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.
“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.
“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.”
“North Park is not only helping me to prepare for my future career but to prepare for life.”
Katrina Annemarie Giannoni, Nursing, C’22
“North Park takes learning to a whole new level. During my freshman year, I had the opportunity to spend every weekend in our very own cadaver lab. This is by far the most memorable part of my academic career at North Park. It’s great for students wanting to pursue careers in the sciences and gain hands-on experience while receiving guidance from experts in the field.
“North Park is not only helping me to prepare for my future career but to prepare for life. Life will have rough seas and smooth sailing, but North Park has taught me that while rowing the ship might not always be easy, we Vikings must hold each other up, and together we can rise.
“My tapestry at North Park includes Rowing team, Women’s Chorale, The American Medical Student Association, experience as a nursing supplemental instructor and President of the Student Nurses Association, and so much more. Through all of this I’ve experienced one thing in common—amazing people.”
We’re celebrating 130 years of North Park community. You’re invited to share your own story at www.northpark.edu/share130
The unassuming “millionaire next door” who eventually earned her PhD, Wilma Peterson bequeathed almost her entire estate of more than $2.4 million to North Park University.
The unassuming “millionaire next door” who eventually earned her PhD, Wilma Peterson bequeathed almost her entire estate of more than $2.4 million to North Park University, marking a significant gift in the history of the University.
Peterson, who was 99 years old when she died in March 2020, worked and taught young nurses at nearby Swedish Hospital in the mid-1950s and early 1960s, when the hospital was affiliated with North Park and the Evangelical Covenant Church, where she also was a lifelong member and had her religious roots.
As her will decrees, the estate gift — which was fully received in October 2021 — will be divided between the North Park University School of Nursing and North Park Theological Seminary to establish named, endowed faculty chairs in both schools. Peterson, who began working with administrators around 2008 to establish the endowed gifts, lived a long and frugal life in a Portland suburb, which allowed the eventual gift to grow. Born to a large Canadian farming family in rural Saskatchewan in 1921, Peterson was the first in her family to go to university in 1942 and eventually earned her master’s degree in 1953 and a doctorate in 1977, in biology with an emphasis on human physiology because there were few nursing doctorates available.
“Wilma’s life highlights several elements of the North Park story, past, and present. That includes the determination and subsequent generosity of groundbreaking first-generation students who have been central to North Park’s culture since its founding in 1891 as a college for predominantly Swedish immigrants,” said North Park President Mary K. Surridge.
“Today, Wilma’s legacy promises to live on at North Park by providing a stellar education to many of our nursing and theological studies students, who are also often first-generation students with unique backgrounds of their own. Her story will inspire many of our students,” said Surridge.
Peterson became a United States citizen while working and teaching at Swedish Hospital. She attended North Park Covenant Church near North Park.
North Park is planning investiture ceremonies inducting selected professors into the Wilma E. Peterson faculty chairs.
North Park and the Art Institute of Chicago (AIC) have partnered to offer all North Park undergraduate students free admission to the AIC.
North Park and the Art Institute of Chicago (AIC) have partnered to offer all North Park undergraduate students free admission to the AIC. The University Partner Program also includes special exhibitions, virtual programs and lectures, professional development, an invitation to AIC’s Jobs at Art Museums fair, and two dates during the academic school year for the entire North Park community to enjoy free admission.
North Park’s Student Engagement office presented the idea of being part of the partnership opportunity to one of its very own students, Emily Underwood, an Education and Art major. As the fine arts representative in Student Government, Underwood sat side-by-side with Student Engagement staff members to plan the program and make it a reality.
Emily Underwood
“If Student Engagement sees that you have an idea, they work tirelessly to make sure you are connected with the right people to make it happen,” said Underwood. “I am so excited to have been a part of this which I know will be used and loved by North Park students,” added Underwood.
Viewing Chicago as an extension of the classroom, North Park’s curriculum integrates experiential learning opportunities spanning the arts, sciences, nonprofits, ministries, businesses, and civic organizations.
Gabriela Vazquez, Student Activities Coordinator, is always looking for opportunities for students to engage the city. “Having the ability to create customized events and access to the wealth of resources at such an important museum aligns with North Park’s city-centered, intercultural and Christian distinctives,” said Vazquez.
“Being involved in this partnership opens up even more opportunities for the city (Chicago) to be a part of our classroom. The art world can be brought into every classroom,” said Underwood.
In addition to free admission for all undergraduate students with a valid North Park ID, the partnership benefits also offer:
AIC’s renowned encyclopedic collection, archival materials in the Ryerson and Burnham Libraries, lectures, and programs
50 general admission tickets for faculty, staff, and other guests
10% discount on first time memberships (up to Member Plus level) for North Park students, staff, and faculty (excluding student and e-member levels)
Two virtual opportunities
Invitation to Jobs at Art Museums (JAM), an annual museum career awareness event
Opportunities for special professional development programs
Concierge service for planned group trips, meetings, classes, or tours
Complementary admission to AIC is valid through January 31, 2023.
Upon election of delegates gathering for the ECC’s annual meeting, in Kansas City, MO, June 23–25, Swanson-Draheim would become the first female president in the denomination’s history.
North Park University is delighted to congratulate Seminary alumna Rev. Tammy Swanson-Draheim on her nomination to stand for election as president of the Evangelical Covenant Church.
Upon election of delegates gathering for the ECC’s annual meeting, in Kansas City, MO, June 23–25, Swanson-Draheim would become the first female president in the denomination’s history.
A lifelong Covenanter, Swanson-Draheim earned her MBA at North Park University and her Master of Divinity degree from the North Park Theological Seminary. She has served the ECC for more than 23 years, as chaplain at Covenant Home of Chicago, as lead pastor of First Covenant Church in Mason City, Iowa, and, since 2011, as superintendent of the Midwest Conference.
She was selected by the ECC’s 27-member Presidential Nominating Committee from a pool of more than 40 excellent candidates and six finalists.
Committee Chair Steve Dawson said, “the Holy Spirit confirmed in our votes what we had prayed for—clear discernment and unity of mind. Our process was bathed in prayer.”
As the University of the Evangelical Covenant Church, we at North Park are deeply grateful for the committee’s service to the church, and we thank God for Rev. Swanson-Draheim and for the many gifted leaders throughout our denomination!
“As a person who has always felt a calling to service, I was inspired by the Bible’s teachings that we must be good stewards of the earth.”
Christopher Lempa C’18, Marketing and Spanish
“As a person who has always felt a calling to service, I was inspired by the Bible’s teachings that we must be good stewards of the earth. This led me to become co-president of the Green Team club at North Park and lead an initiative to have the cafeteria compost foods.
“Co-President Renee Baker, former President Garrett Warren, and other club members were collaborators. Our biggest challenge was developing the necessary diverse coalition to support the cause. We had to recruit and mobilize a team of students that had never met before and build relationships with multiple University associates and administrators to help guide our efforts and endorse the proposal. These relationships and the teamwork of our student organizers allowed us to create a successful proposal, which the University approved one year after we formed the idea.
“This experience showed me the power of working collaboratively with others toward a common goal. The lessons I learned as a Green Team leader led me to work on several more community-oriented campaigns and develop my own mission-driven career. Since graduating, I’ve been blessed to work for several civic engagement organizations such as the Sierra Club, Peace Corps, Gun Violence Prevention Illinois, and now as a program coordinator for Friends of the Parks.”
We’re celebrating 130 years of North Park community. You’re invited to share your own story at www.northpark.edu/share130
“The Faith in the Vaccine ambassador program was launched by an interfaith community as a way to lessen the spread of misconceptions about the COVID-19 vaccine.”
Dhruvi Patel C’22, Biomedical Sciences
“The Faith in the Vaccine ambassador program was launched by an interfaith community as a way to lessen the spread of misconceptions about the COVID-19 vaccine. 12 North Park students, including myself, were selected as vaccine ambassadors. With guidance from Kristine Aronsson, the pre-health advisor at North Park, we were able to provide vaccines to many people.
“The major challenge for us was to talk with others about receiving the vaccine. Through this program, we met a huge variety of people from different cultures and educated them on the mechanism and importance of vaccination in more than eight different languages.
“It was a great experience for me personally because I was able to help and protect many lives by motivating people to get vaccinated, and I learned a lot from this wonderful experience. The motto that we spread to the people around us is ‘Get vaccinated and protect your neighbor.’”
We’re celebrating 130 years of North Park community. You’re invited to share your own story at www.northpark.edu/share130
“I was a trader at the Chicago Board of Trade for 25 years as well as a football coach during that time, but I had always wanted to go back to school and become a teacher.”
Steve Bauer (left) with fellow teacher
Steve Bauer C’21, Teacher Licensure
“I was a trader at the Chicago Board of Trade for 25 years as well as a football coach during that time, but I had always wanted to go back to school and become a teacher. When the pandemic began, the Board of Trade shut down for a period of time, so I took the opportunity and enrolled at North Park for the teacher licensure program because it was the only school in the state that offered teacher licensure in business.
“My experience at North Park was nothing but positive, and after graduating in December, I really feel like I’m equipped to become a teacher. I’m a unique case, transitioning from a profession that I had for 25 years into a completely different one, but from the moment I enrolled to the moment I graduated, North Park faculty bent over backwards to make sure that everything was as smooth as possible.
“Dr. Ida Maduram, Dr. John Laukaitis, Dr. Carolyn Poterek, and Dr. Teri Madl were model teachers. One thing they preached that has stuck with me is that in order to help students, you must have empathy—especially when things aren’t going smoothly. It’s a tool I used a lot during my student teaching and will continue to use in the future.”
We’re celebrating 130 years of North Park community. You’re invited to share your own story at www.northpark.edu/share130
“North Park has been a place of enriching, enduring community for me. Foremost, I met my husband Ken my junior year; we married in Isaacson Chapel the weekend of his graduation and lived on campus a few more years while he attended seminary and I taught school. Fellow students became dear friends, and we have remained close to many for more than fifty years. Our children were each drawn to North Park as they observed our close relationships and heard of the many enrichment and engagement opportunities Chicago had offered us. That Erik, Mark, and Ingrid chose to attend there was a bonus, as it further broadened our North Park community, and it was a delight to gain a daughter-in-law and a son-in-law who joined our family through North Park.”
Nancy’s immediate family who are all NPU alumni, left to right: Erik Carlson, Nancy Stenberg Carlson, Ken Carlson, Ingrid Carlson Halverson, and Mark Carlson
“As I moved into adulthood, it was important for me to better understand and engage with a wider community than the comfortable one close to me. My awareness of the broader Chicago community developed significantly in my final semester when I was student teaching. In the Spring of 1968, I was riding a bus on Kedzie each morning and experiencing more of the world’s diversity than ever before as it headed south to Humboldt Park and Lowell School. When my supervising teacher realized I spoke Spanish, she gave me the responsibility of teaching her five Spanish-speaking students. In this 1:5 ratio, I was able to clearly witness the children’s development and excitement for learning. This early recognition of the impact that caring for and connecting with individual children can have remained with me throughout my teaching career. It also helped me realize the barriers that so many face. After Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in April, the neighborhoods I passed on the bus and the one I taught in experienced incredible violence and volatility as people expressed pent-up frustration. Witnessing this was a pivotal awakening for me, creating an intent to be more aware of what is going on in my broader community, my country, and in the world, and to become more sensitive to the untold challenges facing individuals, people groups, and society in general.”
We’re celebrating 130 years of North Park community. You’re invited to share your own story at www.northpark.edu/share130
Author lcpostrobinsonPosted on Categories Blog, Stories
