North Park has served five generations of students and continues to grow in diversity, academic relevance, and Christian commitment. Our Chicago location is a great asset that reflects the School’s global reach and outlook.
After 125 years, we’ve learned how to streamline the process of helping qualified applicants seek admission to North Park and find affordable ways to attend. If you don’t see what you’re looking for on our website, please contact us directly!
North Park offers more than 40 graduate and undergraduate programs in liberal arts, sciences, and professional studies. Classes average 17 students. 84% of our faculty have terminal degrees. Academics here are rigorous and results-oriented.
North Park Theological Seminary prepares you to answer the call to service through theological study, spiritual development, and the formative experiences of living in a community with others on a similar life path.
The Office of Alumni Engagement fosters lifelong connections by engaging alumni with the university and one another in activities, programs, and services that support the university’s mission and alumni needs.
Lauren Thurston MDiv ’23 has been awarded a clergy-related Fellowship at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics.
North Park Theological Seminary’s (NPTS) Lauren Thurston MDiv ’23 has been awarded a clergy-related Fellowship at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics (FASPE).
“As a seminary student, Lauren’s attentiveness to the dignity and flourishing of all people was woven throughout all her work,” said NPTS Theology Teaching Fellow Armida Belmonte Stephens, who taught Thurston. “As a pastor and leader, she is critically engaging important ethical questions, and her commitment to seeking God’s glory and neighbors’ good is clear. This fellowship is so very well deserved.”
As part of the program, participants spend two weeks in Germany and Poland exploring the constructs, current issues, and other factors that raise ethical concerns in contemporary professional work settings. In addition to discussions, students spend time touring sites of historic importance as they relate to the Holocaust.
Specifically, FASPE investigates the ethical societal breakdowns that allowed Naziism to flourish in 1930s and 1940s Germany and the implications for today’s workplace.
“FASPE’s distinctive approach is to examine the roles and behavior of individual professionals in Germany and elsewhere between 1933 and 1945 as an initial framework for approaching ethical responsibility in the professions today,” according to FASPE’s mission statement.
The highly competitive fellowships are awarded to those in the fields of law, medicine, journalism, design and technology, and clergy and religious leaders.
To qualify, clergy applicants must be enrolled in graduate school or preparing to work as a religious leader. FASPE welcomes applicants from all faith backgrounds.
Congratulations to the students who made the spring 2025 dean’s list.
Congratulations to the students who made the spring 2025 dean’s list. Degree-seeking students with at least 12 semester credit hours at North Park University and a GPA of 3.5 or higher are eligible for this honor.
The 472 students who graduated in North Park University’s Commencement this spring represent its second-largest class ever.
The 472 students who graduated in North Park University’s Commencement this spring represent its second-largest class ever. In addition, 16 students were awarded the Ahnfeldt Medallion for having a 4.0 grade point average. Typically, North Park awards no more than six medallions.
Friends and families packed the Helwig Recreation Center for the ceremony on May 10. President Mary K. Surridge asked graduating students to stand and applaud their loved ones in a show of appreciation for their support.
“We rejoice with you on this glorious day, and we congratulate you on your perseverance in reaching this important milestone,” President Surridge told the graduates.
This spring 2025 graduating class is a 37% increase compared to last year and 17% larger than North Park’s five-year average. North Park’s largest graduating class was in 2017, with 478 students.
Beginning September 2025, students will have the opportunity to pursue accredited degrees from North Park in an online format.
North Park University is proud to announce the launch of its new suite of online graduate programs, designed to provide working professionals with flexible, high-quality education. Beginning September 2025, students will have the opportunity to pursue accredited degrees from North Park in an online format, allowing them to advance their careers while balancing work, family, and other priorities.
North Park is committed to making education more accessible by offering flexible online learning with multiple start dates throughout the year. This initiative removes traditional barriers to learning and provides students with the tools to succeed in an evolving workforce.
“At North Park, we are dedicated to providing innovative educational opportunities that meet the needs of today’s learners,” said Provost Michael Carr. “Shifting many of our graduate programs to an online format reflects our vision to meet students where they’re at and empower them with the skills and knowledge needed to lead lives of significance and service.”
The online offerings include:
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Master of Arts in Educational Leadership with Principal Endorsement
Master of Business Administration
Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner
To support this initiative, North Park has expanded its existing partnership with Risepoint, a leader in education technology that specializes in helping universities expand their online learning opportunities. For more than two years, North Park and Risepoint have successfully partnered together for the Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing program, which helps fill a critical need for nurses nationwide.
“North Park University exemplifies what it means to be a values-driven institution committed to both access and excellence,” shared Risepoint CEO Fernando Bleichmar. “We’re proud to deepen our partnership and support their mission to deliver high-quality, flexible programs that meet real workforce and societal needs.”
Learn more about the available programs and how to apply.
Former North Park University Head Men’s Basketball Coach to be inducted into the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame.
On October 31, former North Park University Head Men’s Basketball Coach Dan McCarrell will be inducted into the Small College Basketball (SCB) Hall of Fame. McCarrell, a three-time National Association of Basketball Coaches Coach of the Year (1978–80), will be honored in Lakeland, Florida, alongside 11 other members of the class of 2025.
“Dan McCarrell’s legacy in basketball is one of excellence, leadership, and unwavering dedication,” said John Born, North Park’s athletics director. “His impact on the game and the players he has mentored is immeasurable. Being inducted into the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame is a well-deserved honor recognizing his extraordinary contributions to the sport.”
McCarrell led then-North Park College to three consecutive national championships from 1978–80. He was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1985 and North Park’s Viking Hall of Fame in 1988. He was also named the NCAA Division III Coach of the Decade for the 1970s at the national tournament banquet in 1980. He coached nine All-Americans, and four of his players were selected in the National Basketball Association draft.
“Coach McCarrell being inducted to the SCB Hall of Fame is another testament to what he’s built at North Park,” said current Head Men’s Basketball Coach Edwind McGhee. “Anytime we talk about the history and tradition of this program, Coach McCarell and his teams are our gold standard. This is a well-deserved honor for him and his family.”
As a North Park student-athlete, McCarrell was a men’s basketball team captain during the 1960–61 season. In 17 seasons coaching the Vikings, his teams compiled a 295–159 record and played in six NCAA tournaments, boasting a tournament record of 17–4. North Park’s three consecutive titles are matched only by the University of California, Los Angeles. They remain the only teams to win three consecutive national titles at any level of college basketball. McCarrell’s 1979 team was the first Division III basketball team to win back-to-back national titles.
This marks the ninth class inducted into the Small College Basketball National Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will take place at Florida Southern College.
North Park University’s dance team won the NCAA Division III Team Performance category for the first time in program history.
In April, North Park University’s (NPU) dance team won the NCAA Division III Team Performance category for the first time in program history at the College Classic National Championship in Orlando, Florida
Thirteen North Park student-athletes attended the competition and master classes, eight of whom were in the group that competed in the Division III Team Performance category. Twelve team members competed and placed ninth in the Division III Pom category.
North Park attended the event for the first time in 2024, taking sixth place in Division III Pom and eleventh in Division III Jazz.
“Winning the national championship title this year meant everything to us,” said Head Coach Kim Maljak. “We worked hard, committed lots of time to practicing, and were dedicated to perfecting our last-minute changes to the routine. Because of that dedication, we became North Park’s first-ever national champion dance team!”
As champions, North Park brought home a trophy, custom jackets, rings, and a banner, which will hang from the balcony in NPU’s Helwig Recreation Center.
The College Classic National Championship, according to organizer Dance Team Union, emphasizes the athletic and creative aspects of dance, recognizing each team’s unique qualities and individuality. Teams from across the county competed for titles in various dance styles, with the winners of the preliminary rounds advancing to the final and battle rounds.
In late April, the North Park community rallied together on campus and off for North Park’s annual day of giving, Blue & Gold Day.
In late April, the North Park community rallied together on campus and off for North Park’s annual day of giving, Blue & Gold Day. In reaching its 10th anniversary this year, it has become part of North Park’s history.
First known as NPU125 in 2015, the same year as North Park’s 125th anniversary, 466 donors contributed $135,901 to the North Park Fund, which touches all parts of the university and seminary, contributing to financial aid, student services, and campus infrastructure.
As Blue & Gold Day evolved, its fundraising efforts expanded to include the Student Care Program, which assists students experiencing financial hardships, and the Viking Club, which supports student-athletes with rising equipment, facilities maintenance, and travel costs. This year marks North Park’s fourth supporting all three funds through Blue & Gold Day.
Advancement Operations Specialist Jennifer Kon has been involved in the project since its inception, recalling the community’s united effort to support the North Park Fund. “It was an all-hands-on-deck effort staffing our first-ever Blue & Gold Day to make a real difference for students,” she said.
In 2025, 541 donors—representing 32 states and two countries—contributed $318,148, more than doubling the amount from the first Blue & Gold Day.
“Each year, Blue & Gold Day exemplifies the power of collective generosity, bringing together alumni, faculty, staff, and friends to support North Park’s mission,” said Annual Giving Manager Emily Black, Blue & Gold Day’s current project manager.
She continued, “Every contribution—whether five dollars or thousands—fuels student success, strengthens campus programs, and reinforces the spirit that defines our community.”
The North Park community’s concerted impact on Blue & Gold Day and beyond ensures that the university and seminary continue to thrive for future generations of students.
Brian Zeid MBA ’99 received the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award for his accomplishments in accounting.
Marquis Who’s Who, an international publisher of autobiographical profiles, has recognized Brian Zeid MBA ’99 with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award for his career achievements in accounting.
Zeid has spent most of his career as an accountant at the University of Illinois Chicago, where he is also a member of the Chancellor’s Committee on Sustainability and the Business and Finance Services Reporting Committee. Marquis lauded Zeid for his role in managing financial operations and ensuring compliance with accounting standards.
“Mr. Zeid’s role involves meticulous attention to detail and a strong commitment to accuracy, reflecting his dedication to the field,” Marquis said.
Since 1899, Marquis has printed a “Who’s Who” of accomplished individuals and innovators from the worlds of politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion, and entertainment.
Students, faculty, and staff convened to learn how to have better conversations with people whose opinions differ from their own.
About 25 students, faculty, and staff convened in the Magnuson Center on April 23 to learn how to have better conversations with people whose opinions differ from their own. The “Disagreeing Better” workshop, led by Braver Angels of Illinois, was a Catalyst on Campus event sponsored by the Van Der Meid Lecture in American Politics.
The session, held in preparation for the Van Der Meid lecture in October, was led by Laura Piemonte and Ralph Beck, co-heads of Braver Angels, a nonprofit national organization committed to improving political dialogue.
“Polarization is the one problem that ensures all other problems won’t be solved,” Beck said in his introductory comments. “It’s important to respect all opinions and remember that not everyone in the room will share the same views.”
Attendees then divided into pairs, discussing hot-button topics such as immigration, gun control, climate change, and birthright citizenship. Afterward, the groups reconvened to discuss ways they learned how to listen better, acknowledge other opinions, and grow.
Participants concluded the workshop by creating a “pledge wall” on which they wrote specific instances where they will employ their new skills.
Rev. Dr. Dennis Edwards reflects on theological education following Trinity Evangelical Divinity School’s move to Canada.
In light of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School’s recent announcement that it will close its Chicago-area campus and move to and merge with its sister institution in Canada, North Park Theological Seminary’s dean and vice president for church relations, Rev. Dr. Dennis Edwards, shared his thoughts on the state of theological education in the United States.
In his essay, Edwards addresses the challenges facing evangelical seminaries while emphasizing theological education’s lasting importance, specifically for encouraging spiritual formation, critical thinking, and character building. To read the blog post, visit the Evangelical Covenant Church’s website.
Author Megan VoypickPosted on Categories Stories
