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Across Campus
Across Campus News about our students, faculty and staff, and alums.
Threshold 2020
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Despite restrictions imposed by our “new normal,” the annual event for new and returning students was as warm and welcoming as ever.
The process and set-up may have looked and felt a little different last fall, but the goal of Threshold 2020 was the same as ever: Welcoming new students to North Park’s campus and helping them settle in.
Under tents that were set up on Christiana Avenue in front of Sohlberg Hall, new students were greeted by current students, faculty, and staff following socially distant protocols. Student arrivals were spaced out throughout the week, as opposed to a weekend, to avoid large gatherings, and temperature checks were administered before anyone was allowed on campus.
New in 2020: Students checking in stopped to pick up a “goodie” bag containing a thermometer, hand sanitizer, and a Viking-blue, NPU-branded face mask, along with their student ID.
In addition, most in-person social gatherings were canceled in favor of virtual events, including a scavenger hunt, bingo and trivia games, and Netflix watch parties. The main ice-breaker event was held in person on the football field, with students gathering in small groups to meet fellow classmates, all while wearing masks and practicing social distancing.
The welcome week was capped off with an outdoor CollegeLife service, held on the campus green in front of the Nancy and G. Timothy Johnson Center for Science and Community Life.
NPRESS Program Pairs Students with Faculty Mentors
Now in its fifth year, the summer research project offers students the chance to delve deeply into a topic with professor guidance.
The North Park Research Experience for Summer Students (NPRESS) went on as planned last summer despite the pandemic.
As a part of the program, now in its fifth year, four students worked closely with professors in their chosen field on a research project. Each student finished the summer by presenting their research findings (virtually) on topics ranging from Fine Art and Philosophy to History and Political Science.
“My mentor really helped me think about how art can respond to ideas from the academic world in various ways, which led me down interesting avenues,” said art student Emmanuel Carrillo, who studied Fine Art and Philosophy with Professor
Gabrielle Rigg
Nostalgia of the Present: Art and Design in Response to Cultural Hauntology
EMMANUEL CARRILLO KELLY VANDERBRUG
Keeping up with the Kim: An Ethnonarrative of the Kardashian Empire
DONNA SHERGARFI DR. DANIEL WHITE HODGE MIAKALA RATH DR. MARK GAVOOR
Quality Transformation in Higher Education
GABRIELLE RIGG DR. SARAH DOHERTY
Unlikely Neighbor: The Relationship between Anglo and Japanese Farmers in the Central Valley of California during World War II
Kelly VanderBrug, and presented “Nostalgia of the Present: Art and Design in Response to Cultural Hauntology.”
“I ventured forth from my comfort zone in painting and drawing to more experimental work in performance and video art.” Mentored by Dr. Mark Gavoor, Miakala Rath presented “Quality Transformation in Higher Education.” Rath, a senior Business Management major, studied metrics and quality transformation models to measure improvement in higher education.
Gabrielle Rigg, who is majoring in History and who graduated this winter, collaborated with Dr. Sarah Doherty to present “Unlikely Neighbor: The Relationship between Anglo and Japanese Farmers in the Central Valley of California during World War II.” Inspired to continue her project, Rigg said, “The online NPRESS experience required Dr. Doherty and me to adapt our original aims of this project, but I am thankful I was able to conduct remote interviews and I will hopefully continue this research in the future.”
As a senior majoring in Political Science and Communications, Donna Shergarfi conducted research on the appropriation of Black culture under the mentorship of Dr. Daniel White Hodge. During the virtual event, Shergarfi presented “Keeping up with the Kim: An Ethnonarrative of the Kardashian Empire.”
North Park’s previous NPRESS graduates have applied their research experience, moving on to a range of graduate studies including STEM, sociology, and philosophy.
Co-Pastor Laura Kraybill joins University Ministries
Kraybill, who was hired just before the pandemic hit, is adjusting to the new challenges of pastoring to students remotely.
Campus Co-Pastor and Outreach Chaplain Laura Kraybill joined North Park’s University Ministries staff in March, sharing duties with Co-Pastor and Athletic Chaplain Terence Gadsden.
Kraybill, a missionary and pastor’s kid who moved frequently but considers Elkhart, Indiana her hometown, began at North Park just before the pandemic hit. With remote learning beginning shortly after her arrival, she didn’t have a lot of time to get to know students.
“It was a strange way to begin my job, but especially a job that is as relational as a campus pastor,” Kraybill said. “It’s been good to be back in person this fall and meet students, although I hear the hustle and bustle isn’t the same as pre-pandemic days.”
Kraybill was previously the Chaplain Resident at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.
She received her bachelor’s degree from Goshen College, a master’s in theatre education from Emerson University, and a Master of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.
Kraybill was attracted to North Park because of its commitment to being Christian, city-centered, and intercultural.
“The opportunity to minister within a community dedicated to God’s call in Jeremiah to ‘seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile,’ resonates with my understanding of loving our neighbors.”
She credits University Ministries with being creative in how they are able to minister despite social distancing and other limitations imposed by the pandemic.
“None of us could have figured out how to minister well alone, but together we are discovering God’s call to new ministry initiatives that might not have occurred had things stayed ‘normal.’”
Laura Kraybill, Campus Co-Pastor and Outreach Chaplain
Chapel Al Fresco
With proper social distancing and mask-wearing, students, faculty, and staff enjoyed outdoor Chapel services.
Thanks to the faithful staff in University Ministries, students, faculty, and staff were able to enjoy Chapel services outdoors at the beginning of the year. The services were held August 26 and September 2, and incorporated live worship, Scripture readings, and inspiring messages delivered by Campus Co-Pastors Terence Gadsden and Laura Kraybill.
In the midst of social distancing, the campus green outside the Johnson Center served as the “chapel.” The dozens of students, faculty, and staff in attendance savored this time to be together in worship. Once the weather turned cool, Chapel and Sunday night CollegeLife services returned to a virtual format on Facebook Live.
CATALYST ON CAMPUS
Remote edition
George Floyd’s relatives shared memories of their nephew, along with thoughts on racial justice and the Black Lives Matter movement.
On what would’ve been George Floyd Jr.’s 47th birthday, the Office of Diversity and Intercultural Life and Catalyst 606 sponsored the live event: A Conversation about George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter Movement.
George Floyd’s Aunt Angela Harrelson and Uncle Selwyn Jones shared memories of their beloved nephew, along with words of strength and wisdom encouraging the
Uncle Selwyn Jones
community to participate. “You have to be willing to use your voice—don’t be quiet anymore,” Harrelson said.
Jones added: “We need every heart, soul, and mind because your voice means a lot — you can’t be quiet anymore.”
“We need to learn how to eat together —even if we don’t eat the same food,” said Reverend Nyle Fort. “Educate, agitate, and organize.”
Sharee Myricks, Director of Diversity and Intercultural Life, extended her gratitude to President Mary K. Surridge and Director of Civic Engagement Rich Kohng for their ongoing support in her department’s efforts.
George Floyd Jr.’s Aunt Angela Harrelson. (Photo by Los Angeles Times)
