萝莉社

Category: Stories

萝莉社 Hosts “You Be the Chemist” Local Challenge for Second Year

Students from Chicago Public Schools competed to qualify for the national challenge.

Students from Chicago Public Schools competed to qualify for the national challenge

CHICAGO, March 20, 2017 鈥� For the second year in a row, 萝莉社 hosted the Chicago Public Schools 鈥淵ou Be The Chemist” competition. Twenty-three schools from across Chicagoland competed for trophies and bragging rights. North Park鈥檚 own Dr. Jonathan Reinstra-Kiracofe facilitated the Quiz Bowl, with representatives from each school answering tough questions about chemical compounds and processes.

Allie Parker, Out-of-School Time Manager for Chicago Public Schools, was thrilled to partner with North Park: “I love the facilities and the fact that CPS kids visit such a beautiful campus.” This event gives North Park some insight into the future of cutting-edge discovery. 鈥淔rom what we can see the next generation of science rocks blue and green hair, isn’t afraid to get messy, and will go fearlessly where no adults have gone before,鈥� commented Pamela Bozeman, North Park鈥檚 Senior Director of Career Development and Internships.

The You Be The Chemist Challenge庐 is an interactive academic contest that encourages students in grades 5-8 to explore chemistry concepts and their real-world applications. It provides the opportunity for CPS, North Park, and others to come together and show their support for STEM education.

North Park hosted a local challenge, which is a quiz bowl with several rounds of multiple choice questions. Students who score the highest will move on to the next level of competition with the top participant from each state advancing to the National Challenge in June.

Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories News, StoriesTags ,

Diversity and Dialogue in Biblical and Theological Studies: Hannah Hawkinson C’17

Hannah Hawkinson C’17, a biblical and theological studies major, shares about her experience at North Park.

Hannah Hawkinson C’17, a biblical and theological studies major, shares about her experience at North Park.

Meeting so many people who challenge the way I think, and who are open and anxious to dialogue with each other; there are people who think so differently, but are willing to talk with each other in and outside the classroom.

I feel at home here, at North Park, seeing so many different people, and hearing so many different languages; I wanted to learn in an environment like that. Being around students who want to learn, are invested, and care about classes as much as I do is something that has been a positive surprise.

As I have refined my interest within theology, I鈥檝e noticed I鈥檓 passionate about narrative, about who is speaking this narrative, and searching for the biases that contribute to this narrative. Being able to read literature provides a different way of looking at things, but it has been very helpful.

If you鈥檙e considering majoring in BTS, take a class or two on top of the required, and try to take them from as many different professors within the department as you can. Also ask other BTS students about their experiences, I promise we鈥檙e a nice bunch. There is no pressure to continue to pastoral duties if you choose it as your major, there are so many other tracks you can take. Hopefully, you鈥檒l see that it鈥檚 a rigorous program, but I think that BTS is an important program, especially for this University.

What surprises me most at North Park is meeting so many people who challenge the way I think, and who are open and anxious to dialogue with each other; there are people who think so differently but are willing to talk with each other in and outside the classroom.

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鈥淗ope Has a Home Here鈥� at North Park

Hate has no home here. Hope has a home here.

萝莉社 held a candlelight vigil on the steps of Old Main on February 20, 2017.

President Parkyn welcomed students, faculty, staff, and the public to a candlelight vigil on February 20, 2017, called 鈥淗ope Has a Home Here.鈥� 聽Held in response to the travel ban issued several weeks previously by President Trump, the vigil tapped into the movement 鈥淗ate Has No Home Here,鈥� created by a North Park alumnus.

Candles were lit starting from the center candle, and the light moved through the crowd, each person giving light to the next. A series of litanies were performed by students and faculty, led by Professor Boaz Johnson and Student Body President Steve Smrt, with an audience response of 鈥淗ate has no home here鈥� and 鈥淗ope has a home here.鈥�

鈥淲e remember,鈥� said Faith and Justice leader Jorie Dybcio, 鈥渙ur own immigrant origins, and the origin of 萝莉社 as a Christian institution that, from the beginning of its existence, has sought to empower and give voice to all.鈥�

鈥淗ope has a home here!鈥� the audience responded.

Dr. Helen Hudgens performed a rendition of 鈥淭his Little Light of Mine鈥� substituting some of the lyrics to reflect the current events, such as the DREAMers act, and calling out prominent political figures, letting them know that her light will continue to shine. This was followed by a multi-lingual reading鈥攊ncluding in English, Spanish, German, Korean, Afrikaans鈥攐f Micah 6:8: 鈥淗e has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God鈥� (NIV).

Although the night was windy, and multiple candles were blown out, there was always someone nearby to share their light. It characterized the attitude of those who attended: they were there to help re-light the candle that had been snuffed out in others鈥� lives.

鈥淭he Hope Candlelight Vigil was an attempt for us to follow the teaching and example of Christ, to love our neighbor鈥攖he widow, the orphan, the stranger, the Samaritan. . . . My hope and prayer is that we鈥檒l continue to be a community which keeps doing this. In doing so, we will be more like Jesus, and truly a Christian community,鈥� said Dr. Boaz Johnson.

Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories News, StoriesTags , ,

Student Blog: The Heart of Being Free as a Black Man

Remembering the Resurrected One is what will bring true reconciliation and freedom.

This is a student blog post submitted by Marcus Payne II, C’17. Marcus is a communications and biblical and theological studies major.

What is at the heart of being free as a black man?

That has been on my heart for a while. This passion to be more than a statistic started at the first college I attended, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE). There, for the first time in my life, I had a black male professor, and it was one of the most mind-blowing and enriching experiences I ever had. He constantly made us aware of our vulnerability as black men, and how the world expected us to fail. He made sure we were aware that all 25 of the black men in that class could be more than the next rapper and ball player.

These experiences led me to a phase in life where I want to pair racial reconciliation with the truth of the Gospel.

In America, oppression and marginalization exist even while people claim the country to be Christian. I feel that this is the direct opposite of how Christ envisioned the kingdom of God. Lupe Fiasco says in his song Strange Fruition: “Now I can’t pledge allegiance to your flag because I can’t find no reconciliation with your past / When there was nothing equal for my people in your math / You forced us in the ghetto and then you took our dads.”

As a black man, my life is honestly expendable to America. However, North Park showing a sign that they care for people who look like me, by hosting a Black Lives Matter rally鈥攖hat was a step back into the realm of reconciliation and the Gospel’s true message of liberation.

In today鈥檚 society, there is an obvious lack of love and that is what is missing in the reality true freedom. For author and pastor Dwight Hopkins, love is freedom and allows oppressed and marginalized people to find their true image, which is the Imago Dei.聽For Hopkins, both love and freedom are keys to having a healthy theological anthropology that pushes us to the image of God and directs Christians towards God鈥檚 mission. “‘Freedom and justice for all’聽isn鈥檛 a reality for people of color because there is a lack of love in society,” he .

So what is the solution? In his book , James Cone uses the resurrection of Christ to show the need to liberate those who are oppressed. For Cone, Christ鈥檚 resurrection is the theme that shows the ultimate power over oppression. “To say no to oppression and yes to liberation is to encounter the existential significance of the Resurrected One.”

Easter is approaching and, from a Christian perspective, remembering the Resurrected One is what will bring true reconciliation and freedom.

Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories Blog, StoriesTags

Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner Inaugurated into the European Academy of Sciences and Arts

Thuswaldner is dean of arts and sciences and professor of humanities at 萝莉社.

Thuswaldner is聽dean of arts and sciences and professor of humanities at 萝莉社.

He is now an active member of the Academy鈥檚 Class I (Humanities). The ceremony took place at the University of Salzburg, Austria. The European Academy of Sciences and Arts promotes excellence in fields such as the humanities, medicine, arts, sciences, economics, law, and religion.

The European Academy of Sciences and Arts’聽1,900 members include 29 Nobel Prize recipients and former Pope Benedict XVI. The members of the Academy have a distinguished academic publication record and an impeccable reputation in academia. The Academy鈥檚 nominating committee nominates potential members who are then voted on by the Senate of the Academy. Funded by the European Union, the Austrian State as well as by private donors, the European Academy of Sciences and Arts is one of the biggest academic think tanks in the world that is dedicated to interdisciplinary research and regularly discusses pressing issues in the academy and civic society.

Being voted into the European Academy of Sciences and Arts is regarded as a great honor.

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Student Blog: How the Black Lives Matter Rally Helped Me Realize My Privilege

Listening to his peers in a campus rally opened one student’s eyes.

This is a student blog post submitted by Stephen Nielsen, C鈥�19. Stephen is an English major with a concentration in creative writing.

Listening to his peers in a campus rally opened one student’s eyes.

萝莉社 held a Black Lives Matter rally on campus back in November of 2016. The first of its kind on campus, it highlighted injustices faced by students of color. Students stepped up to the mic and told the stories of their lives and the lives of their loved ones.

Having grown up in Denmark for most my life, I鈥檝e been ignorant of the challenges facing people of color in America, and of the privilege afforded to me because of the color of my skin. I heard stories, saw the news, but never experienced it first-hand. I鈥檓 not oppressed, and I don鈥檛 find myself an oppressor, so it doesn鈥檛 affect me. I could watch from the sidelines, I could claim my ignorance, and chalk it up to my time spent in a foreign country; it鈥檚 not my problem. Emily Bourne, seminary student and resident director of Ohlson Hall says otherwise. 鈥淥ppression affects all of us whether we realize it or not; whether conscious of it or not. To hear another people group cry out and say their lives seemingly don鈥檛 matter; this should be something that we pay attention to.鈥�

Although the civil rights movement made great strides for racial justice, profiling is still prominent in American culture. Black Lives Matter intends to expose the injustices facing black Americans today. 鈥淲e鈥檙e not walking around in chains, but we still have a lot of things that are causing us to be held down in bondage, and to still have these systems of oppression,鈥� remarked Jacqueline Strapp, director of diversity at 萝莉社.

I finally understood why racial problems still exist as I stood in Anderson Chapel, as it overflowed with an arresting array of faces. Why had so many entered this place of raw peace and genuine expression, gathered in the name of Christ? 鈥淏ecause change doesn鈥檛 happen without your participation, because it shows your support to those who are suffering, and especially because we鈥檙e a diverse community, it鈥檚 also empowering yourself to learn how to make change,鈥� said Michael Emerson, Provost, 萝莉社.

There is work to be done, but making change isn鈥檛 complicated. Stephen Kelly, worship arts coordinator for University Ministries at 萝莉社 says that 鈥渇or there to be racial reconciliation it has to be a re-humanization.鈥�

鈥淓ven if you don鈥檛 agree,鈥� Strapp said, 鈥測ou should at least listen,鈥� because ignorance doesn鈥檛 solve problems. Choosing to ignore the social and racial injustices still affecting black people across the country won鈥檛 make the movement stop. I鈥檓 not saying that you must become an activist, I鈥檓 not saying that because these issues have deeply affected me, that they should affect you too. However, like Strapp told me, 鈥渂e educated so that you can be informed when you choose a side. Don鈥檛 choose because it鈥檚 always been this way for you. Choose it because you have heard both sides, and understand why you are the way you are.鈥�

The stories of injustice I heard from those who spoke and those I interviewed were horrible and troubling. I couldn鈥檛 believe what was happening. I want to change something, I want to help the current change happening across America; the change on campus. The opportunity to participate in Sankofa, a University Ministries led trip, arose and I accepted.

The account of my Sankofa experience will be the topic of a future post.

Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories Blog, StoriesTags ,

萝莉社 Announces Chicago-Based Learning Program Catalyst 606_ _

The new curriculum redesigns the University’s weekly schedule to allow for faculty-guided excursions, starting fall 2017.

The new curriculum redesigns the University’s weekly schedule to allow for faculty-guided excursions, starting fall 2017.

What is Catalyst 606__?

CHICAGO (March 8, 2016) 鈥斅�Catalyst 606__ is North Park’s Chicago-based curriculum. Students learn outside the classroom, exploring the city during staff- and faculty-guided excursions.

Innovative. Off-Campus. Hands-on. Credit-earning.

The Catalyst programs at North Park unite the city and students together in the form of civic engagement and exposure to current science and the arts. Dates and facts about the labor movement in a textbook become alive with visits to the historic Pullman Foundation; financial accounting becomes relevant in visits to the Loop鈥檚 financial district; economics becomes visible in a tour of manufacturing company; art and culture open eyes with attendance at operas and exhibits.

In addition, Catalyst 606__

  • is a Chicago-centered urban experience.
  • is intentionally intercultural.
  • offers hands-on learning.
  • provides cultural and educational experiences in the city.
  • blends theory and practice with applied academics.

On your Mark, Get Set, Go: Wednesday Afternoons

鈥淐hicago is our classroom and all Chicagoans are our teachers鈥� has been a long-standing North Park approach to learning. Starting fall 2017, Wednesday afternoons will be designated for exploring the city of Chicago. Students will have at least two opportunities per afternoon course to explore Chicago and enrich their learning across academic disciplines.

Catalyst 606__: Semester

For students who would like a more immersive experience beyond a Catalyst class, there鈥檚 the Catalyst 606__ Semester. Designed for students early in their undergraduate years, all classes for a full semester focus on the dynamic city of Chicago.

In a Catalyst 606__ Semester, students:

  • take classes together in a cohort setting.
  • share a common set of courses.
  • complete an assigned practicum experience with a local community-based organization to gain valuable work experience.
  • learn from the diverse fabric of the city through its residents, walking tours, museums, performances, and local dining.
  • investigate issues impacting urban areas.

During the semester, students will view the city through different lenses, disciplines, and perspectives, while they serve and participate in its flourishing. There is also the option to take other courses outside of the cohort to fulfill additional requirements specific to programs.

Apply for Catalyst 606__ Semester

Why Now?

A聽broad understanding of city infrastructure is essential as companies, government, and nonprofits prepare for a population shift to cities.

  • 66% of the world鈥檚 population will live and work in urban areas by 2050.*
  • Cities will grow by more than 2.5 billion people; most human population growth going forward will be urban.*
  • Hands-on learning experiences in the very environment where change is happening鈥� this is a top priority and initiative for North Park.

What’s the Name All 萝莉社?

Chicago is a city of neighborhoods and each neighborhood has a unique story to tell. The “606__” represents the base of all Chicago zip codes. Every Wednesday, there鈥檚 the opportunity to fill in the last two digits, like the coordinates in an ethnographic map. Using these coordinates, students will learn from the city and contribute to community goals.

more about Catalyst 606__

*United Nations Report,聽World Urbanization Prospects

 

Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories News, StoriesTags

I Chose North Park: “Christian university with a personal touch,” Carmen Velazquez-Alvarez C’16

Carmen Velazquez-Alvarez C鈥�16, conflict transformation studies alumna, shares why she chose North Park.

Carmen Velazquez-Alvarez C鈥�16, conflict transformation studies alumna, shares why she chose North Park.

I was looking for a Christian university with a personal touch. I attended a Covenant church in California’s Central Valley, and a member of my church鈥攚ho was also my chemistry teacher and my mentor鈥攗rged me to apply to North Park.

I have a heart for the underserved and now serve California Central Valley鈥檚 large immigrant community. I plan to earn a Master鈥檚 in Social Work (MSW) and leverage my experience in the Valley to start a nonprofit organization.

It was as a student at North Park that I discovered my passion for service and realized I have the power to make a difference in others鈥� lives. I served as the president of the Latin American Student Organization (LASO) and cofounded a mentorship group for Latina students. I also served in campus ministry and interned at the YWCA.

At every step along my journey North Park, I was encouraged. I鈥檓 incredibly appreciative of the support I received and relationships I developed.

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I Chose North Park: “I enjoyed the relationships most,” Michelle Dodson C’03

Michelle Dodson C鈥�03, biblical and theological studies alumna, shares why she chose North Park.

Michelle Dodson C’03, biblical and theological studies alumna, shares why she chose North Park.

Michelle鈥檚 experience as a biblical and theological studies major helped prepare her professionally for the work she does in ministry today. Serving in campus ministry and engaging with college diversity 鈥渉elped me develop a theology of racial reconciliation. It also gave me opportunities to learn how to communicate that theology.鈥� Michelle serves as associate pastor of New Community Covenant Church in Bronzeville, a neighborhood on Chicago鈥檚 South Side. She describes New Community as 鈥渁n intentionally multiracial congregation that actively pursues racial reconciliation and social justice.鈥� She鈥檚 currently working toward a PhD in sociology with a focus on multiracial congregations.

As a high school student, Michelle chose to come to 萝莉社 because she was looking for a Christian liberal arts university that was small enough for her to get to know people. 鈥淚 was attending a Covenant church in California at the time,鈥� she says, 鈥渁nd my pastor suggested I apply to North Park.鈥�

As it turned out, North Park was a great fit for Michelle. 鈥淭he relationships that I built at North Park are what I enjoyed the most,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 have had the privilege of doing life and ministry with many of those people to this day.鈥�

What鈥檚 more, she says, Michelle鈥檚 experience inside and outside of the classroom as a biblical and theological studies major helped prepare her professionally for the work she does in ministry today. 鈥淣orth Park was a great training ground for what I do,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t was as a student there that I got my first experiences leading in the areas of racial righteousness.鈥� Serving in campus ministry and engaging with college diversity 鈥渉elped me develop a theology of racial reconciliation. It also gave me opportunities to learn how to communicate that theology.鈥�

Michelle serves as associate pastor of New Community Covenant Church in Bronzeville, a neighborhood on Chicago鈥檚 South Side. She describes New Community as 鈥渁n intentionally multiracial congregation that actively pursues racial reconciliation and social justice.鈥� She鈥檚 currently working toward a PhD in sociology with a focus on multiracial congregations.

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I Chose North Park: “personal and in the big city,” Tim Ahlberg C’13

Tim Ahlberg C鈥�13, a business and economics alumnus, shares why he chose North Park.

Tim Ahlberg C’13, a business and economics alumnus, shares why he chose North Park.

Tim chose to attend North Park because he wanted to be in a big city, but at a college that felt personal. 鈥淚 wanted to have relationships with my professors and mentors, and to live in a close-knit community where I could get to know other students from all different backgrounds,鈥� he says. 鈥淎nd coming from a Covenant Church family, I knew I wanted to attend a Christian school, to be surrounded by others that shared my faith and would help me build and sustain my own faith throughout my formative college years.鈥�

Maybe most important, Tim wanted a college environment that placed focus not just on finding a career, but living a life of significance and service. When he came to North Park, he got that environment鈥攏ot only in the classroom, but in experiences around the campus and city. 鈥淭here鈥檚 really nothing else like the community there that I鈥檝e experienced before or after North Park. Students and faculty really all-in for your success, both personal and professional.鈥�

He loved taking part in Chapel and College life services; was voted president of the student body; served with homeless ministries; and was captain of the men鈥檚 soccer team his senior year, being named an Academic All-American. 鈥淣orth Park is such a personal university that, no matter your area of study, your background, or your future pursuits, the entire campus feels like one community that exists because of and for each other,鈥� Tim says. 鈥淚 met amazing people who were so different than I was, and we learned so much from each others鈥� experiences and life stories.鈥�

A business and economics major with a concentration in accounting and a minor in Spanish, Tim got to know his faculty members in North Park鈥檚 small class sizes. They encouraged him to study abroad in Guanajuato, Mexico, where he became fluent in Spanish. In his senior year, Tim received a Fulbright Binational Business Exchange Grant, which allowed him to complete a business internship and take MBA classes in in Mexico City. 鈥淣one of this would have been possible without the support of the faculty and staff of North Park,鈥� he says.

鈥淏y the time I started my full-time job in the United States, I was not only prepared with specific business acumen and skills gained through curriculum, but armed with a global perspective and bilingual capabilities that really set me apart in today鈥檚 competitive workforce,鈥� Tim says.

As an assurance associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers, he focuses on accounting solutions and business operations improvements. 鈥淭his includes traveling to business all over the country, and to Mexico, where I have been able to use my fluency in Spanish. I feel like North Park has prepared me beyond my peers for entering the global workforce.鈥�

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