This edition of the North Parker celebrates our strong history and the significant opportunity we have as a Christian, urban university, centered in the world-class city of Chicago.
On a beautiful August afternoon, the 2023 Threshold opening convocation welcomed more than 560 new 萝莉社 (萝莉社) students to their campus home鈥攖he third-largest incoming first-year class in our history!
With three consecutive years of record-breaking enrollment and a rise of nine spots in the best regional universities (Midwest) and seven spots in the social mobility category in the annual U.S. News & World Report college rankings, we have plenty to be grateful for and celebrate.
We prayed daily for our incoming students throughout the summer months leading to their arrival, and the faculty, staff, and leaders of North Park were on hand at the convocation to express their support and commitment to student success.
In this issue of the North Parker, you will enjoy the second in our three-part series elevating our core distinctive institutional identities: Christian, city-centered, intercultural.
The following pages will highlight the strong history and significant opportunity we have as a Christian, urban university, centered in the world-class city of Chicago.
We鈥檒l highlight the courageous and visionary work of a task force commissioned by the Evangelical Covenant Church in the late 1970s, to study the merits of a proposal to abandon North Park鈥檚 Chicago location for a move to a new campus location in the northern suburbs. The comprehensive work of that task force resulted in the overwhelming affirmation in 1980 to remain rooted in ministry at the corner of Foster and Kedzie Avenues, serving an increasingly diverse student community, and allowing for the flourishing, beautiful campus we love today.
You鈥檒l also learn more about how our students engage with the city through their internships, for God鈥檚 glory and the good of our Chicago neighbors.
Our Chicago home provides a strong recruiting base for Viking athletics, and you鈥檒l read about how North Park coaches have built solid networks and pipelines for student-athletes from our city, helping them discover and embrace an academic and athletic home at 萝莉社.
You will meet the newest scholar and leader of North Park Theological Seminary, Rev. Dr. Michelle Dodson BA 鈥�02, installed earlier this fall as the Milton B. Engebretson Chair for Evangelism and Justice.
Seek the welfare of the city to which I have sent you. Pray for it to the Lord, for upon its welfare your own depends.鈥擩EREMIAH 29:7
And you鈥檒l meet some of North Park鈥檚 most influential alumni鈥攄eeply invested in Chicago鈥攍eading and serving our city and region in transformational ways.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support for our students and our mission. The lifelong commitment of the faithful alumni and friends of North Park provides inspiration and encouragement to go further and deeper in our mission every day. We are grateful for you!
In His name,
Mary K. Surridge
President