First-year orientation was the first time Mishra had been abroad or even met students from other countries. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 expect people to be kind,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 come from a completely different part of the world, and no one knew me. Yet they were kind. It was very touching.鈥�

North Park鈥檚 diversity is part of what drew him in, especially because he noticed it included not only American students but also a vibrant international student community.

In the spring semester of his senior year, as the Student Government Association president, Mishra made giving back to the campus community that has shown him kindness a primary facet of his role. He advocated for the student body and served as a 鈥渂ridge between the student body and university administration.鈥�

He was active on campus in other capacities as well, serving as the International Club president, which he also founded; the Intercultural Late Night program chair; and a Voyage Activities Board member, a student programming organization that fosters community on campus and connects students to various opportunities to get involved. Mishra was also an active member of University Ministries, including the Urban Outreach team鈥檚 Friday Night Street Ministry, which serves Chicago鈥檚 unhoused population.

In all these endeavors, Mishra sought to build and strengthen connections, both between himself and others and among different campus organizations. Director of Intercultural Student Affairs Rashad Hanna recognized these efforts, presenting Mishra with the Diversity Award at the NPU Day of Excellence ceremony on April 15. This award honors a senior for outstanding leadership and sustained commitment to advancing North Park鈥檚 intercultural core identity on campus and/or throughout the Chicago community.

When reflecting on his years at NPU, Mishra said, 鈥淵ou鈥檒l find endless people who are looking to support you. And for that, you have to get out of your shell as well.鈥�

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SmartAsset assessed more than 1,000 regionally accredited schools with undergraduate enrollments of 5,000 or fewer students in the United States, focusing on overall affordability, graduation rates, and median earnings of former students 10 years after enrollment. The list included 75 schools in total, and North Park ranked first among Chicago schools, second among Illinois schools, and 43rd overall.

SmartAsset is a financial technology company that provides free tools and content to help users make informed financial decisions. about the methodology.

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鈥淭his ceremony is about celebrating the richness, diversity, and faith that shape 91社区福利,鈥� President Mary K. Surridge said in her opening remarks. 鈥淗ere, identity is not formed in isolation, but through the beautiful tapestry of the people and the cultures that God has brought together.鈥�

Before presenting the awards, Director of Intercultural Student Affairs Rashad Hanna acknowledged students鈥� diligence in the numerous events they facilitated throughout the academic year, emphasizing that all their work 鈥渉as culminated in this one moment in time for us to celebrate you.鈥�

Below are the 2026 award recipients:

• The Champion of Diversity Award: Counseling Psychology Program Coordinator and Academic Advisor Hannah Barbosa
• Director鈥檚 Award: Jenna Jawhar
• Honors Convocation Diversity Award: Shyamkumar Mishra
• Impactful Alumni Award: Odalis Arcadio BA ’20
• Academic RSO of the Year Award: North Park Club of Engineering
• Intercultural Registered Student Organization (RSO) of the Year Award: East Asian Student Association
• Social RSO of the Year Award: Christian Student Organization

Senior student leaders received hand-stitched graduation stoles, presented by President Surridge and Provost Dr. Francisco X. Gayt谩n.

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Last year, Johnson wrote and drew the annual edition of DC Comics鈥� Absolute Batman, which led to his recognition as one of the most popular artists in the current comic book world. He and the comic’s regular monthly artist, Nick Dragotta, are becoming two of the biggest names in the industry and are 鈥渁t the center of a seismic shift鈥� back to artists 鈥渄riving sales [and] fans鈥� alongside writers, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Johnson taught himself to draw his favorite characters from comics like Power Rangers and Transformers as a child. He later wrote and drew the latter in adulthood, the first issue of which sold more than 100,000 copies and earned two Eisner Awards, the industry鈥檚 equivalent of the Academy Awards. It was his first breakthrough.

By the time DC Comics offered Johnson the opportunity to work on their popular Absolute Universe, he was rapidly gaining acclaim as a writer and artist. That trend continued, with his Absolute Batman Annual No. 1 selling more than 150,000 copies and going through second and third printings.

Read more about Johnson and the trend at .

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The Blue & Gold Day event was held at beloved local institution Tre Kronor, where North Park staff members enjoyed Swedish pastries and coffee while mingling with alumni to discuss the importance of Blue & Gold Day. This year, the event raised nearly $200,000, all of which directly benefits students via the North Park and Student Care Funds and the Viking Club, which funds athletic programs.

But the Fika鈥檚 purpose was to kick off the day in a festive, friendly way, said Vice President for Advancement Mike Nevergall MNA 鈥�13.

鈥�Fika is not about working, it鈥檚 about socializing and getting to know each other,鈥� Nevergall said. He thanked the assembled crowd for coming and urged them to continue supporting North Park, no matter the size of their donation.

This year鈥檚 Blue & Gold Day theme was 鈥渓ight the way,鈥� with friends and alumni encouraged to wear the school鈥檚 colors and post about their contributions on social media.

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This year, everyone is encouraged to 鈥渓ight the way鈥� for future North Parkers by wearing blue and gold; posting about Blue & Gold Day on social media and tagging @npualumni; and of any size, whether it鈥檚 $5 or $100.

Contributions will go toward three funds:

1. 1. The North Park Fund supports every student every day. It funds financial aid and scholarships, enriches student services, advances campus infrastructure, and strengthens academic support, all of which allow our students to grow into lives of significance and service.
   2. The Student Care Fund provides practical support to students facing financial difficulties so they can continue to focus on their education. It covers costs like transportation, food, rent, textbooks, and medical bills.
   3. The Viking Club enhances all athletic programs by improving infrastructure and supporting student-athletes in their health, wellness, and academic endeavors. It provides our Vikings the best student-athlete experience possible and advances our athletic programs.

Last year, the North Park community raised $318,000 for Blue & Gold Day. Follow the 2026 campaign鈥檚 progress and make your gift on April 8 on the page.

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鈥淭hese awards are a chance to celebrate our incredible students,鈥� said Music Department Chair and Stephen J. Hendrickson Professor of Music Dr. Julia Davids. The awards are special, she said, because they are given by a panel of guest judges who come to campus to meet students, learn about their backgrounds and stories, and experience their performances.

This year鈥檚 first-place SMAT undergraduate award went to Christopher Comanescu, who performed Paolo Tosti鈥檚 鈥淣on t鈥檃mo Pi霉,鈥� while second place went to Aiana Omurova for her performance of the first movement of Joseph Hayden鈥檚 Sonata in F Major.

For the graduate division, first place went to Tierra Whetstone, who performed 鈥淗abanera鈥� from Georges Bizet鈥檚 Carmen, with second place going to Grace Zieman鈥檚 performance of 鈥淕litter and be Gay鈥� from Leonard Bernstein鈥檚 Candide.

The service awards were given to Grace Zieman and Yash Pawar, both of whom display leadership through mentorship and the cultivation of connection, Davids said.

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In her work at North Park, Davids directs the university choir and chamber singers and teaches choral conducting and music education. She is also the music director of the North Shore Choral Society, a 130-voice amateur community choir, and serves as director of music ministries at Trinity United Methodist Church, Wilmette.

The highly esteemed Juno Awards are the Canadian equivalent of the Grammys and will take place on March 28. about the group and its nomination.

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