Category: Stories

North Park Honors Grads During Commencement Weekend

More than 550 North Parkers received their diplomas, graduate degrees, and certificates during a celebratory commencement weekend filled with family, friends, and University faculty and staff.

More than 550 North Parkers received their diplomas, graduate degrees, and certificates during a celebratory commencement weekend filled with family, friends, and University faculty and staff.

The celebratory weekend began with the Baccalaureate Service, held Friday evening at the historic Fourth Presbyterian Church downtown, and continued Saturday with the undergraduate commencement ceremony.

The Procession of Colors kicked off the ceremony, with graduates carrying the flags of the countries in which they were born or had been residents. In all, 25 countries, from Rwanda to South Korea, were represented, the flags serving as a visual embodiment of North Park’s intercultural distinctive.

These students were followed by 300 of their classmates, who took their seats at the front of the assembled crowd.

“This indeed is a glorious moment,” President Mary K. Surridge said, addressing the graduates. “Years of diligent work have led to this milestone; you have reason to be proud of your accomplishment.”

President Surridge continued: “Our vision, building on our core institutional identity – Christian, city-centered, and intercultural – is to fashion a university of uncommon character and enduring excellence where faith, learning, and service meet. You are evidence that we are advancing this vision.”

President Surridge then took a moment to honor members of the Class of 1969, many of whom were in attendance, dressed in golden robes and sitting just behind the members of the Class of 2019. President Surridge noted that in 1969, gas was 30 cents a gallon, the median income was $8,500, and it was the year of Woodstock and the first year Yale University admitted women.

Before the Class of 1969 stood to applause, she lauded the “Legacy of our faithful alumni.”

This year, a three-way tie meant that three students received the Ahnfeldt Medallion, awarded to the graduate with the highest grade point average. This year’s recipients were Aseel Hussein, a politics and government major; Katelyn Jo Truex, a psychology major; and Dawson Vosburg, a sociology major.

Following the conferring of undergraduate degrees, the David Nyvall Medallion for Distinguished Service was awarded to Dr. Linda Duncan in recognition of more than 40 years of service to North Park.

Under Duncan’s leadership as dean, the undergraduate nursing program was redesigned and undergraduate enrollment doubled, becoming one of North Park’s largest majors. Lab space was significantly expanded, including the addition of the cutting-edge Kathy Holmgren Nursing Simulation Center.

The morning ceremony was followed in the afternoon by the Graduate and School of Professional Studies Commencement Convocation. During the commencement litany, graduate students vowed to continue to live the North Park mission.

“We will strive to show reverence for all human life, to treat all people with dignity and respect, and to work together for the common good,” the graduates said in unison. “As we leave this place, we will continue to explore the world and learn from the perspective of others.”

The day ended with the Seminary Commencement and Consecration Service, where recently retired Directory of Ministry Services Carol Lawson received an honorary degree. The commencement speaker, Cecilia Williams, serves as the Executive Minister for the Love Mercy Do Justice mission of the Evangelical Covenant Church.

At the Baccalaureate Service, President Surridge addressed graduates on the eve of their graduation.

“Tonight is a gift from God,” President Surridge said. “Gathered on the eve of a milestone, we offer to God what we have to give – ourselves and the stirrings of our hearts and minds.”

The Baccalaureate Address was given by Craig R. Johnson, the retiring Dean of the School of Music, Art, and Theatre. Afterward, the graduates received Prayers of Blessings from University faculty and staff.

Earlier in the week, a special athletics commencement ceremony was held for members of the baseball and rowing teams, whose members were participating in a tournament and a regatta, respectively, during the traditional ceremony.

Watch Commencement Videos

Author Ana SeklerPosted on Categories News, Stories

CDIO Introduces Annual Internship Awards

The Career Development and Internship Office honored an intern of the year and an internship host of the year at the Eighth Annual Networking Dinner.

The Career Development and Internship Office (CDIO) walks alongside students from the beginning of their academic careers at North and even after they graduate, offering guidance for career goals and assisting with resumes, internships, and interviewing strategies, and more. One of their valuable offerings to students is the annual CDIO Networking Dinner—an event where students have the opportunity to sit over a meal with professionals for networking opportunities. Evelyne Peterson, the career programs manager of the CDIO, highlights the benefits of the event. “There’s a lot of skill development that students don’t necessarily get just through the classroom experience, so this one of those good guidepost experiences while they’re at North Park.”

This year, a new aspect was incorporated into the dinner: internship awards. On April 4, the CDIO honored an intern of the year and an internship host of the year at the Eighth Annual Networking Dinner. According to Renee Tucker Martinez, the CDIO’s career education specialist, the awards were created to recognize students’ hard work at internships as well as the internships that host North Park students. “This is the city of Chicago; there are boundless opportunities for students to build preprofessional resumes,” she says, in hopes that the awards will encourage more students to explore internship opportunities.

Winner of the Intern of the Year Award, Mi Ran Choi C’20 is a cello performance major also working towards a certificate in music for social change and human values. Choi was nominated by Dr. Tom Zelle based on her internship with The People’s Music School. With the help of resources from the CDIO and conversations with Dr. Zelle, Choi got connected with Ewa Sarota-Raczek, program manager of the non-profit organization dedicated to making music education accessible to communities.

With immense gratitude for her internship experience at The People’s Music School, Choi says, “In the two years I have worked with them, my perspectives on music, social change, and human values have greatly expanded, and it is always a delight to see the students I work with growing into caring young adults.” Primarily working with the Albany Park Youth Orchestras, Choi assisted with administrative tasks and in music theory and strings classes, where she learned about the inner workings of music education. In regard to her future, Choi mentions that the internship has further enhanced her interest in nonprofit music organizations as well as connecting music education to social justice. “This has served as a humbling reminder to me that music is so much more than what is written on pages; rather, it is what connects us all through a common, underlying pulse of humanity.”

Sean Cariño, an infection control practitioner at the Swedish Covenant Hospital, won the Internship Host of the Year Award after being nominated by his intern Eduardo Vaca C’20, a biochemistry major. Cariño emphasizes the importance of data and experience to his interns, saying, “It’s not the formulas you memorize that make you better, it’s how creative you are with what you’ve got.” In order to decrease the risk of infection in patients, Cariño taught Vaca how to collect and analyze his own data regarding the hand hygiene of the hospital employees; he also invited to Vaca to meetings, where he could expand his network and was challenged to learn about professionalism and real-world problems.

Cariño, who has been working with North Parkers for a year, recalls his own meaningful internship experiences. “It really was the mentors who took care of me that made me appreciate where I am now, so one of my biggest impetuses is to be who I needed when I was young.” Which goes hand in hand with what Vaca says about his internship experience. “Sean’s mentorship and just genuine friendship has been a priceless support for me right now, and I could not be more grateful.”

Learn More About the CDIO

Author Ana SeklerPosted on Categories News, StoriesTags ,

Honoring Our Retiring Deans

Linda Duncan, Craig Johnson, and Wesley Lindahl were honored by their colleagues at the well-attended reception. Together, the three have dedicated more than 70 years of service to North Park.

Left to right: Provost Emerson, Dean Lindahl, Dean Johnson, Dean Duncan, President Surridge

In a joyous reception in the Johnson Center Board Room Wednesday, North Park bid farewell to three beloved, respected deans who will retire at the end of the school year.

Linda Duncan, Craig Johnson, and Wesley Lindahl were honored by their colleagues at the well-attended reception. Together, the three have dedicated more than 70 years of service to North Park.

In her more than 40 years at North Park, and 11 as the Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Linda Duncan was a dedicated teacher and mentor. In remarks, Nursing Professor Dr. Jan Zeller noted that Duncan was devoted to her students, often visiting them onsite at hospital practicums in the middle of the night, and then showing up to teach class the next day.

During Duncan’s tenure, SNHS saw numerous advances, including the addition of state-of-the-art facilities like the Kathy J. Holmgren Nursing Simulation Lab.

Craig Johnson, Dean of the School of Music, Art, and Theatre, was remembered for his love of puns and his tendency to break into song. During his tenure, Johnson helped lead the renovation of Hanson Hall and oversaw the addition of Art and Theatre to the School of Music, resulting in SMAT as we know it today. In saying goodbye, Johnson, who served as interim Provost for one year, described his last eight years at North Park as the “coda” of his career, as a coda combines the best aspects of a musical piece.

Dean of School of Business and Nonprofit Management Wesley Lindahl joked that he was saying a “North Park goodbye:” While he is retiring from his position as Dean, he will stay on to teach, and thus continue to see his colleagues on campus even after his big celebration. As part of his 17 years at North Park, Lindahl helped secure a $750,000 grant from the Lilly Foundation to help fund the Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management.

Following remarks by Provost Michael O. Emerson, the nearly 100 well-wishers were led by Craig Johnson in singing Happy Birthday in honor of President Mary Surridge on her special day. Chocolate and vanilla cake was served to guests, who mingled while reminiscing.

Author Ana SeklerPosted on Categories Stories

Business Management and Esports: Meet Edson Lopez, Top 500 Fortnite Player

Edson draws many parallels between academic discipline and gaming discipline. “You have to be willing to put in the time and effort to get better, otherwise, you won’t become good. You have to practice every day, you have to compete against other good players.”

Edson Lopez, a Business Management major, will graduate from North Park in May of 2020. Edson is also a Top 500 player in Fortnite. Fortnite is an online video game based on the Battle-Royale format. Players scavenge for loot and build structures until the last man standing. Fortnite has around 250 million registered users worldwide. Edson clocked over 1,000 hours of Fortnite last year on his PS4 alone. He has since moved to playing on PC and plays competitively.

To Edson, video games such as Fortnite are just like any other sport, “it’s just a passion. Gaming is one of those things where I just lose sense of time. I have a lot of fun, and it is something I would like to make a living off of.” For Edson, a career in gaming is becoming a reality. He is already signed on a contract with esports organization Bolt Esports LLC. “The organization chose me for placing well in events and I have proven that I can compete against some of the best players in the world,” Edson says. He hopes to improve and sign with larger organizations; his ultimate goal is to sign with 100 Thieves.

Edson draws many parallels between athletic or academic discipline and gaming discipline. “You have to be willing to put in the time and effort to get better, otherwise, you won’t become good. You have to practice every day, you have to compete against other good players,” he says. Communication and networking are other important aspects to gaming Edson says. Networking with other streamers and players has helped him grow his channels and bolster his online presence.

Edson attributes some of this success to North Park’s School of Business. He cites his professors who intentionally made personal connections with him. They have taught Edson how to communicate and market himself, and have shown him the numbers behind business. Edson says this guidance and learning has “translated over to the gaming side because communication and marketing myself has helped me grow my Twitch (streaming channel), and helped me make new friends and connections with people.” He adds, “I have learned the things I should and shouldn’t do as a professional. Gaming is more serious than many people think.”
Edson is also excited to join the gaming industry in other ways. Esports organizations are similar to other businesses, with a product to sell and talent to acquire. “Scouting would allow me to play the game more casually. The School of Business has really taught me how to communicate, and working as a scout involves a lot of interpersonal skills, so I feel like that would be a good fit for me.”

Last month, Edson and his Duo placed 43rd in a Fortnite tournament in one of the toughest regions in the world: North America East. Edson is currently competing in the Fortnite World Cup qualifiers in Solo and Duo categories. Each weekend, Edson has qualified for finals and has won cash prizes. The Fortnite World Cup has a total prize pool of $30 million.

To follow Edson’s gaming escapades, find him on Twitter or Twitch @PotentFN.

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

Dr. G. Timothy Johnson on “Healthcare – Free Market or Government Control?”

Former ABC Chief Medical Correspondent and North Park graduate, Dr. G. Timothy Johnson, will be discussing “Healthcare—Free Market or Government Control at 3 pm on Thursday, April 25 in the Johnson Center Boardroom (JC 325).

Announcement

Former ABC Chief Medical Correspondent and North Park graduate, Dr. G. Timothy Johnson, will be discussing “Healthcare—Free Market or Government Control at 3 pm on Thursday, April 25 in the Johnson Center Boardroom (JC 325).

Dr. Tim is a public health expert who has spent decades working as the Chief Medical Correspondent for ABC News. Dr. Tim has also been a long-time supporter of North Park University. In 2014, the Nancy and G. Timothy Johnson Center for Science and Community Life, a state-of-the-art science center opened its doors on North Park University’s campus. Don’t miss this special opportunity to hear from an expert on the state of healthcare in the US.

Author Ana SeklerPosted on Categories Announcement, News, Stories

North Park University Receives Grant from National Science Foundation

North Park University has been awarded a $650,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to expand pathways for more undergraduate students to meet the nation’s need for well-educated scientists, engineers, and technicians.

North Park University has been awarded a $650,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to expand pathways for more undergraduate students to meet the nation’s need for well-educated scientists, engineers, and technicians.

North Park faculty members Dr. Stephen Ray (principal investigator), and co-principal investigators Dr. Eric Brown, Dr. Elizabeth Gray, and Dr. Sunshine Silver won the grant for their project entitled, Leveraging a STEM-focused Urban Industry Immersion Program to Expand Pathways for Undergraduates into STEM Fields.

“This historic award will be absolutely transformational in the lives of our STEM students,” said North Park University President Mary K. Surridge. “And it represents a tremendous amount of excellent work by our distinguished faculty. This should continue to raise the profile of our outstanding science programs and the overall educational experience at North Park.”

Over five years, this project will fund 20 scholarships for two groups of 10 students who are pursuing baccalaureate degrees in physics/engineering or biology. The project will support science and engineering students as they participate in a new urban-industry experiential immersion program.  This program includes undergraduate research, internships, class projects, job skills development, and opportunities for students to learn about careers in industry. Student cohorts will be guided by faculty to foster strong connections with the industry and to help students develop job skills and knowledge about science and engineering-oriented careers.

The interdisciplinary research team is composed of faculty from the Departments of Physics & Engineering, Biology, Psychology, and Chemistry. To win this substantial grant award, the team leveraged the momentum gained from North Park University’s recently constructed Nancy and G. Timothy Johnson Center for Science and Community Life, and the University’s newly implemented Chicago-based curriculum, Catalyst 606__.

ABOUT NORTH PARK UNIVERSITY

North Park University is a city-centered, intercultural, and Christian university located in Chicago.

https://www.northpark.edu/

Christopher Childers
Assistant Vice President of University Marketing and Communications
North Park University
773-244-5750
cchilders@northpark.edu

Author Ana SeklerPosted on Categories Announcement, News, StoriesTags ,

Exploring Tensions Between Christianity and Literature at Harvard

Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner, dean of North Park University’s College of Arts and Sciences and professor of humanities, is co-organizing the international meeting of the Conference on Christianity and Literature at Harvard Divinity School.

Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner, dean of North Park University’s College of Arts and Sciences and professor of humanities, is co-organizing the international meeting of the Conference on Christianity and Literature at Harvard Divinity School. The conference, which will take place from March 29-30, brings together more than 70 scholars from the US, Canada, the UK, Kuwait, and India.

“The Problem with God: Christianity and Literature in Tension” explores religious struggles from John Donne to Louise Erdrich and from John Milton to Marilynne Robinson. As the conference website states, “explorations of the problem of God have not been confined to theology and philosophy alone but have also been investigated in literary works. Numerous writers in the Western tradition, especially since the dawn of the Enlightenment period, have produced works of art that reveal religious tensions. Unlike philosophers and theologians, however, literary authors have often written about concrete problems literary characters experience with God. What’s more, literary works self-consciously wrestle with language in a way that can uniquely illuminate limits and generate possibilities for theological language. Countless writers from Goethe to Auden and from Dickinson to C. S. Lewis have investigated problems with the Christian God, doctrine, and practices. To this day, religious struggles have proven to be quite productive in literature.”

Learn More About the Conference   More About Dr. Thuswaldner

Author Ana SeklerPosted on Categories News, Stories

School of Education Approved for Gateways to Opportunity Credential

As an entitled institution, students at North Park University have the opportunity to qualify for state-recognized credentials as they take courses or complete a degree through the School of Education.

North Park University has been approved as an entitled institution for the Gateways to Opportunity ECE (Early Childhood Education) Credential—Level 5 through 2023. As an entitled institution, students at North Park University have the opportunity to qualify for state-recognized credentials as they take courses or complete a degree through the School of Education.

North Park University is among a select group of institutions in Illinois to be entitled for the Gateways to Opportunity Credentials. All Gateways to Opportunity Credentials have competencies that reflect multiple professional standards, including the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards. The faculty at North Park University has worked diligently to align their courses with the Gateways to Opportunity competencies.

Dr. Ida Maduram, professor and coordinator of Elementary and Early Childhood Programs, says she is delighted for the opportunity. “The Gateways ECE Credential Level 5 is an additional professional opportunity that we are able to provide for our students in the Early Childhood Studies. As our program is growing, we are delighted that our students will be able to able to empower and invest in the future of young children in traditional and non-traditional learning environments.”

North Park University’s Early Childhood program is a robust teacher education program offering a BA in Early Childhood for students seeking Illinois licensure and a BA in Early Childhood Studies for students interested in a non-licensure degree. In a time when Early Childhood Education is defining itself as a field that promotes professional development, North Park University has become entitled to help further this goal by graduating students ready to provide quality care and education to young children in Illinois.

Gateways to Opportunity, Illinois Professional Development System, is designed to provide guidance, support and recognition to practitioners who serve children and families in Illinois. Gateways to Opportunity is administered by the Illinois Network of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (INCCRRA) on behalf of the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). Visit the Gateways to Opportunity website at www.ilgateways.comtoday to learn more.

Author Ana SeklerPosted on Categories Announcement, News, Stories

Dean Thuswaldner Elected as Fellow of Royal Historical Society

Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Humanities, was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.

Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of humanities, was elected as a fellow of the Royal Historical Society, which is based at University College London. Founded in 1872, fellowships are awarded to individuals who made “‘an original contribution to historical scholarship,’ normally through the authorship of a monograph, a body of scholarly work similar in scale and impact to a monograph, or the organisation of exhibitions, conferences, the editing of journals and other works of diffusion and dissemination grounded in historical scholarship. Election is conducted by peer review and all applications must be supported by an existing Fellow.” Thuswaldner has extensively written on Austrian literary and cultural history.

About Dr. Thuswaldner   About the Royal Historical Society

Author Ana SeklerPosted on Categories Announcement, News, Profile, Stories

A Hoops Dynasty, Born 50 Years Ago This Month

A glorious period in North Park sports history began 50 years ago this month, when the Men’s Basketball team clinched the CCIW title and headed to the NCAA College Division tournament.

The team: Row 1: (From left): Jim Carroll, Greg Crawford, Paul Rockwell, Paul Zaeske, Rich Hoskins; Row 2: Coach Dan McCarrell, Dwight Nelson, Rich Swanson, Bruce Swanson, Jim Queen, Gary Robinson; (Row 3): Bob Swanberg, John Olson, Larry Anderson, Jim Christopher, Doug Swanson

A glorious period in North Park sports history began 50 years ago this month, when the Men’s Basketball team clinched the CCIW title and headed to the NCAA College Division tournament.

It was the first time any North Park athletic team had won a CCIW championship, and was the prelude to a string of National Championship titles for the Vikings a decade later.

That victorious season was steered in part by players Greg Crawford, now a member of the North Park Board of Trustees, and Paul Zaeske, who went on to play in the NFL. They were coached by North Park legend Dan McCarrell.

In the March 7, 1969 issue of the North Park College News, reporter Dennis Anderson wrote:

“Coach Dan McCarrell seems rather confident of the Park’s prospects, saying ‘These are all tough competitions, but there is nobody in the regional we can’t beat.’ Commenting on the fine 20-4 season he and the Vikings had, McCarrell said ‘The whole thing is an attribute to the players.’”

Although a national championship eluded the 1969 team, the Vikings went on to dominate DIII basketball in the late 70s, winning national championships in 1978, ‘79 and ’80, all under Coach McCarrell. Their dominance returned in the mid- 80s under coach Bosco Djurickovic, when the Vikings captured the championship again in 1985 and 1987.

And of course, NCAA DIII glory returned briefly to North Park in 2017, when the Men’s Soccer team cruised all the way to the National Championship, only to fall 2-1 to Messiah College.

But perhaps, much like McCarrell’s 1969 squad, that was just a preview of national titles to come in the next decade.

Author Ana SeklerPosted on Categories Stories