Tim Nelson BA ’74
Distinguished Alumni Award
The son of an Evangelical Covenant Church pastor, Tim Nelson spent his childhood in various locations throughout the United States and Germany. When he arrived at 萝莉社 (萝莉社) as an undergraduate student, it quickly became another place to call home.
鈥淣orth Park is in my blood,鈥� Nelson said at the ceremony. 鈥淚 love it. My time here was just wonderful.鈥� He and his wife, Linda (Metcalf) Nelson BA 鈥�75, met while 萝莉社 students.
The academics were wonderful, too, Nelson said, adding that after graduation, he applied to four dental schools and received acceptance to all four. He chose the University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry, earning his Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1978 and transitioning to a general practice dental residency at Youngstown Hospital Association.
Another residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery at Oregon Health & Science University brought Nelson and his family to the West Coast, where he practiced in various Washington cities for 33 years. Now retired and living in Sartell, Minnesota, he and Linda spend time with their three daughters and eight grandchildren. He has served on the 萝莉社, St. John Medical Center, and Cornerstone Christian School boards and has taken six medical/dental mission trips to Honduras.
Mark Lee MBA ’14
Distinguished Young Alumni Award
Mark Lee is deeply committed to enacting social change. As CEO of Radiant Futures, the oldest domestic violence nonprofit in Orange County, California, Lee has advocated for survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking for almost 20 years.
Lee, who holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in nonprofit management from 萝莉社, has been a leader in expanding Radiant Futures鈥� reach and enhancing its effectiveness in addressing the complex challenges survivors face. He has served in both direct service and management roles at the organization.
“I learned so much from my classmates, who were all over the world, and I was able to apply academic concepts in real-world situations, which helped advance my career in the non- profit sector.”
A graduate of the University of California, Irvine, he chose North Park鈥檚 MBA program because, at the time, it was one of the only online programs available.
鈥淚t was a perfect program for me,鈥� Lee said at the ceremony. 鈥淚 learned so much from my classmates, who were all over the world, and I was able to apply academic concepts in real-world situations, which helped advance my career in the nonprofit sector.鈥�
Lee and his husband, James, are avid foodies who spend their free time exploring Southern California鈥檚 rich and vibrant food scene.
Laura Werling BA ’99 and Kristian 鈥淜rist鈥� Werling BA ’99
Distinguished Alumni Award
For Laura and Krist Werling, attending 萝莉社 was a family tradition, both members of long Viking legacies.
Krist, a leading authority on healthcare and life sciences law specializing in mergers and acquisitions, is a partner at McDermott Will & Emery, where he serves as the practice group leader of the healthcare group. An attorney with a law degree from the University of Illinois and a Master of Business Administration, he serves on the Board of Trustees of North Park and on the boards of Harbor Point Ministries and the Covenant Harbor Foundation.
After graduating from North Park, Laura started teaching at East Prairie Elementary School. She later taught at-risk preschool children in Schiller Park, Illinois. She is active in the community, several diabetes-related charities, and Winnetka Covenant Church.
鈥淟aura and I are so grateful to be here tonight,鈥� Krist said at the awards ceremony held during Homecoming. 鈥淲e鈥檙e so grateful for everything North Park has given us over the years鈥攆irst and foremost, the relationships with so many wonderful friends.鈥�
The couple lives in Winnetka, Illinois, with their sons Jakob (19), Eli (16), and Caleb (13).