The Investiture of Dr. Anita Jones Thomas North Central College
Noon - November 11, 2023 Wentz Concert Hall & Fine Arts Center
Dr. Thomas believes that education is a vehicle for making a positive impact on society and the world a better place ... that education has the power to transform lives.” Holly Humphrey ’79, MD Chair, Board of Trustees In announcing Dr. Anita Thomas as president on March 21, 2023
Dr. Anita Jones Thomas 11th President North Central College
Anita Thomas, Ph.D., assumed her role as the 11th president of North Central College on July 1, 2023. She also holds the faculty rank of professor of psychology in North Central’s College of Arts and Sciences.
Applied Behavioral Sciences at the University of Indianapolis, where she provided oversight for academic programs in psychology, social work, mental health counseling, and art therapy.
Dr. Thomas was unanimously elected by North Central College’s Board of Trustees following a national search that engaged trustees, students, alumni, faculty, and staff. Her appointment is historic. In North Central’s 162-year history, she is the first woman and the first person of color to serve as president.
Previously, Dr. Thomas served for 10 years at Loyola University Chicago, where she was a faculty member in the counseling psychology and school counseling department. She became the graduate program director for counseling psychology and later associate dean for academic affairs and research in the School of Education.
Prior to North Central, Dr. Thomas was executive vice president and provost at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota. As chief academic officer, she provided strategic leadership for the university’s academic programs. She was also responsible for student affairs and career development. Prior to serving at St. Catherine, Dr. Thomas was the founding dean of the College of
A native of Louisville, Kentucky, Dr. Thomas was raised in a family of educators. She holds a doctorate in counseling psychology from Loyola University Chicago, specializing in family therapy and multicultural counseling. She also holds a master’s degree in community counseling from Loyola and a bachelor’s degree in education and social policy from Northwestern University.
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Past Presidents Augustine Austin (A.A.) Smith
Edward Everett Rall
1861-1883, First President
1916-1946, Fifth President
Henry H. Rassweiler
C. Harve Geiger
1883-1888, Second President
1946-1960, Sixth President
Herman J. Kiekhoefer
Arlo L. Schilling
1889-1910, Third President
1960-1975, Seventh President
Lawrence Hoover Seager
Gael D. Swing
1911-1916, Fourth President
1975-1990, Eighth President
We are pleased that the following past presidents have joined us for today’s ceremony:
Harold R. Wilde (H) ’15
Donna M. Carroll
1991-2012, Ninth President
2022-2023, Interim President
Troy D. Hammond 2013-2022, Tenth President
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Investiture Program Prelude. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Big Band Processional*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brass Quintet “Trumpet Tune” by Henry Purcell (arr. David Brown) Invocation* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rev. Eric Doolittle Chaplain of the College Greeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rev. Arlene Christopherson Assistant to Bishop Dan Schwerin United Methodist Church - Northern Illinois Conference Welcome. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Kathy Birkett Trustee and Inauguration Committee Co-chair Music Selection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Voices of Praise “Revelations 19:1” by Stephen Hurd Reading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rev. D’ana Downing Assistant University Chaplain, Northwestern University Music Selection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chamber Singers “I Should Be Glad” by Susan LaBarr (text by Sara Teasdale) Installation Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Herman White Jr. Life Trustee and Inauguration Committee Co-chair Installation PRESENTATION OF THE SYMBOLS OF THE COLLEGE . . . . . . . . . . Holly Humphrey ’79, MD
Chair, Board of Trustees
*Please stand. 7
Investiture Program PASSING OF THE CHARTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Matthew Pons
Marie and Bernice Gantzert Professor in the Liberal Arts and Sciences Interim Faculty Speaker Shelly Galasso ’05 Executive Director, Office of Sponsored Research and Programs Co-chair, North Central College Staff Council Nicole Musni Director of Counseling, Dyson Wellness Center Co-chair, North Central College Staff Council PASSING OF THE LIGHT AND TRUTH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Paige Kozial ’24
President, Student Governing Association Mario Jayes ’23 Graduate Assistant, Office of Student Involvement PASSING OF THE CHAIN OF OFFICE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Holly Humphrey ’79, MD
Inaugural Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Anita Jones Thomas President, North Central College Music Selection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chamber Singers “Wild Forces” by Jake Runestad (text by St. Francis of Assisi) Closing Remarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Kathy Birkett Benediction* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bishop Michael E. Dantley Senior Pastor Christ Emmanuel Christian Fellowship - Cincinnati Singing of the Alma Mater* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . All Lyrics found on next page. Recessional*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Big Band “One Mint Julep” by Rudolph Toombs (arr. Mike Kamuf) Please join us for a reception immediately following in the Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center lobby. *Please stand. 8
ORDER OF THE ACADEMIC PROCESSION Senior Leadership Board of Trustees Inaugural Delegates North Central College Faculty
ALMA MATER
North Central is the school we love, To her we sing this praise, And from the East and from the West You hear the voices raise... Hail! Hail! North Central Hail! Our Alma Mater true, We’ll always, always, loyal be, To you, to you, to you.
NORTH CENTRAL COLLEGE MUSIC BIG BAND
BRASS QUINTET
Tim Coffman Conductor, Adjunct Instructor of Music
Dr. Lawrence Van Oyen Conductor, Professor of Music
CHAMBER SINGERS
VOICES OF PRAISE
Dr. Ramona Wis Conductor, Professor of Music Mimi Rolland Endowed Chair in the Fine Arts
Dianna LeCrone ’25 Director Jeremy Robinson Accompanist
Bob Saul Collaborative Pianist LATIN JAZZ
Juan Pastor Conductor, Half-Time Instructor of Music
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PRESIDENTIAL REGALIA
SYMBOLS OF THE COLLEGE
The gown worn today by President Anita Thomas was designed especially for her, provided through the generosity of a private donor. This distinct gown includes a fourth chevron on each sleeve, which is an honor granted only to one who holds the rank of president at an academic institution. Adorned with the North Central College seal and cardinal red color, this regalia reflects Dr. Thomas’ commitment to this institution, its values, and traditions.
The Charter
COLLEGE SEAL
The Light and Truth
The North Central College seal was designed in 1925 for Pfeiffer Hall to symbolize North Central’s early academic tradition: religion, signified by the lamp, and learning, represented by the book. The words “lux” and “veritas” were borrowed from Yale University’s shield and mean “light” and “truth” in Latin. The seal was later added to the lobby of Carnegie Hall, which served as the library for the campus, thanks to gifts from the classes of 1938 and 1939. The seal was installed in the lobby of Old Main during the renovation process in 1997-1998.
During the installation ceremony, representatives of North Central’s student body will present Dr. Thomas with the symbols of Lux Veritas, the light and the truth. The students will ask Dr. Thomas to uphold the values represented by the symbols of a lamp and a book.
During the installation ceremony, representatives from North Central’s faculty and staff will present Dr. Thomas with the College’s charter, which grants legal authority to North Central and its leadership and defines the institution’s rights and privileges as granted by consent from the people of the state of Illinois. Dr. Thomas will be asked to guard the charter as the cornerstone of North Central College’s existence.
Generations of North Central students have been challenged to spread light — to use their education to serve the oppressed, to challenge injustice, and to go out into the world to lead. At the same time, North Central is dedicated to the pursuit of truth, which comes from academic rigor and vigilance in upholding our values and ideals.
PRESIDENTIAL MEDALLION
The seal is featured on the presidential medallion, which will be presented to Dr. Thomas by Board of Trustees Chair Holly Humphrey ’79 during the installation. The medallion is worn by the president in any ceremony that includes academic regalia. It reflects the authority and responsibility of the presidency and serves to reflect the president’s role as a representative of the College. Cast in bronze, this new presidential medallion is inscribed with the names and service dates of all past presidents.
Both symbols of Lux Veritas appear on the College’s official seal.
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Historical Perspective
The first graduating class of Plainfield College in 1866.
November 11 is a significant day in the history of North Central College. It is recognized as North Central’s Founders Day. On November 11, 1861, Plainfield College opened its doors for the first official day of classes. (The institution was renamed North-Western College in 1864 and became North Central College in 1926.) In 1861, nearly two dozen private colleges and universities operated in Illinois. Most were church-affiliated and intended for men only. There were 40 students on the College’s first day — both men and women.
It is important to consider local and national context at that time. In April 1861, the Civil War broke out at Fort Sumter in South Carolina. Black people were enslaved in the South. President Abraham Lincoln occupied the White House. As a young man, he had served in the Illinois General Assembly with Joe Naper, who founded Naperville 30 years prior. In 1861, Chicago was the railroad capital of America, a crossroads for commerce, and a stronghold of abolitionist sentiment. Plainfield was a small farm town of 700 people with daily access by stagecoach to railroads in Joliet. Closer proximity to a railroad and the City of Chicago would be factors in the College moving to Naperville in 1867.
At that time, it was not common for women to attend college and even less common for college to be coeducational. The 23-member board of trustees governing the College chose three faculty members: two men and one woman. They also selected a president: Augustine Austin (A.A.) Smith, an administrator from Oberlin College in Ohio. He and his family actively supported abolition, temperance, and women’s rights while fighting against racial discrimination. 11
Inaugural Delegates We welcome the following representatives from colleges, universities, and organizations who join the North Central College Trustees and faculty in academic procession. Listing as of November 3, 2023. Dr. Denise Baird President Representative; Senior Vice President for Academic Operations; Co-Provost St. Catherine University Dr. Karl Brooks Vice President for Student Affairs Oakton Community College Dr. Stephanie Kelly Dean, College of Health Sciences University of Indianapolis
Dr. Stephen Kolison Jr. President Fredonia State University of New York Dr. Ellen Miller Faculty Emerita University of Indianapolis Dr. Fayneese Miller President Hamline University Dr. Dianne Oliver President Representative; Senior Vice President for Academic Programs; Co-Provost St. Catherine University
Dr. Susana Rivera-Mills President Aurora University Kimberley Viehmann Director of Special Events, Office of the President Benedictine University Dr. Javier Viera President Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary Dr. Jamel Wright President Eureka College
Board of Trustees Holly Humphrey ’79, MD Chair President; The Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation
Dr. Kathy Birkett Superintendent of Schools (Retired) Indian Prairie School District 204
Andrea M. Beck ’97 Vice Chair, Business Affairs Committee Independent Financial Consultant
Erin L. Bishop ’93 Vice Chair, Student Affairs and Athletics Committee Senior Corporate Counsel; Caterpillar Inc.
Kevin M. Gensler Secretary, Chair of the Liaison Committee President; Dommermuth, Cobine, West, Gensler, Philipchuck, Corrigan & Bernhard, Ltd.
Matthew S. Brill ’97 Derivatives Trader; Tourmaline Partners
Dr. Kathy L. Guthrie ’98 Professor; Florida State University
Esther T. Benjamin ’90 Vice Chair, Enrollment Management and Marketing Committee CEO and Executive Director; World Education Services
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Jon DeSouza ’98 President and CEO; HARTING Americas; HARTING, Inc.
Board of Trustees Nancy Naumann ’79 Hanson Teacher (Retired); Naperville Community Unit School District 203 Kris Hartner Owner; Naperville Running Company Dr. InSun Ho ’81 Division Lead; RSM and Product Stewardship; Abbott Labs Steven H. Hoeft ’73 Attorney (Retired); McDermott, Will & Emery Peter P. Jones ’76 CEO; Mind Safety Management, LLC Bishop Hee-Soo Jung Bishop; Wisconsin Conference; The United Methodist Church John Kaltenmark Vice Chair, Institutional Advancement Committee Independent Consultant and Board Member (Retired) David W. Kelsch President and CEO; Advanced Data Technologies, Inc. Annette Kenney EVP/Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer; Edward-Elmhurst Health Sanjeeb Khatua, MD Chief Physician Executive; NorthShore - Edward-Elmhurst Health
J. Raymond Kinney III (H) ’10 Principal; Blooming Color and Maclyn Group Joseph Mallon ’80 Chair, Audit Committee Partner (Retired); Deloitte & Touche, LLP Gerald V. McCadd ’92 Owner and Agent; G. McCadd Insurance & Financial Services, Inc. (State Farm Agency) Connor McGury ’18 / M ’20 North Central College Alumni Board President, Senior CS Strategy and Innovation Consultant; Publicis Sapient Tom Miers Market President; Naperville Bank and Trust, a Wintrust Community Bank Tracie Morris ’02 Chief People Officer; Corewell Health
Dr. Maureen Ryan ’83 Vice Chair, Academic Affairs Committee Senior Director (Retired); Seagen, Inc. Rowena Felix-Salas ’84 General Manager/ Co-owner; Hotel Baker Bishop Dan Schwerin Bishop; Northern Illinois Conference; The United Methodist Church Stephen T. Sellers ’76 CEO; Applied Noetics Dr. Ali Setork President; DynaCom Management, Inc. Donald C. Sharp President and CEO; Coolfire Solutions Dr. Jeffrey K. Swallow ’94 Chairman and CEO (Retired); Magnetrol International Incorporated
Michael R. Naset Senior Partner (Retired); Accenture LLP
Scott Wehrli ’91 Mayor of City of Naperville; Secretary/Treasurer and Partner; Dukane Precast, Inc.
Jeffrey J. Oesterle ’76 Owner (Retired); Plaza Properties
Lee J. Woolley ’85 Senior Executive; Metallicus
Steven Rubin Partner; Kitchens To Go by Mobile Modular
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Board of Trustees Life Trustees: Dr. John D. Bramsen ’60 Donald J. Hackl James A. McDermet M ’92 Holly I. Myers ’69 Dr. Richard G. Norenberg ’55 Richard F. Wehrli ’56 Dr. Herman B. White Jr. Dr. Harold R. Wilde (H) ’15 Robert A. Wislow ’67 Dr. Beth Thomas ’63 Zimmerman
Honorary Trustees: James E. Bramsen ’59 George A. Darrell Leota Buss ’51 Ester Dr. John M. Giannini ’84 John L. Novak ’64 William N. Plamondon Rick Spencer (H) ’22 Dr. Myron Wentz ’63, (H) ’11
Presidential Search Committee Dr. Kathy Birkett Chair Trustee Andrea Beck ’97 Trustee Dr. Mara Berkland Professor of Communication; Coordinator of Middle Eastern and North African Studies Erin Bishop ’93 Trustee Paulina Bogdan ’24 2022-2023 President, Student Governing Association Dr. Jessica Brown Vice President for Student Affairs and Athletics Ashley Chubirka M ’11 Director of First-Year Admission Jon DeSouza ’98 Trustee
Dr. David Gray Professor of Accounting Kris Hartner Trustee Dr. InSun Ho ’81 Trustee Mike Hudson Vice President for Operations J. Raymond Kinney III (H) ’10 Trustee Tracie Morris ’02 Trustee Lisa Pettaway ’94 / M ’00 Director of Leadership Annual Giving Dr. Sara Scholtes Professor and Chair, Department of Physical Therapy; Founding Director, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Dr. Ali Setork Trustee
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Dr. Jennifer Smith Associate Professor of English; Chair, Department of English; Director of the Writing Center Lee Woolley ’85 Trustee PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH COMMITTEE SUPPORT Kimberly Salzbrunn Executive Assistant to the President and the Board of Trustees Jim Godo ’93 Vice President for Communication and Strategic Initiatives; Special Assistant to the President; Ex-officio Michael R. Naset Trustee; Ex-officio
Transition Committee Holly Humphrey ’79, MD Chair Chair, Board of Trustees Adrian Aldrich ’02 Vice President for Institutional Advancement Dr. Kathy Birkett Trustee Shelly Galasso ’05 Executive Director, Office of Sponsored Research and Programs; Staff Council Co-chair Jim Godo ’93 Vice President for Communication and Strategic Initiatives; Special Assistant to the President
J. Raymond Kinney III (H) ’10 Trustee Dr. Steve Macek Professor of Communication; Chair of the Department of Communication and Media Studies; Faculty Speaker Tom Miers Trustee Michael R. Naset Trustee Lisa Pettaway ’94 / M ’00 Director of Leadership Annual Giving
Dr. Matthew Pons Marie and Bernice Gantzert Professor in the Liberal Arts and Sciences; Chairperson, Department of Mathematics and Actuarial Science Kimberly Salzbrunn Executive Assistant to the President and the Board of Trustees Don Sharp Trustee Dr. Jennifer Smith Associate Professor of English; Chair of the Department of English; Director of the Writing Center Dr. Herman White Jr. Life Trustee
Inauguration Committee Dr. Kathy Birkett Co-chair Trustee
Paige Kozial ’24 President, Student Governing Association
Dr. Herman White Jr. Co-chair Life Trustee
Dr. Kristin Paloncy-Patel ’04 Assistant Professor of Health Science
Adrian Aldrich ’02 Vice President for Institutional Advancement
Lisa Pettaway ’94 / M ’00 Director of Leadership Annual Giving
Jeremy Borling ’02 Senior Director of Communication
Mary Reynolds Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement
Dr. Quanisha Charles Associate Professor of English
Kimberly Salzbrunn Executive Assistant to the President and the Board of Trustees
Mario Jayes ’23 Graduate Assistant, Office of Student Involvement
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Dr. Sara Scholtes Professor and Chair, Department of Physical Therapy; Founding Director, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Scott A. Wehrli ’91 Trustee