North Park University facts for kids
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Former name
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North Park Theological Seminary (1891–1894) North Park Junior College (1894–1958) North Park College (1958–1997) |
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| Motto | "In Thy Light Shall We See Light" "Preparing Students for Lives of Significance and Service" |
| Type | Private university |
| Established | 1891 |
| Accreditation | HLC |
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Religious affiliation
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Evangelical Covenant Church |
| Endowment | $99.5 million (2022) |
| President | Mary K. Surridge |
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Academic staff
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125 Full-time |
| Students | 2,624 (Fall 2023) |
| Undergraduates | 1,877 (Fall 2023) |
| Postgraduates | 747 (Fall 2023) |
| Location |
,
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United States
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| Campus | Large City, 33 acres (0.13 km2) |
| Other campuses | Grayslake |
| Colors | Blue and yellow |
| Nickname | Vikings |
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Sporting affiliations
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NCAA Division III – CCIW |
| Mascot | Ragnar |
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North Park University is a private Christian university located in Chicago, Illinois. It was started in 1891 by the Evangelical Covenant Church. The university is in the North Park area of Chicago. It has over 2,600 students, including those studying for their first degree and those doing advanced studies.
Contents
Discovering North Park's Past
North Park University began as the North Park Theological Seminary in 1891. It was first located in Minneapolis. In 1894, the school moved to its current spot in Chicago. It opened there as "North Park College."
The new location was near Swedish-American villages and the new Swedish Covenant Hospital. The oldest building on campus, Old Main, was built and opened on June 16, 1894. This is when the name "North Park" was first used for the school.
Early Challenges and Growth
North Park faced challenges and successes in its early years. The number of students and the money it had changed a lot. An interesting story involves P. H. Anderson, a missionary in Alaska. He made a lot of money during the Klondike Gold Rush. He gave a large part of it to North Park. However, some leaders at North Park worried about where the money came from.
David Nyvall was an important leader during this time. He was president and a teacher in the North Park Theological Seminary for many years. The current seminary building, Nyvall Hall, is named after him.
Becoming a University
The school has grown and changed a lot since its early days. In 1958, North Park Junior College became a four-year college. It was then called North Park College. In 1997, the school decided to change its name again to North Park University.
North Park still honors its Swedish-American history and its strong ties to the Evangelical Covenant Church. Today, it is a diverse school that welcomes students from many backgrounds. North Park University is known as a liberal arts university. It focuses on being Christian, city-centered, and welcoming to all cultures.
The university is approved by the Higher Learning Commission. It is also a special place for Hispanic students, called a Hispanic-serving institution. The seminary is also approved by the Association of Theological Schools. Mary Surridge became the university's tenth president in August 2018.
What Can You Study at North Park?
North Park University has different schools where students can study. These include:
- College of Arts and Sciences
- School of Business and Nonprofit Management
- School of Education
- School of Nursing and Health Sciences
- School of Professional Studies
- North Park Theological Seminary
The university offers degrees for both undergraduate and graduate students. In 2022, some of the most popular subjects for students getting their first degree were:
- Business Administration and Management
- Nursing
- Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
- Psychology
North Park Sports: Go Vikings!
North Park's sports teams are called the Vikings. The university is part of the NCAA Division III. They mostly play in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW).
North Park has 19 different sports teams for men and women. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, football, soccer, and volleyball. Women's sports include basketball, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball. In January 2023, North Park also started its first esports team. This co-ed team plays in the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC).
Men's Basketball Success
North Park has a very successful men's basketball team. They have won five NCAA Men's Division III Basketball Championships since 1978. This includes three wins in a row led by Michael Harper. He later played for the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers. In the 2022–23 season, North Park reached the NCAA Sweet Sixteen. Their coach, Sean Smith, won Conference Coach of the Year and National Coach of the Year.
Track and Field Achievements
In 1983, North Park's Dave Valentine won the NCAA Men's Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championship. He set a record in the 10,000 meters race. This record was held for many years.
Men's Soccer Highlights
The North Park men's soccer team had an amazing season in 2017. They finished as runner-up for the National Championship title. They won the CCIW Championship and the CCIW Tournament Championship. Their coach, John Born, won many awards, including National Coach of the Year.
Baseball Team Victories
North Park's baseball team has won the CCIW regular season championship six times. Their most recent win was in 2012. The Vikings have also played in the NCAA Division III tournament six times.
Women's Volleyball Championship
In 2022, Coach Michael Sopocy led the women's volleyball team to their first-ever CCIW Tournament Championship. They won against Carthage College, which earned them a spot in the 2022 NCAA Division III tournament.
Club Sports and Fun Activities
North Park also has club teams for ultimate frisbee and men's volleyball. There are also many fun Intramural sports programs on campus. These are sports played just for fun among students.
National Championships Won
- Men's basketball: 1978, 1979, 1980, 1985, 1987
- Men's track & field: 1983 (10,000 meters)
Student Life and Campus Buildings
The North Park Student Government Association (SGA) helps many student groups on campus. Some of these groups include Women in STEM, the Black Student Union, and the Christian Students Organization.
Johnson Center for Science and Community Life
The Nancy and G. Timothy Johnson Center for Science and Community Life opened in September 2014. This building cost $57 million to build. It is a modern addition for North Park University's science programs. It also has a cafe called 1891 Bread Co.
The Johnson Center is very large, with 101,000 square feet across three floors. It has 30 science laboratories for students and teachers to do research. All classrooms have "smart" technology. The building also has many meeting rooms.
The Johnson Center is also a place for campus community life. It has a large lobby for gathering and social events. There are offices for programs that help with learning, spiritual growth, career development, and campus life. The building also has study spaces, a prayer room, and a courtyard.
Swedish-American Traditions at North Park
North Park University's Brandel Library manages the Swedish-American Historical Society Archives in Chicago. The Center for Scandinavian Studies at North Park helps with this.
The Saint Lucy's Day festival is held every December in Anderson Chapel. This event follows many Swedish traditions. It is one of the few Santa Lucia Festivals held in the Chicago area. The university also has a student exchange program. Students can study in Jönköping, Sweden, at Södra Vätterbygdens Folkhögskola and Jönköping University.
Famous People Who Went to North Park
Many notable people have attended North Park University, including:
- Bill Anderson, an American football player and coach
- Mari Andrew, a writer and illustrator
- Del Barber, a singer-songwriter and musician
- Paul Carlson, an American missionary
- Gordon Edes, a sportswriter
- Nancy Faust, an organist
- Mike Harper, a basketball player
- G. Timothy Johnson, a medical journalist
- James R. Thompson, a former governor of Illinois
- TimTheTatman, a popular YouTube streamer
- Greg Dolezal, a politician and Georgia State Senator
Images for kids
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Nyvall Hall
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Old Main at North Park University
