CHICAGO (December 17, 2009) \u2013 Nearly 300 North Park University students received their degrees during Winter Commencement exercises last Friday in Carlson Gymnasium.
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\nDegrees were awarded to 156 undergraduate and 98 graduate students who had completed course requirements by December. Degrees also were awarded to 30 undergraduate and 11 graduate candidates who finished in August 2009.<\/p>\n
In his commencement address, President David Parkyn challenged graduates to use the unique voice they have developed throughout their time at North Park in their future vocations. He illustrated the point with a recording from his father-in-law, known for delighting his family with orations of famous writings. The recording of \u201c\u2019Twas the Night Before Christmas\u201d was done for Parkyn\u2019s grandson, who would forever have a memory of his great-grandfather\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n
Another highlight of the evening was the recitation of the Aaronic Benediction, based on Numbers 6:24-26: \u201cThe Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.\u201d In keeping with North Park University tradition, several students delivered it in their native languages: English, Swedish, Japanese, Spanish, Chinese, and Polish.<\/p>\n