萝莉社

Category: Stories

萝莉社 Enrollment Jumps, Bucking National Trends

Bucking a nationwide trend of declining enrollments among higher education institutions,听萝莉社听saw a 12 percent spike in the number of new students enrolling for the Spring 2019 term when compared to last year.

Bucking a nationwide trend of declining enrollments among higher education institutions,听萝莉社听saw a 12 percent spike in the number of new students enrolling for the Spring 2019 term when compared to last year.

  • North Park’s听new student enrollment jumped 12% in the spring semester over last year.
  • State-of-the-art facilities, urban location and Christian environment make听North Park听attractive to a variety of students.
  • New programs in athletic training and pharmacy will draw even more students in coming years.

The 243 new students were attracted by听North Park’s听Christian environment and city-centered educational opportunities, said Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing听Anthony Scola.

“Innovative academic programs, updated facilities, and advanced technology have made听North Park听a first-choice institution with a focus on preparing our students to become leaders in their respective careers,” Scola said.

North Park听has remained adept at attracting students by introducing new majors and programs that cater to today’s job market. In Fall 2018, the University introduced its master of science in athletic training and 3+2 bachelor/master’s programs, making听North Park听one of the first fully accredited athletic training programs in the听Chicago听补谤别补.

Next year,听North Park听will introduce a partnership with听Roosevelt University, a 3+3 pharmacy program in which students start at听North Park听and transition to听Roosevelt听in their third year, eventually earning a doctor of pharmacy degree.

A faculty-to-staff ratio of 12:1, a very diverse student body and听North Park’s听urban location are also major factors in the university enduring appeal to prospective students.

“Our faculty and staff put our students first and will continue to build lasting relationships with each and every North Parker,” Scola said.

In addition, new University President听Mary Surridge, who previously led undergraduate recruitment and advancement, promises to continue delivering measurable results across the University with her strategic leadership style.

ABOUT听NORTH PARK UNIVERSITY听

萝莉社听is a city-centered, intercultural, and Christian university located in Chicago.

Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories Announcement, News, Stories

Campus Closed on Thursday, January 31st

Due to the continued extreme weather conditions, 萝莉社 will cancel classes and all offices will remain closed in all locations on听Thursday, January 31, 2019.

Campus Closed on Thursday, January 31st

Due to the continued extreme weather conditions, 萝莉社 will cancel classes and all offices will remain closed in all locations on听Thursday, January 31, 2019.

The following essential services will be open on Thursday and available on the schedule listed below:

* Aramark dining: Open for听regular听schedule.

* Brandel Library: 10 am 鈥� 10 pm.

* Helwig Recreation Center: 10 am 鈥� 10 pm.

Campus security and Physical Plant will be staffed to ensure student safety and security.

All classes and activities will be fully operational on Friday, February 1, 2019.

Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories Announcement, News, Stories

North Park Campus Closing on Wednesday, January 30

Due to the extremely cold temperatures predicted for the Chicago area on Wednesday, 萝莉社 will cancel all classes and activities for all locations on Wednesday, January 30, 2019.

Campus Closing on Wednesday, January 30

Due to the extremely cold temperatures predicted for the Chicago area on Wednesday,听萝莉社 will cancel all classes and activities for all locations on Wednesday, January 30, 2019.

The following essential services will be open on Wednesday and available on the schedule listed below:

鈥⑻� 听Aramark dining:听 Open for regular schedule.
鈥⑻� 听Brandel Library:听 10 am 鈥� 7 pm.
鈥⑻� 听Helwig Recreation Center: 10 am 鈥� 7 pm.

Campus security and Physical Plant will be staffed to ensure student safety and security.

All classes and activities will be fully operational on Tuesday, January 29 and Thursday, January 31, 2019.

Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories Announcement, News, Stories

Faculty Blog: Keep Calm, The Internet is Off

How can you disconnect & reconnect this holiday season? North Park faculty, Dr. Trevor James shares his thoughts.

How can you disconnect & reconnect this holiday season?

鈥淭he WIFI is out,鈥� 鈥淚 think the internet just went down,鈥� 鈥淚 don鈥檛 have any service,鈥� 鈥淐an you hear me now?鈥� These are common fears amongst many people in our world today as we strive to stay connected.

As a professor who teaches marketing and digital marketing in the School of Professional Studies at 萝莉社, I realize that we are dependent on our devices and many of us are connected 24/7. However, what if instead of panicking when the internet goes down, we looked at it as an opportunity? Like when the power goes out and you are forced to sit around a candle or lantern and play a board game, read a book, cuddle up with blankets and actually talk with each other. If you are like me when this happens, I often don鈥檛 want the power to come back on. Well, we have that opportunity coming soon, we call them holidays.

decorativeIn no other time in our history have we been this digitally connected, through social media, texting, and smartphones, we live in an age of constant global connectivity, yet research is showing we are increasingly feeling more alone, and sensing a reduction of human connection. Marian Rose, wrote an article on the Science of Human Connection and Wellness in a Digitally Connected World and states 鈥淧sychologists see a pattern in this success-driven culture of busyness and the associated 鈥榗onnection disconnection鈥�听of an increasingly digitally remote world, and it鈥檚 triggering what they say is rapidly becoming a dire听epidemic of loneliness . . . it seems that quality personal time for ourselves and for nurturing our relationships has become increasingly more elusive鈥� (M. Rose, 2017).

The question is, though we are digitally and globally connected by investing in this communication, are we actually hurting our personal and human connections?

As a professor, my job is to help my students learn how to create digital content that forces people to pay attention to their digital ads, click on links, and spend as much time connecting to products and services as possible. However, I also teach Digital and Business Ethics and my job is to help students recognize the balance and the importance of communicating face to face and making those human connections. Therefore, I would challenge you this holiday season to focus on each other. To put the phone down, turn the computer off, and let the digital world spin without you for one day. It may allow you to connect with a family or a friend in a unique way and if nothing else, really listen to them and allow you to show them kindness with your ears.

If that doesn鈥檛 work, you can always turn off the WIFI router and see what happens. Who knows, you may connect with your friends and family in ways you never thought was possible . . . 鈥�Keep calm the internet is off.鈥�

trevor jamesNorth Park is a city-centered, intercultural, and Christian university located in Chicago. Dr. Trevor James is the associate dean, business faculty and director in the School of Professional Studies. Dr. James teaches a number of classes, such as Marketing, Digital and Social Media Marketing, and Digital/Business Ethics.

The School of Professional Studies offers bachelor鈥檚 degree completion programs in business administration, counseling psychology, criminal justice, digital marketing, location intelligence, nonprofit management, and organizational management and leadership. For more information about the School of Professional Studies go to .

Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories Blog, StoriesTags , , ,

萝莉社 Honored Among National Colleges of Distinction

Progressive college guide features schools with engaging programs.

Progressive college guide features schools with engaging programs:

萝莉社 has been recognized for its committed implementation of high-impact educational practices, earning its title as one of the nation鈥檚 Colleges of Distinction.

North Park has proven itself to be at the forefront of American higher education with a modern, student-centered approach to teaching. North Park听engages students in their Christian faith in a city-centered, intercultural setting. Further, North Park鈥檚 small class sizes, state-of-the-art facilities, and commitment to equipping students to lead lives of significance and service makes it stand apart from other schools its size.

鈥淏eing named as a College of Distinction is a tremendous honor and supports our vision of being a first-choice, Christian university in the city of Chicago,鈥� says North Park鈥檚 Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing Anthony Scola. 鈥淧rograms such as Catalyst 606__, our city-centered curriculum, and Crux, our Christian living/learning cohort, allow students to find themselves academically and spiritually. As a university, we will continue our innovative ways of thinking to ensure all North Parkers are equipped for the workforce.鈥�

鈥淲e are absolutely thrilled to recognize 萝莉社 as a College of Distinction for its effective dedication to student success,鈥� said Tyson Schritter, Chief Operating Officer for Colleges of Distinction. 鈥淐olleges of Distinction is so impressed with North Park鈥檚 curriculum, which is enriched with the kind of high-impact educational practices that are most crucial for student development. Such innovative engagement is preparing the next generation of young adults to thrive after college.鈥�

Colleges of Distinction鈥檚 selection process consists of a review of each institution鈥檚 freshman experience and retention efforts, alongside its general education programs, alumni success, strategic plan, student satisfaction, and more. Schools are accepted on the basis that they adhere to the Four Distinctions: Engaged Students, Great Teaching, Vibrant Community, and Successful Outcomes.

鈥淐olleges of Distinction is far more than a ranking list of colleges and universities,鈥� said Schritter. 鈥淲e seek out the schools that are wholly focused on the student experience, constantly working to produce graduates who are prepared for a rapidly changing global society. Now recognized as a College of Distinction, North Park stands out in the way it strives to help its students to learn, grow, and succeed.鈥�

萝莉社 Colleges of Distinction

Since 2000, the Colleges of Distinction website and guidebook have honored schools throughout the U.S. for their excellence in undergraduate-focused higher education. The cohort of schools in the Colleges of Distinction consortium distinguish themselves through their focus on the undergraduate experience. The website and annual guidebooks provide dynamic college profiles, customized tools, and resources for students, parents, and high school counselors. For more information visit .

萝莉社 萝莉社

萝莉社 is a city-centered, intercultural, and Christian university located in Chicago.

Direct media inquiries to:
Christopher Childers
Assistant Vice President, University Marketing and Communications
cchilders@northpark.edu
773-244-5750

Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories News, Stories

Standing Out in the Job Market with a Multi-disciplinary Major: Elvin Ahmeti C鈥�15

Working as a senior financial analyst at global healthcare manufacturer Fresenius Kabi USA, Elvin Ahmeti C鈥�15 says it was his combined education in business and life sciences which prepared him for his career.

Alumni Elvin Ahmeti says North Park prepared him to stand out in the job market.

Elvin Ahmeti C鈥�15 took full advantage of North Park鈥檚 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 pharmaceutical product portfolio.

鈥淭he fact that I had a biology minor along with my business major made me stand out as a job candidate,鈥� 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.鈥�

鈥淭he courses I took at North Park were challenging and properly prepared me for my future,鈥� says Ahmeti, who encourages students to work hard. 鈥淏e focused on your end goal and eventually you will reach it.鈥� 听While at North Park, Ahmeti鈥檚 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.

Author onlinemediaPosted on Categories Profile, StoriesTags , , , ,

NPRESS Student Experiences

North Park summer research experience students describe how NPRESS benefited their education.

The听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听weeks during the summer.听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 鈥渁n inquiry or investigation conducted by an undergraduate student that makes an original intellectual or creative contribution to the discipline鈥�?
  • Outcome: Does the project have clearly defined goals and are the goals achievable during the summer?听 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听psychology major C’18 December听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听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听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听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听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鈥檝e 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鈥檛 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. 萝莉社, as well as the members of the Undergraduate Research Committee, are excited to welcome many more students into the research program next summer.

Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories StoriesTags , , ,

Top Ten Must-Do Activities for Freshmen

We’ve compiled a list of the top ten must-dos for North Park Freshmen.

Everyone says that in your first year of college you should get involved, join a club, and watch out for those Freshman fifteen. While all of those are true, aren鈥檛 there any other fun suggestions? Well, glad you asked because here are ten things you don鈥檛 want to miss at North Park. Situated in the city of Chicago, North Park gives you proximity and access to millions of people and thousands of opportunities to try something new!

1. Attend a North Park sporting event, especially against Wheaton.
Whether we are playing in Carlson Tower or on Holmgren Field, there鈥檚 always a chance to show support for North Park鈥檚 student-athletes. At soccer games, super fans dubbed 鈥淔oster鈥檚 Finest鈥� lead chants, and their friendly heckling of the opponents is always sure to draw a laugh. My favorite one thus far was 鈥渘umber seven drinks skim!鈥� Swaying back and forth with the crowd to 鈥淣orth Park 鈥榯il I Die鈥� in the crisp autumn air while stoking our rivalry with Wheaton College is your initiation into campus life at North Park. Sports events happen year-round, so suit up in your blue and gold.

2. Eat at Tre Kroner and Bryn Mawr Breakfast Club.
The restaurants around North Park are excellent, especially for brunch. Tre Kronor, affectionally known as Tre K by every North Parker, leans on their Swedish heritage to serve excellent brunch (get the waffle, it鈥檚 a requirement for graduation). The Bryn Mawr Breakfast Club is within walking distance of campus as well. Just make sure you wake up early to get a seat inside these restaurants for a weekend brunch.

3. Explore the Art Institute of Chicago.
The Art Institute is Chicago鈥檚 premiere art exhibitioner. It houses thousands of paintings and sculptures in the heart of downtown Chicago. The Art Institute has everything from original Picasso鈥檚 to the shining armor from the knights and Vikings of yesteryear. After passing over the Metra and Amtrak rails, you鈥檒l find the Modern Wing, which houses modern and contemporary art exhibits. On Thursdays after 5 pm, it鈥檚 free to any Chicago resident; just show the teller your Student ID and give them your Chicago zip code: 60625 for North Park!

4. Attend a Catalyst event.
Catalyst 606__ is North Park鈥檚 newest endeavor to bring campus to the city, and the city to campus. While the Catalyst excursions get a lot of attention, often overlooked are the Catalyst on Campus events offered Wednesday afternoons for those not on excursions. Speakers range from school staff and faculty to NFL players and Olympic medalists.

5. Use your U-Pass!
Whether you are a commuter or campus resident, your North Park issued U-Pass gives you unlimited access to the CTA, both busses and 鈥楲鈥� trains. Grab a couple friends and explore the city of Chicago. Because Wednesday afternoons are always free from classes, you should use the time to de-stress and find a new part of the city to love.

6. Visit the Lincoln Park Zoo.
Free for every entrant, the Lincoln Park Zoo is a short skip and hop away from the Fullerton or Sedgewick Brown line stops. Watch sea lions swim and bears climb. The Lincoln Park Zoo also lights up for the Holiday season, making it an excellent hangout spot regardless of the weather or time of year.

7. Travel with Global Partnerships.
Global Partnership trips are facilitated through University Ministries and are the best way to explore the world while serving others. Global Partnerships team members assist you with fundraising鈥攕o you don鈥檛 have to pay for your awesome experiences鈥攁nd prepare you for traveling domestically or internationally.

8. Desert campus for dessert.
Insomnia Cookies is a must eat for every North Parker. The closest locations are by the Loyola Red Line 鈥楲鈥� stop or off the Fullerton Brown Line stop. You can pick up a cookie after your trip to the Lincoln Park Zoo. You鈥檝e probably already visited that Insomnia location because it鈥檚 the spot North Parkers take their prospective students when they are in town. They are open from morning until the late night, so you can grab warm cookies any time.

9. Network with staff across campus. Many want a student worker and it could be you if you put yourself out there.
Your major might not require you to have an internship until your Junior or Senior year, but why wait when you can already get experience now? Taking a work-free first year is a great idea if you can swing it, but start building relationships with staff and faculty on campus early. Offices are always looking for student workers or those eligible for work-study, and a simple connection could land you the job. The more experience you have applying for internships for your Senior year, the more employers will notice your proactive work spirit!

10. Enjoy Friendsgiving at ARA.
Celebrating Thanksgiving in the dining hall, known to students as ARA, is a North Park tradition. Every year, the week before thanksgiving, ARA hosts a Thanksgiving dinner called Friendsgiving. Friendsgiving is a time to enjoy a proper Thanksgiving dinner as part of your meal plan, with your friends and faculty and staff. What鈥檚 more fun is that the school President, Provost, and other faculty and staff serve the students dinner.

Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories StoriesTags ,

Q&A with Athletic Training Program Director Andrew Lundgren

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听rehabilitation听of injuries and other medical conditions. Our graduates find听employment听in a variety of settings including听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鈥檚 athletic training program stand out?

As the only CAATE-accredited athletic training program in Chicago鈥檚 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鈥檚 athletic training programs are well-established within and outside Chicagoland.

Learn More

Author onlinemediaPosted on Categories Profile, StoriesTags , , , , , , , ,

Lauren Daigle at Stateville

On October 5, 2018, Grammy award nominee Lauren Daigle visited Stateville Correctional Center to perform both for and alongside the men who are incarcerated.

On October 5, 2018, Grammy award nominee Lauren Daigle visited Stateville Correctional Center to perform both for and alongside the men who are incarcerated. A well-loved contemporary Christian artist, Daigle has recently broken into new career territory with her album Look Up Child debuting at number 3 on the Billboard 200 chart. Visiting Stateville, however, was a groundbreaking event all its own. A maximum security state prison, Stateville has strict rules regarding visitors and gatherings.

Vickie Reddy, executive producer of , was able to organize the event with the assistance of Stateville鈥檚 chaplains. Reddy is the first free student to be enrolled in the 鈥攁 degree program offered to the men at Stateville through North Park Theological Seminary鈥檚 School of Restorative Arts.

The hurdles to such an event taking place at Stateville are part of what made the concert significant to the men. 鈥淭hey are used to the worst being expected of them,鈥� says Michelle Clifton-Soderstrom, director of the School of Restorative Arts. 鈥淔or imprisoned and free individuals to be able to come together in worship鈥攊t was humanizing for all of us.鈥�

Reddy, Clifton-Soderstrom, and two alumni of the School of Restorative Arts were able to attend the concert which included Daigle performing with her band as well as a joint performance with the Stateville Gospel Choir.

Performing alongside Daigle was especially meaningful to inmate Ryan Miller. Upon her arrival, Miller shared that a couple of years prior he had experienced a vision in which he was singing with Lauren Daigle. In his vision, this was the beginning of a revival.

Daigle closed the concert with the Gaither hymn, Something Beautiful, a song which speaks of brokenness transformed into hope and healing.

After the performance, Daigle was given a tour of the facility, including the panopticon. Commonly referred to as the roundhouse, the building is a cylinder consisting of 4 floors of cells facing inward to a central tower. This design allowed a minimal number of guards to observe prisoners on every side. Despite concerns regarding inhumane conditions, the panopticon at Stateville remained in use until 2016; it was the last of its kind in operation since the 1990s.

The opportunity for Daigle to meet the men, witness their surroundings, and worship with them fits directly within the larger vision of the School of Restorative Arts, which aims to not only provide education and hope to the students inside the prison but also to provide a connection to those outside, to allow both sides to see each other, to build understanding and community.

Both the restorative arts program and Lauren Daigle鈥檚 visit have been received warmly by Stateville鈥檚 administration, and all involved in organizing the event hope to continue these opportunities for community building.

鈥淣orth Park being here with us is the most important thing happening at Stateville.鈥� says Assistant Warden of Operations Nicholas Lamb. 鈥淚t鈥檚 giving hope to so many. People who aren鈥檛 in the program yet are going to want to be after this event.鈥�

Senior Chaplain George Adamson summed up what the day meant to him. 鈥淪o what can I say but the Lord bless you. To see the men worship has always been my dream. The power of the Holy Spirit was evident on the stage . . . it was so worth it to see the men听who basically have nothing and little hope become energized and let go for a brief moment . . . Please thank Lauren for me and on behalf of the men. This will be talked about for a very long time.鈥�

 

All photography by Karl Soderstrom

Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories StoriesTags , ,