University Awards Degrees to 502 Students at Spring Commencement Ceremonies
Nyvall Medallion presented to alum Rev. Wilfredo De Jesús
CHICAGO (May 11, 2015) — North Park University culminated the 2014–2015 academic year last weekend by awarding degrees to 502 students, including 320 bachelor’s degrees.
Three commencement ceremonies were held Saturday, May 9, for students from all undergraduate and graduate programs, including North Park Theological Seminary. Combined with the winter commencement held last December, degrees were presented to 756 North Park University graduates this academic year.
The weekend began with a baccalaureate service for all graduates, their families, and friends Friday, May 9, at Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago. “We make a bold claim at North Park: that you will find your future here,” said University President Dr. David L. Parkyn in remarks to graduating students. “To find your future, you depend on the center—a center that draws you in, to love God, and a center that sends you out, to love your neighbor. God’s promise to you, tonight on the eve of your graduation from North Park, is sure. Go then, into your future, where God will bless you and where you in turn will be a blessing to many.”
“God is shaping your life for significance and service”
At its undergraduate commencement Saturday morning, the University presented its David Nyvall Medallion to Rev. Wilfredo “Choco” De Jesús, senior pastor of New Life Covenant Church, Chicago. Named for the first president of North Park University, the medallion is presented for distinguished service to the people of Chicago.
De Jesús, who earned a master of arts in Christian ministry in 2006 from the Seminary, was appointed senior pastor of New Life Covenant in 2000. Since then the church has grown from a weekly attendance of 120 to 17,000, with more than 135 ministries reaching the most disenfranchised. In 2013, De Jesús was named one of TIME’s 100 most influential people in the world and featured in a cover story recognizing his leadership and influence.
“There are three things that have guided me in my life that I hope will be of inspiration to you today,” De Jesús told graduating students. “One, care for the poor, the marginalized, the less fortunate. Do God’s work and let God take care of you. Two, understand the difference between passion and calling. When times get tough, it will be the calling upon your life that will get you through those hard times. Third, what’s helped me through all my life is courage. Being raised in Humboldt Park, you need courage. Have faith that God will get you through. Never operate in fear—fear is the absence of faith.”
Citing the example of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., De Jesús closed by saying, “There comes a time, students, when we must take a position that is neither safe, political, nor popular. But it’s right. And God is with you. God is shaping your life for significance and service.”
The Ahnfeldt Medallion, given to the senior with the highest grade point average, was presented to Katelynn Laures, Rochester, Minn., bachelor of arts in biblical and theological studies. North Park's 2015 U.S. Fulbright Award winners Natalie Wilson, Shoreview, Minn., bachelor of arts in elementary education and Spanish, and Kate Asnicar, Olathe, Kan., bachelor of arts in history, were also recognized.
Twenty-seven students from the North Park College (now University), Academy, and Seminary classes of 1965 marched in gold caps and gowns and were recognized for celebrating the 50th anniversary of their graduation.
“You will be remembered by how many lives you touched”
Four graduates addressed the afternoon commencement ceremony for graduate programs, the School of Adult Learning, and the RN-to-BSN completion program, sharing the ways in which their North Park education shaped their lives and careers. Olumide Oluwole, Chicago, a School of Nursing and Health Sciences graduate with a master of science in nursing, shared his story of turning adversity into triumph. “When I was asked to speak today, I said, ‘Why me?’” Oluwole said. This wasn’t the first time Oluwole had asked himself this question throughout his life, though the motivations behind why he has done so have shifted.
“When I went to school in Nigeria in a building with no air conditioning, I also wondered, Why me?” Oluwole continued. “When my sister said, ‘I can see potential in you; I just need to change your environment,’ I wondered, Why me? When, through her help, I then had the opportunity to come to America, and ultimately to North Park, I wondered, Why me?”
Oluwole called on his fellow graduates to use their education to make a difference in their communities. “People are looking to us,” he said. “You will be remembered by how many lives you touched and saved. I want to challenge you that we have what it takes.”
“God has uniquely placed you in a wonderful position”
Dean of North Park Theological Seminary Rev. Dr. David W. Kersten presided at the Seminary commencement, which honored 30 graduates. The Ahnfeldt Medallion was presented to the graduates with the highest grade point averages, Kathryn Isaza, Chicago, master of arts in Christian formation, and Chris Hoskins, Omaha, master of divinity. In addition, academic awards were presented to several students.
An honorary doctor of divinity was conferred to Rev. Debbie Blue, executive minister of the Love Mercy, Do Justice ministries of the Evangelical Covenant Church. “Debbie is a prophetic voice,” said Kersten. “We are honored to present this award to someone who’s served with such distinction, joy, and grace among us.”’
Blue, who received a master of arts in Christian education from the Seminary in 1996, told graduating students that she was reminded of the gospel song “My Tribute” as she accepted her award. “I am humbled and honored. ‘How can I say thanks for all the things you have done for me?’ For this recognition today, I have you to thank for your partnership in the gospel and recognition of me. But this is God’s.”
Rev. Dr. D. Darrell Griffin, pastor of Oakdale Covenant Church, Chicago, delivered the commencement address, in which he called upon graduating students to not miss the opportunities God may be presenting to them. “Just because you don’t know what you’re supposed to do doesn’t mean you don’t have an assignment,” Griffin said. “God has uniquely placed you in a wonderful position to help usher in a new direction of ministry. Our churches need us.”
Griffin, who received a doctor of ministry in preaching from the Seminary in 2006, emphasized the lessons found in the service’s Old Testament reading, Genesis 9:18–28. “God was calling on Noah to build a brave new world of justice, love, and peace,” Griffin said. “God was depending on Noah to do this. But Noah could not see God’s will, because there he was, intoxicated. We’re missing opportunities because some of us are intoxicated. Not with wine, but with wrong attitude, with preoccupation with self, with tradition, with success, with narrowness of vision.”
“Look at the favor that God has had upon your life,” said Griffin. “He has a purpose for our lives. He is getting ready to give somebody in here an assignment beyond their wildest dreams. But God is short on people who are alert enough to carry out the task.”
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