Nyvall News & Notes, February 28

Important Dates

  • Mar 2: Ash Wednesday/Beginning of Lent
  • Mar 10: Seminary Community Event
  • Mar 14: VSFL Papers Due
  • Mar 14-18: Reading Week and March Intensives
  • Mar 28: Fall Registration Opens – 7:00 am
  • Mar 28-Apr 8: VSFL Interviews
  • Apr 16: Last Day to Withdraw from a Course (with permission)
  • Apr 18: Easter Break: No Classes

Important Seminary Community Event- March 10th

On March 10th, we will not be gathering for worship, but we WILL be gathering for community development, discussion, dialogue, and hopefully some desserts (if we eat our dinner)! Given that the past 2 years have been extremely complex in COVID and that we have 2 significant transitions on our campus with Dean Kersten and Dean Auger retiring, it is our desire to get your input as a student body. Dennis Edwards, Elizabeth Pierre, and Bret Widman, with the cooperation with the Student Leadership Team, will be leading a discussion regarding your input, ideas, suggestions, and visions/dreams for NPTS. We will begin at 5:00 p.m. as we do every Thursday. If you have any questions before March 10th, please reach out to one of the moderators of our time together.


Summer Registration

The Summer 2022 Class Schedule and Syllabi are now posted here on the North Park Theological Seminary Website! Register for classes through Self-Service. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to Seminary Academic Services. If you need assistance discerning which classes to take, now is a great time to schedule a check in with your advisor!


Library Resources

If you missed last week’s “Lunch with the Library” event with Brittany Poku, the resources she shared are still available! Click here to view the video and slides from the event. You will need to be logged into your NPU email to access them.


North Park Pandemic Response Update

Beginning on Monday, February 28, 2022, the state of Illinois, Cook County, and the city of Chicago are transitioning to a mask optional policy, and lifting the proof of vaccination status for entry into events.

North Park University is transitioning to a mask optional policy in some locations but not othersand is also lifting the proof of vaccination status for public events.

In addition, we are moving our Campus Alert System Dashboard from Moderate Alert Level 2 to New Normal Alert Level 1.

Masks are still required in all classrooms, labs and healthcare settings including at SHIELD Illinois testing in Hamming Hall, the office of Health & Counseling Support Services, and Athletic Training Facilities.

Masks are optional everywhere else beginning Monday, February 28, 2022, including residence halls, dining areas, Helwig Recreation Center, Brandel Library, offices and indoor public areas.

Consistent with CDPH and CDC guidanceNPU strongly encourages people who are not up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines to continue to wear a mask indoors in public.


Apply Today to Hispanic Summer Program’s 2022 Programs including:


The HSP 2022 Summer Session

Application Deadline: March 15, 2022

Through Hispanic Eyes

Application Deadline: March 1, 2022

The Latinx Discernment, Calling, and Vocation Workshop

Application Deadline: March 15, 2022

El Semillero / Lake Institute Workshop on Fundraising, Finance, and Development

Application Deadline: March 1, 2022

Application deadlines have been extended through March. To learn more about each program including who is eligible and how to apply, visit their website here.


Duke Divinity School’s Summer Institute for Reconciliation

The Summer Institute for Reconciliation in 2022 is anticipated to take place in person, although we will be closely watching for changes due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

This year’s institute will consist of three full days of engagement, May 11-13, 2022. Each day will include worship, daily plenary sessions (Common Journey) led by preeminent scholars and practitioners in the fields of theology and reconciliation and allowing for interactive discussion and Q&A, and a selection of 1.5 hour-long seminars/workshops on specific topics related to reconciliation, transformation, and justice.

The learning and formation that takes place at the Summer Institute for Reconciliation builds on critical questions that frame our content and design. These questions address the heart of the journey of reconciliation. Our methodology, which we call “Word Made Flesh,” explores the theological, contextual, and practical dimensions of this movement of hope and liberation.

To register or learn more visit their website here.



Study with Procrastinators Anonymous!

Hello All Procrastinators! It is that time of year again. Want to stay on top of your homework AND build community? In these dynamic study sessions, we either discuss study skills (such as notetaking and following the rubric) or break into small groups to catch up on reading, discuss class content, or build community. This space will be what the group desires and needs for it to be. We meet in front of the writing center (inside the library). This semester we will be offering Procrastinators Anonymous online as well on Microsoft Teams. If you would like to attend online, please send an email to apizarro@northpark.edu.

Mondays 11:00am–1:00pm and 6:00pm–7:00pm

Fridays 11:00am–1:00pm and 6:00pm–7:00pm

Procrastinators Anonymous will begin meeting for study on Friday, January 28, 2022.

Questions? Email Antonio Pizarro, Assistant Director of the Writing Center at apizarro@northpark.edu


Seminary Student Leadership Team

For community updates and events, follow the seminary student leadership team on Instagram! Click here or search for the page on Instagram under @nptslead.


Spring Counseling Support Services

Counseling Support Services is offering a variety of counseling support options for students this semester. If you are experiencing unmanageable anxiety, sadness, difficulty adjusting, problems in relationships, or if you are hurting due to the many challenges before us, Counseling can help. We also offer Mental Health First Aid Training so that you can learn how to help friends and family that might be experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis.

Individual Counseling Support – Free, confidential, short-term individual counseling support is available via telehealth and in-person. Request counseling via the counseling request form at northpark.edu/counseling, or by walking into our offices at 3317 W Foster, #24 on the campus map.

Group Counseling Support

Finding Self-Compassion – Weekly on Mondays, 10:30-11:30 am 2/14/22-4/11/22. Facilitators: MaLinda Lee, LCPC, ATR-BC & Griselda Munoz. Do you ever find it easier to have compassion for others but not yourself? Come learn ways to improve self-esteem by building genuine kindness, positivity, and generosity towards yourself.

Mind over Mood: Managing Depression Support Group – Weekly on Tuesdays, 4:30-5:30 pm, 2/15/22-4/12/22. Facilitators: Huong Nguyen, LCSW & Alicia Murphy. Are you experiencing feelings of sadness, loss of interest, lack of motivation, and negative self-talk? You are not alone. Join us and learn skills to manage depressive symptoms and improve daily functioning while connecting with peers who share similar experiences.

Practical Ways to Manage Anxiety – Weekly on Fridays, 10:30-11:30 am, 2/18/22-4/29/22. Facilitators: Adrian Battle, LPC & Kathleen Quinlan. Do you get nervous right before an exam or have trouble letting go of worrisome thoughts? Come learn and practice healthy coping strategies to improve your confidence and help you navigate life’s daily stressors.

Please contact Adrian Battle, LPC, to register or for more information: abattle@northpark.edu, (773) 244-5569.

TAO – TAO is an anonymous, self-service digital mental health support tool that is available free 24/7 to all current North Park students, faculty, and staff. Information and registration link at TAO

Let’s Talk – In collaboration with campus partners, Let’s Talk is an informal, walk-in support service that offers confidential meetings with a North Park counselor free for all NPU students at various locations around campus. Students can drop in (no appointment necessary) to speak with a counselor on Mondays 1-3 pm at Helwig Rm 208A, Tuesdays 2-4 pm virtually at doxy.me/northparkletstalk, Wednesdays 12-2 pm at the Collaboratory Rm 121, and Thursdays 1-3 pm in Anderson Hall Rm 108. Additional information at Let’s Talk

Mental Health First Aid – Students, faculty, and staff are invited to register for this free training opportunity that is designed to teach you how to approach, assess, and assist a person who may be experiencing a mental health challenge or in a mental health crisis. A variety of training dates and formats are available this year. The next training date is April 27th. Sign up today! Request Training


Seminary Shenanigans

Courtesy of our very own @nptscampus Instagram account. Be sure to like and follow!