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 © 2011 The Evangelical Covenant Church.
