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.
The new curriculum redesigns the University’s weekly schedule to allow for faculty-guided excursions, starting fall 2017.
The new curriculum redesigns the University’s weekly schedule to allow for faculty-guided excursions, starting fall 2017.
What is Catalyst 606__?
CHICAGO (March 8, 2016) 鈥斕�Catalyst 606__ is North Park’s Chicago-based curriculum. Students learn outside the classroom, exploring the city during staff- and faculty-guided excursions.
Innovative. Off-Campus. Hands-on. Credit-earning.
The Catalyst programs at North Park unite the city and students together in the form of civic engagement and exposure to current science and the arts. Dates and facts about the labor movement in a textbook become alive with visits to the historic Pullman Foundation; financial accounting becomes relevant in visits to the Loop鈥檚 financial district; economics becomes visible in a tour of manufacturing company; art and culture open eyes with attendance at operas and exhibits.
In addition, Catalyst 606__
is a Chicago-centered urban experience.
is intentionally intercultural.
offers hands-on learning.
provides cultural and educational experiences in the city.
blends theory and practice with applied academics.
On your Mark, Get Set, Go: Wednesday Afternoons
鈥淐hicago is our classroom and all Chicagoans are our teachers鈥� has been a long-standing North Park approach to learning. Starting fall 2017, Wednesday afternoons will be designated for exploring the city of Chicago. Students will have at least two opportunities per afternoon course to explore Chicago and enrich their learning across academic disciplines.
Catalyst 606__: Semester
For students who would like a more immersive experience beyond a Catalyst class, there鈥檚 the Catalyst 606__ Semester. Designed for students early in their undergraduate years, all classes for a full semester focus on the dynamic city of Chicago.
In a Catalyst 606__ Semester, students:
take classes together in a cohort setting.
share a common set of courses.
complete an assigned practicum experience with a local community-based organization to gain valuable work experience.
learn from the diverse fabric of the city through its residents, walking tours, museums, performances, and local dining.
investigate issues impacting urban areas.
During the semester, students will view the city through different lenses, disciplines, and perspectives, while they serve and participate in its flourishing. There is also the option to take other courses outside of the cohort to fulfill additional requirements specific to programs.
A听broad understanding of city infrastructure is essential as companies, government, and nonprofits prepare for a population shift to cities.
66% of the world鈥檚 population will live and work in urban areas by 2050.*
Cities will grow by more than 2.5 billion people; most human population growth going forward will be urban.*
Hands-on learning experiences in the very environment where change is happening鈥� this is a top priority and initiative for North Park.
What’s the Name All 萝莉社?
Chicago is a city of neighborhoods and each neighborhood has a unique story to tell. The “606__” represents the base of all Chicago zip codes. Every Wednesday, there鈥檚 the opportunity to fill in the last two digits, like the coordinates in an ethnographic map. Using these coordinates, students will learn from the city and contribute to community goals.
The new mark honors the institution’s 125-year legacy, while pointing to a bold future.
CHICAGO (November 17, 2016) 鈥� 萝莉社 this week unveiled its new logo, which harkens to the University鈥檚 history in Chicago. The cupola is a depiction of the first campus building, Old Main, built in 1893. Once the tallest point on the north side of Chicago, the cupola was historically used as a guiding landmark for pilots landing at Orchard Field (now O鈥橦are International Airport).
In the new rendition of this architectural feature, the steeple breaks out of a shield, emphasizing 萝莉社鈥檚 continued role as a directional point for students, alumni, and community members. A cross is visible towards the top of the symbol, a reflection of the University鈥檚 identity, which is 鈥渞ooted in Christianity, with open arms.鈥�
Founded by the Swedish听Evangelical Covenant Church, North Park has long identified with the colors blue and gold, originally drawn from the Swedish flag. This is maintained in the new logo, as well as the marker 鈥淐HICAGO,鈥� indicating North Park鈥檚 continued commitment to engaging its urban environment.
Located in Chicago, 萝莉社 is a Christian comprehensive university that serves nearly 3,200 undergraduate and graduate students from around the country and the world. Within a diverse, close-knit, urban community, North Park offers a values-based education to students through more than 40 undergraduate majors and an adult degree-completion program, as well as graduate and continuing education in business, nonprofit management, nursing, education, music, and theology. By integrating faith with learning鈥攁s it has done since its founding in 1891 by the Evangelical Covenant Church鈥斅芾蛏� continues to focus on the important task of preparing students for lives of significance and service.
Chicago Intensive program part of University curriculum combining classroom and experiential learning
CHICAGO (October 21, 2016) 鈥� 萝莉社鈥檚 is a semester-long urban experiential program with all classes and hands-on learning focused on the city of Chicago. Designed to foster learning in the context of relationships, students in the program share the same curriculum, with opportunities for group discussion and interaction.
Intended for students in their second year at North Park鈥攁fter they鈥檙e comfortable with the university experience, but before being fully immersed in their major classes鈥攖he program鈥檚 cohort serves and learns together. Courses address the urban context, students volunteer with community-based organizations across Chicago, and faculty facilitate firsthand exploration of the city.
The Chicago Intensive first ran as a pilot program last spring, continues this fall, and will expand next semester. Here, Provost shares his thoughts on the nature, history, and future of the program.
What was the thinking behind launching the Chicago Intensive?
I believe it鈥檚 important to find meaningful ways to engage North Park students with the world around them鈥攂ut also to bridge the gap between theory and practice. There鈥檚 plenty of valuable learning happening in the classroom, but with North Park situated in Chicago, it鈥檚 a terrific opportunity for students to get to know the city and our world on a much deeper level.
What is the Chicago Intensive concept?
The concept is likened to study abroad, where students have the opportunity to learn about something entirely new in a hands-on experiential learning format. The program taps into the city right here, and engages our students in a unique way not found in the classroom.
Will it take longer to complete my undergraduate degree?
The curriculum is designed to work in conjunction with meeting general education requirements, so there is no time lost in completing your degree.
What does the Chicago Intensive curriculum entail?
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the cohort takes classes together on campus. The curriculum is designed around best practices of educational goals鈥攂oth in-the-classroom academic and hands-on experiential learning鈥攁nd each course is focused in some way on Chicago. On Mondays and Fridays, the students spend time in their assigned nonprofit organizations, organizations striving for a better Chicago. On Wednesdays, the cohort travels together with their instructors to visit specific sites, and then spends time processing the experience and talking about how it all fits together.
听What kind of outings do students go on?
Students have had hands-on learning experiences ranging from community-based organizations like urban gardening to business-oriented subject matter like visiting a downtown courtroom.
How does the Chicago Intensive tie into North Park鈥檚 Christian, urban, and intercultural mission and values?
The origin of the program is very much connected to our Christian tradition and commitment to intercultural community. Students engage the city not just through academics, but by serving its people through our ministries, and learning from the diverse people of Chicago.听The Chicago Intensive is designed to provide ample opportunities for students to focus on the meaning of living a life of significance and service.
What is behind North Park鈥檚 focus on students having a complete and fulfilling college experience?
Our faculty is here to teach and prepare the next generation. The student body is diverse, and as a society, we need to educate a broader base of students鈥攖he educators at North Park are in tune with what鈥檚 needed for a thriving society, and recognize that the status quo of only educating the elite is something we need to be active in demystifying.
What type of student will get the most out of the Chicago Intensive?
Students who are motivated by justice and making the world a better place. We鈥檙e here to teach and support students in being part of a team to make a real difference.
Why is North Park investing in this program, without a tuition increase?
We care deeply about our students and their success and are always looking for ways to provide our students the highest quality comprehensive college experience, expanding academics, faith, and exposure to hands-on learning off-campus. Our Christian values are rooted in making a high-quality education accessible to a student body made up of diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. Because Chicago is a world-class city, our students will benefit greatly from understanding it and learning from it. They will be prepared for today鈥檚 global world.
Given your background as an urban sociologist, what are your thoughts on how living and working in a major metropolitan city influences a career?
Studies have shown that students who have their first job in large cities like Chicago鈥攔egardless of their actual job or title鈥攔ise up the ranks faster, are promoted more often, and earn a higher wage. This is because the best and brightest are attracted to global cities, and they are the sites of the world鈥檚 innovation, creativity, and inventions.听 Rubbing shoulders with such people and organizations benefits students for a lifetime.
How far back do North Park鈥檚 roots go to being in a major metropolitan city?
North Park just celebrated its . Over the years, the University was offered land outside the city, but the decision was made in 1980 to stay in our original urban location. This decision was thoughtful and deliberate, as North Park鈥檚 identity as an Christian, urban, and intercultural institution has remained consistent鈥攕tudents and graduates develop real connections with the city, the people around them, opportunities for career growth, and opportunities for truly rich, meaningful lives in service to others.
How is being in a cohort part of the Chicago Intensive experience?
In a cohort, you learn from one another鈥檚 strengths, and in the same way, students get to role model their strengths鈥攊t鈥檚 a win-win where students serve as leader and learner. And together, the cohort works to problem-solve, a valuable skill, transferable as students and graduates pursue their career paths.
How does the Chicago Intensive contribute toward growing Illinois鈥檚 workforce and building an engaged citizenry?
Participating in the Chicago Intensive is engaging in nature, where students are exposed to the complexities of community-related and real business issues, requiring creative thinking, problem solving, and polished communication skills to work together in a team environment. The hope and goal is for students to form relationships within the community, build a connection to Chicago, and find good and meaningful careers and vocations.
What faculty members are leading the program?
, professor of mathematics, and , Urban Outreach coordinator with University Ministries, launched and lead the Chicago Intensive and continue to monitor learning best practices.
Author, reporter Natalie Moore calls students to ask challenging questions
CHICAGO (October 17, 2016) 鈥� For more than a decade, 萝莉社鈥檚听听program has been a key part of its undergraduate experience. Beginning in 2003, a yearlong series of events, lectures, and discussions has occurred across campus around a central question of the human experience. Meant to connect students from a variety of disciplines in a common pursuit, recent themes have included ,听, and听.
This year鈥檚 theme, What Is Beauty?, marks the second year of a cycle in the Campus Theme series. Beginning last year, four questions鈥擶hat Is Truth? What Is Beauty? What Is Good? What Is Sacred?鈥攚ill be asked over four years. After that, the same cycle questions will begin again over the following four academic years.
鈥淪ince most undergraduate students are here for four years, our Campus Theme committee discussed the idea of a common set of questions,鈥� said听, associate professor of听听and the director of the Campus Theme program. 鈥淭he shared experience of a single question happening across campus is essential to Campus Theme, and this allows us to enhance the shared experience across different classes and perhaps even generations of North Park graduates.鈥�
The pursuit of What Is Beauty? is already underway. On September 20, poet and translator Mark Tardi spoke on 鈥淭he Beauty of Mathematics and Poetry鈥� in Nyvall Hall, and on September 23, Clifton-Soderstrom moderated a panel of alumni artists addressing beauty.
鈥楾he Beautiful City鈥�
Last Friday, students, faculty, staff, and guests gathered in Anderson Chapel to hear from Natalie Y. Moore, South Side bureau reporter and author of The South Side: A Portrait of Chicago and American Segregation.
Moore’s book The South Side is the University鈥檚 Common Read selection this year.
Moore鈥檚 lecture, 鈥淭he Beautiful City,鈥� was particularly meaningful for North Park, as The South Side is the University鈥檚 Common Read selection this year. The Common Read program, similar to initiatives like听, is in its fourth year as part of the Campus Theme. Through the program, incoming first-year students have a shared experience of reading the same book鈥攕elected based on the Campus Theme鈥攁nd then gather throughout the year to discuss its meanings and implications.
鈥淐hicago can be very tribal,鈥� Moore told the audience, 鈥渨hich in some ways can be negative, but there are also a lot of positives about it. There are a lot of long-lasting, deep connections in Chicago, and I think we should celebrate that. There鈥檚 so much other beauty that鈥檚 on the surface and below the surface.鈥�
Moore sees segregation as the defining issue of the region. 鈥淚t鈥檚 more important than pensions, violence, or income inequality,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the common denominator in many of the issues we鈥檙e facing here in Chicago. We can鈥檛 honestly talk about unemployment, crime, violence, or food justice without addressing segregation.鈥�
So how does Chicago become a more beautiful city? By asking how it can become desegregated, Moore said. 鈥淪egregation can seem so intractable, so cemented. A lack of creativity continues to stifle Chicago and the greater metropolitan area. Until policies address exclusionary isolation, it will continue. This is about proximity to power and resources鈥攚e have to create just and fair standards.鈥�
When Moore completed her book, she was more hopeful than when she began, she said. While 鈥渢here鈥檚 no silver bullet,鈥� many potential solutions have been offered, particularly within Chicago’s universities, like North Park, she said. 鈥淚 am a person of faith, and I have faith in humanity. Chicago is beautiful. You can have strife and loveliness coexist. I love my city, and I always want it to do better.鈥�
Events throughout the year
Campus Theme events will occur throughout the year, with most of them free and open to the public. Beginning November 4, the work of Milwaukee artist Lois Bielfield will be displayed in the installation 鈥淏eauty Conventions鈥� in Carlson Tower Gallery. In the spring, the University will also welcome, among others, Dr. Reggie Williams of McCormick Seminary, addressing 鈥淏eauty, Identity, and Social Change.鈥�
Other guests will include gospel musician Jonathan McReynolds; origami artist Robert J. Lang; Amazing Grace author Aaron Cohen; and Dr. Gabriel Richardson Lear of the University of Chicago, addressing 鈥淏eauty and the Good Life.鈥�
More events related to Campus Theme will be announced throughout the year. Please visit听听for updates and more information.
Chef returns to North Park for 125th Anniversary Alumni Panel
CHICAGO (October 3, 2016) 听鈥� As a 萝莉社 undergraduate student, Shanna Horner O鈥橦ea had no idea that her major in and minor in would eventually lead her to competing in TV cooking shows. But while her career has taken an unexpected path, she鈥檚 always been driven by a pursuit of creative work.
鈥淢y connection with food is very related to art,鈥� O鈥橦ea, a 1994 North Park graduate, said. 鈥淚nstead of using a paintbrush, I鈥檓 using food as my palate.鈥�
Today, O鈥橦ea and her husband, Brian, co-own the Kennebunk Inn and Academe restaurant in Kennebunk, Maine. Academe gained national notoriety when O鈥橦ea鈥檚 lobster potpie dish was featured on the Food Network series The Best Thing I Ever Ate and her lobster white pizza made O magazine鈥檚 O List. Since then, she has competed on the shows Chopped, Rewrapped, and Beat Bobby Flay.
When she recently returned to campus for the University鈥檚 , she spoke at an session about her experiences as a chef while performing a live cooking demonstration, then distributed toasted s鈥檓ores to the audience. 鈥淓ducation is in my bones,鈥� said O鈥橦ea, daughter of former North Park president Dr. David Horner. 鈥淢y desire to continue to learn is something I absolutely got at North Park.鈥�
We spoke with O鈥橦ea about how staying true to herself led to a career she loved, the ways in which her small seaside town is like North Park, and 鈥渢he dance鈥� of a kitchen running smoothly.
North Park: How did your time at North Park prepare you for what you do now?
Shanna Horner 翱鈥橦别补: North Park provided great structure and accountability for me. It鈥檚 the first time in your life when you鈥檙e really making personal decisions that have consequences. I think that structure reflects my job now because听I feel accountable for employees, our reputation, inspiring staff to give it their all.
I also felt a great deal of community in a large city at North Park, which is something rather special about the campus and the people that encompass it. I made lifelong friends at North Park, and I think this feeling of a small community in an interesting area led me to Kennebunk. My job as an innkeeper and chef introduces me to Maine locals, international and domestic tourists, and interns. I love the cultural diversity that this small seaside town can provide, which mirrors my feelings while attending North Park.
NP: Was there a specific moment or experience at North Park that helped kick off the trajectory of your career?
翱鈥橦别补: I truly did not understand my direct connection to becoming a chef while at North Park, but I did have an “aha” moment of the importance of pursuing a career in something you love. As a freshman, I started with an art focus because I always loved to create. But I got a little self-conscious with the first classes and wondered if I was good enough to pursue this path. I also fell under some peer pressure of “what kind of job are you going to get after college as an art major?”
I then decided to pursue business and marketing for that post-college job. Although I enjoyed the marketing classes鈥攁nd the free candy and inspirational videos the instructor had us watch鈥攅conomics was certainly not my thing. I eventually went back to the arts with encouragement from my mother about truly enjoying my time in college and doing what made me happy. She was right with the advice that keeping true to yourself would lead to a career that I loved.
I also thoroughly enjoyed the dining scene in Chicago. I certainly think going out to eat in such a live culinary city help guide me to becoming a chef.
NP: You mentioned that your connection to food is related to your passion for art. Could you tell us more about that relationship?
翱鈥橦别补: Art is about creating and evoking feelings on many levels; this is also true of dining. As a chef, I am constantly creating dishes and recipes by paying attention to colors, textures, temperatures, plating, beverage pairings, and of course, selling it to the customer. Food can make you happy, provide memories, give you comfort鈥攊t makes you feel, just like art.
There is also a sense听of magic in the kitchen when we are working the line. They call it “the dance.” This happens when a team has worked together for a while, and the timing of courses and expediting is on point. It feels amazing when it happens. It is what keeps me cooking; that adrenaline push when you do a great night of service is wonderful. And finally, some dining experiences can be like going to the theater鈥攁nd can cost even more. But I love it, on every culinary level.
NP: Do you have a favorite North Park memory?
翱鈥橦别补: One of my favorite memories was our art . I volunteered听to be responsible for the food, which, given my passion for hospitality and culinary arts now, seems rather appropriate. I remember being just as excited about showcasing my art projects as I was about the menu-planning and execution of the show. Another example of the arts and the culinary intersecting.
CHICAGO (September 27, 2016) 鈥� Generations of North Park alumni returned to campus over the weekend to celebrate the University鈥檚 and to share in festivities.
There were several听, including an alumni art exhibit, the River Run 5K, and Homecoming Fest. Alumni were also听听from both soccer teams, including a men鈥檚 2-1 victory over conference rivals Carroll University, and a 2-2 tie against Carroll by the women鈥檚 team.
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At Homecoming Brunch, all past recipients were invited to celebrate the accomplishments of this year鈥檚 designees. Four alumni were honored for their contributions to the North Park community and for leading lives of significance and service, exemplifying the University鈥檚 mission:
Theodore Ernst A鈥�51 C鈥�54, U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame inductee, Distinguished Academy Alumnus
Dr. Janice Phillips C鈥�76, director of government and regulatory affairs for CGFNS International, Distinguished University Alumna
Mary Helwig C鈥�06, one of just over 115 women to finish the Iditarod Sled Dog Race, Distinguished Young Alumna
Joanna (Ericson) Kanakis C鈥�06, vice president and account executive at Societe Generale Americas Securities LLC, Distinguished Young Alumna
125th Anniversary Celebration
On Friday of Homecoming weekend, alumni, families, students, faculty, and staff came together to honor North Park鈥檚 125-year legacy and to celebrate its future with events throughout the day.
A history and heritage exhibit, Cultivating Great Intellects & Great Hearts: 萝莉社鈥檚 Quasquicentennial, traced the evolution of the University through text by North Park historians and photographs from the . The exhibit, displayed in the Johnson Center, also included University artifacts and publications from the Archives.
Three concurrent featured North Park graduates sharing about their accomplishments in the fields of entrepreneurship, health professions, and the arts鈥攊n which chef Shanna Horner O鈥橦ea performed a live cooking demonstration and distributed toasted s鈥檓ores to the audience. 鈥淓ducation is in my bones,鈥� said O鈥橦ea, daughter of former president Dr. David Horner. 鈥淢y desire to continue to learn is something I absolutely got at North Park.鈥�
Following the Alumni Panels, two were held, featuring three concurrent classes taught by current and former faculty members on their areas of expertise. 鈥淲hen we say we want to be the leading city-centered Christian university, it鈥檚 because the world desperately needs that,鈥� said Provost , describing North Park鈥檚 engagement with the city of Chicago, in the 鈥淯rban Sociology and Context鈥� session.
The day concluded with an evening concert and program featuring performances by the Alumni Choir, under the direction of Associate Professor of Music , Professor Emeritus Gregory Athnos, and former professor Dr. Rollo Dillworth, respectively. also led the University Choir in a performance of his commissioned piece in honor of the 125th anniversary.
In addition to the musical performances, the David Nyvall Medallion for Distinguished Service to 萝莉社 was presented to former board chair and two-time interim University president Bruce Bickner and former board chair Stanley Helwig. Former North Park presidents William Hausmann (1980鈥�1986) and Horner (1987鈥�2004) also shared remarks about their time serving the University.
鈥淲e are living in a global world, and it surrounds our campus,鈥� said Hausmann. 鈥淚 like to think that we started to build bridges to this world back in the 1980s. Our decision (in 1980) to stay in Chicago was the most important in North Park鈥檚 history, next to its founding.鈥�
Author Ana FundukPosted on Categories News, Stories
CHICAGO (October 21, 2016) 鈥� 萝莉社鈥檚 is a semester-long urban experiential program with all classes and hands-on learning focused on the city of Chicago. Designed to foster learning in the context of relationships, students in the program share the same curriculum, with opportunities for group discussion and interaction.
CHICAGO (October 17, 2016) 鈥� For more than a decade, 萝莉社鈥檚听听program has been a key part of its undergraduate experience. Beginning in 2003, a yearlong series of events, lectures, and discussions has occurred across campus around a central question of the human experience. Meant to connect students from a variety of disciplines in a common pursuit, recent themes have included ,听, and听.
Last Friday, students, faculty, staff, and guests gathered in Anderson Chapel to hear from Natalie Y. Moore, South Side bureau reporter and author of The South Side: A Portrait of Chicago and American Segregation.
CHICAGO (October 3, 2016) 听鈥� As a 萝莉社 undergraduate student, Shanna Horner O鈥橦ea had no idea that her major in and minor in would eventually lead her to competing in TV cooking shows. But while her career has taken an unexpected path, she鈥檚 always been driven by a pursuit of creative work.
On Friday of Homecoming weekend, alumni, families, students, faculty, and staff came together to honor North Park鈥檚 125-year legacy and to celebrate its future with events throughout the day.