Category: Profile

Jamey Lundblad C’95: Chief Marketing Officer, City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

“Chicago is an arts powerhouse and global cultural destination . . . I’m passionate about making the arts and local culture available to Chicagoans and visitors.”

After graduation, Lundblad got his career off the ground as an editor and event planner for North Park. Then he moved on to roles at marketing agency VSA Partners and as director of marketing for the Chicago Public Library. Now, as chief marketing officer for the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, his job is to promote the city’s many cultural offerings. It’s one he relishes. “What really shaped me were my experiences outside the classroom and around the world.”

“Chicago is an arts powerhouse and global cultural destination . . . I’m passionate about making the arts and local culture available to Chicagoans and visitors.”

—Jamey Lundblad C’95: Chief Marketing Officer, City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

Jamey Lundblad C’95 loves Chicago. As chief marketing officer for the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, his job is to promote the city’s many cultural offerings. It’s one he relishes.

“Chicago is an arts powerhouse and a global cultural destination—the birthplace of the skyscraper and modern architecture, storefront theatre, improv, the urban blues, and more,” Lundblad says. “I’m passionate about making the arts and local culture available to Chicagoans and visitors, and I love going to see exhibits, theatre, and dance myself—every chance I get. So, I’m grateful that my job allows me to advocate for the arts and Chicago every day.”

The communication arts and Swedish double major says North Park prepared him well for his high-profile position with the city, where he’s responsible for marketing Chicago’s many festivals and promoting Millennium Park, the number-one tourist attraction in the Midwest.

“My classes at North Park were terrific and provided a solid foundation for my career,” says the Minnesota native. “But what really shaped me were my experiences outside the classroom and around the world,” including his semester in Sweden and his role as Student Government president his senior year.

“My study abroad in Sweden gave me confidence and a more expansive worldview,” says Lundblad, who was mentored by many beloved North Park professors and staff, including David and Sue Horner, Melissa Morris-Olson, and Charles Peterson, among others.

After graduation, Lundblad got his career off the ground as an editor and event planner for North Park. Then he moved on to roles at marketing agency VSA Partners and as director of marketing for the Chicago Public Library.

Now a frequent world traveler, Lundblad also serves on the board of directors of Edgar Miller Legacy, a group whose mission is to preserve the architect’s “handmade homes” throughout the country, but especially in the Chicagoland area.

In fact, Lundblad and his husband, Bill Melamed, held their recent wedding in the R.W. Glasner Studio, a building designed by Miller, who was known as a master painter, wood carver, and stained-glass maker. Lundblad and Melamed are committed to supporting the arts, as well as a variety of LGBTQ causes.

Lundblad hails from a long line of North Park alumni: his aunt, uncle, brother, and sister-in-law all attended North Park.

“I’m proud to call myself a North Park Legacy,” Lundblad says.

Author Ellen AlmerPosted on Categories Profile, StoriesTags , , , , ,

From Student Worker to Marketing Professional: Leah Emerson C’18

Leah Emerson C’18, advertising and psychology alumna, shares about applying her undergraduate experiences in a professional setting.

Leah Emerson, C'18, double majored in advertising and psychology and was president of the psychology club her senior year.

Hi, I’m Leah, and I’m a recent graduate of North Park University and currently employed as marketing coordinator at the British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park. I work with the marketing side of our office, where I create promotional materials, take pictures, send emails and mailings, maintain the website, and network with parents and donors.

This opportunity excites me because the international school setting makes a difference in the development of children and their outlooks on life. It exposes them to other cultures early on and allows them to learn alongside other kids who may have a totally different background than they do.

My job is a combination of my professional experiences at North Park, where I was a student worker in University Marketing and Communications as well as the Office of Advancement. In the marketing office, I learned how to maintain websites and had an opportunity to hone my photography skills. I have my own style of photography, but when I started taking pictures for North Park, I had to learn how to transition to a new style to fit within their brand guidelines. I also learned more InDesign and other design skills from the lead designer.

The Office of Advancement gave me an opportunity to develop professional skills, such as welcoming people, providing customer service, and building relationships with people who are part of the institution, all of which are huge parts of my job now.

At North Park, I also I took a business communication class with the director of Career Development and Internships Office (CDIO). The class prepared us for job searching and interacting in a professional workplace. We worked in groups and practiced writing in various formats, including press releases, PSA’s, and more. We talked about interviews, how to dress for them and how to answer questions; received other tips for success; and then set up mock interviews with staff and faculty members to gain extra practice. I’ve never considered interviews to be one of my strengths, so the extra bit of practice really helped.

I see this position as a starting point for my career. I’m in a position where I am completing tasks that I know I can do. I’m using the skills that I have already learned, but there is still information that I know I have yet to learn. It’s nice to transition out of the student worker mentality into a leadership position where I get to take charge.

Author Ana SeklerPosted on Categories Profile, StoriesTags , , , ,

Athletic Training at North Park: Patrick Pauley C’16

Patrick Pauley C’16 shares how the athletic training program at North Park gave him the practical experience he needed to succeed.

Patrick Pauley, C’16

Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training

When Patrick Pauley first began his search for an athletic training program, he was a non-traditional student and needed to attend a program in the Chicago area. After calling several universities in the area, Pauley was put in touch with Andrew Lundgren, the athletic training program director at North Park. “Andrew went above and beyond to make sure I had all my questions answered. He invited me to campus for a tour and introduced me to as many people as possible. I knew I was making the right choice based on the way Andrew treated a prospective student and the pride he had in the athletic training program at NPU.”

After receiving his BS in athletic training at North Park, Pauley went on to spend two years as a graduate assistant athletic trainer at DePaul University where he has recently completed his master of science in sports, fitness, and recreation leadership. Pauley now serves as the head athletic trainer with the Chicago Dogs professional baseball team and specializes in working with overhead athletes.

Pauley recalls building his Chicago network while an undergraduate at North Park. “The athletic training program at NPU offered clinical rotations in the Chicago area and real-world experience at the Chicago Marathon that allowed me to expand my network of sports medicine professionals.”

Pauley says he has been able to apply the practical skills he learned at North Park to his professional roles. “Critical thinking was constantly stressed throughout the program which is required every day as an athletic trainer. The faculty and staff in the athletic training program were very supportive of our academic success and our future after graduation.”

Author Ana SeklerPosted on Categories Profile, StoriesTags , , , ,

Athletic Training at North Park: Ashley Campos C’18

Ashley Campos C’18 shares how the athletic training program at North Park prepared her for the next steps of her career.

Ashley Campos, C’18

Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training

“I believe that North Park University’s athletic training program is the reason I was accepted into Occupational Therapy School,” says Ashley Campos, who will begin her doctor of occupational therapy at Samuel Merritt University in California, fall of 2018. “The faculty deeply cared for me and my career. They made sure I not only understood the material, but was able to use what I learned in the lab and at my clinical rotation.”

As she awaits the continuation of her education in the fall, Campos is nannying a 20-month-old. Campos says she is already applying the knowledge she gained through her clinical rotation at Lurie’s Children Hospital which prepared her to take care of young children and track their motor skills development.

“North Park’s athletic training program offers students a wide variety of clinical rotations that meet everyone’s interest. Students have the opportunity to learn at a D1 university, children’s hospital, high schools, and more.” Campos also emphasized the role of her professors in her education. “I appreciate the family-like structure of the program. The professors and preceptors emphasized us all being a family, and they guided us to be the health care professionals that we are today.”

Author onlinemediaPosted on Categories Profile, StoriesTags , , , ,

Athletic Training at North Park: Brody Burkart C’16

Brody Burkart C’16 shares how the athletic training program at North Park supported him through his academic, professional, and personal growth.

Brody H. Burkart, C’16

Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training

Brody Burkart’s dream of becoming an athletic trainer and physical therapist began when he was 16 years old. He chose to pursue his BS in athletic training at North Park because it allowed him to follow that dream while continuing his athletic career. “Not many programs I spoke with encouraged my ability to be a collegiate athlete and athletic training student the way NPU did,” says Burkart. As Burkart’s faculty knew of his professional aspirations, they helped ensure that he obtained the appropriate pre-requisite courses within his busy schedule. In the Spring of 2016, Burkart received his bachelor of science in athletic training, graduating with cum laude honors.

Following graduation, Burkart was accepted into Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science’s doctor of physical therapy program. Burkart credits this success to the preparation he received as an undergraduate. “Receiving my undergraduate degree from North Park University was one of the best decisions I have ever made. As a student, I obtained over 1,250 hours of clinical experience working with diverse populations, established networking opportunities, and built lasting relationships with the faculty members at North Park that helped solidify my spot amongst a vastly competitive pool of physical therapy applicants.”

In addition to the skills that allowed him to grow as a clinician, Burkart appreciates the ways that he grew as a person during his time at North Park. “From the immense amount of hands-on exposure you receive with your athletes and patients, to the incredible opportunities you have to develop, implement, and lead the medical emergency action plan of the Chicago Marathon, these experiences allow you to gain the greatest sense of self-confidence. I am truly blessed to have been a part of this program, for it has made such a positive impact on my life.”

Burkart explains that while in school, he experienced many life-altering events and setbacks outside of the classroom. “I am forever grateful to my fellow classmates and the athletic training faculty for the way they supported me through those tough times. After the immeasurable amount of time you spend within this program, these people become your family and individuals you can rely on for the rest of your life.”

“On behalf of myself and fellow athletic training classmates and peers, I can say with complete confidence that regardless of your academic pursuits beyond North Park, the advanced knowledge you receive from this program will set you up for the utmost success.”

Author onlinemediaPosted on Categories Profile, StoriesTags , , , , ,

Stories of CHIC: Joshua Crozier

North Park student Joshua Crozier shares his first-hand experience at CHIC, the national gathering of Covenant high school students.

Joshua Crozier, Current North Park Student

My favorite part about CHIC was realizing just how big the Body of Christ is. Over 6,000 other teenagers and leaders from around the nation gathered together to worship God, grow in their faith, and make lifelong memories. If you’ve never been to CHIC, I suggest diving deep into the base camps, go hard on the fields, worship in ways you never have before, and soak up the messages of the speakers.

This week three years ago was incredibly formational to me; I still remember messages that were shared, the bands that played, and the friends I made at CHIC 2015. I also remember the screaming North Park student volunteers handing out t-shirts and telling us about the University. Because I grew up in the Covenant Church, CHIC was not the first time I had heard of North Park, but I remember learning more about the University from the excited volunteer students.

Author Ana SeklerPosted on Categories Profile, StoriesTags , , ,

Stories of CHIC: Boaz Johnson

Professor of Biblical & Theological studies Boaz Johnson shares his first-hand experience at CHIC, the national gathering of Covenant high school students.

Dr. Rajkumar Boaz Johnson, Professor of Biblical & Theological Studies

CHIC is truly exciting! I have attended every CHIC since I started at North Park in 2003. Every parent wants their kids to turn out to be good kids. All Christian parents want their kids to turn out to be good followers of Jesus. CHIC is a great place to see this come to fruition. Most churches have very small youth groups, and young people feel so alone. But at CHIC it is awesome to be with 6,000 other young people who are shouting and rejoicing, and jumping with joy.

I am always thrilled about every opportunity to speak into the lives of these young people. And it is such a joy to see CHIC students come to North Park. Even if the Holy Spirit uses one word I say, to influence a student’s choice to come to North Park, I am satisfied. It is always a joy to shape the minds and hearts of these young people, so that they are able to go out and change the world. CHIC and North Park are once-in-a-life-time experiences that these young people will never forget.

Learn More About Boaz Johnson

Author Ana SeklerPosted on Categories Profile, StoriesTags , , ,

Stories of CHIC: Gigi Santos

North Park student Gigi Santos shares her first-hand experience at CHIC, the national gathering of Covenant high school students.

Gigi Santos, Current North Park Student

Listening to my youth group friends recount their experiences at CHIC was so life fulfilling to me that I decided to volunteer with NPU. Volunteering at CHIC was very exhausting because we were working different parts of the event and had long days. However, I enjoyed every single moment of those long days because I engaged with other volunteers and staff and students; we were simply doing life together that week.

Going as a volunteer was a great opportunity for me and remains relevant in my life because I was able to grow in my faith and be vulnerable enough to share about my experiences with people who were very intentional with me that week. CHIC also allowed me to build relationships with people through which I can continuously share with others what God’s doing in my life.

That’s also what I love most about being at North Park: there is a community that has walked alongside me throughout my time here. I love that the friendships I’ve built here are intentional friendships and a great support system academically and with my journey with Christ.

I am excited about going to CHIC again this year because I loved watching all the good things God was doing in the lives of the students, staff, and volunteers. Simply being there together, putting ideas together to help students explore where they stand in their faith, and watching them take it into their own hands makes CHIC an incredible experience as a North Park student volunteer.

Author Ana SeklerPosted on Categories Profile, StoriesTags , , ,

Then and Now: C’18 Graduates Share Their Stories

Two years after they shared their stories for the #125Stories blog, three graduating seniors tell us where they are at now and what they will remember from their time at North Park.

In 2016, North Park celebrated their 125th anniversary and as part of the commemoration, #125Stories was born, sharing brief yet personal glimpses of the lives of current North Parkers. As many of those students are now graduating and moving on to the next phase of their lives, we decided to check back in with a few of them to see where they are at now and what thoughts they have to share about their time at North Park.

Nursing Major “In high school, I knew I wanted to attend an institution that had a liberal arts foundation, an intimate class setting, and a great nursing program. I wanted to have close connections with the teachers and explore different classes even though I knew I wanted to be a nurse. When I realized that I was going to have all these things at North Park, I knew this was the right university for me.

Michaela Alcantara

My dad graduated from North Park in 2008. He told me about how great the University is and the community that he was involved in. I applied to different Chicago schools, but I realized that I wanted to go to North Park because it is a smaller school. I like the ambiance more here. I felt like I belonged here. My dad started his master’s degree but had to stop so that we could pay for me to go to school. So this fall he’ll start again, studying for his master’s degree in leadership and management.

In my time at North Park, I have learned to be compassionate and kind. A huge part of being a nurse is caring for the patient. It’s not just about the medicine; you have to understand the person as a whole. I think that what makes you a good nurse is seeing someone holistically. I have had a holistic experience here. I have been involved in different cheer events and been able to practice my communication and leadership skills. I have connected with different types of people at volunteer events and North Park, as well as my professors, have supported that.

My time at North Park has inspired me to go down the path I’m on. I would also say that people are the heart of North Park. I think that is what I will remember the most from my time here. I appreciate that faith is part of the experience here, but that it isn’t bombarded in our faces. My favorite experience has been connecting with the teachers because I know I wouldn’t have experienced that at a bigger school.

I’m a nursing assistant at Rush, so I plan on staying there as a registered nurse on the general medicine floor. I like my current job, so I’ll stay there for some time. They also have benefits for going back to school, which I will probably take advantage of. Within the next five years, I’d like to get my master’s degree as a Nurse Practitioner.

Joakim Widdas

My end goal is to work in private equity or investment banking. Right now, I’m looking for opportunities to get a foot in to the financial industry and then later I’ll move into private equity and investment banking.

I’ve been challenged academically at North Park, especially by some of my professors who have been tough with me to help me prepare for jobs outside of school. They have been fair, but taught me a lot. The business department really cares about your learning. My professors made an effort to connect me with their professional associates over coffee; that gave me the chance to ask them about their experiences and has helped in my education.

I chose North Park because I wanted to be in a big city. As an international, I can’t afford to go around America and visit schools, so I was taking a shot, but in the end, it has been a good experience.

I have always been secure about who I am, but I will remember my time at North Park as a turbulent few years. I’ve learned a lot about myself and what I want to do in life. NPU has also been a unique experience because the Christian aspect attracts different-minded people than me. I have started to focus on the people who care and mean something to me; authentic people. Coming out of school, I have a bigger understanding of people.

Megan Dunbar

I took an intro to physics class, and it was hard. That was good though because it challenged me in a way that my other classes hadn’t. I really struggled with those classes, but it was something different that I was interested in and I liked figuring it out. So I kept with physics. I will graduate with a degree in physics, but I don’t think that I will go into a field with it right away. Right now, I am applying for positions within nonprofit organizations in Chicago.

A lot of my time at North Park has been dedicated to volunteer service. I’ve gotten to volunteer with World Relief as part of an afterschool program. Basically, you spend time with kids from refugee families whose parents are still at work. I’ve volunteered for six years now, and I’ve never thought of it as just an extracurricular; it is something that I want to do and be a part of. After college, I want to go back and be in the environment that volunteering creates and meet the people who are there and form relationships with them. I would like to be on the other side of volunteering, a direct influence on the volunteers. Helping people get settled would be amazing, but it’s also daunting.

It makes me feel nostalgic to think about who I was as a Sophomore. I am a lot stronger, mentally, physically, and emotionally, stronger in academics, in knowing who I am now. I’ve gotten to try all these different experiences and find out what I really wanted to do. I took up boxing! I got lucky and found a good set of friends the first semester I was here. They have shaped who I am and my experience while I have been here.

For every setback I thought I had, I wound up with another person to support me. They were a professor, a staff member, or another student who I connected with and who made my experience better. So, I will remember the people the most and those stories that I’ve learned while I was here.

Author Ana SeklerPosted on Categories Blog, Profile, StoriesTags

Real Stories of NPU: College in the City

“I left India when I was 17 to start college. Initially, it was hard to be away from home, but I was intentional about becoming involved with the campus community. As an international student, I don’t have family here, but North Park has become a family to me.”

Esther Uputuri, Nursing and Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership, “I left India when I was 17 to start college. North Park is equipping me with resources to overcome challenges, better myself, and move one step closer to my dream every day. My professors are very encouraging and willing to help. Initially, it was hard to be away from home, but I was intentional about becoming involved with the campus community. As an international student, I don’t have family here, but North Park has become a family to me."

Esther Uputuri is a Junior earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership. She is also a resident assistant, student ambassador, president of the South Asia Cultural Club, and member of the Nonprofit Club and International Justice Mission.

“I left India when I was 17 to start college.

I always thought I would come to the U.S. for my masters or for vacation, but I never expected to for my undergrad. It was definitely God-led. God, at the right time, brought people into my life to encourage me. When I arrived on my flight ten days before the semester started, it was a new beginning, and I was looking forward to seeing how my life would play out.

Living and studying in the middle of a large, world-class city has given me an opportunity to experience an urban perspective on life—to study and understand the fast-paced lifestyle and socio-economic diversity. City life gives me endless opportunities; whether they be vocational or educational, arts or entertainment, work or worship, I get to have a hands-on experience in the city. Access to more internships and other career-boosting experiences also adds to the appeal.

North Park is equipping me with resources to overcome challenges, better myself, and move one step closer to my dream every single day. My professors are amazing, especially the nursing and nonprofit professors. They are very encouraging and willing to help. Initially, it was hard to be away from home, but I was intentional about becoming involved with the campus community. As an international student, I don’t have family here, but North Park has become a family to me.

Living by yourself will challenge you in a lot of ways, spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically, and it helps you reflect on who you are and what you have learned. It’s a tough world, and North Park is preparing me to be more independent.”

Author Ana SeklerPosted on Categories Blog, Profile, StoriesTags , , ,