'Songs of the Season' Coming to NCU

Minneapolis, MN – The Fine Arts Department of North Central University would like to invite you to their annual production ‘Songs of the Season.’  Come and join them for a time of incredible music that celebrates the Christmas season.  This event is always a highlight of the year at NCU – you won’t want to miss it!

The production will be held in the Word and Worship Center at North Central University located at 1400 Elliot Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55404.  Three performances include Friday, December 5, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, December 6, 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, December 7, 3:30 p.m. The cost of admission is free with an opportunity to give in a love offering.  The release of this year’s North Central Christmas will be available for purchase on CD after the different performances.

The Fine Arts Department would also like mention that there will be an after party for any students interested in attending or learning more about NCU following the Friday, December 5, 2008 performance.   

For more information about ‘Songs of the Season’ call 612.343.4701.

NCU Students "Freeze" for Poverty Awareness

Minneapolis, Minn. - North Central University students partnered with the Salvation Army on November 6, 2008 to raise awareness about poverty, hunger and homelessness in the Twin Cities. Over 100 students gathered at the Nicollet Mall block in downtown Minneapolis where they participated in a five minute freeze.

From 12:40-12:45 p.m. students stood frozen in position and were silent as pedestrians passed along, looking a bit curious and confused. Each student wore a noticeable sticker or tee-shirt that spoke their message loud and clear: “Ignore No More.” The event intended to touch and grab the attention of those who choose to ignore and pass by the people they see in need.

For more information on the Salvation Army’s Ignore No More Campaign visit www.ignorenomore.org

Women's Soccer Claims First Region Championship in Program History

OWATONNA, Minn.-- The Lady Rams soccer team got an early goal from Kalyn Zimmer in the fifth minute and a stout defense held out for the final 85 minutes to claim a 1-0 win over second seed Providence College on November 1, 2008. The win gave the Rams their first NCCAA Regional Championship in program history.

 The Rams and Lady Freeman played an overtime thriller in Otterburne, Manitoba on September 26 which saw the Rams score three goals in less that four mintues to claim a 3-2 win. There was no such offensive display for either team. Instead a goal by senior Kalyn Zimmer (Duluth Minn.) on an assist from freshman Joelle Waskey (Scandia, Minn.) in the fifth minute would stand for 85 minutes and end as the game winning score. The shutout for goalkeeper Casey Lattu (Columbus, Wis.) would stand as her sixth of the year in what was the best defensive performance of the season for NCU. 

 Zimmer ends the regular season with 17 points on six goals and five assists. The NCU defense lowered its goals against average to 1.41 and Casey Lattu lowered her personal GAA to a razor thin 1.38. NCU's 1-0 win is made even more impressive considering Providence came into Saturday's title game with the fourth best offensive stats in NCCAA DII (3.14 goals per game, 8.14 ppg) and had not been shutout during the season.

 The win gives the Rams their first ever birth in the NCCAA DII Women's Soccer National Championship Tournament on November 14-17 in Kissimmee, Fla.

Local Mayor Kicks off Leadership Summit at NCU

Minneapolis, MN- North Central University was pleased to welcome Minneapolis mayor R.T. Ryback as the kickoff speaker for this week’s Leadership Summit on October 29, 2008.  The emphasis was placed on Mayor Ryback as a societal leader. He opened up by sharing about the increasing role that faith has played in his political journey, and how it has affected his view of the community.  He also thanked North Central for its efforts to reach out to the community.

Ryback spent the rest of the time in dialogue with students, in a question and answer session. Students showed a great interest in serving the city by the questions they asked. Ryback was thrilled with the concern NCU students had for their community.  He then highlighted the need for mentorship to the youth of Minneapolis as a big part of helping the city. The service concluded with prayer for the mayor.

If you’re a student at North Central and would like to get involved within the community of Minneapolis, contact the Center for Youth and Leadership at (612) 343-4100.

The Orange Leaders Forum Rolls through North Central

Minneapolis, MN – The Orange Leaders Forum was held at North Central University on October 20, 2008. The Center for Youth and Leadership hosted the event with Reggie Joiner serving as the keynote speaker. Over seventy church leaders joined together to engage in an important conversation about family ministry issues facing churches today.  A main focus was geared at enabling leaders to get from the vision stage of ministry into the implementation aspect.

Joiner is the coauthor of "The 7 Practices of Effective Ministries" and the founder and Chief Creative Officer of The reThink Group (formerly known as FamilyWise), a non-profit organization providing resources to help parents and children rediscover family time. The Orange Leaders Forum is holding over 15 different conferences during the fall of 2008 and winter of 2009.

Recording Artist Jars of Clay Raises Awareness with Blood:Water Mission at NCU

Minneapolis, MN - North Central University was pleased to welcome Grammy Award winning artist Jars of Clay on Friday, October 10, 2008 to discuss the band's missions organization Blood:Water Mission.  The Center for Youth and Leadership hosted the event that included 35 local youth workers and was co-sponsored by Venture and Blood:Water.  The goal was to raise awareness about Africa's lack of clean water.  Members of the band shared for about 45 minutes, then were involved in a time of Q & A.  The thrust of the event was a screening of the documentary Sons of Lwala, which gave a visual understanding about the epidemic in parts of Africa. 

 

Those in attendance were inspired to encourage their youth groups to get involved so that they can be a part of something bigger.  The occasion was well received and was able to raise consciousness about our role in making a sustainable, global impact.  For more information on Blood:Water Mission, go to www.bloodwatermission.com.