Honoring 50 Years of Love and Learning

Fifty years ago, Tim and Ann (Swanson) Carlson completed their educations at North Park. That same year, they walked down the aisle on North Park’s campus to begin their journey as husband and wife.

Now, as they celebrate five decades of marriage and their North Park educations, the Carlsons are giving back in a meaningful way by establishing the Dr. Timothy J. and Ann L. Carlson Scholarship. This fund will provide ongoing financial support for North Park students pursuing degrees in the sciences or nursing—fields that have shaped both of their careers.

Ann, a nursing graduate, dedicated her life to caring for others as an RN, concluding her career at Indiana University Hospital. Tim, who studied biology, chemistry, and art, went on to dental school and built a dual career as a clinical dentist and university professor. Reflecting on “In Thy Light Shall We See Light,” Tim and Ann credit North Park for laying the foundation for their careers of significance and service. This includes providing health care in Haiti for two years and guiding dental students on more than 30 service trips to Ecuador and Haiti.

But their North Park story runs even deeper. The university has been a key part of their family’s history. Every one of their parents and siblings are also North Park College or Seminary graduates. With their daughter Sarah Yamaguchi BA ’02, son Daniel Carlson BS ’04, aunts, uncles, and cousins, Tim and Ann count 22 relatives as North Park alumni.

Using a qualified charitable distribution from Tim’s IRA to create the Dr. Timothy J. and Ann L. Carlson Scholarship, the Carlsons ensure that future generations of North Park students will have the same opportunities they did—a world-class education, a strong community, and a path to fulfilling careers. Their legacy of love and generosity will live on for years to come.