CHICAGO, IL (September 30, 2014) — North Park University announced this week record enrollment for traditional undergraduate and graduate programs.

The total of 1,955 traditional undergraduate students reflects an increase of 30 students over last year, and 26 more than the previous record in 2011. The total enrollment for North Park for the fall semester is 3,193.

“The ability for North Park to attract a record traditional undergraduate and graduate enrollment, at a time when enrollment in higher education nationally is a challenge, demonstrates the strength of North Park’s mission and the vitality of our education program,” said university president David Parkyn.

University officials said construction of the new Johnson Center for Science and Community Life, as well as retention of current students, contributed to the record enrollment. Nearly 90 percent of last year’s students, excluding graduating seniors, returned this fall.

North Park’s graduate programs achieved record enrollment of 758 students, eclipsing 2011’s record of 728. This includes a record 395 students in the School of Business and Nonprofit Management, in addition to a record 196 students in the master of science in nursing program in the School of Nursing and Health Sciences. In addition, the School of Adult Learning successfully launched its first graduate program, welcoming 22 students into the master of arts in counseling psychology.

“We have built a strong reputation in the nonprofit management field, where we are a leader in the Chicagoland area,” said Wesley Lindahl, dean of the School of Business and Nonprofit Management. “In addition, our relationship with national organizations, including the Association of Fundraising Professionals, continues to draw future leaders from across the country to North Park.”

North Park currently awards five master’s degrees and 17 graduate certificates in business, many of them online and at multiple locations.

“In North Park’s 123-year history, we stand at a critical juncture,” Parkyn said. “This enrollment news confirms that the momentum we’ve built over the past few years is the right direction for our institution. We now have the responsibility to continue to move forward and dream of new ways to build upon our foundation of preparing students for lives of significance and service.”