萝莉社

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萝莉社 Rankings Jump in 2021 U.S. News & World Report

萝莉社 jumped 22 spots in the 2021 Midwest regional rankings, U.S. News & World Report announced today. The nearly 3,000 student campus community on Chicago鈥檚 near northside 鈥� with a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio moved from 61 up to 39 this year out of 87 schools.

萝莉社 Rankings Jump in 2021 U.S. News & World Report

Midwest Regional Rankings Climb 22 Spots

 

Chicago, Illinois 鈥� September 14, 2020 鈥� (North Park) jumped 22 spots in the 2021 Midwest regional rankings, U.S. News & World Report announced today. The nearly 3,000 student campus community on Chicago鈥檚 near northside 鈥� with a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio moved from 61 up to 39 this year out of 87 schools.

In the sum of its three distinctives 鈥� Christian, city-centered, and thoroughly intercultural 鈥� North Park finds its unique value, its competitive advantage, and its opportunity to continue this upward trajectory and emerge as the model for Christian higher education in 21st Century America.

The Midwest regional rankings also measured: Campus Ethnic Diversity, Social Mobility, and Best Undergraduate Teaching.

Campus Ethnic Diversity

North Park tied for third most diverse institution in the region. 鈥淣orth Park is a thoroughly intercultural institution fully committed to the success of every student,鈥� 聽said North Park President Mary K. Surridge, 鈥渁nd we were encouraged to recently be named a Hispanic Serving Institution.鈥�

The University鈥檚 Office of Diversity and Intercultural Life helps students of all backgrounds feel welcome and included. 鈥淐ultural clubs, student success programming, and advocacy are just a few ways we support students in our missional commitment to prepare them for lives of significance and service,鈥� Surridge said.

College-bound students who seek a diverse environment will appreciate North Park鈥檚 thoroughly intercultural campus.

Social Mobility

North Park ranked 14th out of 87 in Social Mobility 鈥� as measured by graduated students who received federal Pell grants.

鈥淣orth Park鈥檚 active recruitment of promising Pell-eligible students compels our responsibility to support them in achieving their goals, preparing them to contribute to their families, the workforce, and their faith communities,鈥� Surridge said.

Best Undergraduate Teaching

North Park was one of only 17 schools recognized for Best Undergraduate Teaching, based on responses to a 2020 U.S. News peer assessment survey of college presidents, provosts, and admissions鈥� deans.

鈥淎t North Park, our talented and committed faculty embraces the extraordinary opportunity to educate a thoroughly intercultural student population, in the world-class city of Chicago, at a University deeply rooted in the Christian faith,鈥� Surridge said.

ABOUT聽NORTH PARK UNIVERSITY聽

is city-centered, intercultural, and emerging as the model for Christian higher education in 21st Century America.

Mara Perlow, 773-244-5215, mperlow@northpark.edu

Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories Announcement, News, StoriesTags

In Memoriam of the Reverend Doctor Cordy Tindell 鈥淐.T.鈥� Vivian

The Reverend Doctor Cordy Tindell 鈥淐.T.鈥� Vivian 鈥� a giant of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s as a field lieutenant and close friend of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and a lifelong advocate for racial justice 鈥� died in Atlanta on Friday, July 17, 2020, at the age of 95.

IN MEMORIAM

The Reverend Doctor Cordy Tindell 鈥淐.T.鈥� Vivian 鈥� a giant of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s as a field lieutenant and close friend of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and a lifelong advocate for racial justice 鈥� died in Atlanta on Friday, July 17, 2020, at the age of 95.

For his Christian ministry, his commitment to nonviolence, and his decades of leadership and advocacy for racial justice, 萝莉社 awarded Vivian an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree at Commencement on May 12, 2007. The presentation was given by Dr. Mary Trujillo, Professor Emeritus of Communications Arts.

鈥淚t is simply not possible to list in this short time all the activities and accomplishments of Rev. C.T. Vivian,鈥� Dr. Trujillo said in presenting the degree. 鈥淣or is it possible to fully grasp the degree of self-sacrifice, courage, and determination that he possesses. The full impact of the work of C.T. Vivian is of such magnitude that it can only be seen from the perspective of history.鈥�

Reverend Doctor Cordy Tindell Vivian receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama.
Reverend Doctor Cordy Tindell Vivian receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Vivian was born on July 30, 1924, in Boonville, Missouri, and moved as a child to Macomb, Illinois, where he graduated from Macomb High School in 1942 and attended Western Illinois University. He participated in the desegregation of Barton鈥檚 Cafeteria in Peoria in 1947. He studied and prepared for ministry at the American Baptist College in Nashville, Tennessee, where he learned Mohandas Gandhi’s nonviolent direct-action strategy and joined the Nashville Student Movement in 1959 鈥� launching what was to become a storied career as an icon of peaceful protest and the Civil Rights Movement.

Vivian helped found the Nashville Christian Leadership Conference and organized the first sit-ins in that city. In 1960 he led 4,000 peaceful demonstrators to City Hall where he met with Nashville Mayor Ben West. As a result of that meeting, West publicly declared that racial discrimination is morally wrong. Vivian participated in the Freedom Rides, in which activists rode interstate buses into the Southern states to protest their failure to comply with U.S. Supreme Court rulings that banned segregated public transportation. He worked with King and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, serving as the national director of affiliates. After the Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches in 1965, Vivian launched an educational program that gave college scholarships to 702 Alabama students. That program later became Upward Bound, a federal program to provide college opportunities for low-income first-generation students.

In 1970, Vivian published Black Power and the American Myth, the first book about the Civil Rights Movement written by a member of King鈥檚 inner circle. In it he wrote that 鈥淚t was Martin Luther King who removed the Black struggle from the economic realm and placed it in a moral and spiritual context. It was on this plane that The Movement first confronted the conscience of the nation.鈥�

After leaving Dr. King’s Executive Staff, Dr. Vivian trained ministers and developed the urban curriculum for seminaries throughout the nation at the Urban Training Center in Chicago. He returned to seminary education as the Dean of Divinity at Shaw University Seminary.

In 1977 Vivian founded a consultancy called BASICS, the Black Action Strategies and Information Center, and in 1979 with Anne Braden of Louisville, Kentucky, he founded the National Anti-Klan Network, which later became the Center for Democratic Renewal, where people of all races worked together to combat white supremacist activities. He served in Jesse Jackson鈥檚 presidential campaign in 1984, as national deputy director for clergy. Jackson had been one of Vivian鈥檚 first students at the Urban Training Center.

Vivian was an analyst in the 14-part PBS civil rights documentary Eyes on the Prize and was the subject of a PBS special, The Healing Ministry of Dr. C.T. Vivian.

President Barack Obama 鈥� speaking at Selma’s Brown Chapel on the March 2007, anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery marches 鈥� recognized Vivian in his opening remarks, saying King had referred to Vivian as “the greatest preacher to ever live.”

In 2008, Vivian founded the C.T. Vivian Leadership Institute to train a new generation of grass-roots leaders.

On August 8, 2013, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama.

Vivian died on the same day as his friend and fellow civil rights leader, U.S. Representative John Lewis.

Peace be to the memories聽of Rev. Dr. C.T. Vivian and Rep. John Lewis.

Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories News, Stories

萝莉社 Goes Test Optional in Response to Pandemic

North Park Ensures Equitable Access to Higher Education for 2020-2021 Applicants.

萝莉社 has long reviewed its applicants on a holistic basis鈥攇rade point average, rigor of high school curriculum, perseverance, extra-curricular activities, and standardized test scores are all considered towards meeting admission criteria.

With the onset of COVID-19 shelter-in-place across the country, students who didn’t already take the SAT and ACT in the Fall 2019 or early Winter 2020, were not able to sit for the exam in Spring 2020. Re-instated test dates for Summer and Fall 2020 still have the potential to be canceled.

The decision for聽North Park to go test-optional was approved by聽萝莉社听笔谤别蝉颈诲别苍迟听Mary K. Surridge聽to accommodate all students. The decision is a natural one.聽North Park聽is an institution that has always valued the diverse strengths of its student body that come in many forms鈥攁cademics, athletics, intercultural background, drive to succeed, and contributions to society.

The application process for 2020-2021 will emphasize the whole student, as it always has, just without an SAT/ACT test score. The University not only rewards what students accomplish in the classroom and their test scores but also what they bring outside of the classroom and to their communities.

The decision to go test-optional for 2020-2021 admissions is about ensuring equitable access to higher education. “We want all of our students to have the ability to apply, be admitted, and receive financial aid without a test date dictating this timeline,” said聽Anthony Scola,听North Park’s聽Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing.

By removing the SAT/ACT requirement,听North Park is honoring what can be an obstacle in meeting admission criteria. “Many students have had their SAT/ACT canceled and we want our applicants to know we recognize this challenge,” said Scola.

Dropping the SAT/ACT removes a barrier to entry, an ongoing higher education debate. Going test-optional long-term is yet to be determined. What聽North Park聽admission’s committee does recognize is the 2020-2021 class experienced significant change in their learning.

“The 2020-2021 class offers unique qualities in its own way by having to pivot its learning platform during an unprecedented time,” said Scola.

Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories Announcement, News, Stories

萝莉社 Named a College of Distinction in 20-Year Anniversary Cohort

萝莉社 (North Park) has been recognized for its honorable commitment to engaged, experiential education by Colleges of Distinction, which is celebrating its 20-year anniversary as a one-of-a-kind guide for college-bound students.

Chicago, Illinois鈥擩une 12, 2020

Colleges of Distinction 2020-2021 (North Park) has been recognized for its honorable commitment to engaged, experiential education by , which is celebrating its 20-year anniversary as a one-of-a-kind guide for college-bound students. Colleges of Distinction boasts its longstanding support for student-centered schools that traditional rankings often overlook. As an institution whose primary goals are based on student success and satisfaction, North Park confirms its honor as one of the renowned Colleges of Distinction.

Founder Wes Creel traces Colleges of Distinction鈥檚 beginnings back to when he was helping his eldest daughter search for schools. The institutions that dominated the rankings were drowning out all the others, and not speaking to what the student experience would be like. He then created Colleges of Distinction to draw more attention to schools like North Park whose student-centered education prevails in applying theory to practice while fostering a dynamic learning community.

While higher education has changed over the last 20 years, Colleges of Distinction鈥檚 selection process has stayed consistent鈥攃onducting in-depth research and detailed interviews with the schools themselves about each institution鈥檚 freshman experience and retention efforts alongside its general education programs, career development, strategic plan, student satisfaction, and more鈥攁nd accepting only those that adhere to the Four Distinctions: Engaged Students, Great Teaching, Vibrant Community, and Successful Outcomes. Overlaid in the last few years have been a look into High-Impact Practices. This model prioritizes the opportunities institutions have for students that make for a fulfilling, individualized college experience.

鈥淓ach school is different, just as every student is different,鈥� said Creel. 鈥淭here is no number-one college for everyone, so we never rank those in our cohort.鈥� North Park鈥檚 inclusion is informed by the unique ways it commits to achieving success.

Creel and his colleagues found that the most pervasive ranking systems rely on metrics like peer reputation, size of endowment, and alumni salaries. They knew instead that most critical to the student experience were the kinds of engaging experiences that are found at North Park鈥檚 experiential-based learning programs (Catalyst 606), service-learning programs, diversity and global learning programs, living-learning communities (CRUX), study abroad programs, and internships.

Creel continued, 鈥淚t鈥檚 inspiring to see North Park commit to the learning styles and community involvement that will best allow their students to thrive.鈥�

萝莉社 Colleges of Distinction

Since 2000, Colleges of Distinction has been committed to honoring schools throughout the U.S. for true excellence in higher education. The member schools within the Colleges of Distinction consortium distinguish themselves through their dedicated focus on the undergraduate experience. Its website provides dynamic college profiles, customized tools, and resources for students, parents, and high school counselors. For more information, and to learn how to become a College of Distinction, visit .

Author Ellen AlmerPosted on Categories News, StoriesTags

North Park Alum and CPS Teacher Kelly Vetter Featured on NBC 5 Chicago

Kelly (Sladkey) Vetter, North Park School of Education C鈥�11 (BEEd, Magna Cum Laude) talks about her day as a Chicago Public School (CPS) teacher in a Channel NBC 5 series, Coronavirus in Illinois: A Day in the Life During the Pandemic.

Kelly (Sladkey) Vetter C鈥�11 talks about her day as a Chicago Public School (CPS) teacher in a Channel NBC 5 series, .

A third-generation Viking and former member of the Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD) Committee, Vetter currently teaches science and social studies to seventh- and eighth-graders. As a special education teacher with CPS, Vetter is passionate about co-teaching in an inclusion setting.

Sitting at her kitchen table while her one-year-old son naps, Vetter manages her dual role as stay-at-home mom engaging her three-year-old son in a 15-minute activity alongside developing remote learning plans to add to students鈥� Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). Later in the day, Vetter perches her laptop on a box containing toddler supplies while reviewing vocabulary words with a student.

To see Vetter鈥檚 first-hand experience balancing stay-at-home parenting with distance teaching, watch the Channel NBC 5 feature video .

 

Author Ellen AlmerPosted on Categories News, Profile, Stories

North Park Alum and ICU Nurse Sommar Johnson Otfinoski Featured on NBC 5 Chicago

Sommar (Johnson) Otfinoski, North Park School of Nursing C鈥�13 (BSN) and G鈥�20 (MSN), talks about her day as an ICU nurse caring for COVID-19 patients in an NBC 5 Chicago series, Coronavirus in Illinois: A Day in the Life During the Pandemic.

Sommar (Johnson) Otfinoski C鈥�13 G鈥�20 talks about her day as an ICU nurse caring for COVID-19 patients in an NBC 5 Chicago series, Coronavirus in Illinois: A Day in the Life During the Pandemic.

A third-generation Viking, Otfinoski聽currently works at Swedish Hospital. Alongside other Day in the Life stories, including a North Park alum CPS teacher, social worker, and truck driver, Otfinoski tours Swedish Hospital鈥檚 medical supply storage closet, hallways, and patient room. Humbly describing the intensity of the long shifts caring for COVID-19 patients, the overflow of patients, and seriousness of the virus, Otfinoski聽embodies North Park鈥檚 School of Nursing distinctives 鈥� collaborative, skillful, passionate, ethical, and knowledgeable.

To see Otfinoski’s first-hand experience on the floor of Swedish Hospital as an ICU nurse, watch the NBC 5 Chicago feature video “.”

Author Ellen AlmerPosted on Categories News, Profile, Stories

Hispanic Serving Institution Designation Given to North Park by Federal Government

萝莉社 has been named a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) by the U.S. Department of Education, a designation that recognizes North Park鈥檚 commitment to equitable outcomes for Hispanic students.

萝莉社 has been named a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) by the U.S. Department of Education, a designation that recognizes North Park鈥檚 commitment to equitable outcomes for Hispanic students.

鈥淭he Hispanic-Serving Institution聽distinction聽is an enviable one, sought by many institutions, and we are proud of this designation,鈥� said North Park President Mary K. Surridge. 鈥淢ost important, though, is our striving for equitable outcomes as we live into our intercultural distinctive. And that is the effort these federal grant dollars will fund on this campus.鈥�

With the designation, North Park is now eligible to apply to federal funding opportunities that are only available to Hispanic Serving Institutions, according to Renee Cox, North Park鈥檚 Government, Corporate, and Foundation Relations Manager.聽 Over the next year, North Park hopes to explore funding opportunities that are now available at the U.S. Department of Education, National Science Foundation, and National Endowment for the Humanities.

Sharee L. Myricks, M.Ed, 萝莉社 Director of Diversity and Intercultural Life, says the designation underscores North Park鈥檚 commitment to diversity.

鈥溌芾蛏� has a long history of supporting a diverse and intentionally intercultural student population. North Park’s recent designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution enables us to expand future opportunities that supports student recruitment, retention, and completion further,鈥� Myricks said.

To become a designated聽HSI, an institution鈥檚 undergraduate enrollment must be at least 25% Hispanic (defined as an individual of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American or other Spanish culture or origin).

Hispanic Serving Institutions were created in 1995 to expand the educational opportunities of the country鈥檚 rapidly growing Hispanic population and to improve Hispanic students鈥� measures of academic attainment.

 

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North Park Sociology Professor Examines Racial, Socio-Economic Inequality in Public Transportation

In the past two years, Dr. Purifoye has analyzed how public transportation creates transit boundaries that support the boundaries of racial segregation.

Professor Gwendolyn Purifoye

While working towards her PhD five years ago, Dr. Gwendolyn Purifoye, a sociology professor at North Park, completed a small project regarding public transportation, specifically how people behave badly in wide open public spaces. The research, which later became the basis of her dissertation, took a new turn because of her frequent use of public transportation.

Soon, her use of CTA trains and buses inspired her to study confined, mobile spaces, resulting in 鈥淓xamining Racial Residential Segregation Through Public Transportation in Chicago.鈥�

Dr. Purifoye completed field research by riding and studying six bus lines, two Metra lines, and two CTA lines for a few years.

鈥淒oing that,鈥� she says, 鈥淚 paid attention to who was getting on, but also where the rides were going.鈥� She also researched CTA and Metra archives, studying how they distribute their services and resources.

In the past two years, Dr. Purifoye has analyzed how public transportation creates transit boundaries that support the boundaries of racial segregation. Through her research, she noticed favoritism toward wealthier, predominantly white communities. For instance, the CTA services the suburbs better than they do the South Side of Chicago, and transit-dependent communities are provided with fewer resources and older buses. She notes how these transit inequalities are keeping low-income racial minorities unable to get the places they need to be.

Metra Ogilvie Station

“For Chicago to really move as a city and to grow as a city, transit equity needs to be a part of that conversation,鈥� Dr. Purifoye says. In order to see change, she explains that the conversation needs to take place city-wide, not just at the community level.

Train station servicing south side and south suburbs

Dr. Purifoye presents her research in her urban sociology class to teach students about the intricate connections between transit, housing, education, and government, as well as their influences on cities. Engaging with North Park鈥檚 core values of being Christian, city-centered, and intercultural, she hopes to show that 鈥渏ustice is for everyone, and we all do better when we all do better.鈥�

Dr. Purifoye recently presented 鈥淓xamining Racial Residential Segregation Through Public Transportation in Chicago鈥� at the American Association of Geographers Conference in Washington D.C. and plans to continue researching mobility and inequality.

Author Ellen AlmerPosted on Categories Announcement, News, StoriesTags

North Park Confers Degrees at Winter Commencement

North Park celebrated the achievements of more than 250 graduates at the Winter 2019 Commencement Friday, Dec. 13 in the University gymnasium.

North Park celebrated the achievements of more than 250 graduates at the Winter 2019 Commencement Friday, Dec. 13 in the University gymnasium.

Upon being presented by Provost Michael O. Emerson, President Mary K. Surridge addressed the graduates and their friends and family.

鈥淭his is indeed a glorious moment,鈥� President Surridge said. 鈥淵ears of diligent work have led to this milestone; you have reason to be proud of your accomplishment.鈥�

Julia Janina Koza, a commuter student who works in retail and hotel management to help pay for her education, was the recipient of the prestigious Ahnfeldt Medallion, awarded to the graduate with the highest grade point average. Koza, who received a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education, also sang in the University Choir and played clarinet.

Koza was introduced by David Otfinoski, chair of the Board of Trustees, who noted that Koza 鈥渋s not afraid of hard work, but is also someone who sought to help others excel in their work as well.鈥�

In addressing the graduates, President Surridge encouraged students to remember their professors, who 鈥渂egan praying for you literally before you arrived on campus,鈥� and to cherish their time here.

鈥淟ook with joy upon your years here, celebrate this milestone night, and look forward with hope to the bright future,鈥� she said.

The ceremony was followed by receptions in Anderson Chapel and Hamming Hall celebrating the graduates.

Author lcpostrobinsonPosted on Categories News, Stories

萝莉社 Partners with Illinois Businesses to Equip Students with Career Skills

President Mary K. Surridge served as the keynote speaker at the University Club of Chicago to address preparing graduates with skills matching employer needs. As part of a new initiative, North Park is partnering with the Alliance of Businesses and Colleges in Illinois.

November 13, 2019–CHICAGO — 萝莉社 President Mary K. Surridge opened the conversation about how to prepare students for in-demand careers at a roundtable sponsored by the (ACI) last Friday at the University Club of Chicago.

North Park is leading the way in a new initiative, the Alliance of Businesses and Colleges in Illinois. The initiative is inspired by Capital CoLAB in the Greater Washington, D.C area, which pairs colleges with the tech industry to equip graduates with skills matching employer needs.

鈥淲e are gaining a closer understanding of what employers want and how we as institutions can better prepare our students,鈥� said Gregor Thuswaldner, North Park鈥檚 Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences.

The roundtable included local business representatives, who agreed students should develop a career plan prior to graduation, and to think of how they can apply their major to an actual job.

Recruiter Kate Rinnan with offered, 鈥渋nvite industry to co-develop a curriculum.鈥�

鈥淥ur mission is very sound: we leverage every aspect of the city and prepare our students to be innovators as they study, live and work in an intercultural environment,鈥� said Surridge, referring to North Park鈥檚 city-centered mission.

President Mary K. Surridge

Integrating in-the-classroom with off-campus experiential learning opportunities shows students first-hand how to apply their skills to meet real business needs.

鈥淎s a Christian, city-centered, intercultural university, our faculty and staff are committed to graduating students to be ethically sound, while balancing both independent and collaborative decisions,鈥� Surridge said.

Equipping students with resources like resume writing, internships, and interview preparedness is important.

鈥淕raduates emerge strong and inspired with skills to make an immediate contribution,鈥� Surridge said.

Darrell Radson, Dean of the Goodwin College of Business at Benedictine University, encouraged students to create a career roadmap.

鈥淢ore talk about careers and less on majors can match skill development with career development,鈥� Radson said.

To address these needs, North Park has instituted a hands-on experiential learning curriculum.

鈥淲ith the pressure of justifying the value of a degree, we make it a priority to offer students in-the-field learning experiences to take back to their current and future employers,鈥� Surridge said.

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