North Park has served five generations of students and continues to grow in diversity, academic relevance, and Christian commitment. Our Chicago location is a great asset that reflects the School鈥檚 global reach and outlook.
After 125 years, we鈥檝e learned how to streamline the process of helping qualified applicants seek admission to North Park and find affordable ways to attend. If you don鈥檛 see what you鈥檙e looking for on our website, please contact us directly!
North Park offers more than 40 graduate and undergraduate programs in liberal arts, sciences, and professional studies. Classes average 17 students. 84% of our faculty have terminal degrees. Academics here are rigorous and results-oriented.
North Park Theological Seminary prepares you to answer the call to service through theological study, spiritual development, and the formative experiences of living in a community with others on a similar life path.
The Office of Alumni Engagement fosters lifelong connections by engaging alumni with the university and one another in activities, programs, and services that support the university鈥檚 mission and alumni needs.
Something for All Students at New Nancy and G. Timothy Johnson Center for Science and Community Life
The Johnson Center stands in the center of North Park’s campus in Chicago. It’s four levels are designed to facilitate both learning and community building.
CHICAGO, IL (August 28, 2014) 鈥� When classes started this past Monday at 萝莉社, students were eager to explore the new . Unique in its endeavor to combine the sciences with student life, the Johnson Center will offer something for everyone, not only science majors, but all students. That wide appeal was evident on Monday as both new and returning students came to investigate the new facility and its many offerings.
The new Johnson Center was designed with the whole student in mind. The physical structure enhances interaction among students from various disciplines of study, in a unique setting which features shared use of space between science and student engagement such as , , , and more. This design provides maximum opportunity to facilitate student, faculty, and staff interaction, which creates a better experience for everyone.
鈥淭he Johnson Center reflects 萝莉社鈥檚 commitment to educate the whole student, intellectually, personally, socially, and spiritually,鈥� said 萝莉社 president, . The building was named after North Park alumni, Dr. Tim and Nancy Johnson, who 鈥渆xemplify North Park鈥檚 dedication to 鈥榚ducating students for lives of significance and service,鈥� according to Dr. Parkyn.
Students and families explored the Johnson Center as they arrived to campus for the start of the fall semester. The second floor provides a new view of campus and, on clear days, a view of the downtown Chicago skyline.
Parkyn participated in the collaborative, multi-year design process for the Johnson Center, which is anticipated to achieve LEED Gold certification for sustainable design. Input was sought from all interested parties, from students, faculty, and staff, to the Board of Trustees and the University鈥檚 senior leadership team. 鈥淭he building鈥檚 design is consistent not only with our facility requirements, but also with the approach to education that we take at North Park,鈥� said Parkyn.
The multi-purpose and varied use of the building by all students is illustrated in rooms as diverse as the Smart-classrooms鈥攚ith cutting edge AV and IT equipment and capabilities鈥攁nd the cadaver lab, to the prayer room which features a cross and bench made of repurposed wood from a mulberry tree which was removed prior to the building of the new facility.
The prayer room cross.
Furnishings in the prayer room were created by local sculptor David Orth, who specializes in liturgical art and furnishings, and implement a Japanese method described as 鈥渟hou sugi ban鈥濃�攁 time-honored, multi-step process of scorching and abrading the surface of the wood. 鈥淚t was important to save the tree and let it be transformed to another life,鈥� said Orth in a sentiment that also seems to speak to the design and use of the Johnson Center for 萝莉社 students as well.
In addition to the prayer room, two other features are illustrated near the expansive entrance to the Center for Student engagement: a map of Chicago and flags of all the nations in the world arranged according to the country鈥檚 global placement. 鈥淭hese three physical attributes are an example of our belief that when it comes to student learning and success, faith makes a difference, place makes a difference, and people make a difference,鈥� said Dr. Parkyn.
Use @npunews to . Learn more .
Next Steps
Explore the process of building the Johnson Center, with .
Mark your calendars to join us for the , September 12鈥�13.
CHICAGO (August 26, 2014) — More than 600 new undergraduate students began classes yesterday, and already they are starting to glimpse what life at North Park will be like.
It started when they pulled up in cars, packed to the brim with supplies to move into their dorm room. The prospect of unloading the car during Friday’s ninety-degree heat was daunting. But these new students and families were greeted outside of their new home by a crowd of North Park veterans, students who only a couple of years ago were making the same journey down Foster and Spaulding Avenues. These old North Parkers were waiting to unload the cars, showing the new North Parkers what life at this University is really like—a life of service.
Moments like this happened throughout the day Friday. Commuter and veteran students had their own welcome gathering to the University, students met their Crew Groups, took a break from the heat with ice-cream sandwiches, and eventually made their way to the Welcome Convocation in the Gymnasium.
“The secret to a great first year at North Park comes in the first week,” said 萝莉社 President Dr. David Parkyn. It’s in the friends you meet and staff you come to know that will shape your journey. “Your faculty at North Park, along with all the other educators who are part of this community, are here to walk alongside you—to make sure you get from today to commencement day. This is more than a job for us, it’s our vocation, our calling,” Dr. Parkyn said. North Park faculty and staff offer a similar picture as the students who unloaded cars—a life of service.
Festivities continued throughout the weekend, as families said good-bye and students became further immersed in the culture of North Park. They explored Chicago and the campus they now called home, with a double decker tour of the city and a glow-in-the dark campus tour. They began to build relationships through North Park’s newest tradition of “speed friending.” The weekend was capped by the first Collegelife of the year, the weekly communal worship experience designed to help students learn and live out what it means to follow Jesus. It’s another glimpse of life at North Park—a life of significance.
Throughout Threshold, we tuned in to Twitter and Instagram to see what others were up to. Take a look at the collection below for some of the images and thoughts that have been shared.
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Worship continued Monday morning, as North Park Theological Seminary welcomed its own set of new students with a Seminary Convocation service. The occasion was marked with a , entering his final year at North Park. “You change because you encounter truth,” said Dr. Snodgrass. “If you didn’t want to change, you shouldn’t have walked through the door.” Dr. Snodgrass’ life and message echoes that picture of North Park—a life of significance.
Celebrations also continued on Monday, as the doors of the new Johnson Center swung open ready to welcome students to their first class of the year. Students, faculty, and staff came from all over campus to gather together in the lobby for breakfast, offering the entire North Park community a much-anticipated glimpse of what the next chapter at North Park will bring.
Learn more about 萝莉社’s , which continues through Friday, August 29.
Use and to follow 萝莉社 on Twitter. Find us on and . Learn more .
Johnson C'09 Quit Job, Moved Across Country to Achieve Ultimate Moment
Kelly Johnson C'09 dives for a disc while battling in the championship game at the World Ultimate Club Championship in Lecco, Italy.
SEATTLE (August 22, 2014) — Kelly Johnson, a 2009 萝莉社 graduate, recently achieved a dream when her Ultimate team, Seattle Riot, won the World Ultimate Club Championship in Lecco, Italy, on August 9, in just her first season with the team.
Ultimate is a non-contact, self-refereed team sport played with a flying disc (or Frisbee™). The event is held every four years, with 32 teams from around the world competing for the crown.
We caught up with Johnson after she returned home from the tournament and vacation.
What is your general reaction to winning?
Still very surreal! It's such a great feeling of accomplishment. We (Riot) have been relentless during our season. We've put in countless hours developing and refining offensive and defensive packages; we've poured tons of sweat in intense track and gym workouts; we've committed to being the best teammates we can be to support, love and trust each other. Taking first in both the World Championship and also the Spirit Division validates all that hard work. It was such an amazing experience overall for our team. Winning was really the cherry on top.
Why did you recently quit your job to move to Seattle to play with Riot?
Being from the Midwest, I have always dreamed about playing for this team. Riot has such a legacy. Not only of depth and talent but of giving back to the ultimate community as a whole. Seattle is such a rich community of knowledge and that’s something I wanted to soak up, so we decided to move for the ultimate scene and to change our lifestyle to the west coast. Exploring Seattle has been fun and playing for Riot is rewarding on many levels. It’s a team I have looked up to for quite some time, and I'm really enjoying investing into Riot's 2014 legacy.
Is this completely amateur? What prize is there for winning?
Ultimate Frisbee is not a professional sport. There are two leagues that have been trying to establish a pro level for the men’s division but nothing yet for the women's. The United States Olympic Committee gave Ultimate Frisbee USOC Recognition. This is a critical step to having Ultimate on track for future Olympics, which is very exciting!
Do you have a plan to continue to play with Riot?
Yes, I do plan to play with Riot in the future. The West Coast is a new adjustment coming from Chicago but so far myself, Luke (my husband), and our two dogs are enjoying it. On the docket for 2015 is also a possible opportunity to represent USA at the 2015 World Championships of Beach Ultimate in Dubai. Four years ago, I represented USA in 2011 at the same tournament in Italy and we took home gold in the women's division. Here's hoping I get to play for that chance again!
How did you get started playing the sport?
I started playing ! My first year, as a sophomore, I played a bit with the men’s team. This is when I met Luke (my husband) who started the Ultimate program there. My last two years at North Park I played on and also captained Allihopa, the women's team. After graduation, I went on to play at the elite club level with a team named Nemesis. The past five years I spent with that team.
Registration Now Open for Fall Axelson Programs for Nonprofit Professionals
The Axelson Center offers both webinars and face-to-face workshops for nonprofit professionals and volunteers.
CHICAGO (August 21, 2014) — For nonprofit professionals in the Chicago region, hosted by 萝莉社’s are the perfect opportunity to “find out what you didn’t know you needed to know” about leadership, management, fundraising, marketing, and many other knowledge areas.
Professional development programs are a critical part of the Axelson Center’s mission to enhance the performance and effectiveness of the nonprofit sector by educating individuals and supporting organizations. All programs focus on one or more of the Hallmarks of Nonprofit Managerial Excellence℠: mission and program; leadership and governance; strategy and innovation; human resources; financial strength and performance; resource generation and external relations; and accountability and integrity.
With this framework in mind, the Axelson Center partners with experts in the field to present relevant topics in a personable format. All nonprofit staff and volunteers—from executive directors and program managers to board members and fundraising staff—will benefit from the perspective and content this fall’s can offer.
This fall’s workshop schedule offers something for everyone, from executive directors to program managers, grant writers, and development directors. Highlights include:
“Federal Funding 101: Demystifying Your Search in a Changing Landscape” on Wednesday, September 17;
“What’s the Best CRM Software for My Organization?” on Wednesday, September 24;
“Essential Volunteer Engagement Strategies” on Wednesday, October 1;
“Mission Accomplishment and Your Governing Board” on Wednesday, October 29; and
“Online Crowdfunding: Essential or Experimental?” on Wednesday, December 3.
The fall professional development schedule also includes two webinars:
“Keeping Your Church on the Right Side of the IRS” on Wednesday, October 15, noon–1:00 pm CST; and
“Nonprofit Website Management for Busy People” on Wednesday, November 12, noon–1:00 pm CST.
A schedule of all 13 workshops and webinars is available online at the .
Half-day workshop registration fees are $90; full-day workshops are priced at $170. Webinar registration is $20 per individual or $50 for three attendees from the same organization. New nonprofit professionals, those working for organizations with budgets less than $1 million, 萝莉社 students, and members of partner organizations are eligible for registration discounts. Details and registration links are available on the .
and follow the Center on or to stay connected throughout the year and be the first to know about workshops, the , and .
at 萝莉社 is the source for informative and engaging nonprofit professional development in the Chicago region. Through regular programs including workshops and an annual conference, the Axelson Center delivers a superior educational experience for nonprofit managers, leaders and frontline staff, covering a vast array of topics from program evaluation to strategic planning, and communications to financial management. The valuable learning presented through these programs enhances the impact of both the nonprofit sector, its staff and volunteers.
North Park Launches New Security Initiatives for Coming Year
The LifeLine Response EDU app is available for iPhone and Android smartphones, and is provided free for North Park students, faculty, and staff.
LifeLine Response App and Viking Shuttle offer students more ways to stay safe in and around campus
CHICAGO (August 18, 2014) — 萝莉社 is committed to creating a safe and stable environment for students, faculty, and staff while on they are on campus, and to offering tools and knowledge that will help them live and travel securely throughout Chicago. This academic year, the and the are launching two security initiatives to provide new technology and more comprehensive security coverage.
The for both iPhone and Android smartphones provides students with cutting-edge technology that allows them to respond to an emergency situation with the touch of a button. With features like emergency responder notifications, real-time GPS service, and alerts that can be sent to family and friends, students can travel more securely around campus and the city.
“Students at North Park are often young, mobile, and not always familiar with their surroundings,” says Dan Gooris, director of campus security at 萝莉社. “We want to give them the tools they need to be safe on campus and while they take advantage of the city of Chicago.” The app is also available to University faculty and staff.
While the LifeLine app is a tool for personal safety, the University will continue using its emergency alert system for campus-wide notifications. will receive time-sensitive emergency information via channels including text message, email, and voicemail.
Another new addition this year is the creation of the , a free transportation system that operates on a continual route to important locations in and around campus. Between the hours of 7:00 pm and 2:00 am, students, faculty, and staff can ride the shuttle to their dorms, other campus buildings, and the Kimball Brown Line "L" station. Security professionals will operate the shuttle, providing additional coverage around the campus perimeter.
When the shuttle is not in service, students can still take advantage of the . North Park security staff provides students with limited mobility or safety concerns with vehicle or walking escorts on-demand from classes, the train line, and other locations.
“Since we consider Chicago to be one of our classrooms, we want students to feel safe and secure as they explore the city and its various opportunities,” says Elizabeth Snezek, dean of students. “The safety and well-being of our students is of the highest priority to the Division of Student Engagement. We believe that students must feel comfortable and secure in their environment in order to be successful in their academic pursuits and to develop the tools to meet their goals.”
Dr. Michelle Clifton-Soderstrom and David Bjorlin's project emerged out of a Seminary workshop while Bjorlin was still a student at North Park Theological Seminary.
Dr. Michelle Clifton-Soderstrom and David Bjorlin collaborate for book on children in worship
CHICAGO (August 7, 2014) — North Park Theological Seminary professor and alumnus David Bjorlin began a collaborative book project three years ago with a simple motto: Children are not cute.
The project originated while Bjorlin was a Seminary student in his last semester of the . Bjorlin, also a 2006 graduate of 萝莉社, was assisting Clifton-Soderstrom in teaching a series of workshops for Seminary students, one of which was on children in worship. The workshop attempted to instill the idea that children must be central to a vibrant worshipping community, not just a five-minute time slot and then off for juice and snacks. Near the end of the series, Clifton-Soderstrom approached Bjorlin with an idea to continue the discussion and co-write a book.
“If I see people that have potential, I want to do whatever I can to give them opportunities to take risks, try new things, and excel,” Clifton-Soderstrom says. “Dave was such a strong student and was so confident, and our working relationship was already positive.”
Clifton-Soderstrom brought her expertise in theology and ethics to the project, while Bjorlin brought his emerging expertise in liturgical studies. They also brought different experiences, with Clifton-Soderstrom as a mother guiding two children through worship, and Bjorlin as a worship pastor. The result was the June publication of . It is a theological text that provides a foundational argument about not how children can be active in worship, but why it is absolutely necessary that they are involved.
“In this field, you either get practical books giving you ideas for specific tasks for children, or historical books showing how communities have incorporated children in the past,” Clifton-Soderstrom says. “We wanted to present a rich theological accounting of incorporating children as they are, not who they will eventually become.”
The book weaves together personal stories of children in worship with traditional theological and ethical sources. “Michelle is a fine scholar and great thinker, but one of her greatest qualities is she is passionate about the average person gaining theological understanding,” Bjorlin says. “I am convinced story is the best way to understand God.” Both scholars point to one story featured in the book that was particularly meaningful.
In the spring of 2004 Dr. F. Burton Nelson, long-time North Park Theological Seminary professor and close friend and mentor of Clifton-Soderstrom, passed away. At the time, Clifton-Soderstrom’s son, Johannes, was two years old and she was working on a memorization project with him to help instill a sense of faith and tradition at an early age. They practiced the Apostles' Creed, along with other hymns and lists of saints. 萝莉社 six months after Nelson’s passing, the two were in Johannes’ room one night before bed. They began the back and forth of the Creed:
Dr. Clifton-Soderstrom: I believe in God… Johannes: …the Father almighty. Dr. Clifton-Soderstrom: Maker of… Johannes: …heaven and earth.
And on they went as normal. They got to the end, and Clifton-Soderstrom gave her last line: “…the communion of…”
And instead of “saints,” the normal ending, her young boy responded, “Burton.”
As she writes in the book, “We stopped. I was surprised and moved. I do not know why he thought of it then, but he inserted the name of my dear friend in the right place, in the right way, at the right time. Eight years later, I still remember the rich way my son embodied faith, hope, and love—by speaking a single word.”
“Children surprise you in so many ways,” she says. “You take an activity that a child does and you assume the best of it. Seeing the best in what children do, and not seeing them as cute objects or a source of humor, is key to this project.”
Much of the actual book writing process occurred while Bjorlin began a doctoral program in liturgical studies at Boston University School of Theology. The two would send drafts back and forth, have brainstorming sessions over the phone, and when Bjorlin occasionally came back into town, they would meet in person. Both Clifton-Soderstrom and Bjorlin say the transition from the faculty/student relationship to colleagues was simple.
“In a seminary context, it’s not as hierarchical,” Clifton-Soderstrom says. “We are all doing ministry together. There were moments when Dave would say, ‘I don’t want to change that.’ I had to stand back and say, ‘That’s good. He’s assertive and finding his voice.’ The transition was very natural.”
Bjorlin says, “Michelle never made that transition strange. She actively sought out what I thought in certain passages and really respected my voice.”
In a few weeks’ time, Bjorlin will have another opportunity to reconnect with Clifton-Soderstrom as a colleague, when he joins the Seminary as an for the coming year. It’s a similar path to Clifton-Soderstrom, who completed her MATS at North Park and later returned to teach.
“One of the strengths of North Park Theological Seminary is the faculty has always been approachable,” Bjorlin says. “My education was about more than just academics. It was about building relationships and personal formation. Michelle is a good example: people who went to North Park found a certain way of life, and they want to come back and be a part of this community again.”
Largest Graduating Class Ever at Nonprofit CEO BootCamp
Thirty-eight nonprofit leaders gathered at this year's BootCamp to discuss ways to expand their organizations' capacity and positive impact on the communities they serve.
Three-day program equips new executive directors with knowledge and skills for organizational success
CHICAGO (July 18, 2014) — A record-breaking number of nonprofit leaders graduated from the Axelson Center’s 2014 . This year’s cohort included 38 executive directors coming from as far away as South Carolina and Florida, and representing all types of organizations from animal welfare and housing services to faith-based nonprofits and education-focused organizations.
The Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management, a nonprofit capacity-building academic center at 萝莉社, hosts the annual three-day BootCamp program to educate and train new nonprofit leaders in a broad scope of topics relevant to the effective management and mission fulfillment of their organizations. Participants hear from in financial management, strategic planning, human resource management, resource development, and other key areas of nonprofit management. BootCamp equips its participants to implement effective nonprofit management practices and, ultimately, expand their organizations' capacity and positive impact on the communities they serve.
"BootCamp has been incredibly valuable," said Mollie Dowling, who took on the role of executive director at Chicago-based nonprofit at the beginning of July. "It's helpful to look at timely information on topics like strategic planning, fiscal management, board management, conflict resolution and organizational planning from lots of different perspectives. BootCamp also reinforces the importance of planning, and validates the need to step back and spend the time to do that planning at all levels of the organization, from strategy to daily work."
Corey Harris, executive director at in Gainesville, Fla., has recently begun to transition to the role of executive director after six years on staff at his organization. "BootCamp has armed me with the tools to do a better job leading our organization in the executive director role," Harris said. "For me personally, I now have a better understanding of the board's role. As an employee, you don't have a lot of interaction with the board, but now they're my key partners and I have to make sure that my board is aware of their responsibility."
"I like how the BootCamp program content is set up," said R.J. McMahon, chief executive officer for in Hinsdale, Ill. "We're not going deep, we're going wide. It's lit fires under me and helped me identify areas where I need to continue my work and better equip myself for the pieces of the puzzle I need to know better. BootCamp has reaffirmed what I need to do and where the focus areas need to be."
"My experience at this year's BootCamp was excellent," said Sheldon Smith, head of in Chicago. "As a 25-year old executive director and founder of an agency, I've been trying to wrap my hands around what my duties are so that I can push my agency forward."
Executive Director Bernie Steiger of , based in Naperville, Ill., praised the opportunities BootCamp offered to connect with other leaders. "It can be lonely sometimes when you think you're the only person who struggles with a particular issue or challenge," Steiger said, "but as it turns out, we're all going through the same struggles. I've gotten so much out of connecting with other executive directors who face these same challenges."
The next BootCamp will be held in late summer 2015, and applications will be available in early 2015. to receive updates on this and other programs and events throughout the year.
From left to right: Mary Surridge, vice president for development and alumni relations, Dr. G. Timothy Johnson and David S. Helwig, co-chairs of Campaign North Park, and Dr. David L. Parkyn, president of 萝莉社.
CASE recognizes efforts of Campaign North Park
CHICAGO (June 26, 2014) — In response to tremendous efforts from alumni, donors, and staff, 萝莉社 has been recognized by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) with two . Using data gathered over a three-year span, CASE awarded North Park with national honors in Overall Fundraising Performance and Overall Fundraising Improvement for private comprehensive institutions.
CASE is an international organization comprised of more than 3,600 universities and nonprofit organizations in 82 countries serving over 74,000 advancement professionals. The award for Fundraising Performance “recognizes institutions that show solid program growth, breadth in the base of support and other indications of a mature, well-maintained program.” The award for Fundraising Improvement identifies institutions with “significant program growth across the three years of data.”
“Our success is defined by the deep generosity of the alumni and friends of North Park,” said Mary Surridge, vice president for . “We remain ever grateful for their inspiring support. We are honored to have the generosity of our constituency noted by this respected national organization.”
A panel of judges select CASE award recipients based on a number of factors, including a pattern of growth in total support, the overall breadth in program areas, the impact of the 12 largest gifts on total support, and the pattern of growth among alumni and other individual donors.
“The awards from CASE provide recognition for the deep generosity of North Park's alumni and friends, and offer evidence of the gifted leadership and dedicated work by members of the University’s Development Office,” said 萝莉社 . “We’re deeply grateful for their loyal support and dedicated service, and are very pleased with the recognition brought to North Park from CASE.”
Recent fundraising efforts at 萝莉社 have focused on , a $63 million multi-faceted campaign that has seen the construction of the , the solidification of North Park’s Annual Fund, an increased endowment for student scholarships, and the expansion of Chicago-based academic programs and faculty development.
“We launched Campaign North Park, the first comprehensive campaign in the University’s history, in July 2008,” Surridge said. “Immediately after we launched we found ourselves in a severely challenged economic environment. Our generous donors stepped forward at a time when their own resources were compromised to provide a record level of support. They understood that the future of North Park, and our ability to provide for our students, depended on them and they responded in a magnificent manner.”
Friends, family, and the extended community of 萝莉社 are invited to celebrate one of the outcomes of the fundraising excellence at the dedication of the September 12–13, 2014. Events will also be broadcast online at .
Students Extend College Experience into Summer With Camping Ministry
Joel Brand, a 2013 University graduate with a degree in youth ministry, says about his camp experiences: “I wanted to continue to work at a Covenant camp after my graduation because it is such a life-giving thing to me for being in ministry.”
Summer positions in Covenant camps give students hands-on job skills, lasting friendships
CHICAGO (June 20, 2014) — Hannah Hawkinson spends nearly every hour of the day with her cabin group, leading activities, getting to know her campers, and helping out wherever she’s needed. This is her first summer working as a counselor at in Iron River, Mich., but her connection to the camp runs deep.
Hawkinson, an and major at 萝莉社, wanted to spend her break working in a summer position that she found meaningful. “Covenant camps, and Covenant Point particularly, have played such a huge role in shaping my life and faith,” she says, “and I want to give back to them in any capacity possible.”
Like many 萝莉社 students and alumni, Hawkinson has been significantly impacted by her experiences attending and serving at camps affiliated with the . Each year, the University hosts a Camp Fair for students to meet representatives from each Covenant camp, learn more about their ministries, and find their best potential fit as a summer staff member.
The University partners with the , an affiliated ministry of the Evangelical Covenant Church, to connect students to summer positions. Once hired, University undergraduate students can earn a by working on summer staff at a Covenant camp. Approximately 70 students will receive a Camp Grant this year.
Through camping ministry opportunities, North Park students travel, make connections with peers and mentors, and learn a variety of valuable skills. Students excel in positions as camp counselors, program directors, kitchen supervisors, and marketers, regardless of their major.
As Hawkinson is finding as a first-time counselor, the broad set of opportunities that camp ministry offers students allows for a truly unique summer job. “Working at Covenant Point has already led me to immense growth in all facets of my life,” she says. “I’m learning more about myself each day, growing in and wrestling with my faith more than I ever have before, and getting some amazing work experience while I’m at it. What more could you ask for?”
“Take what I know and live it out”
萝莉社 alumni have found Covenant summer camp positions helpful in clarifying career paths. Claudia Fisher first served as a counselor at in Yelm, Wash., just after graduating from high school in 2002. She worked there each summer of her four years at the University. “In a lot of ways, my experiences at Cascades and North Park impacted each other,” Fisher says. “I took what I learned from both unique environments and applied it to the other.”
Fisher earned a degree in biblical and theological studies in 2006, then returned to Cascades. “I interned in the program department the year after I graduated, and haven’t left since!” she says. Today, Fisher serves as program director at Cascades, overseeing a staff of more than 70 total, and managing the program staff of more than 40 each summer.
“I wanted to work at Cascades in particular because of the impact that it had in my life,” Fisher says. “I met God here as a camper, and I deeply believe in the work that’s been done here.” In her role as program director, Fisher enjoys working in church relations, marketing and promotion, and year-round retreat-planning. “I’ve grown in leadership, responsibility, humility, and faithfulness,” she says. “Cascades has become a second home, a second family to me.”
Joel Brand, a 2013 University graduate with a degree in , feels similarly about his camp experiences. “I wanted to continue to work at a Covenant camp after my graduation because it is such a life-giving thing to me for being in ministry,” he says.
Brand served as a counselor at in McGregor, Minn., in 2010 and 2011, then as summer program director in 2012 and 2013. “My North Park education took place on multiple campuses,” Brand says. “From September to May, it was on North Park’s campus, and from May to August, it was at Covenant Pines.” In September 2013, he was hired on the ministry staff of in Swanzey, N.H., where he currently serves as program director.
For Brand, the academic instruction received in University coursework was bolstered by the service and discipleship of students and staff experienced at camp. This combination offered Brand a “holistic education” which allowed him to “take what I know and live it out.” He felt strengthened throughout the school year by professors, peers, and , and would then share that by building into campers through chapel services, devotionals, and friendship.
“At Pilgrim Pines, I’ve gotten to learn more about who I am, in a supportive community that has helped me process it,” says Brand. This experience has reinforced his commitment to the values of the Evangelical Covenant Church, he says. “My desire is not to be great, but to be faithful, so that God can be great. This had been a theme throughout my college career that has extended into my time at Pilgrim Pines.” This fall, Brand will return to campus to attend .
“How to truly serve others”
Students find that through the hands-on experience they gain in camp positions, they acquire skills that will better enable them to pursue their chosen careers. Kristin Theilen, a and major, took a position at Covenant Pines this summer in hopes that the experience would confirm her desire to work with youth after graduation.
“I wanted to work in a formal setting for the summer, and Covenant Pines is the camp I grew up at and have loved for a long time,” Theilen says. She has found that her primary responsibility as a counselor is to serve her campers and encourage their relationships with God. “The values I’ve experienced through University Ministries have really applied at camp,” she says.
These values are further enforced as students grow in servant leadership, says Joel Rude, president of the Association of Covenant Camps and Conference Centers. “Many summer staff go on to be influential in their local churches, either in obvious leadership roles or essential support roles,” he says. “The experience deepens understanding of personal giftedness, builds self-confidence, and plants and waters seeds of disciple-making.”
Anna Lund, a major with a minor, is in her fifth summer on staff at in Lake Geneva, Wis. Having first served as a counselor for two years, Lund is spending her third summer working as a student nurse.
In her position, Lund is able to gain valuable nursing experience, and feels responsible for ensuring that campers are safe and healthy throughout their stay. “Camp has shown me how to truly serve others, and that true service is done in selflessness and humility,” she says. “Professionally, camp has taught me how to address difficult situations efficiently and effectively, with as much grace as possible.”
North Park and Covenant Harbor are Lund’s “two homes away from home,” she says. “My time at North Park and Covenant Harbor feel so intertwined not only because of the people I live with and serve alongside, but the lessons and situations God has brought into my life through both of these places,” says Lund. “I have been able to develop extremely close friendships with people year-round, experience ministry in a tangible way, and take ownership of my faith.”
Nonprofit Management Awards Announced at Annual Axelson Center Symposium
Representatives from the Chicago Community Loan Fund were on hand to receive the 2014 Alford-Axelson Award for Nonprofit Managerial Excellence, Large Category from Axelson Center Director Pier Rogers (center).
Honors given to Chicago Community Loan Fund, Literature for All of Us, and Waukegan to College
CHICAGO (June 6, 2014) —The Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management announced the winners of its and its as part of the Center’s , June 2-3, 2014.
The 2014 Alford-Axelson Awards, given for exemplary nonprofit management practices, were presented to (Large Category; budget exceeds $1.7 million) and (Small Category; budget under $1.7 million), with an honorable mention awarded to . The 2014 Excellent Emerging Organization Award, presented to an up-and-coming Chicago-area nonprofit, was presented to .
The Alford-Axelson Award for Nonprofit Managerial Excellence recognizes nonprofits serving the seven-county Chicago region that exemplify outstanding nonprofit management practices. This year’s Large Category award winner, Chicago Community Loan Fund (CCLF), demonstrated effective management through its in-depth strategic planning process, cultivation and relationship building with volunteers, effective resource management, and transparency with stakeholders. The award review committee believes the effectiveness of these practices will fuel the expansion of CCLF’s economic impact, and directly enable the individuals, families, and communities it serves to thrive. Literature for All of Us was selected as this year’s winner in the Small Category. In making this selection, award review committee members praised Literature for All of Us’s well-defined mission, inventive programs, strong volunteer and client engagement, and strong commitment from the Literature for All of Us board of directors.
Award-winning organizations (top to bottom): Literature for All of Us, La Casa Norte, and Waukegan to College.
Winners of this year’s Alford-Axelson Award, sponsored by Fifth Third Bank, received a $7,500 cash prize and commemorative award symbolizing the organization’s dedication to modeling nonprofit managerial excellence. This award honors and continues the legacies of Nils G. Axelson, a devoted community healthcare leader and visionary, and Jimmie R. Alford, a leading contemporary thinker and practitioner in the nonprofit arena.
Waukegan to College (W2C), the 2014 Excellent Emerging Organization Award winner, has had a profound impact on the young people and families of Wakuegan, Ill. Since 2009, W2C has nearly tripled its capacity from 25 students at its founding to 70 students served in 2014, and 100% of the high school seniors participating in W2C programming have matriculated to college. Their success is fueled by close monitoring of programming outcomes; a diverse funding base; and sustained partnerships with corporations, high schools, and universities. W2C received a $2,500 cash prize, a commemorative award, and a capacity-building package that will support improvement of services and efficiency. The Excellent Emerging Organization award is generously sponsored by MB Financial Bank.
“Effective nonprofit management is a vital part of an organization’s success,” said Axelson Center Director Pier Rogers. “These awards highlight the outstanding management work of all four honored organizations—Chicago Community Loan Fund, Literature for All of Us, La Casa Norte, and Waukegan to College—and also demonstrate how these practices fuel greater impact on the communities these nonprofits serve.”
The application period for the 2015 awards will open in Fall 2014. 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 .
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 from program evaluation to strategic planning, and communications to financial management. The valuable information presented through these programs enhances the impact of both the nonprofit sector and its professional staff. Visit for more information, including a full schedule of upcoming events.
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