NCU’s top 10 moments of 2017

A year of abundant blessing

When the new year arrives, we tend to look back over the past 365 days and reflect about how the year has gone. Some years are filled with challenges and trials that cause us to cling to God all the more. Other years are full of joy, changes, and momentum. And more often than not, the passing years are a mixture of both trials and victories.

For North Central University, the year 2017 was filled with big changes, big accomplishments, and abundant blessing from the Lord!

Here are our top 10 moments of 2017

(In no particular order)

Welcoming our new president, Scott Hagan

This year, North Central welcomed a brand new president. We are so thankful for his leadership and vision for NCU!

The official inauguration of Hagan took place over Homecoming weekend in September.

Watch the inauguration ceremony here.

Saying goodbye to Former President Dr. Gordon Anderson

Former president Dr. Gordon Anderson ended his time at North Central University officially June 1, 2017, entering a well-deserved retirement.

Anderson, an ordained Assemblies of God minister, began his career at North Central as a faculty member in 1982, serving in that capacity until he was inaugurated as North Central’s sixth president on Oct. 27, 1995.

In 2017, hundreds of people stepped forward to support NCU’s mission and former President Dr. Gordon Anderson’s service to the school with gifts to the Acts 13 Scholarship. An amazing $1 million was raised for this initiative.

Releasing the Worship Live Album

In April, North Central’s student-led worship team, Worship Live, released their album “Always Remain.” With more than 77,000 views on Facebook, the music video for its title track is one of the most-viewed videos in North Central’s history. The album is made up of all original songs written and composed by NCU students and faculty.

Also from the album is the song “I will not bow.” The accompanying music video is fully interpreted in American Sign Language, and has received more than 50,000 views on Facebook.

Business students presenting at General Mills

Students from the School of Business competed for the amazing opportunity to present marketing plans to the Chex team at General Mills this year. Over months of preparation, the students collaborated to create innovative campaign ideas.

Read one student’s story about the project and watch videos about their experience.

Celebrating the 50th Annual Partners for Progress

The same weekend as Homecoming and Inauguration (it was a big weekend for us), North Central celebrated the 50th annual Partners for Progress. It was a joyful night at The Depot with NCU alumni, friends, faculty, staff, and students all gathered together to raise funds for the students of North Central through the NCU Fund.

Watch the event recap video here.

Theatre Department Performing An American Sign Language Shadowed Play

In a trailblazing performance, the North Central theatre department presented the Importance of Being Earnest, with the entire cast shadowed by American Sign Language interpreters. The effect was both artistic and innovative in the world of theatre.

Launching Partnership with Mayo Sports Clinic

Under an exciting agreement, NCU athletics are now contracting with Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine for varsity athletic training and sports medicine services.

According to NCU Athletic Director Greg Johnson, MOL, using Mayo Clinic, an international leader in patient care, research, and education, as the provider of athletic training will provide a higher level of service for varsity student-athletes.

Also in NCU Athletics, volleyball student-athlete Elissa Pheneger was honored as the female recipient of the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Scholar-Athlete Leadership Award, which recognizes outstanding effort in athletic, academic, and civic arenas. Pheneger, who set the volleyball program’s all-time assists record, is the third NCU student to win the award.

Marking the 500th Anniversary of Protestantism

In October, North Central joined other protestants around the world to pay respects to the 500th anniversary of protestant religion.

Distinguished guests and scholars visited campus to present on various theological and historical topics, giving students and the community new appreciation for their religious background.

Throwing the first-ever Christmish party

North Central University student organizations joined forces in December to orchestrate a unique fundraiser and Christmas celebration (called Christmish) for the NCU community.

The result was an amazingly fun, family-friendly night of cheer, plus $1,000+ raised toward the purchase of gifts and clothing for residents of Augustana Care.

Kicking off our first Give Day

Alumni, students, faculty, and staff joined together for North Central’s first Give Day on March 29, 2017. With a focus on increasing the alumni giving rate, a noteworthy $14,500 was raised in the course of just one day.

To get people excited to give, several faculty and staff even teamed up to create an energetic, Give Day video.