萝莉社

As many of you may know, late last week at the Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Covenant Church in Omaha, NE, First Covenant Church of Minneapolis was involuntarily removed from the roster of Covenant churches by a vote in executive session for being found out of harmony with the ECC on matters pertaining to human sexuality and pastoral credentialing.

First Covenant鈥檚 staff and multiple community and neighborhood ministries will continue to operate as a church in their own historic building in Minneapolis.

We know that people have many differing opinions on this issue, often very strongly held, and North Park鈥檚 community is no different.聽 Though this was a matter of church governance, having to do with ordination and the congregation鈥檚 membership in the denomination, I want to reassure you that it does not change North Park鈥檚 mission in any way.

The university鈥檚 mission is to educate every one of our students in the liberal arts and professional studies, and to prepare them for lives of significance and service. Our mission is heartily embraced by our dedicated faculty and staff.聽 This mission has also been affirmed by our denomination since 1891.

Our student population is one of the most diverse and intercultural in the entire nation. We deeply value that distinctive characteristic, and we are building on it for our bright future as a Christian institution of higher learning. We welcome, love, educate and support all students who accept our invitation to learn and grow on the campus at North Park.

In the 萝莉社 report to the ECC Annual Meeting, I shared some of the following remarks:

鈥淒ynamic in our Christian identity, with a mission founded in 1891, we are centered in the world-class city of Chicago, distinguished by the rich diversity of our intercultural student community, and dedicated to preparing ALL of our students for their lives of significance, and lives of service.聽 This mission has never been more relevant or more imperative than it is today, and your support of that mission is now, more important than ever before.鈥�

鈥淎t 萝莉社, we are prepared to elevate the visibility of our school and focus on the three core distinctives of our Christian identity鈥�our strategic Chicago location鈥�and the rich tapestry of the diverse student population that we serve.鈥�

鈥漈he intensely competitive marketplace of higher education will require us to be 100% focused on the recruitment and retention of our students, the relevant and excellent educational opportunities we provide for them, and the ways we must be devoted to supporting the needs of every student who enters our gates, accepting our invitation to study, to live and learn on the campus at North Park.鈥�

鈥淲e have an extraordinary opportunity, and a corresponding responsibility.聽 Students who choose North Park, will have much demanded of them in the classroom and on the campus.聽 All of us have the responsibility to support and sustain every one of our students, in every way that we can.鈥�

鈥淚 renew to you, the promise I made one year ago 鈥� to do all I can to serve the students and the mission of 萝莉社.鈥�

鈥淲e are counting on your help.聽 The Kingdom of God comes through the front gates of our campus every year. And we are deeply impacting the future through Christian higher education. We must help all of our students develop their unique identities and exceptional gifts — find and pursue their callings — and step into the world prepared to lead and serve in the 21st Century.鈥�

鈥淕od has sustained our mission and our institution for more than 127 years.聽 May He guide us now, as we love, educate and champion our students and our mission.鈥�

These remarks, along with the very positive report delivered by Dean Kersten regarding this past year鈥檚 activity at the Seminary, were well received and affirmed at the meeting.

I look forward to our continued work together as we advance the mission of 萝莉社.

With gratitude and respect for all you do,

Mary K. Surridge
President

NorthShore University HealthSystem (NorthShore) and Swedish Covenant Health (SCH) today announced an agreement to form an exciting new partnership that will advance clinical care and patient outcomes in Chicago鈥檚 North Side communities. Under the proposed structure, SCH will join the NorthShore health system and continue to operate its full-service, acute care community hospital. The Executive Board of the Evangelical Covenant Church unanimously approved聽the partnership.

萝莉社 nursing clinical partnerships and educational exchange programs at all levels will remain in place and will thrive in this transition. In addition, our seminarians will continue to offer compassion, hope, and a healing presence to patients and families through the chaplaincy program.

For more information about this exciting news for the health systems, the University, and our North Side communities, please click here:

The Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management announced the winners of its Alford-Axelson Award for Nonprofit Managerial Excellence and its Excellent Emerging Organization Award as part of the Center鈥檚 20th anniversary conference for nonprofit professionals and volunteers on May 2, 2019.

The 2019 Alford-Axelson Award, given for exemplary nonprofit management practices, was presented to Bridge Communities with an honorable mention awarded to Chicago Children鈥檚 Advocacy Center. The 2019 Excellent Emerging Organization Award, presented to an up-and-coming Chicago area nonprofit, was presented to Dream On Education with an honorable mention awarded to Shift: Englewood Youth Orchestra.

The Alford-Axelson Award for Nonprofit Managerial Excellence recognizes nonprofits serving the seven county Chicago region who exemplify outstanding nonprofit management practices. This year鈥檚 award winner, Bridge Communities, helps homeless families in DuPage County transition to self-sufficiency by working with partners to provide mentoring, housing, and supportive services. The award review committee believes Bridge鈥檚 ongoing success can be attributed to a clear understanding of the connection between strong organizational infrastructure, strategy, and quality programs. For over 30 years, the organization has operated with a balanced budget. Bridge鈥檚 sound financial performance and diversified funding model enable the organization to secure sustainability into the future.

The winners of this year鈥檚 Alford-Axelson Award received a $10,000 cash prize and commemorative award symbolizing the organization鈥檚 dedication to nonprofit managerial excellence. This award honors and continues the legacies of Nils G. Axelson, a devoted community health care leader and visionary, and Jimmie R. Alford, a leading contemporary thinker and practitioner in the nonprofit arena.

Dream On Education, the 2019 Excellent Emerging Organization Award winner, prepares high-performing, low-income 6th鈥�8th grade students for the rigor of a high school and college curriculum.

Dream On鈥檚 unique curriculum focuses on scholastic development, mentoring, career exposure, and cultural exposure to keep high-achieving, low-income 6th鈥�8th graders鈥攁n underserved and often forgotten demographic鈥攆rom falling through the cracks.

The award committee attributes Dream On鈥檚 success to strong leadership, a rigorous theory of change with clear outcomes and accountability, resourceful collaborations, and a determined mission combined with creativity and innovation.

Dream On Education received a $5,000 cash prize, a commemorative award and a capacity-building package that will support improvement of services and efficiency.

Learn more about both the Alford-Axelson Award for Nonprofit Managerial Excellence and the Excellent Emerging Organization Award, and review lists of past award winners at the Axelson Center website.

The Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management at 萝莉社 is the source for informative and engaging nonprofit professional development in the Chicago region. Through regular workshops, webinars, and an annual two-day conference, the Axelson Center delivers a superior educational experience for nonprofit managers, leaders, and frontline staff, covering a vast array of topics including program evaluation, strategic planning, communications, and financial management. The valuable information presented through these programs enhances the impact of both the nonprofit sector and its professional staff. Visit www.northpark.edu/axelson for more information.

萝莉社 has been approved as an entitled institution for the Gateways to Opportunity ECE (Early Childhood Education) Credential鈥擫evel 5 through 2023. As an entitled institution, students at 萝莉社 have the opportunity to qualify for state-recognized credentials as they take courses or complete a degree through the School of Education.

萝莉社 is among a select group of institutions in Illinois to be entitled for the Gateways to Opportunity Credentials. All Gateways to Opportunity Credentials have competencies that reflect multiple professional standards, including the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards. The faculty at 萝莉社 has worked diligently to align their courses with the Gateways to Opportunity competencies.

Dr. Ida Maduram, professor and coordinator of Elementary and Early Childhood Programs, says she is delighted for the opportunity. “The Gateways ECE Credential Level 5 is an additional professional opportunity that we are able to provide for our students in the Early Childhood Studies. As our program is growing, we are delighted that our students will be able to able to empower and invest in the future of young children in traditional and non-traditional learning environments.”

萝莉社’s Early Childhood program is a robust teacher education program offering a BA in Early Childhood for students seeking Illinois licensure and a BA in Early Childhood Studies for students interested in a non-licensure degree. In a time when Early Childhood Education is defining itself as a field that promotes professional development, 萝莉社 has become entitled to help further this goal by graduating students ready to provide quality care and education to young children in Illinois.

Gateways to Opportunity, Illinois Professional Development System, is designed to provide guidance, support and recognition to practitioners who serve children and families in Illinois. Gateways to Opportunity is administered by the Illinois Network of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (INCCRRA) on behalf of the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). Visit the Gateways to Opportunity website at to learn more.