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North Park University Offers Alumni Grant for Graduate Studies Tuition
Grant applies to students who begin graduate study in fall 2013
CHICAGO (December 26, 2012) – North Park University will offer a 20 percent tuition reduction to undergraduate alumni who enroll in graduate courses, or seek graduate degrees or graduate-level certificates at the University. The tuition grants are available to students who begin coursework for the first time in the fall semester 2013, and can be used for classes students attend in-person or access online.
"This idea aligns with North Park's emphasis on lifelong learning," said Dr. Chris Nicholson, the University's director of graduate admissions. Continuing education, including graduate education, is key for success in many vocations, he said. Nicholson also pointed out that a growing number of the University's graduate programs are available online to alumni living anywhere in the world.
The tuition grants apply only to graduate-level programs, and are available to alumni who do not have other University grants or scholarships to meet the costs of graduate education, Nicholson explained. Some University schools already offer attractive grants to alumni, he said.
The tuition grants to University alumni for graduate study may provide an extra incentive to North Park University graduates considering advanced degrees, said Nate Mouttet, University vice president for enrollment and marketing. "The confidence our alumni had in the faculty as undergraduates is the same kind of confidence they will have in the graduate faculty. We're offering continuation of a great undergraduate experience with more depth at the graduate level," he said.
The fellowship includes a $7,000 seed grant for one year beginning in August 2012. Rich Kohng, urban outreach coordinator in North Park's University Ministries, explained that the idea behind the grant is to more fully embrace one of the University's core values — "intentionally urban." Other University core values are "distinctively Christian" and "purposefully multicultural."
"We have a lot of people on campus doing different things, and this can be a hub through which we can engage the urban context," Kohng said. A civic engagement center at the University would likely include three components, he said. They are:
A curricular component, which may lead to offering majors and minors related to urban engagement.
An engagement component, which encourages students, faculty, and staff to volunteer in different service organizations and to get involved in the community in different ways.
A research component, which promotes faculty and student work on projects regarding issues pertinent to the local community.
Kohng hopes that the grant will enable the University to offer more service-learning opportunities. Already the University has nearly 20 partnerships with community service organizations, and at least 150 students regularly volunteering with local organizations who serve more than 400 people a week. "The idea is we can enhance that through service-learning. Professors can offer courses that have a service component written into their classes. Students will be able to earn credit as they serve and do this as part of their coursework," Kohng said.
The grant will be administered by a three-person University team, including Kohng. Assisting them is Dr. Rachelle Ankney, professor of mathematics, a service learning fellow of the University. Ankney led a cohort of five faculty who engaged in service learning during the 2011–2012 academic year.
Illinois Campus Compact, based at DePaul University, Chicago, is a coalition of colleges and universities that promote the civic development of students and each campus as an active and engaged member of its community. The organization's grant program to promote civic engagement in the Chicago region is supported by the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, Chicago.
University's Hispanic Heritage Month Observance Begins September 18
Eduardo Arnal Palomera, consul general of Mexico, will speak Sept.18 at North Park University. (Photo courtesy of Consulate General of Mexico, Chicago)
Consul General of Mexico leads month's activities this week
CHICAGO (September 17, 2012) — North Park University will join the official United States celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month with a series of free events for students, faculty and staff beginning this week. The University's month-long observance includes addresses on campus by official government representatives of Mexico, Argentina and Colombia, as well as cultural events featuring cuisine, entertainment and music.
Hispanic Heritage Month or "El Mes de la Hispanidad," is observed September 15 through October 15. "It is a time to highlight and share the many cultures of Latin American and Spain," said Dr. Lorenzo R. Florián, North Park University professor of Spanish and faculty fellow for Latin American Initiatives. "This year we are bringing some special events to campus. We have made these events free to all of our students, and many professors are asking of their students to write about the events they attend."
Hispanic Heritage Month is a reflection of the University's multicultural identity, one of its core values. "We hope these events will raise awareness of the struggles of Latinos throughout the Americas and in the United States. We want to show diversity not only compared to other cultures but also within Latin cultures, that will bring an appreciation and an understanding for all."
Three University events are featured during this first week of Hispanic Heritage Month:
Tuesday, September 18, 2012: Eduardo Arnal Palomera, consul general of Mexico, Brorson Lounge, 11:40 am
Tuesday, September 18: Comida Latina, Latin cuisine from around the world, Magnuson Campus Center, 5:00 pm (normal dining hall rates apply)
Thursday, September 20: James Sanders & Conjunto, Afro-Latin jazz concert, Anderson Chapel, 7:30 pm (free for University students, faculty, and staff with ID; $10 general admission for the public)
Later events planned include an address by Marcelo Suarez Savlia, counsel general of Argentina, September 25; Global Giggles: The Other Side of Diversity, comedy, October 4; Fiesta Latina dance lessons, October 5; Latino Chapel, October 10; and an address by José Fernando Gomez Mora, counsel general of Colombia, October 16.
New Nonprofit Leaders Benefit from North Park University's BootCamp
Dana Garner, Trinity United Church of Christ Child Care Centers, Chicago, was among this year's BootCamp attendees.
Axelson Center program provides networking, solutions for key concerns
CHICAGO (August 1, 2012) — Being a chief executive officer or an executive director of almost any organization is demanding. It can be even more demanding for those new to these roles, as they work to figure out what needs attention, and how best to manage people and resources. Seeking solutions to those challenges, 27 new nonprofit executive leaders participated this month in BootCamp 2012, a popular continuing education program of North Park University's Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management.
Participants met with experts and each other for three days, sharing ideas and learning about organizational mission, marketing, boards and governance, management principles, measurement, and funding. They heard from a panel of BootCamp alumni, and developed personal 90-day plans of action. BootCamp is for nonprofit chief executive officers or executive directors who have been in their roles for three years or less.
"This has helped me tremendously to focus and give me a framework," said Dr. Lisa Green executive director, Family Christian Health Center, Harvey, Ill. "A lot of us get in the job, and you just start 'doing.' This program did two things — it helped me focus on the things that I need to work on, and let me know I'm not doing this alone." Green has been in the executive director's role about one year, and said her 90-day action plan helped her set priorities.
Cheryl Lawrence, executive director, Lawyers' Committee for Better Housing, Chicago, had been in her job just one week when she attended BootCamp 2012. Lawrence is an attorney and was previously the organization's director of development. Comments from BootCamp alumni about working with boards of directors were helpful, she said. "The clear vision that I have coming out of this session is how to work towards rejuvenating our board, how we handle our board meetings, (and) how we look at different ways to engage them," she said. She has struggled to engage busy board members in ways that take advantage of their expertise, Lawrence said. She plans to suggest some meaningful changes to the board president.
BootCamp also provided Lawrence with three days away from the office to meet other nonprofit leaders, and to do some serious thinking. "It's been really meaningful, and I would highly recommend this to anybody," Lawrence added.
Maria Nanos, executive director, Center for Law and Social Work, Chicago, said she feels more confident in her role today — after a year's experience — but admits there's still much she needs to do. "I had an opportunity to go [to BootCamp] when I first got the job, but it didn't work out because of a lot of things," Manos said. "But I'm glad that it's been a year later for me. You know what you don't know a little better."
The three-day BootCamp experience was everything Ann Carstensen hoped it would be. One of her challenges is staff management. "I think the biggest takeaway is how to better manage my organization, understanding how to better manage my staff, and how to better manage up and down the organization," said Carstensen, executive director, Alpha Phi Foundation, Evanston, Ill. "I'm very pleased we heard some good advice and counsel to get us moving in the right direction," she added.
The vast majority of participants in BootCamp program were referred by others who attended previously, said William Braden, Axelson Center coordinator of leadership development programs. Many BootCamp speakers and Axelson Center advisory committee members are program alumni. A key to BootCamp's continuing success is feedback from program participants and follow up evaluations used to improve the curriculum, Braden said. Braden is a retired CEO of the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago, and a member of the Axelson Center advisory board.
The University's Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management was established in 1999. The Center provides educational experiences, services, and resources to enhance the performance and effectiveness of individuals and organizations in the nonprofit sector. In addition to BootCamp, its offerings include a host of professional development workshops, an annual career and internship fair, professional certificate academic programs, the annual Axelson Symposium, plus nonprofit newsletters and other resources.
CHICAGO (June 8, 2012) — More than 500 nonprofit leaders and volunteers met in downtown Chicago June 5 to learn new and effective strategies that will help them lead, be innovative, and enhance organizational funding, communication, and growth. They were attendees at North Park University's 13th Annual Axelson Center Symposium for Nonprofit Professionals and Volunteers, with the theme, "Reignite Your Vision."
The Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management also organized and presented a pre-conference Innovation Institute June 4, and presented awards to three nonprofits. The Axelson Center works to enhance performance and effectiveness of individuals and organizations in the nonprofit sector through education, service, and resources.
The symposium drew a cross-section of nonprofit leaders from large and small organizations, and people planning careers in the nonprofit sector. They heard keynote speakers who addressed the role of nonprofits in rebuilding the U.S. economy, and harnessing pro bono resources for their organizations. Workshops focused on topics such as communication, strategic planning, board engagement, funding, and giving trends.
"I was really inspired by all of the speakers," said Hollen Reischer, assistant director, Neighborhood Writing Alliance, Chicago. "I was most inspired by the vision people had for really taking care of the mission and values of their organizations, and using that as a way to build a bridge to corporate and pro bono relationships. This is a great opportunity for networking and hearing from lots of seasoned professionals. I've been taking notes all day."
John Shustitzky, Lake Forest, Ill., has led nonprofits for some 30 years, has been a consultant and is now on the faculty at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. He attended because of the content and the reputation of North Park University, he said. "I have a better idea of the potential role of pro bono work in nonprofits," Shustitzky said, adding that remarks by keynoter Aaron Hurst, president and founder of the Taproot Foundation, New York City, were "particularly helpful."
Also attending was Babette Black, Chicago, a recent divinity school graduate. She was once an accountant for an insurance company, but didn't find corporate work fulfilling. Black said she came to the symposium to learn about nonprofits as she transitions to a career in the sector. "I want my work to have meaning. I've always wanted to have an experience where I feel the human component of what we do matches the benefit of the society. I want to make sure that what I do professionally has meaning," she said.
Keynoter Robert Egger, founder and president, Washington-based DC Central Kitchen, inspired attendees by pointing out the potential influence of U.S. nonprofits in the political process and society. For example, more than 500,000 people work in nonprofits in Illinois, generating $22 billion in payroll taxes in 2010, and yet, nonprofits don't get the economic credit they deserve, he said. "The nonprofit sector is one of the biggest sources of outside investment in cities every single day. We are major drivers of every economy in every city," Egger said. He also challenged nonprofit leaders to be "fearless."
Hurst told the nonprofit leaders how to use pro bono resources to accomplish their organizational missions. "Running a nonprofit today is infinitely more challenging than it's ever been, and the nonprofit sector is being asked to do more than ever before," he said. Hurst presented five principles when using pro bono resources: know and define needs; get the right resource for the right job; be realistic about pro bono deadlines; act like a paying client; and working with pro bono resources is a collaboration where all parties learn.
Winners of annual awards recognizing area nonprofits were announced at a luncheon emceed by Ana Belaval, feature reporter for Chicago's WGN Morning News:
More than 40 Chicago-area nonprofits were nominated, and a committee determined the winners from 12 finalists.
The Innovation Institute June 4 drew 145 registered participants. Speakers were Larry Keeley, president and co-founder, Doblin Inc., who spoke about effective organizations and innovative business practices; Mary F. Morten, president, Morten Group, who presented best practices for boards of directors; Martin Levine, general director, Jewish Community Center of Chicago, and Carol Levine, principal, Levine Partners Consulting, who discussed ways to reignite organizations through mission focus and planning; and Dr. Robert Wright, chief executive officer, Wright, who discussed ways to empower and engage employees in organizational leadership.
North Park University Student Honored by 'Good Morning America'
Marcus Crone, center, was honored on Good Morning America April 9. With him is GMA co-host George Stephanopoulos, left; Mary McComb, second from right, and Crone's prom date, Chelsea McComb, right. (Good Morning America video)
Freshman Marcus Crone recognized for special prom invitation
CHICAGO (April 11, 2012) — Marcus Crone, a freshman at North Park University, Chicago, was stunned April 9 on national TV when Good Morning America named him a winner of the Disney Memory Maker contest for an act of kindness — in which he invited a girl with Down syndrome to her prom last spring after she had been turned down by another young man.
Crone and his mother, Stephanie, were part of the crowd outside the taping of the show when he and several others were called to step forward and told they had been named winners. Each winner was awarded a trip to a Disney theme park.
One of the show’s hosts, George Stephanopoulos, then told Crone, "Your story is so amazing. You had us all just welled up." Stephanopoulos had another surprise: Crone's prom date, Chelsea McComb, and her mother, Mary, appeared from the crowd, and ran to hug Crone.
In a videotaped segment recorded before the presentation, Chelsea said the prom "was the best moment in my entire life."
"He made her feel like Cinderella that night," said Mary, adding that her daughter had never had a date. "When they walked out to the car, I truly, truly don’t believe her feet touched the ground."
Crone, who did not know he had been nominated, was chosen from among several thousand entries. Another member of the Crossroads congregation — Mary McComb — nominated him.
Crone’s mother, Stephanie, was in on the ruse to get him to New York City. She told her son that she had won a contest called Whisk Your Mom Away that awarded her the opportunity to travel and take a family member. The two were treated to limousine service, tickets to live performances, and to Good Morning America.
In an interview, Crone, a former high school state wrestling champion, said, "It was a blessing for me to be able to have the opportunity to take Chelsea to the prom. We danced the entire time. It was so much fun."
Crone says he hopes it can be arranged for Chelsea and her family to travel to Disney World with his family.
The North Park student said he hopes to delay his sophomore year by serving in Asia, Africa, and South America, as part of a mission trip experience with Adventures in Missions.
"Marcus has just been just a key kid in our youth group prior to going to North Park. He would champion youth group Bible study and bring kids left and right," said Crossroads Pastor Russell Blake.
Stan Friedman, news editor for the Evangelical Covenant Church, Chicago, is the writer of this article.
North Park University Choir, Chamber Singers to Tour Northern Illinois
The 2012 University Choir Tour is October 19-21, and will include performances throughout northern Illinois.
October 19-21 tour includes performances in Naperville, Batavia, and Rockford
CHICAGO (October 4, 2012) — North Park University's Chamber Singers and University Choir will perform in northern Illinois congregations in Naperville and Rockford, and at an Evangelical Covenant Church retirement community in Batavia, Ill., during their Fall 2012 tour. "A Choral Celebration" will feature performances of choral works by several international composers.
"The performances include a wide variety of choral repertoire," said Dr. Julia Davids, University director of choral activities, and holder of the Stephen J. Hendrickson Endowed Chair in Music, School of Music. "If you're someone who has heard some choral music before, you will likely recognize some of the music to be performed during the tour."
The 14-member Chamber Singers will perform a capella "Suite de Lorca," a set of poetic pieces by Spanish poet Garcia Lorca, set to music by a Finnish composer, Einojuhani Rautavaara. The Chamber Singers will also perform works such as "If Ye Love Me," by English composer Thomas Tallis; "Ain't Got Time to Die," by American composer Hall Johnson; "Longing," by Matthew Emery, a young Canadian composer; and other compositions. Emery's piece is an unpublished composition that the Chamber Singers have been granted rights to perform, Davids said.
The University Choir will feature a performance of English composer John Rutter's "Te Deum," which Davids characterized as "a great text of praise." The 41-member choir will also perform compositions such as William Byrd's setting of Ave Verum Corpus, and a similar setting by Edward Elgar; "Keltic Song" by Canadian composer Allan Rae, and other compositions. University organist Margaret Martin is featured on some selections, Davids said.
One unusual piece the 41-member choir will perform was written by American composer Gregg Smith, based on Psalm 23. The piece was written for three choirs. "We have three different choirs singing this Psalm in three different keys at one point. On the last page it breaks into 13 parts for the end, and the choir stands in a big circle," Davids commented.
During the tour, the University Choir and Davids will visit Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville October 19 to lead a workshop and perform with the school's choral ensembles. In addition, Davids and the choir will attend the Illinois American Choral Directors Association convention in Naperville October 20. Davids will speak to the conference on vocal technique for choral conductors and singers, and the University Choir will also perform as part of an interactive presentation. Davids recently published a new book on the subject with Stephen LaTour, Vocal Technique: A Guide for Conductors, Teachers, and Singers.
The Fall 2012 University Choir Tour is made possible by North Park University. Staff with the University's School of Music will accompany the choir and make recruiting visits. Choir members will stay with host families throughout the tour.
U.S. Education Representative Visits North Park University
Mark Meyer, seated, a North Park University history and secondary education major, was among those who met with Aaron Brendenkamp, center, Department of Education representative, and Dr. John Laukaitis, right, assistant professor, School of Education.
Engages education students in dialogue on future of teaching profession
CHICAGO (November 29, 2012) — A secondary school teacher from Nebraska, representing the U.S. Department of Education, met with a group of North Park University School of Education students this month. Aaron Brendenkamp's purpose was to engage the students, preparing to be teachers, in a national project aimed at informing future education policy and programs for the betterment of the teaching profession in the 21st century.
The meeting was part of a "National Conversation about Teaching," a recent initiative of the Department of Education. The goal is "to identify and ultimately implement strategies to strengthen the profession by dramatically changing how teachers are recruited, selected, supported, compensated, promoted, and retained in the profession," according to U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. To start the conversation, teachers created a vision statement, "The RESPECT Project: Envisioning a Teaching Profession for the 21st Century."
Brendenkamp accepted an invitation from Dr. John Laukaitis, assistant professor of education, to visit the University and meet with "pre-service teachers," students who will soon begin student teaching. Laukaitis made the connection at a recent professional conference, knowing it would be good to have the students meet an exemplary classroom teacher. Brendenkamp holds a one-year teaching fellow appointment with the Department of Education and is an experienced classroom teacher.
"What I was hoping for was that as our students listened to the discussion, they would think about how they can become highly effective teachers, and see some of the challenges of working with students in both urban and rural communities," Laukaitis said. "What we want to do is bring in experienced teachers who have some unique experiences to share, and have our students be engaged in those conversations as much as possible, especially before their clinical experience."
For more than 40 years, the School of Education has provided academic programs for students from diverse academic and professional backgrounds who share a passion for teaching. Undergraduate programs prepare teachers for early childhood, elementary, and secondary teaching careers, as well as specialized certification to teach specific subjects. Graduate programs offer opportunities to advance teaching careers, including a new master's degree program in language, literacy, and culture. The University also offers non-degree programs for teacher certification and endorsements.
Brendenkamp teaches mathematics at an alternative high school in Omaha, and once taught at Chicago's Paul Robeson High School through the Teach for America program. His role with the Department for Education is to meet with teachers and prospective teachers, listen to their comments and concerns about the teaching profession, and report findings to the department. "One of the things I hear a lot of officials say is 'the answers aren't in D.C. — the answers are in the classroom.' Our goal is to make sure we go get the answers and bring them back," he said.
The conversation with the North Park education students included subjects such as possible changes in traditional school grade levels, possible changes in traditional school days to ensure program effectiveness, how the RESPECT vision will be implemented, and reasons why some teachers shift their careers.
"Education, in my opinion, has always been very locally driven," Brendenkamp said. "At the same time, we all need to get together and work together to make sure we're all moving forward. That's something I'm very passionate about in this role."
North Park Offers Nonprofit Management Degree Online Beginning Fall 2012
Violet Ricker said she stays in touch with students who studied with her in the SAL undergraduate nonprofit management program.
Undergraduate degree option available through School of Adult Learning
CHICAGO (August 16, 2012) – A popular North Park University bachelor's degree program for professionals who aspire to leadership positions in the nonprofit sector can be completed exclusively online beginning with the 2012-2013 academic year. The University's undergraduate nonprofit management degree will be among other bachelor's degree programs that students can earn online through the School of Adult Learning (SAL).
North Park University is known in the Chicago area for many academic programs, including educational offerings in the nonprofit arena. With this new option, SAL students will be able to earn nonprofit management degrees through a combination of online and in-person classes, or exclusively online. The online option is a plus for students who may not be able to attend classes in-person or who live outside the Chicago area, said Dr. Pamela Ransom, SAL associate professor and chair of the school's nonprofit management and criminal justice majors.
SAL students in nonprofit management gain a foundational understanding of the nonprofit sector, plus specific skills and professional contacts to be successful managers, said Ransom. "What is different about our program is that we have a real-world component, and a real-world focus about not-for-profit management," she said.
SAL nonprofit management students learn how to work with boards of directors, manage volunteers, raise funds, manage finances, organize special events, write grant proposals, and develop advocacy skills for their organizations. Students typically range from young adults to more experienced professionals who want an accelerated program that fits their life schedules.
Students who have earned the degrees have moved into interesting and fulfilling careers. Violet Ricker earned her degree in 2010 through a combination of online and in-person classes, which she took at the University's satellite campus in Grayslake, Ill., and at the Chicago campus. Today, she is executive director of Waukegan Main Street, a nonprofit organization that works for community and economic development in downtown Waukegan, Ill., her hometown. It's part of the Main Street Network that works to revitalize communities across the United States.
Ricker entered the North Park University program from George Washington University, Washington, D.C., where she had been studying political science. While there, she did nonprofit community work, and found that was her calling. Ricker learned of North Park's nonprofit management program through an online search, and returned home to study in the University's program.
The degree program brought together many disciplines, Ricker said. "I understand the connectedness of volunteer development, fundraising, communication, and community outreach," she said. "To have that in a program versus learning on the job is very valuable. The best part for me was collective expertise from my fellow students in the program." Ricker still remains in touch with others who studied with her, trading advice and sharing business ideas.
Lindsay LeVally earned a degree in nonprofit management in 2009 through the SAL, attending classes in-person and taking at least one course online. She is currently in the process of moving to Springfield, Ill., where she will manage a new branch office for Grimco, Inc., a national wholesale sign supply company. LeVally heard about North Park University from a colleague when she was an AmeriCorps volunteer. After AmeriCorps, LeVally worked in different roles, before landing at Grimco, where she got into sales by writing marketing plans for her nonprofit classes.
"I was able to get this job with the degree, and I've been here a year and a half," LeVally said. "I'm now being given a chance to manage a branch in Springfield. I wouldn't even be working for Grimco without this degree. Every paper I did was on my company when I was at North Park."
LeVally began work on a master's degree in management at the University in 2010, part of a "continuum" of education available to University students who want to go further. "Students can get a bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, and then move to the master's program in nonprofit management," Ransom said, "plus, we have the Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management for continuing education."
University Scientist Chairs National Meeting on Computer Programming Language
Professor Johnny Lin
Johnny Lin leads 'Python' symposium at New Orleans meteorological meeting
CHICAGO (January 18, 2012) – A North Park University physicist is chairing a national meeting this month devoted to Python, a fast, powerful and versatile computer programming language growing in popularity among people working in the atmospheric and oceanic sciences. The symposium and two short courses in uses of Python are part of the annual meeting of the American Meteorological Society (AMS), Jan. 22-26, in New Orleans.
Dr. Johnny Lin, professor of physics, will teach an introductory short course on Python, and chair the New Orleans symposium, at which scientists from around the country will present papers highlighting the programming language's use in modeling and analysis. Last year, the AMS annual meeting was the site of the first Python symposium which Lin also chaired. Lin, who uses Python in his own teaching and research work at North Park University, helped write the proposal to AMS to create the symposium. At that time, there were virtually no scientific meetings in the atmospheric sciences to discuss Python. Colleagues formerly at the University of Chicago, where Lin did postdoctoral studies, and Lawrence Livermore (Calif.) National Laboratories, worked with Lin to organize the symposium.
The AMS symposium is a place where users can call attention to Python "as a real platform for doing scientific work in the atmospheric sciences," Lin explained. Speakers will share Python techniques and ideas, help build a support community for users, and help grow the language as an atmospheric sciences programming platform, he said.
North Park University also teaches the Python programming language in beginning computer science classes, in part because it's easier for students to learn and apply to other programming languages.
Alan Iliff, North Park University professor of computer science, said he first began teaching the programming language five years ago after a University computer science alumnus suggested he look into it. Students learn how to write computing programs faster using Python, he said. "It's very easy to write programs with Python. What makes it a good teaching language is what makes it popular for programming," he said.
"A real solid approach in teaching computer science is to teach the things that won't change – in Python we teach things that are quite similar in other programming languages. After I use Python first, then I use Java (or another programming language) in the next semester," Iliff added.
Python is also part of the "open source" movement, which allows users access to information about the product's design so they can contribute ideas to its improvement, Iliff said.
Programmers have used Python for nearly 25 years, Lin explained, and the recent development of scientific computing packages in the language has helped increase its use among atmospheric scientists. This has given atmospheric scientists the ability to do their scientific work and couple it with a variety of other computer-based tools and interactive applications, making the science more useful. Python is the "critical glue" that makes it all happen, Lin said. "It's more versatile than anything that atmospheric scientists have used traditionally."
At the New Orleans symposium, a notable expert in the field will speak, Lin said. Already, planning has begun for the 2013 Python symposium at the AMS meeting in Austin, Texas.
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