Coming back to life

Coming Back to Life

Due to the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, students who graduated from high school last year “lost” all of their anticipated traditions, including proms and graduation ceremonies. Those who proceeded to college experienced life on campus that was nothing like anything they had expected, nor what the colleges and universities they attended had hoped to provide for them.

At North Central University in 2020–21, efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 included a mountain of protocols—social distancing, reduced class sizes, hybrid learning, reduction or elimination of large gatherings (including chapel), wearing masks at all times in shared spaces, and quarantine or isolation for individuals exposed to or testing positive for coronavirus.

Those who have memories of North Central's vibrant student and spiritual life may not have recognized it as “their” school.

As the start of the current academic year approached, the easing of restrictions throughout the country gave hope that NCU could return to normal operations. The Senior Leadership Team instructed academic and operational teams to put plans in place for standard programming. The stillfunctioning COVID-19 Response Team monitors the health of campus constituents and external policy changes that could impact various aspects of campus life.

With gratitude to the Lord, we're pleased to report that the 2021–22 year is off to a magnificent start. The community has stayed healthy with minimal known transmission of COVID-19. The vibrancy of the NCU campus is more robust than ever— perhaps because so many now appreciate the things once assumed to be ordinary.

The following articles paint a picture of how NCU is returning to life, re-embracing the meaning of “community” and trusting God to guide the university through this unusual season.