Partners For Progress Returns

PARTNERS FOR PROGRESS RETURNS

Annual event connects NCU family, raises funds for first-gen students

The 54th Annual Partners for Progress was live and in-person again this year after a pandemic-induced virtual event in 2020. More than 500 people attended the annual gala at The Depot in Minneapolis on Oct. 28.

In addition to an elegant meal and connecting with the extended NCU family, the mood was buoyant as we celebrated God’s goodness to North Central University. Highlights included:

• Laughter and fun as Jeff ’97 and Kristie (Lane ’96) Kerr emceed the evening—even sharing the first-ever original Partners for Progress song

• Music from the NCU Chorale, with Larry Bach directing the choir at this event for the last time before he retires next spring

• Powerful stories from some of NCU’s firstgen students and alumni and their parents

• A celebration of generosity as funds were raised for scholarships to open doors for more first-gen students

If you missed the event, it’s not too late to come on board as a partner for progress for NCU! Gifts of any size and membership in the 1930 Society for those who can give $1,000+ annually can be made by scanning the QR code below or visiting northcentral.edu/partners21.

To view additional photos from the 2021 Partners for Progress, scan the QR code below, or visit northcentraluniversity.pixieset.com/pfp/

2021 ALUMNI AWARD WINNERS

JonCarlos and Gabriella Velez The Larry C. Bach Award, for demonstrating Spirit-filled leadership and excelling in service through fine arts

Serving as Worship Pastors at Emmanuel Christian Center in Minneapolis since 2013, JonCarlos ’18 and Gabriella (Evans-Jones ’12) Velez are a part of Emmanuel LIVE, a worship movement birthed out of their local church. They are passionate about worship, songwriting, ministry, and raising up the next generation of creatives. In 2017, they founded and launched the School of Artistic Refinement (SOAR) to provide arts education for young students. JonCarlos and Gabriella embody servant leadership, leading with integrity and Christ-like character in each new endeavor they take on. In 2016, they advanced through several rounds of the popular TV show “The Voice.” JonCarlos and Gabriella have been married for nine years and have three children.

Chris and Monica DeLaurentis The F.J. Lindquist Award, for demonstrating Spirit-filled leadership and excelling in service through church or church-related ministry, mission, and service

In 1993, Chris ’91 and Monica (Takjbakh ’91) DeLaurentis opened an inner-city Minneapolis church in their apartment, welcoming 35 people, many of them dealing with addiction or homelessness. Within a month, 100 people were showing up for services and Inner City Church of Minneapolis (ICCM) was launched. Chris and Monica’s history of teamwork in apostolic ministry is evident as they serve in an area with the highest poverty, addiction, and poor health rates in Minnesota. Their ministries through ICCM Life Center have helped transform the lives of thousands of people through the power of Jesus Christ. Chris and Monica have been married for 30 years and have two grown children.

Bill Svoboda Jr. The Ivan O. Miller Award, for demonstrating Spirit-filled leadership and excelling in service through career and community

Bill Svoboda ’06 is an entrepreneur, TEDx speaker, and leader. He helps high-performing companies and individuals embrace change and achieve maximum results through his work as a sales and leadership expert. He started his first business—CoEd Monkey— selling t-shirts from his college dorm room and later co-founded CloseSimple, a software company serving title and escrow companies. Bill lives in Minneapolis and spends time outside of work volunteering at Substance Church and various non-profits. He has supported North Central University by working on several committees, speaking in classes, and serving as an NCU Alumni Board member for eight years.

David Hopkins The Dr. Roger Sorbo Award, for demonstrating Spirit-filled leadership and excelling in service through career and community

David Hopkins ’92, M.Ed., has worked as Associate Director of AV Services for 11 of his 23 years with the Broadcast Center at Princeton University. He is the founder of NLYM, a consulting firm offering services for high-quality multimedia for churches, schools, and businesses, and is also an adjunct professor at Esperanza College of Eastern University. Hopkins considers himself a “tech evangelist,” passionate about helping people conquer their fears of working with technology. He volunteers his services for Global Renewal, Inc., an organization focused on boldly proclaiming the Gospel, planting new churches, and bringing freedom for those in bondage. Hopkins and his wife, Nicole, live in Mount Holly, New Jersey, and have two children.