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Nonprofit Management Awards Announced at Axelson Center Symposium
Nick Tasler, internationally acclaimed author, delivered the day's keynote, which included an illustrative round of Jenga to introduce the strategy behind decision-making.
Honorees include Accion Chicago, Intonation Music Workshop, and Teen Living Programs
CHICAGO (June 24, 2015) —The Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management announced the winners Monday of its and its as part of the .
The 2015 Alford-Axelson Award, given for exemplary nonprofit management practices, was presented to Accion Chicago, with an honorable mention awarded to Teen Living Programs. The 2015 Excellent Emerging Organization Award, presented to an up-and-coming Chicago-area nonprofit, was given to Intonation Music Workshop.
The awards were part of the one-day conference dedicated to bringing nonprofit professionals together to discuss management topics that affect all types of organizations. The event included a series of workshops, in addition to a keynote address by , internationally acclaimed author of Why Quitters Win and The Impulse Factor. In his talk, “Everyday Decisiveness: Decision-Making for Organizational Excellence,” sponsored by BMO Harris Bank, Tasler urged the audience to “be deciders” and to “change the world one decision at a time.”
Award winners for 2015 announced at Monday's event were (left) , Alford-Axelson Award winner, which believes in fair and equal access to economic resources so that entrepreneurs can achieve their full financial potential; and (center) , Excellent Emerging Organization Award honoree, empowering children to become rock stars on every stage of life through innovative music education. (right), earning honorable mention for the Alford-Axelson Award, offers comprehensive, year-round services specifically for youth who are homeless, which includes emergency needs and housing to education, job readiness, and whole health services.
The awards were presented during the luncheon portion of the event. This year’s Alford-Axelson Award for Nonprofit Managerial Excellence winner, , helps entrepreneurs in underserved groups achieve financial security, grow their businesses, create jobs, and stabilize their communities. Since 1994, Accion has made nearly 3,800 small business loans in Illinois and Northwest Indiana totaling $30 million. Accion Chicago believes in fair and equal access to economic resources so that entrepreneurs can achieve their full financial potential.
As part of the Symposium, a number organizations participated in the "Make Your Pitch" contest, sponsored by Urban Partnership Bank. , an off-campus program with 40 years of experience providing students the opportunity to live, learn, and work in Chicago, took home the $1,000 prize.
“We accept this award on behalf of the people we serve,” said Betsy Neely Sikma, director of development and communications at Accion Chicago. “Thank you for letting us be a part of this nonprofit community,” she added, before imploring the audience to “transform the small business economy together.”
The Alford-Axelson award honors and continues the legacies of Nils G. Axelson, a devoted community healthcare leader and visionary, and Jimmie R. Alford, a leading contemporary thinker and practitioner in the nonprofit arena.
, the 2015 Excellent Emerging Organization Award winner, empowers children to become rock stars on every stage of life through innovative music education. Intonation works with youth ages 6-17 in Chicago to channel their love of music into a valuable skill set and an opportunity to express their creativity. From 2013 through 2014, Intonation served almost 700 students, comprising 51 pop bands across 12 city sites.
“To think the founder began this organization not long ago with his own instruments out of the back of a van,” said Development and Resource Manager Kevin Claxton. He went on to thank Intonation’s partners, in addition to the Chicago nonprofit community that continues to support their work.
Intonation received a $2,500 cash prize, sponsored by , a commemorative award, and a capacity-building package that will support improvement of services and efficiency.
For more information about the Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management, please visit
The 16th annual Axelson Center Symposium welcomed hundreds of area leaders to collaborate on ways to create organizational excellence.
Take a look at the collection below for some of the images and conversation that took place.
In Search of Genius encourages kids from underserved communities to discover new life skills and sparks a sustained interest in science.
天美传媒 hosts In Search of Genius science competition for third consecutive year
CHICAGO (June 18, 2015) — Summer months can be a little quieter on the 天美传媒 campus. That was not the case on Tuesday when hundreds of area elementary school kids filled the gymnasium for the (ISOG) Inter-School Science Competition.
For the third consecutive year, 天美传媒 hosted the event, which has students participate in a series of hands-on science challenges related to the environment, electricity, and physics. Founding Director of ISOG, Gary Walanka, rallied the kids at the start of the day by asking them, “Did you bring your genius?” The students responded with a resounding yes that echoed through the gymnasium. This is the sixth competition in all for the organization, which Walanka has described as “a unique, living example of how to involve several generations, including the youngest at a key age, with STEM.”
The competition is the culmination of ISOG’s educational program, which provides critical enrichment education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields to elementary students in Chicagoland’s most underserved communities. ISOG encourages students to discover new life skills and sparks sustained interest in these critical fields through a 20-week, hands-on program delivered by young, successful mentors and role models.
“You all have schools that you go to every day to learn,” 天美传媒 President David Parkyn said as he welcomed the students. “I'm happy because today you get to visit my school. Learning is about discovering something you never knew before, and that is the most exciting thing you can do in life.”
Near the end of the day, one student from each school received the Perplexus Award, acknowledging their persistence to succeed even when faced with the difficulties and challenges of STEM learning.
Toni Preckwinkle, president of the Cook County Board, has been on hand the last several years for the event. “We’re proud of you,” she told students at the start of the competition. “You’ve worked hard all year long, and that makes all of you winners today.”
President David Parkyn got to meet one of the event's other celebrity guests, R2-D2.
Hibbard Elementary, a neighborhood school just down the block from 天美传媒, took home the prize for the physics challenge.
Sharon Irving earns automatic trip to live rounds in New York City
CHICAGO (June 10, 2015) 鈥� Sharon Irving, a 2008 天美传媒 graduate, dazzled the judges and audiences last night on America鈥檚 Got Talent. Her rendition of 鈥淭ake Me to Church鈥� by Hozier led to a standing ovation and an immediate invitation to the live performances at Radio City Music Hall in New York City later this summer.
Irving was a major while at 天美传媒 and led worship for . Now 29, she recently left a position at Willow Creek Community Church to . She grew up singing in church, inspired by her grandfather who was a Baptist preacher.
鈥淪ometimes people have a gift where we can move our hearts, and you moved every heart in this room,鈥� America鈥檚 Got Talent Judge Howie Mandel told Irving on stage. 鈥淚 think you moved every heart in America.鈥�
Nick Tasler, author and CEO of Decision Pulse, says growing up in an impulsive family shaped how he makes decisions today. “I don’t put as much pressure on myself to make a decision that other people see as risky. It’s probably not going to go as sour as you might think it would.”
A conversation with Axelson Center Symposium keynote Nick Tasler
CHICAGO (June 8, 2015) — , author and CEO of Decision Pulse, says the challenges organizations face are not between right versus wrong decisions, but right versus right decisions.
“The real challenges are those when you have three or four different possibilities, four different big goals you could pursue this year, and you can make a case for why all of them are somehow going to move you forward,” Tasler says. “The difference between excellent organizations, excellent teams, and mediocre ones, is the mediocre ones try and do all those things all at once all year long.”
At this year’s , June 22 in downtown Chicago, Tasler will explore this and other ideas in his keynote presentation, “Everyday Decisiveness: Decision-Making for Organizational Excellence.”
The Symposium, hosted by 天美传媒’s , brings together nonprofit professionals from across the sector to discuss management issues that affect all types of organizations.
Tasler is an industrial psychologist and author of two books, , and most recently, . In addition to consulting and speaking, he also writes for Harvard Business Review, Psychology Today, and Bloomberg BusinessWeek, among others.
天美传媒 recently spoke with Tasler about his research and what he is looking forward to at this year’s Symposium.
天美传媒: The Impulse Factor discusses how some people have impulsive tendencies and how that can influence decision-making. You describe yourself as an impulsive and instinctive decision maker. Was that always the case and does that ever get you into trouble?
Nick Tasler: On the one hand I’ve always been a little bit more on the impulsive side. When I feel something is the right course of action I just kind of go with it. I tend to be pretty intuitive with my decision-making, but over the years I’ve realized the limitations of my impulsivity. I guess what that means is that I know the areas where I can be more instinctive and be okay but I also know the areas where I really need someone else’s guidance. I’m as impulsive now as I’ve ever been but I think what’s changed is I’ve gotten smarter about how I use it.
NP: Most of the people you work with are at an advanced level in their career. Is impulse as valuable for different levels throughout an organization, for instance when you’re working your way up and don’t have as much influence?
NT: Impulsivity is kind of high risk, high reward in a lot of ways. Particularly earlier in your career where you don’t have as much experience. Your impulsivity isn’t quite sharp or as finely tuned so it’s a little bit more dangerous to use your intuition in a space where you don’t have much actual experience. The other part about it is that there’s a career risk and there’s a social risk. I had one guy at a big health insurance company say that the risks for his career are just higher than the rewards made possible by taking a risk with his organization.
NP: Did you coach him away from that?
NT: I kind of said you’re putting parameters on your risk taking. Because the other extreme of this is you’re so afraid to take a risk that you reach a career plateau. You never trust your intuition and you need all the facts every time you make a decision. Which in most cases is just impossible. What ends up happening is you become known in the organization as a person who gets things done but nobody ever really sees you as the kind of person who can be a leader, a person who can actually step up and say “This is what I think we should do” and rally people around you. There’s never enough information, never enough facts, never enough people who have given input, and so you end up never making a decision. And that’s just as much career suicide as being too impulsive.
NP: You say some of these instinctive and impulsive behaviors stem from being part of an impulsive family. Is there a story that shines light on your family and upbringing?
NT: Well, there are many of them. The best example is that before I graduated high school, we had lived in 18 different houses and 11 different towns. We were not a military family, my parents just wanted to move, and they wanted to do something different. This is where it gets into the nature/nurture thing, so possibly I have a genetic disposition to be impulsive. I grew up in a household that was full of impulsive behavior and realized that it really wasn’t as dangerous as people thought. I’ve carried that into my approach to decision-making. People tend to think that when they make a decision it’s going to be the final judgment and that the world is going to stop turning. If it goes wrong their whole life is over and everything they know will have changed. What I learned from my childhood is that decisions are all just a bunch of mini-experiments. You make one, some of them work out, some of them don’t, and nothing really changes as dramatically as you think it was going to. I don’t put as much pressure on myself to make a decision that other people see as risky. It’s probably not going to go as sour as you might think it would.
This year's Axelson Center Symposium for Nonprofit Professionals and Volunteers will take place on Monday, June 22, 2015 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. Registration is available through June 17.
NP: In your most recent book, Why Quitters Win, there’s this concept of right versus right decisions. What do you mean by that, and how is it different from right versus wrong decisions?
NT: Typically when people think of decisions, they think of them as right versus wrong. But when we look at the vast majority of decisions we have to make either personally or professionally, it’s rarely the right versus wrong decisions that trip us up. For instance, one of the things we are talking about at the Symposium is this notion of being excellent, or deciding to be excellent. The difference between excellence for most people and most organizations and most careers is not a matter of cutting out bad things. The challenges, the real challenges, are those when you have three or four different possibilities, four different big goals you could pursue this year, and then you can make a case why all of them are somehow going to move you forward. The difference between excellent organizations, excellent teams, and mediocre ones, is the mediocre ones try and do all those things all at once all year long. The really excellent ones separate themselves by making a choice about which of these value added things, which of these “good things,” is going to actually provide the biggest lever to create the most change. This is instead of cutting ourselves off at the knees and trying to spread our resources, our time, our energy, our people, and our creativity evenly across all of the things we could do.
NP: In some way you serve as a leader of other leaders. Do you view everyone in an organization as some kind of leader or is there a difference in leading individuals on a team versus leading other leaders?
NT: There is a difference in that some people have more formal authority than others. When they make a call everyone has to go along with it, or at least those others don’t have as much authority to push back. With that being said there still are people at every level of an organization whose judgment is needed, who have the ability to make a decision and can actually influence people. And maybe it’s not a decision that’s necessarily carried out but you bring input to that decision, rather than going along with what everybody else is saying. And there is, getting back to the first part of our conversation, of course a risk that goes along with that. In my mind, I think a leader is someone who is accountable for the uncertainty and ambiguity in an organization and can stand behind a direction to move in.
NP: You’re giving the keynote at this year’s Axelson Center Symposium. What are you looking forward to?
NT: One thing I’m definitely looking forward to is the kind of audience who’s going to be there. It draws on all these people who serve in an organization with some kind of social mission. I find working with those kinds of audiences to be very personally rewarding. I like working with for-profit corporations too, but I also find that there’s something inspiring about people who have given over their everyday existence, their vocation, to advancing a social cause.
With that, a lot of the work I do is with large corporations and so I like getting the diversity perspective from different-sized organizations. This can sometimes include smaller staffs and smaller budgets. The issues can be different, but sometimes the same. I like to cross-reference the issues they’re facing with the issues the big corporate clients are facing and pull out major themes. This is where the researcher in me gets excited.
Registration for the Symposium is open until 5:00 pm on June 17. Review the entire event program and register at .
About the Axelson Center
The Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management at 天美传媒 is the source for informative and engaging nonprofit professional development in the Chicago region. Through regular workshops, a BootCamp for new nonprofit CEOs, customized trainings and the , 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 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 events.
天美传媒 Welcomes International Studies Honors Society to Campus
Sigma Iota Rho, headquartered at the University of Pennsylvania, seeks to promote and reward scholarship and service among students and practitioners of international studies, international affairs, and global studies and to foster integrity and creative performance in the conduct of world affairs.
Students from around the country and world expected to attend Sigma Iota Rho conference
CHICAGO (May 29, 2015) — This weekend, 天美传媒 will host the inaugural student research conference for the national honors society for international studies, . The student-run conference will include undergraduate research presentations, career and graduate school workshops, and peer-networking opportunities for students in various disciplines, including international and global studies, international relations, and international business. Participants from Chicago, the United States, and from around the world will have the opportunity to present their work and engage with scholars and practitioners in the field.
Garrett Warren, senior major from 天美传媒, who is serving as the lead planner for the conference, says it is an opportunity to open the horizons of what international studies can be. “We’ll be able to hear what other people are doing, which includes their goals and aspirations. It’s a chance to open a broader dialogue.”
The event will also feature a keynote speech from Emily Berman, deputy director of strategic partnerships and global affairs, in the , City of Chicago. Pamela Bozeman-Evans, senior director of will also speak to aspiring leaders about opportunities available to them.
“Sigma Iota Rho's mission is to promote the study of international affairs on campus and in the community,” said , national director and president of Sigma Iota Rho and co-director of the international relations program at the University of Pennsylvania. This conference allows students to “further develop their research and presentation skills and to consider international careers of some kind.”
A number of 天美传媒 students will participate in various ways throughout the conference, including as volunteers. 天美传媒 currently offers undergraduate programs in and that provide intercultural learning opportunities that can broaden worldviews and prepare students to lead in a global economy.
Warren, whose position as lead planner is part of an internship with 天美传媒’s , says he became interested in international studies after a study abroad experience in Hyderabad, India. “International studies and travel will hopefully be a part of what I do after I graduate in December. They are tied to my interests in cross-cultural communication and creating a world that is able to share what is good in the world, the values we have in common.”
University Awards Degrees to 502 Students at Spring Commencement Ceremonies
Students celebrate after the Spring Commencement ceremony at 天美传媒 on Saturday.
Nyvall Medallion presented to alum Rev. Wilfredo De Jesús
CHICAGO (May 11, 2015) — 天美传媒 culminated the 2014–2015 academic year last weekend by awarding degrees to 502 students, including 320 bachelor’s degrees.
Three commencement ceremonies were held Saturday, May 9, for students from all and programs, including . Combined with the held last December, degrees were presented to 756 天美传媒 graduates this academic year.
The weekend began with a baccalaureate service for all graduates, their families, and friends Friday, May 9, at Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago. “We make a bold claim at 天美传媒: that you will find your future here,” said University President in remarks to graduating students. “To find your future, you depend on the center—a center that draws you in, to love God, and a center that sends you out, to love your neighbor. God’s promise to you, tonight on the eve of your graduation from 天美传媒, is sure. Go then, into your future, where God will bless you and where you in turn will be a blessing to many.”
“God is shaping your life for significance and service”
At its undergraduate commencement Saturday morning, the University presented its David Nyvall Medallion to Rev. Wilfredo “Choco” De Jesús, senior pastor of , Chicago. Named for the first president of 天美传媒, the medallion is presented for distinguished service to the people of Chicago.
De Jesús, who earned a in 2006 from the Seminary, was appointed senior pastor of New Life Covenant in 2000. Since then the church has grown from a weekly attendance of 120 to 17,000, with more than 135 ministries reaching the most disenfranchised. In 2013, De Jesús was named one of TIME’s in the world and recognizing his leadership and influence.
Rev. Wilfredo “Choco” De Jesús challenged graduates to care for the poor, follow their callings, and choose to do what is right, even if it's not the easy option.
“There are three things that have guided me in my life that I hope will be of inspiration to you today,” De Jesús told graduating students. “One, care for the poor, the marginalized, the less fortunate. Do God’s work and let God take care of you. Two, understand the difference between passion and calling. When times get tough, it will be the calling upon your life that will get you through those hard times. Third, what’s helped me through all my life is courage. Being raised in Humboldt Park, you need courage. Have faith that God will get you through. Never operate in fear—fear is the absence of faith.”
Citing the example of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., De Jesús closed by saying, “There comes a time, students, when we must take a position that is neither safe, political, nor popular. But it’s right. And God is with you. God is shaping your life for significance and service.”
The Ahnfeldt Medallion, given to the senior with the highest grade point average, was presented to Katelynn Laures, Rochester, Minn., bachelor of arts in . 天美传媒's winners Natalie Wilson, Shoreview, Minn., bachelor of arts in and , and Kate Asnicar, Olathe, Kan., bachelor of arts in , were also recognized.
Twenty-seven students from the 天美传媒 College (now University), Academy, and Seminary classes of 1965 marched in gold caps and gowns and were recognized for celebrating the 50th anniversary of their graduation.
“You will be remembered by how many lives you touched”
Four graduates addressed the afternoon commencement ceremony for , the , and the , sharing the ways in which their 天美传媒 education shaped their lives and careers. Olumide Oluwole, Chicago, a graduate with a , shared his story of turning adversity into triumph. “When I was asked to speak today, I said, ‘Why me?’” Oluwole said. This wasn’t the first time Oluwole had asked himself this question throughout his life, though the motivations behind why he has done so have shifted.
“When I went to school in Nigeria in a building with no air conditioning, I also wondered, Why me?” Oluwole continued. “When my sister said, ‘I can see potential in you; I just need to change your environment,’ I wondered, Why me? When, through her help, I then had the opportunity to come to America, and ultimately to 天美传媒, I wondered, Why me?”
Oluwole called on his fellow graduates to use their education to make a difference in their communities. “People are looking to us,” he said. “You will be remembered by how many lives you touched and saved. I want to challenge you that we have what it takes.”
天美传媒 Theological Seminary graduates process through the center of campus toward their ceremony in Anderson Chapel on Saturday evening.
“God has uniquely placed you in a wonderful position”
Dean of 天美传媒 Theological Seminary presided at the Seminary commencement, which honored 30 graduates. The Ahnfeldt Medallion was presented to the graduates with the highest grade point averages, Kathryn Isaza, Chicago, , and Chris Hoskins, Omaha, . In addition, academic awards were presented to several students.
An honorary doctor of divinity was conferred to Rev. Debbie Blue, executive minister of the ministries of the Evangelical Covenant Church. “Debbie is a prophetic voice,” said Kersten. “We are honored to present this award to someone who’s served with such distinction, joy, and grace among us.”’
Blue, who received a master of arts in Christian education from the Seminary in 1996, told graduating students that she was reminded of the gospel song “My Tribute” as she accepted her award. “I am humbled and honored. ‘How can I say thanks for all the things you have done for me?’ For this recognition today, I have you to thank for your partnership in the gospel and recognition of me. But this is God’s.”
Rev. Dr. D. Darrell Griffin, pastor of , Chicago, delivered the commencement address, in which he called upon graduating students to not miss the opportunities God may be presenting to them. “Just because you don’t know what you’re supposed to do doesn’t mean you don’t have an assignment,” Griffin said. “God has uniquely placed you in a wonderful position to help usher in a new direction of ministry. Our churches need us.”
Griffin, who received a from the Seminary in 2006, emphasized the lessons found in the service’s Old Testament reading, Genesis 9:18–28. “God was calling on Noah to build a brave new world of justice, love, and peace,” Griffin said. “God was depending on Noah to do this. But Noah could not see God’s will, because there he was, intoxicated. We’re missing opportunities because some of us are intoxicated. Not with wine, but with wrong attitude, with preoccupation with self, with tradition, with success, with narrowness of vision.”
“Look at the favor that God has had upon your life,” said Griffin. “He has a purpose for our lives. He is getting ready to give somebody in here an assignment beyond their wildest dreams. But God is short on people who are alert enough to carry out the task.”
Natalie Wilson, who majored in elementary education and Spanish, will begin an assignment as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Ecuador this fall.
Wilson and Asnicar to teach in Ecuador and Malaysia, respectively
CHICAGO (May 6, 2015) — 天美传媒 continued its record of Fulbright success this spring, when the awarded overseas teaching opportunities to two University students. Seniors Natalie Wilson and Kate Asnicar were awarded English Teaching Assistantships (ETA) in Ecuador and Malaysia, respectively.
Combined with previous awards, 14 天美传媒 students and three faculty members in the past seven years have earned Fulbright grants. Last academic year, the University was among the , according to a list announced by the U.S. Department of State.
A double-major in and , Wilson will graduate this week with an endorsement in . Beginning this September, she will serve as an ETA for a 10-month placement in Ecuador. Although the specifics of her grant haven’t yet been announced, Wilson expects to be teaching English and U.S. culture to students at the university level.
“I have had so many opportunities to learn about and experience an array of cultures through coursework, clinical experiences, and activities at 天美传媒,” Wilson says. “Both the School of Education and the Spanish department have really prepared me to teach in a foreign country and culture.”
A native of Shoreview, Minn., Wilson has combined her love of teaching and engaging other cultures throughout her time at 天美传媒. She served as an Urban Outreach site leader for the tutoring program at nearby Peterson Elementary School, taught adult ESL summer courses through nonprofit organization , and studied abroad in Ecuador last year. “I was in Cuenca, Ecuador, for eight weeks with a small group of students,” Wilson says. “Throughout that experience, I lived with a host family, took Spanish courses at the university, and traveled around Ecuador and Peru.”
, professor of Spanish and Fulbright Program associate, attests to Wilson’s skills and character. “Natalie will excel in her year as an English Teaching Assistant in Ecuador,” says Parkyn. “After studying abroad in the country, she is anxious to share her language and culture with Ecuadorian students. I am confident she is chock-full of ideas to share with students about life as an American.”
When Wilson completes her program, she will move back to Chicago, where she hopes to continue teaching. “I have been able to apply what I’ve learned in my education courses to my clinical teaching experiences at Chicago-area schools,” she says. “When I return to the United States, I plan to look for a teaching position in Chicago Public Schools at the elementary level.”
Kate Asnicar, who studied history and global studies, will begin an assignment as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Malaysia next January.
“A thoughtful and engaging ambassador”
Asnicar will graduate this week with a bachelor of arts in and a minor in . In January 2016, she will travel to Malaysia to serve as an ETA through next November. “Although most of the details are still to come, I know that I will be placed in a primary school, secondary school, or university to help students improve their English skills as well as share cultural experiences and practices,” Asnicar says.
Like Wilson, Asnicar’s experience studying abroad helped her determine her plans following graduation. “The opportunities provided to me through studying abroad in Turkey last year, as well as the support and guidance from the faculty, have shaped the path I'm about to embark on,” says Asnicar. “I’m thrilled and honored to have the opportunity to see the world and cannot wait to get there.”
While at 天美传媒, Asnicar, of Olathe, Kan., has worked in the , served as a worship leader, and sung as a member of the Touring Ensemble. “There are so many decisions to wonder about, but coming to 天美传媒 and fulfilling my degree here is, without a doubt, the best decision I have made in my adult life,” she says. “I feel that even after I leave, I’ll stay in contact with faculty I’ve grown close to, and will continue to be supported in all of my future endeavors.”
, professor of history, agrees. “Kate will be a wonderful mentor for her students in Malaysia. She has a curiosity and sensitivity toward other cultures that will serve her well,” Rabe says. “She will be a thoughtful and engaging ambassador of America for her students.”
Although she’s unsure of what her precise next steps will be following her Fulbright experience, “graduate school is definitely on the horizon,” Asnicar says. “But I see myself seeking out more opportunities to work and live abroad before making any decisions.”
The Fulbright Program was established by the U.S. Congress in 1946, and is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. It is the largest U.S. international exchange program offering opportunities for students, scholars, and professionals to undertake international graduate study, advanced research, university teaching, and teaching in elementary and secondary schools worldwide.
Mary Aldugom, a psychology major from Chicago, will begin work at the Children’s Research Triangle after graduation.
Mary Aldugom and Daniel Raymond honored for embodying University mission of significance and service
CHICAGO (April 30, 2015) — Last week, the 天美传媒 community gathered in Anderson Chapel for the annual Honors Convocation, a celebration recognizing students who demonstrated excellence in the classroom and community.
Director of Alumni Relations Melissa Vélez-Luce presented the 2015 Distinguished Senior Awards to Mary Aldugom, Chicago, and Daniel Raymond, Stillman Valley, Ill. This honor is bestowed each year to one male and one female from the graduating class, recognizing extraordinary leadership, dedicated service, superior academic performance, and embodiment of the University’s of living lives of significance and service.
Aldugom, a currently finishing a senior thesis with Dr. David Bennett, earned the distinction because of her strong academic record and the leadership she provided to various campus groups. As a commuter student, she was committed to finding community at 天美传媒. She served as president of both the Psychology Club and Middle Eastern Student Association, and was actively involved in student government and the Office of Diversity and Intercultural Programs. This commitment to the 天美传媒 community was in addition to two professional internships at Swedish Covenant Hospital’s Neuro-Rehabilitation Center and Children’s Research Triangle.
“Mary’s experiences as a leader across campus speak to a dedication to her involvement in the community at 天美传媒, a desire to learn and grow intellectually and socially, and her professional attitude,” said , professor of psychology and associate dean for the Division of Sciences. “Mary is well-liked and respected by her peers and the psychology faculty and works well in groups and independently.”
A first-generation college student, Aldugom is close to her family, especially her two younger sisters she helps care for. She has continued this care for others at 天美传媒 this semester—and paired it with her passion for psychology—by hosting weekly study sessions for her peers as they prepared for their comprehensive exam. Mary has accepted a position at Children’s Research Triangle following graduation, and has plans to complete a PhD in cognitive psychology in the future.
“In seven years as a professor at 天美传媒, I have never met a more talented, hard-working, and bright student,” said , associate professor of psychology and Aldugom’s internship supervisor.
When asked about the most rewarding part of her time at 天美传媒, Algudom said, “It’s the relationships. Anyone can work hard and get a good GPA, but life is about more than what you fill your resume with. The people at 天美传媒 are always there for each other. At 天美传媒, you can look back on difficult times or struggles and because of the people you’re surrounded by, you don’t remember the struggle. You remember the conversations, the support, and the care you received.”
Daniel Raymond, a music education major from Stillman Valley, Ill., will return to Covenant Harbor Bible Camp this summer as worship director.
“A humble Christian spirit”
Raymond, a , was honored with a Distinguished Senior Award for his leadership across 天美传媒’s music programs and outside communities. He served in various roles at throughout the last five years, and is currently a music assistant at First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest. During his time at the University, Raymond spent two years directing the , served as bass section leader in the University Choir, was the assistant chorus master for the in 2014, and was chosen to be the student conductor at the .
He also played on , 天美传媒’s Ultimate Frisbee team, throughout his four years, which he says is made rewarding because of the travel and friendships it afforded him.
“Beyond Dan’s considerable achievements, he is an exemplary human being, who has distinguished himself at 天美传媒 and beyond,” said Dean Craig Johnson, on behalf of the faculty. “He embodies a truly humble Christian spirit.”
Raymond completed an internship during the summer of 2012 at “to have the experience of working in a corporate environment.” He recently completed a student teaching assignment at Niles North High School, with a goal of teaching choral music at the secondary level. He will return to Covenant Harbor Bible Camp this summer to serve as worship director.
When asked how 天美传媒 has shaped him, Raymond said, “Academically, I’ve learned so much content, but more than anything, I’ve learned how to learn. At a very small high school, I had a lot of different opportunities to shine as a musician. Coming to 天美传媒 washumbling. It showed me how many very talented people there are in so many different areas of study and application.”
In addition to the Distinguished Senior Awards, the Honors Convocation ceremony also noted the top graduating students from each department and school, and service and leadership awards were given to seniors embodying excellence in co- and extracurricular activities. View a complete list of students recognized in this year's .
The University’s graduation ceremonies, including the presentation of the Ahnfeldt Medallion given to the senior with the highest grade point average, will officially close the year on .
天美传媒 will host five discussions in Hamming Hall as part of 'On the Table 2015,' with topics that include education, healthcare, peace and justice, nonprofits, and diversity in higher education
Part of citywide discussion to reimagine philanthropy
CHICAGO (April 24, 2015) — On Tuesday, May 12, thousands of people from around Chicago will gather at various locations to discuss ways to make our region the most compassionate and generous in the nation. This imaginative public square is known as “,” organized for the second consecutive year by the , a 100-year-old organization that looks for innovative ways for concerned citizens to put charitable dollars to work for the benefit of metropolitan Chicago.
Similar to last year, 天美传媒 will host five concurrent “On the Table” conversations. Discussion topics include education, healthcare, peace and justice, nonprofits, and diversity in higher education, and were chosen with local partners and . The goal is to bring together 天美传媒 faculty and staff with community leaders to further collaboration and benefit the community at large.
, senior program manager at the at 天美传媒, was chosen to serve as an official ambassador of “On the Table 2015” by the Chicago Community Trust. A longtime partner of 天美传媒, the Chicago Community Trust has supported the important role the Axelson Center plays as a resource for Chicago’s nonprofit sector. The Chicago Community Trust is a major sponsor of the as well as .
“Philanthropy, the ‘On the Table 2015' theme, is an action word at 天美传媒,” Williams says. “Students, faculty, and staff give in a variety of ways throughout the year because of a personal commitment to service. Collectively, we as an institution are a natural hub for divergent intersections. As a convener and connector on May 12, we have the opportunity to help our community discover new ways to extend the measure of its impact throughout Chicago.”
The event will take place from 8:30 to 10:30 am in 天美传媒’s Hamming Hall. It is made possible thanks to the support of Whole Foods Market Sauganash. If you have any questions or are interested in attending, please contact Crystal Williams at crwilliams@northpark.edu or (773) 244-5799.
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