Nazareth College Announces 2018 Commencement Speaker

ROCHESTER, NY (02/23/2018) Nazareth College is honored to announce that Michael Park, a 1990 Nazareth alumnus and current Broadway star of Dear Evan Hansen, is the College's 2018 Commencement speaker.

Nazareth's undergraduate and graduate Commencement ceremony take place on Sunday, May 13, at 9:45 a.m. at the Blue Cross Arena, 100 Exchange Blvd., Rochester, N.Y. 14614.

Park is currently starring on Broadway in Dear Evan Hansen, in the role he originated, as Larry Murphy. Dear Evan Hansen was named Best Musical at the 2017 Tony Awards. He also originated the Broadway role of Angus Tuck in Tuck Everlasting (2016), as well as Monty in the Off-Broadway production of Violet (1997). He made his Broadway debut in Carousel, and has also appeared in Smokey Joe's Cafe, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Little Me, and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Off-Broadway credits include Threepenny Opera, Middletown, The Burnt Part Boys and Violet.

He may be best known for his TV portrayal of Jack Snyder on As the World Turns, a role he began in 1997 and held for 13 years. Park earned two consecutive Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in As the World Turns.

Park is married to Laurie Nowak Park, also a Nazareth alumna, who is a music therapist. They have three children.

Posted Friday February 23, 2018 at 01:38 pm by Nazareth College
Last Updated Friday February 23, 2018 at 01:38 pm