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.
Dedication and Community Open House to Celebrate Nancy and G. Timothy Johnson Center for Science and Community Life
The Johnson Center at 糖心vlog官方入口
CHICAGO, IL (September 11, 2014) — 糖心vlog官方入口, on Chicago’s North Side, announces the opening of the $45 million . The three-story, 101,000-square-foot building is , incorporating a number of sustainable elements both in its construction and use.
The Johnson Center was named after who “exemplify North Park’s dedication to ‘educating students for lives of significance and service,’” according to University president, Dr. David Parkyn.
Dr. G. Timothy Johnson served as chief medical editor for ABC News from 1984 to 2010, and became one of America’s best-known physicians, providing award-winning on-air medical analysis on Good Morning America, World News Tonight, Nightline, and 20/20. He still serves as senior medical correspondent for ABC News. Nancy Johnson trained as a nurse at the Swedish Covenant Hospital School of Nursing, which included completing science courses at North Park.
commenced in October 2012 after a successful development effort, which included more than 11,000 donors, and construction was completed in August 2014. The Johnson Center was designed by longtime architectural partner to the University, , and built by .
The Smart technology in the classrooms and laboratories, including lecture-capture capabilities, real-time sharing of data for collaboration and group activity, HDTV interactive SmartPodiums, and wireless airplay from iPads. Every lab is ADA compliant for wheelchair accessibility, and the building features more than $850,000 in state-of-the-art science equipment, plus areas for many disciplines of study including molecular genetics, zoology, microscopy, and anatomy—with a cadaver lab.
The new equipment and facility have allowed the University to totally transform the lab management program, making it "safe and environmentally responsible," according to , professor and chair of the , who was lead faculty liaison for the Johnson Center design charrettes. These charrettes provided input to the building design from 糖心vlog官方入口 faculty, staff, students, and board members. Dr. Rienstra-Kiracofe will also teach a class in environmental chemistry utilizing some of the building-specific LEED technology.
The Johnson Center merges the concepts of student life with science, and also houses all aspects of at the University, including , , Student Success, the , and .
The design provides a variety of , including “pods” to support student/faculty research and discussion, a balcony and student lounge overlooking the first floor entryway, Bickner Bistro with Einstein Bros Bagels, three seating areas with a fireplace, and seminar and conference rooms with catering capabilities for on-site events. There is also a dedicated Prayer Room, which features a cross and bench hand-crafted in a symbolic gesture of “transformation” using wood from a Mulberry tree that was removed prior to construction of the building.
are schedule for September 12 and 13, 2014, including ribbon-cutting, a community open house and a Medicine & Media Symposium featuring Dr. Johnson, ABC’s Charles Gibson, and Dr. Joseph Martin. The symposium and ribbon cutting will also be available to watch online at .
Sustainability a Priority at 糖心vlog官方入口 Johnson Center for Science and Community Life
Sustainability features include a “green roof” on the Johnson Center for Science and Community Life, which not only promotes stewardship but provides a real-life laboratory for environmental science students at 糖心vlog官方入口.
CHICAGO, IL (September 9, 2014) 鈥� When the new was being conceived as an integral part of 糖心vlog官方入口鈥檚 campus, sustainability was a critically important component to the overall design and use of the building. North Park worked closely with longtime architectural partner, VOA Associates Inc., to conceive what has been designed to achieve Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, which establishes criteria for the construction of sustainable buildings.
鈥淓nvironmental stewardship and sustainability within our urban campus setting was one of our main objectives,鈥� said Carl Balsam, executive vice president and chief financial officer of 糖心vlog官方入口.
LEED-certified buildings are designed to lower operating costs, reduce waste sent to landfills during construction and operation, conserve energy and water, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and increase asset value. Utilizing a LEED checklist of targeted sustainable solutions, 糖心vlog官方入口 was able to provide the best environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors, while also minimizing waste, reducing toxins, lowering potential energy bills and operating costs, and achieving healthier indoor air quality.
Throughout the design process, participants in design charrettes鈥攚hich included scientists, faculty, staff and administrators, and students鈥攇ave input to the architectural team for the design of a building that would create a space for all students, optimize outdoor space and daylight, as well as meet sustainability goals. That design is evident in the two-story atrium, and lobby, which encourages gathering and social interaction.
A number of sustainable solutions were implemented throughout design and construction phases. The Johnson Center is on track to achieve LEED Gold status. The sustainable points achieved as regulated by LEED include Sustainable Site; Water Efficiency; Energy and Atmosphere; Materials and Resources; Indoor Environmental Quality and Innovation and Design Process.
Uniquely, many aspects of the Johnson Center LEED certification will be studied and taught as part of the and curriculum at North Park. Specifically, the “Introduction to Environmental Science” class taught by and the “Environmental Chemistry” taught by will study the various components that comprise the Johnson Center’s LEED Gold status, such as the green roof and energy efficiency and sustainable technologies.
Storm water runoff was abated utilizing a green roof, storm water collection, retention and re-use, and vegetated detention areas. Native and adaptive landscaping will help reduce irrigation needs. In addition to the green roof, high albedo, white thermoplastic roof membrane was used to reduce heat absorption and minimize the urban heat island effect.
Because 糖心vlog官方入口鈥檚 urban location provides easy access to multiple public transportation options, exemplary transit related LEED credits were obtained.
about the Johnson Center building, including . For more information about 糖心vlog官方入口鈥檚 Nancy and G. Timothy Johnson Center for Science and Community Life dedication celebration September 12 and 13, visit .
Application Period Open for Axelson Center’s Annual Nonprofit Management Awards
CHICAGO (September 8, 2014) — Applications are now being accepted for the 2015 and the 2015 —two annual honors presented by the at 糖心vlog官方入口 to Chicago-area nonprofit organizations.
The Alford-Axelson Award for Nonprofit Managerial Excellence recognizes nonprofits serving the seven-county Chicago region who exemplify outstanding nonprofit management practices. Applicants are evaluated for their strength in the Hallmarks of Nonprofit Managerial Excellence℠: mission and program; leadership and governance; strategy and innovation; human resources; financial strength and performance; resource generation and external relations; and accountability and integrity.
The Alford-Axelson Award is named for the leadership and legacies of Nils G. Axelson, a devoted community health care leader and visionary, and Jimmie R. Alford, a leading contemporary thinker and practitioner in the nonprofit arena. Winners of the 2015 Alford-Axelson Award will receive a cash prize of at least $5,000. include Chicago Community Loan Fund and Literature for All of Us (2014); Concordia Place and Between Friends (2013); and Center on Halsted and Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation (2012).
“Nonprofit organizations that win the Alford-Axelson award have demonstrated their ability not only to deliver programs and services, but to manage and lead their organizations in ways that contribute to overall sustainability,” said Pier Rogers, director of the Axelson Center. “A review committee comprised of nonprofit and civic leaders use the Hallmarks of Nonprofit Managerial Excellence to assess the organization’s management and leadership. Emerging as a winner after such scrutiny is a major accomplishment, which many of the past winners have proudly shared with their donors and other constituents.”
. Organizations interested in applying are also strongly encourage to submit an prior to completing the application.
The Excellent Emerging Organization Award is presented to an up-and-coming nonprofit serving the Chicago region that shows its leadership through financial stability, sound management practices, strategic vision, and innovation in its programs and service delivery. Past winners include Waukegan to College (2014), Porchlight Conseling Services (2013), and Empowerment through Education and Exposure (2012).
“The Excellent Emerging Organization Award’s past winners demonstrate that small, new organizations can move towards nonprofit excellence,” said Rogers. “Having limited resources doesn’t negate the possibility of getting started on the right track with a vision of excellence and sustainability.”
The winner of the 2015 Excellent Emerging Organization Award will receive a $2,500 cash prize sponsored by MB Financial Bank and a capacity-building package that will support improvement of services and efficiency. . Organizations interested in applying are also strongly encouraged to submit an prior to completing the application.
The Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management at 糖心vlog官方入口 is the source for informative and engaging nonprofit professional development in the Chicago region. Through , an , and an , the Axelson Center delivers a superior educational experience for nonprofit leaders, volunteers and frontline staff, covering a vast array of topics from program evaluation to strategic planning, and communications to financial management. The valuable information presented through these programs enhances the impact of both the nonprofit sector and its professional staff. Visit for more information, including a full schedule of upcoming programs.
Something for All Students at New Nancy and G. Timothy Johnson Center for Science and Community Life
The Johnson Center stands in the center of North Park’s campus in Chicago. It’s four levels are designed to facilitate both learning and community building.
CHICAGO, IL (August 28, 2014) 鈥� When classes started this past Monday at 糖心vlog官方入口, students were eager to explore the new . Unique in its endeavor to combine the sciences with student life, the Johnson Center will offer something for everyone, not only science majors, but all students. That wide appeal was evident on Monday as both new and returning students came to investigate the new facility and its many offerings.
The new Johnson Center was designed with the whole student in mind. The physical structure enhances interaction among students from various disciplines of study, in a unique setting which features shared use of space between science and student engagement such as , , , and more. This design provides maximum opportunity to facilitate student, faculty, and staff interaction, which creates a better experience for everyone.
鈥淭he Johnson Center reflects 糖心vlog官方入口鈥檚 commitment to educate the whole student, intellectually, personally, socially, and spiritually,鈥� said 糖心vlog官方入口 president, . The building was named after North Park alumni, Dr. Tim and Nancy Johnson, who 鈥渆xemplify North Park鈥檚 dedication to 鈥榚ducating students for lives of significance and service,鈥� according to Dr. Parkyn.
Students and families explored the Johnson Center as they arrived to campus for the start of the fall semester. The second floor provides a new view of campus and, on clear days, a view of the downtown Chicago skyline.
Parkyn participated in the collaborative, multi-year design process for the Johnson Center, which is anticipated to achieve LEED Gold certification for sustainable design. Input was sought from all interested parties, from students, faculty, and staff, to the Board of Trustees and the University鈥檚 senior leadership team. 鈥淭he building鈥檚 design is consistent not only with our facility requirements, but also with the approach to education that we take at North Park,鈥� said Parkyn.
The multi-purpose and varied use of the building by all students is illustrated in rooms as diverse as the Smart-classrooms鈥攚ith cutting edge AV and IT equipment and capabilities鈥攁nd the cadaver lab, to the prayer room which features a cross and bench made of repurposed wood from a mulberry tree which was removed prior to the building of the new facility.
The prayer room cross.
Furnishings in the prayer room were created by local sculptor David Orth, who specializes in liturgical art and furnishings, and implement a Japanese method described as 鈥渟hou sugi ban鈥濃�攁 time-honored, multi-step process of scorching and abrading the surface of the wood. 鈥淚t was important to save the tree and let it be transformed to another life,鈥� said Orth in a sentiment that also seems to speak to the design and use of the Johnson Center for 糖心vlog官方入口 students as well.
In addition to the prayer room, two other features are illustrated near the expansive entrance to the Center for Student engagement: a map of Chicago and flags of all the nations in the world arranged according to the country鈥檚 global placement. 鈥淭hese three physical attributes are an example of our belief that when it comes to student learning and success, faith makes a difference, place makes a difference, and people make a difference,鈥� said Dr. Parkyn.
Use @npunews to . Learn more .
Next Steps
Explore the process of building the Johnson Center, with .
Mark your calendars to join us for the , September 12鈥�13.
CHICAGO (August 26, 2014) — More than 600 new undergraduate students began classes yesterday, and already they are starting to glimpse what life at North Park will be like.
It started when they pulled up in cars, packed to the brim with supplies to move into their dorm room. The prospect of unloading the car during Friday’s ninety-degree heat was daunting. But these new students and families were greeted outside of their new home by a crowd of North Park veterans, students who only a couple of years ago were making the same journey down Foster and Spaulding Avenues. These old North Parkers were waiting to unload the cars, showing the new North Parkers what life at this University is really like—a life of service.
Moments like this happened throughout the day Friday. Commuter and veteran students had their own welcome gathering to the University, students met their Crew Groups, took a break from the heat with ice-cream sandwiches, and eventually made their way to the Welcome Convocation in the Gymnasium.
“The secret to a great first year at North Park comes in the first week,” said 糖心vlog官方入口 President Dr. David Parkyn. It’s in the friends you meet and staff you come to know that will shape your journey. “Your faculty at North Park, along with all the other educators who are part of this community, are here to walk alongside you—to make sure you get from today to commencement day. This is more than a job for us, it’s our vocation, our calling,” Dr. Parkyn said. North Park faculty and staff offer a similar picture as the students who unloaded cars—a life of service.
Festivities continued throughout the weekend, as families said good-bye and students became further immersed in the culture of North Park. They explored Chicago and the campus they now called home, with a double decker tour of the city and a glow-in-the dark campus tour. They began to build relationships through North Park’s newest tradition of “speed friending.” The weekend was capped by the first Collegelife of the year, the weekly communal worship experience designed to help students learn and live out what it means to follow Jesus. It’s another glimpse of life at North Park—a life of significance.
Throughout Threshold, we tuned in to Twitter and Instagram to see what others were up to. Take a look at the collection below for some of the images and thoughts that have been shared.
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Worship continued Monday morning, as North Park Theological Seminary welcomed its own set of new students with a Seminary Convocation service. The occasion was marked with a , entering his final year at North Park. “You change because you encounter truth,” said Dr. Snodgrass. “If you didn’t want to change, you shouldn’t have walked through the door.” Dr. Snodgrass’ life and message echoes that picture of North Park—a life of significance.
Celebrations also continued on Monday, as the doors of the new Johnson Center swung open ready to welcome students to their first class of the year. Students, faculty, and staff came from all over campus to gather together in the lobby for breakfast, offering the entire North Park community a much-anticipated glimpse of what the next chapter at North Park will bring.
Learn more about 糖心vlog官方入口’s , which continues through Friday, August 29.
Use and to follow 糖心vlog官方入口 on Twitter. Find us on and . Learn more .
Johnson C'09 Quit Job, Moved Across Country to Achieve Ultimate Moment
Kelly Johnson C'09 dives for a disc while battling in the championship game at the World Ultimate Club Championship in Lecco, Italy.
SEATTLE (August 22, 2014) — Kelly Johnson, a 2009 糖心vlog官方入口 graduate, recently achieved a dream when her Ultimate team, Seattle Riot, won the World Ultimate Club Championship in Lecco, Italy, on August 9, in just her first season with the team.
Ultimate is a non-contact, self-refereed team sport played with a flying disc (or Frisbee™). The event is held every four years, with 32 teams from around the world competing for the crown.
We caught up with Johnson after she returned home from the tournament and vacation.
What is your general reaction to winning?
Still very surreal! It's such a great feeling of accomplishment. We (Riot) have been relentless during our season. We've put in countless hours developing and refining offensive and defensive packages; we've poured tons of sweat in intense track and gym workouts; we've committed to being the best teammates we can be to support, love and trust each other. Taking first in both the World Championship and also the Spirit Division validates all that hard work. It was such an amazing experience overall for our team. Winning was really the cherry on top.
Why did you recently quit your job to move to Seattle to play with Riot?
Being from the Midwest, I have always dreamed about playing for this team. Riot has such a legacy. Not only of depth and talent but of giving back to the ultimate community as a whole. Seattle is such a rich community of knowledge and that’s something I wanted to soak up, so we decided to move for the ultimate scene and to change our lifestyle to the west coast. Exploring Seattle has been fun and playing for Riot is rewarding on many levels. It’s a team I have looked up to for quite some time, and I'm really enjoying investing into Riot's 2014 legacy.
Is this completely amateur? What prize is there for winning?
Ultimate Frisbee is not a professional sport. There are two leagues that have been trying to establish a pro level for the men’s division but nothing yet for the women's. The United States Olympic Committee gave Ultimate Frisbee USOC Recognition. This is a critical step to having Ultimate on track for future Olympics, which is very exciting!
Do you have a plan to continue to play with Riot?
Yes, I do plan to play with Riot in the future. The West Coast is a new adjustment coming from Chicago but so far myself, Luke (my husband), and our two dogs are enjoying it. On the docket for 2015 is also a possible opportunity to represent USA at the 2015 World Championships of Beach Ultimate in Dubai. Four years ago, I represented USA in 2011 at the same tournament in Italy and we took home gold in the women's division. Here's hoping I get to play for that chance again!
How did you get started playing the sport?
I started playing ! My first year, as a sophomore, I played a bit with the men’s team. This is when I met Luke (my husband) who started the Ultimate program there. My last two years at North Park I played on and also captained Allihopa, the women's team. After graduation, I went on to play at the elite club level with a team named Nemesis. The past five years I spent with that team.
Registration Now Open for Fall Axelson Programs for Nonprofit Professionals
The Axelson Center offers both webinars and face-to-face workshops for nonprofit professionals and volunteers.
CHICAGO (August 21, 2014) — For nonprofit professionals in the Chicago region, hosted by 糖心vlog官方入口’s are the perfect opportunity to “find out what you didn’t know you needed to know” about leadership, management, fundraising, marketing, and many other knowledge areas.
Professional development programs are a critical part of the Axelson Center’s mission to enhance the performance and effectiveness of the nonprofit sector by educating individuals and supporting organizations. All programs focus on one or more of the Hallmarks of Nonprofit Managerial Excellence℠: mission and program; leadership and governance; strategy and innovation; human resources; financial strength and performance; resource generation and external relations; and accountability and integrity.
With this framework in mind, the Axelson Center partners with experts in the field to present relevant topics in a personable format. All nonprofit staff and volunteers—from executive directors and program managers to board members and fundraising staff—will benefit from the perspective and content this fall’s can offer.
This fall’s workshop schedule offers something for everyone, from executive directors to program managers, grant writers, and development directors. Highlights include:
“Federal Funding 101: Demystifying Your Search in a Changing Landscape” on Wednesday, September 17;
“What’s the Best CRM Software for My Organization?” on Wednesday, September 24;
“Essential Volunteer Engagement Strategies” on Wednesday, October 1;
“Mission Accomplishment and Your Governing Board” on Wednesday, October 29; and
“Online Crowdfunding: Essential or Experimental?” on Wednesday, December 3.
The fall professional development schedule also includes two webinars:
“Keeping Your Church on the Right Side of the IRS” on Wednesday, October 15, noon–1:00 pm CST; and
“Nonprofit Website Management for Busy People” on Wednesday, November 12, noon–1:00 pm CST.
A schedule of all 13 workshops and webinars is available online at the .
Half-day workshop registration fees are $90; full-day workshops are priced at $170. Webinar registration is $20 per individual or $50 for three attendees from the same organization. New nonprofit professionals, those working for organizations with budgets less than $1 million, 糖心vlog官方入口 students, and members of partner organizations are eligible for registration discounts. Details and registration links are available on the .
and follow the Center on or to stay connected throughout the year and be the first to know about workshops, the , and .
at 糖心vlog官方入口 is the source for informative and engaging nonprofit professional development in the Chicago region. Through regular programs including workshops and an annual conference, the Axelson Center delivers a superior educational experience for nonprofit managers, leaders and frontline staff, covering a vast array of topics from program evaluation to strategic planning, and communications to financial management. The valuable learning presented through these programs enhances the impact of both the nonprofit sector, its staff and volunteers.
North Park Launches New Security Initiatives for Coming Year
The LifeLine Response EDU app is available for iPhone and Android smartphones, and is provided free for North Park students, faculty, and staff.
LifeLine Response App and Viking Shuttle offer students more ways to stay safe in and around campus
CHICAGO (August 18, 2014) — 糖心vlog官方入口 is committed to creating a safe and stable environment for students, faculty, and staff while on they are on campus, and to offering tools and knowledge that will help them live and travel securely throughout Chicago. This academic year, the and the are launching two security initiatives to provide new technology and more comprehensive security coverage.
The for both iPhone and Android smartphones provides students with cutting-edge technology that allows them to respond to an emergency situation with the touch of a button. With features like emergency responder notifications, real-time GPS service, and alerts that can be sent to family and friends, students can travel more securely around campus and the city.
“Students at North Park are often young, mobile, and not always familiar with their surroundings,” says Dan Gooris, director of campus security at 糖心vlog官方入口. “We want to give them the tools they need to be safe on campus and while they take advantage of the city of Chicago.” The app is also available to University faculty and staff.
While the LifeLine app is a tool for personal safety, the University will continue using its emergency alert system for campus-wide notifications. will receive time-sensitive emergency information via channels including text message, email, and voicemail.
Another new addition this year is the creation of the , a free transportation system that operates on a continual route to important locations in and around campus. Between the hours of 7:00 pm and 2:00 am, students, faculty, and staff can ride the shuttle to their dorms, other campus buildings, and the Kimball Brown Line "L" station. Security professionals will operate the shuttle, providing additional coverage around the campus perimeter.
When the shuttle is not in service, students can still take advantage of the . North Park security staff provides students with limited mobility or safety concerns with vehicle or walking escorts on-demand from classes, the train line, and other locations.
“Since we consider Chicago to be one of our classrooms, we want students to feel safe and secure as they explore the city and its various opportunities,” says Elizabeth Snezek, dean of students. “The safety and well-being of our students is of the highest priority to the Division of Student Engagement. We believe that students must feel comfortable and secure in their environment in order to be successful in their academic pursuits and to develop the tools to meet their goals.”
Dr. Michelle Clifton-Soderstrom and David Bjorlin's project emerged out of a Seminary workshop while Bjorlin was still a student at North Park Theological Seminary.
Dr. Michelle Clifton-Soderstrom and David Bjorlin collaborate for book on children in worship
CHICAGO (August 7, 2014) — North Park Theological Seminary professor and alumnus David Bjorlin began a collaborative book project three years ago with a simple motto: Children are not cute.
The project originated while Bjorlin was a Seminary student in his last semester of the . Bjorlin, also a 2006 graduate of 糖心vlog官方入口, was assisting Clifton-Soderstrom in teaching a series of workshops for Seminary students, one of which was on children in worship. The workshop attempted to instill the idea that children must be central to a vibrant worshipping community, not just a five-minute time slot and then off for juice and snacks. Near the end of the series, Clifton-Soderstrom approached Bjorlin with an idea to continue the discussion and co-write a book.
“If I see people that have potential, I want to do whatever I can to give them opportunities to take risks, try new things, and excel,” Clifton-Soderstrom says. “Dave was such a strong student and was so confident, and our working relationship was already positive.”
Clifton-Soderstrom brought her expertise in theology and ethics to the project, while Bjorlin brought his emerging expertise in liturgical studies. They also brought different experiences, with Clifton-Soderstrom as a mother guiding two children through worship, and Bjorlin as a worship pastor. The result was the June publication of . It is a theological text that provides a foundational argument about not how children can be active in worship, but why it is absolutely necessary that they are involved.
“In this field, you either get practical books giving you ideas for specific tasks for children, or historical books showing how communities have incorporated children in the past,” Clifton-Soderstrom says. “We wanted to present a rich theological accounting of incorporating children as they are, not who they will eventually become.”
The book weaves together personal stories of children in worship with traditional theological and ethical sources. “Michelle is a fine scholar and great thinker, but one of her greatest qualities is she is passionate about the average person gaining theological understanding,” Bjorlin says. “I am convinced story is the best way to understand God.” Both scholars point to one story featured in the book that was particularly meaningful.
In the spring of 2004 Dr. F. Burton Nelson, long-time North Park Theological Seminary professor and close friend and mentor of Clifton-Soderstrom, passed away. At the time, Clifton-Soderstrom’s son, Johannes, was two years old and she was working on a memorization project with him to help instill a sense of faith and tradition at an early age. They practiced the Apostles' Creed, along with other hymns and lists of saints. 糖心vlog官方入口 six months after Nelson’s passing, the two were in Johannes’ room one night before bed. They began the back and forth of the Creed:
Dr. Clifton-Soderstrom: I believe in God… Johannes: …the Father almighty. Dr. Clifton-Soderstrom: Maker of… Johannes: …heaven and earth.
And on they went as normal. They got to the end, and Clifton-Soderstrom gave her last line: “…the communion of…”
And instead of “saints,” the normal ending, her young boy responded, “Burton.”
As she writes in the book, “We stopped. I was surprised and moved. I do not know why he thought of it then, but he inserted the name of my dear friend in the right place, in the right way, at the right time. Eight years later, I still remember the rich way my son embodied faith, hope, and love—by speaking a single word.”
“Children surprise you in so many ways,” she says. “You take an activity that a child does and you assume the best of it. Seeing the best in what children do, and not seeing them as cute objects or a source of humor, is key to this project.”
Much of the actual book writing process occurred while Bjorlin began a doctoral program in liturgical studies at Boston University School of Theology. The two would send drafts back and forth, have brainstorming sessions over the phone, and when Bjorlin occasionally came back into town, they would meet in person. Both Clifton-Soderstrom and Bjorlin say the transition from the faculty/student relationship to colleagues was simple.
“In a seminary context, it’s not as hierarchical,” Clifton-Soderstrom says. “We are all doing ministry together. There were moments when Dave would say, ‘I don’t want to change that.’ I had to stand back and say, ‘That’s good. He’s assertive and finding his voice.’ The transition was very natural.”
Bjorlin says, “Michelle never made that transition strange. She actively sought out what I thought in certain passages and really respected my voice.”
In a few weeks’ time, Bjorlin will have another opportunity to reconnect with Clifton-Soderstrom as a colleague, when he joins the Seminary as an for the coming year. It’s a similar path to Clifton-Soderstrom, who completed her MATS at North Park and later returned to teach.
“One of the strengths of North Park Theological Seminary is the faculty has always been approachable,” Bjorlin says. “My education was about more than just academics. It was about building relationships and personal formation. Michelle is a good example: people who went to North Park found a certain way of life, and they want to come back and be a part of this community again.”
Largest Graduating Class Ever at Nonprofit CEO BootCamp
Thirty-eight nonprofit leaders gathered at this year's BootCamp to discuss ways to expand their organizations' capacity and positive impact on the communities they serve.
Three-day program equips new executive directors with knowledge and skills for organizational success
CHICAGO (July 18, 2014) — A record-breaking number of nonprofit leaders graduated from the Axelson Center’s 2014 . This year’s cohort included 38 executive directors coming from as far away as South Carolina and Florida, and representing all types of organizations from animal welfare and housing services to faith-based nonprofits and education-focused organizations.
The Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management, a nonprofit capacity-building academic center at 糖心vlog官方入口, hosts the annual three-day BootCamp program to educate and train new nonprofit leaders in a broad scope of topics relevant to the effective management and mission fulfillment of their organizations. Participants hear from in financial management, strategic planning, human resource management, resource development, and other key areas of nonprofit management. BootCamp equips its participants to implement effective nonprofit management practices and, ultimately, expand their organizations' capacity and positive impact on the communities they serve.
"BootCamp has been incredibly valuable," said Mollie Dowling, who took on the role of executive director at Chicago-based nonprofit at the beginning of July. "It's helpful to look at timely information on topics like strategic planning, fiscal management, board management, conflict resolution and organizational planning from lots of different perspectives. BootCamp also reinforces the importance of planning, and validates the need to step back and spend the time to do that planning at all levels of the organization, from strategy to daily work."
Corey Harris, executive director at in Gainesville, Fla., has recently begun to transition to the role of executive director after six years on staff at his organization. "BootCamp has armed me with the tools to do a better job leading our organization in the executive director role," Harris said. "For me personally, I now have a better understanding of the board's role. As an employee, you don't have a lot of interaction with the board, but now they're my key partners and I have to make sure that my board is aware of their responsibility."
"I like how the BootCamp program content is set up," said R.J. McMahon, chief executive officer for in Hinsdale, Ill. "We're not going deep, we're going wide. It's lit fires under me and helped me identify areas where I need to continue my work and better equip myself for the pieces of the puzzle I need to know better. BootCamp has reaffirmed what I need to do and where the focus areas need to be."
"My experience at this year's BootCamp was excellent," said Sheldon Smith, head of in Chicago. "As a 25-year old executive director and founder of an agency, I've been trying to wrap my hands around what my duties are so that I can push my agency forward."
Executive Director Bernie Steiger of , based in Naperville, Ill., praised the opportunities BootCamp offered to connect with other leaders. "It can be lonely sometimes when you think you're the only person who struggles with a particular issue or challenge," Steiger said, "but as it turns out, we're all going through the same struggles. I've gotten so much out of connecting with other executive directors who face these same challenges."
The next BootCamp will be held in late summer 2015, and applications will be available in early 2015. to receive updates on this and other programs and events throughout the year.
Author tomgabrysiakPosted on Categories Stories
