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University Student Promotes Intercultural Learning through Her Own Nonprofit
Crystal Buffington started her own nonprofit organization, and supports an orphanage in Kenya.
Crystal Buffington organizes March 10 fundraiser for Kenyan orphanage
CHICAGO (March 5, 2012) — Crystal Buffington listened as her grandmother, Bettye Olds-Green, described her community when she was younger. It was a place where neighbors knew each other, and helped each other as if they were family, Olds-Green would say. As she listened to those stories, Buffington wondered, "How can we get back to that place?"
Inspired by her grandmother's stories, Buffington started a nonprofit organization in 2009, , thanks to some pro bono assistance from a Chicago law firm. Her vision of building an organization to help children living in challenging socio-economic conditions in the United States and abroad had become a reality. Buffington, from San Diego, Calif., is a 萝莉社 senior majoring in with a minor in .
"Basically what I'm trying to do is create intercultural learning opportunities for school-age children, and also connect and partner with organizations domestically and internationally to help meet their needs financially," Buffington said in an interview. While it's important that children be able to function well in a globalized society by knowing people who live in different cultures, Buffington said it's also important to "empathize" with people who are culturally different.
One way Buffington is putting her vision into action is by doing hands-on work in Africa, providing encouragement and support to an orphanage in Wangige, Kenya, managed by the . Buffington got connected to the orphanage in 2009 through a friend. Our Village, Our World raised $900 through t-shirt sales, and contributed the funds toward the establishment of a library at the orphanage. That summer, Buffington visited the orphanage, which is home to about 40 at-risk adolescents from Kenya and Tanzania.
Buffington, top, worked with students at the Kenyan orphanage when she visited there in 2010.
Her work with the orphanage continues today. On March 10, at 7:00 p.m., Our Village, Our World and the 萝莉社 will cosponsor a benefit concert for the orphanage in the University's . Among the performers are the , , , , and others.
, dean of the University's Office of Diversity and Intercultural Programs, has known Buffington for three years, including working with her when she was president of the . "She has a passion for and is committed to working with elementary school-age students to help them acquire the knowledge and essential skills needed to develop meaningful relationships with individuals who are culturally different than themselves," he said.
"Her professional attitude and ability to get along well with those with whom she worked are among the qualities I respect and admire about her," Lindsay added.
Funds raised from the benefit will be used to help improve the food served to the children at the orphanage, Buffington said. When she visited there in 2010, Buffington noticed that the children ate the same foods every day, such as porridge, and rice and beans. "I want to do something that's lasting," she said. "I figured the best way to do that was to provide them with a chicken coop and vegetable garden. That way they get the variety of nutrition they need." The garden and chicken coop may also serve as a source of income for the orphanage, she said.
"I've been to different places in Africa. But when I was in Kenya, I felt like I belonged. I have a heart for children. In some of these children, I saw my own story of similar things I've gone through in my life. I'm able to connect with them on another level," Buffington said.
This summer, Buffington plans to return to Kenya to visit the orphanage with members of her church, . Among her long-term hopes for Our Village, Our World is the possibility of providing grants and scholarships to community service-minded young people, here and abroad, to visit and work in other countries.
"This work is something that I'm very passionate about. I'm hoping when I graduate, it's something I'm able to become more involved in," she added.
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Among the campus enhancements under construction is this distinctive sign wall, designed by Hoerr Schaudt Landscape Architects, at the corner of Foster and Kedzie avenues.
New University sign wall significant part of overall streetscape project
CHICAGO (November 30, 2012) — If all goes according to plan, 萝莉社's appearance along Foster Avenue will be greatly improved in less than a year. The City of Chicago's , along Foster from the North Channel west to Kimball Avenue, will include new sidewalks, light poles, and plantings. North Park campus enhancements will complement the City's work, and include a new University sign wall at the corner of Foster and Kedzie avenues, an articulation of masonry pylons connected by wrought iron fencing along the campus frontage, plus improvements to the gates in front of .
Some improvements were started this month, and others will follow next year. "These improvements will significantly enhance our campus, especially the new sign wall at the corner intersection marking North Park's presence in the neighborhood," said , University president. "In addition, we're very pleased about the many street-side improvements that the city is planning to begin next spring."
The University has been in discussions with the City of Chicago for several years about this project, said , 萝莉社 executive vice president and chief financial officer. The city's project is funded by federal monies appropriated some time ago, augmented by additional City of Chicago funds. The University will fund its enhancements.
To complete the project adequately, the University granted a permanent two-foot easement on its property and an additional temporary two-foot construction easement, Balsam said. Nearly all of the plantings along the campus frontage on Foster Avenue will be removed, and in most cases, these were aging shrubs and bushes that needed to be replaced, he said. "Our landscape architects () had recommended for some time that North Park refresh its campus frontage and create a more compelling and dramatic presentation to the community. The city streetscape project presented that opportunity," Balsam said.
A large, new masonry sign wall to identify the University is now under construction at the corner of Kedzie and Foster avenues. Behind it, the plaza will be renewed and provide a park-like setting at the entry to the gymnasium. Along with corner improvements, masonry pylons with decorative finials connected by the fencing will provide the University with a distinctive border along Foster Avenue. Entry gates in front of Old Main are being reconstructed and will include patina-finished and distinctive letters "萝莉社" attached to black wrought iron. Plantings will be enhanced and replaced behind the frontage fencing.
The University hopes to complete the sign wall and pylons before harsh winter weather arrives. The City of Chicago plans to begin work to replace sidewalks, light poles, and plantings in April or May 2013, Balsam said.
"It is our hope that we will be able to coordinate the completion of our fencing and plantings with their sidewalk work in front of the campus," he said. "If all goes well, the whole project from Kedzie to Kimball should be completed by the time students return for the fall semester 2013."
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Next Steps
Learn about another significant building project underway at 萝莉社: the .
University Hosts New Testament Scholar for Annual Kermit Zarley Lectures
Dr. Simon Gathercole presents the Zarley Lectures at the University November 14 and 15.
Dr. Simon Gathercole to deliver lectures November 14 and 15
CHICAGO (November 12, 2012) – A senior lecturer in New Testament studies at the in the United Kingdom will present lectures at 萝莉社 focusing on early Christinity. will address "Jesus in canonical and extra-canonical gospels," November 14, and "Who are the Gnostics?" November 15, at the University's Anderson Chapel. Each lecture begins at 3:30 pm.
Gathercole is the presenter for the twelfth annual Kermit Zarley Lecture series, sponsored by the University's . Both lectures are free and open to the public.
Gathercole's recent research work is in early Christianity, said , 萝莉社 associate professor of biblical and theological studies. One of the lectures will be about interpretations of Jesus in the New Testament, and in texts such as the – one of the early "" — which contains a number of sayings attributed to Jesus. The second lecture will address the Gnostic Gospels and their Christian influence. The Gnostic Gospels are a collection of 52 texts based on teachings of several early prophets and spiritual leaders. While they do not appear in standard Bibles of Christian denominations, they have gained greater public attention in recent years.
Gathercole was asked to present the lectures because "he's an academician who is also committed to the church," said Willitts. "He also teaches at a university, and has broad experience in relating to students through teaching undergraduate and graduate students, and supervising doctoral students," he said. "We wanted someone who could communicate with younger people who may not have much experience with the New Testament."
The lecture series is named for Kermit Zarley, a professional golfer, with an interest in biblical and theological studies. Zarley has provided support for the lectures, hosted by the University since the series began in 2001.
Past presenters have included , bishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago; , author and emeritus professor of New Testament, Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, Calif.; , contributing editor in religion for Publishers Weekly, noted authority in religion, author, and lecturer; and , an English bishop of the Eastern Orthodox Church and theologian.
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萝莉社 President Elected to Independent Colleges Leadership Board
Dr. David L. Parkyn, president of 萝莉社
NAICU board elects President Parkyn to serve three-year term
CHICAGO (February 1, 2012) – , president of 萝莉社, Chicago, this week began a three-year term as one of 48 members of the of the .
are private, nonprofit colleges and universities, and private professional schools totaling more than 1,000 higher education institutions. Parkyn's election was ratified at the NAICU board meeting this week in Washington following his election to the board late last year. As a board member, he will represent the NAICU region that includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
"President Parkyn was selected by his peers because of his expertise in the field, proven leadership, and commitment to America’s college students," said NAICU President . "He assumes his responsibilities at a time of great challenge and transformation for American higher education."
"The invitation to join the NAICU board of directors is an opportunity for service in support of colleges and universities across the country," Parkyn said. He also emphasized his appointment is an opportunity to work "in support of the many students at North Park who receive federal financial aid."
The NAICU "serves as the unified national voice of independent higher education," according to its website. Since 1976, it has represented private colleges and universities on policy issues with the federal government, such as those affecting student aid, taxation, and government regulation. The organization's staff tracks campus trends, conducts research, analyzes higher education issues, publishes information, helps coordinate state-level activities, and advises members of legislative and regulatory developments with potential impact on their institutions.
Parkyn has served as president of the University since 2006. His career includes higher education experience at Endicott College, Beverly, Mass. where he taught religious studies and philosophy, and was director of religious life; Messiah College, Grantham, Pa., where served 23 years in various teaching and senior-level administrative positions; and Elizabethtown (Pa.) College, where Parkyn was provost and senior vice president before he became 萝莉社 president.
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萝莉社 Confers Degrees at 2012 Winter Commencement Convocation
Degrees were presented December 14 to 萝莉社 graduates at Winter Commencement.
245 students expected to earn graduate and undergraduate degrees
CHICAGO (December 17, 2012) 鈥� Before a full house in the and a significant audience watching a , 萝莉社 presented degrees December 14 at its 2012 convocation. The University expected to confer undergraduate and graduate degrees to 245 students.
Bachelor’s degrees were presented to an anticipated 168 students representing a wide range of and the . Master’s degrees were presented to an expected 77 students from the School of Business and Nonprofit Management, , , and .
In his charge to the graduates, the president of 萝莉社, , cited the biblical stories of creation in Genesis and Jesus’ birth in the Gospel of Luke. God stopped on the seventh day, according to the creation story, and Mary paused to ponder after the shepherds left the manger, he noted. In both cases, each stopped to claim as holy the creation and the infant Jesus, Parkyn suggested. The same can be said of significant life events, such as graduation, he observed.
“On this night we stop, ever so briefly, to mark learning, to mark your life as a student, as holy. We stop to ponder, we stop to remember, we stop to claim the act of learning as holy, and to claim as holy all you have learned,” the University president told the graduates. Graduation is “a sacred moment in your life, even as each day of the past years of learning at North Park has been a holy time,” Parkyn added.
The convocation included Scripture and prayers, choral performances by the , a graduation litany, and presentation of degrees by University deans. Students led the procession with the flags of countries and territories in which graduates were born, are citizens, or have been residents. The flags included those of the United States, Brazil, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Finland, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Nigeria, Palestine, the Philippines, Romania, Serbia, and Sweden. The commencement program included a benediction from , read by graduates in nine languages, including Arabic, Hebrew, Mongolian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Spanish, and Swedish.
The University began its commencement with a recognition of the tragic school shooting earlier in the day at , Newtown, Conn. “As an educator, I have always thought the adventure of learning is meant to give life, yet today for 26 people, school became a place where life ended,” Parkyn said. “I’m also reminded as an educator of the 鈥� individuals who died having dedicated their lives, like many in the room tonight, to helping students fulfill their dreams.” The president’s comments were followed by a moment of silence and prayer.
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Zipcar's location on the University campus is at the corner of Kedzie and West Foster Avenues, Chicago.
Cars available for University students, personnel, area residents
CHICAGO (March 21, 2012) – , a national company that makes it possible for qualified drivers to rent cars for short-term use, now has a car located on the 萝莉社 campus available to Zipcar .
Zipcar representatives will be on the University's Chicago campus beginning this week to answer questions and assist people to become Zipcar members. The company will also send information to University students and personnel to help introduce the program.
"We want to be good stewards of the urban environment," said , 萝莉社 executive vice president and chief financial officer. "There are two reasons why we wanted this — stewardship and sustainability. If we can provide cars this way to people who need them, we can reduce our carbon footprint in this part of the city. We can also provide students with a tool to access the city."
Zipcar operates nationally on some 250 colleges and university campuses, including 萝莉社 and other college campuses in the Chicago area.
Zipcar service expansion on the campus could ultimately help relieve crowded campus parking lots, provided students, faculty, and staff choose to access the available cars, Balsam said.
Presently, a Zipcar is available on the University campus at 5141 N. Kedzie. Zipcars are also located at a nearby location at Kimball and Lawrence Avenues, Chicago.
Zipcar was founded as a new category in urban transportation, designed "to offer a convenient, flexible, affordable, and sustainable solution" for occasional urban drivers seeking alternatives to high costs and challenges of owning a car in a city, said Jessica Margolis-Pineo, Zipcar public relations associate. Zipcar operates on some 250 colleges and university campuses, some of which are in the Chicago area. Members can also use Zipcars in other areas of country where Zipcar operates, she said.
Drivers must be at least 21 years of age, and have a Zipcar membership to use its cars. Members can drive cars starting at $7.75 per hour or $72 a day. Each trip includes gasoline, insurance, and up to 180 free miles. Thanks to Zipcar's with Ford Motor Co., a portion of the membership fee will be waived for the first 100,000 new University members nationally who sign up, plus the company will offer $1 off the hourly rate for the first 1 million hours of use on any of the new Ford vehicles at participating colleges and universities.
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萝莉社 Student Earns Fulbright Award, Heads to Colombia
Michelle Wells, Monroe, Wash., is the University's eighth Fulbright award recipient in the past four years.
Michelle Wells joins two other 2012-2013 University Fulbright recipients
Chicago (July 18, 2012) — Michelle Wells and her sister, Laurel, were on a two-month visit to Europe earlier this summer when Michelle got an email message early one morning while in Spain: The had granted her application to go to to be an English Teaching Assistant for one year. Wells joins who were awarded Fulbright scholarships this year. The University has now had eight Fulbright scholarship recipients in the past four years.
Wells, of Monroe, Wash., learned during the spring semester that she had been designated a Fulbright scholarship alternate. That meant she would be granted the award only if someone else was unable to go. "It was very unexpected," Wells said in an interview. "I had written it off. I was prepared to go on to other ventures. So this was quite the surprise." Wells, who graduated from 萝莉社 in May, was in a job interview process with an international organization when she heard from the Fulbright Program.
South America is familiar to Wells, who lived and studied in and during her college years. Now she will join more than 30 other recipients of Fulbright grants who will study and work in Colombia this coming year. Wells will help teach English to graduate students at the, Tunja.
Wells said her international experience has taught her a great deal. "Every time I am abroad, I am so amazed by the similarities as well as the differences in cultures. I think in this world, especially in my generation, globalization is key to our success. Part of this program is to create U.S.–Colombian relations, and I love that idea," she said. Wells also believes her Fulbright experience will benefit her in the future. She hopes to work in an international nonprofit organization, and perhaps one day, attend graduate school.
Wells credits , 萝莉社 professor of Spanish and a former Fulbright Scholar, for motivating her to apply for the Fulbright teaching award. "I'm grateful Michelle will be able to use her considerable gifts in language, culture, and business to teach young Colombian students," Parkyn said. Wells "will listen, figure out how she can be of service, and dive right in to do all that it takes to be effective. Adaptability with a shot of hard work and determination describes her work these past four years. These qualities will help her to share our country, our language, and our spirit with students," she added.
Wells is looking forward to helping other students improve their English proficiency so they can better understand both English and Spanish, a plus in international business and commerce. "It's so important. Spanish has opened a lot of doors for me, even in the U.S. It's so critical for relating to people, and relating to people who are different than I am. I think for them it'll be very rewarding."
Wells earned a bachelor's degree from the University in , with concentrations in Latin American and African studies. Her minor was , plus she earned a . Wells' mother, Sue, is a teacher. Her father, Rev. David Wells, is a pastor of the (ECC), specializing in family and marriage counseling and therapy. 萝莉社 is affiliated with the ECC.
Joining Wells with Fulbright Program teaching assignments this year are Karen Kelly and . Kelly, a 2012 University graduate, was awarded an English Teaching Assistantship to teach in a secondary school in , a small European country between France and Spain. Okore, associate professor and art department chair, was named a , and will teach and work closely on environmental art projects with artists, galleries, and art organizations in her home country of Nigeria.
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萝莉社 Welcomes Special Visitors to Nursing Simulation Lab Facility
Dr. Linda Duncan, right, dean of the School of Nursing, explains how students and faculty are using the Nursing Simulation Lab Facility.
Conference attendees visit high-tech teaching facility, now in its second year
CHICAGO (October 12, 2012) — 萝莉社's has added value to the University's nursing program for both students and faculty, said , professor and dean of the . Duncan told a group of visitors attending a national conference in Chicago that overall student skill development and teamwork skills have improved in the year since the facility opened.
萝莉社 a dozen visitors came to the University October 4 from the in Chicago to tour the state-of-the-art simulation lab. Opened in September 2011, the lab enables students in nursing and other disciplines to practice critical skills in a simulated, safe learning environment. Simulations are recorded, and students and faculty review their work.
Faculty have used the simulation lab to teach critical thinking. It provides added opportunities to teach the importance of inter-professional discussion, conflict resolution skills, and communication in health care settings, Duncan told the visitors. Errors can occur in healthcare settings, often because of poor communication. The simulation lab has given the University's nursing education program a way to address this topic, she said.
"Student satisfaction is very high about these experiences in the simulation lab," Duncan said. "They feel it has further enabled them to go to clinical sites feeling prepared." Something new this year is that the faculty has moved simulated, patient experience into first semester courses for nursing students, she said. In addition, the faculty is integrating simulation throughout the nursing curriculum, Duncan said. For the nursing program, the lab has been "a real blessing," Duncan added.
The 3,000-square-foot 萝莉社 Nursing Simulation Lab Facility was designed by , Chicago, a first for the firm. It is using knowledge gained from the project to design similar facilities in other parts of the country, said , principal.
"It's always surprising to people how good this facility is when they walk in it," Ketcham said.
The $2 million simulation lab includes four simulation rooms, two control rooms, and a conference room where students and faculty debrief their class experiences, using video and audio recordings. The facility is located on the north side of the along Foster Avenue.
In addition to visiting the simulation lab, conference attendees visited two other new Chicago health care facilities — the and the Tower at . The Healthcare Facilities Symposium and Expo drew about 2,700 registrants and more than 200 exhibitors. The conference is a forum for sharing ideas and best practices in health care delivery improvement and how physical space directly affects staff, patients and their families. Attendees are architects, engineers, facility managers, health care administrators, interior designers, and construction professionals.
Use @npunews to . For further information or resources, contact John Brooks, Director of Media Relations and News, or at (773) 244-5522. Learn more .
Next Steps
Find out more about the School of Nursing's and programs, as well as its programs.
萝莉社 Student, Art Professor Selected for 2012 Fulbright Awards
Karen Kelly
Kelly to teach English in Andorra; Okore to teach 'environmental art' in Nigeria
CHICAGO (May 1, 2012) – awarded overseas teaching opportunities to two women from the 萝莉社 community this spring. Senior Karen Kelly was awarded an English Teaching Assistantship to teach in a secondary school in , a small European country between France and Spain. , associate professor and art department chair, was named a , and will teach and work closely on environmental art projects with artists, galleries, and art organizations in her home country of Nigeria.
Kelly will graduate this month from the University with a double major in global studies and French, and will leave for Andorra later this summer. She is fluent in English, French, and Spanish, and has taken Arabic courses at the University. Most Andorrans speak French or Spanish. Many also speak the country's official language, Catalan. The mix of languages and cultures piqued Kelly's interest in serving Andorra. "That's what stood out to me because on the description for candidates, it said they will give preference to candidates who speak Spanish or French. That will fit well," Kelly said.
The daughter of (ECC) missionaries, Kelly was born and raised in Mexico City, and is a dual citizen of Mexico and the United States. She learned about the Fulbright program before she went to 萝莉社 after her parents, Rev. Thomas and Janice Kelly, met former Fulbright Scholar , professor of Spanish. That relationship later led to Kelly's decision to apply.
Growing up in a missionary family and attending an international school with students from throughout the world influenced Kelly's global interests. "Being around people who were different from me and speak different languages than me was just normal. I loved it. I had friends from all over the world," she said. Kelly has never been to Andorra, but did study in France during her junior year at the University. Andorra is known for tourism, shopping, and skiing. Its population is nearly 100 percent literate, she said.
Kelly's essay, in which she discussed Andorra as a country "tucked" between French and Spanish cultures, impressed Parkyn. "Her essay followed this metaphor as she described her own life, growing up 'tucked' between the cultures of Mexico and the United States. Karen will be an ambassador for an increasingly mobile group of young Americans who carry with them various 'tucked between cultures' experiences," Parkyn said.
Kelly is looking forward to her role as U.S. representative during her Fulbright year. "I see it as an opportunity to build bridges and break down barriers. I like the unknown, too, to see what's going to come of it," she said.
Nnenna Okore
Art Professor Nnenna Okore to teach environmental art in home country
Nnenna Okore will travel to in August, and plans to use her Fulbright Scholarship to teach artists how to use discarded materials to create works of art, and raise attention for environmental restoration in Nigeria.
"It's always been my dream to go back and teach in one of their universities, and share what I've learned here with faculty and students," Okore said in an interview. Okore is a sculptor, whose niche is in environmental art. She uses materials such as newspapers, wax, cloth, rope, clay, and sticks in her art. "It's something I've been very interested in for a long time," she said.
There isn't an effective way of recycling in Nigeria, and many artists have tried including recycled materials in their work. But generally, the culture does not accept such works as genuine art because recycled materials are used, Okore explained. "Part of my aim is to begin to bring some authenticity to the use of our environment, and the use of things that are byproducts of that environment, whether social, physical, or consumer environment. We should be thinking of ways to recycle things back into our art and into our daily lives," she said.
With her Fulbright grant, Okore, who planned sabbatical leave for the coming academic year, will open a studio in Lagos. She plans to collaborate with local students and artists in creating art from recycled materials, raise attention for recycling and environmental restoration, and discuss future art collaborations involving Nigerian institutions and the University. She will also design and teach a course in environmental art at the . Okore will debut the works she creates at the , Lagos, beginning in May 2013. Later, she plans also to display the works at the University's , and in other venues.
Okore, of Morton Grove, Ill., began teaching at the University in 2005. She has been recognized with several national and international awards. Okore's family will go with her to Nigeria for the academic year, and she plans to stay in touch with 萝莉社 art students via Skype and other online venues.
Parkyn, who also helped Okore prepare her Fulbright application, said her own Fulbright Scholar experiences "force her to see the world in uncommon ways." "One day eager student faces look to you for guidance in the classroom; the next day they debate American involvement in their lives with skepticism; in the same conversation they invite you for coffee to ask you questions about your beliefs. It is a whirlwind of learning for all involved. Professor Okore's art will inspire, attract, repel, and incite. This is every professor’s dream, and to share North Park’s wonderful artist with these Nigerian students is almost magical," Parkyn said.
The Fulbright Program was established by the U.S. Congress in 1946, and is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. It is the largest U.S. international exchange program offering opportunities for students, scholars, and professionals to undertake international graduate study, advanced research, university teaching, and teaching in elementary and secondary schools worldwide.
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CHICAGO (June 26, 2012) – 萝莉社 has improved its graduate that combine theological instruction from the University's with business and nonprofit administration education, offered through the University's School of Business and Nonprofit Management (SBNM). Graduates of these educational programs say their dual degrees have helped them in their ministries and opened up career paths.
The University offers dual-degree programs with six different possibilities. The new degree structure is clearer, and integrates the two degree programs more, said , NPTS professor of New Testament and acting associate academic dean. "The degree programs are better balanced in such a way that it's not two degree programs operating separately," he said. "This is an exciting and unusual opportunity for students."
The revamped graduate dual-degree programs include two required courses in which students reflect on the relationship of faith and business issues, said Dr. Wesley E. Lindahl, SBNM dean and Nils Axelson Professor of Nonprofit Management. In addition to learning business skills, students in the dual-degree programs "have access to literature and books, and make connections with professors whom they can call on for advice regularly," he said.
Students can earn one of three degrees offered by the Seminary: master of divinity, master of arts in Christian formation, and master of arts in Christian ministry. Each of these degree programs can be combined simultaneously with one of two degree programs offered through the SBNM — master of nonprofit administration and master of business administration.
Studying for dual-degrees "allowed me to pursue my seminary education and pay attention to the part of me that loves to organize, and manage detail," said . "To me, this was faithful in pursuing my call. Each piece was very important."
Strom earned master of divinity and master of nonprofit administration degrees from the University in 2007, then served four years as youth pastor at , Wilmette, Ill. 萝莉社 one year ago, he became executive director at , Iron River, Mich., where Strom is able to live out his longtime interest in camping ministry. "I would not be equipped for this had it not been my choice to pursue the dual degrees," he said. The search committee wanted someone with knowledge of theology, and who would keep the camp connected to other area ECC congregations. They also wanted their leader to manage budgets, make financial decisions, and raise funds. Strom said that for any professional church leader thinking about organizational leadership, the University's dual-degree program is worth considering.
earned master of divinity and master of business administration degrees in 2008, motivated through her congregational experience in starting shelters for people who were homeless. "I found myself at this intersection of the deepest needs of people, and trying to meet those needs," she said. "I always had to reach out to CEOs and managers for sponsorship and funding, and I needed to be able to speak their language."
Graduates say their ministries and career paths have been enhanced by earning dual degrees.
Kholodenko is associate pastor at , an Assemblies of God congregation in Chicago, and director of a nonprofit corporation, the , that helps people become self-sufficient. The Dream Center operates a full-service restaurant and catering business to maintain its own self-sufficiency. "I would have never been able to do that without my degrees," she said. "We do several large-scale fundraisers, and we have to do forecasting and marketing. It is God's grace, coupled with skills and training, that has allowed things to be done as effectively as they have." Not every pastor needs dual degrees, Kholodenko said, "but I can't think of a pastor who would not benefit from it." She has since added expertise, earning 萝莉社 certificates in organizational development, nonprofit management, and entrepreneurship to go with her dual degrees.
Rev. Steven V. Hoden, who earned a bachelor's degree in biology from the University in 2000, returned after working five years as a science teacher to work on a dual-degree program. Hoden chose the Seminary as opposed to others because of the dual-degree offering, and said taking some online business classes helped him juggle class time commitments. He and his wife served as short-term ECC missionaries in Spain, earning remaining field internship credits after he earned his divinity and nonprofit administration degrees in 2010. Almost immediately, Hoden put his business skills to work there while helping to establish an ecumenical bookstore to support an ECC church plant. Now he serves as pastor of Palmyra Mission Covenant Church, Hector, Minn.
"I think as a solo pastor, the (dual degrees) make it easier to be in this type of position," Hoden said. "I could have been called into this position without it, but I didn't realize the level of administrative tasks that would come to me right away. There were high expectations from the congregation, and having this foundation is really helpful."
His business knowledge has been useful in working with the church's administrative board, recruiting and mobilizing volunteers, and in financial matters. "I stay away from the financial giving of individuals and families, however, I appreciate knowing how to read a financial statement each month, and seeing the trends. When you're in a small congregation, financials can have a lot of impact," he added.
, director of Seminary admissions, said she's answered several inquiries about the University's revised dual-degree program. "I think the complexity of what's expected of pastors — the integration of ministry and business preparation — is highly significant. Most pastors will likely have to deal with business matters," she said.
Use @npunews to . For further information or resources, contact John Brooks, Director of Media Relations and News, or at (773) 244-5522. Learn more .
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