Meet the 2022 Alumni and Partners for Progress honorees

The North Central University Alumni Board is pleased to announce the 2022 Alumni Award and Partners for Progress honorees:

  • Larry C. Bach Award: Ben Gowell ’02
  • F.J. Lindquist Award: Jerry Strandquist ’85
  • Ivan O. Miller Award: Ben Peters ’14
  • Dr. Roger Sorbo Award: Jennifer Meyerson ’07
  • Partners for Progress Featured Alumnus: Chauncee Hollingsworth ’20

The winners were formally recognized at the 55th Annual Partners for Progress gala on Oct. 27.

Ben Gowell

 

Ben Gowell ’02

The Larry C. Bach Award

For demonstrating Spirit-filled leadership and excelling in service through fine arts

Ben Gowell has served as a worship leader and pastor for the past 20 years. He believes the Church should lead the way in shaping today’s culture. His experience in the professional music industry helps emphasize creative expression that points people to Jesus. Gowell is currently the Executive Pastor at Christ’s Church of the Valley in Arizona. He leads the Worship, Production, Media Arts, Marketing and Creative Studio teams. He has been Executive Producer for several NCU Worship Live recordings. Ben and his wife, Jen, have two children and live in North Phoenix.

 

Jerry Strandquist ’85

The F.J. Lindquist Award

For demonstrating Spirit-filled leadership and excelling in service through church or church-related ministry, mission, and service

Jerry Strandquist invested his legendary career pastoring churches in Wisconsin and Minnesota. As a leader of leaders, he set the standard in missions giving and church planting locally and nationally. He served for 17 years on the NCU Board of Regents. Beyond his accomplishments, Strandquist is best known for taking time to connect and invest in people and has mentored countless emerging ministry leaders. He now spends his retirement volunteering at his church and enjoying his three grandchildren in Arizona.

 

Ben Peters ’14

The Ivan O. Miller Award

For demonstrating Spirit-filled leadership and excelling in service through career and community

Ben Peters is Lead Agent and founder of Mission Real Estate Group. His team supports local and global ministries by giving 20 percent of their profits to missions organizations. This unique business model has generated an impressive client referral rate higher than the industry standard. Peters’ team has ranked in the top one-percent of real estate producers nationwide for two of the past three years. He is involved in his local church and generously shares his expertise with NCU students. Peters and his wife, Angie, have one son.

 

Jennifer Meyerson ’07

The Dr. Roger Sorbo Award

For demonstrating Spirit-filled leadership and excelling in service through arts and sciences

Jennifer Meyerson is committed to modeling a Kingdom lifestyle among the most vulnerable and marginalized. She has worked with the United Nations and served thousands of refugees through multiple organizations. She is currently the VP of International Programs for Preemptive Love, an organization dedicated to stopping the violence that leads to war. Meyerson’s efforts focus on Syria, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Mexico, Columbia, and Venezuela. She has worked for or in partnership with some of the best-known humanitarian organizations in the world.

 

Chauncee Hollingsworth ’20

Partners for Progress Featured Alumnus

For demonstrating the power and impact of North Central University scholarships

Chauncee Hollingsworth is the Founder and Executive Director of Hoops and Christ. His inspirational story was powerfully impacted by the scholarships he received at North Central. His passion is helping people discover their God-given purpose, and his nationally recognized program emphasizes skill development for life on and off the court. Hollingsworth trains kids just starting out all the way to elite NBA players. He is also a successful realtor in the Twin Cities, and excels at finding opportunities to build pathways for clients to better themselves with a secure financial future. Hollingsworth works hand in hand with his wife, Tara (Jefferson ’16), who is also an NCU alum.

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