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’s global reach and outlook.
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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’s mission and alumni needs.
ÈâÂþÎÝ among Top 50 Midwest Universities in U.S. News and World Report Rankings
ÈâÂþÎÝ moved up in this year's "Best Colleges" rankings.
University improves ranking, looks forward to Johnson Center groundbreaking
CHICAGO (September 13, 2012) — ÈâÂþÎÝ is among the top 50 best in U.S. News and World Report’s 2013 edition of its annual "" rankings. The University tied four other Midwest schools for among 112 regional universities, improving its 58th ranking on the magazine’s list in 2011.
"Rankings are helpful for families, and yet they often do not paint the full picture of a university," said , president of ÈâÂþÎÝ. "In our case, we are pleased to see North Park move up in the rankings because we believe this reflects a quality institution, and recognizes the significant improvements we continue to make."
On October 26, the University will break ground for construction of the 101,000-square-foot , a significant step to enhance academic excellence and student life. "We are excited to develop this new center for science and community life as part of our commitment to a great learning and living environment for our students. This and other improvements continue to show ÈâÂþÎÝ as a world-class university in a world-class city," Parkyn added.
To evaluate regional universities, U.S. News and World Report applied such as peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, and alumni giving. Data was collected this spring and summer, the magazine reported. Beginning in 1983, U.S. News and World Report has published annual rankings of colleges and universities nationwide. Nearly 1,400 accredited schools were included in this year's survey.
ÈâÂþÎÝ, founded in 1891, prepares students for lives of significance and service, expressed through three : distinctively Christian, intentionally urban, and purposefully multicultural. Courses are offered at North Park’s four campuses throughout northeastern Illinois, including the main campus, plus satellite campuses in , , and .
Use @npunews to . For further information or resources, contact John Brooks, Director of Media Relations and News, or at (773) 244-5522. Learn more .
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University Professor's Book Named a 'Resource of the Year' by Outreach Magazine
Scot McKnight's latest book examines the meaning of 'gospel'
CHICAGO (March 2, 2012) — magazine named book, as "Resource of the Year" in the evangelism category. McKnight is the Karl A. Olsson Professor in Religious Studies, , ÈâÂþÎÝ.
McKnight said he was honored that his book was recognized by Outreach. "When I was told, I was pleased to hear that someone had the courage to rank my book at the top for books on evangelism, because this book shifts what evangelism means," he said.
"The message of this book is that the standard gospel – 'God loves you, you are sinner, Jesus died for you, respond in faith and you can be reconciled to God and go to heaven when you die' — is not what the New Testament means by 'gospel,' McKnight said. In his book, McKnight focuses on , where Paul said the gospel is "the Story of Israel coming to completion in the Story of Jesus who is King (Messiah), Lord and the one who saves his people from their sins," he said.
"The 'standard' gospel has created the church as a 'salvation' culture, focusing on who is in and who is out. The second approach creates a gospel culture, one noted by living under Jesus as king," McKnight said.
McKnight joined the University in 1994. He is a New Testament scholar, author, teacher and sought-after speaker. He has authored more than 30 books, including the award-winning , which won the book of the year in 2005 for Christian Living. McKnight also writes a titled, "The Jesus Creed."
Outreach gave special recognition to 20 resources in categories that include compassion and justice ministries, missional living, and cross-cultural ministries. The list is published in the magazine’s just-released March/April 2012 issue. ÈâÂþÎÝ 170 resources published between Nov. 1, 2010, and Oct. 31, 2011, were submitted to Outreach for consideration – the most submissions in the last four years, according to the magazine.
Evangelical Covenant Church News contributed to this report.
Use @npunews to . For further information or resources, contact John Brooks, Director of Media Relations and News, or at (773) 244-5522. Learn more .
'Come to the Manger' Theme of University's December 2 Festival of Lessons and Carols
ÈâÂþÎÝ 200 musicians, including five University music ensembles and other musicians, are featured in the December 2 Festival of Lessons and Carols at Our Lady of Mercy Church, Chicago.
School of Music ensembles joined by community youth musicians
CHICAGO (November 19, 2012) — Focusing on Advent, Christmas and Epiphany celebrations, ÈâÂþÎÝ will present A Festival of Lessons and Carols, December 2, at , 4432 N. Troy St., Chicago. The event will begin at 4:00 pm, and features the theme, "Come to the Manger."
The Festival of Lessons and Carols is presented for free by the University. However, because of limited seating, attendees are asked to reserve general admission tickets . More than 800 people attended in 2011.
is a worship format first used in the Church of England in the late 1800s. "The celebration of lessons and carols is an ancient tradition shaped by faith-filled Christians over many generations," said , University president. "The story of Christian faith — from the creation of the world to the birth of savior of the world — is retold as words of Scripture and poetry are read and sung. Coming out of the Christian church in the West, at North Park the Festival of Lessons and Carols is transformed into a wonderful offering of Advent praise and anticipation as the music of many cultures trumpets the birth of Christ."
The festival theme provides attendees an opportunity to focus on the simplicity of the manger and the infant Jesus, said , assistant professor and the Stephen J. Hendrickson Endowed Chair in Music, . Lyrics from John Rutter's "," highlight the theme and its simplicity, she said: "Shepherds and wise men will kneel and adore him, Seraphim round him their vigil will keep; Nations proclaim him their Lord and their Savior, but Mary will hold him and sing him to sleep."
Scripture readings from Genesis, Isaiah, Micah, St. Luke, St. Matthew and St. John will be presented by ÈâÂþÎÝ students, faculty, and staff, as well as representatives of Our Lady of Mercy Church. Music will be performed by about 200 musicians, including Margaret Martin, University organist, and University musicians in five ensembles:
and the , both directed by Davids
, directed by
, directed by Thomas Tropp
Lessons and Carols , directed by
The musical selections in the service are well written and arranged, and provide something for everyone, Davids said. "The variety of Christmas music for all ensembles is so incredible," she said. "To choose a dozen pieces of music to highlight Christmas Scripture is challenging, because there is so much great music out there."
Musical selections begin with the processional hymn, "O Come All Ye Faithful," followed by "Overture" from . Throughout the service are well-known pieces such as "Go Tell it on the Mountain," "Ave Maria," "Mary Had a Baby," "Silent Night," and "Joy to the World!," as well as music written by contemporary composers. Vocal pieces will be sung in English and Latin, as well as Spanish selections to be performed by the University Choir, accompanied by harp, marimba and guitar, Davids said.
Preceding the benediction is "The First Nowell," a piece to be performed by combined choirs and orchestras. The selection was arranged by Mack Wilberg, an American composer, arranger and conductor. "This is a stunning piece, with beautiful orchestration, written for the ," Davids added.
The North Park musicians will be joined by professionals, plus student musicians from the at Hibbard Elementary School, Chicago, and the , Davids said. The Chicago Children's Choir will perform a recital at 3:30 p.m. prior to the festival service.
Use @npunews to . For further information or resources, contact John Brooks, Director of Media Relations and News, or at (773) 244-5522. Learn more .
ÈâÂþÎÝ Graduate Reflects on Journey since Fulbright Award
Rebecca Miller taught English at a school in Indonesia as part of her Fulbright experience.
Rebecca Miller taught English in Indonesia
Editor’s note: Recent ÈâÂþÎÝ graduates and , and faculty member , received to teach internationally this year. To see how receiving a scholarship can impact a life in unexpected ways, Stan Friedman of the spoke with , one of the first North Park students to receive the honor.
CHICAGO, IL (July 26, 2012) — ÈâÂþÎÝ professor of Spanish, , a former Fulbright scholar who has guided students through their process of applying for the U.S. Fulbright Awards, told Rebecca Miller that receiving the honor would change the her life forever. Neither woman imagined how true those words would prove to be.
Miller, an honors music major at the University, grew up attending in Clay, N.Y. She wanted to learn more about teaching in a multicultural context, so she applied for the prestigious international scholarship in 2007. After receiving the award, she spent her Fulbright year (August 2008-May 2009) teaching English at a school in an Indonesian city run by one of the world’s largest gold-mining companies.
Several thousand Americans and Indonesians lived in the city and worked at the mine.
Many of the students were children of executives and other top-level workers. Miller was assigned to be the first-ever Fulbright scholar to teach there after being hand-picked by corporate leaders.
Outside the boundaries of the city lay another community that Miller compares to an Old West town, filled with brothels, poverty, acute malnutrition, and high crime. The area has the highest HIV/AIDS infection rate in Indonesia, Miller says.
The differences between the two communities dismayed Miller. "It was power and wealth next to kids without protein."
Her exposure to abject poverty and the disparity in living conditions was to be the first in a series of events that altered her future. Ever since, she has been on multi-year, multinational journey to medical school.
"I sure didn't see that coming," she says, laughing.
Miller was exposed to even more malnutrition in Papua, Indonesia, as she traveled around parts of the country with an anthropologist and met the people, whose primary nutrition came from sago palms that were chopped up and processed into an edible starch. Most of their protein comes from eating live mollusks.
During a vacation break from her work, she traveled to Bangalore, India, with two other Fulbright scholars, one of whom was related to a woman who directed a music school. The woman initially offered Miller an opportunity to teach, but she declined.
Instead, when her Fulbright term was completed, Miller returned to Chicago, where she worked with a nonprofit organization that provided health care on the city’s South Side. She primarily was doing administrative work, however, and realized that was not a future she wanted.
"I decided I wanted to be the person giving services," she says.
That experience also caused her to reflect further on her time of living with North Park associate professor of art , his wife, and their disabled daughter, Temma, for eight months between graduating and heading to Indonesia. Miller cared for Temma. "The most fulfilling job I've ever had has been working with Temma," she says.
Miller left her job at the clinic to accept an invitation to return to the music school in Bangalore. She gave lessons and directed children’s and adult choirs.
The students thought the only form of Western music was classical, so Miller introduced them to others, including gospel and spirituals. "We actually did a Rollo Dilworth piece," says Miller, referring to the popular former ÈâÂþÎÝ music professor. "That was exciting."
She also started an early childhood music program for which she wrote the curriculum. The program continues, and Miller says, "That was a highlight of working there."
But Miller again was being exposed to the desperate health needs of people in extreme poverty. She volunteered at a hospital for which she did community outreach. Twice a week, she also observed an obstetrician and pediatrician working at clinics in the slums.
The still small voice that had whispered to her about the possibility of entering medical school grew louder. She knew her future was in medicine.
Asked if she had ever considered medicine as a career before her Fulbright scholarship, Miller declares, "Absolutely not. I would not have arrived at that had I not had those experiences."
Miller hopes to provide primary care for urban underserved populations when she finishes school. She currently attends medical school at in Brooklyn, New York.
Use @npunews to . For further information or resources, contact John Brooks, Director of Media Relations and News, or at (773) 244-5522. Learn more .
ÈâÂþÎÝ Offers Alumni Grant for Graduate Studies Tuition
Grant applies to students who begin graduate study in fall 2013
CHICAGO (December 26, 2012) – ÈâÂþÎÝ will offer a 20 percent tuition reduction to undergraduate alumni who enroll in graduate courses, or seek graduate degrees or graduate-level certificates at the University. The tuition grants are available to students who begin coursework for the first time in the fall semester 2013, and can be used for classes students attend in-person or access online.
"This idea aligns with North Park's emphasis on lifelong learning," said , the University's director of . Continuing education, including graduate education, is key for success in many vocations, he said. Nicholson also pointed out that a growing number of the University's graduate programs are available to alumni living anywhere in the world.
The tuition grants apply only to graduate-level programs, and are available to alumni who do not have other University grants or scholarships to meet the costs of graduate education, Nicholson explained. Some University schools already offer to alumni, he said.
The tuition grants to University alumni for graduate study may provide an extra incentive to ÈâÂþÎÝ graduates considering advanced degrees, said Nate Mouttet, University vice president for enrollment and marketing. "The confidence our alumni had in the faculty as undergraduates is the same kind of confidence they will have in the graduate faculty. We're offering continuation of a great undergraduate experience with more depth at the graduate level," he said.
The University offers graduate education programs in its School of Business and Nonprofit Management, , , , and . This past semester, more than 140 alumni were enrolled in graduate-level courses and certification programs.
Use @npunews to . For further information or resources, contact John Brooks, Director of Media Relations and News, or at (773) 244-5522. Learn more .
Key component of grant includes University civic engagement center
CHICAGO (August 2, 2012) — awarded ÈâÂþÎÝ a to help the University expand existing outreach programs and lay the groundwork for a civic engagement center housed on the ÈâÂþÎÝ campus.
The fellowship includes a $7,000 seed grant for one year beginning in August 2012. Rich Kohng, urban outreach coordinator in North Park's University Ministries, explained that the idea behind the grant is to more fully embrace one of the University's — "intentionally urban." Other University core values are "distinctively Christian" and "purposefully multicultural."
"We have a lot of people on campus doing different things, and this can be a hub through which we can engage the urban context," Kohng said. A civic engagement center at the University would likely include three components, he said. They are:
A curricular component, which may lead to offering majors and minors related to urban engagement.
An engagement component, which encourages students, faculty, and staff to volunteer in different service organizations and to get involved in the community in different ways.
A research component, which promotes faculty and student work on projects regarding issues pertinent to the local community.
Kohng hopes that the grant will enable the University to offer more service-learning opportunities. Already the University has nearly 20 partnerships with community service organizations, and at least 150 students regularly volunteering with local organizations who serve more than 400 people a week. "The idea is we can enhance that through service-learning. Professors can offer courses that have a service component written into their classes. Students will be able to earn credit as they serve and do this as part of their coursework," Kohng said.
The grant will be administered by a three-person University team, including Kohng. Assisting them is , professor of , a service learning fellow of the University. Ankney led a cohort of five faculty who engaged in service learning during the 2011–2012 academic year.
Illinois Campus Compact, based at DePaul University, Chicago, is a coalition of colleges and universities that promote the civic development of students and each campus as an active and engaged member of its community. The organization's grant program to promote civic engagement in the Chicago region is supported by the .
Use @npunews to . For further information or resources, contact John Brooks, Director of Media Relations and News, or at (773) 244-5522. Learn more .
University's Hispanic Heritage Month Observance Begins September 18
Eduardo Arnal Palomera, consul general of Mexico, will speak Sept.18 at ÈâÂþÎÝ. (Photo courtesy of Consulate General of Mexico, Chicago)
Consul General of Mexico leads month's activities this week
CHICAGO (September 17, 2012) — ÈâÂþÎÝ will join the official United States celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month with a series of free events for students, faculty and staff beginning this week. The University's month-long observance includes addresses on campus by official government representatives of Mexico, and , as well as cultural events featuring cuisine, entertainment and music.
or "El Mes de la Hispanidad," is observed September 15 through October 15. "It is a time to highlight and share the many cultures of Latin American and Spain," said , ÈâÂþÎÝ professor of and faculty fellow for Latin American Initiatives. "This year we are bringing some special events to campus. We have made these events free to all of our students, and many professors are asking of their students to write about the events they attend."
Hispanic Heritage Month is a reflection of the University's multicultural identity, one of its . "We hope these events will raise awareness of the struggles of Latinos throughout the Americas and in the United States. We want to show diversity not only compared to other cultures but also within Latin cultures, that will bring an appreciation and an understanding for all."
Three University events are featured during this first week of Hispanic Heritage Month:
Tuesday, September 18, 2012: Eduardo Arnal Palomera, consul general of Mexico, Brorson Lounge, 11:40 am
Tuesday, September 18: Comida Latina, Latin cuisine from around the world, Magnuson Campus Center, 5:00 pm (normal apply)
Thursday, September 20: James Sanders & Conjunto, Afro-Latin jazz concert, Anderson Chapel, 7:30 pm (free for University students, faculty, and staff with ID; $10 general admission for the public)
Later events planned include an address by Marcelo Suarez Savlia, counsel general of Argentina, September 25; Global Giggles: The Other Side of Diversity, comedy, October 4; Fiesta Latina dance lessons, October 5; Latino Chapel, October 10; and an address by José Fernando Gomez Mora, counsel general of Colombia, October 16.
The University's Hispanic Heritage Month observance is coordinated by the office of , , the , and the .
Use @npunews to . For further information or resources, contact John Brooks, Director of Media Relations and News, or at (773) 244-5522. Learn more .
New Nonprofit Leaders Benefit from ÈâÂþÎÝ's BootCamp
Dana Garner, Trinity United Church of Christ Child Care Centers, Chicago, was among this year's BootCamp attendees.
Axelson Center program provides networking, solutions for key concerns
CHICAGO (August 1, 2012) — Being a chief executive officer or an executive director of almost any organization is demanding. It can be even more demanding for those new to these roles, as they work to figure out what needs attention, and how best to manage people and resources. Seeking solutions to those challenges, 27 new nonprofit executive leaders participated this month in , a popular continuing education program of ÈâÂþÎÝ's .
Participants met with experts and each other for three days, sharing ideas and learning about organizational mission, marketing, boards and governance, management principles, measurement, and funding. They heard from a panel of BootCamp alumni, and developed personal 90-day plans of action. BootCamp is for nonprofit chief executive officers or executive directors who have been in their roles for three years or less.
"This has helped me tremendously to focus and give me a framework," said Dr. Lisa Green executive director, , Harvey, Ill. "A lot of us get in the job, and you just start 'doing.' This program did two things — it helped me focus on the things that I need to work on, and let me know I'm not doing this alone." Green has been in the executive director's role about one year, and said her 90-day action plan helped her set priorities.
Cheryl Lawrence, executive director, , Chicago, had been in her job just one week when she attended BootCamp 2012. Lawrence is an attorney and was previously the organization's director of development. Comments from BootCamp alumni about working with boards of directors were helpful, she said. "The clear vision that I have coming out of this session is how to work towards rejuvenating our board, how we handle our board meetings, (and) how we look at different ways to engage them," she said. She has struggled to engage busy board members in ways that take advantage of their expertise, Lawrence said. She plans to suggest some meaningful changes to the board president.
BootCamp also provided Lawrence with three days away from the office to meet other nonprofit leaders, and to do some serious thinking. "It's been really meaningful, and I would highly recommend this to anybody," Lawrence added.
Maria Nanos, executive director, , Chicago, said she feels more confident in her role today — after a year's experience — but admits there's still much she needs to do. "I had an opportunity to go [to BootCamp] when I first got the job, but it didn't work out because of a lot of things," Manos said. "But I'm glad that it's been a year later for me. You know what you don't know a little better."
The three-day BootCamp experience was everything Ann Carstensen hoped it would be. One of her challenges is staff management. "I think the biggest takeaway is how to better manage my organization, understanding how to better manage my staff, and how to better manage up and down the organization," said Carstensen, executive director, , Evanston, Ill. "I'm very pleased we heard some good advice and counsel to get us moving in the right direction," she added.
The vast majority of participants in BootCamp program were referred by others who attended previously, said William Braden, Axelson Center coordinator of leadership development programs. Many BootCamp speakers and Axelson Center advisory committee members are program alumni. A key to BootCamp's continuing success is feedback from program participants and follow up evaluations used to improve the curriculum, Braden said. Braden is a retired CEO of the , and a member of the Axelson Center .
The University's Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management was established in 1999. The Center provides educational experiences, services, and resources to enhance the performance and effectiveness of individuals and organizations in the nonprofit sector. In addition to BootCamp, its offerings include a host of professional development , an annual career and internship fair, professional certificate academic programs, the annual , plus nonprofit newsletters and other resources.
Use @npunews to . For further information or resources, contact John Brooks, Director of Media Relations and News, or at (773) 244-5522. Learn more .
CHICAGO (June 8, 2012) — More than 500 nonprofit leaders and volunteers met in downtown Chicago June 5 to learn new and effective strategies that will help them lead, be innovative, and enhance organizational funding, communication, and growth. They were attendees at ÈâÂþÎÝ's , with the theme, "Reignite Your Vision."
also organized and presented a pre-conference Innovation Institute June 4, and presented awards to three nonprofits. The Axelson Center works to enhance performance and effectiveness of individuals and organizations in the nonprofit sector through education, service, and resources.
The symposium drew a cross-section of nonprofit leaders from large and small organizations, and people planning careers in the nonprofit sector. They heard keynote speakers who addressed the role of nonprofits in rebuilding the U.S. economy, and harnessing pro bono resources for their organizations. Workshops focused on topics such as communication, strategic planning, board engagement, funding, and giving trends.
"I was really inspired by all of the speakers," said Hollen Reischer, assistant director, , Chicago. "I was most inspired by the vision people had for really taking care of the mission and values of their organizations, and using that as a way to build a bridge to corporate and pro bono relationships. This is a great opportunity for networking and hearing from lots of seasoned professionals. I've been taking notes all day."
John Shustitzky, Lake Forest, Ill., has led nonprofits for some 30 years, has been a consultant and is now on the faculty at the . He attended because of the content and the reputation of ÈâÂþÎÝ, he said. "I have a better idea of the potential role of pro bono work in nonprofits," Shustitzky said, adding that remarks by keynoter , president and founder of the Taproot Foundation, New York City, were "particularly helpful."
Also attending was Babette Black, Chicago, a recent divinity school graduate. She was once an accountant for an insurance company, but didn't find corporate work fulfilling. Black said she came to the symposium to learn about nonprofits as she transitions to a career in the sector. "I want my work to have meaning. I've always wanted to have an experience where I feel the human component of what we do matches the benefit of the society. I want to make sure that what I do professionally has meaning," she said.
Keynoter , founder and president, Washington-based DC Central Kitchen, inspired attendees by pointing out the potential influence of U.S. nonprofits in the political process and society. For example, more than 500,000 people work in nonprofits in Illinois, generating $22 billion in payroll taxes in 2010, and yet, nonprofits don't get the economic credit they deserve, he said. "The nonprofit sector is one of the biggest sources of outside investment in cities every single day. We are major drivers of every economy in every city," Egger said. He also challenged nonprofit leaders to be "fearless."
Hurst told the nonprofit leaders how to use pro bono resources to accomplish their organizational missions. "Running a nonprofit today is infinitely more challenging than it's ever been, and the nonprofit sector is being asked to do more than ever before," he said. Hurst presented five principles when using pro bono resources: know and define needs; get the right resource for the right job; be realistic about pro bono deadlines; act like a paying client; and working with pro bono resources is a collaboration where all parties learn.
Winners of annual awards recognizing area nonprofits were announced at a luncheon emceed by Ana Belaval, feature reporter for Chicago's WGN Morning News:
The went to , Chicago. The award is presented to one young organization with potential for growth and greater effectiveness. A capacity building package valued at about $50,000 is presented to the winner. A $2,500 cash grant was also included, funded by a donor on the Axelson Center Advisory Board.
went to (small nonprofits), and (large nonprofits), both in Chicago. The award recognizes nonprofit organizations that embody exemplary management practices. Grants of $7,500 each are presented to the winners, sponsored by Fifth Third Bank.
More than 40 Chicago-area nonprofits were nominated, and a committee determined the winners from 12 finalists.
The Innovation Institute June 4 drew 145 registered participants. Speakers were , president and co-founder, Doblin Inc., who spoke about effective organizations and innovative ÈâÂþÎÝ practices; , president, Morten Group, who presented best practices for boards of directors; , general director, Jewish Community Center of Chicago, and Carol Levine, principal, Levine Partners Consulting, who discussed ways to reignite organizations through mission focus and planning; and , chief executive officer, Wright, who discussed ways to empower and engage employees in organizational leadership.
Use @npunews to . For further information or resources, contact John Brooks, Director of Media Relations and News, or at (773) 244-5522. Learn more .
Marcus Crone, center, was honored on Good Morning America April 9. With him is GMA co-host George Stephanopoulos, left; Mary McComb, second from right, and Crone's prom date, Chelsea McComb, right. (Good Morning America video)
Freshman Marcus Crone recognized for special prom invitation
CHICAGO (April 11, 2012) — Marcus Crone, a freshman at ÈâÂþÎÝ, Chicago, was stunned April 9 on national TV when Good Morning America named him a winner of the contest for an act of kindness — in which he invited a girl with Down syndrome to her prom last spring after she had been turned down by another young man.
Crone is a member of Crossroads Community Church, an (ECC) congregation in Yelm, Wash., and a staff member at the ECC's . ÈâÂþÎÝ is affiliated with the ECC.
Crone and his mother, Stephanie, were part of the crowd outside the taping of the show when he and several others were called to step forward and told they had been named winners. Each winner was awarded a trip to a Disney theme park.
One of the show’s hosts, George Stephanopoulos, then told Crone, "Your story is so amazing. You had us all just welled up." Stephanopoulos had another surprise: Crone's prom date, Chelsea McComb, and her mother, Mary, appeared from the crowd, and ran to hug Crone.
In a videotaped segment recorded before the presentation, Chelsea said the prom "was the best moment in my entire life."
"He made her feel like Cinderella that night," said Mary, adding that her daughter had never had a date. "When they walked out to the car, I truly, truly don’t believe her feet touched the ground."
Crone, who did not know he had been nominated, was chosen from among several thousand entries. Another member of the Crossroads congregation — Mary McComb — nominated him.
Crone’s mother, Stephanie, was in on the ruse to get him to New York City. She told her son that she had won a contest called Whisk Your Mom Away that awarded her the opportunity to travel and take a family member. The two were treated to limousine service, tickets to live performances, and to Good Morning America.
In an interview, Crone, a former high school state wrestling champion, said, "It was a blessing for me to be able to have the opportunity to take Chelsea to the prom. We danced the entire time. It was so much fun."
Crone says he hopes it can be arranged for Chelsea and her family to travel to Disney World with his family.
The North Park student said he hopes to delay his sophomore year by serving in Asia, Africa, and South America, as part of a mission trip experience with .
"Marcus has just been just a key kid in our youth group prior to going to North Park. He would champion youth group Bible study and bring kids left and right," said Crossroads Pastor Russell Blake.
Stan Friedman, news editor for the Evangelical Covenant Church, Chicago, is the writer of this article.
Use @npunews to . For further information or resources, contact John Brooks, Director of Media Relations and News, or at (773) 244-5522. Learn more .
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