North Parker Winter 2020

WINTER 2020

NORTH PARKER

The magazine for alumni and friends of North Park University

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We Cannot Let This Moment Pass.

First Word

VOLUME 80

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Strong recruiting, coaching add up to winning formula for Vikings

The 2019 Honor Roll of Donors and Annual Report Now Available Online Each year we are blessed with the generous support of many individuals, families, and organizations. We recognize these gifts through the Honor Roll of Donors and Annual Report. We publish these online as a way to make the Honor Roll available to a broader audience and to prudently steward the University’s resources.

Please visit www.northpark.edu/honorroll.

The gifts from our donors support the breadth of the student scholarships and campus activities and ensure the vital mission of our University. We express our deep gratitude for your generosity and faithfulness.

Every effort is made to properly recognize your gifts.

For questions, comments, or further information, please contact the Office of Advancement at 866-366-8096 or via email at advancement@northpark.edu.

CONTENTS

FEATURES

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Historical Smörgåsbord A treasure trove of historical artifacts related to North Park, the Evangelical Covenant Church, and Swedes in Chicago is housed in the basement of Brandel Library.

22 Viking Strong North Park’s varsity sports program is stronger than ever.

32 Business Opportunities The School of Business and Nonprofit Management sets path to student success.

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CONTENTS

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DEPARTMENTS 05 First Word

WINTER 2020, VOLUME 80, NUMBER 1

08 Across Campus

EDITORIAL BOARD

Mary Karsten Surridge President

26 Welcome Convocation

Melissa Vélez-Luce C’04 G’12 Executive Director of Operations, Office of the President

30 Honors 35 Alumni Notes & In Memoriam

28 Homecoming 2019

Kristin Englund C’10 Associate Director of Alumni Relations Lindsey Post Robinson C’05 Operations Manager, University Marketing and Communications EDITORIAL STAFF

Ellen Almer C’94 Editor Susannah Kim Lead Designer Caroline Patterson Graphic Designer Anthony Barlich Jesse Schroeder C’17 Photographers Rebekah Putera C’13 Online Editor

On the Cover

North Park’s diverse students embody the school’s three distinctives of being Christian, City-Centered and Intercultural.

Left to right: Shannon “Shay” Wray, a junior from Kansas, majoring in psychology and secondary education; Madeline Pawl, a first-year legacy Covenant student from Michigan; Javier Millan, a senior from Gurnee, Illinois, and mechanical engineering major; Sidney Francois-Fiis, a senior from Munich, Germany majoring in sports management and marketing; Joshua Crozier, a senior and legacy Covenant student from Chicago majoring in Biblical and Theological Studies; President Mary K. Surridge; Brooklyn Seals, a first-year Crux student from Wisconsin; Jake Reinhardt, a senior from Princeton, Illinois, and a biochemistry major; Ryan Moritsugu, a sophomore from Honolulu, majoring in sports management; and Adam Gin, a freshman from San Jose, a Crux student, and a Biblical and Theological Studies major.

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Donielle Alicea G’19 Macayla Dowling Mara Perlow Writers

The North Parker is published twice a year for alumni and friends of North Park University, 3225 W. Foster Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625-4895.

For mailing list adjustments, address changes, questions, or suggestions, please contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 773-244-4750.

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We Cannot Let This Moment Pass Challenge and Opportunity at North Park

PRESIDENT MARY K. SURRIDGE t North Park University, we celebrate 128 years of history, faith, and strength, thanking God for His faithfulness and direction. We also accept and embrace our responsibility and our call to position North Park with the strength required to project our Christian mission into the future.

What will that future look like? Will it be the bright future we plan, create, and pursue? Or will it be a future that comes at us, and catches us unprepared?

Our ability to prepare ourselves and succeed in the intensely competitive marketplace of higher education exists in two critical opportunities. First, we must embrace and elevate our three core distinctives—

Christian, city-centered, and intercultural.

And second, we must be willing to examine our traditional institutional structure and financial model and make the wise adjustments and necessary decisions to ensure institutional strength.

Our three distinctives, taken together, distinguish North Park from other universities, and position us to lead the way: • First and always, our Christian identity; we are deeply rooted in faith, we will claim that, own it, and live into it in every way we can. We are a Christian institution of high academic quality. While our students learn and advance with us academically, we introduce them to a life of faith and a daily walk with Jesus.

• Additionally, we are centered in this world-class city of Chicago, a competitive advantage with opportunities that are limitless for education and career development.

We will seize this opportunity in ways that will make us stronger and more compelling to prospective students, funders, internship providers, and employers for our graduates.

• And finally, we are distinguished and blessed by the rich tapestry of a thoroughly intercultural student population.

We celebrate a campus community that measures nearly 50 percent students of WINTER 2020

color—and that is an unparalleled strength.

The Kingdom of God enters our gates every year! We seek to support and encourage every one of our students, meeting them at their points of strength and need, and helping them to progress in ways that will strengthen their ability to succeed.

In the sum of these three distinctives, Christian, city-centered, and intercultural, we find our unique value, our competitive advantage—and our opportunity to emerge as nothing less than the model for Christian higher education in 21st Century America.

That is our opportunity and we are called to it. That is the bright future we must plan, create, and pursue.

In order to answer this calling, we must elevate our exceptional faculty and staff and the programs that we do very well, we must design new programs strategically and execute at the highest level possible, we must consider all aspects of the student experience, and examine our current business practices to achieve a more solid financial footing and predictable future. Otherwise we will react to the future that comes at us, trying to respond as the landscape is shifting beneath us.

We all hear, read, and learn more every day about the current challenges and headwinds facing higher education: declining 5

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demographics in college-going populations, increasing tuition discounts and institutional expenses, declining revenues. We know North Park has not been immune to these pressures.

Achieving a sustainable financial model For more than a generation, American institutions of higher learning have based their planning on steady enrollment growth. Now enrollment is declining across the country, and some of our ingrained expectations and practices are becoming obsolete.

The number of students of college-going age is declining dramatically. In Illinois alone, the number of high school graduates dropped from about 155,000 to about 122,000 over the past decade, a decrease of 21 percent. Between now and 2029, this number in Illinois and the Great Lakes region is expected to decline by an additional 15 percent or more, according to Carleton College economist Nathan Grawe. Nationwide, college enrollment is down by more than 2.9 million since 2011, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. More than 400 colleges and universities still had seats available for freshmen and transfer students after the traditional May 1 deadline for this fall—and North Park was one of them.

At most private universities, including North Park, almost 90 percent of the operating budget comes from student tuition and fees. At any of these schools, declining 6

student enrollments mean fewer tuition dollars and leaner budgets. At the same time, the competition for students requires universities to provide more and more financial aid. And this competition intensifies each year. Collecting less and less revenue while dispensing more and more financial aid every year is obviously not a sustainable model. All universities with this high tuition/ high discount model face this challenge; no one has identified an alternative.

We have to keep higher education affordable for a wide range of students, so we cannot address this issue by simply raising tuition. Our students come to us with different levels of preparedness, both financially and academically. We want to serve and support every student who accepts our invitation to study, live, and learn at North Park.

That takes the careful management of our operating budget and the devoted support of our generous alumni and friends. It is up to us to steward all of our resources well.

Universities—especially Christian universities—are focused on mission. At North Park we educate students in the liberal arts,

professional studies, and theology, for lives of significance and service. We introduce students to a life of Christian faith, and we nurture a campus environment designed to encourage their pursuit of academic excellence, their search for meaning and purpose, and the deepening of their faith commitments during their college years.

We engage Chicago as a dynamic place of learning and service, with limitless educational and career opportunities. And we are thoroughly intercultural—we embrace and value all people, supporting the reconciling mandate of the Christian gospel. These are our core values. We help students discern what God may be calling them to do and we equip them to use their vocational gifts, in every profession, for God’s Glory and neighbors’ good.

In this deeply missional context, difficult conversations about profit and loss, branding and marketing, business practices and financial models might seem far removed.

Of course, they are not! Because in today’s competitive higher education environment, colleges and universities that are not willing to look at their financial models and historical habits are in danger of going away.

In fact, according to the bond-rating firm Moody’s, an average of 11 have closed each year for the past three years, and that number will soon reach 15 per year.

Our moment to own our reality and invest in our future This is a critical moment for North Park.

This is our moment to own the new realities—to engage these challenges so that we can embrace the very real and significant opportunities before us. We must have the thoughtful and strategic conversations now so that our Christian mission, vision, and values will not only survive but thrive, far into the future. This is our moment. We cannot let this moment pass. Our future is now.

“In the sum of these three distinctives—Christian, city-centered and intercultural—we find our unique value, our competitive advantage—and our opportunity to emerge as nothing less than the model for Christian higher education in 21st century America.”

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We must find new net revenue streams and create a new, sustainable financial model so that our mission will thrive in higher education’s rapidly changing marketplace.

This is the first step in elevating our distinctives and the Christian mission of North Park University.

How will these critical campus conversations unfold?

First, we are blessed with a Board of Trustees with deep and proven expertise in education, service, business, and finance.

They are the leaders and investors in this institution. They embrace the fact that they hold the future of our university in their trust. They value our mission, they understand our challenges, and they are prepared to invest in our future.

We are also very blessed by the talented and committed faculty and staff of North Park who live out our mission every day, providing the expertise and the environment in which our students learn and prepare.

These exceptional campus leaders and partners have been central in building our mission, will share the work of reviewing our existing models, and will play a key role in helping to create our future. Meetings with members of our community will continue over the coming months, individually and in groups, in order to prioritize their perspectives and include their creative ideas and collaborative efforts.

Our Board also endorsed the assembly of a small strategic advisory group of committed North Park alumni—individuals who due to their lifelong expertise and success in business, finance and investment—can offer fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and best practices from other industries that may help us to achieve a more solid footing and move wisely toward the future that calls North Park to emerge as the model for Christian higher education in 21st Century America.

In order to evaluate and elevate our existing strengths and identify some of the market opportunities that may be available to us, we will also undertake an institutional review of our facilities and programs— alongside a scan of market opportunities that may be right for North Park. Because some of this critical data gathering cannot be expected of internal partners, already fully committed in time and teaching, we

will invite the partnership of an external firm with a proven track record to engage our internal team of campus representatives, in this vital work. We seek to build a culture of innovation and creativity at North Park, respecting market sensitivity and mission consistency, while also seeking the financial margin we need to succeed. Introducing a compelling case for support to our generous partners for new program growth and opportunity, begins with making sure we are stewarding our existing resources well.

All of this work will be disciplined, detailed, and data-driven, and will include people and perspectives from across our campus. It may result in some change at North Park, change that will help to bring about our vibrant future. What we know for sure is that cost containment at the margins will not build the sustainable model that we need in order to seize the opportunities that elevating our distinctives can provide.

Because we are facing these challenges now —head on and together—we at North Park have every reason to be excited about the future direction of this beautiful and important place.

And I want to make clear that some things at North Park University will never change: We will always live into our Christian identity, we will always seek full advantage of our strategic and enviable location in the third-biggest market in the nation, and we will always celebrate and promote our intercultural student community as a significant strength for learning and excellence.

A collaborative, successful future Founded in faith 128 years ago, by a devoted immigrant community of the Evangelical Covenant Church, for the advancement of future generations, and planted in this city location—North Park University now has the opportunity to emerge as the leading model for Christian higher education in 21st Century America. The first step in developing that model is to identify new opportunities for reliable revenue generation and resource management.

It will take everyone working together, every step of the way. We will seek campus involvement and partnership in this effort, and we will depend on it, in order to achieve a collaborative and successful outcome.

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to integrate all three of our remarkable distinctives, in all of our work, so that we can step forth in this intensely competitive higher education marketplace with strength and with confidence.

I have tremendous respect for my colleagues at North Park. They are extremely devoted to our mission and our students.

Perhaps an advantage for me of having served alongside many of these brilliant colleagues in my range of roles over many years, is that we all share that common commitment to our students and mission, and we can count on each other to do everything we can to support our students and advance the vital mission of North Park University.

I have equally high respect for our devoted and generous alumni and friends.

It has been the joy of my professional life to know and trust this remarkable alumni community. I am asking for your help now —and I am counting on your faithfulness, your efforts and your expertise.

God is our refuge and our strength. An ever-present help in all that we do. We will call on that strength every day to provide the inspiration and the stamina to do the strategic work that is necessary to recruit the students we seek, to give them the experience we promise—and to nurture their gifts, entrusted to our care. The market is changing. We must be ready to change with it.

This is a very EXCITING moment in our history, and we must not let this moment pass. Seeking God’s wisdom and direction, using every resource available to us, we will wisely and strategically advance the mission of North Park on behalf of our students.

Just a few weeks ago, I asked our Board of Trustees and campus community to consider two critical questions when determining the time, and the team, to solve these issues: If not us, who? And if not now, when?

The time is now. Our students are depending on us. And we must come through for them. To the entire North Park community—I am very grateful for your courage, your commitment, and your collaboration in this work. Our opportunities are before us.

In Christ,

Mary K. Surridge, President 7

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“From the buildings to the landscaping, everything has Carl’s hands on it.”

Carl Balsam retires after 30 years of faithful service ozens of members of the North Park community gathered at an emotional reception last June to wish Carl Balsam a happy retirement after more than 30 years of service to North Park.

Balsam, who most recently served as Interim President before the appointment of President Mary K. Surridge, has served at North Park since 1988. At the reception, several of Balsam’s closest colleagues praised his work ethic and kind, giving nature.

“Carl, you have led with grace, devotion, and integrity,” President Surridge said in her opening remarks, adding: “Carl has always had the betterment of North Park on his mind.”

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Wilda Graham, Balsam’s longtime Executive Assistant, praised Balsam’s devotion to North Park.

She recalled how, before she accepted a position to work directly with him, “I would see Carl on the third floor of Old Main, and he would always seem like he was a man on a mission. He was always moving with purpose.”

In his roles as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Balsam managed North Park’s annual budget and finances and oversaw the University’s endowment, continuing its strategic growth to a current value of more than $75 million.

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Carl Wistrom, Director of Physical Plant

Additionally, he directed architectural planning for significant additions to North Park’s campus, including Anderson Chapel, Brandel Library, Helwig Recreation Center, the Holmgren Athletic Complex and most recently the Nancy and G. Timothy Johnson Center for Science and Community Life.

Balsam was accompanied at the reception by his wife, Barbara; two adult children, Aaron and Ashley, and six grandchildren.

The event was held in the Balsam Performance Hall, the renovated space in Hanson Hall newly named in Balsam’s honor.

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CATALYST ON CAMPUS:

My Block, My Hood, My City

chance encounter at a café in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood brought Catalyst Program Director Rich Kohng and My Block, My Hood, My City founder Jahamal Cole together. Kohng’s and Cole’s shared commitment to community and serving the city in which we live was a natural connection and resulted in Kohng inviting Cole to speak at a Catalyst event last September.

Meeting Cole couldn’t have been more serendipitous, as this year’s Catalyst theme is “Home,” says Kohng.

“Home signifies familiarity, a sense of rootedness and a call to connectedness” adds Ernie Jefferson, the AmeriCorps VISTA Catalyst on Campus Coordinator. “In designating home as our theme, we hope to inspire conversation around multifaceted questions, such as, ‘How do our neighborhoods foster a sense of home?, Whom do we choose to welcome into our home?’ and ‘What kind of home do you envision North Park University to be?’” says Jefferson.

“In designating home as our theme, we hope to inspire conversation around multifaceted questions, such as, ‘How do our neighborhoods foster a sense of home? Whom do we choose to welcome into our home?’ and ‘What kind of home do you envision North Park University to be?’”

Ernie Jefferson, AmeriCorps VISTA Catalyst on Campus Coordinator

Similarly, “My Block, My Hood, My City” serves as an anchoring theme for Cole’s public speaking engagements. Cole, a youth mentor and author, advocates for community organizing and building a more interconnected Chicago. Already a fan of North Park, Cole says he wants to “fly with students, transfer his knowledge, and build community together.”

President Mary K. Surridge supports Catalyst’s and Cole’s mission to serve the city.

“It’s programs like today’s that are best

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for our students and distinguish us,” says President Surridge. “God’s place is right in the city and gives us motive to deepen opportunities for all the ways we’re going to serve.”

Catalyst and community partners like Cole, along with representatives from the Student Government Association, help to empower the student body and enhance North Park’s commitment to the flourishing of our city.

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“The Malagasy culture is male-dominated due to the influence of the patriarchy ...

Thus, sexism is the norm, and most of the women and children are still seen as inferior and are voiceless.”

Faramalala Ravaoarimanga

Grad student uses grant to help abused women in Madagascar One student’s pursuit of a degree to help abused women in her homeland aramalala Ravaoarimanga’s beloved home country of Madagascar was suffering a severe shortage of mental health professionals, so eight years ago she sold her house in the East African nation and moved to the United States to pursue an education in psychology.

“The Malagasy culture is male-dominated due to the influence of the patriarchy,” says Ravaoarimanga. “Thus, sexism is the norm, and most of the women and children are still seen as inferior, and are voiceless.”

Ravaoarimanga has her bachelor’s degree from University of Mount Olive in North

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Carolina and a master’s degree in foreign languages from the Sorbonne University in Paris.

Now in her second and final year in the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology program at North Park, Ravaoarimanga has received a grant from the American Association of University Women (AAUW), which she will use to expose and eradicate domestic and gender-based violence and child marriage in Madagascar. She will also help the offenders of those violent acts change their attitudes and values to develop skills that promote healthy behaviors and gender equality.

After graduation and a one-year work experience, Ravaoarimanga will return to her home country with the goal of starting a counseling center and a shelter and launch a public awareness campaign about domestic violence.

Ravaoarimanga believes she is just the person to do this.

“All these goals can only be met with the help of faithful sponsors who have a burden for the people of Madagascar,” she says.

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Christiana Pathway completed Space open for campus events onstruction has been completed on a $3.2 million beautification project of Christiana Street in front of Sohlberg Hall, a spruce-up that includes a walking path, new lighting, and landscaping. The project was funded by the Strategic Reserve Fund, which was established during the construction of the Brandel Library in the late 1990s and has been augmented throughout the years via various fundraising campaigns.

The fund is used for major renovations, critical maintenance, and new program startup costs, says Vice President for Finance and Administration Scott Stenmark.

Sohlberg, once a residence hall, was recently renovated into an office space, and currently houses programs representing North Park’s three distinctives: Crux, North Park’s residential Christian discipleship program; Catalyst 606 and the Office of Diversity.

The new space will be used for large gatherings such as homecoming events, concerts, and rallies. North Park purchased the land from the City of Chicago in 2015 under an agreement whereby the city would vacate the street if North Park beautified the space.

Vosburg C’19 Chosen to Lilly Christian Scholar Cohort he Lilly Fellows Program in Humanities and the Arts has selected Dawson Vosburg C’19 to serve in its prestigious 10-person Christian Scholar Cohort.

“Dawson’s selection was in an extremely competitive year—one of the best we’ve ever had,” according to Joseph Goss, Assistant Program Director of the Lilly Fellows Program, who notes Vosburg was chosen from a field of 24 finalists.

Vosburg, who graduated with a 4.0 GPA with a dual major in conflict transformation studies and sociology, will be engaged in doctoral studies in sociology at The Ohio State University for the next five years as part of the fellowship.

“Dawson serves as an inspiration for all students of what can be achieved through studying at North Park,” says North Park’s Provost Michael O. Emerson.

As part of his selection, Dawson met with his cohort of Christian scholars for three days at an Inaugural Conference last summer, along with their mentors, Jane Kelley Rodeheffer of Pepperdine University and Mark Ruff of Saint Louis University, who will be guiding the Fellows’ upcoming studies.

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Faculty Authors

From mathematics, to religion and philosophy, to a story about a musician’s quest for happiness: Check out the variety of topics our faculty has published about in the past year.

Alan James Iliff CHARLES S. PEIRCE’S MATHEMATICAL LOGIC AND PHILOSOPHY Iliff, a Professor of Mathematics, writes about the external influences on Peirce, a highly regarded American philosopher who is considered the inventor of pragmatism. Iliff details how Peirce laid down the framework for the model-theoretic line of development in mathematical logic.

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John Laukaitis DENOMINATIONAL HIGHER EDUCATION DURING WORLD WAR II Associate Professor of Education Laukaitis examines how World War II affected denominational colleges, which held positions ranging from justifying the war in light of the existential threat that the United States faced to maintaining long-held beliefs of nonviolence.

Thomas Zelle ALLEGRO DOLCE—THE VIOLINIST AND HIS 5 BEST FRIENDS

Angelyn Balodimas-Bartolomei THE PLASTER MIGRATION: FROM ITALY TO THE USA—UNEARTHING STORIES OF THE ITALIAN PLASTER STATUE MAKER

In his fictional tale, Zelle imagines the life of Allegro Dolce, a “famous, popular, and successful violinist who had just about everything that a musician would want or need … or so we think.”

The story follows Dolce on his quest for happiness, which remains elusive despite his numerous competition records and prizes. His journey begins one day as he embarks on “a casual walk.”

Balodimas-Bartolomei, a Professor of Education, penned this book, a survey of Italian sculpture and cast sculpture forms and schools of training, formats, styles, and methods of execution.

Paul H. De Neui SACRED MOMENTS: REFLECTIONS ON BUDDHIST RITES AND CHRISTIAN RITUALS Seminary Professor of Missiology De Neui explores the impact rituals have on people’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors—even among those who don’t believe they work. When done effectively, ritual, De Neui says,“deeply impacts all aspects of human existence sometimes consciously, often non-discursively. Ritual becomes a sacred moment.”

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“What is going on here is amazing. There’s so much care and so much love.”

Love at First Sight for new SMAT Dean, Natalie Williams s the new Dean of the School of Art, Music, and Theatre, Natalie Williams says she was smitten with North Park from her very first impression.

“I left and had this amazing feeling, like, wow, that is such a special little school,” Willams recalls of her first job interview.

“What is going on here is amazing. There’s so much care and so much love.”

In her new role, Williams, a native of Australia, hopes to connect SMAT with the community. She cites the “amazing art scene” in Chicago, with its orchestras, opera companies, theatre, and art collections.

Williams is a composer, administrator, and professor, with a PhD from Indiana University. She has taught music for 12 years, with a specialty in music theory composition.

“I really want people to know what a treasure we have here, what a gem,” Williams says. “We have Christ-centered, selfless teaching, and there’s a true vision. It’s one that I just can’t wait to support.”

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North Park welcomes Nevels back as Interim VP of Student Engagement

ndrea Nevels, who served as Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students at North Park from 2003 to 2013, has returned to campus to help shepherd Student Engagement into its next chapter.

“Although retirement is great, God had a plan for me to utilize the talents He blessed me with for such a time as this,” says Nevels, who most recently was Chief of Staff at University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) in Student Affairs.

With extensive experience in student affairs, organizational development, strategic

development, problem solving and operational prioritization, Vice President Nevels will oversee the search processes for the positions of Director of Student Success and Director of Diversity and Intercultural Life.

She is also determined to bring a sense of trust to the Student Engagement team and encourage them to focus on the future.

A lifelong Chicagoan, Vice President Nevels describes herself as a woman of deep Christian faith.

“I am proud to have served and serve at North Park. The blessing of working at an institution that allows your professional and spiritual life to live together is a tremendous honor and joy.”

Andrea Nevels, Interim VP of Student Engagement

Terence Gadsden named campus co-pastor, athletic chaplain ev. Terence Gadsden has been promoted to Campus Co-Pastor/Athletic Chaplain and began his new role in October 2019.

“Terence Gadsden is a deeply devoted follower of Jesus, a dynamic pastor and a humble leader,” said North Park University President Mary K. Surridge.

After a comprehensive review, North Park University has established a new co-pastor model for leadership in campus ministry, with each co-pastor providing leadership in chapel plus an auxiliary ministry. A search for the second co-pastor is under way.

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Winter Events Calendar Mark your calendars for the following events, and join us when you can. Friends and alumni are always welcome on campus!

JAN 22 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration

DEC 13 | Winter Commencement

Catalyst sponsors a guest lecture to celebrate the legacy of Dr. King and examine the current state of racial justice in our city and the nation.

FEB 19 7:30PM | CARLSON GYMNASIUM

All undergraduate and graduate programs.

Everything Must Go

FEB 26–29 | Winter One Acts

Students write, direct, act, design, and produce their own festival based on a yearly theme.

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A workshop and performance by local poet Kevin Coval, who will discuss his recently released collection of poetry about gentrification in Chicago.

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New Pep Band scholarships bring school spirit he School of Music, Art, and Theatre is offering promising student musicians a renewable scholarship of up to $3,000 to participate in North Park’s Pep Band.

North Park’s Pep Band bolsters team spirit at basketball and football events throughout the year where students can participate in a music ensemble at the collegiate level.

The School of Music, Art, and Theatre is looking for the Pep Band to be made up of a variety of talent, including a strong rhythm section made up of guitar, bass, and drums, as well as an equally strong melodic section featuring brass and woodwind instruments such as tuba, euphonium, trombone, trumpet, saxophone (baritone, tenor and alto), clarinet oboe, bassoon, and flute/piccolo.

Applications are also being accepted via recording. Students can upload clips to YouTube and email links directly to Dr. Rebecca Ryan at rryan@northpark.edu.

Turning a liberal arts degree into a career Dr. Nancy Arnesen helps humanities students plan a life post-graduation tudents in Dr. Nancy Arnesen’s innovative Applied Liberal Arts class spent the fall semester learning how to turn their liberal arts majors into careers.

As part of the class, Dr. Arnesen hosted several alumni panels, including one in October that featured Annie Wilkinson ’08, Liz Jansen ’07, and Ellen Almer Durston ’94, who all shared their post-college experience with the class.

Jansen, an English major who worked on Barack Obama’s presidential campaign, is the founder of Women Unite!, a nonprofit she started with four other North Park alums that offers Chicago-based charities help with fundraising, communications, and professional development and training.

“Much of this work was inspired by the community-minded, service-oriented

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mission of North Park,” says Jansen, who, along with Wilkinson and Almer Durston answered students’ questions about job interviews, work-life balance, and how to turn career obstacles into advantages.

Wilkinson, an art major, is Head of User Experience at the Brandel Library and Almer Durston, an English major, works in North Park’s University Marketing and Communications department.

Dr. Arnesen developed the unique class after her own daughter decided to attend a liberal arts university.

“I kept telling my students, and my daughters, that you can do anything with a liberal arts education,” says Arnesen. “Then I thought ‘well, what does that mean? What does that really look like?’”

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Alum Takes Advantage of Grad School Discount A chat with one of our degree completion success stories.

lises Cardenas recently received his Bachelor of Arts in counseling psychology. He is currently taking advantage of the 20% tuition reduction afforded North Park alumni and is pursuing his Master of Arts in counseling psychology. Born and raised in Chicago, Cardenas juggles his career in public safety communications with life at home with his wife and five kids.

Before attending North Park, he earned an associate’s degree from the City Colleges of Chicago and an associate’s degree in electronics from DeVry Institute of Technology.

Q: So, why did you choose North Park?

A: North Park appealed to me because of its location in the city, its small size and the accommodating faculty and staff. They took the time to reassure me that they’d be with

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me throughout my time at North Park—and they were, all the way through.

Q: What are you doing now?

A: I liked North Park so much, I decided to come back for my master’s degree. In the meantime, I’m able to keep working at my job in communications. I figured I’d go as far as I could in my education before jumping into the field of counseling.

Q: How do you think NPU is preparing you for your future career?

A: In multiple ways. The classes are focused on what I need to learn to become a counselor, and the real-life, one-on-one counseling courses really help build my confidence in handling the different mental health issues I may encounter as a counselor.

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HISTORICAL SMÖRGÅSBORD

ucked in the basement of the Brandel Library is a treasure trove of photographs, documents and audiovisual materials that tell the stories of North Park University, the Evangelical Covenant Church, and of Swedes in Chicago.

THE ARTIFACTS TELL THE STORY Director of Archives Andy Meyer maintains this massive collection of historic materials, and he is also overseeing the disbursement of a $9,000 grant the archives has received from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

He will use funds from the grant, which basically doubles his annual budget, to help take stock of the University’s vast audiovisual collection.

In general, too, Meyer hopes the grant will help bring more visibility to the Archives, and “help people engage with them more.”

Items in the archive range from the sublime to the mundane, with each telling an important part of North Park, Covenant or Swedish history.

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A box of miscellaneous oversized photos, mostly from various Covenant and North Park events.

The inside of a North Park College promotional pamphlet circa mid 1930s.

Interestingly, the brochure shows how North Park was engaging the city of Chicago nearly 100 years ago.

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Erasmus Greek New Testament, published in 1516.

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Handwritten notations inside the Erasmus Bible.

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A Student Handbook from 1990.

A banner from a union of Swedish Painters in Chicago.

Painting titled “Thine is the Power” by Warner Sallman, who lived in Chicago and was a member of the Evangelical Covenant Church. He is best known for his iconic painting of Jesus Christ.

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SOHLBERG’S NEW PURPOSE

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Perhaps the most valuable item in the collection is an Erasmus Bible that dates to the 1500s and is written in Latin on one side and Greek on the other, with the hand-written notes of long-ago scholars scribbled in the margins.

On the other end of the spectrum are the musty satin shorts donned by members of the Men’s Vikings Basketball team, circa 1970s. On the side of the box holding them is the word “Clean” with what looks like a question mark after it.

Other items of note include Carl Sandburg’s oversized safe (part of the Swedish-American collection); David Nyvall’s chair from the only church he pastored; and several paintings by Warner Sallman, who created the iconic portrait of Jesus Christ

seen in Covenant and other protestant churches everywhere.

Such items are stored behind the scenes, in a cool, well-lit storage room lined with tall moveable racks that slide apart at the touch of a button.

Meyer says the bulk of the NEH grant will be used on the AV assessment, which will help Meyer and his Archive staff (including longtime volunteer Chuck Olson A’59 C’63) determine what items should be digitized and saved forever, and which items might not be as relevant to future generations.

“The idea is to put more stuff into the computer system and less in my brain,” jokes Meyer of digitizing the archives, 2,000plus audiotapes and 800-900 video-tapes.

“But really, we will be saying yes, let’s save

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This original copy of the Erasmus Bible in Greek text, as well as his own Latin translation in parallel columns.

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Old hymnals and Bibles are stored in a climate-controlled room.

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A safe owned by Swedish poet Carl Sandburg.

THEN & NOW

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1951

2019

1960

Sohlberg Hall Lobby in the 1950s, when it was a Residence Hall.

Today, as home to Crux, Catalyst, and the Office of Diversity.

Nyvall Hall, with the former Wallgren Library in the background.

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HISTORICAL SMÖRGÅSBORD

“I’d like to see more representation of women and minority church planters and leaders ... Most of the records we have are of and by white men, which is just the way it is. But we want to change that going forward.”

the tape of the Baccalaureate Service from 1983, but maybe the trumpet recital from 1982 doesn’t belong.” (Sorry, Joe LIll.) The work requires a great deal of discernment, as digitizing can cost up to $250 per tape. To help, Meyer plans to hire a film archivist, who will begin the work later this winter. The grant also will go toward hosting a workshop for other small institutions on how to preserve their AV collections, a “paying it forward” act that reflects North Park’s mission, Meyer says.

Another goal of Meyer’s: To bring the archives into the future.

“I’d like to see more representation of women and minority church planters and leaders,” he says. “Most of the records we have are of and by white men, which is just the way it is. But we want to change that going forward.”

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2019

1970

2019

Nyvall Hall, today

The corner of Foster and Kedzie Avenues

The corner today.

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VIKING STRONG

VIKING STRONG pon Athletic Director Jack Surridge’s retirement last spring, longtime Men’s Head Soccer Coach John Born was the logical choice to replace him. Born has been a coach and teacher at North Park since 1999, and he worked closely with his predecessor.

“John is faithful, intelligent, creative, driven and successful in everything he undertakes,” says Surridge. “The future of Viking Athletics is in good hands.”

Born was officially named Assistant Vice President for Athletics and Sports Management, the latest of many roles he has served since joining the staff including adjunct professor and assistant athletic director.

Surridge lauded Born for developing North Park’s academic program in sports management and for having the “relational and recruitment skills to elevate our men’s soccer program from one win to 18 consecutive winning seasons and a national reputation for excellence.”

For his part, one of Born’s favorite aspects of North Park is its intercultural population. He loves walking through campus and seeing Scandinavian, Latino, and first-generation Polish students who are best friends.

“That does not happen at a lot of our rival schools,” Born says. “We’re proud of the diversity we have cultivated, and it’s one of the things that makes North Park great.”

Born has been around long enough to watch his players graduate and embark on successful careers as doctors, lawyers,

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NORTH PARKER

VIKING STRONG

NORTH PARK’S VARSITY SPORTS PROGRAM IS STRONGER THAN EVER, LED

BY A VITAL RECRUITMENT PROGRAM, DYNAMIC COACHES, AND A NEW ATHLETIC DIRECTOR.

business owners, pastors, and teachers.

“I attended the wedding of an alum from 10 years ago and was surprised to see 30 North Parkers at the wedding,” Born recalls. “It was a wonderful celebration and picture of the depth of relationships that are built here.”

Born is quick to point out that excellence in coaching is prevalent across all Viking sports programs.

“I have never seen a coaching staff this committed and united. We are one team as an athletic department; we all support one another and have the same vision: work harder, longer, and smarter than our

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competition,” Born says.

The goal for North Park’s athletic program? It’s always a goal to win conference, Born says, and from there, the hope is to win the NCAA championship.

“With new coaches and young teams, it may not be realistic to win conference or the NCAA, but if they do not have those goals, they’ll never get there,” Born says. “If they don’t talk and think about it, the goal will never come to fruition.”

The sense of winning expands beyond the playing field or basketball court, of course. Born says it’s vital that students are successful “on and off the field.” ( The

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VIKING STRONG

2018-19 men’s soccer team GPA average, for instance, was 3.3 among 50 players).

North Park’s updated facilities, Born says, “are at the top half of the conference,” as well as unparalleled training and medical assistance. That, and North Park’s city-centered location, have made it easier to recruit top-notch athletes. Under Born, the athletics department will also ramp up game-day marketing efforts and promotions so that students, alumni, and visitors have great game experiences.

It all adds up to an exciting future for

Born and North Park Athletics.

“The transition to this new position has been exciting,” Born says. “I am learning a lot and am learning all the roles and responsibilities of this position. I was a college head coach for 24 years and, while I will miss aspects of coaching, it was time for a transition, and I have always wanted to challenge myself in this type of position.”

VIKINGS NAME KRIS GRAHN MEN’S SOCCER COACH North Park has named Kris Grahn C’11 G’13 as head coach of the North Park Vikings Men’s Soccer Team. A former Viking soccer player himself, Coach Grahn joined the coaching staff in 2011 as a graduate assistant coach, and later was named the associate head coach in 2012.

Grahn, a native of Sweden who comes from a family of soccer players, began playing when he was just five years old.

“We had a little soccer field behind my house,” says Grahn. “Pretty much every day after school I would go out by myself, and I played, and I played. I commentated my own plays and only needed one toy: a ball.”

Grahn came to North Park in 2008 as an undergraduate international business student, then went on to complete an MBA. Former Head Coach and current Assistant Vice President for Athletics and Sports Management John Born praises Grahn, saying “he was the only person for this job.”

“Kris is the embodiment of North Park,” Born says of the former All-American.

“Much of the recent success of the soccer program is directly attributed to Kris, his recruiting, and his work with the team. We look forward to the excellence that he will bring to the role of head coach.”

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NORTH PARKER

VIKING STRONG

THE RECRUITS Each year, North Park’s Athletic Department begins identifying talented athletes by attending high school and club games, going to showcases, and reaching out to contacts within the industry.

Often, the recruiting starts in a student-athlete’s junior year or even earlier, says John Born, Assistant Vice President for Athletics and Sports Management.

During campus tours, coaches get to know the recruits as they learn about the campus. It’s an important relationship, Born says, because one-third of the undergraduate student population is student athletes.

“We let them know that they are valued and want them to join the North Park family,” Born says of the campus visits. “The prospect, as well as his or her parents, are looking for a relationship with the coach that extends beyond the field. The North Park coaching staff is committed to success in competition, in the classroom, and in life. We know this will ensure us victory on the recruiting path.”

CITLALLI GONZALEZ

RYAN MORITSUGU

JACOB REINHARDT

Hometown: Chicago, Illinois Major: Biology, Class of ’23 Recruited by: Rowing Coach Libby Scarlatos, whom she met because her organization, the Chicago Rowing Foundation, shares a boat house with North Park.

Why she chose North Park: The campus, which is surrounded by great food and culture, plus easy access to the CTA.

Hometown: Honolulu, Hawaii Major/Grad year: Business, Class of ’22 Recruited by: Baseball Coach Luke Johnson, who scouted him at a showcase in Arizona.

Why he chose North Park: The size, the location, and small class sizes.

Hometown: Princeton, Illinois Major: Biochemistry, Class of ’20 Recruited by: Coach Johnson and Coach Jake Upwood at a summer baseball game.

Why he chose North Park: Originally, he chose North Park for its nursing program, but ended up switching to biochemistry to satisfy his love of science; several of his former teammates also chose North Park, which made it easier for him to come here.

We sat down with Coach Grahn during a brief break in his busy schedule and asked him a few questions: Q: Why did you choose North Park?

A: When looking for a college I had three criteria: a good soccer program, small classroom size because, as an international student, English is my second language, and I wanted to be in a big city. North Park not only met but exceeded what I wanted in a college. Even though I’m Swedish, that wasn’t one of the draws. I was surprised

when I arrived and saw Swedish stores across the street from campus. I thought I left Sweden, but it was great to see a bit of home right here in Chicago.

Q: What are your goals for your players?

A: Doing well on the field is good, but we want to make sure these guys graduate and have a great future. Something that is very important is to set these young men up for life. After graduating from North Park, they will be able to get a job, they will have good values, and will know how to work in a

group using good communication principles.

Q: How did North Park prepare you for your career?

A: What I really like about North Park is the diversity. When I recruit students today, if you go to an all-white, all-black or all-Hispanic school, that is not the world.

You are going to work with people from all over the world so the diversity that North Park offers is a huge advantage. If I were to do it all over, I would 100% pick North Park, and I am proud to be a Viking Coach.

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CONVOCATION

Words of Wisdom Offered at Welcome Convocation Last fall, North Park’s first-year and transfer students were welcomed to campus with a weekend of picnics, outings, and ice breakers. The highlight of the activities was the Welcome Convocation, where students and their families heard inspiring speeches and words of wisdom from President Mary K. Surridge, Professor Karl Clifton-Soderstrom, and alumnus Timothy Ahlberg.

President Surridge offered sound advice to the Class of 2023, including eating plenty of Chicago-style pizza.

I can share one small piece of advice on this day, it would simply be this. Say YES! Say YES to an opportunity to try something new …

Say YES to joining a club.

YES, to the prospect of joining the Gospel Choir.

Say YES to running for the Student Government Association.

Or YES to a Global Partnerships trip.

Say YES to a Catalyst 606 opportunity, or YES to a service project through University Ministries …

Say YES to cheering on the Vikings every chance you get and YES every time we offer Lou Malnati’s pizza on campus.

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Now, having said all of this—you don’t have to say yes to everything the first week or even the first year—but say yes to something you have never tried before. This is your campus, and this is your chance. Make it your home.

And remember that we are here to walk alongside you every step of the way. That is our promise, and you have our word on it.

We promise to pray for you and to support you in every way that we can.

And we look forward to the many contributions you will make to this community in the months and years ahead. On behalf of our entire campus family, welcome to North Park University!

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CONVOCATION

Professor of Philosophy Karl Clifton-Soderstrom used his address to encourage students to embrace their college experience as just one chapter of a long, illustrious life story.

College can seem overwhelming at times, because it is so packed full of events—class presentations, exams, sporting events, chapel services, theatrical performances, protest marches, musical concerts, political or religious conversions, first dates, breakups, etc. It really is too much. Your task is to keep asking yourself—but what’s the story? No single event, no chapter of your time here is the whole story. No single failed exam, or team loss, or crisis moment between you and a friend, is the whole story …

Whatever story you have lived so far that leads up to today, it is important to remember that you are in the middle of it. Your life did not begin today … this chapter is not the first chapter of your story, it’s in the middle.

Tim Ahlberg, who majored in business and Spanish while at North Park, works as a management consultant. As part of his job, he travels weekly to Puerto Rico, where he is helping forge a new path forward for the government and their people in the wake of Hurricanes Maria and Irma.

So what does it mean to apply this Threshold framework to your first year of college and beyond? It means you leave your door open while you’re just chillin’ in your room playing video games or noodling around on the guitar. It means that you sit next to some new people from time to time in the cafeteria … Applying the framework means studying that extra hour to get that good grade. It could also mean NOT studying that extra hour to sit with a friend going through a

hard time. It means getting INVOLVED. For such a small college there are so many ways to connect with people outside the classroom. I was on the soccer team, in student government, gospel choir, attended Chapel, took internships, managed the campus-run snack shop. You don’t have to do ALL these things. You don’t even have to do half those things. But please do something. Connect with people. Tap into North Park’s greatest resource—its people and its community.

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ACROSS CAMPUS

Homecoming 2019 North Park alumni descended on campus for Homecoming festivities September 1622, bringing with them plenty of school spirit and Viking pride.

The weekend included the annual Viking Hall of Fame induction ceremony, an Alumni Art Triennial Show, a Faculty Music Showcase, and, of course, football and soccer games.

Along the way, runners participating in

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the North Park River Run tried their hands at “plogging,” the Swedish craze of picking up trash while jogging.

Landmark reunion parties were held by the Academy Class of ’59, along with the College Classes of ’94 and ’99. Perhaps the most poignant moment of the weekend was a special memorial service for beloved professor Dr. John R. Hjelm C’75, who passed away unexpectedly in August.

NORTH PARKER

HOMECOMING

Cheerleaders ready to Row the Ship at the Homecoming Football game.

Shelby Switzer C’14, Denny Keizer C’99, and Nicole Minnick C’98 were inducted into the Viking Hall of Fame.

Faculty members entertained at the music showcase.

Women’s soccer teammates proud to represent the Vikings.

An excited graduate joins the commencement line entering the Gym.

Students, staff, and alumni getting ready to go “plogging” ( jogging + picking up trash) on the North Park River Run.

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Homecoming included the Alumni Art Triennial in Carlson Tower Gallery.

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HONORS

Alumni Honorees

SHANNA HORNER O’HEA C’94

Shanna Horner O’Hea C’94 has made an impressive living off of lobster.

As the chef and co-owner of The Kennebunk Inn and Academe Brasserie for the past 17 years, she and her husband, Brian, have shipped their signature lobster dishes to all 50 states. They have hosted countless guests and served as many meals, and they have had their dishes featured in Oprah’s “O Magazine” and on several Food Network programs.

Horner O’Hea, whose father, David, was North Park’s President from 1987 to 2004, credits much of her success to her time at North Park, where she majored in art while also taking business classes.

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After graduating from North Park, Horner O’Hea attended the Culinary Institute of America, where she met her husband and inn co-owner Brian O’Hea. Along with Shanna’s parents, the pair acquired the former private residence, built in 1799, and turned it into an inn and restaurant.

“I realize that North Park, in many ways, laid the foundation for my career as an innkeeper, chef, and entrepreneur,” Horner O’Hea said in her remarks over Homecoming weekend, when she was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award. “The core values of North Park—faith, family, friendships, and community—are now expressed in my life through owning an inn.”

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HONORS

AN TRAN C’14

An Tran C’14 won his first major guitar competition at age 12 in his native Vietnam.

Since then, he has gone on to win more than a dozen competitions.

But in his first year at North Park, Tran was ready to give up music, even though it had been an indelible part of his life since his parents sang and played instruments for him while he was in the womb.

“My first year at North Park was really hard, and I was ready to quit the guitar on my second year,” recalls Tran, recipient of the Distinguished Young Alumni Award. “I thought I wasn’t good enough to make it my main career. Thankfully, I studied with some of the most amazing teachers. They were kind and understanding. They helped me realize my hopes and dreams. While at North Park, I learned not to give up and to pursue what I love the most.”

When An was accepted to Yale’s Master of Music program in 2014, he was one of two applicants chosen out of 200 from around the world. After graduating in 2017, he started his PhD program at Northwestern University and is now a Dorothy and Carl Johnson Endowed Doctor of Musical Arts candidate. He is married to Lucina Sosa.

“Music and arts connect people together,” says Tran, who values the personal relationships he built with faculty while here, such as Professor of Music Tom Zelle. “It’s a language that we all speak. I’m just so happy that North Park cares about arts and culture studies as much as any other fields. I’m thankful and proud to be a North Parker.”

“While at North Park, I learned not to give up and to pursue what I love the most.”

DONN ENGEBRETSON A’69 C’73 S’78

North Park is a family affair for North Park Academy Distinguished Alumni Award honoree Donn Engebretson A’69 C’73 S’78.

Engebretson, who recently retired as Director of Global Advancement for the Evangelical Covenant Church, is part of a great North Park legacy: His father, Dr. Milton Engebretson, was President of the ECC from 1967 to 1986; his daughter, Kristen C’08 G’17 and son, Karl C’13 attended North Park; and his wife, Sally, is a coach in the Writing Center.

North Park offered his family not only an excellent education, Engebretson says, but a nurturing, faith-based environment, as well.

“I am grateful that North Park is an open enrollment school that welcomes students from many different backgrounds and faiths,” Engebretson says. “For me, open enrollment strengthens the Christian faith-centered life that allows students to explore what it might mean to follow Jesus in an environment that mirrors the freedom that comes through faith in Christ.”

Engebretson, who was a Covenant pastor before joining the ECC staff in 1998 where he served in various capacities, says he most

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“I am grateful that North Park welcomes students from many different backgrounds and faiths.” values the lifelong relationships he has built at North Park.

“The blessing of community that I found in the professors, mentors and peers at North Park has been a gift of extravagant abundance in my life,” he says. “My interaction with the great people with whom I shared my education have been not only lifelong, but frequent and consistent gifts in my life.”

Engebretson thanks President Mary K. Surridge for the Distinguished Alumni honor, and praises her leadership.

“For me, her life, leadership, dedication, excellence, and deep faith exemplify a very exciting future for the wonderful living experiment that is North Park,” Engebretson says.

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Business Opportunities The School of Business and Nonprofit Management has one goal: Prepare students for success.

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SBNM

hough North Park’s physical landscape has changed since Professor Ann Hicks arrived on campus 17 years ago, the thrill she gets from helping students find their career path remains unchanged.

“My students and their accomplishments become my proudest moments,” says Dr. Hicks, who last summer was named Dean of the School of Business and Nonprofit Management (SBNM). “The SBNM faculty and I greatly care about the students and do what is needed to ensure their success.”

Dr. Hicks recalls a 30-minute conversation she had with a senior business major who had a concentration in accounting. She worked closely with him as he laid out his post-graduation plans, considering whether to attend graduate school or pursue a job.

“This kind of interaction is invaluable to the student, and incredibly rewarding for the faculty member,” Dr. Hicks says.

Both at the undergraduate and graduate level, students can rely on building a one-onone relationship with their faculty advisor.

“It’s the partnership between student and faculty that is unique to North Park—where students explore what to do with their careers and access the tools to take the next step towards advancing their career,” Dr. Hicks says.

That kind of personal attention has already paid dividends, with North Park’s Master of Business Administration program earning national recognition as one of the top MBA programs by Abound, a college guidance system for degree-seeking adults.

North Park’s program earned the honors based on its flexible scheduling, career services, transparency of financial assistance, engaged learning opportunities, and other factors.

Anthony Scola, North Park University Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing, credits North Park’s professors for the honor.

“Our experienced faculty bring their in-the-field expertise into each classroom, cultivating the skills necessary to serve as future leaders in the workforce,” Scola says.

Indeed, Dr. Hicks, the beneficiary of a liberal arts education herself, sees the value in applying the real-world skills students learn at North Park to their business careers.

As a Latin American culture major at Kansas State University, Dr. Hicks supplemented her income by working as an assistant manager at a restaurant, where she became interested in the inner workings of running a business.

She quickly acquired on-the-job skills in managerial accounting, which spurred

Professor Paul Hawkinson C’92 returns to his North Park roots.

Paul Hawkinson C’92 left the world of investment banking “to seek a better balance between my skill set and my faith, as I desired to find deeper meaning in work and vocation.”

Hawkinson has brought his knowledge of the financial world to SBNM, where he teaches undergraduate finance and accounting, as well as graduate courses in corporate strategy. Hawkinson and his wife, Kristin (Anderson) C’91, have four kids, ranging in age from a college senior to a fourth grader, and live in Libertyville, Ill. NORTH PARKER: Tell us a little about your career before you came to North Park, and what led you to return here as a professor?

“My students and their accomplishments become my proudest moments.”

DR. ANN HICKS

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PAUL HAWKINSON: After a 17-year postgraduate career in investment banking, I left that “world” in 2012.

Since then I have had the privilege of serving in a wide variety of settings.

These have included service as the CFO of the Evangelical Covenant Church; adjunct teaching at NPU; the formation of a hedge fund focused on social impact in the housing sector; start-up investing; board service; and personal entrepreneurial ventures. After leaving full-time service at the Covenant, I was drawn to the opportunity to join the exceptional SBNM faculty on a full-time 33

SBNM

“I believe we offer a unique opportunity to serve students well long into the future.”

PROFESSOR PAUL HAWKINSON

basis as a “professional track” faculty member—bringing my experience into the classroom. I retain a portfolio of projects outside NPU and hope to invite students into the process of working alongside me in various ventures. My heart is particularly drawn to creative economic development in under-resourced areas within the city of Chicago.

What a gift it is to serve at NPU. NP: Obviously, North Park is a lot different than when you attended. What are the most positive changes you’ve noticed, and tell us why you’re excited for the school’s future.

PH: Honestly, I am blown away by the beauty of this campus and its physical transformation since my time here.

Many things, however, remain: the deeply committed and expert faculty, a commitment to depth in relational formation with students, the integration of faith and reason, and, importantly, a kind but clear disdain for ALL other CCIW opponents! Go Vikings! I am deeply drawn to the NPU distinctives and believe we offer a unique opportunity to serve students well long into the future. The environment for higher education among smaller schools is extremely challenging—but we retain access to a set of core assets that many institutions can only dream of.

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her to take business courses in accounting and economics. She eventually changed her major to finance. Grateful for the liberal arts foundation she received studying Latin American culture during the first half of her undergraduate studies, Dr. Hicks appreciates being part of a liberal arts university where students develop critical thinking skills in addition to specific skills within their major.

“I think one of the things that sets apart the SBNM undergraduate programs is the liberal arts focus of North Park,” Dr. Hicks says. “As a predominately liberal arts school, the core curriculum that all of our students are required to take provide a broader-based education that, I believe, enhances the student’s critical thinking skills. This is a skill set that many employers in industry highly value.”

In addition, North Park’s SBNM program is unique in that it offers certificates at the graduate level. These certification programs consist of five courses revolving around a particular topic, such as finance or fundraising, that allow a student to gain

NORTH PARKER

skills in a particular field without necessarily completing a full degree.

Dr. Hicks notes that some students may just come for those five courses; some may come and complete a certificate and decide to remain and complete a master’s degree; and some may come for the master’s degree but focus their elective courses in a particular area and complete both the degree and a certificate.

In her new role as Dean, Dr. Hicks says she will revisit and update programs to match the needs of the marketplace, along with taking a close look at flexible hybrid options consisting of an online and in-the-classroom curriculum. As part of that process, she will continually review and update programs, something that SBNM has done faithfully since Dr. Hicks has been here.

“With the changes in higher education and the costs of higher education, it is even more critical than ever that we ensure that we are offering our students a competitive and marketable education,” Dr. Hicks says.

ALUMNIACROSS NEWSCAMPUS AND NOTES

The Academy Class of 1959 Reunion The Academy Class of 1959 celebrated their 60th Reunion during Homecoming. Janet (Hanson) Sirabian and Chuck Olson helped to make the evening a success. Attendees included those pictured. First row: Linda Bowman Voges, Gail Ganley Wood, Carolyn Curtis, Roberta Rimpila Gaaskjolen, Kate Wulle, Lynne Schoeneberger Redelsheimer; Second row: Dave Yonan, Chuck Olson, Jinny Lundbom Larson, Franklin Pyrsson, Janet Hanson Sirabian, Betsy Gwynn Ray, Carola Brandel Anderson, Mark Reever; and Last row: Art Schuller, Wes Polender, Dick Sandgren, Don Ericksn, and Clark Bernard.

1950s

Ted Sares A’55 received the inaugural Harold Lederman Award at the ninth annual Ring 10 Fundraiser and Awards Banquet at Marina Del Rey in Throggs Neck, N.Y., on September 29. Ring 10, of which Sares is a lifetime member, raises money for retired boxers. Ted is also a member of Ring 4 and its Boxing Hall of Fame and received its Humanitarian of the Year Award in 2012.

Ethel (Erickson) Radmer C’55 published her eighth book, A Proposal for Love: Physical,

Mental, Emotional and Spiritual Health, which is now available for purchase on Amazon.

1970s

1960s

Tyler Esplin, grandson of George Esplin C’69, was named Boston Red Sox Minor League Hitter of the Month for August 2019.

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The Palmatier family had a reunion last July at a cottage on Catfish Lake in Eagle River, Wis. North Parkers who were present included: Front row: Bruce Palmatier C’78, Peter (Palmatier) Palmberg C’15, Stacey (Klingberg) Palmberg C’16; Second

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ALUMNI ACROSS NEWS CAMPUS AND NOTES

Row: Karen (Pearson) Palmatier C’78 S’82, Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Pearson C’79; Third row: Stephen Palmatier C’11, Judy Pearson C’74.

1980s

Michael Harper C’80 was inducted into the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame on October 31, 2019. As the starting center on the North Park Vikings, Michael led North Park to three consecutive NCAA Division III national championships in 1978, 1979, and 1980, and was named the most outstanding player in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) in each of those years.

After graduation, Michael was drafted to the NCAA with the Portland Trail Blazers, where he played for two seasons before playing for six seasons in Europe. He was inducted into the North Park Viking Hall of Fame in 1988 and received the North Park Distinguished Alumni Award in 2005. Michael lives in Oregon with his wife and family, and he works for State Farm Insurance and is an assistant coach at Lewis & Clark College.

Nearly 80 people attended an informal multiclass reunion during this year’s Homecoming

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weekend at the Big Hill Bar and Grill near campus. It was a boisterous gathering as good friends from the Classes of 1984 to 1992 were reunited and stories and laughter filled the place. Realizing that friendships from North Park span several class years (more than just in our own classes) Blake Magnuson C’87, Kendall Magnuson C’89, Sandy Nelson C’85, and Stephanie Nelson C’91 made it happen. Plans are already in the works for next year!

Bonnie (Bladel)Sparrman’s C’86 newest books are 60 Ways to Keep Your Brain Sharp and A View from an Empty Nest (Harvest House). 60 Ways offers practical suggestions to promote excellent brain health throughout life. This engaging book draws from sound research and personal stories. A View from an Empty Nest is a wonderful companion for parents whose children are in launch mode. The author’s words are warm, lively, encouraging, and written from a Christian perspective. Both are available on Amazon.

Sandy Nelson C’85 recently completed a nine-month artist residency with the Brehm Cascadia Artist Residency, in conjunction with First Covenant Church, Seattle. The focus was exploring art as an expression of faith. In addition to attending retreats with the residency cohort, Sandy produced a new body of work in silkscreen printing on paper and on found textiles. She also led several art workshops with church members, producing two large collaborative installation pieces that were displayed in the church. You can check out photos and videos here: https:// sandynelsonartist.com/artist-residency.

Jim Harding C’89 recently completed the fourth and fifth ultramarathons of his life.

He finished third at the Dragon Dare 65K in Kenosha, Wis., on July 27 and 15th at the Painful Elimination Race in Hudson, Ill., on Aug. 24 by completing 55 miles in one day.

Jim has also run 26 marathons, going back to his first the summer after his sophomore year at North Park. For the last three years, Jim has led the Mercy Home Heroes, who this year will have 318 runners taking on the Chicago Marathon to raise support for the kids of Mercy Home for Boys & Girls. Jim started at Mercy Home in August 2016 after 25 years as an editor in the sports department of the Chicago Tribune.

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ALUMNI ACROSS NEWSCAMPUS AND NOTES

1990s The Class of 1994 celebrated its 25th Reunion during Homecoming Weekend. Sara Jenkins-Sutton, Andrea (Brooks) Martin, Jill (Persson) Lind planned the evening gathering at SPIN and about 40 attendees got together for a night of ping-pong and reminiscing.

The Class of 1999 celebrated its 20th Reunion during Homecoming Weekend. Erin (Murakami) Oleniczak, Lindsay Mitchell, Krist Werling, and Laura (Knipp) Werling planned the event at Bricks Pizza and Barbeque in Lincoln Square.

2000s The New York Islanders member club has named Leonard Edwards C’01 G’02 vice president of partnership sales and broadcasting. Leonard will oversee the corporate development revenue for the fourtime Stanley Cup Champions. Leonard brings 19 years of professional sports experience to the Islanders, coming from Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, the owners and operators of the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Devils, Prudential Center, and Crystal Palace.

Additionally, Leonard has also worked for the Arizona Coyotes, NASCAR, Orlando Magic, Cleveland Cavaliers, and NHRA. Leonard will lead the partnership marketing department into Belmont Park Arena, the future home of the New York Islanders, opening in 2021.

Cori (Morse) Reynolds C’02 was awarded the 2019 Outstanding Educator of the Year by Brainerd Community Action and the Brainerd Jaycees. Cori lives in Baxter, Minn. with her husband and sons, where she is in her sixth school year as the director of community education and communications for the Brainerd School District.

Fundraising consulting firm Bentz Whaley Flessner (BWF) has named Managing Associate Bond Lammey C’02 G’05 as the new President of Apra for the 2019-2020 term. Lammey has been a transformative influence for nonprofits throughout her six years with BWF and

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currently leads the prospect development team, which includes prospect research and relationship management, research verification services, portfolio management, and customized prospect management counsel.

Lammey’s term was effective September 1.

Linnea (Johnson) Bergstrom C’03 is the author of Come and Rest, which offers daily invitations to slow down and allow your soul room to breathe. A simple and refreshing book helping us press pause and refocus our attention on what is eternally important, Come and Rest can be found at Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble. com, and WestBowPress.com. Linnea lives in Gig Harbor, Wash. with her husband Sam. They have two children, Soren (11) and Eva (9). Linnea writes at www.dwellandmade. com while also working for Beautycounter.

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ALUMNI ACROSS NEWS CAMPUS AND NOTES

James S. Mastaler C’04 lectures on religious ethics, theology, and the environment. He has worked alongside community leaders spanning more than twelve countries on three continents while studying social and ecological systems related to structural poverty, gender disparity, and environmental degradation. He resides in the Great Lakes bioregion, where he writes from the shores of Lake Michigan-Huron, the largest freshwater lake by surface area in the world. In his new book, Woven Together, Mastaler argues that now more than ever, it is critical that religious stories encompass a call to moral responsibility for the earth and to the global poor.

With a foreword by Holmes Rolston III, it has been endorsed by Bill McKibben as a “useful effort to bridge some of the gaps between communities of faith and the environmental justice movement.” An environmental science major at North Park, James holds advanced degrees in social justice and theology.

Johan Eldebo C’08 was awarded a Distinguished Alumni Award by King’s College London, from which he graduated in 2009. Johan is the regional security director for southern Africa at World Vision and co-creator of the rapid context analysis tool GECARR, which has been used to guide humanitarian operations in more than 20 countries.

Charlotte Rose Nelson was born on November 13, 2018, to Taryn (Johnson) C’08 and Kevin Nelson. Charlotte was 7 lb., 2 oz. and 21 inches. Proud Grandparents are Jane (Poor) C’80 and Steve Johnson C’82 and great-grandparents are L. Jerome Johnson C’54, and Marilyn (Carlson) S’53 and Bob Poor C’53.

McLaughlin at a Cubs game. You can watch the performance at https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=Vzki5iTO61s&t=26s.

Nick Wells C’08 and Mary (Hakanson) Wells C‘09 G‘15 welcomed their daughter Louisiana Mae on May 19, 2019. The family lives in Chicago.

Peter and Mandy (Kline) Griffin C’09 welcomed their daughter Juniper Adele Gonzalez Griffin in August.

They currently live in Minneapolis.

Declan Patrick Joyce was born December 6, 2018. This little Viking is pictured with mom, Brittney (Hennigan) Joyce C’09 and Grandma/Mormor Britt-Lee (Westergren) Hennigan C’73.

Britta (Heintzelman) Johnson C’05 was recently promoted to Director of Major Gifts at Northwestern University. Britta has spent the last 11 years of her career at Northwestern University in the alumni relations and development office raising support for the University’s strategic priorities through significant gifts and engagement. Britta and her husband, Dane Johnson C’06, live in Lake Bluff, Ill. with their three children, Elin, Olof, and Anders.

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Trevor Nicholas C’08 has partnered with the Lyric Opera, Music of the Baroque, Trey McLaughlin, and the Chicago Cubs in the past year as a Chicago Public Schools teacher at Senn High School’s Senn Arts Magnet Program. In 2014 his music program was awarded a $15,000 grant to explore the impact of the Great Migration on Chicago music styles.

The resulting student-composed rap, Forced to Listen, was performed at the Chicago Symphony Center. Trevor’s students have benefited from over $150,000 in grants and partnerships, and he enjoys helping annually steer nearly $1.5 million to CPS arts programs through his work on the Creative Schools Fund Grant Review Committee. This spring, Trevor led the Senn Arts vocalists as they sang the national anthem arranged by Trey

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Jon Johnson C’09 recently completed his residency in anesthesiology at the University of Rochester in Rochester, N.Y. He is an attending anesthesiologist at Westside Anesthesia Associates of Rochester. Pictured at graduation from left to right: Roger Johnson C’75 S’83, Marjean Johnson, Molly Johnson, Jonathan Johnson C’09, and Peter Johnson C’03.

ALUMNI ACROSS NEWSCAMPUS AND NOTES

2010s

Kristen Van Putten C’10 and Mike Nellis welcomed Theodore William on April 27, 2019. They reside in Baltimore but are excited to be moving back to Chicago soon.

Mike owns Authentic Campaigns and Kristen is an Operations Director at a political organization.

Mike Mullenix C’14 completed his 12-month long Orthotic Residency in Chicago, Ill. at Hanger Clinic in October 2019.

Kim (Reitzel) Malafaia C’14 married Renan Malafaia, a seminary student at Moody Bible Institute, in Isaacson chapel in May 2019. North Parkers in the bridal party included Heather Eslinger C’13, Allison Gilbert C’13, and Kristin (Reitzel) Durbin C‘15.

In the summer of 2019, Michelle Arellano C’13 studied coral reef ecology and the conservation of marine systems along the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Michelle, a humane education coordinator at East Bay Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, lives in Oakland, Calif., and is a graduate student in Miami University’s Global Field Program.

Johanna Vetter C’14 and Brennan Biasotti were married on July 6 at Countryside Covenant Church in Johanna’s hometown of McPherson, Kan. Johanna is the daughter of Chuck Vetter C’80 and Taryn (Rosenquist) Vetter C’81. The couple was surrounded by many North Park Alumni including Sam Vetter C’11 and Kelly (Sladkey) Vetter C’11, Chuck Vetter C’09, Lauren (Cacciola) Trumble C’13, Cari Hogberg C’14, Kait (Scott) Sager C’14, Eve Loumpouridis C’15, Sommar (Johnson) Otfinoski C’14, Caroline Elia C’11, and Jess Lee C’14. Johanna is a trainer at a kickboxing gym and in her second year of nursing school, and Brennan builds and repairs violins, violas and cellos at a shop in Park Ridge. The couple resides in Chicago.

Matthew Davis C’15 will be attending law school at Northwestern this coming fall.

Davis says this achievement is due in large part to wonderful support of North Park faculty, friends, and his wife Patricia Calandra C’16.

Thomas Cellilli C’17 and his wife, Shelby, welcomed their first daughter, Nora, into the world on August 13, 2019.

Crystal (Williams) Robinson G’14 married Brandon Robinson on November 3, 2018 in St. Louis. The couple first met 10 years ago through mutual friends but lost touch over time. In the summer of 2015, God reunited them at a Park Community Church event.

The newlyweds continue to call Park Community Church their faith home.

In June, Nilwona Nowlin G’14 S’14 was selected to participate in a Collegeville Institute memoir-writing workshop led by Rev. Dr. Renita Weems and Kathryn Stanley. A link to the full story can be found at https://collegevilleinstitute.org/news/ from-journaling-to-memoir-2019.

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Kalie Jenkins C’17 earned her Master’s in Sport Administration from Ball State University in May 2019, and in June 2019 she accepted a job as Assistant Athletic Trainer in the Athletics Department at the University of Akron, Akron, Ohio.

Marilyn Felix C’18 recently was promoted to Specialist of the Health Promotions for the American Lung Association.

Marilyn lives in Schaumburg, Ill., and has worked at the American Lung Association since 2018. She is a current member of the GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade) Alumni Leadership Committee.

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ALUMNI ACROSS NEWS CAMPUS AND NOTES

In Memoriam

Dr. John R. Hjelm C’75, Professor of Exercise Sport at North Park University, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, August 31, 2019 at his Hagerman Lake (MI) home. He was 66.

Dr. Hjelm was born on March 13, 1953 in Rockford, Ill., the son of Marilyn (Johnson) Hjelm C’47 and the late Rev. John R. Hjelm Sr. C’48 S’53. He attended the

Rockford Schools, graduating from Rockford East High School in 1971. He attended North Park University, earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education and Psychology. John continued his education earning a Master’s Degree in Health and Physical Education from Northwestern University, a Master’s of Science in Exercise Physiology from Northeastern Illinois University, and a PhD in Health Education from The Ohio State University. John married Elizabeth “Beth” Anderson C’77 on May 19, 1979 at the First Covenant Church in Youngstown, Ohio. They celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary this year.

Dr. Hjelm served as Professor of Exercise and Sport at North Park University for over 40 years. As a third-generation alumnus, he was proud to be part of the North Park University community. He was a member of the Libertyville Covenant Church, the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, the American College of Sports Medicine, and the American Association for Health Education. He enjoyed teaching, biking, and sports and took generations of students on cross-country ski trips to

the U.P. and canoe trips to Ontario, Canada.

Some of Dr. Hjelm’s fondest memories of his time at North Park included his service as Professor in Residence at our sister institution, SVF, in Jönköping, Sweden. John had the pleasure of traveling and supporting the North Park contingency there in the fall of 2015.

In addition to John’s outstanding legacy, the Hjelm family represents generations of North Park graduates and family members.

John is survived by his wife, Beth; daughters, Andra (Hjelm) Dalton C’06 and Joe Dalton of Libertyville, Ill. and Lisa (Hjelm) Cousineau C’08 and Paul Cousineau of Caspian, Mich.; mother Marilyn C’47 of Batavia, Ill.; brothers, Timothy C’77 (Barb C’76) Hjelm of Batavia, Ill. and Mark C’84 (Julie C’85) Hjelm of North Bend, Wash.; grandchildren, Kajsa, Olivia, and Leija Dalton and Sven and Annalina Cousineau; many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews, extended family and friends. John’s father Bob Hjelm served North Park as Campus Pastor and Associate Professor of Pastoral Studies.

Betty Nelson C’44

Dean Betty Nelson C’44 passed away October 29 at the age of 95, in Northbrook, Ill. Betty was a beloved teacher and Dean at North Park Academy and College from 1944 to 1988.

Betty was a North Park Junior College grad who went on to Augustana to finish her undergraduate degree, as did many North Parkers in those days. She was recruited to return as a teacher at the Academy and worked there until her job shifted to the Junior College offering full-time teaching in speech and working in administration.

After taking many trips with student groups, including many choir tours, she was elevated to the role of Dean of Women for the college.

“Dean Betty,” as she was fondly known on campus, spent her entire career as a public speaking professor, but it was her extracurricular activities of directing a drama program that she often remembered best. The first play was staged in the early 1950s, the first of many that would follow.

Betty earned her master’s degree in Speech Education from Northwestern University and was also known for her athleticism, in sports from golf to basketball. After retirement, Betty enjoyed traveling, including trips to the Covenant missions in Africa, where—appropriately—she gave a speech at a conference on the importance of communication.

Dr. John R. Hjelm C’75

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ALUMNI ACROSS NEWSCAMPUS AND NOTES

grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her brother Einar, her daughter Lynne Tucker, and her daughter’s husband, Gene Tucker.

Sylvia Anna Alina (Johnson) Hammer C’44

John Philip Douglass C’64

Sylvia Anna Alina (Johnson) Hammer C’44, 95, passed away Wednesday July 31, 2019 at VITAS(hospice) at St. Mary’s Hospital in Connecticut. She was the wife of the late Irving B. Hammer, who passed away in 2008.

Sylvia was born November 6, 1923, in West Hartford, Conn., the daughter of the late Claus and Hilda (Mansen) Johnson. She spent the later years of her youth at the Children’s Home in Cromwell, Conn., and graduated from Middletown High. She then attended and graduated from North Park Junior College in Chicago and worked at the Evangelical Covenant Church home office before going to the Boston area to live and work.

She met and married Irving in Boston and they subsequently moved to Naugatuck, Conn., where they settled and raised a family.

She was a busy homemaker and mother to four. When her children were of high school age, she became employed at Uniroyal, sewing footwear; after the footwear plant closed, she then was employed for several years at Timex Corp. in the accounting department, until her retirement in 1989. She was a longtime Naugatuck resident and was a member of Hillside Covenant Church for 65 years Sylvia was a friend to many, loved to work on crossword and word-search puzzles, made sure to feed the birds, and made her Christmas Eve smorgasbord dinner a very special time for family and guests. She is survived by her son Brian of California, Carl (& wife MaryBeth) of Illinois, and Paul (& wife Jean) of Vernon, as well as her 9

North Park alumna and former university trustee, John Philip Douglass C’64, 73, of North Oaks, Minn., passed away on Saturday, June 8, 2019. John is preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Ruth Douglass; his brothers, Robert and Daniel; and infant son, Phillip.

John was born in Chicago on June 7, 1946.

He graduated from North Park Academy in 1964, where he was a three-season athlete and all-state football player. He received his BA from DePauw University in 1968 and went on to earn his JD from Northwestern University, and MBA from the Carlson School at the University of Minnesota. John married Emily Rice on November 29, 1969. They enjoyed nearly 50 years of a faithful and happy marriage. As a young man, John worked for his father’s business, Warner Candy, in Chicago. This neighborhood family business graciously employed many North Park students over the years, directly supporting the student community.

After receiving his law degree, he worked for Green Giant in Le Sueur, Minn., and from there moved on to Ecolab in Saint Paul. He retired from Ecolab as Vice President of Finance in 1998. Throughout his life John was an active volunteer with many charities and served on boards at Minnehaha Academy, North Park University, and the Evangelical Covenant Church. While a member of the North Park Board, John served on the Executive Committee for Campaign North Park, while simultaneously serving as Chair of the

Betty Jean Margaret (Carlson) Holmgren C’48 Betty Jean Margaret (Carlson) Holmgren C’48, retired Assistant to three Academic Deans at North Park University; talented pianist; and supporter of social justice and racial and religious equality, passed away peacefully on October 13, 2019 at the age of 94.

Beloved wife of 71 years to Professor and Pastor Fredrick Carlson Holmgren C’47.

Devoted mother of Mark Jonathan Holmgren C’70 of Edmonton, Alberta and Margaret “Marge” Clare Conville C’84 of Northbrook, Ill. Loving grandmother of Sarah and Nils Holmgren and Samantha, Ashley, and Courtney Conville. Only child of the late Hilding Gustaf and Clare Marie Carlson.

Born in Muskegon Heights, Mich., Betty attended high school in Cadillac, Mich., where she met Fred. After marrying and graduating from North Park College, the couple moved to New Rochelle, N.Y., where Betty worked as the assistant to the V.P. of Adler Electronics before returning to Chicago.

In retirement, Betty and Fred traveled Europe, with their home base in Freiburg, Germany, where she became fluent in German. She is remembered as an upbeat, friendly person and a Christian who sought to reflect the embracing love of Jesus in her relationship with others.

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ALUMNI ACROSS NEWS CAMPUS AND NOTES

Advancement Committee of the Trustees.

He and Emily have been faithful supporters of North Park for many decades.

John loved relaxing at his cabin in Boulder Junction, Wisc., walking the beach in Harbert, Michigan, and travelling to new places, especially National Parks. John also spent countless hours on the golf course. He is survived by his wife, Emily; daughters, Hilary (Nathan) Sonstegard, Heidi (Jey) Carlson, Heather Douglass and Holly VanderHyde; grandchildren, Phillip, Madilynn, Caroline, Emma, Bjorn, Elise, Alexander and Ingrid; and siblings, Susan (Martin) Sandstrom, Wylie (Ardyth) and David (Susan).

Joanne (Young) Soderstrom C’65 Joanne (Young) Soderstrom C’65 passed away peacefully this July in Chicago, surrounded by family and friends throughout her last days with us. Joanne was an active part of the North Park neighborhood, church and university throughout her adult life. She spent her career teaching and counseling in the Chicago Public Schools, and participated in countless programs for the betterment of her community through her church and neighborhood organizations. She is survived by her husband Mel Soderstrom C’60, and three children Kristen (Soderstrom) Starr C’91, Karl Clifton-Soderstrom C’93 S’95, and Anne Soderstrom C’96. Last summer, her life and the joy of the resurrection were celebrated at a memorial service at North Park Covenant Church.

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Scott Groot C’82

Joshua Andrew Carlson C’04

Scott Groot C’82, 60, of Greenville, N.C. passed away peacefully at home on May 13, 2019. Scott was born on April 8, 1959 in Chicago, Ill. He was raised with eight siblings with whom he remained close throughout his life. Scott graduated from Buffalo Grove High School and from North Park University.

On June 6, 1981, he married Karen (West) Groot C’82. Over their 37 years of marriage, they raised 3 beautiful children and enjoyed 5 precious grandchildren.

Scott had a passion for sports, playing football, basketball, and baseball in both high school and college. One of his proudest accomplishments was winning two NCAA Division III national championship games while he played basketball at North Park. He was inducted into the Viking Hall of Fame in 1991. Later in life, he picked up golf, and loved the game and the camaraderie of his friends. Scott has made two hole-in-ones, which was quite an achievement if you had seen his golf swing. He worked for Allstate Insurance for over 33 years and valued his wonderful coworkers. Scott was known for his quick wit and his bigger-than-life personality.

Scott loved his family, and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.

Scott is preceded in death by his father, Howard. He is survived by his mother, Patricia, his wife, Karen; his three children, Kelli (Groot) Augustson C’04 and husband Carl, Eric Groot and wife Kristine, and Kirstie Steele and husband Matt; siblings: Steven, Michael, Doug, Paul, Craig, Jackie, Debbie Patrick, and Lori Thompson; along with five grandchildren.

Joshua Andrew Carlson C’04 passed away at age 39 on June 28, 2019 at The St. Rose Dominican Hospital in Henderson, Nev. Josh was born June 26, 1980 in La Crosse, Wisc. With his parents he lived in Beloit, Wisc.; Cottage Grove (St. Paul), Minn.; and Chicago, where he graduated from St. Phillip Elementary School; Von Steuben High School; and North Park University with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He was a Teacher’s Assistant for Professor Alvin Kamienski, whom he much appreciated. He also enjoyed Professors Theodora Ayot and Scot McKnight. He was active in the Community Covenant Church in Cottage Grove; Northwest Baptist Church, and Ravenswood Evangelical Covenant Church in Chicago.

On December 12, 2008 he married Heather Newkirk in Las Vegas, Nev. where for 12 years he worked as Airport Operations Manager for the Avis/Budget Car Rental Company.

Josh enjoyed travel, whether it was to his grandparents’ farm in Iowa, or for a week at Space Camp in Alabama, across Alaska, or to Europe. During his college years, Josh took a solo trip to London, where he saw the Queen and conversed with Prince Charles.

For two summers he worked at The Oaks, a camp in southern California that ministered to children from South Los Angeles, which met his desire to help underprivileged people.

He is survived by his wife Heather; children Andrew Jacob (9) and MaKenzie Jean (6); his parents the Reverend LeRoy C’61 S’67 and Colleen Carlson; and aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

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NORTH PARK FUND Annual Giving for Student Success

YOUR GIFT COUNTS. When you support the North Park Fund, you’re helping to make scholarships and much-needed financial assistance available to our students.

FINANCIAL AID FOR:

95 0/0

OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

78 /

00

OF SEMINARY STUDENTS

“

$13

MILLION MORE THAN IN ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO:

89 0/0

OF UNDERGRADUATES

74 0/0

OF SEMINARY STUDENTS

YOUR GIFT EXPANDS MY WORLD.

I’ve had such amazing cross-cultural experiences with study abroad in Ecuador and a Global Partnership trip to Oaxaca, Mexico. I can’t thank you enough.

”

GIANNA BANUELOS C’20

Majors: Nursing and Spanish

MAKE YOUR GIFT TODAY. www.northpark.edu/give

And join us in November for:

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