Category: Stories

Student Blog: My SVF Exchange Program Experience

This is a student blog post submitted by Kaylyn Sweitzer, C’19. Kaylyn is an English Literature and Creative Writing major.

This is a student blog post submitted by Kaylyn Sweitzer, C’19. Kaylyn is an English Literature and Creative Writing major.

Never have I felt so filled, yet so empty. Charles Dickens explains my situation well in the opening line of A Tale of Two Cities: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” I felt completely torn between having the time of my life and wanting nothing more than to go home. Studying abroad is, in fact, the most fulfilling and rewarding thing you can do in college; however, I will be the first to say that it is also the most draining and difficult. But just because it was hard certainly does not mean that it wasn’t worth it. And I have to say . . . it was completely worth it.

Upon my return from studying at SVF in Sweden, I was frequently asked the convenient conversation starter, “How was Sweden?” To which I found myself providing a variety of answers. I openly shared personal details and anecdotes with some people, while shielding aspects of my experience with others. No one knows the true story of my time in Sweden–not even me. It already feels like a distant memory. I look at the photos see the familiar faces of the friends I spent both the most rewarding and challenging four months of my life–and it just doesn’t feel real. I have pictures of me standing in front of the Eiffel Tower, the Roman Colosseum, and Big Ben, but I am still struggling to process the fact that I was there just a few months ago. I spent a semester on another continent, in a different country, learning an unfamiliar language, and eating cultural food; however, since I’ve been back at North Park, that experience has felt like more of a fantastical adventure. And in a way, it was. I was living in a dream–my childhood dream of traveling Europe. It was euphoric, incredibly brilliant, simply life-changing. But it was also taxing, strenuous, and exhausting.

In the wise words of Bilbo Baggins, “It’s a dangerous business going out of your door. You step into the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off to” (LOTR). By moving to a different country, I had exposed myself to the elements of the world. In America, I know what to do, where to go, what to say . . . for the most part. I am comfortable. Living in Sweden, I was surrounded by a new language and culture. By the end of the day, I was exhausted and not just from the wear and tear of going through the day. It was partly due to having to adjust to a different environment and way of life. Even trying to process the Swedish language wore me out. I was uncomfortable, but I was thankful to be. We grow and change when we’re uncomfortable and when we’re challenged and pushed to our limits. In those moments, we don’t break–we rise. So even though I felt strained and overwhelmed by the unfamiliarity, I knew that the familiarity and comfort would come with time.

With each passing day, I appreciated the country and culture of Sweden, along with my overall experience, more and more. I appreciated walking out of my dorm every morning to see the sun rising over the city of Jönköping and Lake Vättern, Friday fika and Ica runs, the peace and quiet of SVF, having late night talks with my roommate, FaceTiming my family from the basement of my dorm at midnight, Pepparkakor and glögg, having to use a converter whenever I needed to charge my phone, daily morning fika, and having to wear reflective bracelets to avoid being hit by cars since it would get dark by 3:00. It would’ve been so easy to take the little things for granted, but the little things are what made the opportunity so special.

I really enjoyed getting to know Sweden’s lifestyle. Generally speaking, life in Sweden simply happens at a slower pace; people aren’t in as much of as rush. They multitask less and focus on the moment more. Swedes also tend to be more reserved and humble and not as showy and flashy as Americans. I love how Swedes routinely pause throughout the day for fika breaks; they’re very good at being communal and forming deep relationships over time. And that’s another thing I appreciated about Sweden—they take all relationships seriously.

Studying abroad pushed me to grow in ways I hadn’t anticipated beforehand. I grew in my confidence and independence, and I learned to rely on myself in a whole new way. It was the longest I have ever been away from my family, meaning that I had to accept the fact that I couldn’t always rely on them to hold my hand. Apart from relying on myself, I also had to rely more heavily on those around me. I had to accept the fact that I needed to place my trust in my peers and to accept the idea of vulnerability. Sweden did leave me vulnerable—vulnerable and raw, my protective walls peeled away. Shedding these skins hurt, but it allowed new ones to replace the old, and these new skins have made me stronger and more resilient than ever before. And I owe all of this change to my decision to leave my comfort zone and take on an adventure of a lifetime, my adventure in Sverige.

Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories Blog, StoriesTags , , , ,

Student Blog: The Sankofa Experience

It’s been two months since Charlotte Manning and I traveled with 42 others on the University Ministries-led “Sankofa” trip. This blog post is a reflection on our experiences.

STEPHEN_NIELSEN

This is a student blog post submitted by Stephen Nielsen, C’19 and Charlotte Manning, C’17. Stephen is an English (creative writing concentration) and Media Studies double major. Charlotte Manning is an English major with a concentration in creative writing.

It’s been two months since Charlotte Manning and I traveled with 42 others on the University Ministries-led “Sankofa” trip. The bus ride from Chicago, Illinois to Montgomery, Alabama alone took 12 hours. Why were we subjecting ourselves to this? We can talk about the bathroom situation later, but suffice it to say, the men didn’t smell anything for days after the trip. Here, Charlotte and I share our thoughts about the experience.

Charlotte

The trip is designed with such intention. We were assigned with partners of different races and ages, so experiences were quite naturally formed. It is so much more than an educational field trip or a simple act of social justice; rather, the experience and purpose of Sankofa is about as complex as the word “race.” No matter how uncomfortable we may have felt amongst our peers, we could not escape the conversation of race. And trust me, I know that the mere thought of that makes people want to run for the nearest hills, and although that fearful feeling is valid, discomfort is the whole point.

I am a half-black, half-white, Swedish-American, and even I cringed at the thought of mourning my own history and race. My whole life I preferred to disconnect the past from my own personal experience as a middle-class, privileged, millennial woman of color, but Sankofa changed that. We all felt the heavy burden of ignorance in some way in those three days, but the beauty of our group’s dialogue came from those realizations.

The ability to choose to stay out of the race conversation is ignorance in its most murderous form.

As badly as we all wanted to get off that bus and vow to forever say that “we don’t see color,” because it would have been easier that way, we quickly learned that the ignorance we had always heard of and shrugged our shoulders to was in us. The way we all had chosen to ignore the painful part of the conversation, those times we did not speak up when we should have, the times we denied our privilege, and the times we swore we had a black friend who swore we weren’t racist. We’ve heard it all, we’ve done it all and yet, our lack of presence in the conversation has only been the water to the roots that have perpetuated racism and furthered the evolution of slavery and oppression, unending.

Stephen

We were unprepared. I was unprepared. I saw things I didn’t want to see; things I needed to see, and was treated in ways I’ll never be treated, but other humans have had to endure, and much worse. It’s been two months; why did it take so long to get this piece written? It wasn’t because other deadlines were pushed up, it was because we weren’t taught how to process everything. The number of conversations I’ve had about race have surged. I had nothing to say before, now I thought I had everything to say after this trip. I still have a lot to say, but there is so much I still don’t know. We were taught of systematized racism. “But systematized racism is illegal, why would it happen?” some have asked.

1 in 17 Whites in America will go to jail, while 1 in 3 Blacks in America will go to jail. Is this an example? “No, that’s just black culture,” some have said. “If you look at them, they’re fatherless, men get women pregnant and then leave them. It’s black culture, it’s not racism.” So, does this then still have to do with privilege? These numbers still don’t accurately represent the American population. There is something wrong, but is it in the Black or White community? Is it a result of oppression, or irresponsibility? But then isn’t that incorrectly stereotyping, to say that Black people aren’t responsible? We know that’s not true. If racism is only on the individual level, then that’s where we must tackle it. But it’s not, is it? Biased medias don’t portray lives correctly; they produce a fear of color.

The trip left me with more questions than answers. It opened my mind to massive amounts of information and ideas that have never occurred to me, being in America. I have noticed if, how, or where race has been playing a role in our country, and what roles race is playing. I was downtown the other day, and walked into four different clothing and accessory stores. Only one of those had about an equally mixed race staff during the two-hour time span I was there. The rest of the stores had primarily or only Black staff members. What does this mean?

Charlotte

We learned that privilege is being white. We learned that slavery hasn’t ended; rather it has evolved into what we now know as the criminal justice system. We learned that socioeconomic discrepancies are the way they are because of the blueprint that our forefathers used to build our cities—with intention to divide and segregate. We learned that tolerance is not the same thing as love and acceptance. We learned that even once we recognize the ignorance, the privilege, and our individual role in being an advocate for people of color, the conversation of race is never easy, and never gets easier. But that does not mean it has to be a conversation of hopelessness. Racism is not dead. We witnessed it in Selma, Alabama where the streets were once covered with Civil Rights protestors, we heard it in the preserved voices of Martin Luther King and Angela Davis who refused to be quiet, we felt it with the old slave shackles we wrapped around our ankles, and we felt it in the conviction and sympathy of God’s words, over ours, every time.

Stephen

“How was Sankofa?” I was asked just about a gazillion times after I got back. There were no words to describe my feelings; the hurt we all experienced, the sadness and empathy we all felt sitting in the Equal Justice Initiative, the laughs we shared on the bus or over a meal, and the silence after watching the documentary “13th”. I have only been able to talk about my experiences with those who were on the trip. Two months later, I still haven’t told my family everything about the trip, I don’t know how.

What can be done? We all know that going up to an intentionally racist person and telling them off probably won’t change their worldview or actions. Something you can do? Be aware of the types of people you surround yourself with. What are their backgrounds? In your workplace, who are the people who are or aren’t speaking up? Why? Who is over or underrepresented? Why? Can something be done? If you have the power to direct the conversation, or know you won’t be shot down for speaking up, use that to get the underrepresented voice out there.

Charlotte

The ability to choose to stay out of the race conversation is ignorance in its most murderous form. And I encourage everyone with a beating heart, especially those with ivory skin, to try and do the same thing in the conversation of race. Whether or not you believe in the kingdom of God, compassion is a universal notion, one we all hope to receive at one point or another, but I believe that true compassion is a selfless act and an effective weapon against injustice.

Stephen

Regardless of your stance on racism, especially in America, we want to challenge you to listen to someone who isn’t like you, who doesn’t look like you, or come from a similar background as you. Go somewhere you wouldn’t normally go, hang out with someone you wouldn’t normally hang out with because of a preconception you might have of the place or them. It can’t hurt to hear another side. And find out the why in history. Ask: “Why. . . ? ”

Charlotte

Enter into it, feel the discomfort in others’ experiences, and open up your eyes to the possibility that human suffering does not have to directly affect you to move you.

Portions of this piece also appear in Spectrum issue published May, 2017.

Read More:

Equal Justice Initiative
National Civil Rights Museum/The Lorraine Motel
University Ministries, Sankofa Trip

Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories Blog, StoriesTags ,

TEDx Recap: Paradigms Shifted

Shifting Paradigms, the theme of the event, challenged the attendees’ views on social and political issues.

CHICAGO, May 18, 2017 – “When I first heard the title Shifting Paradigms, I had to look up what ‘paradigm’ meant,” began Mark Gavoor’s speech, a professor in the School of Business at North Park University. “See here’s what I thought it was,” he said, pointing to a pair of dimes at the top of the screen. The next slide showed the dimes move to the bottom of the screen, “and now they’ve shifted!”

North Park University held its inaugural TEDx event. The “x” is an indicator of an independently organized TED event. Students spearheaded this first of a promising many annual TEDx events. Student Paul Clines along with Faculty member Dr. Christopher Hubbard were the initiators of the event.

“This is a great day at North Park,” Dr. Hubbard stated in his opening remarks to kick off the event of the first session. Speakers such as North Park’s Drs. Soong-Chan Rah and Michelle Clifiton-Soderstrom spoke alongside change-makers Dominique Jordan Turner and Amy ‘Hope Dealer’ Williams. Shifting Paradigms, the theme of the event, challenged the attendees’ views on social and political issues such as making “Peace Profitable,” the Silent Movement of disability, labels such as “thugs, gangster,” and poverty. “Poverty has the power to change the world,” was the premise of Turner’s argument for highlighting the skills of those surrounded by poverty.

Interlaced among the live speakers were videos of other TED talks in which speakers from around the globe gave five-minute talks on a variety of topics. Three of North Park’s own students were also among those who spoke: Seanna Wong, Melanie Lofgren, and Azat Toroev. Seanna Wong, a theater and communications double major and ethnographic storyteller, presented her piece about the “Listening Loop” and performance, stating that her passion “weaves together lives.” Azat Toroev, an exchange student at North Park with world-wide experience, gave a compelling speech on those with disabilities, and how disabilities do not limit possibilities.

North Park University was proud to see students take initiative, and is excited for the next TEDx event held on campus likely to be held in 2018.

Related:

INAUGURAL TEDX NORTH PARK UNIVERSITY NURTURES TALENTS OF ITS STUDENTS

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Over 500 Donors Participated in #NPUBlueandGoldDay, Raised Over $130,000

On May 3 North Park held its annual day of giving, #NPUBlueandGoldDay. Alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends rose to the challenge and made #NPUBlueandGoldDay a huge success.

CHICAGO, May 18, 2017 — On May 3 North Park held its annual day of giving, #NPUBlueandGoldDay. Alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends rose to the challenge and made #NPUBlueandGoldDay a huge success.

A total of $137,388 was donated. “I had a number of people tell me they kept watching and refreshing our Giving Day website. It was so encouraging. The energy was high on and off campus,” said Shena Keith, assistant vice president for advancement. The “Wear it. Give it. Share it.” campaign caught on and spirits on campus were high.

The Office of Advancement had a goal of 503 donors for the May 3 event, which was surpassed with a total of 526 donors.  Alumni accounted for 52% of the donors, but faculty/staff (14%), friends (6%), parents (4%), and students (4%) also made substantial gifts.

Ragnar the Viking, the student body mascot, helped to rally support for #NPUBlueandGoldDay with appearances in videos and at campus events on May 3. He also joined nearly 400 students, faculty, and staff to take a giant N-P-U photo in celebration of the day. “Best Giving Day ever!” proclaimed Ragnar.

www.northpark.edu/bluegoldday

Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories News, StoriesTags

Dr. Stephen Ray Makes 40 Under 40 List as Consulting-Specifying Engineer

Named to the 2017 Consulting-Specifying Engineer 40 Under 40 list.

CHICAGO (May 16, 2017) North Park’s Assistant Professor of Physics and Engineering and Director of Sustainability Dr. Stephen Ray has been named to the 2017 Consulting-Specifying Engineer 40 Under 40 list. According to their web site http://www.csemag.com/, a Consulting-Specifying Engineering is, “dedicated to encouraging and recognizing the most talented young individuals in the engineering community supporting the building industry.”

Nominations were judged by the editors of Consulting-Specifying Engineer and anonymous industry experts seeking to identify accomplished individuals with outstanding academic credentials and in-the-field professional experience. Award recipients met such important criteria as being actively involved with the engineering community and supporting the building industry.

Other qualities the awards committee looked for included community service—Dr. Ray began a mentoring program that has paired 45 students with professional mentors; innovation and inventiveness —Dr. Ray contributed to the design of 28 domestic and international buildings totaling over 38 million ft2 and individually conducted 20 urban climate studies for building campuses and urban districts; and leadership—Dr. Ray spearheaded North Park’s BS in Mechanical Engineering degree which began Spring 2017.

With a specialty solving complex problems related to sustainability and airflow, Dr. Ray approaches his field as both an engineering professor and a practitioner. Dr. Ray plans to attend a congratulatory networking dinner this Fall where he’ll have the opportunity to meet fellow 40 Under 40 winners.

STEPHEN RAY

ENGINEERING AT NORTH PARK

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North Park University Marks School Record in Presenting Degrees During its 2016-2017 School Year

The University honors 567 undergraduate, graduate, and seminary students in its 124th Spring Commencement Convocation held at the Chicago campus.

Partnership with OneGoal-Chicago Celebrates its First Graduates at Spring 2017 Commencements

CHICAGO (May 15, 2017) — North Park University honors 567 undergraduate, graduate, and seminary students in its 124th Spring Commencement Convocation held at the Chicago campus. For the 2016-2017 academic year, 797 degrees were awarded—a North Park school record. A commencement ceremony for undergraduates began the day followed by a commencement ceremony for advanced degree graduates, both presided over by President Dr. David L. Parkyn.

Undergraduate degrees were awarded to 357 students represented from the College of Arts and Science; School of Business and Nonprofit Management; School of Education; School of Music, Art, and Theatre; School of Nursing and Health Sciences; and School of Professional Studies.

Advanced degrees were awarded to 173 graduate students who attended the School of Business and Nonprofit Management; School of Education; School of Music, Art, and Theatre; School of Nursing and Health Sciences; and School of Professional Studies as well as 37 degrees awarded to North Park Theological Seminary students.

Academic Procession

The day began with a standing, vibrant Procession of Colors, displaying the flags of the United States of America, the city of Chicago, North Park University, followed by flags representing the countries and territories in which graduates were born, are citizens, or have been residents. President Parkyn welcomed graduates and guests followed by an Invocation by Gary B. Walter, President, Evangelical Covenant Church; mid-afternoon, Provost Michael O. Emerson led the Invocation for the Graduate and School of Professional Studies Commencement Convocation.

When Faith, Learning, and Service Align—We Find Truth

At the Baccalaureate Service on Friday night, held at Fourth Presbyterian Church on Michigan Avenue, President Parkyn welcomed the class of 2017 and guests with reflecting on the idea, “Seek Truth.” President Parkyn then pondered some truth-related phrases he read in the New York Times such as:

  • The truth is hard.
  • The truth is hidden.
  • The truth must be pursued.
  • The truth is hard to hear.
  • The truth is rarely simple.
  • The truth isn’t so obvious.
  • The truth is necessary.

Acknowledging that seeking truth is a process, President Parkyn summarizes, “We’re talking of seeking truth—a mandate that requires a journey as long as life itself.” He then continues describing the education at North Park as one in which faith, learning, and service meet. He adds, “When these three meet—faith, learning, and service—we find truth.” 

North Park and OneGoal-Chicago:  Partnering to Bring Students to Graduation

Spring 2017 Commencements marks its first year of graduating two students as part of OneGoal-Chicago. The partnership is built on “increasing enrollment, diversifying student body, and getting students to graduation,” says President Parkyn.

OneGoal-Chicago and North Park began their partnership over four years ago by being selected as an institution for believing in educating the diverse needs of low-income, first-generation, and students of color. “We have since embarked on a collaborative journey to ensure that we stay grounded in our shared commitment to prioritize student needs and ultimate success in all that we set out to do,” says Nandi Bhargava, Director of Postsecondary Partnerships at OneGoal-Chicago.

North Park and OneGoal-Chicago support the whole student on a path to graduation. “Having participated in internships and gaining workplace skills has enabled these new graduates to be fully prepared for the next phase of their lives. Moreover, they are incredibly thoughtful and kind adults who are truly ready to emerge from North Park University as global citizens,” says Bhargava.

Ahnfeldt Memorial Medallion Citation Presented to Hannah Hawkinson

Kristine E. Strand presented the Ahnfeldt Memorial Medallion to senior Hannah Hawkinson. With a cumulative 4.0 grade point average, Hannah earned her Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Biblical and Theological Studies and English. Dr. Mary Veeneman and Dr. Reinhold Dooley, Hannah’s advisors, refer to Hannah as a voracious reader, highly ethical, and concerned about social justice. Dr. Dooley adds, “When I grade her exams, I am the one who does the learning. Ultimately, Hannah is the best kind of student because she is absorbed not in herself, but in the quest for knowledge and truth.”

For her senior project as an English major, Hannah wrote on Maya Angelou. Hannah commented, “Maya’s Spirit is a Spirit who sustains the weak and challenges the strong. This is the God I worship, the Jesus I follow, and the Spirit I love.”

Hannah will be continuing her academic work next year as a graduate student at Princeton Theological Seminary where she has received a full scholarship.

Two North Park 2016-2017 Academic Year Grads Win Fulbright Awards  

Highlighted annually in The Chronicle of Higher Education, North Park was named alongside two other Illinois institutions, University of Chicago and Northwestern University as a top Fulbright producer. The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program.

Two of our North Park University 2016-2017 academic year graduates won Fulbright awards: Katie Bast and Bethany Joseph.

Charge to Graduates: Sojourn in Truth

Commencements symbolize for new graduates a step out into one’s own sojourn. President Parkyn encourages graduates to, “Sojourn in truth. Begin in faith—love God with your heart. Continue with learning—love God with your mind. Finish in service—love God with your soul. And along the way be keen to listen to the story that comes when you love your neighbor as yourself.”

 

 

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Chicago Public Schools Selects North Park University to Partner on Continuing Education

Starting this spring, North Park serves as one of 15 Illinois Universities chosen to partner with CPS and participate in the program offering CPS teachers an opportunity to further develop their credentials – all at reduced tuition.

Graduate Level Coursework Offered to Licensed Teachers at Discounted Tuition

CHICAGO (May 2017)—Filling high need positions in the Chicago Public School (CPS) system requires continuing education specialization beyond an undergraduate teaching degree. Important additional training combined with costly tuition to cover continuing education studies prompted the launch of the CPS Continuing Endorsement Program. Starting this spring, North Park serves as one of 15 Illinois Universities chosen to partner with CPS and participate in the program offering CPS teachers an opportunity to further develop their credentials – all at reduced tuition. The 15 Partner Illinois Universities tuition discounts range from 5% to 61% with North Park offering a 50% discounted tuition to CPS teachers.

For licensed teachers, the Continuing Endorsement Program provides access to graduate-level course work as well as additional endorsements, licenses, and a variety of master degree options. Programs begin Spring 2017 and are offered on campus, online, at CPS schools, and in hybrid formats. North Park CPS Partner courses range from bilingual to principal preparation where teachers can further develop their skills in these endorsement areas. “We encourage all staff (CPS) to explore these programs because even if you aren’t changing focus, these skills can enhance your practice and help address students’ diverse needs in your existing classrooms,” remarked Matt Lyons, CPS Chief Talent Officer in a letter North Park received.

“High-needs areas like Bilingual and Special Education require additional training and this program is a perfect opportunity to offer licensed teachers continuing education at a reduced tuition so they can go back into the classroom and meet the needs of these students,” stated Dr. Rebecca L. Nelson, North Park Dean, School of Education.

With school districts around the country facing challenges filling high-need positions, CPS reached out to North Park to participate in educating teachers so they can accommodate a diverse student learning profile. “North Park’s School of Education has a long-standing partnership with CPS and we are one of the select universities chosen to offer advanced coursework and licensure for CPS teachers,” expressed Dr. Nelson.

As an approved provider for CPS in the Continuing Endorsement Program, North Park sees this joint partnership with CPS as an effective pathway to both address serving a diverse student population and making it financially feasible for working teachers to obtain additional training.

For more information, please contact Linda Pastorello at lpastorello@northpark.edu or 773-244-5613.

 

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Rev. Dr. Debra Auger Awarded $10,550 Vital Worship Grant from Calvin Institute

Each grant will fund a year-long project (beginning in June) that promotes vital worship and faith formation.

April 25, 2017 – The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship (CICW) announced that it will fund another 33 worship renewal projects for 2017-2018 as part of its Vital Worship Grants Program. As one of the award recipients, Rev. Dr. Debra R. Auger, North Park Dean of Students and Associate Professor of Ministry received $10,550.

These projects have a variety of emphases—visual arts, storytelling, music, preaching, contemplation and more—but have as a common purpose a desire to both deepen people’s understanding of worship and strengthen practices of public worship and faith formation.

Said Kathy Smith, director of the Vital Worship Grants Program: “These collaborative projects bring people together to study, plan and create, foster new learning and nourish intergenerational community in worship.”

This year’s recipients are from around North America and include 20 congregations, one high school, four colleges and universities, three seminaries, and five other organizations, including a retirement community, a military ministry, a hospital ministry, a denominational worship committee and a regional synod. They also represent congregations and schools from 18 denominations, 19 states and two Canadian provinces.

Each grant will fund a year-long project (beginning in June) that promotes vital worship and faith formation, and this year’s awards range from $6,000 to $18,000 per project.

John Witvliet, director of the CICW, believes that the 2017 projects will help the Worship Institute in its own work of both the scholarly study of the theology, history and practice of Christian worship and the renewal of worship in worshiping communities across North America and beyond.

“We learn a tremendous amount from these programs,” he said, “from the wisdom demonstrated in designing them and the insights gleaned from implementing and adapting them as they unfold. We look forward to sharing insights from these projects with a larger audience in our future programming over the next several years.”

This June, project directors and representatives of all 33 grants will gather on Calvin’s campus to dialogue not only with CICW staff, but also with the recipients of 2016 grants, who will come to campus to share the results of their year-long projects at a poster session that is open to the public.

“We look forward to learning and worshiping together,” said Smith, “and watching the new grant recipients learn from the wisdom of those with experience.  The grants event is always an energizing time of conversation and sharing stories!”

Since it began in the year 2000, the Vital Worship Grants Program has now awarded 784 grants to churches, schools and organizations across North America for projects that generate thoughtfulness and energy for public worship and faith formation at the local, grass-roots level. An advisory board of pastors and teachers from a variety of backgrounds assisted in the grant selections, and the program is generously supported by Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc. Founded in 1937, the Endowment’s major areas of programming are religion, education, and community development.

For more information on the grants program, including a complete list of this year’s grants recipients, please see www.calvin.edu/worship.

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Honors Convocation Recognized Outstanding Senior Achievement

2017 Distinguished Senior Awards were presented to Rachael Greco and Nicholas A. Collar

2017 Distinguished Senior Awards Presented to Rachael Evangeline Greco and Nicholas A. Collar

Director of Alumni Relations Melissa Velez Luce presented the 2017 Distinguished Senior Awards to Rachael Evangeline Greco, Batavia, Ill., and Nicholas A. Collar, Deerfield, Wis. during the Honors Convocation on April 24. This honor is bestowed each year to one woman and one man from the graduating class, recognizing extraordinary leadership, dedicated service, superior academic performance, and embodiment of the University’s mission of preparing students for lives of significance and service.

“As part of the selection process, six nominees were invited for interviews, where a committee had the chance to learn about fascinating research projects, passions for social justice and teamwork, volunteerism, honors they’ve received and challenges they’ve overcome,” Melissa said.

Rachael Evangeline Greco, a business and economics major, has spent her North Park years in academic overload just about every semester. She co-leads North Park’s chapter of International Justice Mission, raising awareness about the international, national, and local issue of human trafficking. She’s a Fellow for the Future of the Carnegie Council Global Ethics Network, working under Dr. Ilsup Ahn to raise awareness on campus about selected global ethics issues. When she’s not participating in these North Park responsibilities, she’s been working 25-hours a week and volunteering at the Vietnamese Association of Illinois, teaching English to Vietnamese immigrants.

She was also granted a Fulbright U.S. Student Award for 2017-2018. She will be spending the next year teaching English in Vietnam and plans to continue working at Morningstar, Inc. where she’s interned. She hopes that working in finance will give her opportunities to “create a positive social impact in developing communities through business ventures.”

Rachael was nominated by Professor Pam Schilling. “There is not a better example than Professor Schilling that demonstrates the depths that the faculty here are willing to go for their students. I have spent countless hours in her office as she mentored me through degree changes, course selections, and pushed me to pursue challenging opportunities. I am forever grateful to her and the other faculty here at North Park that have supported me through my academic career.”

She says that she chose North Park for three reasons: its location, the faculty, and the Fulbright reputation. “It was very obvious to me after visiting campus back in 2013 that the professors here want to be engaged by and interact with their students.” She remembers the advice of Dr. Linda Parkyn early in her pursuit of a Fulbright Award: “I remember her telling me to just keep doing what I was doing.”

Her North Park highlight? Her relationships with faculty members. “My experience with the faculty is hands down the best experience I’ve had at North Park. Again, the faculty-student interaction was one of the reasons I decided to come here but I never anticipated how close I would end up getting with my professors.” She is grateful for opportunities she’s had to conduct research with a philosophy professor, work closely with an education professor, and to be mentored by a Spanish professor.

The second recipient of the 2017 Distinguished Senior Award, Nicholas A. Collar, is a biology major and a busy guy. He’s worked in clinical lab research at Swedish Covenant Hospital designing and implementing studies, investigating diagnoses, and gaining proficiency in interpreting medical information. He had the Hugh Edmondson Research Fellowship at the UC Davis Medical Center during his 2015 summer break where he implemented a study sequencing data from blood samples that were positive for Hepatitis B. There he also participated in several shadowing experiences ranging from observing a tumor board meeting, bone marrow biopsy procedure, and the daily tasks of cytology and histology specialists. Nicholas has his sights set on medical school after taking a couple of years off.

His experience isn’t only academic. For several years, Nicholas traveled to rural parts of Honduras, to bring adequate medical care to the local residents in need. He led the 2017 trip as the president for the Honduras Medical/Public Health Brigade, coordinating logistics of the 25-person group, planning and carrying out meetings with group members, board members, and advisors from Honduras and North Park University. While in Honduras, he staffed a multi-station rural clinic that treated 729 patients in three days and worked with the group to construct three sanitation stations all of which significantly improved the public health standards in the region.

When Nicholas isn’t doing lab research or serving his community, he’s a teaching assistant in North Park’s science department. He worked under Dr. Rholl as a microbiology assistant which taught him the behind-the-scenes work in preparing and maintaining a microbiology laboratory. He’s also worked as an anatomy and chemistry tutor and a summer pre-medical student advisor. Nicholas was one of two student advisors responsible for planning, coordinating and orchestrating a 10-day pre-academic year camp for incoming freshman interested in pursuing pre-medical routes at North Park University, and he’s enjoyed continuing relationships with the participants of this program — all of whom are still enrolled and succeeding at North Park.

Nicholas has had wonderful opportunities to work alongside North Park’s accomplished faculty people. One year, he met Dr. Nelson two mornings a week in the Cadaver Lab to dissect Rush Medical College cadavers. “Utilizing this non-class related resource was one of the most significant learning experiences I’ve had at North Park.” Nicholas shadowed Laura Zakowski M.D at University of Wisconsin Health, Mark Collar M.D. at St. Mary’s Hospital, and several others at UC Davis Medical Center. “All of these experiences gave me insight to the level of professionalism needed in my future line of work.”

Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories News, StoriesTags , ,

Inaugural TEDx North Park University Nurtures Talents of its Students

Leadership through idea sharing spearheaded by North Park senior business and economics major.

Leadership through idea sharing spearheaded by North Park senior business and economics major

CHICAGO, May 3, 2017—North Park University today held its first TEDx event, with the theme Shifting Paradigms. Inspired by a lecture in a Principles of Management & Leadership course, North Park student Paul Clines, a senior business and economics major, presented the idea of hosting a TEDx to his professor. “I’ll show you the steps in getting the TEDx license and you gather the students together,” encouraged Professor Hubbard in mentoring Clines.

Seventy student volunteers formed the solid group—ready-to-learn and open to shaping an effective leadership structure. Likened to a start-up company, the leadership structure consisted of complete transparency, cross collaboration, and a de-constructed organizational design omitting conventional vertical lines of direct reports. Six core team members of faculty, staff and students circulated among the volunteers, supporting all members to be part of the decision-making process.

“Every student is talented,” asserts Professor Hubbard. Guided by this belief, a true cross-collaboration effort evolved into a platform for undergraduate, graduate, faculty, staff, and the community to experience empowerment through idea sharing. “There are so many hidden talents at North Park that are now showcased through bringing TEDx to campus,” adds Professor Hubbard.

Passionate about bringing people and ideas together, Clines says TEDx is about making a positive impact. “TEDx provides a partial escapism while forming friendships, bonds, and connections,” expresses Clines.

TEDx North Park University featured voices and ideas from students, faculty, business professionals, and the community. Speakers included:

  • Soong-Chan Rah, seminary professor
  • Hardik Soni, fitness guru
  • Dominique Jordan Turner, nonprofit CEO
  • Robby Celestin, singer-songwriter
  • Nestor Gomez, storyteller
  • Seanna Wong, storyteller
  • Michelle Clifton-Soderstrom, seminary professor

Bringing the first TEDx event to North Park marks an exciting time in the University’s 125-year history, complemented by earning consistent rankings as one of the “Best Colleges” in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report and named—for the third time—a Top Producer of U.S. Fulbright Students by the U.S. Department of State.

ABOUT NORTH PARK UNIVERSITY 

North Park University is Chicago’s city-centered Christian University.

www.northpark.edu/tedx

 

Author onlinemediaPosted on Categories StoriesTags ,