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.
萝莉社 has received a $35,000 grant from the federal government鈥檚 Increase and Diversify Education for U.S. Students (IDEAS) initiative, which will be used to fund virtual and in-person study abroad opportunities for underserved students.
萝莉社 has received a $35,000 grant from the federal government鈥檚 Increase and Diversify Education for U.S. Students (IDEAS) initiative, which will be used to fund virtual and in-person study abroad opportunities for underserved students.
As part of the grant, North Park faculty and staff will partner with Nepal-based The Green Program (TGP) to develop custom study-abroad programs that tie climate, energy, and environmental-related subject matter to relevant topics in their disciplines.
鈥淚鈥檓 excited by the opportunities afforded by the IDEAS grant and what we鈥檒l be able to achieve through partnership with TGP,鈥� said Tessa Zanoni, North Park鈥檚 Director of the Office of International Affairs.
鈥淎s a small university with limited study abroad funding and staffing, this grant will make it possible for us to increase resources and programs for our faculty and students,鈥� Zanoni said. 鈥淚鈥檓 hopeful that we鈥檒l be able to achieve our ultimate goal of expanding access to study abroad programs for all North Park students.鈥�
As a recently designated Hispanic Serving Institution and majority commuter campus, North Park is actively working to expand study abroad opportunities for underrepresented students. The long-term goal of North Park鈥檚 partnership with TGP is to increase student participation in study abroad programs, as well as increasing student understanding of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The IDEAS Grants are administered by the US Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). This year, ECA awarded the grant to 44 US colleges and universities to create, expand, and diversify their study abroad programs.
The Green Program provides hands-on courses on topics such as renewable energy innovation and sustainability. Students who participate in the 8鈥�10-day programs receive a Smart Certificate. This year鈥檚 course takes place in Iceland in cooperation with Reykjavik University.
萝莉社 is launching a new graduate degree program for students and career changers鈥攁 Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing designed for students with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. The program will prepare students with the knowledge and skills they need to provide safe, competent, and compassionate care to patients.
“This new program is a perfect example of听萝莉社’s听ability to capitalize on our historic strength in nursing and health sciences education,” said听萝莉社听笔谤别蝉颈诲别苍迟听Mary K. Surridge. “We are building new capacity to educate and equip more and more highly skilled and ethical professionals to positively impact the city of听Chicago and beyond.”
Students in the five-semester program will complete clinical rotations that align with their coursework and prepare them to enter the field with skill and confidence. All clinical rotations are held in hospitals and community sites recognized for nursing excellence, including Swedish Hospital, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Lurie Children’s Hospital, Lawndale Community Health Center, and others.
After completing the degree requirements through听North Park’s听 graduates will be qualified to apply for the professional nurse licensing examination, the NCLEX-RN. Graduates who pass this exam become licensed registered nurses (RNs) and are eligible to work in a healthcare setting. Graduates will also have the academic foundation necessary to pursue further education in the field, such as a post-master’s certification in an advanced practice specialty, nursing leadership, and management, or earning your Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
North Park Provost Michael Carr said graduates of this program “will have learned to Integrate core scientific and ethical principles, advanced nursing knowledge, professional values, and clinical excellence in a nursing practice that reflects the Christian principles of the philosophy of the听萝莉社听School of Nursing.”
The Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing at听萝莉社听is designed for students who hold a bachelor’s degree in another academic major. Students can apply to the program through听, the centralized application for nursing programs.听Application fee waivers听are available for those who qualify.
Looking to work alongside an already booming gaming industry located in Chicago,听萝莉社听(North Park) is excited to add Esports as the institution’s first coed and 19th overall sport. Recruiting for incoming student-athletes will begin immediately, with competition to start fall of 2023.
“We are excited to add Esports to the athletic department,” said听John Born, North Park Assistant Vice President, Director of Athletics. “It is a great opportunity to meet current demand and add to the diversity of the institution. The combination of an emerging sport and the resources of听Chicago听is a definite win-win scenario.”
Esports, a form of competitive, organized video gaming, is most often used in a “multiplayer” setting. As a fan-friendly sport when it comes to viewership and streaming, Esports is expected to net 29.6 million monthly viewers this year, up 11.5% from 2021, according to estimates done by听Insider Intelligence.
Chicago has been a hotspot for Esports for many years, and听North Park听is well-situated with its听Chicago campus to be in the epicenter of this growing sport. The League Championship Series for high-level听League of Legends听players听will take place at the听United Center听September 10鈥�11. Additionally, Chicago’s听City Council approved a听$30 million dollar听arena, “Surge” Esports Stadium, to be built in Bronzeville.听Investments like these will provide听North Park students ample opportunity to expand their abilities and pursue longer-term career options in the field.
Though exploding in popularity, including the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Collegiate Athletic Association has not officially sponsored Esports for intercollegiate competition. However,听North Park will join the National Association of College Esports, the largest member association of college and university-sponsored Esports programs that promote student education and development through intercollegiate Esports.
“Meeting students where they are at is what we aim to do at听North Park,听and offering Esports as an official varsity program is no exception. As a university, we are fortunate to have the resources to have this dream come to fruition. This is a great day for听North Park.”
For questions about the program, contact Peter Casella, Director of Esports.
Shi: What being a Fulbright ETA means to me is to become a part of the community that I鈥檓 placed in and to serve the community by teaching English. It鈥檚 to be engaged in a continual process of understanding how my own cultural background and identity influences my interactions with the land, culture, and people, and to approach these interactions with openness, curiosity, and sensitivity; it鈥檚 to savor new foods and sights and to learn about the history and language of the country; it鈥檚 to cultivate meaningful relationships and share experiences and perspectives with those around me and to appreciate living everyday life in the community. Overall, I鈥檓 incredibly thankful for this opportunity and it鈥檚 an exciting journey that鈥檚 really going to change my life.
What was your experience like applying for a Fulbright scholarship?
Victoria Shi
Shi: I began the application pretty early in the summer (June 2021) and had finished it while I was studying abroad in Thailand (October 2021). It was a long and sometimes stressful process, but I learned a lot from the experience. I received incredible support from faculty, friends, and family, whether that be pointing me to resources that would help better develop my application, working through different peer review stages for my essays, writing letters of recommendation, or simply giving encouragement and having faith in me to pursue this goal. I couldn鈥檛 have听done it without the people in my life.
How has North Park prepared you to pursue your future plans?
Shi: The faculty members in my department and throughout the university as well as classes I鈥檝e taken have really shaped my understanding of the world and sharpened my critical thinking听skills. They鈥檝e helped me find what I鈥檓 interested in and passionate about and given me听guidance and assurance throughout my undergraduate education.
held a graduation ceremony at Stateville Correctional Center for 28 resident scholars in honor of earning their Master of Arts in Christian Ministry from . Two students began the program inside Stateville and, upon release, completed their studies on North Park’s campus.
The graduation was the first of its kind in an Illinois Department of Corrections facility and represents a profound commitment to liberative and restorative education. Commencement speaker听Cook County听State’s Attorney听Kimberly M. Foxx, who was invited to speak by the students, acknowledged that while she was not the obvious choice, she identified with the graduates in powerful ways, saying, “I am you.”
The inaugural graduating School of Restorative Arts (SRA) cohort brings together free and incarcerated students to study in the shared Stateville on-site space鈥� unifying a transformative learning experience for all. In his remarks during the June 15th ceremony, SRA inside student听Jamal Bakr said, “We are receiving our master’s degree because our potential is not defined by our worst mistakes. Let today’s event be an example of what happens when opportunities are created, potentials are unignored and complete restoration is always the aim of justice.”
This one-of-its-kind master’s degree, offered in prisons throughout Illinois, prepares individuals for restoration ministries in contexts impacted by violence and generational trauma through non-violent communication and trauma-informed healing. The four-year degree is offered to over 100 Stateville and Logan Correctional Centers students.
Many graduates share how they’d grown throughout the program. “I’m bringing the knowledge of my degree to all those I meet in this prison, this knowledge is so badly needed here,” said William Jones.
The faith-filled celebration was attended by听North Park President Mary K. Surridge and the seminary faculty. “Some might doubt that love and beauty could be so evident in such a dreary setting, but all who were present witnessed how creative collaboration, belief in the transformative power of God’s spirit, and tenacious commitment to justice can accomplish what might first appear to be impossible,” said North Park’s听Rev. Dr.听Dennis R. Edwards.
When hard-working and ambitious North Parkers Victoria Shi, Macayla Dowling, Sara Luna, and Aidan Nyquist applied for the prestigious Fulbright U.S. Student Program (Fulbright Program) award earlier this Spring, they had to wait until close to the end of the school year to find out the exciting news. The Fulbright Program announced its funding grants for international study/research projects or English teaching assistant abroad programs in early May 2022 along with the Fulbright Finalist, Alternate, and Semi-Finalists–each having to be recommended by the National Screening Committee.
Recipients of Fulbright awards are selected in an open, merit-based competition that considers leadership potential, academic and/or professional achievement, and record of service. Shi, Dowling, Luna, and Nyquist, all have future plans in place to continue to live their lives of significance and service–domestically and abroad.
For Shi, she received the exciting news as the Fulbright Finalist and plans on applying the Fulbright award towards being an English teaching assistant in Taiwan. As a Fulbright Finalist, Shi鈥檚 teaching English in Taiwan will go a long way in sharing her educational experience formed at North Park and fostering meaningful connections across communities in the United States and Taiwan. By accepting the grant, Shi is now considered an official Fulbright Student.
鈥淏eing a Fulbright Student means becoming a part of the community that I鈥檓 placed in and serving the community by teaching English. It鈥檚 to be engaged in a continual process of understanding how my own cultural background and identity influences my interactions with the land, culture, and people, and to approach these interactions with openness, curiosity, and sensitivity; it鈥檚 to savor new foods and sights and to learn about the history and language of the country; it鈥檚 to cultivate meaningful relationships and share experiences and perspectives with those around me and to appreciate living everyday life in the community,鈥� said Shi.
Victoria Shi
The two Fulbright Alternates 鈥� awarded to Dowling and Luna 鈥� both have goals to teach English: Dowling in Spain and Luna in Bulgaria.
Macayla DowlingSara Luna
Fulbright Semi-Finalist, Nyquist, who applied for an open study/research award in Sweden, remains grateful for having come this far. 鈥淒espite not being a finalist, I am really glad I went through the Fulbright process. It helped me solidify my decision, so I feel confident going forward with a master鈥檚 degree in Theoretical Physics at Uppsala University in Sweden,鈥� said Nyquist.
Aidan Nyquist
The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. The primary source of funding for the Fulbright Program is an annual appropriation made by the U.S. Congress to the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Participating governments, host institutions, corporations, and foundations in foreign countries and in the United States also provide direct and indirect support. Recipients of Fulbright grants are selected on the basis of academic or professional achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership potential in their fields. The Program operates in over 160 countries worldwide.
萝莉社 has appointed Rev. Dennis R. Edwards, PhD as Dean of North Park Theological Seminary and Vice President for Church Relations. He will report directly to North Park President Mary K. Surridge and serve as a member of her senior leadership team, beginning August 1, 2022.
Rev. Dennis R. Edwards
Rev. Dr. Edwards, ordained in the Evangelical Covenant Church, is a with more than 25 publications to his credit, most recently on Biblical affirmation that black lives matter.
鈥淲e are blessed indeed to have Rev. Dr. Edwards in this position,鈥� President Surridge said. 鈥淚 have full confidence in his leadership, his discipleship and our partnership. I know he will continue the Seminary鈥檚 entrepreneurial spirit while assuring an exceptional educational experience for each and every student. And I look forward to the strategic and innovative thinking, and the pastoral presence, that he will bring to the senior team.鈥�
The Seminary is well known for innovation in higher theological education. In addition to the residential campus in Chicago, and online classes, the Seminary has several forward-thinking programs including a master鈥檚 degree through its School of Restorative Arts (SRA), which operates inside two correctional facilities within the Illinois Department of Corrections. The SRA is a unique educational opportunity where inside and outside students study together in the same classroom inside the prisons.
Edwards has served as a professor of Biblical studies at eight institutions of higher learning over the past 24 years, including his first service to North Park Theological Seminary, where he taught Mobilizing for Justice in spring 2013 and has served as associate professor of New Testament since August 2019.
Edwards has written more than 25 publications: “1 Peter,” part of the Story of God Bible Commentary series; “What is the Bible and How Do We Understand It?”; and “Might from the Margins: The Gospel鈥檚 Power to Turn the Tables on Injustice”. He is also a frequent contributor to Christianity Today magazine. His extensive professional activities also include lectures and presentations, podcasts and webinars, and service on numerous boards and steering committees.
Dean Edwards served for three decades in urban pastoral ministry. He was senior pastor of the Sanctuary Covenant Church in Minneapolis; founding pastor of Peace Fellowship Church in Washington, DC; associate and then lead pastor of Washington Community Fellowship on Capitol Hill; and founding pastor of New Community Church in Brooklyn, New York.
He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University, his Master of Divinity (Urban Ministry) at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and both a Master of Arts and PhD in Biblical Studies from Catholic University of America.
鈥淎s I follow Jesus, I am continuing to grow in my love for God and love for my neighbors,鈥� Edwards said. 鈥淚 hope to encourage others to grow similarly in such love and trust that my decades of pastoral ministry along with my scholarly work will be helpful in this new opportunity at North Park. I look forward to working with the Seminary students, faculty, and staff, with the President and her senior team, and with the Covenant in this vital role.鈥�
Jay Carstenbrock, chairman of the search committee and vice chairman of the North Park Board of Trustees, said Rev. Dr. Edwards 鈥渨as the unanimous choice of the search committee, and strongly supported by faculty and staff at the Seminary. As an accomplished scholar, gifted teacher, collaborative leader, and dedicated Christ-follower, we have great confidence in his ability to lead North Park Theological Seminary as it carries out its mission: 鈥榃ith Christ at our center, we seek to educate and form missional leaders for the global church鈥�.鈥�
North Park is the University of the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC). The Seminary dean is the senior administrative officer of the University鈥檚 Seminary, responsible for assuring effective student learning, advancement of faculty scholarship, and stewardship of financial resources. As vice president for church relations, the dean is the primary liaison to the ECC in areas related to the education of ministerial candidates.
“I just love that Dr. Walsh and Dr. Madl went out of their way to make sure that we had a family experience and were prepared in an unprecedented time.鈥�
Joseph Segreti, Educational Leadership (Principal endorsement) G鈥�21
鈥淚鈥檓 a teacher and I was looking into pursuing an educational leadership program, so I was put into contact with Dr. Walsh. The first time I talked to him he gave me 45 minutes to an hour on the phone and wanted to take every single question I had.
“The conversation and relationship with him were both so natural, and that continued as I went through the program and even after the program. Through the cohorts Dr. Walsh and Dr. Madl did everything they could to look out for us. Our cohort was two or three classes in when the pandemic hit, but Dr. Madl and Dr. Walsh continued to keep us on track and engage and invest in us.
“They would check on us, whether it be a phone call or an email, and anytime we would call they would pick up and were willing to give us the time. When we were finishing up the program, they wanted to get everybody together just to see each other one last time, so we all went out to lunch. I just love that Dr. Walsh and Dr. Madl went out of their way to make sure that we had a family experience and were prepared in an unprecedented time.鈥�
“It鈥檚 because of my love of North Park and those days as a student that it鈥檚 on my heart to keep giving. I believe in North Park鈥檚 mission.”
Joyce Broman Appel C鈥�45
鈥淚 attended North Park right in the middle of World War II, so there were very few men on campus. That made it a special time for us women, and we bonded because it was such a different setting. It鈥檚 because of my love of North Park and those days as a student that it鈥檚 on my heart to keep giving. I believe in North Park鈥檚 mission.
鈥淚 returned to community when my husband started teaching at North Park. Spending those years there really deepened my commitment to North Park. My brothers and sister all went to North Park, as did our oldest daughter.
鈥淟ast year on Blue and Gold Day I made a matching promise that if a certain number of people raised $2,000 in a certain amount of time, I would match it. I plan to give again on this Blue and Gold Day and I hope that my gift last year inspires people to make a matching gift this year!鈥�
“I have so many great memories of North Park, from playing soccer to working on the College News to hanging out in the art building. But, it was the people who made the difference.”
Todd Durston C鈥�94
鈥淚 have so many great memories of North Park, from playing soccer to working on the College News to hanging out in the art building. But, it was the people who made the difference. Freshman year I lobbed a snowball at a window in Ohlson House, where the first-year women lived at the time. It broke, and I was terrified. But the RD, Marilyn, showed such grace and kindness when I apologized.
“There were dozens of people like that at North Park, including my wonderful art professors, like Neal Murray. He spent so much time nurturing our talents and encouraging us. During the 90s, there was a strong group of grads going into advertising, a career I wanted to pursue. When I graduated, I almost immediately called on some of those older alums to help me establish my own career. Now, I鈥檓 a creative director at a large agency and I get to do all kinds of rewarding work, such as shooting commercials with Elmo. I give so much credit to my North Park education. Oh, and I also met my wife there. Thanks, North Park!鈥�
Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories Press, Stories
