Graduates Honored at North Park Commencement

Post a Comment » Written on May 15th, 2007     
Filed under: News
CHICAGO, IL (May 15, 2007) – The awarding of two honorary degrees and the presentation of diplomas to 445 graduates highlighted commencement activities over the weekend at North Park University.

The graduates represented undergraduate, graduate, and GOAL programs at the school.

NPULeRoy M. Johnson, well known within Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC) leadership circles and a philanthropic development pioneer, was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree.

Johnson is a 1954 graduate of North Park Junior College and received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota. He graduated from North Park Theological Seminary in 1960.

C. T. Vivian, a civil rights leader who served along side Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the 1960s, received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. He recently founded Churches Helping Churches, an organization that helps provide relief work for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

In 1965, Vivian made national news when the sheriff of Selma, Alabama, punched him following a speech during a registration drive.

To read more about both of these individuals, please see Honorees.

The morning ceremony also recognized a number of graduates for notable achievements. Seniors Par Excellence Elizabeth Sedlar and Brady Josephson were recognized by Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students Andrea Nevels. Krista Lindwall and Benjamin Feijoo were honored as Outstanding Seniors by Paul Hawkinson, a member of the 1992 class and chair of the Alumni Board. Kyle Becchetti, chair of the University Board of Trustees, presented the Ahnfedlt Medallion to Anna Marshall, the graduating senior in the undergraduate college with the highest overall grade point average.

Also honored were graduates of the School of Adult Learning (GOAL) and all graduate programs except the seminary, which will hold its commencement on May 19.

In addition to family and friends of the class of 2007, the campus hosted more than 80 guests who gathered for the Golden Circle, or 50-Year class reunions including members of both the junior college and academy Class of 1957.

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