Dan Chookaszian (right) with Toby Williams.

Dan Chookaszian (B.A. '03 business management) has melded a strong spiritual life with the successful pursuit of business. As managing broker of American Street Mortgage Company, Chookaszian spends nearly 60 hours a week working to build his business. Yet despite his demanding work schedule, he still finds time every week to devote to his church and its ministries, including leading church services at a local nursing home and providing spiritual counseling for disabled veterans.

Chookaszian's life as an NEIU student followed a similar pattern. At NEIU Chookaszian studied hard and also found time to continue his ministry work.  He chose Northeastern because he wanted to attend a university that would offer him a richness of diversity and an opportunity to merge his education with his already busy and fulfilling life of ministry.

Chookaszian describes his NEIU experience as invaluable. "The classes I took at Northeastern shaped my thinking," said Chookaszian.  "I also had the good fortune to spend many hours outside of class getting to know my professors. It was very rewarding."

In addition to earning his bachelor's degree at NEIU, he also completed a master's of divinity from the Moody Bible Institute.  Since then Chookaszian has been dedicated to building his business at American Street Mortgage Company, whose mission is to serve the public through hard work and loyalty, and to give back to the community through charitable contributions.

Chookaszian also continues to give back to Northeastern through mentoring opportunities.  He has made a difference in one student's life in particular.  Toby Williams (B.A. '04 Communication, Media and Theatre) met Chookaszian when they were both students at NEIU and has been under his wing ever since.  Toby is now in graduate school at Northeastern and is also in training to be a mortgage planner with Chookaszian at American Street Mortgage Company.  "I am very thankful for Dan's friendship and encouragement," said Williams.  "He's also helped me professionally by giving me the opportunity to intern at his company.  It has been a great experience and I think the world could use more good and caring people like Dan."