is a great mentor, too, and is now one of my colleagues. I am excited and grateful that North Park gave me the opportunity to develop my story and that I now have the privilege of sharing my experiences and joy that have been a part of my journey with students and generations to come. We are better together.”

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130 Stories: Joan McPherson

“When I look back at my life, my foundation is in Christ, but I have to give credit to North Park for believing in me.”

Joan McPherson S’97, Master of Arts in Theological Studies and a Master of Management

 

I had been serving as an associate minister and wanted to attend seminary to improve my knowledge of the Bible, but I had two small children and only a high school education. Even my pastor said he didn’t think this could happen, but for me this was a faith journey. I wanted to be an example of what God can do.

I quit a really nice job with the US Treasury and went to North Park. I was an older student, from a Pentecostal background, with no undergraduate degree. I was so impressed with the warmth in how they received me. They recognized my experience in business and public speaking and let me enroll.

One day I accepted a ride home from a classmate, and my husband became jealous. He was verbally abusive and threatened me. I was not physically hurt, but emotionally devastated. I had my pride and didn’t want to tell the school, but I had to. I had to look for a place to stay. I was not working. My church of 25 years abandoned me. I was undone.

North Park was the stranger that picked me up when I was in the middle of the road. They cared for me. They bandaged my wounds. I stayed on campus, and my kids grew up at North Park. I worked for two years at Covenant headquarters, I made new friends, and the faculty helped me realize I had not been called by my church, I had been called by God.

With master’s degrees in theology and management, I wound up with a job as the Director of Education for the African American Leadership Partnership supporting African American pastors pursuing graduate degrees. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to speak and serve at churches of almost every denomination.

When I look back at my life, my foundation is in Christ, but I have to give credit to North Park for believing in me. The University, Seminary, and North Park Covenant Church supported us, loved us, and gave me hope in a very difficult time in my life. I will always love this school!

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130 Stories: Michelle Norton

“The lessons I carry with me from being an RA are so vital as I get to continue to work alongside others and give them resources catered to their story while creating a new chapter.”

Michelle Norton C’18, Communications and Psychology

My favorite memories are of being a Resident Assistant on campus. My first year living on campus set the tone for me because my RA was such a light. I was a first-generation college student leaving home for the first time. It was difficult to adjust, but my RA was so helpful in my transition. There were so many new opportunities that I was overwhelmed by navigating all I wanted to do, so she helped me stay on track and balance everything.

I had the opportunity to give back to students by being selected to be a RA the following year. As a communications/psychology major, I was gaining real-world experience caring for all types of students with different needs, including working alongside international students who go through even more transitions. I learned the depth of patience required for navigating a new country and culture.

Now I’m a Director of Recruitment for Northwestern Mutual Chicagoland. Each and every day I get the privilege to learn an applicant’s story and lead them to a career path where they continue to grow and discover who they are and what they want to accomplish for their future.

The lessons I carry with me from being an RA are so vital as I get to continue to work alongside others and give them resources catered to their story while creating a new chapter.

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130 Stories: Alyssa Juergensen

“I’m proud of saying I graduated from NPU and get to be a part of such a phenomenal community.”

Alyssa Juergensen C’13, Bachelors in Business Administration

“I had taken a semester off from my first college for my mental health. I only had one year left, but I was depressed and dealing with a lot of anxiety. I found North Park’s accelerated program because I could attend classes at the Grayslake campus from where I lived in Waukegan, and it seemed like the right program for me at the time.

“I thought I would do enough to get by and graduate, but my professors, especially Christopher Hubbard, challenged the heck out of me. They were hard on me, not to the point I was anxious, but to where I felt driven. They pushed me because they saw that I could do more. They didn’t accept anything less than what I could do. I felt more confident and driven to do better for myself.

“After everything, I ended up graduating magna cum laude. I’m proud of saying I graduated from NPU and get to be a part of such a phenomenal community.”

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