CHICAGO, IL (August 5, 2010) – The former North Park University students who will be honored as Distinguished Alumni by the school during its Homecoming 2010 celebration serve ministries that assist impoverished people internationally.

Judy (Ericson) Anderson of Monroe Covenant Church in Monroe, Washington, has been named the North Park Academy Distinguished Alumni.

Along with her husband, Dick, Anderson founded HEAL Africa in the Democratic Republic of Congo city of Goma in the late 1990s. The city is in the nation’s eastern and most war-torn area.

HEAL Africa operates a teaching hospital in Goma that specializes in orthopedic surgery and gynecological surgery. The hospital operates with 16 Congolese doctors and surgeons, 28 nurses, and an administrative team for a total of 80 staff. Many of the patients are victims of sexual violence.

Robert and Janet Thornbloom served for 44 years as Evangelical Covenant Church missionaries to Congo. Robert was born and raised in the country and learned to speak the native Nbgaka language before he learned English.

Sarah Satterberg will be honored with the Up-and-Coming Alumni Award. She is director of administration for Shelter for Life International, which fosters economic development in regions devastated by war and natural disasters. The organization’s primary focus currently is in Afghanistan.

The alumni will be honored during the Reunion and Awards Breakfast at 8:30 a.m. October 2. Cost is $15.

Homecoming 2010 will run October 1-3. For more information on associated events, click here.