North Park University Center for Civic Engagement

04/12/2023

Catalyst on Campus: Subversive Witness

04/06/2023

Catalyst on Campus 4/5/23: Inaugural Theodore J. Van Der Meid Lecture in American Politics, Tamera Luzzatto - Today's Case for Pursuing Common Ground and Civility

10/06/2022

10/06/2022

You may have noticed a new name (and temporary logo).
Today, we just launched our new Center for Civic Engagement! We are grateful to all who were able to support us today, in person and online. If you weren't able to join us in real time, feel free to watch our public launch here.

10/15/2021

Catalyst on Campus: Mosaic - The Intersection of Faith and Race

Modeled after the Evangelical Covenant Church’s Journey to Mosaic program, the Office of Diversity and Intercultural Life (ODIL), University Ministries (UMin), and the Catalyst Hub are joining together to host a conversation on the intersection of faith and race. Although Catalyst on Campus typically takes place on campus, for this special event, we will travel off-campus to visit Greater St. John Bible Church, whose ministry will provide the backdrop for our dialogue together.

Greater St. John Bible Church has served the Austin community for over 35 years with a deep commitment to galvanizing resources for neighborhood flourishing and grassroots mobilization. North Park Theological Seminary alum Rev. Ira Acree, who has served as senior pastor for over 20 years, will join us to discuss the impact of race on spiritual formation and his local ministry. After his presentation, the group will engage in a time of discussion.

Rev. Acree who co-founded the Leaders Network is an influential West Side leader and a frequent guest on local and national news programs.

Please RSVP at this link: https://northpark.campuslabs.com/engage/event/7507042

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Event Information:

Wednesday, October 20, 2021
11:40-4:10pm

Please meet outside the west door of Anderson Chapel (near Ohlson). We will depart at 11:40am, immediately after chapel. We will return to campus by 4:10pm. Masks will be required. Lunch from Austin’s well-known establishment MacArthur’s Restaurant, will be provided.

Questions? Please comment below or personal message us. We hope you can make it!

09/08/2021

Many thanks to the North Park University Student Government Association for hosting this important conversation. Be sure to join us tomorrow in Anderson Chapel at 12:30pm!

07/01/2021

Incoming First-Year Students and Transfers: This fall, step out from the walls of the classroom and experience Chicago as your educator. The Catalyst Semester is a semester-long, city-centered cohort program that intentionally engages city as classroom. Learn from communities, organizations, cultural institutions and more! There's still time to apply, see application link below. PM us for more information and questions. shorturl.at/kuXZ7

04/13/2021

Please join us tomorrow for our last Catalyst on Campus event of the semester. As we approach Earth Day, we’re joined by NPU alum Kaleb Nyquist to discuss climate change. This event is sponsored by the Student Government Association and will stream live from our page and Zoom.

03/26/2021

Corporations are starting to take positions on social issues, including Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Given the protests advocating for racial equity, particularly after the murder of George Floyd, Jr., more U.S. companies have begun to denounce racism on their public communication channels. Some have created statements and held employee trainings to support diversity, equity, and inclusion, and this seems to be part of a new status quo. Do these efforts represent true change, or are they merely performative?

Join us as the School of Business and Nonprofit Management hosts an honest conversation with key business leaders discussing these questions, and how companies can develop a genuine corporate culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Wednesday, March 31st
12:30pm Live on our page or on Zoom

03/11/2021

"Culture in the Arts: Ethical Engagement and Appropriation"
Sponsored by the NPU School of Music, Art, and Theatre
Wednesday, March 17th
12:30-2:00pm

In the 21st century, many believe that cultural appropriation—like globalization—is inevitable, but what are the guidelines and ethics in a creatively open and culturally diverse world?

Because artists draw on their personal worldviews and experiences, the works they produce serve as potent conduits of cultural expression and communication. When their artistic expression is for the public sphere, can members of the public or other artists replicate essences of their work as an act of appreciation or respect? Or is it simply an act of theft and appropriation?

Join us for this important conversation as panelists representing various disciplines in the arts, including special guests Gwendolyn Y. Purifoye, Rollo Dilworth, Riva Lehrer, Shepsu Aakhu, and Daniel White Hodge, discuss how artists can engage their craft ethically, while honoring the cultural traditions and expressions of others.

Bios:
Gwendolyn Y. Purifoye: NPU feature https://www.northpark.edu/news/north-park-sociology-professor-examines-racial-socio-economic-inequality-in-public-transportation/
Rollo Dilworth: https://boyer.temple.edu/about/faculty-staff/rollo-a-dilworth-radclef
Riva Lehrer: https://www.rivalehrerart.com/bio
Shepsu Aakhu: https://newplayexchange.org/users/23253/shepsu-aakhu
Daniel White Hodge: https://www.northpark.edu/faculty-staff-directory/daniel-white-hodge/