Graduates receive timeless words of wisdom: “Remember who you are.”
CHICAGO (December 20, 2016) — North Park University culminated the 2016 academic year by awarding degrees to 259 students.
One combined commencement ceremony for students earning degrees from undergraduate, graduate, and seminary programs was held on campus Friday evening, December 16, in Carlson Gymnasium. Deans representing their respective colleges presented degrees to the new graduates.
Traditional undergraduate degrees were awarded to 139 students and non-traditional degrees were awarded to 37 students from the College of Arts and Sciences; School of Business and Nonprofit Management; School of Education; School of Music, Art, and Theatre; School of Nursing and Health Sciences; and School of Professional Studies.
North Park deans also presented 80 students with their graduate degrees from School of Business and Nonprofit Management; School of Education; School of Nursing and Health Sciences; and School of Professional Studies; as well as four degrees to North Park Theological Seminary students.
In Memory of Quinton Rodgers
President David L. Parkyn began his commencement welcome by bringing attention to the recent passing of North Park student Quinton Rodgers. “His was a life that ended much, much too soon,” President Parkyn said. Prior to commencement, Rodger’s parents shared their support, encouraging President Parkyn and graduates: “Go to graduation.” Following a silent prayer for Rodgers, President Parkyn proceeded with the commencement ceremonies.
Remember Who You Are
President Parkyn began his comments by noting the importance of good stories, because “they’re something we can remember.” Reflecting on raising his own children and instilling a set of familiar rules to guide their behavior, the very phrase he used—Remember who you are—came full circle when he started a new job of his own. When his son, at that time a recent college graduate, advised him with all sincerity to Remember who you are, he felt compelled to pass on these words of wisdom to the Class of 2016. President Parkyn continued, “Yes, remember who you are. But this begs a question, doesn’t it: Who are we?”
Loving Your Neighbors
Building on Remember who you are, President Parkyn continued with the questions asked of Jesus millennia ago: “Who is my neighbor?” “Who is the one I am to love?” Rather than relying on social media and determined algorithms, President Parkyn encourages new graduates to, “Love God. Love thy neighbor.” He added, “this defines who we are.”
Ahnfeldt Memorial Medallion Presented to Rachel Boge
The Ahnfeldt Memorial Medallion, given to the senior with the highest grade-point average, was presented to media studies major Rachel Boge. Serving the school in exceptional ways and graduating with a 3.937 grade-point average, Boge was called a “role model and a friend” by her advisor Dr. Robert Hostetter, professor of communication arts. Four years after arriving at North Park from her hometown of Rockford, Ill., Boge plans to remain in Chicago and continue doing video production with a local company. Her long-term goal is to develop her own brand of video production.
Charge to Graduates
President Parkyn reminded students, as in their studies here at North Park, “Go everywhere; meet everyone; be neighbors to all. And above all, when institutions or organizations or governments fail us, as they surely will, remember who you are and let your life shine—always for God’s glory and neighbor’s good.”
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