The magazine for alumni and friends of North Park University
ACROSS CAMPUS
6 | North Park and Northwestern Universities co-launch a synthetic biology internship FEATURES 16 | Alumni forge unique career paths utilizing their liberal arts education
20 | Advisors and peers help first-year students thrive academically and socially
24 | Through faith formation, University Ministries equips students for life’s journey
When transfer student and criminal justice major Wilber Reyes Delgado came to North Park, he found “a place where anyone can make a difference and where diversity brings peace and love,” which empowered him to participate in the North Park Research Experience for Summer Students. “I looked deeper into my community and learned how to contribute to helping those around me,” he said.
Your gift to the North Park Fund allows students like Wilber to follow their passions and discover their mission. Support every student, every day by donating to the North Park Fund by June 30.
North Park alumni find career success using their liberal arts education—sometimes in fields differing from their majors.
Robust support programs with advisors and peers keep first-year students on track toward success.
Exploring how University Ministries supports and guides students’ journeys at North Park and beyond.
Viking
North
Editorial Board
Mary K. Surridge
President
Michael Nevergall MNA ’13 Vice President for Advancement
Anthony Scola Vice President for Enrollment
Management and Marketing
Editorial Staff
Kennedy Murphy
Managing Editor
Ellen Almer BA ’94
Ana Funduk
Eileen O’Gorman
Lindsey Post Robinson BS ’05
Editors
Ellen Almer
Ana Funduk
Megan Gilmore BA ’05, MA ’13, MNA ’13
Andrew Meyer BA ’06, MA ’13
Kennedy Murphy
Eileen O’Gorman
Lindsey Post Robinson
Brett Ravitz BS ’25
Jared Scott Tesler
Writers
Design Staff
Susannah Kim
Art Direction & Design
Karamel Aguila
Graphic Designer
Phil
Karl Soderstrom BS ’93, MA ’95
Edgar Torres BA ’16
The North Parker is published twice a year for alumni and friends of North
University, 3225 West Foster Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625-4895. For mailing list adjustments, address changes, questions, or suggestions, please contact the Office of Alumni Engagement at (773) 244-4750.
Resilience and perseverance: the ability to adapt, grow, innovate, and advance in the face of challenges. In this issue of the North Parker, we celebrate God’s hand of provision and protection over the life of our university and the spirit of resilience and innovation we see in the North Park students, faculty, staff, and alumni who embody that spirit.
From our student engagement leaders who are finding new and creative ways to advance student success to our University Ministries team investing in multi-level discipleship initiatives for the faith development of our students, you will see our mission expressed.
You will learn about our grant partnerships with the National Science Foundation supporting first-generation North Parkers in the STEM fields and an exciting new synthetic biology
internship program we have built with Northwestern University. Our devoted faculty members constantly seek unique and exceptional opportunities for our students.
You will read about increasing success for North Park student-athletes, including eight Viking football players receiving All-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) honors and our first-ever CCIW champion women’s tennis team.
Finally, we hope you will find motivation and inspiration in some of the remarkable stories of our alumni featured in this issue—alumni who have crafted impressive and impactful careers in unconventional ways— using the best of their North Park experience while faithfully following God’s call upon their lives.
Faith in action, significance, and
We have been trusting in God’s guidance and provision, adapting through challenges and emerging stronger, for 134 years.
service—the living mission of North Park University. We have been trusting in God’s guidance and provision, adapting through challenges and emerging stronger, for 134 years. We pray this issue encourages you in your own journey, and thank you for your enduring love for North Park.
Faithfully,
Mary K. Surridge President
In May, 472 students graduated from North Park University, the second-largest graduating class in school history.
North Park and Northwestern Universities introduced a program this spring where North Park molecular biology and biotechnology (MBBT) majors intern at Northwestern’s Center for Synthetic Biology (SynBio). Professor of Biology Dr. Timothy Lin initiated the internship, in which North Park students work alongside world-renowned researchers. North Park is one of few Midwestern schools with an MBBT undergraduate degree, uniquely positioning students for such opportunities.
St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute granted Rev. Dr. Dennis Edwards an honorary doctorate in May. Edwards was also the featured seminary commencement speaker at St. Mary’s Seminary & University in Baltimore, where he taught Bible classes from 2006–12.
Setting a program record, eight Viking football studentathletes earned All-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin honors for their outstanding 2024 performances. Egan Bender BA ’24, Jaydin Miller BA ’24, and rising seniors Ben Butler and Jereme Ombogo received first-team honors. Joshua De Luca BA ’24, Matt Eck BS ’25, senior Juan Nieves, and rising senior Wesley McCloud received second-team honors.
Dr. Peter K. B. St. Jean MA ’22, MOL ’24 has been appointed the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) dean. St. Jean has more than 20 years of higher education experience—most recently serving as interim CAS co-dean. He brings a bold vision for the college, emphasizing the real-world application of a liberal arts education.
University and seminary staff and faculty spoke, participated in panels, and hosted alumni meetups at January’s Evangelical Covenant Church Midwinter conference. Attendees also had the opportunity to meet the new seminary admissions director, Michael Drake MBA ’18.
North Park is deepening its partnership with Risepoint, an education technology company, to manage recruitment and admissions for most of its graduate programs, moving many to a more accessible online format. The university has experienced success with Risepoint for the Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing program and hopes to see similar success in these additional programs.
Dr. Angelyn Balodimas-Bartolomei Professor of Education
21 years at North Park
Dr. Dennis Bricault
Professor of Spanish and Director of ESL
33 years at North Park
Dr. Gregory Clark Professor of Philosophy
31 years at North Park
These awards were presented at the Day of Excellence Convocation.
Zenos Hawkinson Award for Teaching and Campus Leadership
Dr. Julia Davids
Stephen J. Hendrickson Professor of Music
Adjunct Faculty of the Year Recognition Award
Dr. Burcu Degirmen Lecturer in Politics and Government
Staff Impact Award
Martha Salazar
Office Manager for Health Services & Counseling Support Services
Student Government Association Service Awards
Brian Vollmert
Associate Professor of Marketing
Anthony Zamble
Director of University Ministries
Congratulations to our faculty who published books and articles recently, including:
Dr. Ilsup Ahn
Professor of Philosophy
Dr. Alyssa Anderson
Associate Professor of Athletic Training
Dr. Chad Eric Bergman Professor of Theatre
Dr. Amy Governale
Associate Professor of Psychology
Dr. Evan Kuehn
Assistant Professor of Information Literacy
Dr. Anthony Lazzeroni Jr.
Assistant Professor of Mathematics
Dr. Ida Maduram Professor of Education
Dr. Nnenna Okore Professor of Art
Dr. Kathryn O’Toole
Associate Professor of Psychology
Dr. Jonathan Peterson Professor of Politics and Government
Dr. Kelly Potteiger Professor of Athletic Training
Dr. Elizabeth Sassatelli
Associate Professor of Nursing
Dr. Kezia Shirkey Professor of Psychology
Dr. Karl Soderstrom Professor of Philosophy
Dr. Jong-Hoon Yu
Professor of Physical Education
Dr. Theodoros Zervas
Professor of Education
The National Science Foundation granted North Park $500,000, part of which created a new advisor position for first-year STEM students. It will also develop a comprehensive STEM success program. Claudia Gonzalez, who holds a master’s in mental health counseling, has taken on this role.
As part of North Park’s Van Der Meid Lecture on American Politics series, the bipartisan group Braver Angels of Illinois held a workshop called “Skills for Disagreeing Better” this April. Students, staff, faculty, and facilitators gathered to learn from each other on how they can create “a more perfect union.”
Rising senior Makenna Camper, majoring in nursing and Spanish, received a Gilman Scholarship and is studying abroad in Costa Rica this summer. Administered by the US Department of State, the Gilman Scholarship is a competitive, merit-based award that supports students in studying or interning abroad.
The United States Department of State named three recent North Park alumni semifinalists for its prestigious Fulbright US Student Program: Steve Aguilar BS ’25, who plans to pursue a graduate degree in engineering at LUT University in Finland; Tyleah Williams BS ’25, who plans to teach English in Malta; and Anna Miller BA ’25, who plans to serve as an English teaching assistant in Spain. The program aims to initiate cross-cultural dialogue and forge connections within our global society.
North Park has partnered with Illinois College to guarantee annual admission for two of its graduates into North Park’s Master of Science in Athletic Training program. “We have so many professional sports teams and clinical opportunities in Chicago; that’s a huge draw for athletic training students,” said Andrew Lundgren, program director.
For the 2025–26 season, the Vikings are adding a 20th NCAA sport: women’s flag football, which is quickly gaining popularity among Midwestern high schools. Inaugural Head Coach Ramon Palma BA ’22 said, “I’m thankful for this opportunity and John Born and North Park leadership’s belief in me. Being the first to do something is meaningful—it’s a chance to write history.”
North Park’s dance team won first place in the NCAA DIII Team Performance category at the College Classic National Championships in April. This was the team’s second-ever appearance at the College Classic and its first championship.
Randy Ross C ’84 officially joined the College Baseball Hall of Fame this winter. One of the most accomplished NCAA Division III baseball players of all time, Ross was a star Viking shortstop from 1981–84. His lifetime .470 batting average was the highest in Division III history at the end of his career.
The Office of Intercultural Student Affairs recognized several North Parkers for their contributions to campus diversity at its annual awards ceremony. Dr. Evelyn Aucutt, senior director of academic engagement and student success, was recognized with the Champion of Diversity Award; Barrington Price BS ’06, CEO of Dominican University’s Chicago Campus, received the Impactful Alumni Award; Fidelie Futi BS ’25 won the Honors Convocation Diversity Award; and Yamileth Gonzalez received the Director’s Award. The Latin American Student Organization was named Registered Student Organization of the Year.
Spread across the four floors of North Park University’s Brandel Library is an interconnected, well-coordinated operation of staff and faculty. Students can enter the campus hub, which the staff has coined the “Base Camp,” and find an answer to a question they didn’t even know they had. This is made possible by a combination of instruction librarians and collections managers.
Matthew Ostercamp, director of Brandel Library, described the space as a welcoming environment where students can access almost everything they need to put their best selves forward.
“Our staff got together and asked ourselves, ‘What do we want to bring to campus?’” said Ostercamp. “And we decided to be champions of joy, curiosity, and justice.”
These tenets often come into the library’s daily work.
“My work absolutely has to do with justice,” said Jayde Rose, assistant professor of information literacy. “I’m a first-generation college student, and the first time I had a librarian show me how to access databases correctly, I felt like I had the keys to make it to the next level.”
Resource librarians like Rose, Interim Electronic Resources Librarian Brittany Poku, and Assistant Professor of Information Literacy Dr. Evan Kuehn instruct students in accessing databases, researching, creating thesis questions, and supporting their arguments. Their help is available to all students.
“We often talk about scholarship as a conversation,” said Kuehn. “When a student is writing a paper,
they’re conversing with the reader, even if that reader is their professor giving them a grade. I help students jump into that conversation, which might be natural for some and brand new for others.”
A group of students rounds out the team, bringing color and light to the library. Head of Public Services Bethany Bates manages the student workers who staff the front desk, decorate, and introduce new clubs to the space. She also manages the physical library, ensuring students are directed to the right staff member.
“We’ve got a good team here. We know each other, the work we do, and how it intersects,” said Bates. “Every student who walks in is unique and has a different set of needs. Our job is to be ready to listen to them and try to meet those needs.”
Drs. Lori Scrementi and Trevor James MBA ’04, MA ’05 have spent the last 10 years helping degree-completion and graduate students achieve their academic goals. As leaders of North Park’s School of Professional Studies (SPS), they’ve expanded and strengthened its programming through flexible learning options.
Together, Scrementi, dean and professor, and James, associate dean and director of business and biblical studies programs, are committed to creating a supportive environment for students.
SPS offers six degree-completion programs, ranging from digital marketing to counseling psychology, and one graduate program in clinical mental health counseling.
The school’s uniqueness stems from its adaptability, allowing students to complete their degrees with asynchronous, accelerated, online courses. It also offers Credit for Prior Learning, through which degreecompletion students earn credit for skills they learned outside a traditional academic environment.
Scrementi embraces the flexibility. “Our students are committed to their learning; they often have busy lives and need a program that will meet their individualized needs, which SPS provides,” she explained.
A range of services help SPS students succeed, including dedicated advisors, career development resources, and tutoring support. “My commitment to students is deeply
tied to my calling as an educator. I believe student success involves more than mastering the material; it’s about personal transformation,” said James. James, interim dean of institutional effectiveness, and Scrementi also jointly lead NPU’s upcoming Assurance Review for the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Their focus has been aligning NPU’s institutional assessment data with accreditation expectations, ensuring North Park effectively demonstrates its commit-
ment to academic excellence, accurate representation of the university, and institutional effectiveness for the HLC assurance review and beyond. Whether guiding students along their academic journey or helping shape NPU’s future, Scrementi and James’ teamwork and dedication are unwavering. “My goal is to help students not just cross the finish line but run across it—confident, prepared, and transformed by the experience,” said James.
Step into Dr. Sophia MagallanesTsang’s cozy office in Nyvall Hall, and you might want to hang out all afternoon. Comfy chairs and a sofa surround a colorful area rug. Books and mementos line her built-in shelves, including a metal Peanuts lunchbox, a highlight of her vintage collection of the 1980s lunchroom staple. The welcoming vibe is all part of her teaching philosophy.
“To learn, you have to be at ease,” said Magallanes-Tsang, assistant professor of Old Testament. “Once, the only people who could go to college were those with money who had the leisure and space to learn. I strive to create an atmosphere of hospitality for all students.”
Magallanes-Tsang, whose maternal ancestors are fifth-generation residents of New Mexico and whose
Truly, there’s no hyphen about it. I’m Mexican; I’m American.”
father, a roofer, was born in Juárez, Mexico, is the sixth of seven daughters born to her parents and the first to be born into Christianity. She grew up in the San Fernando Valley of Southern California. “I’m a true Mexican American,” she said.
Her parents became Christians after overcoming personal addictions. Although they expected her to attend Bible college, like her older sister, they were supportive when she decided to go to a four-year university, becoming the first in her family to do so.
She thrived at Azusa Pacific University, earning a bachelor’s and master’s degree. She later earned a PhD in Divinity from the University of Edinburgh and a Master of Arts in Theology: Biblical Studies from Fuller Theological Seminary. Magallanes-Tsang is particularly interested in the Book of Job, which she says carried her through a hard time in her early 20s. She joined North Park Theological Seminary in 2024 thanks to a collegial relationship with Dr. Max Lee—professor of New Testament and Paul W. Brandel Chair of Biblical Studies— who contacted her about an open teaching position.
Reflecting on her journey, Magallanes-Tsang said, “The Lord led me to North Park. I love teaching here and living near campus, and I’m thrilled to see students experience the Bible for the first time.”
North Park University honors two exceptional students with the Distinguished Senior Award each academic year. For 2024–25, Steve Aguilar BS ’25 and Fidelie Futi BS ’25 received the designation for their perseverance, academic success, and involvement in student life.
Director of the Office of International Affairs Tessa Zanoni nominated Aguilar and Futi, who each held leadership positions on and off campus. Zanoni first noted Aguilar’s passion and intelligence while advising him through the Fulbright Program application process, for which he was a finalist. Zanoni said Aguilar’s excite -
ment toward robotics stood out just as much as his kind and thoughtful nature.
“Steve views engineering as a means to make the world a better place,” Zanoni said. “He has a servant-leader attitude and finds joy in teaching and sharing his interest in science with others.”
After graduating with his degree in mechanical engineering, Aguilar plans to attend United States Marine Corps officer candidate school and later pursue a PhD in mechanical engineering.
Similarly, Futi boasts a stellar academic record and leadership through service. Zanoni nominated Futi after advising her as an international student during her time at North Park.
“International student orientation is a difficult time for students acclimating to a new country,” Zanoni
said. “Fidelie has been an outstanding leader for all her peers, but especially fellow international students as they navigate North Park and Chicago.”
Zanoni spoke of Futi’s resiliency as both an international and transfer student. Futi told the Distinguished Senior Award committee she came to North Park for better opportunities and learned to take advantage of every student group she could by always saying yes.
Futi served as the African Cultural Club president and was a research fellow at the University of Chicago. After Commencement, she will work in a clinical setting to gain more experience before taking the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).
The North Park women’s tennis team made history in 2024, defeating longtime champions and earning their first CCIW title, signaling a new era of excellence.
For years, the Viking women’s tennis team has aimed to make a name for itself in the competitive Collegiate Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW), facing powerhouses and repeat conference champions like Wheaton College and North Central College.
But 2024 was different. The Vikings defied expectations, slaying giants on their historic run.
Building off their first winning record in years from the 2023–24 season, the Vikings hoped to capitalize on their momentum in fall 2024. With a mixture of newcomers and seasoned veterans, they brought their best every time they stepped on the court in the preseason.
“The preseason is when we set the tone for the rest of the year,” said Maddie Starr BA ’25, BS ’25. “We arrive on campus in August a week early and spend that time practicing. I always look forward to it because that’s when we challenge ourselves most and fight for our spot on the court.”
Led by experienced Head Coach Karl Soderstrom BS ’93, MA ’95 and Assistant Coach Alice Copland MOL ’21, the team felt prepared for the fight ahead.
With commanding wins over conference and nonconference opponents in early September, the Vikings felt prepared to face their biggest challenge, 21-time conference champion Wheaton.
North Park rose to the occasion, taking two out of three doubles matches and four out of six singles matches to secure a win, their first ever against Wheaton in the regular season.
“Once we beat them, we realized we had a shot at winning it all,” said Starr. “Although we felt confident going into the season, you don’t know if you’ve got what it takes to win until you find yourself in that pressure.”
Embracing the challenge, the Vikings went undefeated through early October, establishing themselves as a legitimate title threat.
In the season’s second-to-last conference match, North Park faced Elmhurst University with a share of the CCIW title on the line. The Vikings swept the series in memorable fashion, losing only four out of the series’ 72 points and earning the program’s first CCIW title.
Although North Park fell to North Central in the season’s final match, the teams split the conference ti-
tle win alongside Wheaton. To the Vikings, the victory was more than a trophy— it was a statement of who they are and what’s to come. Their resilience and determination have redefined the program, setting a new standard that future players will endeavor to surpass as they look to win the title outright next season.
“The support and motivation from our team leaders and coaches pushed us to succeed on and off the court,” said Alex Ristfeldt BA ’25. “Everyone showed up and took responsibility, even on the hard days. That’s what made the difference.”
As the Vikings celebrated their historic season, they weren’t just reflecting on their journey—they were setting the foundation for the future. No longer just competitors in the CCIW, North Park women’s tennis has proven they belong at the top. And they’re just getting started.
The support and motivation from our team leaders and coaches pushed us to succeed on and off the court. Everyone showed up and took responsibility, even on the hard days. That’s what made the difference.”
—ALEX RISTFELDT
North Park University alumni turn their diverse studies into dynamic careers.
By Jared Scott Tesler
North Park University’s rich tradition of embracing the value of an education spanning many disciplines results in all students taking a significant number of courses that address the breadth of human engagement with the natural world, arts, culture, and Christian faith. It affords them a range of knowledge and the ability to explore their different interests within the context of their college career.
While many graduates go on to work in fields related to their majors, North Park’s liberal arts education also produces alumni who display resilience and courage in finding career success on unconventional paths.
Martha Shimkin BA ’84, for instance, studied German, Swedish, and business administration before pursuing a long and impactful career with the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Joanna Kanakis BA ’06—Distinguished Young Alumni Award recipient in 2016 who double-majored in philosophy and French—currently serves as LPL Financial’s senior vice president of institution business development and head of product manufacturing.
LPL Financial is the leading investment and business solutions provider for independent financial advisors nationwide, an organization one may think is limited to those with business degrees.
Similarly, Nancy (Soderberg) Faust BA ’69, an elementary education major, never taught a day in her life. Instead, she was called to music. “Thanks to perfect pitch,” she recalled, “I could play anything I heard.”
While in college, Faust occasionally filled in for her mother, a professional musician, at various engagements. One such event was a 1970 sports banquet attended by General Manager Stu Holcomb of the Chicago White Sox. Upon hearing Faust play, Holcomb hired her as the team’s first female home field organist.
“My years at North Park created lively friendships and the ability to relate to others from all backgrounds,” she said. “This was valuable, as the organ was among the fans behind home plate. With those fans, I formed lasting friendships and welcomed their constant interaction over my 41-year career there.”
Faust’s connections were so strong that the White Sox invited her back to perform six Sunday games during the 2025 season after her nearly 15year hiatus.
Though Audrey Borden BA ’22, who majored in sociology, had originally intended to become a lawyer, she quickly set her sights on entrepreneurship while remaining interested in everything a liberal arts education offers. Rather than changing majors and loading up on business classes, Borden continued along her educational path, taking courses that brought her knowledge and joy while beginning a job as a cafe manager.
“This helped me learn the practical skills I needed to open a business—making drinks and food, customer service, working with a team of people—while taking classes that taught me about our world,” she said.
In August 2023, Borden cofounded—with Michelle Gonzalez BA ’21, MA ’22—October Cafe, a local coffeehouse serving fall-inspired beverages, pastries, and small plates, including vegan options. Like Borden, Gonzalez embraced North Park’s liberal arts education, majoring in early childhood education and returning for her master’s degree in education.
Borden said, “Being a small business owner is one of the best and hardest decisions I’ve made. Every day, you have to work hard and give your all, constantly putting yourself and your business in the limelight. It’s so exciting, terrifying, and worth it to have something that’s your own.”
Jamal Bakr MA ’22 has embraced and exemplified resilience not only through his academic and career paths but also through his faith. An inaugural cohort member of North Park Theological Seminary’s School of Restorative Arts, Bakr earned his four-year Master of Arts in Christian
“My years at North Park created lively friendships and the ability to relate to others from all backgrounds. This was valuable, as the organ was among the fans behind home plate. With those fans, I formed lasting friendships and welcomed their constant interaction over my 41-year career there.”
Nancy (Soderberg) Faust
Ministry as a resident scholar at Stateville Correctional Center.
During the program, he took the course “Ministry, Identity, and Practice” with Lecturer Pastor Philip “Phil” Jackson.
“That class introduced me to the versatility of my degree and the possibility of its role in my calling as a violence preventionist and mentor,” Bakr said. “I started considering doing preemptive deterrence—a concept I learned through my coursework—in the free world.”
Less than a year after his graduation, Bakr was resentenced and given an opportunity for early release thanks to a youth offender parole hearing.
Following his calling, Bakr researched community-based
“If not for my faith, receiving a prison sentence that I knew I wouldn’t survive would have undoubtedly destroyed any potential I had to discover purpose. I saw my freedom because my faith allowed me to see what my eyes could not and gave me the bravery and audacity to move toward it.”
violence intervention programs in Chicago and discovered the Firehouse Community Arts Center. The nonprofit organization offers yearround, multidisciplinary cultural arts programming, mentorship, and leadership and workforce development centered around preventing and interrupting violence, particularly among youth and young
—Jamal Bakr
adults in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood.
Its founder and chief executive officer? Pastor Phil Jackson. Bakr reached out, and Jackson hired him on the spot. “Most people run from conflict. Seldom do they run toward it. And if they do, it’s to record it with their phones. Even more rare are people who try to intervene and prevent conflict,” Bakr said. “I was one of the few taking this approach to conflict while on the inside, and it was only natural for me to continue this calling—for life and a career— on the outside.”
He continued, “If not for my faith, receiving a prison sentence that I knew I wouldn’t survive would have undoubtedly destroyed any potential I had to discover purpose. I saw my freedom because my faith allowed me to see what my eyes could not and gave me the bravery and audacity to move toward it.”
By Ellen Almer BA ’94
North Park University’s (NPU) Kaia Thompson BA ’25 spent a recent spring morning sipping fruity beverages in a classroom in the Nancy and G. Timothy Johnson Center for Science and Community Life. It was all part of her position as a peer student success coach (PSSC), where she helped younger students adjust to the new world of college.
“Finding a community that supports you can make or break your college experience,” said Thompson, a biomedical sciences major whose mentoring role included sharing educational resources, providing advice, and attending social events with new students.
Hence, her foray to the Chemistry Club, where she indulged in fruit mocktails with fellow students, many of them commuters; the early meeting time was to accommodate their schedules.
The PSSC program is one of many innovative North Park initiatives
designed to attract and retain a generation of college students impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, helping them navigate university life’s social and academic rigors.
Other programs that encourage resilience among first-year students are the OneGoal program, supporting first-year students from underresourced Illinois high schools; the Lighthouse Cohort Program, assisting first-generation college students; COMPASS, helping students who face academic challenges thrive during their first year; and the new pilot program Persisting through Advising and Student Outreach, or PASO.
For Evelyn Aucutt, senior director of academic engagement and student success and a first-generation college graduate herself, one of the keys to success is consistent support.
“It’s about learning the culture, and higher education is a culture like no other,” said Aucutt, who was part of the team that helped NPU achieve its federal status as a Hispanic Serving Institution. “Universities have a way of conversing that’s new to students. Sometimes, students need
reinforcement; they don’t always get it the first time.”
Former PSSC Nora Nunez BS ’25 sent her mentees brief monthly surveys to stay in touch. She found the short-form questionnaires—where she asked what students were working on, how classes were going, and even what shows they were watching— were a great way to remind students they have support when needed.
“We’re the first person you see at registration and the people you see the whole year,” said Nunez, who majored in psychology. “PSSCs are that
“I needed help getting into school for my master’s, and I had to seek it out. That inspired me to get into higher education, to bring the same support I received and make it more accessible.”
—Claudia Gonzalez
rock for new students.”
Grant money has provided invaluable support for these programs, Aucutt said. For example, North Park received a recent grant from the National Science Foundation that provides resources for a new advisor position for first-year students majoring in a science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) field.
That advisor, Claudia Gonzalez, has a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling and a background as a college admissions counselor. She is well-equipped to guide students
“We’re the first person you see at registration and the people you see the whole year. PSSCs are that rock for new students.”
—Nora Nunez
through the challenges of their demanding majors.
In her position, Gonzalez will also teach a first-year STEM seminar to help students develop the foundational skills they need to succeed in college. Topics will include everything from navigating a syllabus to understanding the importance of faculty office hours.
“I needed help getting into school for my master’s, and I had to seek it out,” Gonzalez said. “That inspired me to get into higher education, to bring the same support I received and
make it more accessible.”
Matthew Butin, Crux program coordinator, supports first-year students in their faith journeys. As head of NPU’s living-learning discipleship community, he helps students balance academics with following Jesus together.
“Young adult formation is a sacred time,” said Butin, who exposes students to new experiences with frequent trips to Chicago neighborhoods. “I love connecting with young people as they make identity choices, asking themselves how they want to
align with Christ now that they’re out of their parents’ house. I love walking with students on that journey toward identity formation.”
Butin said the dozen or so Crux students he leads each year are a tremendously diverse group with different theological convictions, political affiliations, and cultural backgrounds.
“We’re striving to be an inclusive community of grace,” Butin said, noting that students often present a wide array of solutions to social issues. “In the real world, everyone makes mistakes and needs grace to grow, too.”
Crux students go on to a post-graduation life with an appreciation of the world’s complexity while humanizing the many types of people who populate it, Butin said.
“Crux students often say the program is unlike anything they’ve done before. They tell me the experience has been more transformative and difficult than anything they’ve done, and despite living alongside people who are often their opposites, they are closer to them than anyone else,” Butin added.
This in-person, peer-to-peer sup -
port model is key, said Aucutt, especially in an environment where young people often communicate solely via social media.
Leslie Castillo, director of first-year experience, encourages in-person bonding among new students and their older peers.
“More than ever, students are having difficulty making friends,” Castillo said. “They say to me, ‘Leslie, I don’t know how to meet people,’ and I take them to events—like the Viking Fair—to check out the clubs we have that they can join.”
Gonzalez shares the same goal: to ease the transition for first-year students. “I’m here to support them,” she said. “It’s personal for me; I’m passionate about helping students find their way, and I want them to believe in themselves.”
“Crux students often say ... the experience has been more transformative and difficult than anything they’ve done, and despite living alongside people who are often their opposites, they are closer to them than anyone else.”
—Matthew Butin
By Megan Gilmore BA ’05, MA ’13, MNA ’13
When Mariana Costa BS ’25 arrived at North Park, she began a journey that would test her resilience in ways most students don’t anticipate.
Costa came to the United States from Lisbon, Portugal, leaving behind a father with a terminal illness and a family struggling with the costs and circumstances of caring for him. She promised her father she would do her best to attend college and build a better life for her whole family.
Having never even visited the US before, Costa moved in with an uncle in Chicago, leading her to North Park as a first-year track and field student-athlete. She brought
an already strong faith but found a deeper grounding in a community that helped support her through her father’s death in her first semester.
“The beautiful community we have at North Park got me through it,” she said. For Costa and many other students, that community has formed through connections in faith.
University Ministries (UMin) is the cornerstone of the undergraduate campus faith community, offering chapel on Wednesdays, a Sunday-night CollegeLife service, small groups, service opportunities at home and abroad, and many standalone events each year.
With its home in the Nancy and G.
Timothy Johnson Center for Science and Community Life, UMin has also become a space where students gather to be physically in community.
More than 60 students regularly crowd into the offices following chapel to continue their fellowship. Students of all backgrounds and faiths bring their homework to UMin throughout the week, finding space to hang out where it is safe to ask hard questions and simply enjoy each other’s company.
“In my eight years at North Park, this has been one of the most impactful; we have built so many meaningful connections with our students,” said Campus Pastor and Athletic
Chaplain Rev. Dr. Terence Gadsden DMin ’23, “Students come to our space, events, and services because we show them the love of Christ.”
In reflecting on students’ resilience—many navigating post-pandemic life, global uncertainties, and balancing academics, work, and family time—Gadsden said, “The world we live in is challenging. We have honest discussions with our students about what real faith in God looks like in
“I believe all the challenges I have gone through happened to shape me into an empathetic person, a person of faith who will help others as they have helped me.”
—Mariana Costa
turbulent times and what it means to love God and our neighbors in the most difficult moments of life we each face.”
“Our students are brilliant,” he added. “They have taught me so much— I’m learning what resilience looks like through them.”
UMin’s staff, student leaders, and programs demonstrate how Jesus engages the realities of life and how faith makes a real difference in people’s well-being. Students who serve in programs like Urban Outreach, Friday Night Street Ministries, and Global Partnerships—no matter their background—build a foundation for understanding the world through community and connection.
Chapel, CollegeLife, LifeGroups, and Prayer Ministry invite students to build on their experiential learning and service, rooting that practice in personal faith to move throughout the world with resilience, compassion, and empathy.
“Faith is not separate from our mental health, relationships, career, or civic life and engagement,” said CollegeLife and Spiritual Formation Coordinator Pete Anderson BA ’08, MDiv ’13. “Rather, faith is central to all life and a driving force for students as they move through college and beyond.”
“You build resilience by diving deeper into who you are and what you care about. What is your life anchored in? What is the foundation of your life? What drives you? People need to discover for themselves what or who that something is. Until then, it’s difficult to face hardship,” said Director of University Ministries Anthony Zamble.
Returning to school for her sophomore year, Costa’s journey took an unexpected turn as she faced housing loss, a challenge that would follow her into her junior year. She held deeply to her faith, certain that God would help her overcome these challenges. And within her North Park community, she found encouragement and tangible help from her friends.
Living out faith in noticeable ways is what Anderson hopes to inspire in students through North Park’s spiritual formation opportunities.
“As we engage with the real lives of students, they have the opportunity to connect their faith and physical lives,” Anderson said. “These moments within the faith community can give a larger sense of purpose; there can be visions of hope in times of hopelessness.”
Now an intern with Transform Capital—a local nonprofit that aims to ignite generational wealth for families marginalized by traditional financial systems—Costa hopes her story encourages others to stay the course through the hardships they will face.
“No matter what you’re going through, God loves you, and there’s a community that loves God and loves you,” she said. “I believe all the challenges I have gone through happened to shape me into an empathetic person, a person of faith who will help others as they have helped me.”
“Faith is not separate from our mental health, relationships, career, or civic life and engagement. Rather, faith is central to all life and a driving force for students as they move through college and beyond.”
—Pete Anderson
1 | Golden Circle honorees smile together in front of Old Main. This class graduated from North Park College in 1975.
2 | Loved ones celebrate with their graduate while flying a Kyrgyzstan flag.
3 | Friends adorned in stoles that read “Women in STEM” pose for a photo in front of the ivy-covered Nyvall Hall.
4 | A graduating student leads with the North Park University crest for graduates to follow through campus and into the Commencement ceremony.
5 | Steps before receiving her diploma, a graduate waves to her family in the sea of faces at Helwig Recreation Center.
6 | With his diploma in hand, a new alumnus exits the Commencement stage.
7 | The North Park Theological Seminary Commencement procession enters Anderson Chapel.
8 | A graduate wears a hand-designed cap that says, “With God, all things are possible.”
9 | A group of graduates eagerly waits to be called to the stage to receive their diplomas.
Personal connections have always been at the heart of Beth Anderson Hjelm’s BA ’77 North Park experience.
A retired physical education teacher, Hjelm credits Professor Gertruda
“Trudy” Zemelis with helping her land an interview for her first teaching job. Though Hjelm’s career centered around working with school-age children, she also served as an adjunct lecturer and cooperating teacher for North Park student teachers.
“I hope the mission of North Park, ‘to prepare students for lives of significance and service,’ is reflected in my life and my choices,” Hjelm says. “My desire was to be the best teacher I could be, share my love for learning and movement with my students,
My desire was to be the best teacher I could be, share my love for learning and movement with my students, and mentor teachers in their quest to provide quality physical education for their students.
and mentor teachers in their quest to provide quality physical education for their students.”
North Park—and teaching—is a family affair. Hjelm’s husband, the late Dr. John R. Hjelm BA ’75, longtime professor of exercise and sport, was a fellow North Parker, as are their daughters, Andra Hjelm Dalton BS ’06, a local middle school physical education and health teacher, and Lisa Hjelm Cousineau BA ’08, a Michigan-based math intervention specialist. The Hjelm women established a scholarship fund in John’s memory to continue his legacy and inspire future North Park exercise science and physical education majors to strive for excellence through passion and commitment.
Hjelm has not only stayed connected to North Park through this scholarship: she and her college friends—Sharon Hanstad Anderson BA ’77, Kerstin Swanson Hilton BA ’77, and Ruth Jensen Zschoche BA ’77—remain in close contact and will soon embark on a trip to celebrate a milestone birthday and more than 50 years of friendship.
“I predict there will be lots of laughter, some tears, great food, and little sleep,” Hjelm says. “A lot like Ohlson House in September 1973!”
When Sidney Francois-Friis BS ’19 graduated in December 2019, his future was all planned out. He stepped into 2020 as a media strategist for a global company, one of 10 graduates hired after a national recruitment effort.
Then, March 2020 arrived.
“That was a reality check,” said Francois-Friis, who was laid off that month and forced to give up his plans. “Everything changed and went into silent mode. But I didn’t look back.”
Reimagining his future, he turned the world’s misfortune into community service.
“That May, I started leading free outdoor workouts. We started with five people,” said Francois-Friis. Eventually—thanks to social media—his sessions on the Jones College Prep/ NTA track and field grew to 90 attendees, sparking a business idea.
Francois-Friis founded fitness company Yogaletics in 2021, inspired by his first-ever yoga class at Helwig Recreation Center. The class was a revelation, inspiring him to share the practice with men and people of color.
“As an athlete, I experienced many injuries. Yoga taught me the importance of flexibility and strength,” said Francois-Friis, who was a defensive back for the Viking football team.
University and the Chicago Urban League, and brought 15 Chicago kids to Colombia to explore what it means to be African American in the diaspora.
My whole organization is rooted in faith, from trusting and believing in God.
Yoga also allows the body to release trauma, he said. In addition to workouts, Yogaletics offers lifestyle coaching, meditation and breath work classes, and courses that branch into restorative justice.
Francois-Friis has been sponsored by Nike and Under Armour, established partnerships with Dominican
His motivation, he said, comes from his Christian faith.
“I know this work is bigger than me. My whole organization is rooted in faith, from trusting and believing in God,” said Francois-Friis. “That journey started at North Park. God is allowing me to live my purpose.”
This winter, North Park University (NPU) welcomed five members into the Viking Hall of Fame Class of 2024: Carl Wistrom BA ’77; Jodi Mullen Fondell BA ’82, MDiv ’93; Elina Åberg BS ’17; Rasmus Sardar-Elfgaard BS ’17; and Luke Johnson.
A former Viking baseball student-athlete, Wistrom’s off-the-field contributions as NPU’s physical plant director—maintaining the campus and athletics facilities—have helped North Park successfully host multiple championship events.
Mullen Fondell was a starter and captain for women’s volleyball and softball, twice earning most valuable
player for volleyball. She later served as NPU’s chaplain and became an ordained Evangelical Covenant Church pastor.
The most awarded track and field student-athlete in Viking history, Åberg qualified six times for the NCAA national field. In 2017, she finished as eighth-best NCAA indoor long jumper, an All-American, and College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Indoor Track Athlete of the Year.
Teammate Mandy Papke BS ’18 introduced Åberg, sharing, “She gave every event her all, and afterward, not only cheered on our team but competitors, too.”
Two-time All-American Sardar-Elfgaard is among NPU’s top track and field student-athletes, setting four NPU school records. He earned a doz-
en All-CCIW accolades and became NPU’s first individual conference title winner in 12 seasons.
Johnson, Vikings baseball head coach since 2006, has led the team to 13 CCIW playoffs and three titles. He has the most wins in program history and is a four-time CCIW Coach of the Year. He has coached 50 All-CCIW honorees, three CCIW Players of the Year, five All-Americans, and five Gold Glove awardees.
“What sets Luke apart is how he has shaped and guided each player who has walked into his dugout,” said his wife, Kelli Johnson, as she introduced him.
The induction of these individuals honors their profound contributions to the NPU community; their legacy will inspire generations of Vikings to come.
At the 2025 Midwinter Conference, North Park Theological Seminary (NPTS) honored Rev. Curtis Ivanoff MA ’08 with its Distinguished Alumni Award.
Ivanoff found community among his NPTS classmates and professors and remained connected after graduating by serving on North Park University’s Board of Trustees.
A fourth-generation Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC) member in Alaska, Ivanoff served as an associate pastor at Unalakleet Covenant Church, then as campus pastor and director of admissions at Alaska
Christian College before his election to the ECC’s Alaska Conference superintendency.
At Midwinter, North Park University President Mary K. Surridge described Ivanoff as a “gifted and faithful Covenant leader, a beloved North Park Theological Seminary graduate, and a wise and gifted counselor and friend.”
Ivanoff opened his acceptance speech with Psalm 147:1, which reads “Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant and praise is beautiful.” He noted the psalm serves as an anthem of his
home church and an expression of his gratitude for receiving the award and being part of the ECC community.
He reflected on the Indigenous brothers and sisters who served and were friends with Swedish immigrant descendants—including his great-grandfather, who also studied at NPTS—mirroring the multiethnic mosaic of God’s kingdom that we see even more prevalently today.
Ivanoff then looked toward the future, highlighting other Indigenous Covenanters, including Tamara Ravelo, who will become the first Covenant-ordained Indigenous woman in June 2025.
“I rejoice and give thanks to God for the way He is shaping our church to reflect the mosaic of his kingdom, to give a representation to the world of hope, of life, and how walls can be torn down,” Ivanoff said.
I’m grateful that my gifts over the past 10 years have supported past and current students and will continue to assist future North Parkers.
—MEL SODERSTROM BA ’60
$313,849
Total results
$272,762 North Park Fund
$16,997 Student Care Fund
$8,350 Viking Club
$15,740 Other
We’ve given during all 10 Blue & Gold Days and plan to continue giving because we love seeing the vibrant energy of the North Park community rallying together.
—HANNAH PREVOST-SCHULTZ BA ’09, MOL ’18 AND JUSTIN PREVOST-SCHULTZ BS ’11, MBA ’18
The Office of Advancement’s newest team members will assist you with implementing giving strategies that help you meet your philanthropic goals and maximize your impact on the North Park community. Email advancement@northpark.edu to get started.
541 donors
2
countries represented by donors who gifted
32 states represented by donors who gifted
At 91, George Lundberg AA ’50 is editor in chief of Cancer Commons, editor at large at Medscape, president of the Lundberg Institute, and serves on various faculties and boards. His family includes his spouse, five children and their spouses, 11 grandchildren, and four greatgrandchildren.
Operation Nightwatch launched Donna Jean’s Place, a women’s shelter named in honor of Donna Jean Johnson Palmberg AA ’56, whose late husband Burdette Palmberg AA ’54, MDiv ’62 founded Nightwatch.
Anthony Giron joined the Office of Advancement and Alumni Engagement in January as the new director of alumni engagement. Giron has more than 20 years of experience in higher education, ministry, relationship building, and community engagement. In this role, he fosters strong relationships among alumni, students, North Park, and the broader community. Giron spent 10 years at InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and, most recently, in leadership roles at a technology startup and nonprofits focused on youth development and educational access. A lifelong Chicagoan and New Community Covenant Church member, he lives on the West Side with his wife and three children.
Marilyn P. Grenat BA ’60 published a children’s book called Three Little Birds Flew Away, which features illustrations from her five-year-old grandson Harry.
Robert Burgan C ’61 fondly remembers participating in the 1958–59 choir tours, singing baritone in two quartets, and performing gospel music at local Covenant churches. He still enjoys singing in Barbershop Harmony Society quartets and connecting with his NPU roommate Ted McKercher and choir friend Lenore Franzen Dupuis BA ’62.
Diane Halstead BA ’62 founded Global Infectious Disease Consultants, LLC, in 2016 and has since published and spoken worldwide on sepsis and multi-drug-resistant organisms. As Florida’s representative to the Workforce Action Alliance, she works to promote medical laboratory science careers. She has a Master of Science in Microbiology and a PhD in Microbiology and Immunology; each degree has an emphasis in virology.
Steven Weinberg BA ’70 wrote two nonfiction books. The New England Book Fair recently awarded Above Quota Performance first prize in the business category and Above Quota Sales Management honorable mention in the same category.
Since retiring from 38 years of worship and music ministry at Hilmar Covenant Church in 2018, Daniel Johnson BA ’75 has been working at a local mortuary as an attendant to families. He works with both religious and nonreligious families to coordinate graveside services.
James Millingon BA ’76 retired from his IT career at Chicago Title & Trust Company and Allstate.
Jeffrey Martin BA ’78 opened a law firm with his daughter, Shauna. Martin Law, LLC, is headquartered in Arlington Heights, Illinois.
Orchid Black named Jim LaPalermo BA ’82 to its leadership team as a managing partner. LaPalermo brings decades of experience as a technology executive, entrepreneur, and investor to this new role.
Jennifer Pope BA ’98, MA ’00 and Christina (Sawyer) Maldonado BA ’16 met while completing a chaplain residency program at Rush University Medical Center. Pope specializes in oncology and psychiatry chaplaincy, and Maldonado oversees end-of-life care in the medical intensive care and hospice units.
Amy (Cassidy) Ward BA ’98 and Simon Ward moved to Door County, Wisconsin, where Amy teaches special education and Simon runs a golf course. Their sons enjoyed attending North Park’s Homecoming 2024.
Brian Zeid MBA ’99 received the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award from the Marquis Who’s Who. Zeid works at the University of Illinois Chicago as an accountant and is a member of the Chancellor’s Committee on Sustainability and the Business and Finance Services Reporting Committee.
Marin (Jacoby) Jewell BA ’04 completed her master’s in special education and learning disabilities in 2024. This past fall, she began her 18th year in education as a special education teacher and a new teacher coach in Redford, Michigan. She celebrated with her parents, Jim Jacoby BA ’79 and Carol, husband Dan, and son Alec.
Ashley E. Peterson BA ’06 played reed 1 as a local musician with the traveling Broadway show The Little Mermaid for an eight-show run at the Lied Center for Performing Arts.
The Minnesota African American Heritage Calendar honored Deacon Corey Lashawn Boyd Sr. BGS ’08, public engagement liaison for the Office of Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, for bridging Minnesotan communities. Boyd is one of 15 class of 2025 honorees, highlighting those who have made a lifetime commitment to public service or volunteerism.
Trevor Nicholas BME ’08 is a 2025 Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching finalist. Nicholas will begin PhD studies in Northwestern University’s music education program in the fall.
Encompass New Opera Theatre named Oswaldo Iraheta BA ’10 its artist in residence. He is the first to receive the title in the organization’s 50-year history.
Tristin Jackson BA ’13, MDiv ’16 and Miguel Barriga BM ’16 married on January 26, 2025, at Isaacson Chapel, where Jackson’s grandparents were married in 1964.
Sarah (Tenglin) Larson BS ’15 and Bjorn Larson BS ’16 welcomed their third child, Joel Frederik, on March 29, 2024. He joins big sister Connie and big brother Soren.
Allie Zelinski BA ’16 and Jake Holtkamp welcomed their first baby girl, Maelie Jo, on September 24, 2024. They recently bought a house in Belleville, Illinois, and look forward to their wedding in June.
Sean Burke BA ’17 traded the city lights for the quiet country life in 2022 when he accepted a position in the Illinois River Valley region, supporting agricultural sales and supply chain management. He moves products to and from farmers’ fields and into facility terminals.
Meghan (Weber) Roessler MHEA ’17 published a rhyming children’s book, Wrigley’s Wanderings: A Tail of Adventure in Atlanta, which features stories of her adopted puppy, Wrigley, and his travels.
Kristina Lundeen BA ’18 and Charles Robin BA ’20 met at North Park University in 2017 and married
on February 14, 2025. Many North Park friends and alumni were in attendance.
Sarah (Hua-Pham) Hillier BA ’19 and Robert Hillier BA ’19 are grateful to North Park and love coming back to support their alma mater. They married in 2024 and are expecting a baby boy in June. Sarah is an athletic trainer and Robert is a senior leasing manager.
Regina Lowe MA ’19 started a new role as senior director of programs with the nonprofit Rung for Women, where she began working in 2021 as a transformation coach. This role fulfills her personal and professional interests—coaching, program design, and mission-centric work.
Psychotherapist Nicole L. Townsend MA ’23 recently joined Move | Well, an online space dedicated to personal development, mental wellness, and mindful movement.
Eva M. Gregory NPC ’46 passed away on September 7, 2024, in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.
Edna A. Hammond NPC ’46 passed away on October 1, 2024, in Chico, California.
Miriam R. Pope NPC ’47 passed away on November 3, 2024, in Plantation, Florida.
Albert A. Damrose AA ’50, BA ’57 passed away on September 20, 2024, in Rockford, Ilinois.
Gretchen E. Young AA ’50 passed away on November 7, 2024, in Pleasant Hill, Iowa.
Amelia Page NPC ’53 passed away on September 27, 2024, in Chicago.
Marilyn L. Wikman NPC ’53 passed away on September 18, 2024, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Rev. LeRoy M. Johnson AA ’54, MDiv ’60 of Northbrook, Illinois, passed away in Florida on February 8, 2025. Johnson received the North Park University Distinguished Alumni Award in 2003 and an
honorary doctorate from North Park Theological Seminary in 2007.
James A. Lindblade AA ’56 passed away on November 14, 2024, in Madison, Wisconsin.
Betty L. Johnson AA ’56 passed away on December 19, 2024, in Peabody, Massachusetts.
Marilyn C. Anderson BA ’63 passed away on November 26, 2024, in Vero Beach, Florida.
Duane A. Olson BA ’64 passed away on December 24, 2024, in Carefree, Arizona.
Rebecca L. Holmlund BA ’65 passed away on December 11, 2024, in Centennial, Colorado.
Ruby A. Isaacson NPC ’65 passed away on January 15, 2025, in Houghton, Michigan.
Retired Covenant minister Donald Ostrom BA ’66, MDiv ’73 passed away at age 80 on December 22, 2024, in Brownsburg, Indiana. Ostrom was ordained in the Evangelical Covenant Church in 1974. His
ministry career spanned more than 50 years as a youth minister, intern pastor, lead pastor, interim pastor, and on-call hospital chaplain. He served on several boards and commissions in the Northwest Conference, including Covenant World Relief & Development, the Ministerial Association, and the evangelism committee. He was also on the Great Lakes Conference committee on ministry. Ostrom was a member of Hope Covenant Church in Indianapolis since 2019. A celebration of life was held on January 4, 2025.
Larry L. Riggs BA ’66 passed away on December 29, 2024, in McHenry, Illinois.
Charles (Chuck) A. Eklund BS ’69 passed away on December 22, 2024, in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Ingrid E. O’Reilly BA ’69 passed away on January 20, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Sara L. Hegner BA ’70 passed away on September 10, 2024, in Des Moines, Iowa.
Gordon J. Schultz BA ’70 passed away on October 9, 2024, in Boston.
Karen E. VerHage BA ’70 passed away on November 11, 2024, in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Alvin D. Dial BA ’82 passed away on February 6, 2025, in Decatur, Illinois.
Jane E. Nosal BA ’83 passed away on November 22, 2024, in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.
Kathleen M. O’Donoghue MDiv ’04 passed away on September 30, 2024, in Bridgewater, Massachusetts.
Molly R. Philosophos MNA ’12 passed away on February 12, 2025, in Milwaukee.
Hans Nilsson, a longtime friend of North Park University, passed away on January 1, 2025. For more than 30 years, he directed the College Line exchange program between Södra Vätterbygden Folkhögskola and North Park, retiring in 2011. His leadership shaped countless students’ experiences, guiding them through a year-long exchange.
More than a teacher, Nilsson was a storyteller, comedian, and friend. He became a beloved part of the North Park community, forging deep relationships. Alongside his wife, Katrin, he welcomed students into their home, offering warmth and support.
The College Line program, established in 1975, is the longestrunning American-Swedish exchange program. Nilsson joined as program dean in 1977, leading generations of students through immersive cultural experiences. His deep knowledge of European history and culture enriched students’ worldviews. He often said, “Through living in another country, you don’t go home—you go home a different person.”
The Hans Nilsson and Katrin Franke Sweden Scholarship Fund, named in Nilsson’s honor, helps to offset the cost of studying abroad for students who demonstrate financial need. To donate to the scholarship fund, please visit northpark.edu/give. In the “Designation,” select “Other,” then type the fund’s full name. You may alternatively mail contributions to:
North Park University Office of Advancement, Box 6 3225 W. Foster Ave. Chicago, IL 60625-4895
You may also give to the Swedish Heart and Lung Foundation at hjart-lungfonden.se/om-oss/in-english/.
“It is impossible to review the history of North Park without ... recounting the numerous benefits which the Covenant Women’s Auxiliary has bestowed upon it. The entire campus is alive with [their] contributions— Caroline Hall, Helen Sohlberg Hall, Mellander Library—just to mention a few specific projects that will forever bear the sacrificial stamp of the Auxiliary.”
Clarence Nelson, president of North Park College from 1950–59, wrote these words in 1956, and nearly 70 years later, we are still engaged in reviewing and recounting these benefits.
Caroline Hall, built in 1924, is a direct result of the Covenant Women’s Auxiliary’s fundraising efforts. Named after Caroline “Lena” Sahlstrom, the first female faculty member and dean of women at North Park College, it was the women’s dorm for many years before being repurposed for other campus needs.
The Covenant Women’s Auxiliary comprised small groups of women associated with local churches who raised funds for North Park, humanitarian efforts, and progressive causes—and wrote cookbooks.
Their cookbooks are paradigmatic examples of “community cookbooks.”
Unlike mainstream cookbooks with one author and an authoritative tone, a group creates “community cookbooks.” There is often disagreement—several recipes for the same dish—and the recipes and commentary reflect the historical context. These cookbooks celebrate the daily work of feeding people, and the publishing projects were nearly always used as a fundraiser for an outside cause.
This history reminds us that small efforts at the local level can create meaningful and lasting change.
