The North Central University Alumni Board has announced the 2018 Alumni Award winners. Four alumni have been selected from dozens of nominations and will be officially presented and recognized at the upcoming Partners for Progress gala on October 25.
The winners listed below have demonstrated Spirit-filled leadership in their chosen professions and represent the values and mission of North Central. Congratulations!
Meet the 2018 North Central Alumni Award Winners
Jason Rhode ’00, Ph.D.
Ivan O. Miller Award
for demonstrating Spirit-filled leadership and excelling in service through career and community.
Jason Rhode graduated from NCU in 2000 (Children’s Ministries). He went on to earn an M.Ed. from Seattle Pacific University and a Ph.D. in Instructional Design for Online Learning from Capella University. He is a highly respected educator, instructional designer, faculty developer, and online education leader. He currently serves as Executive Director of Extended Learning and Chief Online Learning Officer at Northern Illinois University where he oversees Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center and provides strategic leadership and long-range vision for development and delivery of academic credit-bearing online and off-campus courses and programs. He’s also Assistant Professor of Instructional Technology in the Department of Educational Technology, Research and Assessment at NIU.
Paul Hurckman ’95, M.A.
Frank J. Lindquist Award
for demonstrating Spirit-filled leadership and excelling in service through church or church-related ministry, mission, and service
A 1995 graduate of North Central University (Pastoral Studies), Paul Hurckman has spent time working in higher education, the church, and the non-profit sector. He has a passion for advocating on behalf of those affected by injustices happening in the world, as well as educating and mobilizing communities to recognize and respond to the need to change these situations. Hurckman holds an M.A. in Organizational Leadership from Bethel University and is pursuing his Ph.D. in International Relief and Development from Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. He is currently Executive Director of Venture, where he develops, manages, and implements operational, fundraising and programmatic initiatives necessary to fulfill Venture’s strategic goals, collaborating with individuals, campuses, and churches to “use our greatest energies to meet the world’s greatest needs.”
Tatrina Williams ’09, M.A.
Roger Sorbo Award
for demonstrating Spirit-filled leadership and excelling in service through arts and sciences
Tatrina “Trina” Williams graduated in 2009 (Psychology) but her NCU journey began when she was 15, taking piano lessons on campus as one of the first class of students in the WOVEN music program for neighborhood kids. She later earned an M.A. in Counseling and Psychological Services from Saint Mary’s University. She currently works for Hennepin County Child Protection as an investigator, investigating child abuse and neglect. It’s her faith that allows her to take a step back and see people are people who fall short and are all in need of support. Williams traveled an unpredictable journey in the past year as she served for a time as primary caretaker for her twin nieces. She carries influences from her NCU years with her, particularly recalling words she often heard from Dr. David Watson: “Life is not fair, but God is faithful.” These worlds have encouraged her as she’s faced adversity and has inspired her on her journey.
David Pedde ’85, M.W.S.
Larry Bach Award
For demonstrating Spirit-filled leadership and excelling in service through fine arts
David Pedde graduated from North Central in 1985 (Sacred Music) and also served on faculty for nearly 18 years, having a profound influence on a generation of worship leaders. He has 30+ years of teaching, worship leading, songwriting, and studio experience, and his students have gone on to play with legendary worship artists such as Michael W. Smith and Paul Baloche, and singer-songwriter Sara Groves. His influence can be seen still in the work and lives of worship pastors in many of America’s leading churches. Pedde is currently the Director of the Center for the Worship Arts at Bluefield College (Virginia). He has served as a worship pastor in seven churches in Canada and the United States and worked as composer in residence. He has more than 100 published worship songs and has authored two books.
These awards are presented annually to alumni who have made remarkable contributions to their field or area of community service. Candidates are evaluated based on individual merit, wherein life and service are shown to be exemplary of the values of North Central University alumni who strive to be Christ-followers, character-builders, truth seekers, learners, reconcilers, salt and light, and world changers.
About the awards
The North Central University Alumni Awards are named after four individuals who have made significant contributions to the university.
Ivan O. Miller Award
The first school of business at North Central began in 1939 and was championed by Dean Ivan O. Miller, also the namesake of Miller Hall, who believed that the world needed qualified business people to be witnesses in the marketplace.
Frank J. Lindquist Award
Vocational ministry and missions have been part of the fabric of the institution since Frank J. Lindquist founded North Central Bible Institute in 1930. This award is named after our founder in honor of his desire to train up the next generation of ministers.
Larry Bach Award
There is no one in NCU’s history who has given more of his life’s heart and efforts to our fine arts program than Dean of the College of Fine Arts Larry Bach. Celebrating his 38th year at NCU, his impact has been felt by generations of alumni.
Roger Sorbo Award
Professor Roger Sorbo dedicated 23 years of his life to full-time teaching at North Central. When he arrived in 1982, there just a few non-ministry majors. Today, the College of Arts and Sciences includes hundreds of students majoring in areas such as social and behavioral sciences, communication arts, English, education, and ASL-interpreting . This award honors Sorbo’s teaching in the arts and sciences and his innovative approach to educational partnerships.
