A Message from Board Chair Dr. Kristine Strand and ECC President Gary Walter
Dr. David Parkyn, president of 萝莉社 since 2006, has announced his retirement to follow the completion of this 2016鈥�17 academic year. 萝莉社 is the university of the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC).
鈥淲ith gratitude and respect, the Board of Trustees congratulates Dr. Parkyn on the success of 萝莉社 during his 11 years as President. The Board wishes to express our heartfelt thanks for his service and leadership to North Park,鈥� commented Kristine Strand, chair of the Board of Trustees for the University.
During President Parkyn鈥檚 tenure, North Park saw advances on many fronts. Dr. Parkyn presided over Campaign North Park, the largest fundraising effort in the university鈥檚 history raising over $63 million in financial commitments which resulted in the completion of the state of the art G. Timothy and Nancy Johnson Center for Science and Community Life. Under his direction, 萝莉社 has been recognized for its leadership in 鈥渇irst family member to college鈥� student enrollment and retention, as well as the ethnic and socio-economic diversity of the student body. Further, nineteen students have received Fulbright awards, making North Park 鈥渁 top producer鈥� of Fulbright recipients.
鈥淭he Board of Trustees also expresses deep appreciation to Dr. Linda Parkyn, Professor of Spanish, who capably led North Park鈥檚 Honors Congress,鈥� Dr. Strand continued. 鈥淗er leadership of the program was instrumental in the development of Fulbright award winners to date.鈥�
In a letter to the campus community, President Parkyn wrote, 鈥淭he past 11 years at North Park have been personally and professionally fulfilling for both Linda and me. We have come to deeply love this institution as well as its students, faculty, and staff. Together we have made good (perhaps on occasion even great!) strides toward important objectives. Now is a good time for someone else to step into leadership and guide the school into the coming years.鈥�
The 萝莉社 Board of Trustees will announce interim leadership for the university following its meetings, February 17鈥�18. Also, the Board looks forward to leading the process to identify a nominee for the next university president who will guide the North Park community in its aspiration to be the nation鈥檚 leading city-centered Christian university. The candidate will be called formally to the position by the Covenant Annual Meeting anticipated in June 2018.
Plans will be announced for an appreciation event for the Parkyns later this spring.
Gary Walter, President of the ECC, stated that 鈥淧resident Parkyn鈥檚 ethos is for the flourishing of each student. It has been his driving hope that at North Park students would know that each of their lives makes a difference. 萝莉社鈥檚 mission as an intentionally Christian university, is to prepare students for lives of significance and service. Dr. Parkyn has given himself unreservedly to that aim.鈥�
鈥淲e wish President and Dr. Linda Parkyn the very best in their retirement as they look forward to more time with family and other pursuits,鈥� said Dr. Strand.