Category: Stories

North Park First-Year Student Wins Bronze at Cycling Championship

His first year competing on a national scale, Alex Bolotin, a North Park freshman, wins bronze at the Junior Track National Championships.

NPU first-year student Alex Bolotin’s cycling career started humbly, with daily rides to his Chicago high school. But commuting soon turned into something more. By the summer 2017, Bolotin was standing on the podium as a bronze medalist in a field of 60 racers at the Junior Track National Championships.

Bolotin, who moved to Chicago from Belarus when he was three, went on to win bronze again in the Collegiate Nationals in September 2017. His accomplishments are more remarkable because Bolotin, 18, only began formally training during his sophomore year at Lane Tech High School, and 2017 was the first year he started competing nationally.

While he races in both road and track events, Bolotin says he prefers track racing because it’s more exciting. It’s a style of biking not for the faint of heart, where cyclists pilot brakeless bikes with a single fixed gear on a banked track called a velodrome.

“Track races are much more dynamic because the races are much shorter and require more overall power,” says Bolotin, a nursing major who plans to attend medical school after graduation.

Although he received offers from several Division 1 schools with cycling teams, Bolotin chose North Park University because of its location and academics.

“North Park not only presented to me the level of education I was looking for but allowed me to stay in the city of Chicago and be able to continue training alongside my current team, the Polish & Slavic FCU International Cycling Team,” Bolotin said.

The Dean of Students, Elizabeth Fedec, who helped Bolotin work with USA Cycling to ride as a North Park University student in the Collegiate Nationals, praises his determination.

“When I met Alex at the beginning of the school, I immediately recognized his excitement to be at North Park and passion for cycling,” says Dean Fedec, who helped Bolotin get permission to compete under the North Park University banner. “He had a vision, and I knew that the University could help him reach his goals. It was personally fulfilling to be able to come alongside Alex as he represented North Park at the competition.”

What is up next for Bolotin? He hopes to win Gold in 2018’s National Championships.

“It started as something I just enjoyed doing,” Bolotin says. “I didn’t know it would turn into this.”

Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories Stories

NPU Students Form Social Justice Living Learning Community

North Park student, Deanna Crosby, shares the inspiration behind the new Social Justice Living-Learning Community established with her housemates.

Story by Deanna Crosby, a politics & government major, senior senator, student assistant to the vice president for Student Engagement, and founder of the Social Justice Living Learning Community. 

It has been said that once you know some things, you can’t unknow them. And with that statement comes the story of how North Park’s Social Justice Living-Learning Community (SJLLC) came about. In February of 2017, I went on the Sankofa experience with University Ministries, and those of us on the trip were shaken to our core. Some of us knew that racism and white privilege existed but felt that it didn’t have an effect on us, some believed that racism and segregation ended long ago, and some didn’t know what to think. I spent a good amount of time during Sankofa reflecting on my experiences as a straight, white female with white privilege. The question that continuously went through my mind was, “what can I do with what I have?” I approached Jackie Strapp, Director of Diversity and Dr. Barrington Price, Assistant Vice President for Student Engagement with the idea of creating an intentional space where people can “talk across the aisle” and effectively communicate in a cross-cultural environment.

The SJLLC sits at 5017 N. Spaulding Ave, one of North Park’s houses. Seven students live in this residence representing various ethnic and racial backgrounds, including West African, African American, Hispanic, and White. Each student brings their story and experiences with them and engages in monthly dialogues relating to topics including but not limited to LGBTQ awareness & affirmation, mass incarceration, white privilege, and conflict transformation. Once a month, we gather around the table to have our “Kitchen Convo” with one special guest and discuss that month’s topic. Speakers include Kim Edstrom Schiller, Health and Wellness Education and Title IX coordinator; Hannah Barbosa, academic advisor and Academic Services coordinator for the School of Professional Studies; Dr. Helen Hudges, associate professor of music; Dr. Barrignton Price, assistant vice president for Student Engagement; Dr. Michelle Clifton-Soderstrom, professor of theology and ethics and Dr. Michael Emerson, provost of North Park University.

The purpose of having these conversations is to break down barriers and stigmas around these topics. So often we are faced with challenging situations but lack the skills to effectively communicate across the board. By breaking bread with these speakers and the individuals in the house, and using storytelling as a means of connecting, we will be able to engage in cross-cultural dialogue and actually listen to understand; not listen to respond. The SJLLC is not politically driven. It is not a place to demonize, harass, nor point fingers. It’s a place where individuals can gather with differing opinions, share a meal, and be with one another while simultaneously tearing down walls and shattering the stigmas around these topics.

Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories Blog, StoriesTags ,

Presidential Search Committee Releases Position Profile

The committee leading the search for the 10th president of North Park University has published a guide to the position, describing both the University and the opportunity for prospective candidates.

CHICAGO (October 9, 2017) – The committee that is leading the search for the 10th president of North Park University has published a guide to the position, describing both the University and the opportunity for prospective candidates. Anyone interested in reviewing and sharing the 12-page document is invited to download it from the North Park University website here.

 

“Our committee is pleased to move into the next phase of the search with the publication of this document,” said Owen R. Youngman, chair of the committee and a member of the University Board of Trustees. “We have incorporated ideas from a variety of sources in creating it, including the online survey that we conducted over the summer as well as meetings, conversations, letters, and emails.”

 

The committee has been receiving nominations for the position throughout the summer and will continue to do so through Monday, Oct. 16, at its dedicated email address, PresidentialSearch@northpark.edu. “In addition to many nominations and suggestions, we have been greatly encouraged by the prayer support we have received from the North Park community,” Youngman said.

 

The committee is being assisted by CarterBaldwin Executive Search of Atlanta. A list of the committee members and an explanation of the search process may be found at https://www.northpark.edu/stories/north-park-university-begins-presidential-search-process/.

Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories Announcement, News, Stories

North Park Choir Members Join 1,000 Voices to Perform “Crowd Out”

On October 1, 2017, members of North Park University’s choir ensembles joined 1,000+ volunteers in Chicago’s Millennium Park to perform the American premiere of “crowd out,” by David Lang.

October 1, 2017, in Chicago’s Millennium Park, 1,000+ volunteers gathered, representing all 50 wards of the city, to perform the American premiere of crowd out, by David Lang. Among the volunteers were members of North Park’s University Choir, Women’s Chorale, and Chamber Singers.

Created by Pulitzer-prize winner, David Lang, crowd out combines “the human voice (spoken, sung, and shouted) with the dynamic movement of people in a public space,” (crowdoutchicago.org). The Chicago performance was one of the first events constituting this fall’s Chicago Humanities Festival.

For weeks leading up to the performance, small groups of volunteers met all over the city to rehearse their portion of the performance, but also to gather in conversation regarding art as a component of community and to advocate for local arts resources. Such an event took place at North Park’s own Anderson Chapel, on September 18, where the volunteers from ward 39 gathered.

On the day of the final performance, the volunteers from all 50 wards assembled on the green of the Jay Pritzker Pavilion for brief instructions before what would be their first time performing as a group and with the city of Chicago as their audience.

The gathered crowd could have been that of any beautiful Sunday afternoon at the Cloud Gate, a mixture of locals chatting and eating lunch, tourists taking selfies in the reflection of “The Bean,” and children and pigeons darting and weaving throughout.

The familiar commotion of the crowd was both reflected and heightened by crowd out. As the performance began, a hush fell over the park, yet the ever-present hum of traffic, occasional sirens or pierce of laughter also joined the voices of those who spoke, sang, and shouted Lang’s composition. Standing amidst the performers and onlookers was an experience akin to standing at the convergence of many streams into one rushing river. At times, you could hear distinctly the murmur of one group, like a shallow brook tripping over a rocky bed, and then the voices would swell, the disparate components converge, and the rush of river rapids would fill your ears.

The words spoken felt intimate and personal, while the performance clearly embraced a shared, public experience. As individuals whispered or raised their voices to speak to an experience of loneliness, anxiety, or self-doubt, others wove through the crowd, filming or snapping pictures on their phones. When asked if this was at all uncomfortable, performer and North Park choir member Jordan Villas reported that it felt natural that people would treat the performance as they would any other public spectacle, that “it felt right, like a part of everyday life,” and not disrespectful as it might in a concert hall or more formal environment. Similarly, North Park choir member Joy Cappel stated that the whole experience, while overwhelming, also felt like being part of a family or a tight-knit community.

While the full experience of this public performance is impossible to capture, the lyrics below speak to much of its theme.

crowd out

For 1000 or more voices
By David Lang (2013)

I draw deep breaths.
I feel more confident and calm. 

I lost it all. 
I do not waste my words. 

I hate for all eyes to be on me. 
I start to panic. 

I feel so alone I could cry. 
I start to sweat. 

I can fully submerge myself. 
I don’t want people to know. 

I push, I shove, I glare, I mutter. 

I. Am. Always. Alone.

I. Am. Alone. 

I. Am. Most. Alone. 

I. Feel. So. Alone. 

I feel. 

I feel like. I feel.

I feel like rushing. 

I feel like rushing into tears. 
I feel like rushing into tears. 

I feel anxiety. 
I feel awful and I wish to be alone. 

I feel energy. 
I feel I want to be alone. 

I feel like rushing into tears.
I feel like rushing into tears. 

I feel more confident and calm. 
I feel no one understands. 

I feel so alone I could cry. 
I feel so disrupted. I feel surreal.

I am nourished by the pure spring. 

I am nowhere to be seen. 

I am obsessed with being at the center of attention. 

I am silent, and I keep to myself. 

I am obsessed with being at the center of attention. 

I am obsessed with being at the center of attention. 

I like people. I lost it all. I feel left out. 
I start to panic. 

I start to sweat. I think of you. 
I lose control.

Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories News, Stories

North Park Announces New Location Intelligence Major

A new major, offered exclusively online, will instruct students in the latest geospatial technologies and their application in a variety of careers.

Beginning spring semester of 2018, North Park will offer a bachelor’s degree in Location Intelligence (LI), a field with wide-ranging applications in today’s high-tech job market. The emerging field, which combines aspects of natural and technical sciences, along with business principles and the latest in spatial technology, prepares students for many careers including cybersecurity, urban planning, and financial services.

“Location Intelligence has applications to almost any discipline and is one of the most cutting-edge fields today,” said Richard Schultz, associate dean of Online Education. Schultz says that paid LI internships, as well as full-time jobs, are plentiful, but often go unclaimed because there are not enough qualified candidates for the jobs.

North Park has built this program based on model courses created by international experts in the discipline. The online aspect of the major makes it accessible to a vast audience with various interests, Schultz says. The curriculum also incorporates a strong foundation of liberal arts coursework, including business and communication skills. Courses include The Art and Science of Map Design, Development of Web Apps, and a Geospatial Practicum which involves an internship related to the student’s specific career interests.

Learn More

Author onlinemediaPosted on Categories Announcement, Stories

Standing Apart from the Crowd

At North Park, you’ll be a big fish in a small pond.

North Park knows that colleges with a lot of students make it hard to stand out. At North Park, with a student–faculty ratio of 12:1, and around 2,000 undergraduates, there are plenty of opportunities to stand out in your field of study; you can be a Big Fish in a Small Pond.

Small classes. You’re a name, not a number.

The average class size at North Park is 17 students, so you’ll be sure to receive the right attention from your professors and be able to speak your mind during class discussions.

You’re taught and graded by careful and committed professors.

North Park employs accomplished faculty from all over the globe. From local Chicagoans to professors all the way from India, you’ll be sure to receive a quality education and one-on-one interactions with dedicated, experienced, and accomplished professors.

You’ll have tons of hands-on learning opportunities.

Alongside your classroom experiences, North Park’s new Catalyst 606__ program is dedicated to providing you with out-of-class experiences, giving you real, hands-on knowledge specific to each class you are taking. Not only do you get to learn through rigorous academics, but you get to apply that very same knowledge in the real world.

Strong sense of community.

With Chapel and CollegeLife every Wednesday and Sunday respectively, and a variety of clubs and intramural sports to join, there are no limits to activities and relationships that’ll keep you connected.

Alumni connections mean much more.

Alumni connections are an important part of North Park. Alumni are deeply connected to each other and the school, so you’re part of a global community of North Parkers.

You’ll actually be recognized for your work and talent.

North Park has programs designed to stretch you to your best, and recognize your talents. Through North Park’s Research Experience for Summer Students (NPRESS), you get academic-level research experience with a faculty mentor. Awards like the Distinguished Seniors Awards recognize male and female seniors for outstanding academic and extracurricular work and activities.

Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories Blog, StoriesTags ,

University Convocation – Fall 2017

Monday, Sept. 18. The North Park community gathered to honor the professional achievements of several University professors at the annual University Convocation.

Monday, Sept. 18, the North Park community gathered to honor the professional achievements of several University professors at the annual University Convocation.

The service, led by President Carl Balsam, also included the induction of three administrators, including Balsam, as well as the University’s new Chief Financial Officer and Seminary Dean.

 

In praising the professors who were promoted or achieved tenure, Balsam noted their commitment to their academic disciplines and the Church worldwide. “Your promotion and appointment also represent the respect you have earned from your faculty colleagues, your students, the North Park University administration, and the Board of Trustees,” Balsam said.

Balsam and Provost Michael O. Emerson also recognized those professors who had published books in the last year.

Kristine Strand, North Park University Board Chair, installed Balsam as President, Dwight Perry as Dean of Seminary/Professor of Homiletics and Leadership, and Scott Stenmark as Vice President for Finance and Administration.

Those promoted to Professor were Alice Gorguis (Mathematics) and Rachel Schmale (Psychology). Those promoted to associate professor were Timothy Lin (Biology) and Jonathan Peterson (Politics and Government); in addition, Aaron Kaestner (Mathematics), Drew Rholl (Biology) and Daniel White Hodge (Communications) were promoted to associate professor and granted tenure.

 

Professors recognized for authoring books were Stephen Chester, Alice Gorguis, Paul H. de Neui, Aaron Kaestner, You-Seong Kim, Charles Peterson, Gregor Thuswaldner, Daniel White Hodge and Theodore G. Zervas.

Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories Stories

Summer Camp Retrospective: Students’ Service

Three students share their experiences in summer camp leadership roles, in part made possible by North Park’s Camp Grant.

This summer, North Park students were active, participating in NPRESS, summer courses, Kids College, and serving at Covenant Camps nation-wide. Three students shared their experiences from their camps in their respective roles, in part made possible by North Park’s Camp Grant, awarded to students who serve at Covenant summer camps.

Barrett Loehrer – Lake Beauty Covenant Bible Camp, MN

I found myself in a unique situation at the beginning of the summer. I needed to decide between working at camp for the summer, or maintaining my double major in biblical and theological studies and exercise science. After a couple months of painful prayer and discernment, I felt this summer at camp was one I could not miss. God continually pointed me forward to the summer at camp. I lived here for the 2014-2015 school year as part of Solid Rock School of Discipleship. However, I had never worked for Lake Beauty before.

Our theme for the summer was “Set Free”, based upon the text of Galatians 5:1. Indeed, I personally felt set free in new ways, along with the rest of the summer staff. However, it was seeing kids set free in powerful ways that made the summer worth it. The campers were set free to vulnerably share their struggles with sin and difficult questions with one another, allowing even greater freedom through prayer together about such things.

It was impossible for us to predict how any camper, or which ones, would react to the preaching of the Gospel. It became apparent to me once again that I was not in control, though I sometimes wanted to be. This summer God reminded me that He is sovereign over everything and that everything, including our calling to salvation, is entirely dependent upon His mercy.

Hannah Geil – Cascades Camp and Conference Center, WA

I have successfully worked at camp for three summers now. I vividly remember sitting on the corner of my bed in Anderson, watching one of my good friends apply to work at a camp that was only four hours away from my home. She shared stories of how exciting it would be to venture away and serve God in the middle of the wilderness. This gave me flashbacks to when I had attended that camp for small retreats and I relived the joy those gatherings brought me in high school.

My first year I worked as a counselor. This is a special role that can truly show you what it means to pour out everything for Jesus, loving your kids 23 hours a day for every day they’re in your cabin. My second year I worked as an S.A.L.T. Crew Leader. This meant my partner and I were assigned high school students who were transitioning from being campers to being leaders and guides in the cabins and around camp. It was a summer that revived my love of helping high school students and reminded me how good my God is.

Finally, this summer I worked as a Rec. Leader for a 4th-6th grade section. The Program Leader and I kept the camp moving along. We were the support system for the counselors, ensuring that they and their campers made it through the day smoothly. I oversaw the planning and leading of all the games and activities for the kids, making camp as fun and exciting as possible for the kids. It was one of the most rewarding summers for me. I saw just how awesome God was using each counselor to teach these kids more about him. It was incredible to see counselors turn into screaming children full of face paint, engage kids with the Bible, or moved to tears as they said goodbye to campers each week. No matter how rough the cabin was or how exhausted the counselor was, they always wished they had more time to love on their kids.

Kaylyn Sweitzer – Mission Meadows Bible Camp, NY

This summer I had the honor and privilege of being the Jr. Staff Director. The Jr. Staff are full-time summer staff members of high school age that are hired on as the kitchen and cleaning crew. I mentored them in that way, but I also guided them spiritually and emotionally, leading them in the direction of pursuing counseling once they’re older.

God showed up in so many instances this summer: while listening to the tolls of the Chautauqua Bell Tower during First Word by the flagpole (at 7:45 am), late night staff worships, daily chapel sessions, within every gorgeous Chautauqua sunset, and especially in the changed hearts and minds of both campers and staff. It was so refreshing and exciting to see young people encounter Christ for the first time, and it was a real privilege and blessing to play such a large role and have so much influence in our campers’ lives. God used us staff members to change campers’ hearts and to draw them closer to Him – what a spectacular thing to witness and be a part of.

My co-director and I both firmly believe in leading by example, and honestly, some of my best memories from my time at camp this summer involved moments in the kitchen. I found myself looking forward to spraying sticky maple syrup off of dozens of plates if it meant being able to belt along to the soundtracks of “La La Land” and “High School Musical” while doing so. The joy and satisfaction I receive from sharing the Light of Christ with young people are incomparable.

North Park University’s Camp Grant has been around for over 20 years, encouraging North Parkers to serve at Covenant Camps during their summers. The grant provides a financial incentive and promotes North Park’s goal of Living Lives of Significance and Service by making summer work experiences at Covenant Camps more financially viable. The grant is awarded to those who display a servant attitude and are positive role models for campers and staff.

Keep serving at camp on your radar for this upcoming summer! Check out a list of covenant camps by following the button below!

Covenant Camps

NPU Camp Grant

Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories StoriesTags , , , ,

North Park Embraces Wearable Technology with Launch of Snapchat Tours

Learn about North Park’s new Snap Spectacles and where you might see them next!

Snapchat: North Park’s New Spectacle

North Park University is expanding its social media presence and capabilities with the use of Snapchat Spectacles. Since the launch of North Park’s Snapchat a little over a year ago, the platform has consistently gathered the University’s fastest-growing social media following. Excited to connect with current students and the students of tomorrow, North Park has recently added Snapchat Spectacles to its arsenal. These “snap specs” are sunglasses with cameras and sensors built directly into the frame.

NPUSocial Social Media Page

How it works

An LED light indicator prominently displays when the wearer is taking the 10-second videos which are recorded at the touch of a button. The Spectacles are connected via a smartphone, and the videos recorded are then uploaded to North Park’s Snapchat Story. Snapchat has over 173 million active global daily users, and the Spectacles will help North Park utilize Snapchat on the go. This wearable technology gives us an innovative way to reach hundreds of prospective and current students already using Snapchat on a daily basis.

What to Expect

The Spectacles have already been in use over Homecoming weekend where we captured footage of alumni and current students participating in the day’s events and on the field at North Park’s Holmgren Athletic Complex. Student ambassadors will also wear the Spectacles during select campus tours, an excellent way for prospective students to engage in tours that they might not be able to attend. The opportunities are endless, and soon you may see “spec snaps” showcasing students, University events, or new programs like Catalyst 606__.

Coming Soon . . .

Make sure to look for the first Snapchat tour, this Friday, September 22nd!

Plus . . . new filters will soon be available on campus featuring more graphics and Ragnar, our Mascot.

Add North Park On Snapchat

Find out more about Spectacles

Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories Announcement, StoriesTags , , , , , ,

Dr. Timothy Johnson, “Healthcare: A Prediction”

Watch video footage of Dr. Timothy Johnson’s talk concerning the future of American healthcare.

September 14, 2017 — North Park University welcomed longtime ABC medical editor and North Park grad Dr. Timothy Johnson to discuss the future of American Health Care with NPU students.

The student-only event was held in the Nancy and G. Timothy Johnson Center for Science and Community Life, the building named in honor of Dr. Johnson and his wife. “We are extraordinarily privileged to benefit from Dr. Johnson’s vast knowledge of healthcare, and his willingness to share his insights, gained over a lifetime of service, with our students who are just starting their life’s work,” said North Park Interim President Carl Balsam. “We hope this will inspire many of our students to follow in his footsteps.”

The event was attended by over 200 students and was live streamed on North Park’s Facebook page.

watch video

Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories News, StoriesTags , , , , , ,