Category: Stories

Greg Sager, Play-by-Play Commentator, Viking Athletics

We’re celebrating 130 years of North Park community. You’re invited to share your own story at www.northpark.edu/share130

#130stories

Geraldine Debeuf, C’10, ISEP Program, France 

“As a French student studying abroad for a year, I learned so much at North Park, about people and about myself. My favorite memories at North Park were Halloween on Campus (we don’t celebrate it much in France), dances at Navy Pier, Spanish classes with Cherie Meacham, and basketball games . . . So many great memories! 

“North Park is special to me because the staff, the teachers, and the students are all the nicest people! And Chicago is a wonderful city that will be in my heart forever. My husband and I had our first baby last November, and I really hope she can have an experience abroad like I did at North Park because I know she won’t regret it!” 

We’re celebrating 130 years of North Park community. You’re invited to share your own story at www.northpark.edu/share130

#130stories

Sandy Nelson, C’85, Art

“The Sweden Exchange Program with SVF in Jönköping, Sweden—August, 1983 to March, 1984—was the most influential time of my years at North Park. In addition to making lifelong friends, the experience of living in Sweden really opened my eyes and mind to the ways other cultures live, and ways that might be better than the systems we have in the USA. Other travels to Greece, the Soviet Union, and around Europe while I was on the exchange program, as well as a mission trip to Haiti during one spring break, were also extremely valuable and enlightening.

“Along with those incredible experiences and the opportunities from living in the wonderful city of Chicago, it was special to be on a small campus where you really get to know people of all ages, including professors. I loved it when I realized that so many of my friends were the children of people that my folks knew or went to North Park with—the generational connections were unbelievable! Now many of my North Park friends have kids attending North Park. I hope it’s still that way when my daughter is college-age.”

We’re celebrating 130 years of North Park community. You’re invited to share your own story at www.northpark.edu/share130

#130stories

Nicholas Jordon Canete, C’18, Politics and Government

“When I met Dr. John Laukaitis, he had been researching and writing about North Park and other Christian colleges during World War II. He shared with me a 70-year-old bronze plaque discovered in the University Archives. It was inscribed with the names of students and alumni of North Park who were killed during service in World War II. I thought it was important that the plaque be restored and re-installed to honor those fallen students and alumni. As a student veteran and an heir of the GI Bill, I saw the project as a way to give back to a generation that came before me.   

“Interim President Carl Balsam made the process of restoring the plaque very easy. He generously took care of the refurbishment of the plaque and had it re-installed in a quiet space on campus near the river. Once it was re-installed, we had a small gathering of prayer, and we read General MacArthur’s Tokyo Bay speech. 

“Both of these gentlemen love North Park very deeply. The three of us are also lifelong students of history. It was great collaborating with them to recognize the Fallen 45. The most memorable part of the project was the re-dedication ceremony we hosted on September 17, 2017. More than 50 individuals attended to pay tribute. This permanently etched the Fallen 45 into our shared history. “

We’re celebrating 130 years of North Park community. You’re invited to share your own story at www.northpark.edu/share130

#130stories

Elaine Scheelk, C’92, Biblical and Theological Studies

“The Adopt-a-Grandparent program that I participated in for outreach has impacted me in ways I never expected. I made a later in life career change into the Senior Living industry, and I credit my time visiting my “Grandpa Pete” at Covenant Home with preparing me for a career that inspires me daily.

“Grandpa Pete was a lifelong bachelor and ran the elevator at the old Covenant Home (so he could see all the ladies). He was a tall man who gave big hugs and always offered to buy ice cream or to give you a piece of candy. We spent much of our time together walking and talking or just sitting and visiting. He would introduce me to other residents as his “adopted granddaughter.”

“Grandpa Pete took away some of my own fear of growing old. When you asked him how he was doing he invariably replied, “fit as a fiddle and ready for love.” I knew that I wanted to have that kind of zest for life as I aged. Now in my work, I look for opportunities to give more seniors and their families joy in their later years.

“North Park gave me urban experiences with a small community as home base. Now, as I travel between nearly 40 senior living communities, I am more at ease in whatever city or area I am visiting. I didn’t realize the passion that I had for seniors during my college years, but God was cultivating that passion even back then.”

We’re celebrating 130 years of North Park community. You’re invited to share your own story at www.northpark.edu/share130

#130stories

Denise Fuentes, G’20, MBA

“The day I picked up my cap and gown was magical. It was the middle of the pandemic, but I took a half day at work and drove to the city with my parents. I am a first-generation college student and the first in my family to obtain a graduate level degree. It was really special to share that moment with my parents. When I spoke with Tanya in Student Services, I think I cried. We took pictures and, of course, stopped at the bookstore for more NPU swag.

“My MBA program was already virtual, so the pandemic didn’t drastically change my experience, but it did give me more time to dedicate to my studies. Finance and numbers are not my strong suit, so I reached out to my professors for additional resources and support. The advice and perspectives they shared have really stuck with me.”

We’re celebrating 130 years of North Park community. You’re invited to share your own story: www.northpark.edu/share130

#130Stories