North Park has served five generations of students and continues to grow in diversity, academic relevance, and Christian commitment. Our Chicago location is a great asset that reflects the School’s global reach and outlook.
After 125 years, we’ve learned how to streamline the process of helping qualified applicants seek admission to North Park and find affordable ways to attend. If you don’t see what you’re looking for on our website, please contact us directly!
North Park offers more than 40 graduate and undergraduate programs in liberal arts, sciences, and professional studies. Classes average 17 students. 84% of our faculty have terminal degrees. Academics here are rigorous and results-oriented.
North Park Theological Seminary prepares you to answer the call to service through theological study, spiritual development, and the formative experiences of living in a community with others on a similar life path.
The Office of Alumni Engagement fosters lifelong connections by engaging alumni with the university and one another in activities, programs, and services that support the university’s mission and alumni needs.
A special commencement ceremony is held for graduating seniors on North Park’s baseball team.
Graduating seniors on North Park’s baseball team found themselves in a positive conundrum last weekend: they had secured a place in the CCIW (College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin) championship, but the Saturday game was set to be played at the same time as North Park’s commencement ceremony. The dual milestone accomplishments prompted North Park leadership to hold a special Baseball Commencement Service on Wednesday, May 9.
The Baseball Commencement Service began with a sudden early evening rain shower—delaying one family’s arrival and attendance to the service. But being good sports, the faculty, leadership, fellow baseball teammates, and guests reconvened for one more round of the commencement ceremony to give the family an opportunity to witness their son receive his diploma.
Graduating baseball seniors Joshua Alexander Smith (Bachelor of Science in Biology, Magna Cum Laude ), Glenn William Meyers (Bachelor of Science in Business and Economics), and Joseph Paul Koutnik (Bachelor of Arts in History) exited Isaacson Chapel to sunny skies for congratulatory handshakes, proud embraces, and photo-ops.
President Carl Balsam welcomed guests, with Provost Michael O. Emerson delivering the Invocation followed by Charge to Graduates by Athletic Champlain Terence Gadsden and Commencement Litany by President Balsam, Provost Emerson, and Vice President Jodi Koslow Martin. President Balsam and Provost Emerson awarded the degrees and Director of University Ministries Tony Zamble delivered the Benediction. For outstanding scholarship and varsity athletic participation, Joshua Alexander Smith received the Pearson Athlete Award.
The largest graduating class in North Park University’s history accepted their diplomas Saturday, May 12, in a joyous ceremony held in the packed Carlson Tower gymnasium.
The largest graduating class in North Park University’s history accepted their diplomas Saturday, May 12, in a joyous ceremony held in the packed Carlson Tower gymnasium.
“This indeed is a glorious moment,” President Carl Balsam said in his Commencement Litany. “Years of diligent work have led to this milestone; you have reason to be proud of your accomplishment.”
The ceremony began with a flag processional, which included the flags of the 22 nations represented in the class of 2018. After Balsam acknowledged members of the class of 1968, many of whom were in attendance in gold caps and gowns, the Ahnfeldt Medallion was awarded to Eunhye So, a communications studies and media studies major who earned the highest grade point average in her class.
Before handing out some 325 undergraduate diplomas, Balsam presented the Nyvall Medallion to Dr. Kristine Strand, chair of North Park’s Board of Trustees since 1992, for her dedication to North Park.
A speech-language pathologist and professor, Strand has taught at universities including Northwestern and Harvard, and is an author and consultant. But Balsam said Strand’s commitment to North Park, particularly in making the campus more diverse, was equally impressive.
“Kristine planted a vision for racial equity and intercultural learning,” Balsam said, noting that since her tenure, North Park’s population of students of color has nearly doubled. “Today we celebrate a campus that is increasingly diverse…realizing the continuing vision of reflecting the actual world in which we learn and serve, a manifestation of the diversity of God’s kingdom.”
As the Class of ’18 prepared to receive their diplomas, Provost Michael Emerson prayed that God would “sharpen their minds toward the service of your kingdom, and send them into the world in witness to your love, and bring them at last to the fullness of your peace and glory.”
Following the handing out of diplomas, receptions for the graduates were held in Hamming Hall and Anderson Chapel.
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.
Dr. Julia Davids, Associate Professor of Music, and John Sherer, University Organist, led the University Choir.
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.
Academic Procession | The evening began with a standing, vibrant Procession of Colors, displaying the flags of the United States of America, the city of Chicago, and North Park University, followed by flags representing the countries and territories in which graduates were born, are citizens, or have been residents: Albania, American Samoa, Assyria, Brazil, Cherokee Nation, China, Cuba, Ecuador, Haiti, India, Kenya, Liberia, Mexico, Philippines, Poland, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Sweden, and Wales.
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.”
Author Ellen AlmerPosted on Categories News, Stories
