Category: Stories

Student Blog: Platforms for Change at Stateville Prison

“You have an incredible opportunity to be a platform of change. That’s all I am. God is using me as His platform in here, but you can be a platform for the people on the outside.”

This is a student blog post submitted by Thomas Cellilli, C’17. Thomas is a Biblical & Theological Studies major.

Thomas Cellilli

“You have an incredible opportunity to be a platform of change. That’s all I am. God is using me as His platform in here, but you can be a platform for the people on the outside.”

I shook his hand at least four times during our short conversation after the North Park Gospel Choir sang for and with the men of Stateville Correctional Center. He was sitting down, and I stood hunched over to hear his raspy voice through the roar of dialogues going on around us. He poured his heart out to me, and we laughed at our little connection—his middle name is the same as my first name, Thomas. We didn’t talk about why he was in prison, or how long he had previously waited on death-row. We simply looked each other in the eye as human being to human being—no walls or prison bars separating us—and basked in the joy of connectedness we have in Jesus Christ our Lord who turns our Thomas-doubt into belief. He encouraged me with this: “It doesn’t matter where you start, even if its doubting. It only matters where you end up.”

This was my second visit to Stateville Correctional Center with the Gospel Choir, and I have been infinitely blessed by the love and encouragement of the inmates to which we have ministered. North Park’s Gospel Choir has visited the prison three times to sing for the inmates: once with the Touring Ensemble and twice with the larger choir. The Gospel Choir’s relationship with Stateville is largely indebted to the continued work of Dr. Michelle Clifton-Soderstrom who has been teaching classes to undergrads, graduate students, and inmates inside of the prison. Her class, Peace, Justice, and Restoration, “explores the theological and ethical foundations of justice ministries…[and] probes the grounds of the claim that ‘justice is central to biblical religion.’”

Thanks to the efforts of the North Park faculty, the Gospel Choir has been allowed to interact and sing with the inmates on multiple occasions. I am no singer, nor do I claim to be, but singing praises to our God with those who are in prison has been one of the most powerful experiences in my Christian walk to this day. Both last semester and this semester, I was moved to tears on several occasions as God’s Presence filled the theater at Stateville while we proclaimed the miracles and wonders of our One God.

I implore my brothers and sisters in Christ who had seen firsthand what powerful works God is doing behind bars and those who have been moved by this witness to continue praying for the men of Stateville. Hebrews 13:3 commands us, “Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body” (ESV). Neither walls, nor bars, nor cells, fences, chains, nor isolation can divide the body of Christ. It is our job as brothers and sisters to use what platforms God has given us to speak out against injustice and pray for Heaven to come down to earth.

Related:

Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories Blog, StoriesTags , ,

Music Facility, Hanson Hall, to Undergo Comprehensive Renovation

Completely updated interior, with re-configurations of practice rooms and faculty studios, as well as an impressive vaulted concept in Hanson Hall 23.

In May through December of 2017, North Park University’s beloved music facility, Hanson Hall, will undergo a comprehensive renovation, and re-open for the spring semester 2018.

In addition to a completely updated interior, with re-configurations of practice rooms and faculty studios, as well as an impressive vaulted concept in Hanson Hall 23 (soon to be Hanson Hall 202), the project will include three key features:

  • climate control,
  • acoustical treatment of all rooms,
  • and an elevator, creating 100% accessibility for our students, faculty, staff, and guests.

The lead architect, Bill Ketchum of Stantec, also led the design efforts for North Park’s Johnson Center for Science and Community Life, as well as for the new building project at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago’s Lincoln Square neighborhood. He and his colleagues are bringing a breadth of expertise and creativity to the project. Carl Balsam, North Park’s Executive Vice President, is leading the project for the institution.

Craig Johnson, Dean of the School of Music, Art, and Theatre, states that the project will be a “huge boost for the music program, as well as recognition of the historical importance of music and the arts in the North Park community.”

In early spring 2018, a special event will take place to celebrate the Hanson re-opening.

School of Music, Art, and Theatre

Images by Stantec Architecture Inc.

Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories News, StoriesTags

North Park University Hosts “You Be the Chemist” Local Challenge for Second Year

Students from Chicago Public Schools competed to qualify for the national challenge.

Students from Chicago Public Schools competed to qualify for the national challenge

CHICAGO, March 20, 2017 — For the second year in a row, North Park University hosted the Chicago Public Schools “You Be The Chemist” competition. Twenty-three schools from across Chicagoland competed for trophies and bragging rights. North Park’s own Dr. Jonathan Reinstra-Kiracofe facilitated the Quiz Bowl, with representatives from each school answering tough questions about chemical compounds and processes.

Allie Parker, Out-of-School Time Manager for Chicago Public Schools, was thrilled to partner with North Park: “I love the facilities and the fact that CPS kids visit such a beautiful campus.” This event gives North Park some insight into the future of cutting-edge discovery. “From what we can see the next generation of science rocks blue and green hair, isn’t afraid to get messy, and will go fearlessly where no adults have gone before,” commented Pamela Bozeman, North Park’s Senior Director of Career Development and Internships.

The You Be The Chemist Challenge® is an interactive academic contest that encourages students in grades 5-8 to explore chemistry concepts and their real-world applications. It provides the opportunity for CPS, North Park, and others to come together and show their support for STEM education.

North Park hosted a local challenge, which is a quiz bowl with several rounds of multiple choice questions. Students who score the highest will move on to the next level of competition with the top participant from each state advancing to the National Challenge in June.

Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories News, StoriesTags ,

Diversity and Dialogue in Biblical and Theological Studies: Hannah Hawkinson C’17

Hannah Hawkinson C’17, a biblical and theological studies major, shares about her experience at North Park.

Hannah Hawkinson C’17, a biblical and theological studies major, shares about her experience at North Park.

Meeting so many people who challenge the way I think, and who are open and anxious to dialogue with each other; there are people who think so differently, but are willing to talk with each other in and outside the classroom.

I feel at home here, at North Park, seeing so many different people, and hearing so many different languages; I wanted to learn in an environment like that. Being around students who want to learn, are invested, and care about classes as much as I do is something that has been a positive surprise.

As I have refined my interest within theology, I’ve noticed I’m passionate about narrative, about who is speaking this narrative, and searching for the biases that contribute to this narrative. Being able to read literature provides a different way of looking at things, but it has been very helpful.

If you’re considering majoring in BTS, take a class or two on top of the required, and try to take them from as many different professors within the department as you can. Also ask other BTS students about their experiences, I promise we’re a nice bunch. There is no pressure to continue to pastoral duties if you choose it as your major, there are so many other tracks you can take. Hopefully, you’ll see that it’s a rigorous program, but I think that BTS is an important program, especially for this University.

What surprises me most at North Park is meeting so many people who challenge the way I think, and who are open and anxious to dialogue with each other; there are people who think so differently but are willing to talk with each other in and outside the classroom.

Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories Profile, StoriesTags , , , ,

“Hope Has a Home Here” at North Park

Hate has no home here. Hope has a home here.

North Park University held a candlelight vigil on the steps of Old Main on February 20, 2017.

President Parkyn welcomed students, faculty, staff, and the public to a candlelight vigil on February 20, 2017, called “Hope Has a Home Here.”  Held in response to the travel ban issued several weeks previously by President Trump, the vigil tapped into the movement “Hate Has No Home Here,” created by a North Park alumnus.

Candles were lit starting from the center candle, and the light moved through the crowd, each person giving light to the next. A series of litanies were performed by students and faculty, led by Professor Boaz Johnson and Student Body President Steve Smrt, with an audience response of “Hate has no home here” and “Hope has a home here.”

“We remember,” said Faith and Justice leader Jorie Dybcio, “our own immigrant origins, and the origin of North Park University as a Christian institution that, from the beginning of its existence, has sought to empower and give voice to all.”

“Hope has a home here!” the audience responded.

Dr. Helen Hudgens performed a rendition of “This Little Light of Mine” substituting some of the lyrics to reflect the current events, such as the DREAMers act, and calling out prominent political figures, letting them know that her light will continue to shine. This was followed by a multi-lingual reading—including in English, Spanish, German, Korean, Afrikaans—of Micah 6:8: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (NIV).

Although the night was windy, and multiple candles were blown out, there was always someone nearby to share their light. It characterized the attitude of those who attended: they were there to help re-light the candle that had been snuffed out in others’ lives.

“The Hope Candlelight Vigil was an attempt for us to follow the teaching and example of Christ, to love our neighbor—the widow, the orphan, the stranger, the Samaritan. . . . My hope and prayer is that we’ll continue to be a community which keeps doing this. In doing so, we will be more like Jesus, and truly a Christian community,” said Dr. Boaz Johnson.

Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories News, StoriesTags , ,

Student Blog: The Heart of Being Free as a Black Man

Remembering the Resurrected One is what will bring true reconciliation and freedom.

This is a student blog post submitted by Marcus Payne II, C’17. Marcus is a communications and biblical and theological studies major.

What is at the heart of being free as a black man?

That has been on my heart for a while. This passion to be more than a statistic started at the first college I attended, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE). There, for the first time in my life, I had a black male professor, and it was one of the most mind-blowing and enriching experiences I ever had. He constantly made us aware of our vulnerability as black men, and how the world expected us to fail. He made sure we were aware that all 25 of the black men in that class could be more than the next rapper and ball player.

These experiences led me to a phase in life where I want to pair racial reconciliation with the truth of the Gospel.

In America, oppression and marginalization exist even while people claim the country to be Christian. I feel that this is the direct opposite of how Christ envisioned the kingdom of God. Lupe Fiasco says in his song Strange Fruition: “Now I can’t pledge allegiance to your flag because I can’t find no reconciliation with your past / When there was nothing equal for my people in your math / You forced us in the ghetto and then you took our dads.”

As a black man, my life is honestly expendable to America. However, North Park showing a sign that they care for people who look like me, by hosting a Black Lives Matter rally—that was a step back into the realm of reconciliation and the Gospel’s true message of liberation.

In today’s society, there is an obvious lack of love and that is what is missing in the reality true freedom. For author and pastor Dwight Hopkins, love is freedom and allows oppressed and marginalized people to find their true image, which is the Imago Dei. For Hopkins, both love and freedom are keys to having a healthy theological anthropology that pushes us to the image of God and directs Christians towards God’s mission. “‘Freedom and justice for all’ isn’t a reality for people of color because there is a lack of love in society,” he writes.

So what is the solution? In his book A Black Theology of Liberation, James Cone uses the resurrection of Christ to show the need to liberate those who are oppressed. For Cone, Christ’s resurrection is the theme that shows the ultimate power over oppression. “To say no to oppression and yes to liberation is to encounter the existential significance of the Resurrected One.”

Easter is approaching and, from a Christian perspective, remembering the Resurrected One is what will bring true reconciliation and freedom.

Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories Blog, StoriesTags

Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner Inaugurated into the European Academy of Sciences and Arts

Thuswaldner is dean of arts and sciences and professor of humanities at North Park University.

Thuswaldner is dean of arts and sciences and professor of humanities at North Park University.

He is now an active member of the Academy’s Class I (Humanities). The ceremony took place at the University of Salzburg, Austria. The European Academy of Sciences and Arts promotes excellence in fields such as the humanities, medicine, arts, sciences, economics, law, and religion.

The European Academy of Sciences and Arts’ 1,900 members include 29 Nobel Prize recipients and former Pope Benedict XVI. The members of the Academy have a distinguished academic publication record and an impeccable reputation in academia. The Academy’s nominating committee nominates potential members who are then voted on by the Senate of the Academy. Funded by the European Union, the Austrian State as well as by private donors, the European Academy of Sciences and Arts is one of the biggest academic think tanks in the world that is dedicated to interdisciplinary research and regularly discusses pressing issues in the academy and civic society.

Being voted into the European Academy of Sciences and Arts is regarded as a great honor.

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

Student Blog: How the Black Lives Matter Rally Helped Me Realize My Privilege

Listening to his peers in a campus rally opened one student’s eyes.

This is a student blog post submitted by Stephen Nielsen, C’19. Stephen is an English major with a concentration in creative writing.

Listening to his peers in a campus rally opened one student’s eyes.

North Park University held a Black Lives Matter rally on campus back in November of 2016. The first of its kind on campus, it highlighted injustices faced by students of color. Students stepped up to the mic and told the stories of their lives and the lives of their loved ones.

Having grown up in Denmark for most my life, I’ve been ignorant of the challenges facing people of color in America, and of the privilege afforded to me because of the color of my skin. I heard stories, saw the news, but never experienced it first-hand. I’m not oppressed, and I don’t find myself an oppressor, so it doesn’t affect me. I could watch from the sidelines, I could claim my ignorance, and chalk it up to my time spent in a foreign country; it’s not my problem. Emily Bourne, seminary student and resident director of Ohlson Hall says otherwise. “Oppression affects all of us whether we realize it or not; whether conscious of it or not. To hear another people group cry out and say their lives seemingly don’t matter; this should be something that we pay attention to.”

Although the civil rights movement made great strides for racial justice, profiling is still prominent in American culture. Black Lives Matter intends to expose the injustices facing black Americans today. “We’re not walking around in chains, but we still have a lot of things that are causing us to be held down in bondage, and to still have these systems of oppression,” remarked Jacqueline Strapp, director of diversity at North Park University.

I finally understood why racial problems still exist as I stood in Anderson Chapel, as it overflowed with an arresting array of faces. Why had so many entered this place of raw peace and genuine expression, gathered in the name of Christ? “Because change doesn’t happen without your participation, because it shows your support to those who are suffering, and especially because we’re a diverse community, it’s also empowering yourself to learn how to make change,” said Michael Emerson, Provost, North Park University.

There is work to be done, but making change isn’t complicated. Stephen Kelly, worship arts coordinator for University Ministries at North Park University says that “for there to be racial reconciliation it has to be a re-humanization.”

“Even if you don’t agree,” Strapp said, “you should at least listen,” because ignorance doesn’t solve problems. Choosing to ignore the social and racial injustices still affecting black people across the country won’t make the movement stop. I’m not saying that you must become an activist, I’m not saying that because these issues have deeply affected me, that they should affect you too. However, like Strapp told me, “be educated so that you can be informed when you choose a side. Don’t choose because it’s always been this way for you. Choose it because you have heard both sides, and understand why you are the way you are.”

The stories of injustice I heard from those who spoke and those I interviewed were horrible and troubling. I couldn’t believe what was happening. I want to change something, I want to help the current change happening across America; the change on campus. The opportunity to participate in Sankofa, a University Ministries led trip, arose and I accepted.

The account of my Sankofa experience will be the topic of a future post.

Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories Blog, StoriesTags ,

North Park University Announces Chicago-Based Learning Program Catalyst 606_ _

The new curriculum redesigns the University’s weekly schedule to allow for faculty-guided excursions, starting fall 2017.

The new curriculum redesigns the University’s weekly schedule to allow for faculty-guided excursions, starting fall 2017.

What is Catalyst 606__?

CHICAGO (March 8, 2016) — Catalyst 606__ is North Park’s Chicago-based curriculum. Students learn outside the classroom, exploring the city during staff- and faculty-guided excursions.

Innovative. Off-Campus. Hands-on. Credit-earning.

The Catalyst programs at North Park unite the city and students together in the form of civic engagement and exposure to current science and the arts. Dates and facts about the labor movement in a textbook become alive with visits to the historic Pullman Foundation; financial accounting becomes relevant in visits to the Loop’s financial district; economics becomes visible in a tour of manufacturing company; art and culture open eyes with attendance at operas and exhibits.

In addition, Catalyst 606__

  • is a Chicago-centered urban experience.
  • is intentionally intercultural.
  • offers hands-on learning.
  • provides cultural and educational experiences in the city.
  • blends theory and practice with applied academics.

On your Mark, Get Set, Go: Wednesday Afternoons

“Chicago is our classroom and all Chicagoans are our teachers” has been a long-standing North Park approach to learning. Starting fall 2017, Wednesday afternoons will be designated for exploring the city of Chicago. Students will have at least two opportunities per afternoon course to explore Chicago and enrich their learning across academic disciplines.

Catalyst 606__: Semester

For students who would like a more immersive experience beyond a Catalyst class, there’s the Catalyst 606__ Semester. Designed for students early in their undergraduate years, all classes for a full semester focus on the dynamic city of Chicago.

In a Catalyst 606__ Semester, students:

  • take classes together in a cohort setting.
  • share a common set of courses.
  • complete an assigned practicum experience with a local community-based organization to gain valuable work experience.
  • learn from the diverse fabric of the city through its residents, walking tours, museums, performances, and local dining.
  • investigate issues impacting urban areas.

During the semester, students will view the city through different lenses, disciplines, and perspectives, while they serve and participate in its flourishing. There is also the option to take other courses outside of the cohort to fulfill additional requirements specific to programs.

Apply for Catalyst 606__ Semester

Why Now?

A broad understanding of city infrastructure is essential as companies, government, and nonprofits prepare for a population shift to cities.

  • 66% of the world’s population will live and work in urban areas by 2050.*
  • Cities will grow by more than 2.5 billion people; most human population growth going forward will be urban.*
  • Hands-on learning experiences in the very environment where change is happening— this is a top priority and initiative for North Park.

What’s the Name All About?

Chicago is a city of neighborhoods and each neighborhood has a unique story to tell. The “606__” represents the base of all Chicago zip codes. Every Wednesday, there’s the opportunity to fill in the last two digits, like the coordinates in an ethnographic map. Using these coordinates, students will learn from the city and contribute to community goals.

more about Catalyst 606__

*United Nations Report, World Urbanization Prospects

 

Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories News, StoriesTags

I Chose North Park: “Christian university with a personal touch,” Carmen Velazquez-Alvarez C’16

Carmen Velazquez-Alvarez C’16, conflict transformation studies alumna, shares why she chose North Park.

Carmen Velazquez-Alvarez C’16, conflict transformation studies alumna, shares why she chose North Park.

I was looking for a Christian university with a personal touch. I attended a Covenant church in California’s Central Valley, and a member of my church—who was also my chemistry teacher and my mentor—urged me to apply to North Park.

I have a heart for the underserved and now serve California Central Valley’s large immigrant community. I plan to earn a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) and leverage my experience in the Valley to start a nonprofit organization.

It was as a student at North Park that I discovered my passion for service and realized I have the power to make a difference in others’ lives. I served as the president of the Latin American Student Organization (LASO) and cofounded a mentorship group for Latina students. I also served in campus ministry and interned at the YWCA.

At every step along my journey North Park, I was encouraged. I’m incredibly appreciative of the support I received and relationships I developed.

More of Carmen’s story

Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories Profile, StoriesTags , , ,