Covenant News

Ground Broken for North Park University Library

CHICAGO (October, 1999) - Ground has been broken for the Paul and Bernice Brandel Library and Learning Center at North Park University during a ceremony witnessed by a large crowd of faculty, staff, administrators, students, and supporters of the fund-raising campaign.

President David G. Horner commended the commitment of those individuals who helped bring the dream to reality. He paid special tribute to the traditions, sacrifices, and dedication of those who came before and those who continue to support the university that have formed a solid foundation upon which to build the future of North Park.

Other speakers included Mark S. Olson, North Park's interim chaplain; Peter A. Fellowes, board chairman and co-chairman for the campaign; and Glenn R. Palmberg, president of The Evangelical Covenant Church. The ceremony began and concluded with musical selections by the university choir and included a litany of praise and dedication, written especially for the event by C. John Weborg, professor at North Park Theological Seminary.

The litany was read by Melissa Morriss-Olson, vice president for university relations and development; Sonia E. Bodi, library director and professor of bibliography; Kurt D. Anderson, acting president of the university's student association; Stanley F. Helwig, board chairman and co-chairman for the campaign; Bernice P. Brandel, Library and Learning Center benefactor; LeRoy Johnson, president emeritus of Covenant Trust Company; and Margaret Laurino, Chicago's 39th Ward alderman.

Following the litany, Horner, Brandel, Helwig, Fellowes, and Timothy E. Johnson, chairman of the leadership gifts committee for the campaign, turned the ceremonial shovels of dirt to officially mark the onset of construction.

Printable version of this page.