Tag: staff

Gathering Day, Fall 2017: Coming Together, Looking Forward

Tuesday, August 22, was Gathering Day for North Park faculty and staff.

Tuesday, August 22, members of North Park University’s faculty and staff gathered in Anderson Chapel for a time of welcome and of looking forward to the year ahead. Interim President Carl Balsam encouraged faculty and staff to utilize this time of transition to come together in support of the priorities and mission of North Park. Members of the presidential search committee shared about the process and current status of the search for presidential candidates. New faculty and staff members were welcomed by name with warm applause.

All of this was followed by a worship service which both reflected on the challenges of this transitional time and gave uplifting direction for the journey ahead.

Welcome to Our New University Faculty

Keith Bakken, Associate Professor of Health Sciences
Melissa Pavlik, Assistant Professor of English & Director of the Writing Center
Carolyn Poterek, Assistant Professor of Education & Coordinator of Secondary and K-12 Programs
Gwendolyn Purifoye, Assistant Professor of Sociology
Daniel Walsh, Associate Professor/Coordinator of MA in Educational Leadership Program
Jessica Wardell, Assistant Professor of Theatre, Director of Design and Production

Welcome to Our New Seminary Faculty

Hauna Ondrey, Assistant Professor of Church History
Dwight Perry, Dean of Seminary Faculty and Professor of Homiletics and Leadership
Elizabeth Pierre, Assistant Professor of Pastoral Care

Welcome to Our New Staff

Athletics
Mike Gravier, Associate Head Football Coach
Libby Scarlatos, Rowing Coach

Enrollment Management
Matt Bond, Transfer Admission Counselor
Michelle Carillo, Admission Counselor
Rosemary Cha, Data Entry Specialist
Emma Lundeen, Transfer Admission Counselor
Jose-Jose Palma, Assistant Director of Admission, Graduate and Adult Programs
Kara Sexton, Admission Counselor

Information Technology
Greg Neumarke, Systems Analyst

Office of Advancement
Marissa Kunkel, Annual Fund Manager

Physical Plant
Flavia Gutierrez, Housekeeper
Matthew Novak, Groundskeeper

Provost Office
Marcus Hill, Director, CRUX School of Discipleship Learning Community
Andrew Larson, Program Assistant, Catalyst Hub

School of Business and Nonprofit Management
Roman Motley, Project Assistant for the Lilly Endowment Grant

School of Nursing and Health Sciences
Kristine Aronsson, Director, Advising for Advanced Education in the Health Professions
Alexandra Blanchard, Operations Coordinator

Student Administrative Services
Hannah McCree, Student Services Specialist
Michelle Schumacher, Student Services Specialist

Student Engagement
Rebecca De Rose, Director of Student Activities
Laura Ebner, Student Success Learning Specialist
Miranda Lonzo, Intercultural Program Coordinator
Rachel Marten, Coordinator of Academic Advising and Faculty Liaison
Raevhann Rush, Resident Director
Kimberly Schiller, Wellness Education and Title IX Coordinator

University Marketing and Communications
Machaela Irving, Marketing & Communications Manager
Rebekah Putera, Web Content Manager

Author Ana SeklerPosted on Categories StoriesTags , ,

Six Soon-to-be Faculty and Staff Alum Dedicate a Combined 110 Years of Service

President Dr. David L. Parkyn celebrated the accomplishments and meaningful impact of the six soon-to-be North Park faculty alum: Whipp Johnshon, Carol Martin, Mary Adams Trujillo, Rupe Simms, Jay Phelan, and Les Carlstrom. Combined, these six leaders dedicated 110 years of service to North Park University.

May 16, 2017—North Park University celebrated Gathering Day Spring 2017. Faculty and staff gathered in Hamming Hall to socialize, enjoy lunch together, and recognize the years of service of long-time educators and leading administrators who will soon enter the next phase in their lives–retirement. President Dr. David L. Parkyn celebrated the accomplishments and meaningful impact of the six soon-to-be North Park faculty and staff alum:  Whipp Johnson, Carol Martin, Mary Adams Trujillo, Rupe Simms, Jay Phelan, and Les Carlstrom. Combined, these six leaders dedicated 110 years of service to North Park University.

Some Background on the Faculty and Staff Alum

Whipp Johnson

Dr. Johnson loves to teach, and in the second half of his career he discovered that he also loves to instruct others to teach.

Following 25 years of teaching social studies in high schools in Maryland and Illinois, Dr. Johnson came to North Park in 2007 as a member of the faculty in the School of Education.

Dr. Johnson views teaching as a combination of practice, profession, and calling. As a teacher of prospective teachers, he takes time in his classroom to develop in his students a bonded commitment to hard work and persistence. He is fond of telling his students: “The journey to the other side of the desk will challenge you in unexpected ways. At the same time, it’s a journey well worth making because of the difference you can make in the lives of students.”

Carol Martin

Dr. Martin’s calling in life brought her to North Park in 2003 as professor of communication arts, yet her students know her best, and love her most deeply, as director of the writing center.

Dr. Martin leaves a legacy of strong writing advisors with majors from across the whole of our academic program. She is called on often for counsel, is colleague to many—and especially colleague to her students.

Dr. Martin’s expert contribution to teaching at North Park was recognized a year ago with presentation of the Zenos Hawkinson Award for Distinguished Teaching.

Mary Adams Trujillo

TrujilloDr. Trujillo has served as professor of communication arts at North Park since 2003. Her courses build on a belief that a combination of service, experiential learning, and cultural immersion helps students engage with the world—starting with the city of Chicago.

Dr. Trujillo’s primary interest, and her scholarly expertise, is in conflict transformation. Throughout her teaching in this area Dr. Trujillo promotes opportunities for cultures and communities to meet—within the classroom and far beyond. One example comes from her course in Conflict Transformation, in which she brings together 24 high school students to a retreat with her North Park students to nurture within all an understanding of how to transform violent environments.

Dr. Trujillo’s scholarship is well-illustrated through a volume she co-edited in 2008 with colleagues from across the country, a book titled Re-Centering: Culture and Knowledge in Conflict Resolution Practice.

Rupe Simms

Dr. Simms joined North Park University as professor of Africana studies in 1997. He brought with him an impressive set of academic credentials: two bachelor’s degrees, a master’s degree, and two doctorates.

Dr. Simms has taught many students what it means to have our voice, our story, and our identity, validated – which has uplifted students through their educational journey at North Park, and has encouraged many of his colleagues.

In Dr. Simms’ classroom, students expanded their worldviews, along with their understanding of social injustice and the discrimination that groups of Americans experience because of race, class, or gender. To reach these outcomes, Dr. Simms has always built on Chicago as classroom, infusing student learning with the current culture and long history connecting African Americans and Mexican Americans to the city.

Dr. Simms’ scholarship is centered on the politics of religion in the history of African people, as well as the sociopolitical and religious experiences of Afro-Americans and Mexican-Americans. In 2010 Rupe wrote a substantial text on these topics, A Gramscian Analysis of the Role of Religion and Politics: Case Studies in Domination, Accommodation, and Resistance.

Dr. Jay Phelan

Dr. Phelan finds it is easy to divide seminaries into the categories of “academic” or “practical.” One prepares for ministry through a rigorously intellectual process without the life of the church. The other is a training program that teaches “how,” but not “why.” As a pastor in the Evangelical Covenant Church, Dr. Phelan knows the value of theological education, particularly in the serious study of the biblical text. He came to North Park because he believes their Theological Seminary has found a way to combine both. According to Dr. Phelan, “The intellectual, the practical, and the spiritual come together here. And I wanted to be a part of this process of engaging text and culture.”

Having served as the Seminary’s dean of students from 1981 to 1986, Dr. Phelan then returned in 1996. He served as the seminary’s president and dean until 2010, when he became a full-time faculty member. Dr. Phelan oversaw the Seminary’s chapel program. “Worshiping together is critical,” says Dr. Phelan. “This is a place where we come to pray, sing, break bread, and celebrate.” From 2010-2017, Dr. Phelan served as Senior Professor of Theological Studies.

Les Carlstrom

Les Carlstrom (middle) began his time at North Park as a student in 1972.

Les Carlstrom graduated from North Park in 1976 and returned to North Park in December 1990 as Controller and Director of Finance. The need for good financial accounting and controls were paramount, and Les’ arrival proved to be an incredible blessing.

Over the intervening years, Les has demonstrated keen financial acumen, keeping impeccable financial records and executing financial policy and financing initiatives with unusual skill. “Les’ high character and commitment to North Park’s mission will be remembered, and he has always remained a kind, respectful, and compassionate professional,” says Executive Vice President Carl Balsam and Les’ close colleague during his entire time at North Park. His Business Office colleagues would describe Les as a joy with which to work. Les has had an amazing, maybe historic, run as controller of North Park University. “We are incredibly blessed by Les’ presence with us these past 26 years” expresses Executive Vice President Carl Balsam.

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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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The Wistrom Legacy: Tending to North Park University for nearly a Century

Carl Wistrom honored for 35 years of service in Physical Plant, following the legacy of his forebears

Carl Wistrom honored for 35 years of service in Physical Plant, following his father and grandfather

CHICAGO (February 27, 2017) — Carl Wistrom has served in Physical Plant since 1981, first as assistant director and then as director. Physical Plant is responsible for all of the behind-the-scenes work keeping North Park’s spaces functioning. Winter after winter, Carl oversees snow removal. Summer after summer, Carl’s led his team in the maintenance of campus buildings in preparation for the new school year. For 35 years and counting.

But the Wistrom family legacy at North Park stretches further back still: three generations of Wistroms have served North Park by supporting its campus. Carl Wistrom came to North Park just three years before his father, Ivar, retired from his role as campus engineer, a position similar to Carl’s. Ivar’s tenure began in 1947, shortly after his own father, Carl Wistrom (the elder), retired from that same role.

The elder Carl Wistrom, janitor and campus engineer at North Park between 1910 and 1945

Carl does have fond memories of his own father, who trained him in his work at North Park. “My dad was the master. He taught me a lot and had know-how that I don’t have.” More than knowledge, though, Ivar had a “great passion for North Park.” Indeed, this passion was hereditary. Carl notes that he has been truly blessed by the people he works with, and he remembers how his “dad had great people working with him” too.

Ivar Wistrom, chief engineer and physical plant manager from 1947–1984

At an all-staff gathering last month, President David L. Parkyn acknowledged that “as we celebrate Carl’s 35 years at North Park, we simultaneously want to recognize and honor the nearly century of service extended to North Park by each of these three men, Carl, Ivar, and Carl.”

In honor of the Wistrom family, Dr. Parkyn presented a plaque to Carl, which will be located near the entrance to the Physical Plant building.

The plaque reads:

Carl said that he was humbled to have his family honored in this way.

RELATED MATERIAL:

Historical photos courtesy of North Park University Archives.

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New Diversity Team Focuses on Intercultural Campus Initiatives

Alumna Jacqueline Strapp began as director of diversity this fall

jackie-strapp-copyCHICAGO (October 24, 2016) — In an effort to better serve its intercultural campus community, North Park University launched its strategic new Diversity Team this academic year. Consisting of University Dean Dr. Liza Ann Acosta, Assistant Vice President for Student Engagement Dr. Barrington Price, Director of Diversity Jacqueline Strapp, and Director of the International Office Dr. Sumie Song, the team will focus on student success and recruitment, as well as retention of diverse students and faculty.

Strapp, who joined the staff this fall, is a 2008 North Park graduate. Her return to campus follows the appointment of Acosta as University dean and the creation of Price’s new role over the summer.

Acosta works with deans across campus to create strategies for faculty development and diversification, while Price, formerly the director of student success, provides leadership for students to effectively navigate college transition and establish clear pathways to graduation. Song will now also guide global campus conversations within the context of the diversity team.

Strapp calls the University’s approach to diversity programming “cutting-edge.” Here, she shares her thoughts on what compelled her to return to North Park, how the Office of Diversity is expanding its initiatives, and how their work addresses everyone on campus.

North Park: What made you want to return to North Park as a staff member?

Jacqueline Strapp: Having the chance to come back to North Park and really make some changes that I wish were being done for me when I was a student was an amazing opportunity. So I jumped at the chance to do that. I worked for some great institutions before I came here, but nothing can compare to being back where you started everything. I have a vested interest in North Park.

NP: What are some of the new initiatives that the Office of Diversity will be pursuing?

JS: We’re going to have a real focus on student success. It’s something that’s worked very well for the COMPASS program, helping students get integrated into college life and providing them with success counselors. So we’re going to emulate a lot of those practices. My background is in student success, making sure we’re increasing retention rates, specifically with students who are of minority status. So that’s really going to be helpful for us.

We also want to talk about topics that maybe have been avoided in the past on campus. What I’m hearing from students in conversations and from the administration is that we’re in a climate where we can’t ignore things anymore, we can’t talk around it.

NP: What are some of the sponsored talks you’re hosting?

JS: We’re going to hit things head-on, and we’re going to do things like talk about Black Lives Matter; immigration; “Race and Politics,” an event we just held, focused on some of the racial tensions that have been expanding in our country, and what that means for students.

This relates to student success because it’s very difficult for students to be successful with a lot of these things playing in the backdrops of their mind. You can’t separate a successful student from their experience—it goes together. So we’re addressing these issues and giving students places to talk about them safely.

We’re going to make sure we have a wide spectrum of views, and give students a chance to voice things that they’re thinking about. The process of letting people hear from others that are different from them, and becoming informed on things that maybe they weren’t before, is going to be huge. So this is going to play out on our campus in a lot of different areas.

 

acosta

NP: How does the work of the Diversity Team differ from how we’ve approached these issues in the past?

JS: The Division of Student Engagement has been really intentional in making sure we’re giving focus to each one of the areas represented on the team, whereas before, it’s largely fallen only to the Office of Diversity. So now with me specifically focusing on students, Barrington expanding his programs, Dr. Acosta focusing on faculty and staff, and Sumie focusing on the greater global picture, I feel like we have a dream team. I’m excited about the role we’re going to play on campus, making sure that we’re keeping leadership informed about things that are happening, how what’s going on in the world is impacting our students, and the changes that they want to make.

We’re going to start off by making sure our approach is data-driven. We’re going to conduct focus groups, including a climate survey for diversity across the entire campus, and we’re going to use the results from these focus groups and surveys to influence what we’re going to tackle first.

NP: How does Dr. Price’s work in student success within Student Engagement interact with yours within the Office of Diversity?

JS: Barrington has done great work with the COMPASS program, and working withLighthouse and those cohort models. So our future-thinking is that we’re going to implement some cohorts and expand on what has already been done in COMPASS. They’ve done a great job of mentoring students—minority students, specifically—and encouraging their retention at North Park. I looked at the data and said, “Whoa. We’re going to have to emulate this elsewhere.”

The Office of Diversity is under Student Engagement, and we’re going to be more intentional about making sure that our efforts are the same. We’re going to expand programming, and some of them will be working directly with me.

The Diversity Team is about focusing our positions, and zooming in on these specific things. That’s the difference that I love about this job. When I first heard about it, I thought, “Wow, that’s very intentional.” It’s cutting-edge for an institution to even take the time to change the structure and think strategically in this way.

NP: What are some of the ways that work will be expanded?

JS: We’re not just focusing on creating groups and places of community for individuals of minority backgrounds, but we’re also focusing on educating students that are outside of the minority status on issues and sensitivities that they need to have in order for them to be successful as whatever they plan to do in the world. They have to learn how to work with people of diverse backgrounds.

So that’s something else that’s going to be very intentionally targeted. Our events will not just be for minority students, although we do still have those. We’re going to be intentional about addressing the entire campus.

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