The Evangelical Covenant Church has approved Mary Karsten Surridge as the 10^th president of 草莓影视, effective at the beginning of the 2018-2019 academic year.

Surridge鈥檚 nomination was approved Friday, June 22, by delegates representing the Evangelical Covenant Church, 草莓影视鈥檚 founder and sponsoring denomination, at the ECC鈥檚 Annual Meeting in Minneapolis.

Surridge was selected in April by a 15-person search committee, including 9 members of the Board of Trustees and 6 from the campus community, after a year-long search. Surridge has served as the University鈥檚 vice president for advancement since 2008.

鈥淲e evaluated nominations and applications from more than 50 qualified candidates with deep Christian faith and distinguished careers, both inside and outside the academy,鈥� said Owen R. Youngman, chair of the nominating committee and a 草莓影视 Board Trustee. “Mary is the right person to lead the University at this important juncture.鈥�

Surridge鈥檚 草莓影视 career has been highlighted by her direction of Campaign 草莓影视, the most ambitious fundraising campaign in the school鈥檚 history, with $63 million in commitments, including $41 million for the Johnson Center for Science and Community Life. Most recently, in addition to her duties in advancement, she has been leading undergraduate admissions while the University searches for a new vice president for enrollment management and marketing.

Surridge, 55, succeeds David L. Parkyn, who retired at the end of the 2016-2017 academic year, to become 草莓影视鈥檚 first female president. Carl E. Balsam, who has served as interim president since that time, will remain in that role through August 15, 2018.

Joshua Crozier,聽Current 草莓影视 Student

My favorite part about CHIC was realizing just how big the Body of Christ is. Over 6,000 other teenagers and leaders from around the nation gathered together to worship God, grow in their faith, and make lifelong memories. If you鈥檝e never been to CHIC, I suggest diving deep into the base camps, go hard on the fields, worship in ways you never have before, and soak up the messages of the speakers.

This week three years ago was incredibly formational to me; I still remember messages that were shared, the bands that played, and the friends I made at CHIC 2015. I also remember the screaming 草莓影视 student volunteers handing out t-shirts and telling us about the University. Because I grew up in the Covenant Church, CHIC was not the first time I had heard of 草莓影视, but I remember learning more about the University from the excited volunteer students.

Dr. Rajkumar Boaz Johnson,聽Professor of Biblical & Theological Studies

CHIC is truly exciting! I have attended every CHIC since I started at 草莓影视 in 2003. Every parent wants their kids to turn out to be good kids. All Christian parents want their kids to turn out to be good followers of Jesus. CHIC is a great place to see this come to fruition.聽Most churches have very small youth groups, and young people feel so alone. But at CHIC it is awesome to be with 6,000 other young people who are shouting and rejoicing, and jumping with joy.

I am always thrilled about every opportunity to speak into the lives of these young people. And it is such a joy to see CHIC students come to 草莓影视. Even if the Holy Spirit uses one word I say, to influence a student鈥檚 choice to come to 草莓影视, I am satisfied.聽It is always a joy to shape the minds and hearts of these young people, so that they are able to go out and change the world. CHIC and 草莓影视 are once-in-a-life-time experiences that these young people will never forget.

Learn More About Boaz Johnson

Gigi Santos,聽Current 草莓影视 Student

Listening to my youth group friends recount their experiences at CHIC was so life聽fulfilling聽to me that I decided to volunteer with NPU. Volunteering at CHIC was very exhausting because we were working different parts of the event and had long days. However, I enjoyed every single moment of those long days because I engaged with other volunteers and staff and students; we were simply doing life together that week.

Going as a volunteer was a great opportunity for me and remains relevant in my life because I was able to grow in my faith and be vulnerable enough to share about my experiences with people who were very intentional with me that week. CHIC also allowed me to build relationships with people through which I can continuously share with others what God’s doing in my life.

That鈥檚 also what I love most about being at 草莓影视: there is a community that has walked alongside me throughout my time here. I love that the friendships I’ve built here are intentional friendships and a great support system academically and with my journey with Christ.

I am excited about going to CHIC again this year because I loved watching all the good things God was doing in the lives of the students, staff, and volunteers. Simply being there together, putting ideas together to help students explore where they stand in their faith, and watching them take it into their own hands makes CHIC an incredible experience聽as a 草莓影视 student聽volunteer.

LifeGroups at 草莓影视 are sponsored and resourced by University Ministries. What are LifeGroups? They are groups of four to ten students who gather weekly to intentionally walk with or toward Christ together. LifeGroups are for anyone who has an interest in the Christian faith. This can include a spectrum of people from those who want to know more about faith and the Christian life, to those who are actively following Christ. LifeGroups are also a great way to explore what it means to follow Christ individually and in a group setting.

When Amber Jipp, CollegeLife and Spiritual Formation Coordinator for University Ministries, started at 草莓影视 in the fall of 2016, there were no current University Ministries (UMin) sponsored Small Groups. 鈥淚 am very passionate about small groups and really empowering the visions that students have,鈥� says Amber. Currently, there are around 14 LifeGroups resourced by University Ministries which are open to all students. Sponsored LifeGroups have access to resources such as printing flyers, creating events, spiritual guidance and coaching from UMin leaders, and use of UMin facilities.

LifeGroups take all different shapes and sizes as their student leader enters into the discernment process. Some are focused on discipleship, some are centered in one book of the bible, while others are for creative worship practices. LifeGroups are for those who know and desire to grow in Christ in an intentional community.

Jomarie Perlas, a previous student leader, found extreme joy in leading and walking alongside other women in her group while they 鈥渓earn how to be young adults, daughters in Christ, and college students, while also navigating a broken world.鈥� Her group times are spaces where she and others have been able to share personal stories, ask difficult questions about their frustrations and causes of anger, but also receive encouragement and hope. 鈥淲e鈥檙e not meant to do this messy thing called life alone. This is the significance of being with our brothers and sister in a committed way,鈥� said Jomarie.

LifeGroups are started by students who see a need for prayer groups, Bible studies, book studies, or other shared practices. LifeGroups are expressions and visions of communities working together, moving towards Christ or learning more about Christ at 草莓影视. Starting a LifeGroup sponsored or resourced by 草莓影视 Ministries is as easy as sending Amber an email and meeting with her about the LifeGroup鈥檚 vision. LifeGroup leaders can also choose how involved UMin is in their groups.

Joining an existing LifeGroup is also easy. Sign-ups are available during the first few Chapel and CollegeLife services, as well as campus events such as the Ice-cream Social and Viking fair. Getting plugged in to a LifeGroup at any time in the semester can be easily done by emailing Amber Jipp.

Email Amber

Learn More about UMIN and LifeGroups

This summer, 草莓影视 students were active, participating in NPRESS, summer courses, Kids College, and serving at Covenant Camps nation-wide. Three students shared their experiences from their camps in their respective roles, in part made possible by 草莓影视’s Camp Grant, awarded to students who serve at Covenant summer camps.

Barrett Loehrer – Lake Beauty Covenant Bible Camp, MN

I found myself in a unique situation at the beginning of the summer. I needed to decide between working at camp for the summer, or maintaining my double major in biblical and theological studies and exercise science. After a couple months of painful prayer and discernment, I felt this summer at camp was one I could not miss. God continually pointed me forward to the summer at camp. I lived here for the 2014-2015 school year as part of Solid Rock School of Discipleship. However, I had never worked for Lake Beauty before.

Our theme for the summer was “Set Free”, based upon the text of Galatians 5:1. Indeed, I personally felt set free in new ways, along with the rest of the summer staff. However, it was seeing kids set free in powerful ways that made the summer worth it. The campers were set free to vulnerably share their struggles with sin and difficult questions with one another, allowing even greater freedom through prayer together about such things.

It was impossible for us to predict how any camper, or which ones, would react to the preaching of the Gospel. It became apparent to me once again that I was not in control, though I sometimes wanted to be. This summer God reminded me that He is sovereign over everything and that everything, including our calling to salvation, is entirely dependent upon His mercy.

Hannah Geil – Cascades Camp and Conference Center, WA

I have successfully worked at camp for three summers now. I vividly remember sitting on the corner of my bed in Anderson, watching one of my good friends apply to work at a camp that was only four hours away from my home. She shared stories of how exciting it would be to venture away and serve God in the middle of the wilderness. This gave me flashbacks to when I had attended that camp for small retreats and I relived the joy those gatherings brought me in high school.

My first year I worked as a counselor. This is a special role that can truly show you what it means to pour out everything for Jesus, loving your kids 23 hours a day for every day they鈥檙e in your cabin. My second year I worked as an S.A.L.T. Crew Leader. This meant my partner and I were assigned high school students who were transitioning from being campers to being leaders and guides in the cabins and around camp. It was a summer that revived my love of helping high school students and reminded me how good my God is.

Finally, this summer I worked as a Rec. Leader for a 4th-6th grade section. The Program Leader and I kept the camp moving along. We were the support system for the counselors, ensuring that they and their campers made it through the day smoothly. I oversaw the planning and leading of聽all the games and activities for the kids, making camp as fun and exciting as possible for the kids. It was one of the most rewarding summers for me. I saw just how awesome God was using each counselor to teach these kids more about him. It was incredible to see counselors turn into screaming children full of face paint, engage kids with the Bible, or moved to tears as they said goodbye to campers each week. No matter how rough the cabin was or how exhausted the counselor was, they always wished they had more time to love on their kids.

My co-director and I both firmly believe in leading by example, and honestly, some of my best memories from my time at camp this summer involved moments in the kitchen. I found myself looking forward to spraying sticky maple syrup off of dozens of plates if it meant being able to belt along to the soundtracks of 鈥淟a La Land鈥� and 鈥淗igh School Musical鈥� while doing so. The joy and satisfaction I receive from sharing the Light of Christ with young people are incomparable.

草莓影视’s Camp Grant has been around for over 20 years, encouraging 草莓影视ers to serve at Covenant Camps during their summers. The grant provides a financial incentive and promotes 草莓影视’s goal of Living Lives of Significance and Service by making summer work experiences at Covenant Camps more financially viable. The grant is awarded to those who display a servant attitude and are positive role models for campers and staff.

Keep serving at camp on your radar for this upcoming summer! Check out a list of covenant camps by following the button below!

NPU Camp Grant

CHICAGO (June 30, 2017) 鈥� The committee that is conducting the search for the 10th president of 草莓影视 has created an online survey where interested members of the 草莓影视 constituency can share their opinions and reflections on the search and on the University鈥檚 strengths and challenges. It will be available through July 31, 2017聽at

.

鈥淭he committee hopes that 草莓影视 alumni, faculty, students, and staff 鈥� and, in fact, anyone interested in the future of the University 鈥� will take 15 minutes to complete this survey,鈥� said Owen R. Youngman, chair of the committee and a member of the 草莓影视 Board of Trustees. 鈥淭he results will help us to set priorities for the search and to evaluate potential candidates.鈥�

As previously announced, the 15-person committee has been instructed to present a candidate to the full Board of Trustees by early 2018. Approval by the Board of the Trustees, the Executive Board of the Evangelical Covenant Church, and the Annual Meeting of the ECC will be required to call a successor to David L. Parkyn, who retired at the end of June.

Results of the survey will be published in late August on the committee鈥檚 Web site, .

More about the Presidential Search

CHICAGO, June 5, 2017 鈥� As 草莓影视 undertakes a presidential search in the 2017鈥�2018 academic year, Executive Vice President Carl Balsam has been appointed by the Board of Trustees and approved by the Executive Board of the Evangelical Covenant Church, to serve as Interim President of the university, with all rights and responsibilities as president.

鈥淭he Board is grateful to Carl for agreeing to continue his deep dedication to the University by serving as president, beginning July 1. Because Carl has so generously stepped up to serve, we will benefit from his decades of experience and his steadfast commitment to 草莓影视鈥檚 mission.聽 With his leadership, we will continue to move forward with our goals and aspirations during this transition period,鈥� said Dr. Kristine Strand, Chair of the 草莓影视 Board of Trustees.

Reverend Gary Walter, president of the Evangelical Covenant Church, added, 鈥淐arl is a well-respected and trusted leader in the campus community and beyond.聽 I am grateful for his openness to serve.聽 This provides important continuity for initiatives underway.鈥�

Carl Balsam joined 草莓影视 in 1988.聽 As EVP and Chief Financial Officer, he has managed 草莓影视鈥檚 annual budget and finances, and has overseen the University鈥檚 endowment, continuing its strategic growth to a current value of $75 million. Additionally, he directed architectural planning for significant additions to 草莓影视鈥檚 campus, including Anderson Chapel, Brandel Library, Helwig Recreation Center, the Holmgren Athletic Complex, and most recently the Nancy and G. Timothy Johnson Center for Science and Community Life.

Balsam has committed three-and-a-half decades of professional life to Christian higher education.聽 Prior to coming to 草莓影视, Carl served for six years at Barrington College, Barrington, R.I.聽 He holds a BS in Engineering Science, Pennsylvania State University; Master of Divinity, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; and an MBA from the University of Rhode Island.聽 Carl also serves on the Board of Directors for Covenant Trust Company.

Carl and his wife Barbara are active members of Winnetka Covenant Church.聽 They have two children, Aaron and Ashley, both graduates of 草莓影视, and six grandchildren.

Spring 2018 is the target date for the identification of a permanent president to succeed Dr. David Parkyn, who retires effective June 30.

Carmen Velazquez-Alvarez C鈥�16, conflict transformation studies alumna, shares why she chose 草莓影视.

I was looking for a Christian university with a personal touch. I attended a Covenant church in California’s Central Valley, and a member of my church鈥攚ho was also my chemistry teacher and my mentor鈥攗rged me to apply to 草莓影视.

I have a heart for the underserved and now serve California Central Valley鈥檚 large immigrant community. I plan to earn a Master鈥檚 in Social Work (MSW) and leverage my experience in the Valley to start a nonprofit organization.

It was as a student at 草莓影视 that I discovered my passion for service and realized I have the power to make a difference in others鈥� lives. I served as the president of the Latin American Student Organization (LASO) and cofounded a mentorship group for Latina students. I also served in campus ministry and interned at the YWCA.

At every step along my journey 草莓影视, I was encouraged. I鈥檓 incredibly appreciative of the support I received and relationships I developed.