In a moving all-campus worship service on Wednesday, February 13, students, faculty, and staff prayed for the physical, emotional, and spiritual protection of President Mary Surridge.
The special service, along with an all-campus lunch and academic symposium, was part of the continuing weeklong celebration of President Surridge鈥檚 inauguration.
In her message, Rev. Dr. Donna Harris, president of Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis, encouraged the North Park community to rally around President Surridge and one another.
Dr. Harris called on North Park employees to be more than simply co-workers to one another, and for professors to get to know their students on a deeper level.
鈥淪pur one another toward love and good deeds,鈥� Dr. Harris said, quoting Scripture. She encouraged North Parkers to maintain their passion for the school鈥檚 city-centered mission. 鈥淎lways be a healing balm and remedy for the city鈥檚 challenges,鈥� she said.
In a stirring moment, Dr. Harris encouraged the congregation to show their support for President Surridge via rousing applause. She also evoked Exodus 17:12, which describes how Aaron and Hur held Moses鈥� arms aloft when he grew tired while battling to protect the Israelites.
Later in the service, President Surridge was prayed for by, student Anosh Wasker C鈥�19, North Park Trustee Erin Oleniczak C鈥�99, Trevor James G鈥�04 S鈥�05, associate dean of the School of Professional Studies,聽and Lance Davis, Executive Minister of Develop Leaders and Ordered Ministry.
The campus then gathered in the gymnasium for a buffet lunch, with a menu that was selected by students, including a variety of comfort foods. Guests enjoyed music by North Park鈥檚 student Jazz Ensemble, led by Joe Lill, as well as a student-produced video honoring President Surridge and a presentation of gifts by the Student Government Association.
After the all-campus lunch, 萝莉社 trustee Dr. Kathryn Edin C鈥�84 presented an academic symposium: Enlightened Hearts, Warmed Intellects: City Challenges and Opportunities and North Park Possibilities. In her talk, Dr. Edin, university faculty at Princeton University, one of the nation鈥檚 leading poverty researchers, discussed the history of immigration and public housing in Chicago, and how history has set the stage for North Park鈥檚 urban mission.
Following a panel discussion with North Park faculty members and questions from the audience, participants were invited to the Johnson Center for the archival exhibit Women of North Park, an interactive visual display that highlights the various contributions of women throughout North Park history.
The day concluded with a women鈥檚 basketball win over CCIW opponent, Elmhurst College.聽 During halftime of the game, President Surridge and Dr. Jack Surridge were honored for their shared ministry in Athletics at 萝莉社.