Award to Honor Dr. John Hjelm’s Legacy and Inspire Future Generations

Dr. John R. Hjelm

Retired public school teacher Beth Hjelm ’C77 and her daughters, Andra Dalton C’06 and Lisa Cousineau C’08, were moved to join efforts to fund an award in memory of the late Dr. John R. Hjelm C’75, professor in the Department of Exercise and Sport.

Dr. John R. Hjelm (1953-2019) was a North Parker for life. As a member of the Class of 1975, he was a physical education major and swimming team captain and was named “Senior Par Excellence.”

Advanced degrees from Northwestern, Northeastern Illinois, and Ohio State were only part of what made him an award-winning teacher and mentor to North Park students for 39 years. Dr. Hjelm was known for his ability to spark his students’ interest, guiding them to build on their passion for learning with reflection and careful assessment. He also strongly believed learning should be fun, which was displayed in his teaching.

As a result of such lifelong excellence, Dr, Hjelm won the Zenos Hawkinson Award for Teaching and Campus Leadership in 2020 and was inducted into the Viking Hall of Fame in 2014.

NPU faculty members Bryan Cobb, Alyssa Anderson, student Amir Fakhari, Beth, and Andrew Lundgren

His wife and daughters established the memorial award to continue his legacy and inspire future generations of North Park exercise science and physical education majors to strive for excellence through passion and commitment. The family created the award in partnership with Associate Professor of Athletic Training Andrew Lundgren and Assistant Professor of Athletic Training Alyssa Anderson. Amir Fakhari was selected as the first recipient at the Honors Convocation in April 2022.