North Park has served five generations of students and continues to grow in diversity, academic relevance, and Christian commitment. Our Chicago location is a great asset that reflects the School’s global reach and outlook.
After 125 years, we’ve learned how to streamline the process of helping qualified applicants seek admission to North Park and find affordable ways to attend. If you don’t see what you’re looking for on our website, please contact us directly!
North Park offers more than 40 graduate and undergraduate programs in liberal arts, sciences, and professional studies. Classes average 17 students. 84% of our faculty have terminal degrees. Academics here are rigorous and results-oriented.
North Park Theological Seminary prepares you to answer the call to service through theological study, spiritual development, and the formative experiences of living in a community with others on a similar life path.
The Office of Alumni Engagement fosters lifelong connections by engaging alumni with the university and one another in activities, programs, and services that support the university’s mission and alumni needs.
Edson draws many parallels between academic discipline and gaming discipline. “You have to be willing to put in the time and effort to get better, otherwise, you won’t become good. You have to practice every day, you have to compete against other good players.”
Edson Lopez, a Business Management major, will graduate from North Park in May of 2020. Edson is also a Top 500 player in Fortnite. Fortnite is an online video game based on the Battle-Royale format. Players scavenge for loot and build structures until the last man standing. Fortnite has around 250 million registered users worldwide. Edson clocked over 1,000 hours of Fortnite last year on his PS4 alone. He has since moved to playing on PC and plays competitively.
To Edson, video games such as Fortnite are just like any other sport, “it’s just a passion. Gaming is one of those things where I just lose sense of time. I have a lot of fun, and it is something I would like to make a living off of.” For Edson, a career in gaming is becoming a reality. He is already signed on a contract with esports organization Bolt Esports LLC. “The organization chose me for placing well in events and I have proven that I can compete against some of the best players in the world,” Edson says. He hopes to improve and sign with larger organizations; his ultimate goal is to sign with 100 Thieves.
Edson draws many parallels between athletic or academic discipline and gaming discipline. “You have to be willing to put in the time and effort to get better, otherwise, you won’t become good. You have to practice every day, you have to compete against other good players,” he says. Communication and networking are other important aspects to gaming Edson says. Networking with other streamers and players has helped him grow his channels and bolster his online presence.
Edson attributes some of this success to North Park’s School of Business. He cites his professors who intentionally made personal connections with him. They have taught Edson how to communicate and market himself, and have shown him the numbers behind business. Edson says this guidance and learning has “translated over to the gaming side because communication and marketing myself has helped me grow my Twitch (streaming channel), and helped me make new friends and connections with people.” He adds, “I have learned the things I should and shouldn’t do as a professional. Gaming is more serious than many people think.”
Edson is also excited to join the gaming industry in other ways. Esports organizations are similar to other businesses, with a product to sell and talent to acquire. “Scouting would allow me to play the game more casually. The School of Business has really taught me how to communicate, and working as a scout involves a lot of interpersonal skills, so I feel like that would be a good fit for me.”
Last month, Edson and his Duo placed 43rd in a Fortnite tournament in one of the toughest regions in the world: North America East. Edson is currently competing in the Fortnite World Cup qualifiers in Solo and Duo categories. Each weekend, Edson has qualified for finals and has won cash prizes. The Fortnite World Cup has a total prize pool of $30 million.
To follow Edson’s gaming escapades, find him on Twitter or Twitch @PotentFN.
Back by popular demand, North Park University will open its state-of-the-art science facilities to high schoolers who enroll in our Summer Science Academy, June 17–July 11.
Back by popular demand, North Park University will open its state-of-the-art science facilities to high schoolers who enroll in our Summer Science Academy, June 17–July 11. Now in its fourth year, the Summer Science Academy will offer credit-bearing, university-quality instruction in a supportive, enriching environment.
“All the experiments were very interesting. I had a lot of fun, along with learning a lot,” said one 2018 student participant.
“These courses are a great opportunity for students to experience science as closely as it could be at a college level but with the added guidance appropriate for high schoolers,” said Dr. Yoojin Choi, the program’s director.
New to Summer Science 2019 is Forensic Chemistry, a perfect opportunity to experience North Park’s Chemistry Instrumentation Laboratory. Students learn the chemistry behind techniques utilized in examining physical evidence from crime scenes. Like all Summer Science courses, Forensic Chemistry will use hands-on, experiential learning.
Students can choose from the following courses:
Human Anatomy Boot Camp: Department of Biology
Fins, Fur, and Feathers: Department of Biology (2 weeks)
Genomes from the Chicago River: Department of Biology (2 weeks)
Forensic Chemistry: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Body Dynamics and Comfort: Division of Health Sciences
North Park started the program so high schoolers could have access to high-quality, engaging science courses, according to Choi. The idea, she said, is to foster in young people a curiosity about science, which eventually leads to their involvement in science-related careers.
The new pep band will offer renewable $1,000 annual scholarships to up to 16 students who try out for and join the band in the fall of 2019.
North Park University has announced it will form a new pep band, and will offer renewable $1,000 annual scholarships to up to 16 students who try out for and join the band in the fall of 2019.
The pep band will play at about 15 home football and basketball games throughout 2019-20, and will include “musical, enthusiastic” students who earn their spots through tryouts similar to those held for cheerleading and dance scholarships. University officials hope to eventually increase the pep band to as many as 32 members.
The band will be made up of a rhythm section with an electric guitar, electric bass, and drums, along with a melodic section featuring brass and woodwind instruments such as tuba, trombone, saxophone, clarinet, and flute.
University officials say they expect many band members to be non-music majors who are nonetheless interested in performing with a band.
The scholarship fund will also include a $3,000 stipend for student band leaders. The move is meant to both boost fan support, and student enrollment, according to Jack Surridge, North Park’s Director of Athletics.
Students interested in auditioning should schedule an on-campus audition or submit a recorded audition by April 15. Check out North Park’s Website for more details on talent-based scholarships.
ABOUT NORTH PARK UNIVERSITY
North Park University is a city-centered, intercultural, and Christian university located in Chicago.
North Park University will increase scholarship awards to the highest achieving transfer students by 44%, a move that should help traditional transfer students reach degree completion.
Officials at North Park University announced that they will increase scholarship awards to the highest achieving transfer students by 44%, a move that should help traditional transfer students reach degree completion.
The increased scholarships will apply to traditional transfer students starting in the fall 2019 semester.
The scholarships should help traditional transfer students reach degree completion.
Nationally, students who transfer from two- to four-year schools are graduating with bachelor’s degrees in historically high numbers.
The scholarships are available to transfer students who have achieved outstanding grade point averages at their previous institutions.
Under North Park’s new award structure: The Platinum scholarship, available to those with a GPA of 3.5 or greater, increases to $13,000 from $9,000, a 44% increase; the Gold scholarship, for students with GPAs between 3.0-3.49, will increase to $9,500 from $7,500, a 26% increase; and the Silver award increases to $7,000 from $5,000, a 40% jump.
“We believe that these increases in scholarship funds will attract even more high achieving academic students to our world-class institution,” said Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing Anthony Scola. “Even more students will be able to experience the life-changing benefits of a North Park education.”
Founded in 1891 by the Evangelical Covenant Church, North Park University is located on Chicago’s North Side and enrolls 3,200 students. Programs such as Catalyst 606__, a city-centered curriculum, and Crux, North Park’s Christian living/learning cohort, allow students to find themselves academically and spiritually.
Nationally, the outcomes for students who transfer from two- to four-year colleges have improved in recent years. Of the 268,000 students who transferred from a community college to a four-year institution in 2017, about 42% of those went on to earn a bachelor’s degree, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.
ABOUT NORTH PARK UNIVERSITY
North Park University is a city-centered, intercultural, and Christian university located in Chicago.
February 14–May 11, the North Park community has the exciting opportunity to attend original art exhibits featuring North Park’s very own senior art majors.
Interested in exploring local artistic talent but not sure where to start? February 14–May 11, the North Park community has the exciting opportunity to attend original art exhibits featuring North Park’s very own senior art majors. Every week the spotlight will shine on one senior’s solo art show. The exhibits are held in Carlson Gallery located in the Carlson Tower lobby. Closing their solo shows, each talented artist will hold a reception where they provide insight and lead discussion regarding their work.
The tradition of senior solo exhibitions is relatively new; until 2012, the senior shows were held as group exhibitions. According to Tim Lowly, gallery director and assistant professor of art, the shift from group to solo exhibitions gives seniors the opportunity of exhibiting more ambitious and expansive work—a challenge they’ve risen to year after year. Professor Lowly says, “It never ceases to amaze me to see the diversity of the work being produced by NPU art majors. This year is certainly indicative of that variety and creativity,” making this year’s senior art exhibitions a series of events you won’t want to miss.
2019 Senior Art Major Exhibitions
Ethan Oliver: February 14–21
Reception: February 21, 5–7 pm
“A display of antique phenomenon and nostalgia, Ethan has composed a compilation of fish and cigarettes strewn across grandma and grandpa’s house.”
Jessica Doering: February 21–28
Reception: February 28, 5–7 pm
“A nostalgic nosedive into the inner workings of a creative psyche. Bring your imagination.”
Samantha Gee: February 28–March 7
Reception: March 7, 5–7 pm
“Magic? Madness? Magicness.”
Lina Granberg: March 7–21
Reception: March 21, 5–7 pm
“As a curatorial studies art major, I am presenting an exhibition of work by two Chicago artists—Shannon Downey and Beverly Nash.”
Rebekah Law: March 21–28
Reception: March 28, 5–7 pm
“An abstracted study of the effects of trauma through monochromatic acrylic paintings of individuals.”
Michaela Scholte: March 28–April 4
Reception: March 29, 5–7 pm
“I want viewers to see how my paintings physically feel; I use paint to map texture and give an understanding of touch and implication of dimension.”
Mee-Joo Kong: April 4–11
Reception: April 5, 5–7pm
“Being real and true is a part of everyone’s humanity; showing that through film is one part of a unique identity.”
Arturo Valadez: April 11–18
Reception: April 18, 5–7pm
Maria Flores de Leon: April 18–25
Reception: April 25, 5–7pm
“Children’s day should be a day where kids are celebrated by their uniqueness, their interests, their personality and so much more!”
Amy Ryzewicz: April 25–May 2
Reception: May 2, 5–7 pm
“Nature is understood through science, replicated by artists and designers, and embellished upon by writers.”
Emmanuel Garfias: May 2–11
Reception: May 9, 5–7 pm
“My art consists of a coalition of familiar forms that hopefully lead the viewer to start foreshadowing.”
Working as a senior financial analyst at global healthcare manufacturer Fresenius Kabi USA, Elvin Ahmeti C’15 says it was his combined education in business and life sciences which prepared him for his career.
Elvin Ahmeti C’15 took full advantage of North Park’s multidisciplinary academics and internship opportunities, completing a double major in finance and accounting with a minor in biology. Now based in Chicago and working as a senior financial analyst at global healthcare manufacturer Fresenius Kabi USA, Ahmeti says his combined education in business and life sciences prepared him for his career and helped him to stand out in the job market.
Ahmeti developed his skills in North Park’s rigorous business and biology classes, and through an internship as a business analyst at Swedish Covenant Hospital. Ahmeti stayed on-board at Swedish Covenant for another year post-graduation before moving over to Fresenius Kabi. As a senior financial analyst, Ahmeti works in a team to ensure the sustainability of the company’s pharmaceutical product portfolio.
“The fact that I had a biology minor along with my business major made me stand out as a job candidate,” Ahmeti says. Many of Ahmeti’s classes, including Advanced Finance and Strategic Management, were “exact replicas of what is expected from financial professionals in the real world.”
“The courses I took at North Park were challenging and properly prepared me for my future,” says Ahmeti, who encourages students to work hard. “Be focused on your end goal and eventually you will reach it.” While at North Park, Ahmeti’s favorite classes were Advanced Finance, Public Speaking, and Management and Leadership.
When not working, Ahmeti enjoys cooking, traveling, watching soccer, and learning about history and politics. He considers himself lucky to live in Chicago because of its cultural and culinary diversity. One day he hopes to own a restaurant specializing in artisan sandwiches and breakfast food somewhere warm like Vietnam.
North Park summer research experience students describe how NPRESS benefited their education.
The North Park Research Experience for Summer Students (NPRESS) provides opportunities for North Park students to participate in directed undergraduate research with a North Park faculty mentor over a period of eight weeks during the summer. NPRESS is open to full-time faculty and undergraduate students of all disciplines.
The research projects are awarded by the Undergraduate Research Committee to students based on:
Merit: Is the project “an inquiry or investigation conducted by an undergraduate student that makes an original intellectual or creative contribution to the discipline”?
Outcome: Does the project have clearly defined goals and are the goals achievable during the summer? Will the project engage the student for a period of 8 full weeks of 30-40 hours of research work per week?
Commitment: Is the student committed to the project and to full participation in the NPRESS program?
Previously, NPRESS has offered research projects to over 10 students for the duration of the summer. However, this year, NPRESS was limited to granting three students research opportunities because of a smaller pool of funding.
The three students who were chosen for NPRESS this year, Chanel Metti, Jacob Bretz, and Karen Weldler, are all seniors. Each student offered to share their experiences across the duration of the summer, giving their initial and final impressions of the research program.
Karen Weldler psychology major C’18 December used her summer experience as a pilot study for her senior project to test the methodology. Her project analyzed reactions to cognitive testing and her results and methodology need to remain confidential until her presentation at the end of her studies.
Jacob Bretz philosophy major C’18 December spent his research time to look into the concept of wilderness and the implementation of protected wilderness areas through a post-colonial framework.
Chanel Metti biology major C’19, along with her faculty adviser Dr. Brown, researched how cancer cells react with a dye.
Karen Weldler
NPRESS is a good way to kickstart the research that I want to do and to have the summer time devoted to my research is very helpful. My project is something that I have wondered about, developed theories on, and asked people about for a long time. When I decided I was going to do undergraduate research, I chose a study design accordingly.
Our little NPRESS team, we are each other’s support group, even though we are in different disciplines, we are all part of the same experience together.
I used my time at NPRESS for a pilot study as a precursor to my senior project in the fall. For a pilot study, we got the results we wanted. It was a smaller sample than we hoped for, but we really wanted to test our methodology, and for that, our purpose was definitely fulfilled. We know a larger sample will yield more significant results.
I anticipate that I will have more participants in the fall. Our trial will be a little longer than the 8 weeks in the summer. Others aspects of the research will be a shorter process because I’ve already practiced them.
This summer, I had an internship alongside my NPRESS research. I want to pursue a Ph.D. in psychology, and at my internship, I got to see a lot of the therapy side of psychology, while with NPRESS I got to see a lot of the research side of psychology. I knew I wanted to have more hands-on work, but I didn’t know what exactly that meant for me, and because of NPRESS, now I do.
I had the best faculty advisers for my project. Dr. Shirkey and Dr. O’Toole helped me come up with the design of the study together. Dr. O’Toole will be my direct communication adviser for the fall and I am excited because we work really well together.
Jacob Bretz
Through NPRESS I looked at the concept of wilderness and the implementation of protected wilderness areas through a post-colonial framework. Basically, our concept of wilderness is dependent on imperialist countries, and the only way we can implement the parks system is through colonialism.
Having spent my spring semester in Norway, I was not excited to return to Chicago for the summer. I had spent my previous summers in national parks as well. But coming back here for NPRESS, I thought this was awesome. I haven’t seen anyone make this argument explicitly, so I’m excited to do something that may be new in the field. I’m really excited to produce something interesting.
I wanted Dr. Greg Clark to work with me as my adviser because he knows so much about the idea of wilderness. I’m not as interested in the environmental argument, but the conservation argument. I’ve been in a lot of Greg’s classes, I’ve done the Writing Retreats with him, he’s been a mentor to me outside of NPRESS. If I could be half the professor Greg has been to me, that would be sweet.
I’ve never done anything close to this during the regular semester. Having two months to just bury yourself in research is amazing. And North Park isn’t a traditional research institution, so having something like this to show students the other side of what academics can be, I think is really important.
NPRESS is also for the students, which is different than other summer experiences because we’re not helping anyone else with their project; it’s our projects. The program allows students to say original things.
Chanel Metti
NPRESS is something I wanted to join since my freshman year. It has allowed me to focus on one project during the summer. You can’t do that in the regular semester. It has been especially helpful for me because what I’m working on is so time intensive that I need 10 hours in a day sometimes. This program has benefited me with finding more results.
My relationship with my advisor has been something that has grown over the summer as well. Dr. Brown has allowed me to grow in my research. This is a technique that most medical and graduate students use, so it was really cool that I got to use it because our University is dedicated to giving students summer research opportunities. I’ve worked with Dr. Brown for two years. I meet with him weekly to show him my experiments and find out new techniques or ways to improve my experiments.
I wish there were more people in the program this year because I don’t get to see what everyone else is working on. It beneficial to have people sharing their ideas and projects along the way. NPRESS offers an extension of coursework that you might especially be interested in, and offers more in-depth learning. I think that it reflects grad school work too.
I’m so glad that I was chosen. I would definitely recommend NPRESS for all majors because you get to focus on one area, and it is a smaller experience of grad schools, so you get prepared in that way.
If I had picked a bigger university, I don’t think I would have the same opportunities as we have at North Park. There might be those opportunities, but they would also likely be way more competitive.
At the conclusion of the NPRESS program, each student is required to share a presentation on their research findings as well as submit an academic essay to the Undergraduate research committee. The amount of students admitted into the summer research experience varies in relation to the total available funding. Students who are accepted into the program receive a stipend throughout the eight-week program as well as free housing for the entirety of the summer. North Park University, as well as the members of the Undergraduate Research Committee, are excited to welcome many more students into the research program next summer.
Program Director Andrew Lundgren talks about the career opportunities and advantages of North Park’s athletic training program.
Andrew Lundgren: Athletic Training Program Director and Associate Professor
What kinds of career opportunities can the athletic training program offer?
Athletic trainers are health care professionals who are experts in the prevention, examination, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries and other medical conditions. Our graduates find employment in a variety of settings including secondary schools, colleges, professional sports, industrial settings, and physician/sports medicine clinics.
A degree in athletic training can also help prepare students for other health care programs like physical therapy, occupational therapy, or physician assistant studies. Other graduates pursue health-care related professions such as orthopedic technology or medical sales.
What type of student is a good candidate for the program?
Students with strong interpersonal skills who are interested in science, medicine, and working with active populations typically thrive in athletic training. Since each day in the field is different, it is important that athletic trainers are flexible and can adapt.
How does North Park’s athletic training program stand out?
As the only CAATE-accredited athletic training program in Chicago’s city limits, our students have access to a host of learning opportunities and are afforded a diverse array of locations for clinical education. Through these clinical placements, students gain hands-on experiences while learning from professionals in the field. Students gain additional experience as members of the medical team at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon/Shamrock Shuffle. Finally, our growing network of alumni remains actively involved in the program. Many alumni help to educate the next generation of students by serving as guest speakers, preceptors, and mentors. Supported by these unique opportunities and our network of alumni and friends, North Park’s athletic training programs are well-established within and outside Chicagoland.
Threshold New Student Orientation begins Friday, August 24th. Get to know some of this semester’s student leaders and why they are excited about Threshold.
Threshold New Student Orientation (Friday, Aug 24–Sunday, Aug 26) is a long-standing North Park University tradition with the purpose of welcoming students, families, and guests to our campus and community. We believe orientation plays an important role in marking the beginning of your academic journey at North Park. Leaders of Threshold groups are current students excited to show new students around campus and the city during orientation. Get to know some of this semester’s student leaders by reading their bio’s below.
I’m Honduran by birth and parents. I’m the SGA treasurer, an orientation leader, and I’m also a member of the Worship Team (play the guitar). Incoming students will get to enjoy the creation of new friendships with people from all over the world and the United States. North Park might be small, but the University encourages its students to go and explore the city itself, not just the campus.
– Juan Carlos Navarro, Business and Economics: Finance & Marketing, Sophomore (C’21)
I came to North Park because it was close to my home, and I received helpful financial aid. I am very active on campus—you can find me working as the president of the Criminal Justice Club, a writing advisor, a desk manager for Burgh Hall, a student ambassador, and a COMPASS mentor. My favorite place to go is Einsteins, but I spend most of my time in the library. I look forward to new students getting to experience our sports games, especially the Football Homecoming Game.
—Alin Hernandez, Double Major in Criminal Justice and Psychology, Senior (C’19)
I am from Rwanda, and I came to North Park University as a transfer from the University of Botswana. At first, I was here simply to complete my degree, but after spending time at North Park I found a family away from my family, a home away from home. If you are a person who likes to be involved with people around you, this is a great place to be, and even if you are not, don’t worry North Park has a lot in store for you. I hope that as you come to North Park you will allow yourself to have an open mind and experience the beauty of our school and the people who make it.
– Lys Kelsie Isimbi, Business Economics with a Concentration in Management, Senior (C’19)
North Park is a city-centered, Christian university, and with its ethnic diversity, I immediately fell in love. North Park is known for its faithful and humble environment. My favorite part of the campus is absolutely everything. Its welcoming environment feels like home. And being city-centered makes exploring more accessible and fun! I’m excited for incoming students to experience this memorable place and people. I am Cleo Dangcalan, one of your Orientation Leaders, and I am always ready to help. Go Vikings!
– Cleo Dangcalan, Double Majoring in Psychology and Communication Studies
“I left India when I was 17 to start college. Initially, it was hard to be away from home, but I was intentional about becoming involved with the campus community. As an international student, I don’t have family here, but North Park has become a family to me.”
Esther Uputuri is a Junior earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership. She is also a resident assistant, student ambassador, president of the South Asia Cultural Club, and member of the Nonprofit Club and International Justice Mission.
“I left India when I was 17 to start college.
I always thought I would come to the U.S. for my masters or for vacation, but I never expected to for my undergrad. It was definitely God-led. God, at the right time, brought people into my life to encourage me. When I arrived on my flight ten days before the semester started, it was a new beginning, and I was looking forward to seeing how my life would play out.
Living and studying in the middle of a large, world-class city has given me an opportunity to experience an urban perspective on life—to study and understand the fast-paced lifestyle and socio-economic diversity. City life gives me endless opportunities; whether they be vocational or educational, arts or entertainment, work or worship, I get to have a hands-on experience in the city. Access to more internships and other career-boosting experiences also adds to the appeal.
North Park is equipping me with resources to overcome challenges, better myself, and move one step closer to my dream every single day. My professors are amazing, especially the nursing and nonprofit professors. They are very encouraging and willing to help. Initially, it was hard to be away from home, but I was intentional about becoming involved with the campus community. As an international student, I don’t have family here, but North Park has become a family to me.
Living by yourself will challenge you in a lot of ways, spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically, and it helps you reflect on who you are and what you have learned. It’s a tough world, and North Park is preparing me to be more independent.”
Author Ana SeklerPosted on Categories Profile, Stories
