WINTER 2019
NORTH PARKER
The magazine for alumni and friends of North Park University
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Students start a Women in STEM club and conduct cutting-edge experiments
VOLUME 79
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President Mary Surridge welcomes you to Hawkinson House
NORTH PARK ALUMNI GRANT Alumni who earned an undergraduate degree at North Park University can return for continued coursework with a 20 percent tuition reduction. Choose a graduate degree program or graduate-level certificate offered by: F School of Business and Nonprofit Management F School of Education F School of Music, Art, and Theatre F School of Nursing and Health Sciences F School of Professional Studies F North Park Theological Seminary
Online, on-campus, or hybrid options available. For more information, visit www.northpark.edu/gradadmissions or call 773-244-4880 to schedule a personal appointment.
CONTENTS
FEATURES
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A North Park Housewarming
President Mary Surridge enlisted staffers from Physical Plant and the University Archives to transform the presidential home.
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Betty Nelson C’44, Roy Applequist C’68, and Mari Andrew C’08 are honored at Homecoming.
How North Park is preparing its future teachers to deal with the distractions of screens (Hint: If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.)
Alumni Honorees
Adapting for the YouTube Generation
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CONTENTS
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DEPARTMENTS 03 First Word
WINTER 2019, VOLUME 79, NUMBER 1
04 Across Campus 28 Giving
EDITORIAL BOARD
Mary K. Surridge President
29 Alumni Notes & In Memoriam
Christopher Childers Assistant Vice President of University Marketing
Here’s what’s happening with North Parkers nationwide.
ON THE COVER
President Mary Surridge stands in the entrance of Hawkinson House, the official president’s residence since the mid 1990s.
Melissa Vélez-Luce C’04 G’12 Director of Alumni Relations
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STEM at NPU
Students start a Women in STEM club, conduct cutting-edge experiments, and attend world-class conferences.
Kristin Englund C’10 Assistant Director of Alumni Relations EDITORIAL STAFF
Ellen Almer C’94 Editor Susannah Kim Lead Designer Laura Bencur C’15 Designer Anthony Barlich Courtney Cimo Philip Dembinski Chris Padgett Photographers Rebekah Putera C’13 Online Editor Stephen Nielsen C’19 Mara Perlow Rebekah Putera C’13 Writers
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Homecoming 2018
Returning alums enjoy football, fellowship, and fall weather at October’s Homecoming festivities.
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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.
FIRST WORD
Honoring Our Past, Embracing Our Future
Autumn provides the wonderful opportunity to welcome to campus the “bookend” generations of the North Park community: our incoming first-year class arriving in late August to begin their North Park experience and our devoted alumni as they travel back to campus for Homecoming to celebrate their reunion with lifelong friends. I was delighted to share in each of these experiences over the last two months, and though it has been my honor to serve North Park in a variety of roles in the past, I now feel the profound responsibility and privilege to accept the role of president at this time in our school’s history. Throughout North Park’s rich history, generations of students and alumni have provided a legacy that reflects an evolving educational institution—marked by exceptional secondary education during the Academy days, as well as the energy and promise of the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students of today. A snapshot of our “bookends” looks like this: Homecoming 2018 included the AllAcademy Reunion, a celebration for former students, faculty, and staff of North Park Academy. One of the honorees that weekend was Dean Betty Nelson C’44, the beloved professor and dean of women who brought great spirit, humor, and grace to our campus during her 42-year tenure. In recalling her
time teaching at the Academy, Betty commented, “There was a warmth and spirit within the student body that made it very special. I felt there was such a beautiful sense of understanding one another, appreciating the talents and gifts that other students had. It just lives on.” Fast forward to today, when our incoming first-year class arrived as the second largest first-year class in our history. This bright, diverse, and talented class comes to us from 28 different states, 18 countries, 5 continents, and 2 U.S. territories. They study a wide range of disciplines; they live on campus and they commute. Ten have joined CRUX, our living-learning discipleship community, and over one third represent North Park as student-athletes. Some have legacy ties to North Park and some will be the first in their family to attend college. Even as we advance our mission and face our future together, I am very grateful for the legacy and faithfulness of the past, which gives us a compass to guide our future, pointing our University toward the challenges and opportunities we must be ready to meet. The summer of transition for our family included time spent with a devoted delegate body at the Evangelical Covenant Church annual meeting, Gather 2018, held in Minneapolis in June. It was a time of introduction and affirmation—I am grateful and encouraged NORTH PARKER
by the support that North Park received there. I was also grateful to join the North Park delegation at the CHIC gathering this summer in Knoxville, Tenn.—3,000 high school students in one arena, at one time, investing a week of their lives in faith development and service. It was exhilarating and inspiring, and we are energized to continue our renewed and assertive efforts to recruit these students as prospective North Parkers in the future. And finally, our family experienced a move for the first time in 22 years. We made our way across four blocks of the neighborhood to Hawkinson House, the University’s home and president’s residence. We are humbled and delighted to occupy this marvelous home in service to North Park. In this issue you will learn about the many talented members of the North Park community who contributed to our goal of reflecting the history and legacy of our school while celebrating the students of today and their remarkable accomplishments. Enjoy this issue, and may God bless your family during this holiday season. in Christ,
Mary K. Surridge, President 3
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NPU Adds Athletic Training Master’s North Park’s inaugural master of science in athletic training and 3+2 bachelor/master’s programs will welcome their first cohorts in the summer of 2019, making North Park one of the first fully accredited athletic training programs in the Chicago area. North Park revamped its athletic training program in response to new state-imposed requirements. As of 2022, an MSAT will be required for anyone wishing to take the Board of Certification exam, which students must pass to become an athletic trainer. As part of the two-year MSAT program, students will learn from professional athletic trainers in on-campus clinical facilities, and assist faculty in providing healthcare to the University’s Division III athletic teams. The required 60 hours of major coursework focuses on real-life application through hands-on experience.
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NORTH PARK HAS ONE OF THE FIRST FULLY ACCREDITED ATHLETIC TRAINING PROGRAMS IN THE CHICAGO AREA The new 3+2 program combines an exercise science major with a graduate degree in athletic training. North Park’s location in Chicago, with its professional sports teams, world-class dance companies, and leading healthcare institutions, gives students direct access to clinical internships. The 3+2 graduate will earn a BS in exercise science after completing four years of study and an MS in athletic training after completing the fifth year.
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Catalyst Takes on Sports Protests
Training Run The runner stopped, staggered, and fell to the ground, clutching her chest in pain. Within minutes, two volunteers, both wearing red jackets, one with a CB radio, arrived to help. After a quick survey of the runner’s symptoms—chest pain, heavy breathing, vomiting—the volunteers ordered a wheelchair and announced they’d be taking her to the Jackson Park Medical Tent. The scene looked like it was straight out of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, which was exactly the point. In fact, the “runners” and medical volunteers were part of a mock marathon held on North Park’s campus in early October, just days before the actual event took place in Chicago’s Grant Park. This was the fifth year that 100plus North Parkers, most of them athletic training students, participated as medical volunteers in the marathon. “This allows students to feel more confident going into the actual event,” says Alyssa Anderson C’12, an assistant professor of athletic training and co-coordinator of the practice event. The mock marathon is the only one of its kind held in the run-up to the marathon, and North Park students, faculty and staff, and alumni make up the largest single group of volunteers at the annual 26.2-mile endurance test. It’s yet another distinctive for North Park’s athletic training department, which is the only accredited program within Chicago.
North Park’s Catalyst 606__ program welcomed Olympic medalist Dr. John Carlos and Chicago Bears linebacker Sam Acho to campus last October to speak about the intersection of sports and protest in the last 50 years. Dr. Carlos, who famously gave the Black Power salute as he received a bronze medal in the 1968 Summer Olympics, and young Bears star Sam Acho shared their views on the recent kneeling controversy in the NFL. “The real beauty isn’t in everyone acting the same, the beauty is in everyone being different,” Acho said, referring to protests such as the one by former San Francisco 49er’s quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who repeatedly kneeled during the national anthem during the 2016 season. After the panel discussion, some of the dozens of students in the audience asked questions.
Bears Linebacker Sam Acho and Dr. John Carlos
North Park students and faculty engaged with the guest speakers following their presentation.
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Public Servants Meet two North Park grads who are taking on Chicago’s infamous political machine in their attempts to inject optimism, fresh ideas, and North Park’s mission of service into the 2019 aldermanic race.
DANIEL LA SPATA ’03, PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR
CASEY SMAGALA ’12, POLITICAL SCIENCE MAJOR
1ST WARD
39TH WARD
Includes: Wicker Park, West Town, Ukrainian Village, and Logan Square
Includes: North Park, Albany Park, and Jefferson Park
Total Population: 56,149
Total Population: 55,882
Character: Young, hip, gentrifying
White: 45.12% | Black: 7.02% Hispanic: 43.11% Other/Multiracial: 4.75%
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Voter Concerns: Affordable housing, development, property taxes, crime
Character: Diverse, residential
White: 53.92% | Black: 3.04% Hispanic: 23.46% Asian: 17.97%
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Voter Concerns: Education, crime, affordable housing
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AT NORTH PARK, WE WERE PREPARED FOR LIVES OF SIGNIFICANCE AND SERVICE . . . WE TOOK THAT MISSION AND PLANTED IT ON OUR HEARTS. Driving to North Park as an incoming freshman, Casey Smagala clearly remembers the conversation he had with his stepfather on Lake Shore Drive. “He said, ‘this is your opportunity to do something different,’” recalls Smagala C’12, who does not shy away from talking about his family’s difficulties: His mother served time in jail for drug offenses, and his father faced his own addiction problems. Smagala’s “something different” turned out to be running for alderman of Chicago’s 39th Ward, which encompasses a wide, ethnically diverse swath of Chicago, including North Park. Smagala, 29, isn’t the only North Park alum to feel the call to serve in government: Daniel La Spata C’03 is running in Chicago’s 1st Ward, an area that includes Wicker Park and Logan Square. Last year, Robert Bady C’91 ran for alderman in north suburban Evanston, losing by the narrowest of margins to an entrenched incumbent. (Bady is currently running for a seat on Evanston’s Ridgeville Park District Board
in March and also serves on Evanston’s Historic Preservation Commission). La Spata, like Smagala, was inspired to run for office because of his parents. “My mom really pushed us to think about service when we were kids,” says La Spata, who became deeply involved in Urban Outreach, Covenant World Relief, and Cornerstone Ministries during his time at North Park. Similarly, Smagala embraced campus life, playing four years on the football team (he was captain his senior year) and serving as president of the Student Government Association. Despite his high profile, very few people knew about the addiction struggles of his family back in Constantine, which he says has a severe drug problem. Smagala, currently the director of development for the Albany Park Community Center, says he missed just one football practice in his entire four years at North Park. Still, he wouldn’t trade the hardships. “My parents are in manufacturing, my stepmom works at Arby’s,” Smagala says of his ability to understand the struggles of the working class. “The 39th Ward is Little America, you’ve got a bit of everything here. I get the challenges of representing all these groups.” La Spata, 37, whose mother was a hairdresser, shares a similar viewpoint. “These people care about housing, development, education, safety, and taxes,” says La Spata, who hopes to apply the values he
Smagala canvassing in the 39th Ward
learned at the New Community Covenant Church, an urban church he has attended since he was a senior at North Park. “We have always stayed true to our mission of pursuing authentic community and radically advancing the cause of Jesus,” La Spata says. “Can we take the values we live out around solidarity, justice, and compassion, and apply those at the government level? That’s my goal.” Smagala, whose campaign website features North Park prominently, is frequently on campus as a guest speaker in government classes and to enlist student volunteers, whose hard work he believes could make the difference in the February 26 election. “When I first toured the campus, and we heard the mission of living lives of significance and service, my parents were like ‘how much is this going to cost?’” Smagala says, laughing. “But North Park volunteers could very well help me earn this seat on the Chicago City Council. This isn’t some esoteric thing; these students are making the world a better place.” La Spata offers his own take on North Park’s mission. “At North Park, we were prepared for lives of significance and service,” La Spata says. “We took that mission and planted it in our hearts.”
La Spata works with kids at a park in the 1st Ward. NORTH PARKER
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InGen: North Park Alums at Center of a Pioneering Theatre Company
Chicago is known for being a pioneer in the storefront theatre movement, in which small, upstart theatre companies take over gutted-out storefronts or other similar spaces to stage their productions. Fittingly, North Park’s theatre program is designed around the storefront model, providing students with hands-on training in the full spectrum of skills required to stage plays in such intimate and unique settings. One such Chicago-based theatre company is InGen, whose “ensemble of artistic engineers” is composed of more than a few North Park alums. Founded by Tai Palmgren and North Park alumnus Joseph Schupbach C’06 in 2012, InGen has produced 14 full productions, two staged readings, and one festival. The founding members include seven North Park graduates, while 23 in total have worked with the company. InGen’s driving concept is to “create live events that recreate collective memory and 8
NPU THEATRE TRAINS STUDENTS TO BE GO-GETTERS, TO WEAR MANY HATS, AND TO DEVELOP AND SUPPORT A ROBUST AND CARING ENSEMBLE shared experience for audience members,” Schupbach says. The company does so by adapting contemporary popular texts, including film, television, and popular music, for the stage. InGen’s recent production, Bangarang! A Neverland Reunion, which ran at The Den Theatre last August, reinvented the popular 1991 film Hook, set to a live performance of the music of Fleetwood Mac. NORTH PARKER
“I found that the sordid, complicated, and nostalgic narratives of the Fleetwood Mac discography and actual history of the band partnered well with the complicated relationships in the Peter Pan canon,” Schupbach says of the inspired, if unconventional, pairing. “Ultimately, both texts explore growing up, forgiveness, evolution, and self-interrogation.” Schupbach, who is currently pursuing his MFA at the University of California, Davis, says his favorite aspect of working with InGen is collaboration, a strength that he values from his North Park education. “NPU Theatre trains students to be gogetters, to wear many hats, and to develop and support a robust and caring ensemble,” says Schupbach, a teacher who uses many of the techniques he learned at North Park in his own classroom. “That is essential to all collaborative work and certainly essential to InGen.”
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Bjorkman, Biology Students Study Costa Rican Habitats on Annual Trip Since 2001, biology professor Alan Bjorkman has traveled to Costa Rica a total of 10 times, eight times with North Park students. The now biennial trip has been fine-tuned over the years into an unforgettable—and credit-bearing—experience that allows students to observe a wide variety of species in both mountain forest and lowland pacific rainforest habitats. Photos by Ethan Oliver.
Mirador de Quetzales Lodge, where North Park group was housed
Standing at Irazú Volcano at 11,500 feet above sea level. Top, left to right: Courtney Lizak, Denisa Horon, Alexander Bolotin, Brieanne Lippert, Kathryn Chlebourn, Mohammed Khan, Jan Bjorkman, Alan Bjorkman. Seated, left to right: Monika Eiermann, Islabella Herrera, Ramina Yousef, Andrea Lopez, Christina Rojas, Rebecca Conner, Jessica Ellis, Ethan Oliver.
Cinder cone volcano in Irazú National Park
Central Mountain Chain Overlooking Pacific Ocean NORTH PARKER
Coatimundi spotted in Corcovado National Park
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A Physics Major’s Cutting-edge Experiments
Hannah Nelson C’20
Hannah Nelson C’20 to Present at Conference Hannah Nelson C’20 soaked up all the science she could as an audience member at last winter’s Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics. This January, the physics major will return, only this time as a presenter. Nelson will be sharing research she conducted last summer at Louisiana State University through the Research Experience for Undergraduate Students program. While there, she helped to finish building a nuclear physics detector that’s part of a larger project at Michigan State University. “Going into that internship, I didn’t know what type of research I wanted to do or if I wanted to get a PhD,” Nelson says. Last October, Nelson presented on her research at the Division of Nuclear Physics of the American Physical Society conference in Hawaii, where they also hosted the Conference Experience for Undergraduates. “It’s an adult science fair,” Nelson says. “I’m so excited to present my research in a more legitimate professional setting.” Nelson is also the president of the Physics Club at North Park. In conjunction with North Park’s new Women in STEM club, she hopes to give physics students at North Park experiences at places like Argonne Labs.
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Using three different lenses, Anosh Wasker demonstrates the concept of superposition.
Anosh Wasker C’19, a physics major, came to North Park from Northern India. Since his arrival, he’s made his mark on campus, engaging in a variety of activities and clubs and tutoring students as an academic assistant. He can also be found at the Johnson Center at the Hub, a favorite hangout for Wasker and his fellow physics students. “The best part about the Hub is that if you NORTH PARKER
get stuck on a problem, you can just ask the people around you,” Wasker says. “Physics is something I don’t fully understand, but I love it because of the challenge and the way it makes us step back and ask philosophical questions.” Wasker finds this especially true of quantum mechanics. “I knew that light could have dual nature
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Anosh Wasker C’19
PHYSICS IS SOMETHING I DON’T FULLY UNDERSTAND, BUT I LOVE IT BECAUSE OF THE CHALLENGE AND THE WAY IT MAKES US STEP BACK AND ASK PHILOSOPHICAL QUESTIONS. as matter and particle, but I didn’t truly understand that, and that’s what really interests me.” Recently, Wasker and another student gave a demonstration on loop quantum gravity for a class. “I love the process of trying to understand what I don’t know,” says Wasker, who hopes to pursue an advanced physics degree, eventually finding a career in engineering or as a teacher. Wasker gives a simple demonstration of quantum mechanics by passing light through polarized lenses. When two lenses are perpendicular to each other, the polarized visible light cannot pass through. One way to imagine this is by visualizing cheese passing through two grates. If the two grates are perpendicular, then no cheese will pass through. However, when a third lens (or, in the case of cheese, a grate) is added at an angle, the light (or, cheese), appears again. This demonstrates that the polarized light exists in both vertical and horizontal states. This is usually called superposition in quantum mechanics.
New Women in STEM Club Promotes Diversity in STEM Fields Inspired by social justice issues within the sciences, biology major Nyssa Krull started the Women in STEM club at North Park. The club, which already has 131 members, held its first meeting in October. Krull will lead the bimonthly discussionbased meetings at the Johnson Center, along with workshops, mentorship opportunities, and group trips to STEM-focused institutions. “I want this to be an environment that encourages conversations about the inequities women face in STEM-related fields,” Krull says. “I also hope to foster the growth and empowerment of students as they explore their future careers.” Some of the topics Krull anticipates discussing include wage and hiring disparities in science fields among minorities and
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women and motherhood in STEM. Krull began as a nursing student at North Park, and the journey to finding her passion culminated in Dr. Drew Rholl’s microbiology class. “Through Dr. Rholl’s microbiology class, another world opened up for me and changed my academic trajectory entirely,” says Krull, who hopes to attend graduate school for microbiology. “I know it sounds weird to be fascinated by bacteria and viruses, but I just love issues that impact people.” Krull, mother to two young children, is grateful to the supportive faculty at North Park, who have helped her juggle her busy schedule. “The one-on-one relationships I have with my professors allow them to know where I’m at within my learning,” Krull says. (continued on page 12) 11
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Faculty Authors From math text books to sociological studies to theology: Check out the variety of topics our faculty has published about in the past year.
Alice Gorguis: Pre-Calculus, First Edition; Statistics Tools, Third Edition
Ilsup Ahn
Retired Professor ’Don Klingberg, Jr., right, with friends in Russia
Just Debt
Ilsup Ahn: Just Debt: Theology, Ethics, and Neoliberalism
Daniel White Hodge: Hip Hop’s Hostile Gospel: A Post-Soul Theological Exploration; Homeland Insecurity: A Hip Hop Missiology for the Post-Civil Rights Context
Theology, Ethics, and Neoliberalism
Klingberg Speaks in Moscow North Park University Professor Emeritus Haddon (’Don) Klingberg, Jr. gave the keynote presentation at the 4th International Congress on Logotherapy in Moscow August 28–September 2, 2018. The conference was cosponsored by the Viktor Frankl Institute Vienna and the Moscow Institute of Psychoanalysis. Klingberg is the author of the biography of Viktor and wife Elly Frankl, which is published in four languages. He is considered the foremost expert on Frankl, the Austrian psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor who founded logotherapy, a form of psychoanalysis. Frankl’s best-selling book, Man’s Search for Meaning, chronicles the time he spent in a concentration camp with his wife and parents. During his presentation, Klingberg used a vast, unique archive of photos, recordings, and documents from his research. Klingberg devoted much of his career to studying Frankl and the impact he had on psychoanalysis. A full-time professor of psychology at North Park from 1988–2008, Klingberg is currently an adjunct professor and an independent contractor and consultant. 12
Rachelle Ankney and Aaron Kaestner: Just Math
Chad Eric Bergman: (Translation) Three Contemporary Swedish Plays: Hand in Hand; The Frozen on the Square; and Ghosts and Zombies
Paul H. de Neui: Gift and Duty: Where Grace and Merit Meet
Michael Oluf Emerson and Kevin T. Smiley: Market Cities, People Cities: The Shape of Our Urban Future
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Hauna Ondrey: The Minor Prophets as Christian Scripture in the Commentaries of Theodore of Mopsuestia and Cyril of Alexandria
Gregor Thuswaldner and Daniel Russ: (Editors) The Hermeneutics of Hell: Visions and Representations of the Devil in World Literature
Theodore G. Zervas: The Making of a Modern Greek Identity: Education, Nationalism, and the Teaching of a Greek National Past (1880–1930)
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CHIC 2018: Knoxville
Anthony Scola
North Park Names Anthony Scola New VP
Thousands of youth gathered in Knoxville, Tennessee for CHIC (Covenant High in Christ) for small group Bible study and devotion, large gatherings with speakers and music, and outdoor recreation. North Park was a primary sponsor of the 2018 conference, with a large group of admissions staff, athletic coaches, faculty members, students, and President Mary Surridge in attendance. “CHIC is a special place for everyone,” says Emma Lundeen Woodley C’15 G’17, Covenant admissions recruiter at North Park. “It is incredible to witness transformational change in young lives as they experience Christ dynamically. We know that this one-week conference is an extraordinary and unforgettable experience that students will carry with them forever. We feel honored to be involved.” Throughout the week, North Park staff spent face-to-face time with CHIC students in their base camps, at prayer meetings, and main-stage gatherings, and handed out free North Park gear. During free time, staff could be found at The Nest (a central
CHIC IS A SPECIAL PLACE FOR EVERYONE . . . IT IS INCREDIBLE TO WITNESS TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE IN YOUNG LIVES AS THEY EXPERIENCE CHRIST DYNAMICALLY. hangout location), where they were busy making thousands of snow cones as well as connecting with students and youth pastors to talk about North Park. North Park offers two special scholarships amounting to $3,000/year: The Evangelical Covenant Church Scholarship is awarded to any student who is Covenant-Church-affiliated; the Legacy Scholarship is available to students whose parent(s)/guardian(s) attended North Park. Students are eligible for only one of the awards. NORTH PARKER
Anthony Scola, North Park’s new vice president for Enrollment Management and Marketing, says the University’s culture of driving results and challenging its students, faculty, and staff is exactly what he was looking for when he came on board this fall. “When I first started, I thought North Park needed me, but I quickly realized that I needed North Park,” says Scola, who lives in Roselle with his wife, Nicole, and son Nicholas (with another boy on the way this winter). Before arriving at North Park, Scola was the associate vice president of admissions and financial aid at Benedictine University in Lisle. He was happy to make the move to North Park, not only because of its stellar academic reputation, but also its dedication to faith. “North Park does an outstanding job of fostering a strong Christian faith in its students while preparing them for the future.” President Mary Surridge is already impressed by Scola’s work ethic. “He hit the ground running and has already made North Park a better university.”
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A NORTH PARK HOUSEWARMING
A North Park Housewarming As Mary Surridge begins her term as North Park’s 10th president, she takes us inside Hawkinson House, the University’s longtime presidential residence. Working with staff from Physical Plant and the University Archives to update the interior, President Surridge has created a home that she plans to share with her family, as well as the University’s students, faculty, and alumni.
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A NORTH PARK HOUSEWARMING
“As you enter, I hope you will know immediately that this is a North Park home.”
he house on the corner of Spaulding and Berwyn has seen plenty of North Park history. Just a block north of campus, it was originally the home of Jim and Alyce Hawkinson before they sold the home to the University in the early 90s and it became the official president’s residence. With its newest occupants—President Mary Surridge; her husband, Jack, North Park’s athletic director; and their daughter, Jessie, a college student—the house will begin a new chapter in North Park’s history. “We were convinced the house should reflect the rich legacy of North Park,” President Surridge says on a recent tour
of the home. “As you enter, I hope you will know immediately that this is a North Park home.” With Gather 2018 (the Covenant Annual Meeting), CHIC, and a seminar for new presidents at Harvard University consuming much of her summer, President Surridge knew she would need assistance in putting the new house together. Working closely with North Park staff in Physical Plant and the University Archives, Surridge and her family worked diligently to put a North Park stamp on the converted brick three-flat. While the first and third floors have been designated for the family’s personal living space, the second floor of the home is where
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President Surridge plans to host many North Park events. At the top of the stairs, visitors are greeted by a large photo of Old Main flanked by two seasonal photos of campus that will rotate depending on the season. The main living room, with clean-lined modern sofas and arm chairs, is painted a marine blue. A chair rail and intricate picture frame molding, painted white, was installed by John Creely, a Physical Plant staffer who happens to be a Master Carpenter. “What we know is that we have talented carpenters, electricians, and artisans of all kinds all on our staff,” Surridge says. “From landscaping to choosing paint colors and
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“What we know is that we have talented carpenters, electricians, and artisans of all kinds, all on our staff. ”
President Surridge and Joshua Hickok
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furniture selection, we incorporated all their expertise, and what you see is the marvelous result.” The “less is more” aesthetic throughout the house reflects not only the Surridge family’s taste but also has a distinctly Scandinavian feel. President Surridge took a hands-on approach, often choosing furniture and décor from modest local sources. But the real project manager was Joshua Hickok C’08 G’11, assistant director of Physical Plant. He would send President Surridge photos of tables, tiles, or chandeliers—although he usually provided limited choices, knowing that one was likely to please the Surridges. Because President Surridge has worked with Hickok and his staff for years on
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campus, she implicitly trusted them and gave them a great deal of freedom with the décor. One thing she was sure about, though, was that the artwork hanging in the house should reflect North Park’s past, present, and future. For that, she enlisted the help of Director of Archives Andy Meyer C’06 and Joanna Wilkinson C’08 G‘18, head of User Experience at the Brandel Library. “If you were a chemistry major or a music major or attended the Seminary, you’ll find yourself in this home,” President Surridge says. Each room has a predominant theme. The side sitting room is the music room, featuring pictures of musical performances and prominent graduates.
A NORTH PARK HOUSEWARMING
The “less is more” aesthetic throughout the house reflects not only the Surridge family’s taste but also has a distinctly Scandinavian feel.
The family room is the designated sports room, where championship team photos will hang next to portraits of current North Park athletes. In the adjoining casual dining room, the walls are lined with photos of noteworthy alumni. These alums range from Dr. G. Timothy Johnson C’56 S’63, the former ABC medical correspondent and doctor, to Dean Betty Nelson C’44, longtime teacher and dean of women in the Academy and College, to Dr. Janice Phillips C’76, a Chicago health specialist, to distinguished Seminary alum Rev. Dr. Mary Miller S’80. In the kitchen, the Surridges will make family dinners and host gatherings for
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faculty, staff, and Trustees, the artwork here will feature alums who have made a mark in the culinary world, including Shanna Horner O’Hea C’94, a Maine chef and historic inn owner who has appeared on popular cooking shows Chopped, Beat Bobby Flay, and Unwrapped. Meyer and Wilkinson engineered the selection, printing, and framing of the artwork, leaning heavily on longtime North Park staffer Chuck Olson, who is retired but spends several hours a week volunteering in the archives. Meyer calls Olson’s institutional knowledge of places, people, and events “immensely valuable.”
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“It speaks to both the history and the future of North Park and the dreams that those before us had for the campus.”
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Meyer says the goal of his team was to find artwork that could tell the story of North Park while also being aesthetically pleasing. For his part, Meyer’s favorite artwork includes architectural renderings of Caroline Hall and maps of campus plans, many of which never came to fruition. “It speaks to both the history and the future of North Park and the dreams that those before us had for the campus,” Meyer says. President Surridge and her team used local businesses as much as possible for other touches, as well. Local florist Tea Rose provided fresh flower arrangements for Homecoming, while Wilkinson chose Lake View Art Supply, a Foster Avenue business,
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to make the frames for the archival photos. Work that couldn’t be completed by Physical Plant staffers was outsourced to a neighborhood contractor. The result is a home that will suit the Surridge family’s needs, along with the University’s. One of President Surridge’s favorite pieces of art is a photo of part of Micah 6:8, which is etched on the stone sitting wall at the center of campus: “Walk humbly with your God.” It’s located at the top of the stairs, and President Surridge sees it every time she leaves the house. “I like to look at that in the morning. I feel it’s a great way to start my day and defines my attitude for the entire day.”
INAUGURATION
A New Chapter Starts in Old Main A casual student of North Park University history might be forgiven for thinking that one requirement to be its president was to be named David. After all, for more than 50 of our 127 years—including most of the past 30, and starting with founding president David Nyvall—“David” has been the name on (or outside) the presidential office door. No wonder so many people took note when our 10th president assumed office in August: Mary Karsten Surridge. President Surridge is off to a great start, which comes as no surprise to those of you who have come to know her since 1996, most recently in her role as Vice President of Advancement. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I would like to invite you—and every member of our many communities of friends, alumni, and supporters across the worldwide North Park community and the Evangelical Covenant Church—to join us in Chicago later this academic year to mark her formal inauguration. Events will be held on campus throughout the week of Feb. 12–16, 2019, and as our planning process moves forward, you can
stay up to date on the details by visiting www.northpark.edu/inauguration. But if you can’t be with us in Chicago, we invite you to watch a live stream of the Inauguration ceremony itself at 2 p.m. Central Standard Time on Friday, Feb. 16. (Details about just how to do so will be posted on that same web page.) A task force composed of students, faculty, staff, and board members has been working since the beginning of the academic year to plan events that reflect both the excitement and the solemnity of this occasion. A few of the highlights we know about so far: • An all-campus worship service on Wednesday morning • A lunch in honor of President Surridge to which all faculty, staff, students, and guests are invited
• A Thursday evening “Showcase of the Arts” featuring students from our music, art, and theatre programs • As mentioned, the formal Inauguration ceremony on Friday afternoon, with associated celebrations in the evening Other exciting events are still in the early stages of planning, so please stay tuned! Oh, and by the way, if you’re nostalgic for presidents named David, don’t worry. One of them will introduce President Surridge at the ceremony on Friday afternoon: David Horner, who brought her to campus in July of 1996 and started her on the path that eventually would lead her into his own job.
Grace and Peace,
• An academic symposium focused on the intersection of Christian higher education and the city of the 21st century Owen Youngman
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HOMECOMING
Homecoming 2018
Homecoming football game against Augustana
The weather may have been blustery, but the enthusiastic spirit of returning alumni warmed the entire North Park campus for Homecoming weekend, Oct. 12–14. The festivities kicked off Friday with North Park Academy’s 50th reunion, where legendary
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teacher Betty Nelson was honored. The weekend continued with a football game against conference rival Augustana, the induction of five alums into the Viking Hall of Fame, and the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the North Park Chamber Singers.
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HOMECOMING
Dr. Jack and President Mary Surridge with Lauren Martin Rosengarden C’07 enjoying the football game.
Katie Anderson C’12 G’15, Mallory Bieritz-Gelzer C’12, Randy Youngman C’77, Scott Steib C’93, and Nick Marino C’10 are inducted into the Viking Hall of Fame by Athletic Director Dr. Jack Surridge.
Kids enjoy face painting and spending time with their families.
The North Park Chamber Singers alumni perform for their 50th anniversary celebration. GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade) gather to reminisce and catch up.
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ALUMNI HONOREES Roy Applequist
Mari Andrew Mari Andrew C’08 says North Park taught her how to be a seeker. The author of Am I There Yet?: The Loop-de-loop, Zigzagging Journey to Adulthood and recipient of the Distinguished Young Alum Award credits her professors with preparing her for her career—and life in general. “I was never given answers at North Park but rather a ton of questions,” Andrew says. “I left college feeling like I knew much less than when I started, which is what I think great education should do.” Now living in the East Village in New York City, Andrew is a self-described full-time artist and writer. “That sentence is a dream come true,” Andrew says. “I am so grateful that I get to make art and write for a living.” Andrew describes how she “stumbled upon” North Park late in the college application process. She had her heart set on a small liberal arts school in a large city, and even though she visited campus on a bone-chillingly cold day, she still fell in love. “Everyone I met was so nice and really seemed to like being there, so I decided it 12 22
was the place for me,” Andrew says. Andrew didn’t have any career plans entering college, but instead chose her major based on her favorite professor: Susan Rabe, professor of history. With her guidance, Andrew ended up majoring in history with an emphasis on Medieval Europe, a choice that she says “changed my life.” “My perspective on the world and my own understanding of a meaningful life evolved profoundly,” Andrew says. “I didn’t study what I ended up doing for a living, but I learned how to keep expanding my mind, make difficult decisions, and seek out ways to serve and give.” Now, Andrew is working on her second book and dipping her toes into other media, with a potential television project. She says she feels grateful to be honored by an institution that means so much to her. “My greatest hope is that I could inspire North Park students to ask big questions and make tough decisions in order to make their world a more loving, beautiful, safe, and welcoming place for all.” NORTH PARKER
Roy Applequist C’68 attended North Park during one of the most significant periods in Chicago history, and he has the memories to prove it. “There was a lot going on in Chicago between 1964 and 1968,” says Applequist, retired founder and CEO of farm equipment maker Great Plains Manufacturing. “There was the snow storm of 1967 . . . Concerts by the Beatles, Rolling Stones, and Aretha Franklin, the Black Power movement that took shape in Chicago . . . ” And then there were the on-campus memories. These include someone hiding Limburger cheese in the library and classes being canceled for several days until it was found; the very first rock and roll dance on campus; and the time Applequist joined dozens of other students in moving a Volkswagen Beetle, by hand, and depositing it in
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AS I LOOK BACK ON LIFE, I MORE AND MORE BELIEVE A LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATION IS VERY IMPORTANT. STUDYING ECONOMICS, BUSINESS, AND HISTORY GAVE ME A GOOD BACKGROUND IN UNDERSTANDING HOW TO ADDRESS THE FUTURE CHALLENGES THAT CAME MY WAY IN MY CAREER. —ROY APPLEQUIST the middle of the campus bridge over the Chicago River. Despite all the shenanigans, Applequist was able to get a great education at North Park, and after graduation grew his Salina, Kansas manufacturing plant from one employee (himself ) to 1,500 by the time he sold it in 2016 to Kubota Corp. “As I look back on life, I more and more believe a liberal arts education is very important” says Applequist, an economics major with a minor in history. “Studying economics, business, and history gave me a good background in understanding how to address the future challenges that came my way in my career. Applequist, who has three children and five grandchildren with his wife, Donice, says he also valued his Christian Ethics, Art History, and other classes, as well as his “caring, critical-thinking Christian” professors. The Applequists enjoy attending their local Covenant church, particularly Sunday school and meetings of their home Bible study group. In retirement, Roy and Donice plan to travel more while Roy keeps his commitments to volunteer board service, including the North Park Board of Trustees and the Executive Board of the Evangelical Covenant Church.
Betty Nelson surrounded by members of her family.
Betty Nelson Betty Nelson spent her entire career at North Park Academy as a public speaking professor, but it was her extracurricular activities that she remembers best. “A senior wanted to put on a play,” Nelson recalls. “Since I was the only one on faculty with speech training, they asked me to direct it. What was I going to do? I ended up doing senior plays for 15 or 16 years when I had no intention of ever doing even one.” Nelson says that the first play, staged in the early 1950s, raised a few eyebrows on campus and across the Covenant. “People were saying, ‘Oh, look, North Park is putting on a play.’ It was sort of scandalous. A lot of people were watching. And after the play, I got a thank you note from the president of the Covenant. I kept that letter!” That’s not the only letter she has saved over the years. At the Academy reunion in October, where Nelson was honored, she reunited with some of her young actors, as NORTH NORTH PARKER
well as other alums, many of whom have sent Nelson letters thanking her for teaching them public speaking. Nelson says the learning went both ways, especially because she was just 22 when she started teaching. “They meant a lot to me,” Nelson says of her students. “They were always teaching me something new, and they allowed me to grow with them.” Now, when Nelson visits campus, she says she is overwhelmed by how it’s changed. “Mary [Surridge] took me on a tour of the Johnson Center,” Nelson remembers. “I stood in the third-floor conference room, and I looked out the window and I could see the whole campus. I pointed out all the buildings I’d taught in: There’s Sohlberg, Old Main. It was a perfect spring day, there were kids playing Frisbee and studying for finals. It was an incredibly beautiful panorama of my life at North Park.” 23 12
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Adapting for the YouTube Generation Educators are up against countless digital distractions in the battle for students’ eyeballs. School of Education Dean Rebecca Nelson says North Parkers are preparing for these, and other, challenges via cutting-edge teaching techniques and approaches.
DEAN REBECCA NELSON
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In the age of Fortnite, social media, and YouTube, elementary and high school teachers are finding it increasingly difficult to engage students. But North Park teaching candidates are prepared for such challenges, thanks to the cutting-edge teaching approaches of its faculty. “We’re seeking ways to use electronics in the classroom,” says Rebecca Nelson A’68 C’71, Dean of the School of Education. “We figure if they’re going to have their phones anyway, we might as well use them to answer quiz questions and see if they’re learning what we’re teaching them.”
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Incorporating cell phones and tablets into the classroom, as opposed to banning them, is just one of the ways North Park’s School of Education is on the cutting edge of teacher preparation. Another brand-new initiative, says Nelson, is tailoring teaching techniques to specific age groups. “It used to be that we lumped all K-12th grade students together,” Nelson says. “Now we realize that students learn very differently depending on specific age groups. Now that we know about these new effective learning and teaching techniques, we can pass them on to our teacher candidates.” In other words, a sixth grader is going
SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
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SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
Deyanira Cardenas:
Taking the Compassionate Approach
“The hallmarks of a North Park education are that our professors know and care about our students; they know them by name and care about them as individuals.” DEAN REBECCA NELSON
to be motivated by particular methods and learn differently than, say, a senior in high school or a second grader. The new methods are being woven into the curriculum, which happens to be under review this year as part of the state’s mandatory re-accreditation process. “The process allows us to look carefully at the courses we’re offering, add new ones, update things, and generally look at everything with a fresh lens,” Nelson says. But some things about North Park’s School of Education will always remain the same. “The hallmarks of a North Park education are that our professors know and care about our students; they know them by name and care about them as individuals,” Nelson says. North Park’s Chicago location is another huge advantage over a university in a rural area, where students might have just one or two teaching opportunities. 26
“We’re one of just a few universities that is embedded in the city, which allows us to provide a variety of experiences so that our students have placements in city and suburban schools, which in many cases they can walk or take the bus to.” The variety also means students are more likely to find the right fit for their skills and strengths. “Because we have so many schools in the area, and each one has a unique flavor, we’re able to match the right student to the right school,” Nelson says. North Park’s School of Education also benefits from faculty with deep experience and connections, including Nelson, a North Park graduate herself. A music major who performed with the Chicago Symphony Chorus, Nelson has taught grades 1-6, was a school principal, and finished her career as Superintendent of Skokie School District 69 before returning to North Park in 2008. Because North Park has a “deservedly strong reputation,” Nelson routinely fields calls from schools asking for teaching candidates. “Our students reflect a passion to teach. They chose North Park because this is missional for them, to serve diverse communities and those who need to be served,” Nelson says. “Being a teacher is an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students. If that’s what you want to do, nothing else will satisfy you.”
A math teacher at Springman Middle School in Glenview, Deyanira Cardenas C’06 says it was her professors at North Park who showed her how compassionate teachers can make a difference in a student’s life. “I never felt like I was just one of many faces,” Cardenas says of her time at North Park. She remembers Math Professor Rachelle Ankney taking her under her wing as a math student, offering countless hours outside the classroom and making Cardenas always feel comfortable asking questions. “After classes, she could have said, ‘my job is done,’ but she was the opposite,” says Cardenas, who is part of the College of Arts and Sciences new advisory board. She and nine other alums will serve as resources for faculty and students and assist in enhancing the mission and vision of CAS. Another mentor for Cardenas was the late Nancy Berggren, an assistant professor of education and coordinator of clinical experiences. Cardenas says she will never forget the first time Berggren observed her student teaching. “I thought it was a pretty good lesson, but I wasn’t expecting afterwards when Nancy gave me this humongous grin. She said, ‘This is your calling, isn’t it?’ It meant the world to me and has always stuck with me,” Cardenas recalls. Cardenas is excited to give back as part of the CAS Alumni Advisory Board. “I’m excited that we can share a unique perspective on what students are really going to need outside of the classroom.”
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The 2018 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.
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GIVING
Promise Scholars Last fall, North Park welcomed its first group of Promise Scholars to campus. The twenty-five freshmen hail from across the country and were chosen based on their affiliation with an Evangelical Covenant Church, their high academic achievement, or their interest in pursuing a degree in nursing, health sciences, or STEM-related fields. Prior to being selected, the students wrote essays about how they planned to pursue lives of significance and service, a signature North Park distinctive. The scholarships, which range from a total of $10,000 to $80,000 over four years, are funded by individual donors.
Left to right: North Park Trustee David Helwig, Joel Beyar, Trustee Kathryn Edin, Tyler Banks, Brian Chindblom, Board Chairman Owen Youngman, Gabrielle Rigg, Annika Sager, and President Mary Surridge.
Gabrielle Rigg, Annika Sager, and Board Chairman Owen Youngman
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North Park Trustee David Helwig and Joel Beyar
IT’S A PRIVILEGE TO HAVE SUCH BRIGHT, TALENTED STUDENTS JOIN OUR CAMPUS FAMILY, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WHAT THEY WILL DO IN THE WORLD UPON GRADUATION. —OWEN YOUNGMAN “These students represent both the present and the future of North Park,” says Owen Youngman C’75, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “I was thrilled to meet and talk with five of them recently at a Board meeting. It’s a privilege to have such bright, talented students join our campus family, and we look forward to what they will do in the world upon graduation.” Some of the recipients of the inaugural North Park Promise Scholarships are Gabrielle Rigg, a politics and government/history double major from Escalon, Calif.; Joel Beyar, a criminal justice major who grew up in Russia and Eastern Europe as the son of missionaries; Brian Chindblom of Palatine, Ill., who is planning to major in secondary education; Annika Sager, a marketing major from Farmington, Conn.; and Tyler Banks, a business major from Littleton, Colo.
ALUMNI ACROSSNOTES CAMPUS
GOLD Alumni Gathering
The Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD) program drew dozens of young alums to its fifth annual Summer in the City event last August. The GOLD committee hosted the event in Chicago’s Millennium Park for alums graduating between 2008 and 2018. The 35 attendees enjoyed a concert by The Sea and Cake (with Moonrise Nation), sightseeing, eating, and reconnecting with each other.
1960s The grandson of George Esplin C’69 finished his second year of professional baseball in Lowell, Mass., and was recently elevated to Class A for the Boston Red Sox.
14 North Park staff and alumni completed the Chicago Half Marathon on October 7, 2018. Pictured are Elizabeth Fedec, Rachel Marten, Jessica Tchindebet, Ingrid Tenglin C’93, Kim (Edstrom) Schiller C’92, Ericka (Hopper) Adams G’10, Alyssa Anderson C’12, Evelyn Aucutt, Rebecca DeRose, Evie Peterson C’08, Linda Pastorello, and Fanchon Kelley.
A reunion of forever friends took place on July 28 at a North Park wedding. Included in photo from left to right: Peter Savio, Karin (DeCamp) Savio C’77, Wesley Lindahl A’72 C’76, Debra (Nelson) Lindahl C’77, Greg Johnson C’78, Susan (Christofferson) Johnson C’77, Tracy Danz C’77, Marny (Johnston) Danz C’77, Mark Rholl, and Carol (Dahlgren) Rholl.
1980s
Attorney Kerry Lavelle C’81, founder of Lavelle Law, Ltd., has had his second law book published. The Early Career Guide for Attorneys: Starting and Building a Successful Career in Law is now available on the American Bar Association (ABA) website and Amazon. The book is designed to provide guidance to attorneys as they start their careers coming out of law school or as they transition in from another profession.
1970s
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Kathleen (O’Brien) Flood C’88 is proudly celebrating her 30th year as a nurse. She best describes herself as a “jack of all trades” but is currently working as a nursing supervisor. She is always looking for fellow North Parkers to connect with her children in the Denver or Portland areas!
Room at historic Tree Studios included many North Parkers, including Jeff and Kristi (Peterson) Lundblad C’93. Jamey is the chief marketing officer for the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, and he serves on the Board of Directors of Edgar Miller Legacy.
1990s
Jennifer Pope C’98 S’00 became the assistant dean for Student Life and Leadership at The John Marshall Law School (Chicago) in August 2017, after 5 years as director of Student Affairs at The Adler School of Professional Psychology.
Five North Park graduates from the Class of 1992 recently had an impromptu reunion at their 30-year high school reunion for Minnehaha Academy’s Class of 1988. Linda (Lundin) Wadiche, Julie (Ryding) Bruchman, Joy (Westberg) Johnson, Eric (Johnson) Ecklund-Johnson, and Dan Olson.
2000s
Josh Church C’00 received an Emmy for his work as supervising producer on the HBO documentary The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling. The Zen Diaries, directed by Judd Apatow, was named Outstanding Documentary at the Creative Arts Emmy ceremony in Los Angeles on September 9. This is Josh’s first Emmy. Church lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Dr. Emily Musil Church, and two children, Nora (6) and Desmond (2), and is a producer on the HBO show Crashing, whose Season 3 premieres in January 2019.
Michael Gustafson, Ph.D. C’93 accepted the position of scientific director of the Nyberg Cellular Therapy Laboratory at Mayo Clinic Ariz. in March 2018. Michael and wife Arwen C’93 now reside in Scottsdale, Ariz. with their children Ben, Annika, Lydia, and Miles.
Jamey Lundblad C’95 and Bill Melamed were married August 18, 2018, in a small ceremony at the R.W. Glasner Studio in Chicago. A wedding celebration the following day at The Ivy 3120
Carlos Tennin C’03 will wed Dr. Kemoria Granberry C’05 on January 4, 2019 at Longan’s Place in Miami, Fla. Dr. Granberry is an obstetrician and gynecologist, and Carlos owns a vending company and was recently accepted into the North Park Theological Seminary program for urban youth ministry.
Hannah (Zweigle) Harris C’04 opened a business located in Lancaster, Pa. called Tiny Town, an indoor playplace for children that contains 8,000 square feet of “town” and 11 luxury playhouses. The new business was recognized this summer by the NORTH NORTHPARKER PARKER
International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), and Hannah was noted in the industry as a Woman Leader. The recognition can be found at www. iaapa.org/news/newsroom/news-articles/ women-in-the-industry---june-2018
Lori (Kubitschek) C’04 and Andy Plucker C’04 welcomed Bria into their family via adoption in February 2018. Shortly after being blessed with Bria, they discovered they were expecting a baby boy in December!
Rose (Mieczkowski) C’05 and Erik Sandberg C’04 are pleased to announce the birth of their second daughter, Ingrid Mille Sandberg on October 3, 2017. She joins her big sister, Elouise Elizabeth, who was born on March 31, 2014. The family resides in Central Florida.
ALUMNI ACROSSNOTES CAMPUS
Lindsey Post Robinson C’05 and John Robinson C’04 welcomed Grant Thomas Post Robinson on May 16, 2018. Big sister Maisie is thrilled to have a little brother. Lindsey works in the marketing department at North Park University and John works in IT at Northwestern Medicine.
River Belle Ramos was born to Ashlee (Lien) C’05 and Richard Ramos on June 5, 2018.
Tina and Ben Johnson C’05 are happy to announce the birth of their second daughter, Hanna Belle, on March 12, 2018. She is pictured with her proud big sister Kate. Ben works as the Great Lakes Area underwriting manager for Zurich Insurance Company and their family resides in Arlington Heights, Ill.
Johan Eldebo C’07 began a new role as regional security director of Southern Africa for World Vision earlier this year. He has been published by the New York University Center on International Cooperation here: https://medium. com/cic-international-insights/dangerous-decisions-on-the-ideals-and-incentives-that-guide-humanitarian-decision-making-ad18f5586135
Trey Jacob Carlson was adopted and officially welcomed into the Carlson family as son of Marie (Robinson) C’07 and Alex Carlson C’08 on June 22, 2018 just before his first birthday. Grandparents Judy (Hanstad) C’75 and Don Robinson S’80 and Joan (Stady) and Dave Carlson C’80 are thrilled with their newest grandson!
Dustin Johnson C’07 and Johanna Sparrman C’10 were married at Covenant Point Bible Camp in Iron River, Mich. on June 16, 2018.
Owen Milton Meyer was born February 20, 2018 in Chicago, Ill. to happy parents Kristen Engebretson C’08 and Jim Meyer C’07. Also in the neighborhood are Owen’s Uncle Karl Engebretson C’13, Uncle Andy Meyer C’06, and Aunt Christy Bouris S’12. Proud grandparents are Sally and Donn Engebretson A’69 C’73 S’78 and Mary and Matthew Meyer. Karl Robert Johnson was born February 26, 2018 to Katie (Anderson) C’08 and Peter Johnson C’08. He is welcomed by his big brothers, Luke and Erik.
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Stina (Peterson) C’08 and John Dufour welcomed a daughter, Elizabeth Jean, on July 10, 2018, weighing 8 pounds, 1 ounce and measuring 21 inches long. The Dufours reside in Brooklyn, N.Y. In August, the whole family (Sharon (Rich) C ‘79 and Charles Peterson C’73, Hannah (Root) C’12 and Kaj Peterson C’11) traveled to Jamestown, N.Y. to introduce Elizabeth to her great-grandmother, Jean Rich.
Stacey (Patterson) C’08 and Bryan Johnson C’09 welcomed Gustav Noel into their family January 4, 2018. The Johnsons reside in Lincolnwood, Ill. with their 3-yearold daughter, Svea. Bryan is a nurse at Lurie Children’s Hospital and Stacey is the executive director at Ravenswood Community Childcare Center.
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strong with the help of his big brother Owen (age 3). Aidan and Catherine live in Chicago where they are employees of North Park.
Kajsa Jean Frost was born on Feb 28, 2018 to Jenna (Brand) C’09 and Brad Frost S’13.
2010s
Max and Christine (Wahlskog) Wallace C’10 added Henry Robert and Kate Suzanne to their family on September 10, 2018. They join big siblings Ruby and Parker who are excited that they each get their “own” baby and don’t have to share.
Kyra C’11 and Lars Anderson C’10 welcomed their son Noah Lars Anderson on September 18, 2018. Noah was born at 9 pounds 5 ounces. The Andersons currently live in Chicago. Kyra is an RN at Swedish Covenant Hospital and Lars is an investment analyst at PT Asset Management. Noah is welcomed into a family of North Park alumni, including both sets of grandparents, Britta (Lundberg) and Kevin Anderson C’84 and Darilyn (Dahlstrom) C’82 and Dave Anderson C’78 S’82.
Melissa (Long) Larson C’10 has signed for a post residency position as a new primary care doctor in Walton, Ky. She will be practicing full-scope family medicine including both inpatient and outpatient settings.
Carl Gieseke C’12 married Katie Freemon on September 8, 2018. North Parkers in the wedding party included Christian Gieseke C’12, Chris Burlet C’13, Sam Vetter C’11, Neal Johnson C’11, Jon Kratowicz C’11, Cameron Hodgkinson C’11, and Rob Hirsch C’09. Carl and Katie reside in Chicago, where they both work as nurses. Jacqueline (Cruz) and Robert Marshall C’12 are celebrating the birth of their new baby girl, Ariyah Eleyse Marshall.
Nina Pedersen C’10 married Danny Bynes on July 20, 2018. The couple lives in Chicago, where Nina is a nanny and Danny is an electrician.
Chelsea (Redding) C’10 and Aaron McDowell C’11 welcomed two new family members in April 2018. Gemma Elyse and Maleigh James join their siblings Rorie and Jacob. 3122
Tyler Nelson, M.D. C’12 and Siobhan Larsen were married in Chicago, Ill. on May 25, 2018 at LaSalle Street Church. Many North Parkers were in attendance and the wedding party included Kajsa Nelson C’15, Carlton Nelson C’16, Jonatan Saldner C’12, Erik Brorson C’13, Erik Sager C’13, and Aaron Nilson C’10. The ceremony was officiated by Tyler’s grandparents Art A.R. Nelson A’52 C’54 S’60 and George P. Magnuson C’54 S’60. Tyler and Siobhan reside in Portland, Ore., where Tyler is a resident in family medicine.
Catherine (Fallon) C’12 and Aidan C’12 S’15 Howorth, who were married in 2012, welcomed Leighton James on June 27, 2018 at Swedish Covenant Hospital. Leighton is healthy and growing NORTH NORTHPARKER PARKER
Peter McBride C’12 G’17 served as the graduate assistant coach for the men’s basketball team at North Park during the fall of 2016 while working on his masters of arts in teaching and ESL (English as a Second Language) endorsement. Upon graduation in December of 2016, Peter began working at Hoffman Estates High School as an ESL teacher and volleyball and basketball coach.
ALUMNI ACROSSNOTES CAMPUS
at 6 pounds 7 ounces and 20.5 inches long and is a blessing. They currently live in Sacramento, Calif., where Amal is a strength and conditioning coach for local soccer clubs and Everly is a community outreach specialist for Girl Scouts Heart of Central Calif.
In summer 2018, Michelle Arellano C’13 participated in Miami University’s Earth Expeditions global field course in Belize and studied coral reefs, manatees, howler monkeys, jaguars, and other wildlife while learning the methods communities are using to sustain them. Michelle works at East Bay Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) as the humane education coordinator and lives in Oakland, Calif. and is a graduate student in Miami University’s global field program.
Charlie Fuentes C’13 and Julia Bakken C’14 were married on September 8, 2018 at the Secret Garden in Chicago. Many generations of North Park alumni celebrated their marriage. Included in their wedding party were Will Akerson C’12, Thomas Bakken C’17, Greta Englund C’14, Jose Fuentes C’16, Desiree (Bakken) Robertson C’12, Sarah (Ring) Sullivan C’14, and Anika Zima C’15. The couple lives in the Jefferson Park neighborhood with their son, Luke Fuentes. Julia is a preschool teacher in Northbrook and Charlie works on set for NBC’s Chicago P.D.
Sarah (Tenglin) Larson C’15 married Bjorn Larson C’16 on June 30, 2018 surrounded by friends and family, many of whom are North Park alumni. Included in the wedding party were North Park alumni Linda Rivera, Tory (Russel) Breitigan C’15, Ricky Barajas C’16, and Natalie Swanson C’16. In March 2018, Taylor (Wright) C’14 and David DeStefano C’13 welcomed Logan Michael DeStefano. Logan is captivated by his big sister, Dakota, making the two inseparable. Travis C. Randolph C’14 is currently serving as the director of Children and Youth Ministries at Galesburg First United Methodist Church in Galesburg, Ill.
Liesel (Magnusson) C’16 and Aaron Klinefelter C’17 married on July 7, 2018.
Faith AndersonMcEntee C’15 and her husband Raymond welcomed their son, Sebastian into the world, July 11, 2018. He was born at 7 pounds 8 ounces.
Terrance J. Smith C’15 and the Oakdale Christian Academy Choir released their first single “Mighty God” written by Steve Kelly, which can be found on iTunes, Google Play, and Amazon Music.
Everly Ban Torres C’13 and Amal Torres C’14 are excited to announce the addition of baby Joaquin. He was born on May 17, 2018, weighing in
Christina Marie Sawyer C’16 married José Antonio Maldonado II C’18 on June 30, 2018. The ceremony was held at Aposento Alto/Upper Room Church, and the reception was held in Hamming Hall. Christina works in Swedish Covenant Hospital’s oncology department and José works for a law firm in the loop as a spreadsheet analyst. The couple met in jazz band at North Park and continue to perform, give lessons, and volunteer around the city.
After graduation, Christopher Lempa C’18 began serving as a political organizing apprentice with the Illinois Chapter of Sierra Club. In March of 2019, he will put his business, economics, and spanish majors to NORTH NORTHPARKER PARKER
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In Memoriam Englund C’86; 12 grandchildren (7 of which have attended North Park), and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Karl Englund, in 2016. work in Costa Rica as a business advising volunteer for 27 months. Christopher credits North Park’s location, staff, fellow students, and opportunities such as Green Team, as well as volunteer experiences, for preparing him for his professional career.
Marilyn Felix C’18 has accepted a new position as health promotions coordinator at the American Lung Association.
Emily (Alvarado-Vela) C’18 and Ben Bruckner C’11 have welcomed two kids in the past two years. Anna Raquel “AR” was born in July 2016 and John Rolland “JR” was born in May 2018.
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Lorraine (Westerdahl) O’Brien C’45 passed away November 8, 2016 at the age of 92. She was a born and raised Covenanter who was extremely proud of her Swedish heritage.
Luther Englund C’44 S’49 died on June 29, 2018 at the age of 95. Luther was born at home on November 11, 1922, to Howard and Hilma Englund in Minneapolis, Minn. He earned an associate’s degree from North Park College and a master of divinity from North Park Theological Seminary. Luther married Elvira Carlson C’44 on June 20, 1951. The couple served a total of 31 years at churches in Lake Norden, S.D.; Buffalo, N.Y.; Malmo, Alberta; Warren and Trimont, Minn.; and Hilmar, Calif. In 1977, Luther became the chaplain at Emanuel Medical Center in Turlock, Calif. until retirement in 1998. Calvary Baptist Church then called him to be congregational care pastor, where he served for 10 years before retiring once more at the age of 94. He continued to do visitation and occasionally officiate at funerals. He is survived by his wife; children and in-laws, Beth (Englund) Adams C’75 and Alan Adams, Marti (Englund) Anderson C’76 and Bill Anderson C’77, Joyce (Nordlinger) Englund, and Daniel Englund C’86 and Julie (Wahlquist) NORTH NORTHPARKER PARKER
Mary Lou (Youngdale) Bonander C’49 was born to Frank Sr. and Esther on Valentine’s Day in 1930. The youngest of three, Mary joined her brothers Frank Jr. and Bill. She attended Hawthorne and Lowell Schools and graduated from Turlock High School in 1947. Mary attended North Park College and San Jose State, where she was the first woman to join the Accounting and Business Fraternity. Upon her graduation, Mary Lou married Lloyd “Gordon” Bonander, and the newlyweds moved to San Francisco, where Mary Lou began working and Gordon completed his dental training. In 1954, the couple moved to Turlock, Calif. and welcomed four children: Ruth, Tina, Ann, and Joe. Once the children were in school, Mary Lou worked alongside her brothers at Youngdale’s, the family business in downtown Turlock. She was active in her church, Beulah Covenant, now known as Turlock Covenant, serving as a Deaconess and holding positions in women’s ministries. She also served on several boards for the Covenant, both in the Pacific Southwest Conference and nationally, including the Board of Benevolence and the North Park College Board. Mary Lou was an ardent traveler and her favorite activities were camping and hiking. She also found
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enjoyment in sewing and knitting, making hundreds of layettes for missions in Congo, blankets and quilts for various charities, and children’s sweaters for distribution by World Vision. Mary Lou entered Heaven’s gates on May 17, 2018. She was a kind and generous woman who had a strong work ethic. Mary Lou was preceded in death by her brothers, Frank and Bill, and her loving husband, Gordon. She leaves behind her children and in-laws, Ruth Bonander C’75 and Daniel Gorman, Lydia “Tina” (Bonander) Bates C’77, Ann Marie (Bonander) McNulty C’78 and Edward McNulty, and Joe Bonander C’80 and Susan (Kolnes) Bonander C’82; her grandchildren; and great-grandson.
Barbara (Axelson) Palmberg C’52 S’55 was born in Kingsford, Mich. in 1932 to Karl Melker and Ruth (Nelson) Axelson. From an early age, she was encouraged to pursue her gifts of music, and at the age of 13, became the organist at the Iron Mountain Covenant Church, Iron Mountain, Mich. Barbara entered North Park University as the first of her Swedish immigrant family to attend college. She traveled with the North Park Choir as soprano soloist and completed a triple major of voice, organ, and piano. Following graduation, she enrolled in seminary classes at North Park. In 1953 she accepted a position as parish worker at Hilmar Covenant Church in Hilmar, Calif. In October of 1954, Barbara married her college sweetheart Maurice “Maurey” Palmberg C’52 in the Iron Mountain Covenant
Church and moved to the Palmberg family hometown of Aurora, Neb. Their family grew with son Kurt in 1956 and daughter Karen in 1957. Barbara and Maurey entered into the family business Palmberg Auto Supply, where she maintained the business records while teaching 40 piano and organ lessons a week. Barbara played the organ, directed the choir, and taught Sunday school classes at the Aurora Covenant Church, and served the Covenant Midwest Conference in various positions. Barbara directed Community Choir concerts in Aurora, was a favored organist in the community for weddings and funerals, and enjoyed traveling around the Midwest with the Liberty Bells Women’s Chorus. In 1974, Barbara and Maurey moved their family to Turlock, Calif., where they bought MidValley Auto and Truck Parts and later opened Palmberg Auto Supply in Hilmar. Barbara kept the family business offices running while serving as Dr. Everett Johnson’s medical practice receptionist. Barbara was thrilled to return to her beloved Hilmar Covenant Church, teaching Sunday school and directing the choir as she had 20 years earlier. Later, she and Maurey moved their membership to the Turlock Covenant Church, where Barbara served with Dr. Wayne Kidwell in music ministry by directing the chancel choir. In 1995, after Kurt and wife Karole helped plant Cornerstone Covenant Church, Barbara and Maurey moved their membership once again to be able to support and encourage their family as they worshipped together. In 1996, Barbara and Maurey moved to Covenant Village of Turlock, where they made so many wonderful friends over the 20 plus years they lived there. Once again, she was involved in teaching Bible studies, and she played the piano faithfully for chapel every Sunday until her health failed. Barbara was a marvelous hostess and a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and greatgrandmother. She adored her family and shared a deep and mutual love with them. She is survived by her children, Kurt J. Palmberg C’78 and Karole Palmberg, and Karen Palmberg C’79; grandchildren, Britta (Walker) Mitchell C’06, Jon-Erik Palmberg, and Kristofer Palmberg; great-grandchildren; in-laws Rev. Burdette “Bud” Palmberg C’54 S’62 and Donna (Johnson) Palmberg C’56, Doris and Glen NORTH NORTHPARKER PARKER
Schultz, Mary Palmberg; nieces; nephews; cousins; and many friends. She was predeceased by her loving husband Maurey, parents Karl Melker and Ruth Axelson, brother David Axelson C’87, beloved inlaws Edwin “Ed” Palmberg A’25 and Esther Palmberg, and brother-in-law Bob Palmberg.
Retired Covenant Pastor David A. Elowson C’54 S’60 passed away on July 20, 2018. He was 84. David was born February 9, 1934 to Carl and Helen Elowson in Duluth, Minn. He grew up attending First Covenant Church Duluth. He attended North Park Junior College. He received his undergraduate degree at University of Minnesota Duluth and went on to North Park Theological Seminary where he received a master of divinity. He was ordained in 1961. David married Marjorie “Marge” Gustafson C’55 on April 21, 1956. Together they served Covenant churches in Bemidji, Minn.; Pompano Beach, Fla., West Peabody, Mass., Plymouth, Minn.; and Bradenton, Fla. (Trailer Estates Covenant and Tri-Par Covenant in Sarasota). David is remembered for his warm smile, his humble spirit, his devotion to and love for his family. He was a life-long learner who enjoyed music, history, and above all, books. In addition to his wife, Marge, he is survived by his three children and in-laws, Tom and Robin Bakken, Laurie (Elowson) Bakken C’84 and Keith Bakken C’85 G’06, Steve Elowson C’91 and Susan 35 12
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(Osborn) Elowson C’95; seven grandchildren, and one great grandson. Also surviving are his twin brother Charles Elowson C’55 and his wife Ardis Elowson, and sister Alayne (Elowson) Johnson. He is preceded in death by his sister Joann (Elowson) Hendrickson C’53.
Virginia “Ginger” Alice (Kent) Njaa C’61, age 78, from Huntsville went home to the Lord on May 11, 2018. Virginia was born in Boston and raised in Norwood, Mass. She graduated from Norwood High School as class valedictorian. She attended North Park College in Chicago for two years, majoring in general studies, where she met Jason Njaa C’62, who would later be the love of her life. Ginger married Jason and together they lived in Chicago, Spokane, Wash., Santa Monica, Calif., Battle Creek, Mich., Germany, then back to Norwood, Mass., and Houston, Texas. They welcomed three sons, Kent, Scott, and Adam. Ginger was very active in her churches, serving as a Sunday school teacher and singing every week in the choir. She volunteered in the local schools as the children grew, and she eventually turned that into a career as an executive administrative assistant in the Memorial Hermann Hospital systems. Ginger was fond of bridge and took up a second hobby, golf, and learned to enjoy the game. She and Jason would spend many fond weekends with friends on the courses and enjoying the great outdoors. Ginger and Jason elected to retire and 3126
chose to move to Elkins Lake, Huntsville, Texas in 2006. There, they were very active members of the club, helping to coordinate the couples’ golf tournaments, and joined a group that took routine trips to distant and interesting golf courses. Ginger joined the local bridge group in Elkins Lake, where she enjoyed socializing with her friends and playing on a regular basis. Ginger was a great friend to many and will be missed. Her sharp wit, her keen sense of understanding, and her compassion touched all those she met. For her family, she was an inspiration to grow and achieve and to become capable to take on any challenge. Her children were always entertained with her sense of humor and her ability to laugh at herself. She is preceded in death by her parents, Charlie and Alice (Ortendahl) Kent, and her brother Roger Kent and his wife Martina. She is survived by her loving husband Jason, their three sons and their wives, five grandchildren, and three step grandchildren.
Jeanne (Usher) Person C’65 of Mt. Prospect, Ill. passed away on June 28, 2018. After graduating from North Park College, she taught art in the elementary schools of Western Springs, Ill. before raising two sons and caring for her family. Jeanne was creative and willingly used her talent to enhance the worship experience at her church over many years by providing appropriate artistic decoration relevant to the calendar of the church year. She was defined by NORTH PARKER
an enduring sweetness that was evident throughout her life and will be missed by her many friends who appreciated her quiet and dignified concern for others. Committed to her family and her God, Jeanne is survived by her husband of 52 years, Dick Person C’63, her sons Greg and Eric, as well as her granddaughter Emma and grandson Theo.
Evans “Van” Nelson Billington A’63 C’67 passed away on April 21, 2018. Van was born to Carol and Evans Billington A’37 on July 10, 1945 in Chicago and lived his entire life in the area. Known for his quick wit, generous spirit, and love of chocolate, Van served as executive director of Retail Confectioners International in Glenview for most of his professional career. Van cherished his friendships formed at North Park throughout his entire life. Van was married to Nancy Rathbun C’71 from 1970 to 1984 and together they had Maren Billington Carey C’93 and Joshua Billington C’98. In 1988, Van married Betty Gislason and together they had a daughter, Evin Billington. Van is also survived by his grandchildren Jameson Coslow C’17 and Caroline Coslow; his siblings Charles Billington A’66, Tom Billington, and Marcy Southgate; and numerous extended family and friends.
YOUR GIFT: MAKE IT POSSIBLE Brooklyn Satterlee C’19 started dreaming in high school about becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner and someday working at Lurie Children’s Hospital to care for sick children. But she also had some big concerns: She knew she couldn’t afford college on her own.
Today, Brooklyn is preparing for graduation in spring 2019—because of you. For generations, North Park students have received critical financial support from generous alumni and friends through the North Park Fund. With your support, we can: F Provide financial aid to 95% of undergraduates and 78% of Seminary graduates F Award more than $13 million annually in scholarships “North Park cares about me as a student and as a future nurse. Throughout my four years, I have been encouraged, challenged, and supported. It feels like everyone is in my corner.” Brooklyn Satterlee C’19 Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Your gift makes a difference. Give today. www.northpark.edu/give
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Presidential Inauguration Join us as we formally recognize Mary Karsten Surridge as North Park University’s 10th President Friday, February 15, 2019 at 2 p.m.
Inauguration festivities take place throughout the week, and will include a campus-wide luncheon, a Showcase of the Arts, and an academic symposium. For more details, visit www.northpark.edu/inauguration