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.
Record Enrollment for Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate Programs
Dr. Matthew Schau, professor of biology, lectures in the new Johnson Center for Science and Community Life
Commitment to science education and student engagement among keys to success
CHICAGO (September 24, 2014) – 萝莉社 announced this week record enrollment for and . The total of 1,955 traditional undergraduate students, an increase of 30 students over last year, and 26 more than the previous record in 2011, is a testament to North Park’s commitment to science education, as well as the University’s emphasis on intercultural learning opportunities. The total enrollment for North Park for the fall semester is 3,193.
“The ability for North Park to attract a record traditional undergraduate and graduate enrollment, at a time when enrollment in higher education nationally is a challenge, demonstrates the strength of North Park’s mission and vitality of our education program,” said University President Dr. David Parkyn. The University again appeared in the top tier of regional universities in U.S. News and World Report’s 2015 edition of its annual "" rankings.
North Park’s demonstrated its commitment to science education with the launch of new undergraduate majors this year in , , and , as well as the opening of the . University officials also attribute fall’s record traditional undergraduate enrollment to an increased focus on caring for North Park’s current students, with new initiatives within the , including from the Career Development and Internships Office. Nearly 90 percent of last year’s students, excluding graduating seniors, returned for fall.
“Having the largest traditional undergraduate population in 萝莉社’s history is incredibly exciting, and gives us strong momentum for even more growth,” said Dr. Jodi Koslow Martin, vice president of student engagement. “What North Park does well is what students and families are looking for—a quality of education with accomplished faculty and staff who care for students. An engaging learning environment both inside and outside the classroom enables students to thrive as they work towards their degree, as well as draws new students to the community of 萝莉社.”
Graduate enrollment reaches new heights
North Park’s graduate programs achieved record enrollment of 758 students, eclipsing 2011’s record of 728. This includes a record 395 students in the , in addition to a record 196 students in the master of science in nursing program in the . In addition, the School of Adult Learning successfully launched its first graduate program, welcoming 22 students into the master of arts in counseling psychology.
“The School of Business and Nonprofit Management is delighted to welcome a record number of students to our graduate programs this fall,” said Dean Wesley Lindahl. “We have built a strong reputation in the nonprofit management field, where we are a leader in the Chicagoland area. In addition, our relationship with national organizations, including the , continues to draw future leaders from across the country to North Park.”
萝莉社 has offered business programs since the late 1800s, and currently awards five master’s degrees and 17 graduate certificates, many of them online and at multiple locations.
The School of Nursing and Health Sciences has been preparing leaders in health care since 1965. In undergraduate and graduate programs, nursing courses and faculty uphold a caring philosophy that reflects a commitment to a culture of nursing excellence grounded in the compassion of Christ.
“In North Park’s 123-year history, we stand at a critical juncture,” Parkyn added. “This enrollment news confirms that the momentum we’ve built over the past few years is the right direction for our institution. We now have the responsibility to continue to move forward and dream of new ways to build upon our foundation of preparing students for lives of significance and service.”
University Convocation Honors North Park Faculty and Staff
Under the direction of Dr. Julia Davids, the University Choir performed at this year's University Convocation service. The choir will be on tour this fall, October 17–19, in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Ceremony includes recognition of scholarly works and installation of interim administrators
CHICAGO (September 23, 2014) — The 萝莉社 community gathered in Anderson Chapel on Monday, September 22, for its University Convocation, an annual ceremony that honors the achievements of faculty and staff.
“I have a handful of favorite days of the year here at North Park, and this day is certainly one of them,” said University President Dr. David Parkyn. “Often we think of teaching and learning and it is focused on students. But today we flip the classroom, flip the recognition, and focus on faculty and staff who are committed to pursuing their calling at North Park.”
The ceremony announced newly promoted and tenured faculty, and recognized faculty and staff who have recently published books, articles, and other scholarly and creative work, including plays, reviews, recordings, staged exhibitions, art installations, and other performances. .
Dr. Jodi Koslow Martin, vice president of student engagement, along with Parkyn, led the installation of two interim administrators, , interim provost, and Neale Murray, interim associate provost. “We need the expertise and skills, the passion, and the commitment you bring to this place,” Parkyn said. “We are thankful you have chosen to serve with us and we commit to be your colleagues.”
The each performed during the ceremony, both under the direction of Dr. Julia Davids, director of choral activities, who was also recognized for her promotion to associate professor in the School of Music.
Faculty promotions celebrated include:
– professor of theology and ethics
– associate professor of music
– associate professor of business administration
– professor of chemistry, tenure
– professor of music, tenure
– assistant professor of biology, tenure
– professor of English, tenure
– professor of psychology, tenure
– associate professor of exercise and sport, tenure
– professor of church growth and evangelism
– professor of biology
– associate professor of psychology, tenure
– associate professor of biblical and theological studies, tenure
Nancy and Dr. Tim Johnson accepted the honor of cutting the ribbon at Friday’s Johnson Center dedication ceremony.
萝莉社 dedicates Johnson Center for Science and Community Life
CHICAGO (September 18, 2014) 鈥� On Friday, September 12, a large crowd gathered for the ribbon-cutting ceremony on the campus green in front of the new . 鈥淕ood friends, we have anticipated for a long time this historic event in our life together at North Park,鈥� University President Dr. David Parkyn said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 time to get out your cameras to capture this moment.鈥�
It has been two years since the groundbreaking for the Johnson Center, and fundraising for this next chapter of 萝莉社 began well before that with , North Park鈥檚 . Many people who played a crucial role in bringing the building to a reality, including alumni, students, staff, and friends of the University, were on hand to witness a collection of moments from this weekend鈥檚 dedication.
The first of those began earlier Friday, with the Medicine and Media Symposium in Anderson Chapel. Dr. G. Timothy Johnson, alumnus and co-chair of Campaign North Park, led a panel that included his former colleague, ABC News anchor Charles Gibson, and former dean of Harvard Medical School Dr. Joseph Martin. The three thought leaders discussed a variety of topics, including the role of media in health care, the state of health care in this country, and predictions for its future. The camaraderie between the three was evident. Gibson noted that it is a great honor to have a building named after you, but a university does itself a service by choosing to honor individuals as great as . “They are two of the finest people I have ever known,鈥� Gibson said.
(Top) Dr. Tim Johnson, Charles Gibson, and Dr. Joseph Martin at Friday’s symposium. (Center) Dr. Jonathan Rienstra-Kiracofe talks about new science technology with community members during Saturday’s Open House. (Bottom) Dr. Johnson lectures in the Johnson Center’s new Hendrickson Lecture Hall on Monday morning.
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After the symposium, the crowd moved to the campus green in front of the Johnson Center for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Carl Balsam, executive vice president and chief financial officer, and the two co-chairs of Campaign North Park, David S. Helwig and Dr. Johnson, spoke of the many pieces that were vital to the success of the project. Mary Surridge, vice president of development and alumni relations, affirmed the campaign鈥檚 鈥減romise to ensure the educational and spiritual advancement of North Park鈥檚 mission.鈥� Parkyn then announced to the crowd as the Johnsons cut through the blue and yellow ribbon: 鈥淚 am deeply pleased to declare the Johnson Center for Science and Community Life to be officially open for learning.鈥�
Moments like this continued throughout the weekend, including a festival following the ribbon cutting, and a dinner for President鈥檚 Club members in Hamming Hall. At the dinner, Parkyn told the story of the dedication of Old Main, the first building on campus, 120 years ago this month. North Park鈥檚 leaders spoke then of 鈥渁 work just beginning,鈥� and Parkyn urged the crowd to 鈥渃ast our vision beyond the horizon鈥� and see North Park as still 鈥渁 work just beginning.鈥� Parkyn added, 鈥淭onight is a turning point in the history of North Park. The University stands taller today than she has ever stood, because today she stands on your shoulders.鈥�
On Saturday, the Johnson Center was opened to the public for a Community Open House, with guided tours for alumni, students, and the surrounding community, as well as an event for thirty-five prospective students. Among the group gathered to catch a glimpse of the new building was another set of Johnsons: alumni Anders and Samantha, and future North Parker, three-year-old Bjorn. “We’ve watched the building go up from the time it was just a hole in the ground,鈥� said Anders. 鈥淭ogether with the library and the green space, this is a further extension of the growth and beauty, as well as the educational opportunities, at North Park. So many of our friends and classmates went on to become doctors. For a small school, North Park makes a pretty significant contribution.”
On Monday morning, Johnson returned the focus of the new building to its core mission of educating North Park鈥檚 students with a lecture to undergraduates from across the University. Johnson reflected on his journey from North Park through the medical and media fields. 鈥淵ou are sitting here today and you might have a pretty good idea what you鈥檙e going to do,鈥� Johnson said. 鈥淚 want you to label that blueprint 鈥楾o Be Announced.鈥� You will make decisions that will lead you in a number of different directions. You will get a great education while you are here. And hear me when I say, don鈥檛 be afraid of the future.鈥�
Johnson Center Provides Best Equipment and State-of-the-Art Technology, Transforms Lab Management Program
The Johnson Center includes 40 Smart classrooms and laboratories to enhance teaching and learning.
CHICAGO, IL (September 12, 2014) 鈥� When Chicago鈥檚 萝莉社 conceived the new , they utilized 鈥渂ig-picture鈥� thinking to ensure that the science faculty had strong input in the design process. The faculty worked closely with the architects and the lab planners to make the new facility 鈥渢he very best it could possibly be,鈥� said , professor and chair of the , who served as lead faculty liaison on the project.
From proper ventilation needs, cutting edge audio and visual technology, to ensuring every lab is ADA compliant for wheelchair accessibility, the $45 million building, which is , features more than $850,000 in state-of-the-art science equipment. Laboratories were designed for many disciplines of study including molecular genetics, zoology, microscopy, laser spectroscopy, and anatomy鈥攊ncluding a cadaver lab.
Faculty and staff worked closely with HERA (Health Education and Research Associates) to do an initial assessment of what laboratory and classroom spaces were needed. 鈥淭he Johnson Center for Science and Community Life is a complete experience for students,鈥� said Rienstra-Kiracofe, who has been at 萝莉社 since 2007. 鈥淭he facility is packed with smart classrooms that are truly among the best any school has to offer, with each classroom equipped with HDTVs, interactive TVs, writable screens, lecture capture, and wireless display capabilities.鈥� Indeed, Vernier Technologies, which supplied much of the lab equipment said they know of “only one other university in the nation who has put together labs of this caliber,鈥� according to Rienstra-Kiracofe.
The Johnson Center also offers fully modern laboratory spaces for biology, chemistry, and physics. 鈥淢any of the lab spaces are also equipped with smart classroom AV technology, creating smart labs. The smart lab technology can interface with lab equipment at each student’s bench, creating interactive smart鈥攐r 鈥榮uper-smart鈥欌�攍abs that are unparalleled virtually anywhere in the nation.鈥�
Chemistry professor Dr. Isabel Larraza sets up the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) machine in the Johnson Center.
Equipment purchases even included a (NMR) machine which is an analytical chemistry technique used in for determining molecular structure. Often used in graduate study or in industry, having an NMR machine in the classroom is rare for a school of North Park鈥檚 size.
With a strong emphasis on safety, the new equipment and facility has allowed the University to totally transform its lab management program as well, including the creation of a new Chemical Hygiene Officer/Lab Safety Officer (CHO/LSO) position, making North Park鈥檚 science programs safe and environmentally responsible.
As a rule-of-thumb, academic science labs are generally updated every 40 years. 鈥淲e had a 鈥榳ish list鈥� and a vast majority of what we wanted to accomplish was achieved,鈥� Rienstra-Kiracofe said. 鈥淲e paid attention to make sure the space, facility, and infrastructure were built to incorporate changes for the future as well.鈥�
That sentiment was echoed by , the North Park alumnus for whom the building was named, who said, 鈥淥bviously, the knowledge and skill base in the sciences is constantly exploding with new developments. So while the new science building at North Park is currently 鈥榮tate of the art,鈥� the building will have to be constantly updated to meet new challenges in teaching and research. However, the current core science faculty is outstanding and will, I am sure, be up to the task of keeping North Park’s science programs up to date in the years ahead.鈥�
For more information about Dedication Celebration activities for the Johnson Center, September 12 and 13, 2014, including ribbon-cutting, a community open house, and a Medicine & Media Symposium featuring Dr. Johnson, ABC鈥檚 Charles Gibson, and Dr. Joseph Martin, . Both the symposium and ribbon-cutting ceremonies will also be available to watch online at .
Dedication and Community Open House to Celebrate Nancy and G. Timothy Johnson Center for Science and Community Life
The Johnson Center at 萝莉社
CHICAGO, IL (September 11, 2014) — 萝莉社, on Chicago’s North Side, announces the opening of the $45 million . The three-story, 101,000-square-foot building is , incorporating a number of sustainable elements both in its construction and use.
The Johnson Center was named after who “exemplify North Park’s dedication to ‘educating students for lives of significance and service,’” according to University president, Dr. David Parkyn.
Dr. G. Timothy Johnson served as chief medical editor for ABC News from 1984 to 2010, and became one of America’s best-known physicians, providing award-winning on-air medical analysis on Good Morning America, World News Tonight, Nightline, and 20/20. He still serves as senior medical correspondent for ABC News. Nancy Johnson trained as a nurse at the Swedish Covenant Hospital School of Nursing, which included completing science courses at North Park.
commenced in October 2012 after a successful development effort, which included more than 11,000 donors, and construction was completed in August 2014. The Johnson Center was designed by longtime architectural partner to the University, , and built by .
The Smart technology in the classrooms and laboratories, including lecture-capture capabilities, real-time sharing of data for collaboration and group activity, HDTV interactive SmartPodiums, and wireless airplay from iPads. Every lab is ADA compliant for wheelchair accessibility, and the building features more than $850,000 in state-of-the-art science equipment, plus areas for many disciplines of study including molecular genetics, zoology, microscopy, and anatomy—with a cadaver lab.
The new equipment and facility have allowed the University to totally transform the lab management program, making it "safe and environmentally responsible," according to , professor and chair of the , who was lead faculty liaison for the Johnson Center design charrettes. These charrettes provided input to the building design from 萝莉社 faculty, staff, students, and board members. Dr. Rienstra-Kiracofe will also teach a class in environmental chemistry utilizing some of the building-specific LEED technology.
The Johnson Center merges the concepts of student life with science, and also houses all aspects of at the University, including , , Student Success, the , and .
The design provides a variety of , including “pods” to support student/faculty research and discussion, a balcony and student lounge overlooking the first floor entryway, Bickner Bistro with Einstein Bros Bagels, three seating areas with a fireplace, and seminar and conference rooms with catering capabilities for on-site events. There is also a dedicated Prayer Room, which features a cross and bench hand-crafted in a symbolic gesture of “transformation” using wood from a Mulberry tree that was removed prior to construction of the building.
are schedule for September 12 and 13, 2014, including ribbon-cutting, a community open house and a Medicine & Media Symposium featuring Dr. Johnson, ABC’s Charles Gibson, and Dr. Joseph Martin. The symposium and ribbon cutting will also be available to watch online at .
Sustainability a Priority at 萝莉社 Johnson Center for Science and Community Life
Sustainability features include a “green roof” on the Johnson Center for Science and Community Life, which not only promotes stewardship but provides a real-life laboratory for environmental science students at 萝莉社.
CHICAGO, IL (September 9, 2014) 鈥� When the new was being conceived as an integral part of 萝莉社鈥檚 campus, sustainability was a critically important component to the overall design and use of the building. North Park worked closely with longtime architectural partner, VOA Associates Inc., to conceive what has been designed to achieve Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, which establishes criteria for the construction of sustainable buildings.
鈥淓nvironmental stewardship and sustainability within our urban campus setting was one of our main objectives,鈥� said Carl Balsam, executive vice president and chief financial officer of 萝莉社.
LEED-certified buildings are designed to lower operating costs, reduce waste sent to landfills during construction and operation, conserve energy and water, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and increase asset value. Utilizing a LEED checklist of targeted sustainable solutions, 萝莉社 was able to provide the best environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors, while also minimizing waste, reducing toxins, lowering potential energy bills and operating costs, and achieving healthier indoor air quality.
Throughout the design process, participants in design charrettes鈥攚hich included scientists, faculty, staff and administrators, and students鈥攇ave input to the architectural team for the design of a building that would create a space for all students, optimize outdoor space and daylight, as well as meet sustainability goals. That design is evident in the two-story atrium, and lobby, which encourages gathering and social interaction.
A number of sustainable solutions were implemented throughout design and construction phases. The Johnson Center is on track to achieve LEED Gold status. The sustainable points achieved as regulated by LEED include Sustainable Site; Water Efficiency; Energy and Atmosphere; Materials and Resources; Indoor Environmental Quality and Innovation and Design Process.
Uniquely, many aspects of the Johnson Center LEED certification will be studied and taught as part of the and curriculum at North Park. Specifically, the “Introduction to Environmental Science” class taught by and the “Environmental Chemistry” taught by will study the various components that comprise the Johnson Center’s LEED Gold status, such as the green roof and energy efficiency and sustainable technologies.
Storm water runoff was abated utilizing a green roof, storm water collection, retention and re-use, and vegetated detention areas. Native and adaptive landscaping will help reduce irrigation needs. In addition to the green roof, high albedo, white thermoplastic roof membrane was used to reduce heat absorption and minimize the urban heat island effect.
Because 萝莉社鈥檚 urban location provides easy access to multiple public transportation options, exemplary transit related LEED credits were obtained.
about the Johnson Center building, including . For more information about 萝莉社鈥檚 Nancy and G. Timothy Johnson Center for Science and Community Life dedication celebration September 12 and 13, visit .
Application Period Open for Axelson Center’s Annual Nonprofit Management Awards
CHICAGO (September 8, 2014) — Applications are now being accepted for the 2015 and the 2015 —two annual honors presented by the at 萝莉社 to Chicago-area nonprofit organizations.
The Alford-Axelson Award for Nonprofit Managerial Excellence recognizes nonprofits serving the seven-county Chicago region who exemplify outstanding nonprofit management practices. Applicants are evaluated for their strength in 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.
The Alford-Axelson Award is named for the leadership and legacies of Nils G. Axelson, a devoted community health care leader and visionary, and Jimmie R. Alford, a leading contemporary thinker and practitioner in the nonprofit arena. Winners of the 2015 Alford-Axelson Award will receive a cash prize of at least $5,000. include Chicago Community Loan Fund and Literature for All of Us (2014); Concordia Place and Between Friends (2013); and Center on Halsted and Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation (2012).
“Nonprofit organizations that win the Alford-Axelson award have demonstrated their ability not only to deliver programs and services, but to manage and lead their organizations in ways that contribute to overall sustainability,” said Pier Rogers, director of the Axelson Center. “A review committee comprised of nonprofit and civic leaders use the Hallmarks of Nonprofit Managerial Excellence to assess the organization’s management and leadership. Emerging as a winner after such scrutiny is a major accomplishment, which many of the past winners have proudly shared with their donors and other constituents.”
. Organizations interested in applying are also strongly encourage to submit an prior to completing the application.
The Excellent Emerging Organization Award is presented to an up-and-coming nonprofit serving the Chicago region that shows its leadership through financial stability, sound management practices, strategic vision, and innovation in its programs and service delivery. Past winners include Waukegan to College (2014), Porchlight Conseling Services (2013), and Empowerment through Education and Exposure (2012).
“The Excellent Emerging Organization Award’s past winners demonstrate that small, new organizations can move towards nonprofit excellence,” said Rogers. “Having limited resources doesn’t negate the possibility of getting started on the right track with a vision of excellence and sustainability.”
The winner of the 2015 Excellent Emerging Organization Award will receive a $2,500 cash prize sponsored by MB Financial Bank and a capacity-building package that will support improvement of services and efficiency. . Organizations interested in applying are also strongly encouraged to submit an prior to completing the application.
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 , an , and an , the Axelson Center delivers a superior educational experience for nonprofit leaders, volunteers 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 programs.
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.
Author tomgabrysiakPosted on Categories Stories
