Every day we teach, mentor, coach, befriend, and support our students: It all comes to fruition at Commencement.
One of the most thrilling experiences as a聽president is to witness the joy of graduates receiving their diplomas. It鈥檚 especially poignant for me to see first-generation students receive their diplomas because they鈥檙e the first in their families to complete a college education. Commencement also concluded an academic year that鈥檚 been very significant for me: I have been so honored to have served this great University.
Together, we鈥檝e accomplished important聽work, reported throughout this North Parker. We launched new academic programs and debuted Catalyst 606_ _ to enable students to 鈥渟ee and learn what鈥檚 really happening in the world and especially our city,鈥� to quote Dean Gregor Thuswaldner. We revamped our recruitment strategy, and with many of our alumni and donors alongside, we introduced new North Park Promise Scholarships to support top students representing the Covenant community, future majors in nursing, health sciences, and STEM-related fields, as well as high academic achievement across the curriculum.
We enthusiastically cheered on our men鈥檚聽soccer team in the NCAA championship finals. Our student-athletes, representing one-third of each incoming undergraduate class, contribute so much to our campus community and to student life, while building character, leadership, and lifelong friendships.
Across our campus, we completed renovation projects, from installing new turf at Holmgren Athletic Complex (where we hosted the NCAA Division III regional soccer competition) to refurbishing Hanson Hall.
Most important, we鈥檝e ensured our University is well-prepared for new leadership, as this fall, Mary Karsten Surridge becomes our 10th president. A valued colleague, Mary has my strongest endorsement and heartfelt support. She will take this University to even greater success.
At Commencement, we honor alumni in our Golden Circle鈥攖hose who graduated 50 years ago. This year鈥檚 honorees graduated in 1968鈥攁 watershed year that 鈥渟haped a聽generation,鈥� said Time magazine. I shared with these proud alumni some comments from their 1968 yearbook, The Cupola, by Carl E. Balsam Interim President then President Karl Olsson who said: 鈥淚 am writing this word to you April 9, 1968, the day of burial of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In a painful way the events of these days have married us to the tragedy of our time鈥� There was a time not very long ago when a college campus was a cloistered place, far from the anguish of the world. Today, all our windows open out on history.鈥�
Fifty years later, these reflections still ring true: All our windows open out on history, as well as on our society, our city, and our world. It is why we remain dedicated to preparing our students for 鈥淕od鈥檚 glory and neighbor鈥檚 good.鈥�
I welcome you to the pages of this North Parker, newly redesigned to tell our story even better. I thank you for your deep and abiding loyalty to our beloved University and for your devoted support of our students.
Carl E. Balsam
Interim President