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Keeping the Faith: New endowment campaign builds on 60 years of ministry and chaplaincy
-Rev. Don Schultz ’69
Generations of North Central College alumni treasure the impact that campus ministry and chaplaincy had on their campus lives as students and their adult lives today. Now more than ever, placing a value on those experiences and memories is critical for supporting a new $3 million fund that will endow the College’s chaplaincy and Office of Faith and Action.
Strengthened by the Wesleyan tradition of uniting “knowledge and vital piety,” North Central has expanded its mission well beyond the words of its first president, A.A. Smith, who said the College was “to be a moral lighthouse sending out a clear and steady light upon all subjects that pertain to the well-being of mankind.” (sic)
The position of campus chaplain was first created in 1955 when President Harvey Geiger appointed the Rev. George St. Angelo ’41 to the role. He was responsible for the leadership of campus religious activities and had an extraordinary vision for campus ministry. St. Angelo developed the campus church community; European travel opportunities; convocation programs with speakers such as Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., James Farmer and Henry Kissinger; a student trip to Selma, Ala., to support voting rights; and service opportunities in Chicago.
North Central chaplains’ ministries have encompassed worship, study, pastoral counseling, spiritual development and prophetic voice. Each chaplain addressed these responsibilities according to their strengths, ministering in ways that were consistent with their own gifts and graces. For example:
• Rev. Barbara Isaacs created New Visions, New Visions Summer Company, New Beginnings, and Growing Edge, all of which involved students traveling throughout the Midwest to provide programming and worship for congregations and camps. United Methodist Church (UMC) grants strengthened multicultural awareness/diversity and feminist empowerment.
• Rev. Dr. Lynn Pries ’67 directed social justice trips so students could participate in the Appalachian Service Project and Habitat for Humanity, and he organized a
summer program for United Methodist high school students to explore vocation.
• “The highlights of my ministry have included empowering all students to engage their faith to find their identity and passion,” said Rev. Eric
Doolittle, who helped establish the
Muslim Student Association (see page 10), the 12:5 worship program, and advocacy for inclusion of all members of the community.
As represented in the College’s current strategic plan and mission statement, the chaplaincy is designed to reach all students and members of the campus community regardless of their faith. Today, the spirituality of all students is supported through broader activities of the Office of Faith & Action, directed by Brian Rainville. Groups like Catholic Cardinals, weekly Bible studies, and Focus, a student-led Christian worship service, provide opportunities for fellowship and faith.
Programs like these and the position of chaplain will gain financial security through a new endowment fund. “The time is right to launch this important initiative,” said Michael Moser ’70, a major gift officer with the College. “Since the early 1980s the Northern Illinois Conference has provided significant support as part of its historic commitment to North Central, but we’re seeing a reduction in their funding of all collegiate ministries.”
He added that generations of faith-filled leaders and students have instilled their values into the fabric of North Central— and their commitment to these values continues. “This is the right time to stake our claim as to who we are.” Alumni and friends are invited to show their support for these important components of student life by helping build the $3 million endowment, a part of the Brilliant Future Campaign. The goal is to raise the funds in gifts, pledges and planned gifts over the next three to five years. More detailed campaign information will be made available in coming months.
FACES OF MINISTRY
Rev. George St. Angelo ’41 1955 - 1966
Rev. Carol Findon 1981 - 1983
Rev. Lawrence Bouldin 1966 - 1969
Rev. Dr. Barbara Isaacs 1983 - 1990
Rev. David Durham 1969 - 1972
Rev. Carol Cory 1990 - 1994
Rev. Bart Beavin 1972 - 1976
Rev. Mike Moser ’70 1977 - 1982
Rev. Dr. Lynn Pries ’67 1994 - 2014
Rev. Eric Doolittle 2014 - present
(Continued)
To make a gift or to learn more about this lifechanging ministry, visit northcentralcollege.edu/ brilliantfuture/keeping-faith.
Questions? Contact Michael Moser at mpmoser@noctrl.edu or 262-949-6475 for more information.
Words of Praise
Alumni share their favorite memories
Rev. Larry Goebel ’65
One of the most beautiful gifts is to have your eyes opened. Rev. George St. Angelo did that for me. He opened my eyes to racial injustice. He opened my eyes to the possibilities of actually doing something about it. His sermons were on a personal level that offered an insight to other seekers’ struggles and their solutions. Seeing possibilities introduced me to hope and a new vision. Thank you, George St. Angelo, for taking a moment and helping me see God’s world.
Marilyn Rinehart ’70
In what other setting would I have been able to tutor kids in a Chicago grade school, teach a Sunday School class in a girl’s reform school and picket a Southside grocery store? Weekend retreats, the Ecumenical Institute, (and) work projects in Kentucky and New Mexico … put me in settings where I looked at the world in new ways. Chaplain Larry Bouldin’s support for … campus ministry included attention to our personal growth and our development of leadership skills. His door was always open; he pushed us to face challenges along the way.
Lisa Horton ’94 Pettaway M ’00
I have so many great memories of the chaplain position and campus ministry programs over the past 30 years …from (Rev. Dr.) Barbara Isaacs and Friday Night Live to hanging out in the office of (Rev.) Carol Cory …(to) working with (Rev. Dr.) Lynn Pries ’67 on Martin Luther King Jr. weekend and Black History Month programs … to most recently, with (Rev. Eric Doolittle), launching the 12:5 worship service that brings us together as a campus community for worship and fellowship. I cannot imagine North Central without this important, impactful role on campus. This role is so important … it’s part of who we are as an institution and it really matters to me!
Rev. Rob Hamilton ’04
My time at North Central College helped me discern my calling to be a United Methodist pastor. Our chaplain, Rev. Dr. Lynn Pries ’67, was instrumental in my discernment process and participating in campus ministry programming helped to confirm that divine call. Together, the experience helped form and shape me for ministry in the local church and in my community.
Youssef Mekawy ’17/M ’20
Throughout my years at North Central—as an undergraduate student, a graduate student and a graduate assistant—the support I got from the Chaplain’s office was endless. As a Muslim student and an undocumented immigrant, (the) office was a source of strength, a connection point and a great resource. Rev. Eric Doolittle’s support is a major reason that the Muslim population continues to grow at North Central. In 2015, I got the support I needed to start the Muslim Student Association (MSA) … to serve the Muslim student population and connect … the local Muslim community and the Islamic center with North Central. The biggest event we organized was the MSA Community Dinner in 2017, with more than 200 students, staff, faculty, and a big portion of the Naperville community, too.
The Chaplain’s office helped to organize transportation services for the weekly Friday prayer (for the Muslim students and visiting students from religious studies classes). From establishing the prayer room to the smallest conversations here and there, the chaplain made me and the Muslim population on campus feel welcomed, supported, included and cared for.
ODELL ZEIGLER IV ’16
Koten Chapel.
Odell Zeigler IV ’16
The chaplain is essential to all college campuses in a day when we are talking about social justice, grit and resilience, gender identity, and many critical social issues, human issues—all of which impact students on the campus. The chaplain addresses challenging questions about faith, leads prayer sessions, helps guide students to valuable resources, and provides religious services and support as requested. During my time at North Central College (2014-2016) … there were many times I stopped by the chaplain’s office, where I received prayer, encouragement, and even resources that guided me in my studies. I have been fortunate to remain connected to my alma mater by participating in the Gospel Extravaganza and other campus events because of the chaplain’s dedication to keeping a connection with former students.
Mikel Mays ’22
Time after time Rev. Eric (Doolittle) continues to push the mission and vision of the College for the betterment of the community and students. He has navigated the Office of Faith & Action and the College through many hard topics, such as racial inequality and injustice. Most importantly, Rev. Eric supports the students that he encounters. For example, I had the vision to restart the gospel choir, Voices of Praise. There was never a doubt in his mind. Now, many lives have been brought to Christ, and are impacted by the glory of God through praise and worship.
From Passion to Planning
THE IMPACT OF ESTATE GIVING
The College has added a new resource to its website that shows donors how they can “dream bigger” by making an impact through estate planning. “It can be very easy to include the College in your estate, but you might not know where to start,” said Adrian Aldrich ’02, executive director of development and alumni affairs. “The new resource demonstrates the benefits of planned giving to donors and their families, and shows how it can be a great giving option beyond annual cash gifts. Will commitments and other estate planning options are not just for the wealthy. In fact, for generations, planned gifts of all sizes have been a powerful philanthropic tool that our alumni and friends have used to help move the College forward.”
Since the early 1970s, North Central has received nearly $65 million in estate gifts, and to date, donors have committed $19 million in will commitments to the $150 million Brilliant Future Campaign. “We are inspired and so very grateful to all of our donors who have let us know about their plans to include the College in their wills,” said Aldrich. “These estate gifts create scholarships, faculty chairs and other endowments, and they provide amazing resources for generations to come.”
The new site—northcentralcollege. edu/plannedgiving—is designed to educate donors who want to include the College in their will or make other types of estate gifts. It offers tools and resources, donor stories, and information about how to include a simple bequest that names the College in a will. You can also learn how to list North Central as a beneficiary to an IRA or insurance policy.
The site even includes a few surprises. “Donors have shared that they found information they hadn’t considered before, like how to further save during retirement and updates on tax benefits,” said Lane O’Shea, North Central’s leadership and principal gift officer.
She notes that this kind of approach often puts unexpected possibilities within reach—the ability to establish a scholarship, for example, without dipping into resources that a family might need now or in the future. “Estate gifts can help donors dream bigger while retaining their assets,” she explains.
For more information about donating a gift to the College, visit northcentralcollege.edu/ brilliantfuture or contact Adrian Aldrich at 630.637.5201 (amaldrich@ noctrl.edu) or Lane O’Shea at 630.637.5205 (loshea@noctrl. edu). Always consult an attorney or financial advisor when establishing estate plans.
