Alumni News & Classnotes

Alumni Q&A

Meet Evan Lahti ’07 of Ypsilanti, Mich., global editor-in-chief of PC Gamer, “the global authority” on PC games that has published news, features, reviews, interviews and buying guides for more than 20 years. A journalism major, Lahti shared how North Central helped start his career and how he handles a big job that involves far more than playing video games all day.

What are your duties as editor of PC Gamer?

I set the editorial strategy for a team of 27 editors across different sections of coverage. I influence and direct which stories we pursue every day. I build style guides for our team and set policy. I mentor writers and editors to help them strengthen their voices.

A big early step in your career was writing for The Chronicle. How did that help you get started in journalism?

One of the most rewarding things about working on a college newspaper was being part of a small team and the feeling of completing a group project each month— those skills directly translated to creating a magazine when I started at PC Gamer in 2008. It helped me develop a notion early on of carrying a story to completion from beginning to end. It also helped me understand the importance of thinking about all elements of a story—its layout on the page, its imagery, where the story would sit in a section—at the outset of the process, which is definitely a mindset we value.

What is your process when you are reviewing a PC game?

Reviewing a game is great because it’s one of the rare moments we get to focus on a single thing and dive deeply into it. We play the game, obviously, taking notes and capturing video footage of the most interesting moments while playing for later reference. We also capture screenshots, like in-game photography, to showcase our experience. At the end (we write and edit drafts) with our colleagues until we’re happy, or until we hit deadline. Then we’re focused on promoting the review (and) positioning it online against our peers in a way that makes our story stand out as much as possible.

What are your favorite games and/or genres?

I’m a huge fan of first-person shooters like Rainbow Six Siege, Counter-Strike, and the Battlefield series. I love the skills that they draw upon—communication, teamwork, physical awareness, and positioning— while also being a great context for bonding and hanging out with friends.

What does it take to succeed in writing about games?

Working in game journalism isn’t fundamentally different from other online media jobs. I write lots of emails, attend lots of meetings, and edit (maybe 20,000) words each week. The audience wants to read stuff that challenges their understanding of the hobby and enhances their enjoyment of it. One of the things we look for in anyone joining our team is tenacity—a readiness to reach beyond what’s sitting on the surface of the internet and find stuff being made or being said in the weirder corners of gaming. We highly value writers who can tell stories that matter to people who don’t play games.

Check out Evan and his team’s work at pcgamer.com.

CLASSNOTES

1961

ROBERT KEOHANE S ‘61 presented on the “Global Politics of Climate Change” virtually to an audience in Old Main in November. In the presentation, he revisited the 2014 James Madison Lecture delivered at Princeton University, where he is professor of public and international affairs, emeritus.

1967

BILL ROSS officially completed his bucket list goal of traveling to 50 foreign countries. Country number 50 was Kenya while on an African safari. While exploring Africa, Ross enjoyed hot air balloon rides over the wildlife in the Serengeti, sleeping in a tent, cooking over a fire, and listening to the animals at night.

1977

MARIA WYNNE, chief executive officer of Leadership Greater Chicago and North Central College trustee, was appointed to the board of directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago. Her four-year term begins Jan. 1, 2022. Wynne was recently honored with the 2021 Strong Smart Bold Award by Girls Inc. of Chicago. Each year, Girls Inc. recognizes high-achieving women who are making a positive impact. Wynne also won the 2021 Chicago Maestro of Entrepreneurship Award from Latino Leaders Magazine, recognizing her as a transformational leader and innovator.

1984

PATRICK GRIFFIN will be commemorating his 35th anniversary of commissioning as an officer of the United States Marines by running a Marine Corps physical fitness test on April 10, 2022. Griffin wants to achieve a perfect score of 300 by completing 20 pull-ups, 80 sit-ups and running 3 miles in 18 minutes.

1990

BISHOP TRACY SMITH MALONE has been elected as the president-designate of the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church. She will serve as an aid to the president of the council for four years and is expected to then serve as president from 2024 to 2026. Her role will be at the highest level of leadership for clergy in the United Methodist Church.

1991

ERIC RYBURN is teaching AP physics and AP capstone at George Ranch High School in Richmond, Texas.

1992

LORI HAMILTON ALBSMEIER is human resources business partner for Landmark Health. She is responsible for partnering with business leaders and managers to drive employee engagement, talent management and organizational change to achieve business objectives.

1995

DANIELLE SMITH WEDDINGTON moved to Indianapolis, with her husband KEN WEDDINGTON ’96. Smith is teaching and coaching cross country at Lincoln Middle School.

CHRIS TOINTON was selected as the new president and CEO of the YMCA of Middle Tennessee. This location has the largest membership in the country, with Tointon now impacting more than 300,000 lives.

1997

PEDRO GONZALES has accepted a new position with North Central as manufacturing processes lab supervisor.

1998

JENNIFER DOEDE is athletic director at Amos Alonzo Stagg High School in Palos Hills, Ill. Doede is the first female athletic director in Consolidated High School District 230. Doede was previously an administrator, physical education teacher and coach at the school. In 2020, she was awarded New Athletic Director of the Year by the Illinois Athletic Directors Association.

2000

RYAN DOWD wrote and published a book titled “A Homeless Christmas Story.” The story is about Christmas Eve at a homeless shelter where people are gathering for warmth and coffee when something magical happens. Along with the book is an accompanying video produced and narrated by Hollywood actor and director Emilio Estevez, who over the years has become a good friend of Dowd’s as well as a fellow advocate for homeless people. The book can be found online at homelesschristmasbook.com. Dowd is now director of mission and strategy at Hesed House in Aurora, Ill.

2001

JENNY KINTZELE ORSBURN celebrated two years in the position of program manager for Indiana’s Lake Michigan Coastal Program for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. The program provides guidance, financial assistance, and technical support to government agencies working within the coastal region as well as encourages protection and sustainable use of natural and cultural resources.

2002

REBECCA BEATTIE NEGRETTI has accepted a position as a full-time clinical lecturer with City College’s veterinary technician program in Gainsville, Fla. Beattie studied broadcast communication while attending North Central.

PATRICK DOGGETT is box office manager at North Central College. Doggett previously worked as an associate director for the Gates Center for Leadership and Personal Growth at Lake Forest College for six years.

CARLOS NAVARRO has been promoted to chief financial officer of Europe, Middle East, and Africa (CFO-EMEA) for Lipperts Components, Inc., in Florence, Italy. Navarro will lead in the execution of Lippert’s financing and controlling functions in the EMEA region. Navarro started his career with Lippert Inc. in 2005 as a staff accountant.

CRYSTAL VERDUN LAY’S son Lucas was dedicated to the Lord during the baby dedication ceremony in October 2021. Lucas is a fun and energetic two-year old who is adored by his older sister and brother, Amber and Ethan.

2004

KATY SAALFELD was named president-elect of the Illinois Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (IACRAO) during the organization’s annual conference. IACRAO members directly serve students in transcripts, policy, and transforming practices. Saalfeld works as senior associate director of Northern Illinois University admissions recruitment and outreach.

ELISABETH WEARNE FISHER M ’20 is the firmwide manager of paralegal communications for Kirkland & Ellis LLP in Lisle, Ill. Fisher’s role includes development and execution of the paralegal communications program through initiatives, strategy, and development of compelling narratives.

OUTSTANDING ALUMNI AWARD WINNERS

The following alumni were recognized for achievement in their career, connections to North Central College and potential for future success. For their complete bios, scan the QR code below:

Michelle Maves ’05 Delgenio

Alexandria Rios ’07 Taylor

Rev. Dr. Paul Stiffler ’50

Laurie Spiegel S ’67

Rev. William Wylie-Kellermann ’71

John Stolz M ’90

Dr. Robert Keohane S ’61

Yulander Wells Jr. ’01/M ’05

Paul ’71 & Jacquelyn Mochel ’72 Rewerts

Dr. Karl Brooks '90

Dr. Deborah Crown '81

Dr. Dennis Gage ’75

2006

SARA WHITE HUBNER has joined North Central College as executive assistant to the assistant vice president for institutional advancement.

JOEY RICELY is in the process of purchasing two McDonald’s franchises in the Milwaukee area. He decided to pursue franchise ownership as the next step in his entrepreneurial career because, “McDonald’s gives me the chance to find that balance between entrepreneurship and brand support. I’ve seen both sides and think this will be a nice middle ground.” He sold his interest in Knockerball, which was a successful venture with more than 300 licensees in the United

States and internationally. Previously he owned a CrossFit gym in Lombard, Ill., and had developed and sold another product line.

KAI RUGGERI published a book titled “Psychology and Behavioral Economics: Applications for Public Policy.” It offers an expert introduction on how to apply psychology to public policy areas such as education, healthcare, economy, and the environment. Ruggeri’s book is available for purchase on Amazon.com.

2007

DANI IZAC, a flight attendant at Delta Airlines, was selected as a member of the Chairman’s Club for 2021. Nominated by her peers and validated by Delta leaders, Izac was recognized as a top employee who exemplifies the core values of Delta Airlines. Selected as one of 100, she was inducted into the club for life.

2008

ERIC SCHMIDT has accepted a position as head actuary for Amazon. Schmidt builds and leads the actuarial team supporting the insurance product that protects Amazon-branded delivery vans.

2010

KRISTEN DUNLAP-BERG is a family services prevention specialist for Centerstone in Carbondale, Ill. Dunlap-Berg provides social-emotional learning support at a local elementary school through counseling.

2011

TOMMY RIVERA-VEGA directed “Do You Feel Anger?” in collaboration with the North Central College theatre department. This production follows the story of Sofia, an empathy coach at a debt collection agency with employees who need to learn compassion and how to cope with emotions. Performances were held at Meiley- Swallow Hall in October 2021.

GRANT SWANSON was ordained as a deacon in the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church on Oct. 1, 2021, the culmination of a six-year journey. Presiding at his ordination was BISHOP TRACY SMITH ’90 MALONE. Deacons provide a “bridge” between the church and the outside world, often by working in non-church settings and also serving secondarily at a local United Methodist Church. Swanson works at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary as the recruitment coordinator and also serves Urban Village Church in Chicago. In addition, Swanson was the featured speaker at North Central College on Nov. 23 during the campus-wide 12:5 worship gathering. This bi-weekly worship service is an encouraging time of Christian worship and community and includes lively music, a devotional message and time for fellowship.

2012

KAJANDA LOVE is the assistant warden at the Illinois Department of Corrections in Springfield, Ill., where she directs and oversees processes and procedures for the care and custody of the general population.

ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME HONOREES

North Central honored the 2021 class of the Athletics Hall of Fame in an induction ceremony held Homecoming Weekend. This was the biggest Hall of Fame class since the first in 2004, as the 2020 ceremony was postponed due to COVID-19.

Front row, from left: Ed Mathey ’86, Mia Viola ’01 Perretta, Bernard Verner ’80, Camie Loudenbeck ’83, Norman Robinson ’00. Back row, from left: Matt Wenger ’10, Jake Winder ’11, Derek Raridon ’13, Brian DeLoriea ’05, Ben Youel ’09, Tony Rizzo ’02.

50-YEAR CLUB REUNITES AT HOMECOMING

These alumni returned to campus to celebrate their induction into the 50-Year Club during Homecoming Weekend.

Front row, from left: John Beehler ’71, Jane Schade Kopp ’71, April Dunn Kristy ’70, Mary Peoples Babler ’70, Phyllis Wojcicki Pitch ’70, Susan Sauer Walther ’71. Back row, from left: Fred Fugate ’70, Mike Moser ’70, Walter Byers ’71, Judith Wykle Entenman ’71, Linda Korbakis ’71, Ron Isaac ’71, Larry Peacock ’71, Wayne Walther ’71, Bill Wylie-Kellermann ’71, Bill Davis ’71.

2015

LINA BAKER is a throws coach for Concordia University St. Paul (Minn.) and coached an athlete at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Eugene, Ore. Baker coached Marcus Gustaveson for three years, leading him to improve his discus throw from 51 to 61 meters. He now has a top-five throw in NCAA Division II history and has been accepted into the Olympic Development Program in Chula Vista, Calif. Baker described her experience at the trials as “awesome,” being around so many track and field legends.

MEGANN HORSTEAD has accepted a new position as news reporter, writing and reporting on Naperville news for all NCTV17 platforms.

CHRIS PICCIUOLO accepted a position at the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community’s O’odham Action News as a reporter. Picciuolo helps tell the stories of the indigenous people in the community and was awarded “2021 Best Coverage of Native America” by the Native American Journalists Association. Previously, he was a photojournalist for the Ak-Chin Runner newspaper.

2016

JESSIE MARSALA is an associate for Calamos Investments in Naperville. The firm offers an array of investment strategies to clients.

MAGGIE SOUTH was named Westmont’s Citizen of the Year for exemplary community service. South was selected based on her volunteer work as well as her commitment to preserve Westmont’s history and her help with centennial celebrations.

2017

COURTNEY CLEMENT has been promoted to audit manager at Lauterbach & Amen in Naperville. Clement will oversee and review external audits.

KATIE DRONE is a third-grade teacher at Indian Prairie School District 204. Drone is in her fourth year of teaching and helps to create a love of learning in all students while teaching them the skills to be successful outside of the classroom.

LAUREN EDMUNDS has earned the title of associate attorney at Meyers & Flowers. Starting her journey as an intern at age 19, Edmunds has now handled more than 100 workers’ compensation claims earning more than $1,100,000 for her clients. Edmunds is a member of several professional associations including the Chicago Bar Association, Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Association, and the American Association for Justice.

SADE GANT obtained a master’s degree in sport administration from Arkansas State University. Gant teaches physical education and health for kindergarten through eighth-grade students at Matteson School District 162.

GARRETT MOHR is staff accountant at Glanbia Nutrition in Naperville.

2018

ELENA HRISTOVSKA accepted a position as senior lease accountant for the Kraft Heinz Company in Chicago. The Kraft Heinz Company is one of the largest food and beverage companies in the world.

PETER SCHILLER is technical producer for the Salem Media Group. Schiller is in charge of operating the control room console and various equipment and software for live and delayed programming at WIND-AM and WYLL-AM.

2019

LAURA COOPER has joined North Central College as assistant box office manager and event liaison. Prior to accepting this new position, Cooper worked as a graphic designer and sales assistant for CreateASoft, Inc.

TIA DUKES has joined North Central College as administrative assistant to conference services & camps and fine arts.

KALEIGH NOBBE received a post graduate degree in mental health counseling from Northwestern University.

VINCE OLEJNICZAK is an assistant buyer for RFD Chicago. Olejniczak helps buyers maintain correct inventory levels, schedule inbound trucks for deliveries, and monitor outbound trucks delivering to various restaurants in the area including much of downtown Naperville.

NICK OSTERLOO M ’21 is assistant sports information director at North Central covering women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s tennis, women’s basketball, and baseball. Osterloo previously worked as a graduate assistant in sports information and received his MBA in the spring of 2021. Osterloo has also worked with Wheaton Academy High School as their sports information director and has volunteered with the Big Ten Conference and the CCIW.

2020

VIRIDIANA GARCIA is working as a product analyst for National General-Allstate after obtaining her degree in actuarial science. Garcia is assisting the pricing department in generating rates for the prices of new products through data collection and analyzation.

TIFFANY TALLEY is a sexual assault prevention educator for Mutual Ground Inc. in Aurora, Ill. Talley’s role includes informing and empowering youth about bodily autonomy and consent.

2021

RANA HUSSAIN is a full-time security analyst at Sentinel Technologies after majoring in computer science at North Central. Her role includes monitoring, preventing and stopping attacks on private data as well as creating firewalls and software systems to protect network infrastructures. Hussain earned her first professional certification utilizing cybersecurity called “Security+.”

WEDDINGS

LISA DIECKMAN ’17 MUNSON to BRAD MUNSON ’17 on October 16, 2021 at Koten Chapel by Chaplain Eric Doolittle. The bridal party included BROOKE REED ’16.

TIM HIRD ’15 to EMILY TRENT ’17 HIRD on October 23, 2021 at Danada House in Wheaton, Ill.

CHRISTIAN A. LEGAN ’91 to Rhonda Mikelenas on October 10, 2021 at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Ill.

SEAN MARKHAM ’15 to KAYTLYN BECKER ’15 MARKHAM on October 16, 2021 at Cog Hill Golf & Country Club in Palos Park, Ill. The bridal party included ERIK BROWN ’14 and TOMMY HILTON ’14.

JESSICA PACETTI ’15 ROE to TOM ROE ’15 on September 24, 2021. The bridal party included TREY LETKO ’10, CHRIS LENCIONI ’10, JORDAN SCHERPE-LENCIONI ’15, TIM ROE ’18, MEGAN PACETTI ’18, and JENNA ROE ’24.

AMANDA PECK ’15 to COLIN LAUGHLIN ’15 on September 12, 2021 at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, Ill. The bridal party included RACHEL PECK ’09 ALEXANDER, RAE LINDENBERG ’15, SARA REID ’15, KENDRA LAUGHLIN ’19, MIKE MCGRATH ’15, BEN REDMOND ’15, DAN SCHRYER ’15, and CHARLIE MILLER ’16. Also in attendance were many alumni including: BRETT ERNST ’15, LUCAS ROMANELLO ’15, STEPHANIE PASSIALIS ’17, ATHINA AJAZI ’15 THORSON, BROOKE REED ’16, KYLE LEPINE ’15, AUDREY TIMBERLAKE ’16, JESEK WEST ’15 ROGERS, and CULLEN ROGERS ’14.

ALEX ULMER ’17 and KELSEY TRUEDSON ’15 ULMER on November 6, 2021 at the Marriott Sanibel Harbor Resort and Spa in Fort Meyers, Fla.

KELLY PETERSON ’10 to Michael Dufresne on September 12, 2021 at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Ill. The bridal party included KRISTEN ’10 CONFORTI ALLANSON.

KELLIANNE YHIP ’19 to Ryan Horacek on September 16, 2021 at Riot Fest in Chicago.

BIRTHS

LAURA LAUDERDALE ’14 BANKEMPER and Daniel Bankemper, a daughter, Iris Mae, on January 22, 2021, weighing 5 1bs., 12 oz.

MICHAEL CROSS ’13 and Cami Cross, a daughter, Kenzie Marie, on December 9, 2020.

NICK DEFALCO ’09/M ’14 and CAROLYN SUTPHEN ’10 DEFALCO M ’19, a son, Jaxson, on August 18, 2021, weighing 6 lbs., 3 oz., and measuring 19.5 inches. Alumni relatives include aunt ELIZABETH MICHELETTI ’11.

REBECCA BARNHART ’16 KARNOSCAK and STEVEN KARNOSCAK ’16, a daughter, Lucille Rose, on June 18, 2021, weighing 6 lbs., 14 oz., and measuring 21 inches.

HANNAH ANTONELLI ’14 KENTNER and Josh Kentner, a son, Cooper, on March 26, 2021, weighing 8 lbs., 21 oz. He joins brother, Carter, 2.

DOMINIQUE COLLINS ’12 KNAUSS and Tyler Knauss, a son, Orion Hunter, on August 3, 2021, weighing 7 lbs., 10 oz., and measuring 21.25 inches. 10

GRANT SABO ’06 and Daniela Sabo, a daughter, Gemma Rose, on October 6, 2021, weighing 6 lbs., 10 oz., and measuring 18.5 inches.

CHRIS TOY ’09 and Monica Toy, a daughter, Alaya Rose, on August 27, 2021, weighing 7 lbs., 5oz., and measuring 20.5 inches. 11

KAYLEN PALMER ’15 ZAREMBSKI and NATE ZAREMBSKI ’16, a son, Cohen Paul, on August 10, 2021, weighing 5 lbs., 8 oz., and measuring 19.25 inches. Alumni relatives include aunt MARYN PALMER ’20.

IN MEMORIAM

DR. HELEN MACGREGOR ’48 BAKER on October 6, 2021.

REVEREND CLYDE CROSS ’58 of Stoughton, Wis., on October 19, 2021.

DALE K. DYKEMA ’61 of Pewaukee, Wis., on October 14, 2021.

HONORABLE HARRIS W. FAWELL ’51 of Naperville, on November 11, 2021.

THOMAS W. HOLBROOK ’55 of Oswego, Ill., on September 13, 2021.

ROBERT JANSEN ’61 of Naperville, on September 2, 2021.

MARGARET KUNTZELMAN S ’63 of Sun City West, Ariz., on July 28, 2021.

LYLE LITTLEWOOD ’55 of Virginia Beach, Va., on October 6, 2021.

HELEN C. “HERBIE” NAUMANN ‘46* of Pleasant Hill, Tenn., on March 28, 2021. She was preceded in death by sisters Doris Holm ’45 and Monie Kinney ’49. She is survived by sons Gary Barrett ’71, Rex Barrett ’73, Scott Barrett ’75 and William Naumann ’74, and daughter Nancy Hanson ’79.

REVEREND ANDREW NOXON ’53 of Lindenhurst, Ill., on August, 29, 2021.

TAMMIE KRYSH ’99 Pullin of Algonquin, Ill., on November 10, 2021.

JACK SEITH ’61 of Westerville, Ohio, on April, 2021. He was preceded in death by brothers Rev. Bill Seith ’52 and Donald Seith ’54.

LETITIA (LETTY) WEIDMAN ’48 of Savanna, Ill., on October 24, 2021.

DR. RONALD C. WINKLER ’58 of Chicago, on October 4, 2020.

*The fall issue included an error in the names of survivors of Helen Naumann.

THE HON. HARRIS W. FAWELL ’51 of Naperville on November 11, 2012. Fawell graduated from West Chicago Community High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from North Central. After graduating from Kent College of Law, he served as an assistant state’s attorney in DuPage County and then in private legal practice. He served from 1963 to 1977 in the Illinois State Senate, where he became known as a champion of local parks. In 1984, Fawell ran for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives representing Illinois’ 13th Congressional District. He joined the North Central College Board of Trustees in 1985 and delivered the keynote address at North Central College Commencement in 1995. He retired from Congress in 1999 and announced that his official papers would be housed in the College’s archives. As a Trustee and Life Trustee, Fawell served his alma mater for more than 36 years. In addition to his wife Ruth ’52, Fawell is survived by two sons, Richard and John; a daughter, Jane; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a brother, Michael.

ALLEN VANDER MEULEN, JR., 89, in Lincoln, Mass., on November 22, 2021. He was born in Chicago and graduated from Northwestern University with a B.S. in economics; from Yale Divinity School; and from Brown University with a Ph.D. in economics. In 1978, he joined North Central College as a professor of economics and specialized in urban, regional and applied welfare economics. He oversaw the development of the new “Weekend College” and held the title of assistant dean for the Weekend College. He helped establish what is now the computer science department and the M.B.A. program. In later years he taught business ethics and retired in 1997. He is survived by his wife Dorothy; sons Allen III ’84 and David; daughter Ruth; a brother, Ross; four grandchildren; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. A celebration of his life will be held in spring 2022.

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