Juniors and Seniors

Laura Johnson is from Litchfield, Illinois and was valedictorian of her graduating class. A Biology and Spanish double major, Laura has studied abroad in Morelia, Mexico and has participated in a host of extracurricular activities at North Park including concert band, gospel choir, ultimate frisbee, Latin American Student Organization, and Friday Night Homeless Ministry. In addition, Laura is a member of the Sigma Delta Pi National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society as well as the Beta Beta Beta Naitonal Biological Honor Society. She is a recipient of the Nyvall scholarship. After graduation Laura plans to teach English in Mexico for a year. After that, she will attend medical school in Chicago to pursue her dream of practicing primary care medicine in a Latino community.

Melissa Long was an honors student as early as 6th grade when she took the Honors English class offered at her school. She graduated in the top 10% of her high-school class even while participating in many music ensembles at school and church. Melissa came to North Park University because she wanted to be in the city, and she was impressed at the level of community North Park offers while being in such an urban neighborhood. At North Park, she is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in music as well as completing the requirements to apply for medical school. She participates in three on campus musical ensembles and is a writing advisor and peer academic advisor for the Dialogue Program. Upon graduation in the spring of 2010, she plans to take a year off and see what the real world is all about before going to medical school.

Throughout her years at North Park University, Heather Robins has been involved in a wide variety of campus activities. Her interests span the academic and wider spectrum; as a result, Heather has not only been enthusiastically involved in her degree program, but has also held leadership roles in activities outside of her intended major. She has been on the Leadership Team at the Writing Center for two years, a small group leader with University Ministries for two years, and is currently the vice-president of the Biblical and Theological Studies Organization. Heather takes great pleasure in her work teaching and mentoring beginning students as a Peer Academic Advisor, and in her spare time enjoys taking dance classes at Old Town School of Folk Music, crocheting, spinning yarn, and playing piano. After completing her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance degree, Heather plans to spend a year teaching English in the north of France, after which she intends to pursue a M.Phil. in Human Ecology at College of the Atlantic. Heather would love to some day have a family of her own (with lots of children!) with whom she can live the good life in the love of God.