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North Park Theological Seminary Announces New Financial Aid Program for Students
Aid program is for new students, current students' aid not affected
CHICAGO (March 23, 2012) – For Alicia Vela, qualifying for financial aid assistance is the reason she is a student preparing for ordained ministry at (NPTS), Chicago. The Rev. Brian A.K. McCutchen says without the financial aid he got from NPTS, he's not sure he would have been able attend any seminary.
Both are examples of how students' lives can be changed with the help of financial aid and scholarships to help them meet the costs of theological education. This month, North Park Theological Seminary announced a for students that will provide aid to even more students, as well as a more flexible framework that responds to changing needs of students today and developments in the delivery of courses, certificates, and degrees.
NPTS students currently enrolled and receiving financial aid will not be affected by the changes in the aid program. Academic scholarships, such as Nyvall Scholarships and Lund Scholarships, will remain as scholarships based on students' academic records. Needs-based grants will be available to students seeking degrees and professional certificates.
Key changes in the new financial aid program include:
opening up Presidential Scholarships to both full- and part-time degree-seeking students preparing for vocational ministry in the (ECC). Scholarship amounts vary, with the most generous scholarships reserved for full-time main campus students.
a new Mosaic Leadership Scholarship to support leaders with multicultural or multiethnic backgrounds seeking degrees. This scholarship may be combined with other scholarship funds, and all qualified students may be considered.
a new Seminary Church Matching Grant Program, in which NPTS will match a church gift toward student tuition of up to $500 per semester.
the Spiritual Direction Cohort Program, in which any student can apply for a needs-based grant or Church Matching Grant. Previously, aid was only available for ECC clergy.
Research into financial aid programs at other similar seminaries has shown that while tuition is very similar across institutions, the NPTS financial aid program "is more generous and comprehensive when compared to other schools," said the Rev. Mark Olson, dean of enrollment and director of church relations, 萝莉社. "The result is an opportunity for students to study and personally engage with professors with national and even international reputations for exceptional biblical and theological scholarship."
Students, present and past, speak highly of their experiences at NPTS, opportunities they would not have had without generous and meaningful financial aid that benefited them. Vela, a second-year master of divinity student from Arvada, Colo., and McCutchen, now serving as camp director, , Mission Springs, Calif., qualified for prestigious Presidential Scholarships at NPTS.
Vela is president of the NPTS student association, and wants to become a youth pastor in a church setting after she completes her degree. "It's important for me to be educated at a school that is so gender-inclusive, and is so empowering of women in ministry. All of my professors are really encouraging and helping me to find my voice as a pastor," she said in an interview. To Vela "financial aid is invaluable" in helping her achieve her career goals.
"This school has a lot to offer. Biblical scholars teach us, and leaders in fields of ministry teach us. (We're) able to have that experience because of financial aid," she added. Her home congregation is , Arvada.
McCutchen, a member of , Santa Cruz, Calif., earned a master of divinity from NPTS in 2007. "I felt a call to ministry in a broad sense," he said. But high costs at other seminaries made it difficult to for him to think about theological education – until his pastor and his father-in-law, an ECC pastor, both encouraged him to consider NPTS.
While at NPTS, McCutchen worked in University departments and offices as part of the service requirement of his scholarship. Today he is part of an ECC-affiliated program that hosts groups such as science students from local schools during the week, and hosts church groups and provides programs for them on weekends. McCutchen is now hiring college students, preparing Bible study curricula, and recruiting speakers for Frontier Ranch's busy summer program.
NPTS offers generous financial aid to students because of the ECC's financial commitment to the University, and the support of donors, particularly to the seminary annual fund, and endowment-based revenue.
McCutchen said he appreciates the ECC commitment to his seminary education. "I want to stay a part of this denomination. I work with college students, and I've encouraged a lot of them to look into the University and the Seminary," he said.
North Park Theological Seminary is the graduate theological school of 萝莉社, Chicago, and of the Chicago-based Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC).
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Ahmed Rehab, executive director, CAIR-Chicago, was the guest speaker at the awards banquet.
Awards presented to University community and partners
CHICAGO (May 1, 2012) – 萝莉社 presented its to students, faculty, staff, and community partners in recognition of their commitments to diversity, cultural advocacy, and justice. Award winners represented various areas of campus life such as academics, athletics, campus involvement, community service, spirituality, and leadership. The awards were presented April 20 at a banquet at the , Chicago.
Award recipients and their awards included:
Academic Excellence Award: Kelly Reichel, Bloomington, Minn., and Danerra Hill, Miami, Fla.
Cultural Advocacy Award: George Habash, Jerusalem
Faculty Commitment to Diversity Award: Dr. Rupe Simms, professor of Africana studies
Staff Commitment to Diversity Award: Ann-Helen Anderson, assistant director, International Office
Cultural Arts Award: Jennifer Velker, Ann Arbor, Mich.
Athletic Excellence Award: Bridgette Gray, Prospect Heights, Ill.
Spiritual Leadership Award: Karen Kelly, Mexico City
CLASS Student Senator Commitment to Diversity Award: Jacob Gustafsson, Göteborg, Sweden
Commitment to Diversity as an Adult Learner Award: Adriana Ramirez, Chicago
Vernard Jones Award for Leadership: Ericka Rodriguez, Chicago
Students, faculty and staff were recognized at the 2012 Multicultural Awards banquet.
, executive director, the (CAIR), Chicago chapter, spoke to the nearly 400 people who attended the awards banquet, commenting on the challenges of his work and his own life story that led him to the United States. Rehab, born in Egypt, has undergraduate and graduate degrees from Chicago universities. CAIR was established in 1994 to challenge stereotypes of Islam and Muslims. The organization has a nationwide presence and is headquartered on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. In addition, musical selections were performed by undergraduate Leslie Moore.
The Multicultural Awards Banquet is sponsored by the 萝莉社 .
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萝莉社 Choir Tours, Performs in New England March 10–12
Ensembles to perform in Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts
CHICAGO (February 20, 2012) – The 45-member North Park will tour and perform in New England locations March 10-12 with the theme "Towards a Peaceable Kingdom: Songs of Faith, Inspiration, and Community." The University Choir, including the , will perform in congregations of the (ECC), sing in worship at Boston's historic , and lead a workshop with area high school choirs during a stop in Massachusetts.
Four performances are planned during the tour, and each is free and open to the public:
March 10, 6:30 p.m. , Berlin, Conn.
March 11, 11:15 a.m. (during worship), Trinity Church, Boston
March 11, 6 p.m., , Bedford, N.H.
March 12, 7:30 p.m., , Quincy, Mass.
Concerts will include traditional and lesser-known choral repertoire, and will highlight some contemporary Chicago-area composers and arrangers, said , the Stephen J. Hendrickson Endowed Chair of Choral Activities, 萝莉社 . Concert-goers will hear music from Christian and other perspectives, sung in English, Latin, French, Spanish, and Hebrew, she said.
The tour's theme is derived from a composition written by , a professor of music who studied and taught at colleges and universities in the eastern United States. "Every student should sing Randall Thompson's music," Davids said. "It is great music. I love the whole concept behind his 'Peaceable Kingdom.' We're doing just a couple of the movements from it. I think it holds with the focus of 萝莉社 — that we're part of a peaceful and knowledgeable co-existence with our urban location, with a diversity of students. We're a very outward-looking institution. That's what this program is hoping to showcase."
Dr. Julia Davids directs choral activities at 萝莉社.
A few students will share some of their 萝莉社 experiences with audiences at each performance, Davids said. Among the students in the choir is Peter Palmatier, Quincy, Mass., a freshman majoring in creative writing. "I'm really excited to go back home and see my family and all my friends from my church again," he said. "It'll be nice for them to finally hear some of the music that we've been singing this year." Several members of Palmatier's family have attended the University, he said.
Each concert will conclude with the traditional Swedish hymn, Alumni will be invited to sing with the choir, in both Swedish and in English, a tribute to the University's history, Davids said. The University is affiliated with the Chicago-based ECC, which was formed by Swedish immigrants.
During the tour, Davids and the University Choir and Chamber Singers will lead a workshop March 12 with two high school choirs at , Braintree, Mass. The high school students will learn singing techniques, and work on a specific choral repertoire, she said. North Park students will also share their student experiences with the high school students.
University Choir members will stay with host families throughout the tour. Staff with the University School of Music will accompany the choir and make recruiting visits. Staff with the will also be present at each concert and host a networking event in Boston March 9 for 萝莉社 alumni.
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萝莉社 Presents Degrees to 434 Graduates at Spring 2012 Commencements
Degrees were presented to 434 students at Spring Commencement, for a combined total of 626 for the 2011–2012 academic year.
University honors outstanding students, faculty, and Chicagoans
CHICAGO (May 14, 2012) – 萝莉社 concluded the 2011–2012 academic year by awarding degrees May 12 to 434 graduates at the University's Spring Commencement ceremonies. Separate events were held for students who earned undergraduate degrees; students who earned graduate degrees and degrees through the School of Adult Learning; and graduates of . Including the , degrees were awarded to 626 萝莉社 graduates this academic year.
Bachelor's degrees were presented to 297 students representing a variety of undergraduate majors in the University's , and the schools of , , , , and business and nonprofit management. Master's degrees were presented to 137 students who completed at the University, including 34 students at North Park Theological Seminary. , president of the 萝莉社, presided at the ceremonies.
The graduation weekend began with a Baccalaureate Service May 11 at , Chicago. In his address to graduates, Parkyn commented on the University's mission statement, "to prepare students for lives of significance and service," and Jesus's instruction on this educational ideal as reflected in the four gospels in the New Testament. "If after your years at North Park you're still just a bit vague on what it means to live with significance and in service, then listen to Jesus: be a healthy tree, one that bears good fruit; run away from the possibility of a being a diseased tree, one that bears worm-infected fruit," Parkyn told the graduates.
University President David Parkyn, right, presents the Nyvall Medallion to Daniel Alvarez Sr., center, and Ann Alvarez, left, both of Casa Central, Chicago.
The University recognized its for outstanding academic achievement and leadership and service, Hannah Haugen, Milwaukie, Ore., bachelor of science in business and economics, and Joshua Startup, Chesterton, Ind., bachelor of science in chemistry. The Ahnfeldt Medallion, presented to a senior with highest grade point average among undergraduates, went to Emily Shakal, Chicago, bachelor of arts in biblical and theological studies. Winners of were recognized — Karen Kelly, Mexico City, who will teach English in Andorra, and Nnenna Okore, associate professor of art and department chair, who will teach and work on environmental art projects in Nigeria.
The University presented the David Nyvall Medallion to two leaders of , a Chicago nonprofit organization that serves 20,000 Hispanic people through an array of community services. Daniel Alvarez Sr., founder, and Ann R. Alvarez, president and chief executive officer, were honored for 48 years of distinguished service to the people of Chicago. Casa Central maintains a partnership with 萝莉社 and is a venue for undergraduate programs for adults. "We feel privileged, honored and grateful to our Lord for the opportunity to dedicate our lives to this mission," said Ann Alvarez, also a member of the University's .
Several students from the North Park College (now University) class of 1962 were recognized as they celebrated the 50th anniversary of their graduations. "Today, you honor us, and you especially honor the members of the graduating class by your presence with us today," Parkyn said.
Four students who earned degrees addressed the commencement ceremony for graduate programs and the School of Adult Learning, sharing how their University educations have shaped their lives and careers. Speakers were Kathleen Ferrarell, Glenview, Ill., bachelor of arts in counseling psychology, School of Adult Learning; Molly Philosophos, Oak Park, Ill., master of nonprofit administration, School of Business and Nonprofit Management; Clara Casas-Maya, Vernon Hills, Ill., master of arts in education, School of Education; and LaRhonda Hrobowski, Chicago, master of science in nursing, School of Nursing.
Joel Johnson, Chicago, master of divinity, was presented the Ahnfeldt Medallion for the highest grade point average among graduates of North Park Theological Seminary.
, distinguished professor of Old Testament, Denver (Colo.) Seminary, presented the Seminary commencement address. In his charge to the graduates, Rev. Gary B. Walter, president of the (ECC), commented, "God's asking for you to be found faithful. That means you hold nothing back from God, and you give it your all." The University is affiliated with the ECC.
Drawing from the life example of retiring professor , and building on Jesus’s instruction, "Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of," Parkyn challenged graduates to be "faithful in risking, faithful in dreaming, faithful in trusting, faithful in hearing God’s call, faithful in taking the first step, and then another, and still another."
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'Come to the Manger' Theme of University's December 2 Festival of Lessons and Carols
萝莉社 200 musicians, including five University music ensembles and other musicians, are featured in the December 2 Festival of Lessons and Carols at Our Lady of Mercy Church, Chicago.
School of Music ensembles joined by community youth musicians
CHICAGO (November 19, 2012) — Focusing on Advent, Christmas and Epiphany celebrations, 萝莉社 will present A Festival of Lessons and Carols, December 2, at , 4432 N. Troy St., Chicago. The event will begin at 4:00 pm, and features the theme, "Come to the Manger."
The Festival of Lessons and Carols is presented for free by the University. However, because of limited seating, attendees are asked to reserve general admission tickets . More than 800 people attended in 2011.
is a worship format first used in the Church of England in the late 1800s. "The celebration of lessons and carols is an ancient tradition shaped by faith-filled Christians over many generations," said , University president. "The story of Christian faith — from the creation of the world to the birth of savior of the world — is retold as words of Scripture and poetry are read and sung. Coming out of the Christian church in the West, at North Park the Festival of Lessons and Carols is transformed into a wonderful offering of Advent praise and anticipation as the music of many cultures trumpets the birth of Christ."
The festival theme provides attendees an opportunity to focus on the simplicity of the manger and the infant Jesus, said , assistant professor and the Stephen J. Hendrickson Endowed Chair in Music, . Lyrics from John Rutter's "," highlight the theme and its simplicity, she said: "Shepherds and wise men will kneel and adore him, Seraphim round him their vigil will keep; Nations proclaim him their Lord and their Savior, but Mary will hold him and sing him to sleep."
Scripture readings from Genesis, Isaiah, Micah, St. Luke, St. Matthew and St. John will be presented by 萝莉社 students, faculty, and staff, as well as representatives of Our Lady of Mercy Church. Music will be performed by about 200 musicians, including Margaret Martin, University organist, and University musicians in five ensembles:
and the , both directed by Davids
, directed by
, directed by Thomas Tropp
Lessons and Carols , directed by
The musical selections in the service are well written and arranged, and provide something for everyone, Davids said. "The variety of Christmas music for all ensembles is so incredible," she said. "To choose a dozen pieces of music to highlight Christmas Scripture is challenging, because there is so much great music out there."
Musical selections begin with the processional hymn, "O Come All Ye Faithful," followed by "Overture" from . Throughout the service are well-known pieces such as "Go Tell it on the Mountain," "Ave Maria," "Mary Had a Baby," "Silent Night," and "Joy to the World!," as well as music written by contemporary composers. Vocal pieces will be sung in English and Latin, as well as Spanish selections to be performed by the University Choir, accompanied by harp, marimba and guitar, Davids said.
Preceding the benediction is "The First Nowell," a piece to be performed by combined choirs and orchestras. The selection was arranged by Mack Wilberg, an American composer, arranger and conductor. "This is a stunning piece, with beautiful orchestration, written for the ," Davids added.
The North Park musicians will be joined by professionals, plus student musicians from the at Hibbard Elementary School, Chicago, and the , Davids said. The Chicago Children's Choir will perform a recital at 3:30 p.m. prior to the festival service.
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萝莉社 Graduate Reflects on Journey since Fulbright Award
Rebecca Miller taught English at a school in Indonesia as part of her Fulbright experience.
Rebecca Miller taught English in Indonesia
Editor’s note: Recent 萝莉社 graduates and , and faculty member , received to teach internationally this year. To see how receiving a scholarship can impact a life in unexpected ways, Stan Friedman of the spoke with , one of the first North Park students to receive the honor.
CHICAGO, IL (July 26, 2012) — 萝莉社 professor of Spanish, , a former Fulbright scholar who has guided students through their process of applying for the U.S. Fulbright Awards, told Rebecca Miller that receiving the honor would change the her life forever. Neither woman imagined how true those words would prove to be.
Miller, an honors music major at the University, grew up attending in Clay, N.Y. She wanted to learn more about teaching in a multicultural context, so she applied for the prestigious international scholarship in 2007. After receiving the award, she spent her Fulbright year (August 2008-May 2009) teaching English at a school in an Indonesian city run by one of the world’s largest gold-mining companies.
Several thousand Americans and Indonesians lived in the city and worked at the mine.
Many of the students were children of executives and other top-level workers. Miller was assigned to be the first-ever Fulbright scholar to teach there after being hand-picked by corporate leaders.
Outside the boundaries of the city lay another community that Miller compares to an Old West town, filled with brothels, poverty, acute malnutrition, and high crime. The area has the highest HIV/AIDS infection rate in Indonesia, Miller says.
The differences between the two communities dismayed Miller. "It was power and wealth next to kids without protein."
Her exposure to abject poverty and the disparity in living conditions was to be the first in a series of events that altered her future. Ever since, she has been on multi-year, multinational journey to medical school.
"I sure didn't see that coming," she says, laughing.
Miller was exposed to even more malnutrition in Papua, Indonesia, as she traveled around parts of the country with an anthropologist and met the people, whose primary nutrition came from sago palms that were chopped up and processed into an edible starch. Most of their protein comes from eating live mollusks.
During a vacation break from her work, she traveled to Bangalore, India, with two other Fulbright scholars, one of whom was related to a woman who directed a music school. The woman initially offered Miller an opportunity to teach, but she declined.
Instead, when her Fulbright term was completed, Miller returned to Chicago, where she worked with a nonprofit organization that provided health care on the city’s South Side. She primarily was doing administrative work, however, and realized that was not a future she wanted.
"I decided I wanted to be the person giving services," she says.
That experience also caused her to reflect further on her time of living with North Park associate professor of art , his wife, and their disabled daughter, Temma, for eight months between graduating and heading to Indonesia. Miller cared for Temma. "The most fulfilling job I've ever had has been working with Temma," she says.
Miller left her job at the clinic to accept an invitation to return to the music school in Bangalore. She gave lessons and directed children’s and adult choirs.
The students thought the only form of Western music was classical, so Miller introduced them to others, including gospel and spirituals. "We actually did a Rollo Dilworth piece," says Miller, referring to the popular former 萝莉社 music professor. "That was exciting."
She also started an early childhood music program for which she wrote the curriculum. The program continues, and Miller says, "That was a highlight of working there."
But Miller again was being exposed to the desperate health needs of people in extreme poverty. She volunteered at a hospital for which she did community outreach. Twice a week, she also observed an obstetrician and pediatrician working at clinics in the slums.
The still small voice that had whispered to her about the possibility of entering medical school grew louder. She knew her future was in medicine.
Asked if she had ever considered medicine as a career before her Fulbright scholarship, Miller declares, "Absolutely not. I would not have arrived at that had I not had those experiences."
Miller hopes to provide primary care for urban underserved populations when she finishes school. She currently attends medical school at in Brooklyn, New York.
Use @npunews to . For further information or resources, contact John Brooks, Director of Media Relations and News, or at (773) 244-5522. Learn more .
萝莉社 to Host Annual Sankta Lucia Pageant December 8
The University's Sankta Lucia pageant features University students in the Scandinavian Studies program, Swedish language program, and students who are from Scandinavian countries.
Washington senior to be 'Sankta Lucia' in University and city pageants
CHICAGO (November 30, 2012) — 萝莉社 senior Eva Larson will play the role of Sankta Lucia, a patron saint of Christian churches, in the University's annual at 4:00 pm December 8, in Anderson Chapel. The pageant is a traditional Advent celebration similar to events honoring the saint held in Scandinavian and other European countries.
Following the pageant is a traditional Scandinavian smörgåsbord in Hamming Hall. Both events are sponsored by the University's .
According to , Lucia was a young girl who was persecuted for her faith in God, and died a martyr in 304 A.D. She is associated with light in the darkness, and the hospitality of food and drink. The traditional date of the festival of Sankta Lucia is December 13, celebrating light returning to the world on the darkest day of the year, just as her faith brought light to a dark period for early Christians. In pageants, the Sankta Lucia wears a crown with lighted candles, and is accompanied by a court, including "star boys," who carry stars.
Each year, a senior woman in the Scandinavian Studies program is chosen to represent Lucia. Larson, of Vashon Island, Wash., will graduate from the University next month, with a double major in and . "Lucia is very close to my heart," she said. "I have been participating in various Lucia pageants since I was in the first grade. I think that it is a really beautiful service and a lot of fun for everyone involved." Larson's home congregation, , Seattle, hosts a similar event – Julfest – that celebrates ancestors and the Swedish Christmas traditions, and includes a Lucia procession, children's and adult choirs, and Scripture readings, she said.
At the North Park pageant, students in the Scandinavian Studies and Swedish language programs will read the Christmas story in English and Swedish from the Gospel of Luke, tell of Christmas traditions in Scandinavia and here in the United States, and recall the story of Sankta Lucia. Swedish Christmas carols will be sung. Students from Sweden, Norway, and Iceland will also participate. 萝莉社 400 people are expected to attend.
Tickets for the pageant are $5 per person, $10 per family, and may be or at the door the day of the performance. Tickets for the pageant and smörgåsbord are $15 for adults, and $10 for children under age 12. Tickets must be purchased or reserved in advance or by calling (773) 244-5592.
Larson will also represent the University in the City of Chicago's Sankta Lucia pageant, December 13 at the Daley Center. That event will include a performance by the 萝莉社 , directed by , assistant professor and the Stephen J. Hendrickson Endowed Chair in Music, .
萝莉社 was founded in 1891 by the (ECC), a Christian denomination formed by Swedish immigrants. 萝莉社 is affiliated with the ECC, and maintains a connection to its Swedish and Scandinavian roots through academic programs and other cultural exchanges.
Use @npunews to . For further information or resources, contact John Brooks, Director of Media Relations and News, or at (773) 244-5522. Learn more .
萝莉社 among Top 50 Midwest Universities in U.S. News and World Report Rankings
萝莉社 moved up in this year's "Best Colleges" rankings.
University improves ranking, looks forward to Johnson Center groundbreaking
CHICAGO (September 13, 2012) — 萝莉社 is among the top 50 best in U.S. News and World Report’s 2013 edition of its annual "" rankings. The University tied four other Midwest schools for among 112 regional universities, improving its 58th ranking on the magazine’s list in 2011.
"Rankings are helpful for families, and yet they often do not paint the full picture of a university," said , president of 萝莉社. "In our case, we are pleased to see North Park move up in the rankings because we believe this reflects a quality institution, and recognizes the significant improvements we continue to make."
On October 26, the University will break ground for construction of the 101,000-square-foot , a significant step to enhance academic excellence and student life. "We are excited to develop this new center for science and community life as part of our commitment to a great learning and living environment for our students. This and other improvements continue to show 萝莉社 as a world-class university in a world-class city," Parkyn added.
To evaluate regional universities, U.S. News and World Report applied such as peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, and alumni giving. Data was collected this spring and summer, the magazine reported. Beginning in 1983, U.S. News and World Report has published annual rankings of colleges and universities nationwide. Nearly 1,400 accredited schools were included in this year's survey.
萝莉社, founded in 1891, prepares students for lives of significance and service, expressed through three : distinctively Christian, intentionally urban, and purposefully multicultural. Courses are offered at North Park’s four campuses throughout northeastern Illinois, including the main campus, plus satellite campuses in , , and .
Use @npunews to . For further information or resources, contact John Brooks, Director of Media Relations and News, or at (773) 244-5522. Learn more .
萝莉社 Spring Theatre Production Set for Chicago Storefront Space
Mandy VanderMey and Jake Sanders portray the lead characters in the 萝莉社 theatre production of To Damascus, to be staged at a Chicago storefront theatre.
Production is based on August Strindberg's To Damascus
CHICAGO (April 13, 2012) – 萝莉社 theatre students will take their skills off campus in late April and early May to perform an original adaptation of Swedish playwright in a Chicago storefront space. It's the second time in two years that University theatre students have staged a production in the intimate setting provided by such a space, commonly used in Chicago theatre productions.
In addition, University theatre alumni working in the Chicago theatre circuit have been working with student designers the past few months, as the production takes shape, said Dr. Chad Eric Bergman, professor of communication arts, . This year is also the 100th year of Strindberg's death. Strindberg was a significant and prolific writer who penned more than 60 plays, and is credited with writing more than 30 novels, autobiographies, poems, and other artistic works. Performances of Strindberg's works are being staged throughout the world this year.
Working in storefront settings is part of students' training in the University theatre program. In 2010, the North Park production of Legitimate Geniuses was staged at the Neo Futurarium, Chicago. "It was the most successful talking play, other than a musical, that we had done in a long time," Bergman said. "People wanted to go. It was 'an event' to be off campus." This year, the University spring theatre production is , Chicago.
Last fall, Bergman translated To Damascus from Swedish to English. Bergman, 13 theatre students, and several designers then rewrote the script into a 21st century story to which students can relate, keeping the main themes of Strindberg's original piece. To Damascus describes a spiritual pilgrimage in which the main character, The Stranger, experiences Christ, similar to Paul's conversion to Christ described in the in New Testament.
"The source material these students came up was profound and topical, and really struck a chord. It's student-driven, and we're really excited about that," Bergman said.
Jake Sanders, a creative writing and theatre major from Worcester, Mass., plays the role of The Stranger. Many people had a role in reworking Strindberg's original story, he said. "It's been such a collaborative effort between not just Chad and the production team, but also the actors have had a hand in creating the world we want everyone to experience," he said in an interview.
Sanders, a junior, was in Legitimate Geniuses two years ago, and experienced first-hand the excitement of performing in a storefront setting just as Chicago professionals do. "We're actually getting off campus and doing something that's a little more radical than we normally do," he said. "It definitely jumps the energy level for everyone."
Particularly significant for Sanders and other students has been the opportunity to work on this production with alumni professionals who work in Chicago theatre. One of them is Sarah Nelson, actor, designer, and company manager for , Chicago. She graduated from 萝莉社 in 2011, where she was a student with a double major in communication arts theatre, and business and economics.
Nelson, along with other alumni and designers, has been working with the North Park students since February, helping them as they adapted Strindberg's original script, and to build sets and work on sound design. "Everyone is working as an ensemble to put this together. In Chicago you can find this sort of thing happening in many spaces," Nelson said. "I think this is a really fun, relatable piece because it's written by students and adapted from Strindberg's play."
Nelson recalled her own experiences when she was a North Park student, and how that has translated into her professional theatre career. "What I remember most is working as true collaborators," she said. "I don't think as far as I can tell from other friends at other universities that they had opportunities to work with professional directors and designers. That was a huge aid after college. I have a lot more outside connections."
Performances of the students' adaptation of To Damascus are April 27, 28 and 29, plus May 3, 4 and 5 at The Storefront Theatre Experience at Rivendell Theatre, Chicago. All performances are at 7:30 p.m., except April 29, which is at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are available by email at tickets@萝莉社theatre.org or at the door. General admission is $10, students, $5 with a University identification card. Seating is limited, with about 50 seats available for each performance.
Use @npunews to . For further information or resources, contact John Brooks, Director of Media Relations and News, or at (773) 244-5522. Learn more .
Dana Garner, Trinity United Church of Christ Child Care Centers, Chicago, was among this year's BootCamp attendees.
Axelson Center program provides networking, solutions for key concerns
CHICAGO (August 1, 2012) — Being a chief executive officer or an executive director of almost any organization is demanding. It can be even more demanding for those new to these roles, as they work to figure out what needs attention, and how best to manage people and resources. Seeking solutions to those challenges, 27 new nonprofit executive leaders participated this month in , a popular continuing education program of 萝莉社's .
Participants met with experts and each other for three days, sharing ideas and learning about organizational mission, marketing, boards and governance, management principles, measurement, and funding. They heard from a panel of BootCamp alumni, and developed personal 90-day plans of action. BootCamp is for nonprofit chief executive officers or executive directors who have been in their roles for three years or less.
"This has helped me tremendously to focus and give me a framework," said Dr. Lisa Green executive director, , Harvey, Ill. "A lot of us get in the job, and you just start 'doing.' This program did two things — it helped me focus on the things that I need to work on, and let me know I'm not doing this alone." Green has been in the executive director's role about one year, and said her 90-day action plan helped her set priorities.
Cheryl Lawrence, executive director, , Chicago, had been in her job just one week when she attended BootCamp 2012. Lawrence is an attorney and was previously the organization's director of development. Comments from BootCamp alumni about working with boards of directors were helpful, she said. "The clear vision that I have coming out of this session is how to work towards rejuvenating our board, how we handle our board meetings, (and) how we look at different ways to engage them," she said. She has struggled to engage busy board members in ways that take advantage of their expertise, Lawrence said. She plans to suggest some meaningful changes to the board president.
BootCamp also provided Lawrence with three days away from the office to meet other nonprofit leaders, and to do some serious thinking. "It's been really meaningful, and I would highly recommend this to anybody," Lawrence added.
Maria Nanos, executive director, , Chicago, said she feels more confident in her role today — after a year's experience — but admits there's still much she needs to do. "I had an opportunity to go [to BootCamp] when I first got the job, but it didn't work out because of a lot of things," Manos said. "But I'm glad that it's been a year later for me. You know what you don't know a little better."
The three-day BootCamp experience was everything Ann Carstensen hoped it would be. One of her challenges is staff management. "I think the biggest takeaway is how to better manage my organization, understanding how to better manage my staff, and how to better manage up and down the organization," said Carstensen, executive director, , Evanston, Ill. "I'm very pleased we heard some good advice and counsel to get us moving in the right direction," she added.
The vast majority of participants in BootCamp program were referred by others who attended previously, said William Braden, Axelson Center coordinator of leadership development programs. Many BootCamp speakers and Axelson Center advisory committee members are program alumni. A key to BootCamp's continuing success is feedback from program participants and follow up evaluations used to improve the curriculum, Braden said. Braden is a retired CEO of the , and a member of the Axelson Center .
The University's Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management was established in 1999. The Center provides educational experiences, services, and resources to enhance the performance and effectiveness of individuals and organizations in the nonprofit sector. In addition to BootCamp, its offerings include a host of professional development , an annual career and internship fair, professional certificate academic programs, the annual , plus nonprofit newsletters and other resources.
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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Dr. Julia Davids directs choral activities at 萝莉社.
