|
Home
North Park Surpasses Capital Campaign Goal
CHICAGO, IL (June 7, 2006) - With help and support from thousands of alumni and
friends, North Park University (NPU) has surpassed the $26 million goal for its
most recent capital campaign. Supporters have contributed $27.5 million to
Formation & Transformation: A Campaign for North Park, which has funded the
new Helwig Recreation Center and the Holmgren Athletic Complex.
A Kresge Challenge matching grant of $300,000, a gift from Mike and Kathy
Holmgren, and other recent gifts also helped put the university over the top,
says Nicole Daniels, director of external relations for the university. Kathy
Holmgren is a 1969 alumna of NPU and will be honored this fall at Homecoming as
Distinguished Alumna of the Year. Mike Holmgren is head coach of the National
Football League's Seattle Seahawks.
 The Holmgrens made the final donation to the campaign in
May, on the same day Mike signed a new contract with the Seahwawks (accompanying
photo is Bruce Bickner, NPU's CEO, Kathy and Mike Holmgren, and Scott Pethtel,
NPU's football coach). The Holmgrens were honorary co-chairs of Formation &
Transformation: A Campaign for North Park.
Although the donations exceed the goal, Daniels says, the amount actually
will leave the school on target. The overage will compensate for the normal five
percent of pledges that are not filled and will cover costs that have increased
since the contracts were issued four years ago for the Helwig Center.
The new recreation center, located on the southwest corner of Carmen and
Kedzie avenues, is scheduled to open this fall. The building will include a
200-meter, two-lane indoor running track, batting cages, basketball and
volleyball courts, a climbing wall, and fitness area. A dedication ceremony is
scheduled for September 15.
The center is expected to be a major boost in recruiting regular students as
well as student athletes, who make up roughly 25 percent of the current student
body, says Daniels. The university has lost a number of student athlete
prospects as well as regular students in the past because its facilities could
not compete with those at other schools. NPU coaches say the construction
already has made a noticeable improvement in recruiting players.
Funds from the campaign have also been used to create green space on the
campus.
Copyright © 2008 The Evangelical Covenant Church. |
|
|
|
