North Park has served five generations of students and continues to grow in diversity, academic relevance, and Christian commitment. Our Chicago location is a great asset that reflects the School鈥檚 global reach and outlook.
After 125 years, we鈥檝e learned how to streamline the process of helping qualified applicants seek admission to North Park and find affordable ways to attend. If you don鈥檛 see what you鈥檙e looking for on our website, please contact us directly!
North Park offers more than 40 graduate and undergraduate programs in liberal arts, sciences, and professional studies. Classes average 17 students. 84% of our faculty have terminal degrees. Academics here are rigorous and results-oriented.
North Park Theological Seminary prepares you to answer the call to service through theological study, spiritual development, and the formative experiences of living in a community with others on a similar life path.
The Office of Alumni Engagement fosters lifelong connections by engaging alumni with the university and one another in activities, programs, and services that support the university鈥檚 mission and alumni needs.
As a North Park alum, C’07 G’11, Duffy already had first-hand experience with the quality of education from the School of Nursing. With two degrees earned from North Park, applying to the DNP program was a simple choice. 鈥淚 would do it all again at North Park,鈥� said Duffy.
Jennifer Duffy always knew that should North Park offer a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, it would be no question that she would choose North Park to pursue her degree. As a North Park alum, C鈥�07 G鈥�11 G鈥�20, Duffy already had first-hand experience with the quality of education from the School of Nursing. With two degrees earned from North Park, applying to the DNP program was a simple choice鈥攕he thrived in the small, personal, and supportive environment that extended into the doctorate program. 鈥淚 would do it all again at North Park,鈥� said Duffy.
Jennifer Duffy
The online program, in place prior to COVID-19, worked well for Duffy. 鈥淭here were no issues, even though the DNP is a new program,鈥� said Duffy. 鈥淭he faculty always had their plans set up prior to class starting,鈥� added Duffy.
Now working in the Cancer Center at a Chicago area medical center, Duffy鈥檚 goals of making a difference in quality improvement measures within palliative care have come to fruition. While engaged in the DNP program, Duffy decided to focus her project on Increasing Advance Directive Completion in Cancer Patients in Outpatient Palliative Care.
鈥淚 had all the tools and support I needed to complete my project with success,鈥� said Duffy. Guided by DNP faculty advisor Dr. Trudy DeWaters, faculty consultant Dr. Janice Zeller, and site mentor Dr. Nooshig Salvador, Duffy was able to achieve measurable results with her DNP project.
Advance directives, a term referring to families, patients, and providers making important decisions in a health-related crisis, is an area that Duffy found needed attention especially within palliative care. Recognizing the burden families and healthcare providers encounter when making emergency and quality of life decisions such as do-not-resuscitate (DNR), Duffy homed in on facilitating these conversations through the use of a discussion template.
When Duffy first started the project, the advance directives completion rate was a low 12% and by the time Duffy developed and implemented a discussion template, the completion rate jumped to 67%.
With her DNP degree in hand, Duffy is continuing her work facilitating and documenting these essential discussions between nurses and patients. She also plans to submit her manuscript to a nursing journal for publication and as a long-term goal, Duffy intends to give back and teach the next generation of nurses.
Through the cross-disciplinary lenses of history and science, Professor and Lecturer in History Peter Olfelt and Associate Professor of Biology Drew Rholl, shared their expertise to offer an innovative curriculum teaching North Park students about pandemics.
Through the cross-disciplinary lenses of history and science, Professor and Lecturer in History Peter Olfelt and Associate Professor of Biology Drew Rholl, shared their expertise to offer an innovative curriculum teaching North Park students about pandemics.
Professor Olfelt teaches a hybrid class called Pandemics in History, where he juxtaposes three historical periods in the context of pandemics including the plague pandemics, the 1918 influenza outbreak, and AIDS. Students learn how pandemics have been perceived differently in these historical periods as well as the short-term and long-term effects the diseases have had on our society and culture.
Peter Olfelt, Professor and Lecturer in History
In the sciences, Dr. Rholl teaches about microbes, how they grow, and how they affect the human body in his online course, Advanced Topics in Biology: Pandemics. With a specialized focus on the spread of diseases, the course explores the nature of organisms that cause disease, what different diseases look like, how they can be treated, and how the body is working.
Although the classes are not synchronous, students engage with both the history and science perspectives through shared video presentations. 鈥淭he courses were designed to leverage the experience of each group so they could build off of each other,鈥� said Dr. Rholl.
Integrated into the curriculum is the biology of the disease and its history. 鈥淭o really dig into the nature of the disease, where it comes from, how it spreads, and the various strains of it, I find that that has made my classes even better,鈥� said Professor Olfelt.
As a smaller environment, North Park鈥檚 close-knit community fosters cross-departmental relationships and collaboration among faculty and students. 鈥淪ometimes when we鈥檙e siloed in our own fields, we suffer from blind spots, which basically means that as a microbiologist I don鈥檛 know what history instructors don鈥檛 know. By having a conversation, we can identify those questions and have a much more effective transfer of ideas,鈥� said Dr. Rholl.
Professor Olfelt says students are responding well to the collaborative curriculum, and it has boosted student engagement. “When we鈥檙e studying various diseases and looking at newspaper articles or papers, it鈥檚 easy to engage the class with how this relates to their own personal experience,” says Professor Olfelt, who’s excited to be teaching at this particular moment in time.
Thanks to the collaboration between Professor Olfelt and Dr. Rholl, these innovative courses are creating additional learning opportunities for students to make connections between the classroom and real-world experiences.
Amid the pandemic, Andersonville resident and North Park employee Kristine Aronsson has launched a fundraising effort for a handful of local Swedish businesses, including North Park鈥檚 beloved Tre Kronor restaurant.
Amid the pandemic, Andersonville resident and North Park employee Kristine Aronsson has launched a fundraising effort for a handful of local Swedish businesses, including North Park鈥檚 beloved Tre Kronor restaurant.
Aronsson, Director of Advising for Advanced Education in the Health Professions, recognized that the ban on indoor dining was having a devastating effect on local Swedish businesses. So, she started GoFundMe campaigns for Tre Kronor and Andersonville鈥檚 Svea Restaurant and neighboring Simon鈥檚 Tavern.
Her efforts were noticed by Block Club Chicago, whose subsequent article noted that many of Andersonville鈥檚 stalwart Swedish businesses, including the Swedish Bakery and two delicatessens, have closed in recent years. The loss of Swedish businesses is especially hard because the neighborhood is steeped in Swedish tradition.
Aronsson hopes North Parkers will support the businesses, particularly Tre Kronor.
鈥淚 know that Tre Kronor is a special place for a lot of North Parkers, and they have hired many students from here over the years.鈥�
North Park鈥檚 Associate Professor of Christian Ministries Studies, Dr. Beth Seversen, sits down with Christianity Today to discuss her book听Not Done Yet: Reaching and Keeping Unchurched Emerging Adults, which is based on her research engaging and retaining millennials and Generation Z in the local church.
North Park鈥檚 Associate Professor of Christian Ministries Studies, Dr. Beth Seversen, sits down with to discuss her book听, which is based on her research engaging and retaining millennials and Generation Z in the local church.
Dr. Beth Seversen
Dr. Seversen says she hopes her book will bring North Park students and ministry leaders fresh insights and ideas for authentically caring for and reaching their friends who are 鈥渄one鈥� with church, those who have “been there done that鈥� and didn鈥檛 connect with church and faith in Christ, along with friends who are 鈥渘ones鈥� or don鈥檛 affiliate with any church or religion.
“Lots of young adults look at the church and feel disillusionment, hurt or indifference,” said Dr. Seversen. Based on extensive research Dr. Seversen found many young adults are tossing aside labels like听none and done听and are instead embracing a transformative faith. By welcoming them into community, providing meaningful opportunities to make a difference, and investing in their development, young adults are 鈥渢rying on鈥� Christian identity and finding that it fits.听
While safety measures mean we can only sing in person in small groups for short periods of times behind the barriers of our masks and physically distanced, we have reached out to each other through our vulnerability. Many of the students have worked collaboratively to communicate their own thoughts about isolation through original compositions and spoken word. You鈥檒l hear some of the student stories and others as part of this playlist.
When the pandemic hit, artists around the globe were deeply affected. Choral singers and ensembles have been uniquely challenged as the very essence of our art鈥攇athering in community, breathing together, communicating to audiences in close quarters鈥攈as been centered out as a health risk. But artists throughout history have responded to times of trauma and community devastation by creating, and this is what North Park chose to focus on for its fall choral concert.
Covid-19 has been isolating鈥攆rom the initial shelter-at-home orders to virtual classes, we鈥檝e all been separated. This is especially true for many people who already deal with the isolation of a physical and mental disability, the stigma surrounding gender identity and sexual orientation, who are persecuted for religious beliefs, or who face discrimination for their skin color and racial identity. We continue to witness how Covid-19 disproportionately impacts communities of color and the deep wounds of continuing racial injustice in our country.
The choral students at North Park have been exploring the theme of isolation. We鈥檝e shared photos and personal stories of our responses to Covid-19. We met virtually with Dr. Rollo Dilworth who shared with us the role of the African American spiritual in teaching social justice. We鈥檝e been learning about and singing the music of black composers such as Chicagoan Lena McLin.
While safety measures mean we can only sing in person in small groups for short periods of times behind the barriers of our masks and physically distanced, we have reached out to each other through our vulnerability. Many of the students have worked collaboratively to communicate their own thoughts about isolation through original compositions and spoken word. You鈥檒l hear some of the student stories and others as part of this playlist.
Ultimately, we know we are not alone, even when it feels that way. As North Park professor Dr. Thomas Jefferson sets from Psalm 32 鈥淚 turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble and you fill me with the joy of salvation.鈥� May you find joy in the voices of these remarkable students and the stories that they tell.
North Park senior Jessica Torres, majoring in elementary education with an ESL, Bilingual, and Special Education Endorsement, will be recognized for her excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities by The Lincoln Academy of Illinois.
North Park senior Jessica Torres, majoring in elementary education with an ESL, Bilingual, and Special Education Endorsement, will be recognized for her excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities by The Lincoln Academy of Illinois. During the November 10th virtual ceremony, Torres will be honored as a top student among Illinois鈥� colleges and universities, along with a congratulatory statement made by Governor J. B. Pritzker and members of The Lincoln Academy.
Nominees meet the criteria of being a senior in a college of Illinois exemplifying leadership characteristics of Abraham Lincoln: courage, empathy, honesty, and integrity.
When learning about the nomination, Torres felt a great honor to have been selected by her professors in the School of Education. 鈥淎s a first-generation Hispanic college student, I am reminded of all who have encouraged, prayed, and stood by my side these past four years,鈥� said Torres.
Torres will receive a letter and certificate of merit signed by Gov. Pritzker, a Lincoln medallion, a challenge coin, and a $500 check from The Lincoln Academy. Student Laureates are selected by their individual schools. 鈥淚 strongly believe this award is the result of hard work and commitment to my studies and community involvement on and off campus. It is an honor to have been selected out of the many candidates and to be representing this institution,鈥� said Torres.
Torres plans to return to North Park and pursue a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership. 鈥淲ith my graduate studies, I plan to make a difference in our school system, carry-out essential duties for student achievement, and shape young children into future leaders,鈥� said Torres.
As the pandemic continues to impact mental health, students, faculty, and staff at 91社区福利 have access to TAO Connect鈥檚 behavioral health platform as a standalone service and as an extension of counseling visits.
As the pandemic continues to impact mental health, students, faculty, and staff at 91社区福利 have access to TAO Connect鈥檚 behavioral health platform as a standalone service and as an extension of counseling visits.
, a digital platform designed to make behavioral health therapy more accessible and effective, has partnered with North Park to bring its mental health resources to the entire university鈥檚 community. All students, faculty, and staff now have access to TAO Connect鈥檚 wellness tools on the go, and North Park Counseling Support Services can assign curated psychoeducational materials and assessment tools to students through the TAO platform.
The partnership comes at a time when the challenging events of this year have significantly impacted the mental health of young adults and college students and altered how university counseling centers provide mental health services. North Park responded to the need for digital health resources by partnering with TAO Connect to provide online, 24/7 access to mental health support. Additionally, the technology allows the university鈥檚 counseling center to reach traditionally underserved groups, such as out-of-state students, distance learners, or non-traditional students.
鈥淎dding TAO Connect to our services will provide an added layer of support for our community,鈥� said MaLinda Lee, director of Counseling Support Services at North Park. 鈥淭he platform鈥檚 tools and resources are all evidence-driven and delivered digitally in a way that is preferred and familiar to students, which we believe will encourage them to better prioritize and take care of their mental health.鈥�
TAO Connect recently launched its V3 platform, which contains more than 150 interactive sessions on anxiety, depression, substance abuse, anger, sexual violence, and more. Additionally, the platform offers a library of mindfulness exercises and journal prompts鈥攚hich include an anxiety monitoring log and a relaxation and mindfulness log. The platform also features The TAO Assistant, an AI chatbot that guides students through the platform for a personalized experience specific to their needs.
The platform can be used in two ways: the counselors at North Park can individually assign the online-based sessions to students as a way to enhance virtual appointments, or users can sign up independently for a completely self-guided experience. The Self-Help feature is personalized and helps users develop helpful thinking patterns through sessions and exercises focused on stress management, problem-solving, mindfulness, and more.
鈥淵oung people鈥檚 mental health has been particularly affected by the stress and uncertainty brought on by the pandemic, and with all the changes they鈥檙e experiencing, it is vital that they have access to the tools they need to manage their mental health,鈥� said Dr. Sherry Benton, founder and chief science officer of TAO Connect. 鈥淣orth Park鈥檚 counseling center now offers its students mental health tools that are easily accessible to all of its students.鈥�
TAO Connect is available for free to all University students, faculty, and staff members. Students, faculty, and staff can register for TAO by visiting North Park鈥檚 Counseling Support Services webpage. To learn more about TAO and its technology, please visit听.
Nine new members have been named to the 91社区福利 Board of Trustees. Four are serving in an advisory capacity this year before being slated on the ballot at next year鈥檚 ECC annual meeting.
Nine Named to 91社区福利 Board of Trustees
New members bring diversity, dedication, and a wealth of expertise.
Nine new members have been named to the 91社区福利 Board of Trustees. Four are serving in an advisory capacity this year before being slated on the ballot at next year鈥檚 ECC annual meeting.
The new trustees are:
Michael Harper
Michael Harper earned a BA in economics from 91社区福利 in 1980. From 1978鈥�80, he led the North Park Vikings to three consecutive Men鈥檚 Basketball NCAA Division III National Championships. His jersey (#33) was retired in 1981, and in 1988 he was entered into the 91社区福利 Viking Hall of Fame. In 2005 Michael was honored with the 91社区福利 Distinguished Alumni Award.
From 1980鈥�88, Michael played basketball professionally, first for the Portland Trailblazers and then in Europe (Italy, France, and Spain). He was a three-time All-American, a Most Outstanding Player in the NCAA Tournament recipient, became the 56th pick in the 1980 NBA Draft, and is considered by some to be the greatest D3 Men鈥檚 basketball player ever.
In addition to serving as an assistant coach at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR, Michael has worked as an insurance agent since 1991. In 2010 he founded the Grassharper Foundation, whose mission is to help children, families, and local community members through fundraising, community outreach, and collaboration with local nonprofit organizations.
Of his North Park experiences, Michael has said, 鈥淚 can sum up the importance of NPC on my life as a beginning to an incredible adventure. North Park turned a little kid from the South Side of Chicago into a world-traveled giant. North Park provided the environment for growth. Safe and secure housing. An outstanding athletic experience. A challenging academic curriculum. But most importantly, North Park surrounded me with dedicated and caring people. I had a choice to attend any school I wished. I am extremely thankful North Park chose me.鈥�
Michael and his wife, Lisa, have three children and live in West Linn, OR.
Paul Johnson
Paul Johnson graduated from North Park with a BS in finance and youth ministry in 1997. He most recently worked as Executive Director of Ministries at Willow Creek Community Church. As an undergraduate, Paul was involved in a variety of activities including Global Partnerships, intramurals, Ja Team, men鈥檚 volleyball, the听North Park Press听newspaper, Student Government Association, and Urban Outreach.
After his graduation, he joined the 91社区福利 staff and served in a variety of roles from 1997 until 2010, including Campus Ministry Director in University Ministries. Paul played a key role in the creation of the Sankofa experience, the Office of Sustainability, and worked on a number of renovation and new construction projects including Holmgren Athletic complex, Helwig Recreation Center, and the greening and beautification of the interior campus.
Paul鈥檚 father and two of his sisters are North Park alumni. He has longstanding Covenant roots and relationships and played a significant role in the planning and execution of each CHIC from 2003鈥�2018. Paul and his wife, Rhianna Godfrey, have been married since November 2015. He is a proud stepfather of two boys and father of a one-year-old daughter.
Joanna Kanakis
Joanna (Ericson) Kanakis is a 2006 magna cum laude graduate of 91社区福利 with dual degrees in philosophy and French. As a student, she was a Presidential Scholar, sang in the University Choir, received the Lindahl Prize for Excellence in Philosophy, and studied abroad in Paris for a semester. Joanna grew up attending Faith Covenant Church in Wheaton, IL, and is the daughter of Theodore (C鈥�72) and Meredith (C鈥�72) Ericson and granddaughter of the late Anne (C鈥�46) and the late Leslie Daniel (C鈥�46) Ericson. Her sisters, Katherine (C鈥�01) and Elizabeth (C鈥�98) also graduated from North Park.
Joanna has been a member of the SBNM Advisory Board since 2015 and was honored with The Distinguished Alumni Award in 2016. Following an internship at Calyon Financial, she entered into a career path that has included roles at Soci茅t茅 G茅n茅rale Corporate and Investment Banking as Vice President鈥擲ales Trader, and Vice President, then Director, of Prime Brokerage Sales. In July 2019, she accepted a role at financial tech startup Halo Investing as Director of Enterprise Sales鈥擜mericas.
In addition to her service on the SBNM Advisory Board, Joanna has served as Co-Chair of the Leadership and Learning Committee, Soci茅t茅 G茅n茅rale America Women鈥檚 Network, and as a member of the Board of Chicago Financial Women.
Joanna is married to Damon Kanakis. They have two sons and live in Chicago.
Curtis Ivanoff
(ECC Superintendent Representative)
Curtis (S鈥�08) is the 91社区福利 Board of Trustees ECC Superintendent Representative. He received his master of arts in Christian ministry and theology with high honors. He attended the University of Oklahoma as an undergraduate and earned a BA in mathematics in 1992. He also attended Regent College in Vancouver, BC, from 2000鈥�04, focusing on theological studies. Curtis, who has both Russian and Inupiaq heritage, grew up in Unalakleet, Alaska, and identifies as Alaskan Native. He is the first Alaskan Native leader to serve as superintendent of the Alaska Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church, a role he has held since 2011. Previously, he served as Associate Pastor at Unalakleet Covenant Church, Campus Pastor at Alaska Christian College, Director of Admissions at Alaska Christian College, and Field Director for the Evangelical Covenant Church of Alaska. Curtis and his wife, Kristi, have one daughter and two sons.
Karen Stein
Karen Stein graduated from 91社区福利 in 1972 and earned her JD degree in 2005 from John F. Kennedy University. She is a retired attorney-at-law who was self-employed and specialized in elder law, estate planning, and trust administration. Before law school she was employed at International Business Machines in Systems Engineering and Sales from 1975 to 2000. She is a member of the State Bar of California (inactive). She and her husband, Richard (Rich), have two adult children and four grandchildren. Karen and Rich are members of Crossroads Covenant Church in Greely, CO.
Karen serves as the liaison to the 91社区福利 Board of Trustees on behalf of the ECC Executive Board. She has been an ECC Financial Coach since 2018 and served on the CHET Executive Board from 2012鈥�2015. She served on the Church Council and as Financial Secretary at Crossroads Covenant Church, in Concord, CA. In 2001, Karen designed and built a prayer garden. She has taught Confirmation, two鈥檚 and three鈥檚 classes, assisted in Vacation Bible School, and participated in pastoral searches.
These four trustees are serving in an advisory capacity this year before being slated on the ballot at next year鈥檚 ECC annual meeting:
Sally Carlson
(ECC Clergy)
Sally Carlson graduated from 91社区福利 with dual degrees in biblical and theological studies and in Spanish. She earned her MA in Christian Formation and MBA from North Park Theological Seminary in 2011. Sally is also an alumnus and former staff member of Covenant Bible College in Strathmore, AB. She has served in a variety of ways throughout the ECC, including serving on the CHIC Council for CHIC 2015, as a member of the ECC Executive Board, and was the Financial Officer for the Evangelical Covenant Church of Canada. She is married to fellow Seminary alum Daniel G. Larson. Sally has previously served as a pastor at Norquay Covenant Church in Saskatchewan (where she co-pastored with her husband) and at Hope Community Covenant Church in Strathmore, Alberta. In 2019, Sally joined the staff of Bethany Covenant Church in Mount Vernon, WA as Associate Pastor of Congregational Care.
Christine Rosell
Christine Rosell earned a BA in Business Communication and is married to Jack, a fellow North Park graduate. Together they have three children; one is a North Park alum, and one is a current student at North Park. Christine has previously served on the North Park Board of Trustees, from 2014鈥�2019. She was a member of the Finance Committee, Advancement Committee, and the Student Recruitment and Retention Committee. She also served as the liaison to the ECC Executive Board. Christine has previously worked in marketing for Covenant Retirement Communities (now Covenant Living) and has been an active volunteer in her local community. She and her family are longtime members of North Park Covenant Church in Chicago, IL.
Gricel Medina
(ECC Clergy)
Pastor Gricel Medina is ordained to Word and Sacrament in the Evangelical Covenant Church. She holds degrees from Oswego State University, Oral Roberts University, and the Centro Hispano Estudios Teologicos where she majored in Hispanic theological studies and minored in marriage and family counseling. Gricel has served as a bilingual church planter for the Evangelical Covenant Church as well as serving alongside the superintendent, giving leadership to Hispanic, Asian, and African American pastors. She has developed prayer summits for Hispanic congregations and has served on the board of the Hispanic Clergy Association, as well as the ECC Commission for Biblical Gender Equality. She publishes, speaks, and teaches about racial egalitarian justice. Pastor Gricel has published widely on biblical gender equality, mercy, and justice for CBE journals, the Covenant Companion, and Covenant Home Altar. She has received the Christians For Biblical Equality (CBE) International Lifetime Achievement Award and was the first Hispanic individual to serve two terms as chairperson of the ECC Commission on Biblical Gender Equality. In March 2019, she was featured as one of 11 鈥淲omen Shaping the Church鈥� by Sojourners. Gricel was born in New York to parents who migrated from Puerto Rico. She speaks, translates, writes, and preaches fluently in Spanish and English. Gricel and her husband, Luis, live in Carrollton, Texas.
Beth Fredrickson
Beth Fredrickson earned a BA in English from North Park and a master of arts in journalism at Marquette University. Beth is married to John, a fellow North Park alum, and together they have a daughter and two sons who all graduated from North Park. Beth has had a diverse career, beginning as a teacher at Mundelein High School, where she taught journalism for three years. After teaching, she served as the Church Relations Coordinator at Harbor Point Ministries from 1997鈥�99. During this time, Beth also worked as Public Relations Counsel at First Edition, until 2005 when she accepted a role at Bottom Line Marketing & Public Relations Firm as PR Counselor, then Senior PR Counselor, for 11 years. In October of 2016, she returned to Harbor Point Ministries as the Executive Director, a role she still serves in today.
Beth values volunteer service. In the City of Wauwatosa, WI, where she and John live, she has served as Chair of the Marketing Communications Advisory Committee as well as a general member. She co-founded the Historic Heights Neighborhood Association and has served in a variety of volunteer roles for the Wauwatosa School District. She also has served in many leadership roles at Milwaukee Evangelical Covenant Church. Finally, Beth has been an active member of the North Park community, serving on the Board of Trustees from 2014鈥揓une of 2019. During her service on the Board of Trustees, Beth served on the Academic Committee, Student Recruitment and Retention Committee, and the Committee on Trustees.
Dr. Peter K. B. St. Jean, North Park Sociology and Criminal Justice Professor, researches and actively works with students and the community to upgrade the age-worn paradigm focus on violence to one of making peace profitable.
Sociology and Criminal Justice Professor Peter St. Jean Upgrades Paradigm from Violence to Peace
91社区福利, rooted in the Christian faith, engages its talented faculty to educate an intercultural student population on the importance of a peaceful society.
Dr. Peter K. B. St. Jean
Dr. Peter K. B. St. Jean, North Park Sociology and Criminal Justice Professor, researches and actively works with students and the community to upgrade the age-worn paradigm focus on violence to one of making peace profitable.
Focusing mainly on solutions to violence, St. Jean works directly with participants who have been conditioned, and rewarded, throughout their lives to concentrate their energy on violence. Instead, St. Jean shifts the attention in a positive direction, demonstrating a pathway towards living a life of peace.
Make a Living Out of Peace Rather Than Crime
鈥淰iolence has been made profitable through the costs of crime,鈥� said St. Jean. Through teaching and outreach efforts, says St. Jean, there is a noticeable paradigm upgrade away from participating in an economy of violence to being involved in building an economy of peace 鈥� making peace profitable.
鈥淧romoting the profits of peace 鈥� by showing disenfranchised communities that peace is a way of life 鈥� there is potential to realize a more peaceful Chicago, and world by extension,鈥� said St. Jean.
St. Jean operates his research and leads students in community outreach efforts through the Urban Peace Lab within the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice at 91社区福利.
In the sum of its three distinctive attributes 鈥� Christian, city-centered, and thoroughly intercultural 鈥� 91社区福利 finds its unique value, its competitive advantage, and its opportunity to emerge as the model for Christian higher education in 21st Century America.
Since 2015, the North Park Research Experience for Summer Students (NPRESS) has been strengthening students鈥� relationships with North Park faculty as well as their research skills over the course of eight weeks.
Since 2015, the North Park Research Experience for Summer Students (NPRESS) has been strengthening students鈥� relationships with North Park faculty as well as their research skills over the course of eight weeks. While the presentations were delivered virtually on August 18th this year, the NPRESS tradition continued, providing the cohort of seniors with graduate-level research experience.
NPRESS offers undergraduates the opportunity to engage as one would in a graduate setting鈥攔equiring each research proposal to demonstrate merit, defined goals, and commitment.
This year鈥檚 NPRESS student cohort of seniors included:
Emmanuel Carrillo, Fine Art and Philosophy
Miakala Rath, Business Management
Gabrielle Rigg, History
Donna Shergarfi, Political Science and Communications
Emmanuel Carrillo
Emmanuel Carrillo
Titling his project 鈥淣ostalgia of the Present: Art and Design in Response to Cultural Hauntology,鈥� Emmanuel Carrillo, a Fine Art and Philosophy major, explored the philosophical idea of hauntology through art. Carrillo said, 鈥淢y 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. I ventured forth from my comfort zone in painting and drawing to more experimental work in performance and video art,鈥� said Carrillo on his work with Professor Kelly VanderBrug.
Miakala Rath
Mentored by Dr. Mark Gavoor, Miakala Rath, presented 鈥淨uality Transformation in Higher Education.鈥� Rath, a senior Business Management major, studied metrics and quality transformation models to measure improvement in higher education.
Gabrielle Rigg
Gabrielle Rigg
Gabrielle Rigg, who is majoring in History and will be graduating this fall, collaborated with Dr. Sarah Doherty to present 鈥淯nlikely Neighbor: The Relationship between Anglo and Japanese Farmers in the Central Valley of California during World War II.鈥� Inspired to continue her project, Rigg said, 鈥淭he online NPRESS experience required Dr. Doherty and I 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.鈥�
Donna Shergarfi
As a senior majoring in Political Science and Communications, Donna Shergarfi conducted research of the appropriation of Black culture under the mentorship of Dr. Daniel White Hodge. During the virtual event, Shergarfi presented 鈥淜eeping up with the Kim: An Ethnonarrative of the Kardashian Empire.鈥�
North Park’s NPRESS graduates have applied their research experience, moving on to a range of graduate studies including STEM, sociology, and philosophy.
Author Ellen AlmerPosted on Categories Profile, Stories
Covid-19 has been isolating鈥攆rom the initial shelter-at-home orders to virtual classes, we鈥檝e all been separated. This is especially true for many people who already deal with the isolation of a physical and mental disability, the stigma surrounding gender identity and sexual orientation, who are persecuted for religious beliefs, or who face discrimination for their skin color and racial identity. We continue to witness how Covid-19 disproportionately impacts communities of color and the deep wounds of continuing racial injustice in our country.
Michael Harper earned a BA in economics from 91社区福利 in 1980. From 1978鈥�80, he led the North Park Vikings to three consecutive Men鈥檚 Basketball NCAA Division III National Championships. His jersey (#33) was retired in 1981, and in 1988 he was entered into the 91社区福利 Viking Hall of Fame. In 2005 Michael was honored with the 91社区福利 Distinguished Alumni Award.
Joanna (Ericson) Kanakis is a 2006 magna cum laude graduate of 91社区福利 with dual degrees in philosophy and French. As a student, she was a Presidential Scholar, sang in the University Choir, received the Lindahl Prize for Excellence in Philosophy, and studied abroad in Paris for a semester. Joanna grew up attending Faith Covenant Church in Wheaton, IL, and is the daughter of Theodore (C鈥�72) and Meredith (C鈥�72) Ericson and granddaughter of the late Anne (C鈥�46) and the late Leslie Daniel (C鈥�46) Ericson. Her sisters, Katherine (C鈥�01) and Elizabeth (C鈥�98) also graduated from North Park.
Curtis (S鈥�08) is the 91社区福利 Board of Trustees ECC Superintendent Representative. He received his master of arts in Christian ministry and theology with high honors. He attended the University of Oklahoma as an undergraduate and earned a BA in mathematics in 1992. He also attended Regent College in Vancouver, BC, from 2000鈥�04, focusing on theological studies. Curtis, who has both Russian and Inupiaq heritage, grew up in Unalakleet, Alaska, and identifies as Alaskan Native. He is the first Alaskan Native leader to serve as superintendent of the Alaska Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church, a role he has held since 2011. Previously, he served as Associate Pastor at Unalakleet Covenant Church, Campus Pastor at Alaska Christian College, Director of Admissions at Alaska Christian College, and Field Director for the Evangelical Covenant Church of Alaska. Curtis and his wife, Kristi, have one daughter and two sons.
Karen Stein graduated from 91社区福利 in 1972 and earned her JD degree in 2005 from John F. Kennedy University. She is a retired attorney-at-law who was self-employed and specialized in elder law, estate planning, and trust administration. Before law school she was employed at International Business Machines in Systems Engineering and Sales from 1975 to 2000. She is a member of the State Bar of California (inactive). She and her husband, Richard (Rich), have two adult children and four grandchildren. Karen and Rich are members of Crossroads Covenant Church in Greely, CO.
Sally Carlson graduated from 91社区福利 with dual degrees in biblical and theological studies and in Spanish. She earned her MA in Christian Formation and MBA from North Park Theological Seminary in 2011. Sally is also an alumnus and former staff member of Covenant Bible College in Strathmore, AB. She has served in a variety of ways throughout the ECC, including serving on the CHIC Council for CHIC 2015, as a member of the ECC Executive Board, and was the Financial Officer for the Evangelical Covenant Church of Canada. She is married to fellow Seminary alum Daniel G. Larson. Sally has previously served as a pastor at Norquay Covenant Church in Saskatchewan (where she co-pastored with her husband) and at Hope Community Covenant Church in Strathmore, Alberta. In 2019, Sally joined the staff of Bethany Covenant Church in Mount Vernon, WA as Associate Pastor of Congregational Care.
Christine Rosell earned a BA in Business Communication and is married to Jack, a fellow North Park graduate. Together they have three children; one is a North Park alum, and one is a current student at North Park. Christine has previously served on the North Park Board of Trustees, from 2014鈥�2019. She was a member of the Finance Committee, Advancement Committee, and the Student Recruitment and Retention Committee. She also served as the liaison to the ECC Executive Board. Christine has previously worked in marketing for Covenant Retirement Communities (now Covenant Living) and has been an active volunteer in her local community. She and her family are longtime members of North Park Covenant Church in Chicago, IL.
Pastor Gricel Medina is ordained to Word and Sacrament in the Evangelical Covenant Church. She holds degrees from Oswego State University, Oral Roberts University, and the Centro Hispano Estudios Teologicos where she majored in Hispanic theological studies and minored in marriage and family counseling. Gricel has served as a bilingual church planter for the Evangelical Covenant Church as well as serving alongside the superintendent, giving leadership to Hispanic, Asian, and African American pastors. She has developed prayer summits for Hispanic congregations and has served on the board of the Hispanic Clergy Association, as well as the ECC Commission for Biblical Gender Equality. She publishes, speaks, and teaches about racial egalitarian justice. Pastor Gricel has published widely on biblical gender equality, mercy, and justice for CBE journals, the Covenant Companion, and Covenant Home Altar. She has received the Christians For Biblical Equality (CBE) International Lifetime Achievement Award and was the first Hispanic individual to serve two terms as chairperson of the ECC Commission on Biblical Gender Equality. In March 2019, she was featured as one of 11 鈥淲omen Shaping the Church鈥� by Sojourners. Gricel was born in New York to parents who migrated from Puerto Rico. She speaks, translates, writes, and preaches fluently in Spanish and English. Gricel and her husband, Luis, live in Carrollton, Texas.
Beth Fredrickson earned a BA in English from North Park and a master of arts in journalism at Marquette University. Beth is married to John, a fellow North Park alum, and together they have a daughter and two sons who all graduated from North Park. Beth has had a diverse career, beginning as a teacher at Mundelein High School, where she taught journalism for three years. After teaching, she served as the Church Relations Coordinator at Harbor Point Ministries from 1997鈥�99. During this time, Beth also worked as Public Relations Counsel at First Edition, until 2005 when she accepted a role at Bottom Line Marketing & Public Relations Firm as PR Counselor, then Senior PR Counselor, for 11 years. In October of 2016, she returned to Harbor Point Ministries as the Executive Director, a role she still serves in today.
