Kholodenko earned a 3.944 GPA as of the fall term – final grades are not posted prior to commencement. The Ahnfeldt Medallion is named after Alfred Nelson Ahnfeldt, who was in the first class of the Covenant’s school started in 1891 in Minneapolis. The school later relocated to Chicago and became North Park. Ahnfeldt went on to become a professor of languages and homiletics.
Valedictorian of her high school graduating class, she graduated from North Park University with a double major in chemistry and Spanish, changing her major six times while in college. She graduated from the seminary with a dual degree as well – Master of Divinity and an MBA. She recently accepted a position as associate outreach pastor at New Life Covenant Church in Chicago, where she, her husband and daughter have attended for a number of years.
A total of 42 students received graduate degrees. Students receiving high honors were Carla Gunderson Dyment, Kimberly F. McCormick, Sharon McCarty Nelson, Philip Staurseth, Trisha Kholodenko, Peter Morris, Joon Shik Hwang, Alysa Solie Bell, and Curtis Ivanoff.
Eight awards were presented:
• History – Carla Dyment
• Theology – Trisha Kholodenko
• Ministry – Marva Watts
• Bible – Jennifer Dvorak
• Preaching – Phil Staurseth
• Christian Formation – Valeyo Garrett
• Greek Language – Greg Applequist
• Hebrew Language – Chris Nelson
During the ceremony, Richard Carlson, professor of ministry, spoke in honor of Dr. Jean C. Lambert who earlier had been awarded an honorary Doctorate of Ministry degree. To read a story about that presentation, see Jean Lambert.
Dr. Glen V. Wiberg delivered the commencement address, “Like Fire in My Bones.”
