Fall 2020
Same... but different The pandemic brings a new reality to campus
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE I’m delighted to be writing to you from our beautiful campus, which as we go to press is filled with students, faculty and staff! It’s a thrill to see our community together again, albeit from behind face coverings and at a distance. I’m also excited to be meeting members of our new first-year class, which is only somewhat smaller than we had originally planned despite the disruptions of the pandemic. We welcomed them to this special institution with a virtual convocation ceremony. Their enthusiasm and excitement inspire all of us here at North Central College.
The events of the past several months have reminded us of our shared values and aspirations, and the responsibilities and expectations we have of ourselves and of each other.”
I’m sure your summer was nothing like you expected it to be; neither was ours. I’m immeasurably grateful to the faculty and staff who helped get us to this point today. Collectively we spent thousands of hours working to safely reopen campus (see p. 2). At the same time, our faculty embraced our new “learn-from-anywhere” model so that we could provide multiple learning options to our students, and, if necessary, transition smoothly and effectively to fully remote teaching and learning to further protect the health of the North Central family.
At the same time, our College—and indeed our nation—is confronting the challenges of systemic racism. The events of the past several months have reminded us of our shared values and aspirations, and the responsibilities and expectations we have of ourselves and of each other. We must do better in addressing issues of diversity, equity and inclusion. We can be agents of change—and we must be agents of change. I am energized by this opportunity to impact our world as we live out our mission. I hope you are, too.
Troy D. Hammond, Ph.D. President Professor of Physics
I’m thankful for your support through these efforts, and for the hard work, collaboration, and creativity of our entire extended community.
Check out the new online edition of the North Central College magazine by accessing it on Issuu. Go to northcentralcollege.edu/magazine or download the Issuu app and then search for North Central College. The magazine content is fully searchable and back issues will be added in the future.
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Fall 2020
FEATURE STORIES
Editorial Director
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Graphic Design
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Same...but different: The pandemic brings a new reality to campus Reports from the field: COVID-19 presents new challenges and alters career directions
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Diversity, equity and inclusion: Campus efforts address need for continual change
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On-demand goes to school
CONTENTS 20
Campus News
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Sports News
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Alumni News
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Alumni Updates
Laura Zahn Pohl Mary Bass Brooke Belair Katie McGraw ’22 Contributing Writers/Production
Valla Coffman ’02 Aguilar Jeremy Borling ’02 Lauren Ford Jacob Imm Kara Kots ’18 Katie McNeela ’14 Kelly Murphy Mary Reynolds Drew Sauer ’11/M ’14 Clark Teuscher Vice President for Institutional Advancement
Rick Spencer Assistant Vice President for External Affairs; Special Assistant to the President
Jim Godo ’93 Executive Director of Development and Alumni Affairs
ABOUT THE COVER Properly spaced seating in classrooms is the new normal for students like Arran Hung ’24, here attending Chemistry 121 in the Wentz Science Center.
Adrian Aldrich ’02 Please direct all correspondence to:
Editorial Director North Central College 30 N. Brainard Street Naperville, IL 60540 email: omc@noctrl.edu phone: 630-637-5300 or 1-800-611-1861 Visit us online at
northcentralcollege.edu northcentralcardinals.com northcentralcollege.edu/ brilliantfuture
Cover photo: Steve Woltmann
Same... but different
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NORTH CENTRAL COLLEGE northcentralcollege.edu
The pandemic brings a new reality to campus
This fall, North Central College looks much the same as it has in the past—but also very different. There was, as always, the joy of students arriving on campus, ready to embark on their time at the College. Student-athletes reported early and held meetings and practices. But with the health of students, faculty and staff the College’s first priority, the “new normal” on campus includes face coverings, social distancing, cleaning protocols and gallons of hand sanitizer. Gone for now are the buffets in Kaufman Dining Hall, fine arts events and intercollegiate athletic competitions. Plans for safely re-opening facilities and starting in-person classes required the dedication of more than 100 faculty, staff and students, who logged plenty of hours working on the COVID-19 Institutional Response Team (IRT) over the summer months. Leadership came from many areas, including IRT co-chairs Kimberly Sluis ’99, vice president for student affairs and strategic initiatives, and Peter Barger, assistant provost and director of institutional effectiveness and planning; the staff of Dyson Wellness Center; the business operations team; Julie Williams, assistant provost for student success and dean of academic services; and Marci Swede, dean of the School of Education and Health Sciences. The team collaborated to devise virtual orientation sessions and Welcome Week activities and expand academic options for a “learn from anywhere” approach supported by technology. The College slightly lengthened class times so students can stay home after Thanksgiving and take their finals remotely.
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Other adjustments have included new cleaning protocols and policies for using stairways, elevators, gathering spaces and shared offices; modifications to Oesterle Library and all dining facilities; and installations of hand sanitizer stations and foot pulls on doors. Residence hall procedures involve limiting visitors and use of common spaces and setting aside Kimmel Hall for students who may need to isolate or quarantine on campus.
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The College’s COVID-19 testing strategy encompassed entry testing of specific student groups upon their arrival to campus; ongoing and surveillance testing of additional members of the campus community; and testing of symptomatic individuals. Testing for active COVID-19 infections is playing a critical role in both caring for the campus community and monitoring and containing the possible spread of the virus.
While your College—through the work of countless students, staff, faculty, and administrators—has done everything possible to provide for a safe and healthy living and learning environment, a significant part of the health and well-being of our community is up to each of us individually. Let’s stay #TogetherNC!” - Excerpt of a welcome message to the campus community from the IRT co-chairs
College contact tracers and case managers will monitor the exposure of people who test positive. In addition, the CampusClear symptom tracking app is helping members of the campus community to self-monitor their health. As this issue goes to print, the campus is operating with the utmost care and caution … and benefiting from the preparation by so many who are truly committed to an in-person experience for North Central College students.
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A. Kaufman Dining Hall is open for carryout options and student meals, with tables and chairs arranged for social distancing. B. Fitness facilities are operating with limited hours, additional cleaning and extra spacing for equipment C. Teaching on campus: Maria Orjuela Garavito, adjunct assistant professor of mathematics. D. The College implemented an extensive COVID-19 testing plan to closely monitor the health of the campus community. E. Lab time in the Wentz Science Center with Gregory Ruthig, associate professor of biology (far right). D.
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College rallies around #TogetherNC campaign The College launched the #TogetherNC campaign a few weeks before the start of the academic year. A joint effort of the Dyson Wellness Center, Office of Marketing and Communications, and staff representatives from numerous areas of the College, the campaign aimed to prepare students and their families as well as faculty and staff for adjustments that would be necessary to control and prevent the spread of COVID-19 on campus.
For more information, visit
covid.northcentralcollege.edu
The hub for the campaign is the #TogetherNC website at covid. northcentralcollege.edu. Created in a span of just a few weeks, the site is a comprehensive and evolving source of information
including messages from the College, procedures for students, faculty and staff for returning to campus, updates on COVID-19 test results, and a continually updated list of frequently asked questions. The campaign includes a full social media rollout on the College’s channels and helpful signage throughout campus to guide community members and alert them to changes made over the summer. An informative series of videos explained the new features and changes on campus and offered guidance on how to practice social distancing and other safety measures.
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Reports from COVID-19 presents new challenges and alters career directions Alumni working in computational data research, public health, pharmacy and medicine share their first-hand experiences with the pandemic
Reese Richardson ’19 has landed in a research lab performing computational modeling of COVID-19. Last fall, he started a doctorate in interdisciplinary biological sciences at Northwestern University and is now on a team working to understand the spread of COVID-19 in communities, among certain populations and in specific locations like nursing homes. “There was a need for additional computational folks to work on COVID-19 modeling,” explained Richardson, who majored in applied math and physics at North Central. “Our lab in the department of preventive medicine at Northwestern was recruited by the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Governor’s Office to join Illinois’ COVID-19 Epidemiological Modeling Task Force.” Researchers there use a “compartmental model” to simulate the progression of the disease in a population over time. Richardson explains, “By calibrating our model to historical death rates, hospitalizations and hospital resource usage, we can create accurate predictive models for the future course of the disease over a variety of conditions.”
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the field: Even now, in what feels like a later stage of the pandemic, our knowledge about the virus’ biology, how it affects different people and how it spreads, is still fairly limited.” - REESE RICHARDSON ’19
The model also allows researchers to test the effect of various interventions, such as increasing testing capacity or decreasing wait times for results. Researchers have also been examining geographic and demographic inequities in access to testing across the state. Richardson knows first hand the frustrations posed by the unpredictable virus. “Even now, in what feels like a later stage of the pandemic, our knowledge about the virus’ biology, how it affects different people and how it spreads, is still fairly limited. In modeling, we have to make assumptions that may later prove inaccurate. In data analysis, we often work with incomplete data and the work can often be somewhat emotionally difficult. It is not pleasant to bear witness to how quickly this virus can tear through communities.” This unexpected assignment may affect Richardson’s future research interests. “I do really enjoy and am excited by this work, so it could ultimately reshape what I focus on in my thesis project.”
Cassandra Shaker ’13 found her role as a planner in public health shift from handling health assessment and health improvement plans to distributing public information with the onset of the pandemic. She’s now serving as the public information officer for Isanti County, located north of the Twin Cities in Minnesota. “I help to distribute preparedness tips, COVID-19 data, and safety messages to the community,” said Shaker, who majored in biology and psychology at North Central. “We’ve worked with the local newspapers and radio stations to get the word out and shared information through social media.” She added that she has applied Federal Emergency Management Agency Incident Command System trainings to “real life.” Shaker helped start a community safety support team to help businesses reopen. “I also began publishing the number of new cases, total cases, age
range of cases, and the percentage recovered in the county each week. It makes the data from the state department of health more manageable for the public.” Shaker became interested in public health after graduation while working as an AmeriCorps VISTA at Wild Rivers Habitat for Humanity in Wisconsin. There she witnessed the health consequences of substandard housing and she went on to earn a master’s degree in public health from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in 2017.
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One interesting aspect has been answering medication-related questions from physicians regarding the use of investigational drugs (undergoing clinical trials) for COVID-19.” - JANE MCCULLOUGH ’15, PHARM.D.
Jane McCullough ’15, Pharm. D., has been challenged to quickly develop expertise on medication options for patients with COVID-19 as a clinical pharmacist. She majored in biochemistry at North Central. “Practicing pharmacy during a pandemic has been a challenging learning experience,” she said. “One interesting aspect has been answering medicationrelated questions from physicians regarding the use of investigational drugs (undergoing clinical trials) for COVID-19. Other questions pharmacists are frequently asked are related to supportive care medications (to lessen the symptoms) for COVID-19 patients.”
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McCullough was completing her pharmacy practice residency at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy when the pandemic began. Soon after, there were shortages of certain drugs. “We determined the best options and helped to educate providers on appropriate dosing and administrations of medications used infrequently. It challenged us to manage medication shortages while still providing safe and effective care, especially on short notice.”
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Allison Beckham ’09 Davila, M.D., now a cardiothoracic surgery fellow at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, was completing her general surgery residency at Loma Linda University (Calif.) Medical Center when she first experienced the pandemic as a physician. A biology major at North Central, she attended Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University. Here she shares a personal account about working on the front lines of health care:
I walked through the hospital, empty and quiet, staff masked and keeping to themselves. It feels like 1 a.m. during a surgical ICU overnight call shift, when visiting hours are over and only essential personnel roam the halls. Except actually the sun is out, and everyone is essential. We are essential. As the world around us came to grips with a new deadly disease, movie theaters and restaurants closed, sporting events and concerts cancelled, nothing on the surface seemingly changed for me. I went to work, day after day, as if a pandemic was not ravaging the very health care system I worked in. And I waited and waited for my hospital’s turn for the surge. Preparations began with regulations and procedures being discussed and implemented, visitors quietly banned, masks at every entrance, temperature checks daily. Quickly this became a new normal, streamlined and effortless; I was used to wearing a mask in surgery; now I just never took it off. But a deeper current was present in those halls, quiet and foreboding, absent the smiling faces of coworkers: fear. I have been a physician for the greater part of a decade, and despite an incredible amount of training, biology, physiology, anatomy, virology, no one ever really thought to train a physician for this. What is going to work, to save and to
heal, cost you your own life? Many professions train for these possibilities—soldiers, police, firefighters—but physicians never address the risk of their own job-related mortality, despite addressing the mortality of their patients every day. Suddenly, I wondered if the years I spent in training, all the sleepless nights on call, the moments I missed with family and friends—would it all be wasted over an invisible smattering of proteins and RNA that we did not have a defense against? And just as rumors swirled through the internet and social media, so did physicians try any remedy they could imagine. There were homemade masks and shields, isolating plastic bubbles for ventilators, construction goggles and respirators. Slowly, data and studies began to paint a picture of what we were dealing with, but all the while uncertainty dominated, and I just hoped for the best every day I walked into those halls. In the end, physicians have felt what most others deemed essential have felt. We cannot stop our jobs because the fate of others is at stake, and even further, an oath we swore to uphold. But there are many questions about the risks we take, and if enough is being done to prevent the loss of life. Because in our case, the loss of one life is the loss of a life that could save countless others in the future.”
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Diversit y, equi t y a nd inclusion: CAMPUS EFFORTS ADDRESS NEED FOR CONTINUAL CHANGE
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The incidents of violence and racial tension in recent months have touched our nation, our hometowns—and North Central College. These powerful events, played out across the country, have resonated with members of our campus community. The responses on campus have been profound and transforming.
“ The first priority has been a focus on better communication. “Our students and alumni have stories to share about their experiences,” said President Troy Hammond. “I want to ensure that these stories inform and affect our actions moving forward.” President Hammond has outlined a list of listening sessions with Black students, faculty and staff, and a campus-wide climate study. In June, Hammond participated in a virtual campus town hall on racial issues affecting the College and Naperville. “We have tried to do good work along this journey, but we have made mistakes,” said Hammond. “I learned from listening to our students and alumni that there is still much more to be done before we begin to resemble our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.” Listening to students is an important part of making progress, agreed Davin Allen ’20/M ’22, graduate assistant for first generation programs. “I believe the last two years have been critical for change on our campus,” he said. “Our students will no longer accept the bare minimum effort to support minority students. Our focus moving forward should always be to listen to the students. We must be willing to hear them in whatever form that takes and begin to formulate intentional actions that work best not to solve these problems temporarily, but consistently.”
Our focus moving forward should always be to listen to the students.” DAVIN ALLEN ’20/M ’22
Allen recently joined the College’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force, which is well-established on campus and provides leadership for many campus initiatives. The task force helped respond to calls for change from alumni and students this summer and led efforts to build a resource on the Oesterle Library website called the Black Lives Matter Lib Guide in collaboration with the Center for the Advancement of Faculty Excellence and Oesterle Library. The task force is co-chaired by Dorothy Pleas, assistant dean of students and director of multicultural affairs, and Stephen Maynard Caliendo, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and supported by Rebecca Gordon, assistant vice president of equity, diversity and inclusion. Going forward into 2020-2021, all College students will participate in two diversity and equity workshops each semester—up from one last year. Faith and Action programs will focus on antiracism and activism themes. Project Re-Connect: NCC Movie and Dialogue Club will continue to invite students, faculty and staff to explore racial themes (see p. 17) and new dialogue training resources are available through the Center for Social Impact and the Office of Multicultural Affairs.
“As a predominantly white campus, marginalized students are often underrepresented in campus programs and leadership positions,” said Milia Harris ’20/M ’22, who is a graduate assistant in the Center for Social Impact. “My priority is to make sure the minority identities become exponentially represented in these opportunities moving forward.” Additional commitments to progress include holding faculty and staff hiring managers accountable for efforts to recruit and retain people of color and requiring regular reporting of student retention data by race.
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My priority is to make sure the minority identities become exponentially represented in these opportunities moving forward.” MILIA HARRIS ’20/M ’22
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IN A MOVING SPEECH TO NORTH CENTRAL COLLEGE FACULTY AT THE START OF THE ACADEMIC YEAR, DR. ABIÒDÚN “G-P” GÒKÈ-PARIOLÁ, PROVOST AND VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS, SHARED HIS PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE ON RACIAL JUSTICE: “We have all witnessed the reinvigorated push for racial justice in this summer of discontent. A successful response to the needs that our students and alumni of color have articulated requires a clear understanding of what they experience on campus—in residence halls and, yes, in our classrooms—and in the larger community.
In the 32 years since I returned and reestablished my professional life and tried to raise five children here, I have gained a firsthand understanding of racism and its consequences. Sometimes racism comes in the form of overt speech or action. Though no less painful, in that form you can label it and most times let it wash over you.
This is deeply personal, but I see no other way to communicate how institutionalized and deeply ingrained racism affects those who suffer from its effects. I will make this personal because for those who suffer the effects of racism it is always personal, never academic. It strikes at the essence of who you are as a human being.
More pernicious in their effect are the non-overt forms of racism, the microaggressions … the subtler forms exhibited by those with whom we work, sometimes friends and, often, those who would be aghast at the suggestion that they might have a single bone of racism in their body. It is the constant feeling that, regardless of how much one achieves in life, one has to constantly prove one’s worth, one’s integrity, one’s right to be judged fairly. It is knowing that people readily assume the worst of you… just as they readily believe the least of you.
When I first came to the United States to complete my doctoral work at the University of Michigan in 1980, I understood little about racism beyond what I had read in history books and learned via news reports. I actually didn’t know I was Black: I thought I was a Yoruba, sometimes a Nigerian and kind of African. My sojourn here then lasted only a couple of years.
Sadly, all too often, this mindset results in the tragic loss of life …. In less lethal situations, one just gets worn down and weary of the daily grind of proving one’s right to be here.
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These are a just a few examples from my own life: • I was introduced as a new dean … and one of the guests shook my hand and said: “I had a very good, smart friend who applied for the job, but they wanted somebody black.” • I remember arriving at a country club to pick up my son and my daughter after a school dance organized by the private high school they attended and being handed a set of keys by a parent who wanted me to retrieve his car. • I remember attending a function at another university where I served as special assistant to the president and a guest handing me his empty glass and telling me he’d like a gin and tonic. • And I remember the fear and anxiety I’ve experienced each time I was pulled over by a police officer and the shame that washed over me if my kids were in the car with me, as I became extra deferential because I wanted to be sure I got out of the traffic stop alive.
I will make this personal because for those who suffer the effects of racism it is always personal, never academic.”
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ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT OUTLINES ACTION PLAN
I have been a professor for 45 years—the last 25 of those as a full professor—a school dean for five, and a chief academic officer/provost for 15 years. Yet such experiences remain a big part of my life. In a recent conversation about Black Lives Matter with my daughter (a sophomore at North Central), I shared examples of racism I have experienced and continue to experience as a citizen of this country. She said, ‘But Papa, you are in a position of power… and yet you continue to have these kinds of experiences …. Imagine what we as powerless students experience and feel on a daily basis?’ I had no response. Even I, a parent to several children of color, cannot claim to understand the wounds they receive daily because I do not live their lives. Racism is a potent brew that no one who has lived in this society can avoid imbibing. It is deeply ingrained and has to be purged constantly.
Each and every one of us has an affirmative responsibility to ensure that ours is a just, inclusive and equitable community. Without that commitment to all members of our community, we will not be successful in meeting our goal of sending forth into the world students who will live lives of purpose and reconciliation.”
Another major initiative is the creation of an Athletics Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, with representation from student-athletes, coaches, faculty and staff. The council has been charged with ensuring that athletics grows as a community by embracing similarities and differences, listening and being open to multiple perspectives and thoughts, and engaging in meaningful action to recruit and retain diverse community members. “I will volunteer my time to fight for my Black community, my family, and those who feel as if they don’t have the strength to continue to fight. I hope that people’s stereotypes and racist thoughts begin to change,” said council member Mitrese Smith ‘22, a sociology major and member of the women’s basketball team. The council will plan and conduct forums for student-athletes, coaches and administrators; make efforts to diversify the athletics staff; conduct anti-racism training; and roll out a social media campaign, “Be the Change.” “We understand that this is a time of learning and growing for our department,” said Jim Miller ’86, athletic director and chair of the council. “We need to listen to each other and figure out the best path forward, together.”
Added President Hammond: “We need active participation across the entire College to address diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Every single one of us has a role to play in making ours an inclusive community. “I thank all of the students, faculty, staff, and alumni of color who have had the strength, courage, and commitment to justice ... to challenge us. I pledge that I personally, and this College as an institution, will do better.” For more information, visit northcentralcollege.edu/diversityinclusion. To learn more about the Athletics Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, and to see the full membership list, go to northcentralcardinals.com/ news/2020/8/10/general-diversityequity-and-inclusion-councilintroduced.aspx. To provide feedback or suggestions to the Task Force for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, email a co-chair: djpleas@ noctrl.edu or smcaliendo@noctrl.edu.
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I will volunteer my time to fight for my Black community, my family, and those who feel as if they don’t have the strength to continue to fight.” MITRESE SMITH ’22
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On-Demand Goes to School Pandemic pasttime adds new viewpoints to engage students During the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us have turned to streaming channels for entertainment, enrichment and escape, making the most of a difficult and complicated moment in history. According to HUB, an entertainment research organization, 28 percent of us have signed up for a new streaming service since February. Many North Central College faculty are also fans of streaming channels and are finding content that engages students. “Having students connect popular culture to class content almost always
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increases engagement,” said Shelley Birdsong, associate professor of religious studies. “I like shows that tell a story and allow students to connect to a character. I am also a fan of documentaries that can sum up data in digestible and beautiful ways.” We asked North Central faculty about the shows that they connect to their courses and add academic dimensions, in hopes that our readers find new ways to explore important topics and the world outside their homes.
Illustrations by Katie McGraw ’22
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SHELLEY BIRDSONG associate professor of religious studies
“Unorthodox” and “Disobedience” “I enjoy exposing students to people and cultures with which they may not be familiar. They learn a great deal about Orthodox traditions while also seeing how others may struggle with reconciling their gender and/or sexuality with their family traditions.”
“The Story of God with Morgan Freeman” “This documentary will be one of my core teaching tools in Introduction to World Religions. It engages multiple traditions from all over the globe and does justice to how religions ask many of the same big questions—like what happens to you when you die. Students get to see how similar yet distinct the various traditions are, which is important in a global climate where we are drawing lines in the sand.”
“Sex, Explained” and “Miss Representation” “These documentaries address the issues in gender and sexuality studies and are great conversation-starters to challenge students’ pre-conceived notions about gender and sexuality.”
“Our Planet with David Attenborough” “This show is aesthetically pleasing while also giving students a wealth of knowledge about plants, animals, and how we are all inter-connected—one of the main things I want students to know when they leave my classroom.”
JASON RICE assistant professor of sport management
“Lance” and “Long Gone Summer” (ESPN 30 for 30)
baseball have experienced a period where performance enhancing drug use became the norm—illegal drug use was not only accepted but expected. Sport officials turned a blind eye because athletes like Lance Armstrong and Mark McGuire directly contributed to growing the popularity of each sport. As a result, deviant behavior (illegal drug use) was being normalized and continued until outsiders (media) intervened.”
ESEN ANDIC-MORTON assistant professor of management
“Black Mirror” “In my Management Information Systems classes, we’ve discussed the show ‘Black Mirror’ quite often. It relates to the ‘rise of the machines’ and how society might be shaped in the future. We make a point to discuss how the seemingly good nature of these technologies creates a not-sogreat and usually inhumane future, and what falls onto businesses and individuals today to avoid a dystopian future.”
“Some overlapping themes relate to topics we explore in Contemporary Sport Studies. Both professional cycling and
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Using a movie club to talk about differences and promote understanding North Central College was selected as one of six institutions to receive the Working Across Differences Fund grant from Ashoka U. The $10,000 grant supported the College’s “Reclaiming Civility Project,” which aims to foster a cohesive understanding and collective approach to address polarizing topics or events. A portion of the grant funded Movie Club Dialogue Events to help students, faculty and staff discuss hot button issues introduced by movies. During Anti-Hate Week in fall 2019, more than 50 members of the campus community watched and discussed the documentary “13th,” an in-depth look at the U.S. prison system and how it reflects the nation’s history of racial inequality. A second event featured a screening of “Stories Beyond Borders,” which focuses on immigration and undocumented student experiences. (A third event planned with the Muslim Student Association was cancelled due to the pandemic.) Jennifer Shah, assistant professor of education, helped lead the Movie Club Dialogue program with thoughtful planning and by establishing design, implementation and research teams. “Students from Black Student Association, Latinx Student Association and Project LEAD participated in the implantation team, which met with me to come up with the discussion questions. I remember having really raw dialogue around topics they were so passionate about,” explained Shah, whose area of scholarship is diversity and inclusion in pre-service education. “I believe strongly that students should be taught to be advocates for themselves and for others and I was witnessing that happen.”
María González ’22, who’s majoring in Spanish and secondary education, was an event organizer. “The movie club was a place where I could share my thoughts on topics that most people are afraid to talk about,” she said. “I knew we would have a safe conversation where no one would go off on something I would say. We all respected what each person had to say.” Among the takeaways: campus job titles and last names should be left at the door. “It helped everyone feel like they were present in the space at the same level when having conversation,” said Jeremy Gudauskas, assistant vice president and codirector of the Center for Social Impact. “This program helped us toward our goal of cultivating meaningful and productive dialogue, especially in difficult times and through challenging topics. A new ‘Chirp Toolkit,’ for example, is a comprehensive dialogue training resource that can be used across campus by students, staff or faculty.” The student research team gathered qualitative and quantitative data, assessing participants’ comfort level and their overall experiences. A report on the results of the full grant and outcomes was submitted to Ashoka U in July. “The team found that 100 percent of students, faculty, and staff reported gaining new insights,” Shah said. “When asked what the biggest takeaway was, one participant responded, ‘Learn more. Hear others.’ I see this level of awareness and openness to learn as success.” Dialogue events continued virtually over the summer and more are planned under the new program title Project Re-Connect: NCC Movie and Dialogue Club.
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STEPHEN MAYNARD CALIENDO dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
STEVE MACEK professor of communication
“Waco”
“Trial by Media”
“Alumni responded on my Facebook page after watching ‘Waco’ because they remember taking my Seminar in Leadership Theory. We examined theories of both leadership and followership to understand why people continue to follow leaders who are acting in ways that are inconsistent with the followers’ values. Rooted in the work of behavioral scientists like Stanley Milgram and Philip Zimbardo, we examined the tragedies at Waco (Branch Dividians) and Jonestown (Peoples Temple). This material is now part of the general education capstone course Liberal Arts and the Problems of Today. I taught it last fall and hope to teach it every other year.”
“The series I’ve watched that most directly relates to my teaching is ‘Trial by Media’ on Netflix, a true crime series about the possible impact of the media on the outcome of famous trials (including the trial of Rod Blagojevich). It connects to topics I discuss in my Freedom of Expression class.”
CARLY DRAKE assistant professor of marketing
“Abstract: The Art of Design” “My students watch several episodes of this docuseries because design is all around us and important to us as marketers. Good design needs good marketing, and good marketing needs good design. Each episode profiles a designer from fields like architecture, graphic design or interior design. It’s important to think about the relationship between consumer life and the design elements of the places we live, work and play.”
“Street Food: Asia” “The art of storytelling is an important component of marketing. An owner of a street market stall needs to tell their story through their food, the stall’s design, and communication with customers. I ask my students to watch the ‘Bangkok, Thailand’ episode and create a product, along with its marketing, for one of the profiled chefs. Seeing their interpretations of the chef’s story is always entertaining and inspiring.”
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JENNIFER SHAH assistant professor of education
“Mixed-ish” “I use episodes of ABC’s ‘Mixed-ish’ (about a mixed race family in the 1980s) in my first-year class, Foundations of Teaching and Learning, and the 400-level course Equity and Access in Educational Systems, to discuss issues related to culture and identity. I also show many films and documentaries in the courses I teach such as ‘Pushout,’ ‘East LA Interchange’ and ‘Freedom Writers,’ viewed through a critical lens.”
KENDALL SELSKY associate professor of athletic training
“Athlete A” “We will recommend our athletic training students view the Netflix documentary ‘Athlete A’ about Dr. Larry Nassar and the failure of USA Gymnastics to protect their athletes. In Management and Administration in Athletic Training, we discuss issues such as risk management, mandated reporting, negligence, sexual abuse and harassment. Having an athletic trainer in club sports is rare, but this person can be an important advocate for patient safety and a trusted individual for reporting concerns.”
BRUCE JANECEK professor of history
“Wolf Hall” (on PBS) “I taught a Leadership Ethics and Values course on the Tudor dynasty and we watched episodes of ‘Wolf Hall,’ a six-part series based on the historical novels ‘Wolf Hall’ and ‘Bring Up The Bodies’ by Hillary Mantel. Even though they are novels, they provide an accurate historic portrayal of Thomas Cromwell, one of Henry VIII’s most significant advisors. A topic we struggled with in class was the lengths King Henry VIII went to have a male heir while his daughter, Elizabeth I, chose to end the dynasty by never marrying. The series made serious attempts to capture the historical moment such as using natural lighting like candles and fireplaces to illuminate night scenes.”
DIANE ANSTINE dean of the School of Business and Entrepreneurship
“The Wire,” “Shark Tank” and Ken Burns’ “Baseball” “If I was in the classroom more, I would certainly use a lot of media. I did use examples from ‘The Wire’ in my Industrial Organization and Public Policy class when talking about game
theory. In microeconomics, ‘Shark Tank’ demonstrates topics like fixed costs, variable costs, revenue and profits. It’s easy to see from the sharks’ questions what they are considering when determining the true costs of the operation. In Sports Economics, Ken Burns’ documentary ‘Baseball’ shows the impact of labor unions. The portion on Marvin Miller, the most influential man in baseball, is fantastic.”
LEILA AZARBAD professor of psychology, Ruge Fellow
“Heal” “I use this fascinating documentary in my Health Psychology class. It follows patients that have healed chronic illness using holistic and mind-body techniques (like visualization, meditation, nutrition, etc.). It can be a controversial documentary, but it does a great job illustrating the power of the mindbody connection, and pointing out that pharmaceutical drugs aren’t always the solution to every problem.”
maintained by systemic poverty. It also demonstrates the stigma associated with treatment and acknowledges the problems.”
SUZANNE CHOD associate professor of political science
“The West Wing” “I show episodes of ‘The West Wing’ in class. And I mean every class, every term, without fail. There is an episode for everything! I usually accompany the episode with a discussion question worksheet and then we talk through it. We also live Tweet as we watch together. Students still post things on Facebook and Twitter about watching episodes in class. They reference episodes, they say that they ended up watching the whole series, and they use it now to explain politics.”
“Shameless” “In this popular show that depicts mental illness, characters struggle with alcohol addiction, bipolar disorder, and agoraphobia, among other things. It follows a dysfunctional low-income family and also highlights how mental illness is
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ENACTUS TEAM PLACES THIRD NATIONALLY TH E REA L WIN NE RS :
GU ATEMA LAN FAR MERS
When Enactus team members set an ambitious goal to double sales of coffee and chocolate in 2019-2020, their foresight and ambition would pay dividends in more ways than one. After the National Exposition last year, the team set some lofty goals—not because they wanted the limelight in competition—but because they were determined to bring about positive economic change for Guatemalan farmers. In the end, the team’s virtual competition entry for 2020 earned them third place in the National Exposition, North Central’s best finish in more than 20 years. “When the team set a goal to double sales this year, they recognized what it would mean for our partners,” said Amy Vrooman ‘95 Rogers, Self Employment in the Arts director and Enactus program coordinator. “The more we sell, the more we have to buy from our partners in
Guatemala. The more we buy from our partners, the more coffee farmers are able to sell their raw beans at a higher price through the farmers’ association.” In the case of one successful project, Joe Coryell ’20, an economics and finance major and chocolate project lead, helped organize a sales event at the Morton Arboretum Chocolate Weekend. To present their projects, the 2020 Enactus national competition required teams to submit a 12-minute prerecorded video and printed annual report. Rogers said the video package stood out due to the testimonials from the students and farmers in Guatemala, gathered from their trips to the country. Preparing the virtual entry meant engaging students who were spread across a variety of states, time zones and international boundaries. “It allowed more students to participate, like our exchange student from Ireland,” said Rogers. “We held multiple Zoom calls to talk through the script and storyboard. It really was a team effort.”
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The goal was theirs. The work was theirs. Our students really are passionate about making a positive change in the world.” Justin Simbol ’20, competition president, said the process was very collaborative. “Without the guidance and persistence of Amy and our faculty advisors (Gerald Thalmann, associate professor of accounting, and Matt Krystal, professor of anthropology) I truly believe that we wouldn’t have made it as far as we did.” Rogers was most proud of the students’ commitment to social change. “The goal was theirs. The work was theirs. Our students really are passionate about making a positive change in the world.”
First-gen programming through Cardinal First gains additional support A $100,000 grant from the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations will fund five new first-generation initiatives beginning in 2020-2021. These include expanded leadership development for Cardinal First Ambassadors (student leaders in the program); outreach to future firstgeneration college students at 10 Illinois area high schools; a series of educational webinars designed for parents of first-generation students; the inaugural Cardinal First Alumni Academy; and further development of first-gen students by faculty in discipline-specific groups. The funding will also go toward the hiring of a temporary, part-time coordinator for these initiatives. Director of First-Generation Programs Julie Carballo says this grant is the culmination of longtime goals to further expand Cardinal First. “This funding will allow us to engage first-gen alumni and parents of our first-gen students in ways we’ve always wanted to, but not had the capacity or funding to do,” she said.
“IT’S A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY FOR GROWTH AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT FOR OUR FIRST-GEN STUDENTS.”
Among the outcomes of the grant will be extending the reach of Cardinal First mentoring into 10 high schools. Carballo says the expanded program will make shared experiences that much richer.
She is grateful for the work of Director of Grants Michelle Porcellino ’05 Galasso and graduate assistant Angie Menefee ’20—a first-gen alumna—in securing the grant. Carballo isn’t ready to stop here, either.
“This is truly win-win because the high school students benefit more from a mentor who is a couple years ahead of them on the journey to a college degree rather than an ‘expert,’” Carballo said. “And it’s a tremendous opportunity for growth and leadership development for our first-gen students.”
“We have a growing list of ideas to improve experiences and outcomes for our first-generation students,” Carballo said. “(This grant) brings more energy and enthusiasm to the growing initiatives on our campus. And the initiatives that we’ve planned will provide a replicable model for other institutions looking to better serve their own first-generation students.”
The Cardinal First Alumni Academy will push the boundaries of first-generation guidance in another direction. “It will be in the format of a professional conference with concurrent sessions and a networking dinner that will incorporate professional dining etiquette instruction,” said Carballo. “Twenty (North Central) first-gen alumni will facilitate workshops and presentations related to their career fields. Our current first-gen students will select from among sessions of interest to them.” The academy is tentatively scheduled for March 2021. “I’ve wanted to do an alumni academy and am thankful to have the funding through this generous grant,” said Carballo.
ARE YOU A FIRST-GEN GRADUATE? The Office of First Generation Programs is building a database and is asking all alumni who are first-generation to complete a form at northcentralcollege.edu/firstgen-alumni-network. Connect online: NorthCentralCollege.CardinalFirst @firstgencardinals
FREDLYN PIERRE LOUIS ’23 EXPANDED HIS OUTLOOK AND CAREER SKILLS THROUGH A SUMMER INTERNSHIP AT GLACIER NATIONAL PARK IN MONTANA. He learned about the opportunity through a recruiting effort at the School of Business and Entrepreneurship. “I gained multiple experiences such as customer service, critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, the ability to work without a supervisor and how to work in a very unfamiliar place,” said Pierre Louis. “These skills are useful for any field, including those outside o the hospitality and tourism industry.” Fall 2020 northcentralcollege.edu/magazine 2 1
FACULTY SHARE PERSPECTIVES ON COVID-19 IN WEBINAR SERIES A free summer webinar series about COVID-19 addressed the many effects of the pandemic and offered a broader cultural and historical context. The talks are available on the College’s website and YouTube channel. Faculty from 13 different academic programs recorded 16 in-depth presentations, covering a range of subject areas from journalism to chemistry, then engaged in live, online question-and-answer sessions with viewers. More than 1,700 YouTube viewers watched the videos over 228 hours.
These combined efforts created a modern take on North Central’s wellregarded teaching and catered to a broad audience.
Stephen Maynard Caliendo, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of political science, saw the idea as a dual response to the campus shutdown caused by COVID-19.
The faculty were excited that the series sparked a new wave of engagement with information about the health crisis.
“Faculty were eager to find ways to connect with our students over the summer—especially after campus closed early and suddenly,” he said. “As I reflected on the vast expertise of the North Central faculty, I thought it made sense to package something that would pull them together around this public health emergency.” The webinar series was a true collaboration across campus. The Office of Marketing and Communications coordinated promotion of the series, and Instructional Designer Scott Standifer set up technology for the live Q&As and served as moderator.
“Our aim was to offer the community what North Central students experience regularly, but in a more digestible and more widely accessible form,” said Caliendo. “Collectively, these (webinars) serve as a poignant marker of the way we engaged intellectually with the pandemic.”
“My hope is that this series will continue to be a resource for interested persons from around the world, as we continue to learn more about the virus and its effects,” Caliendo said. “As high school teachers and college instructors look for ways to engage students in the various elements of COVID-19, they can reliably lean on these videos to spark careful consideration and robust discussion among their students. “The pandemic will fundamentally change the way we live in a variety of ways, and these professors offer us early exploration into what that might ultimately look like.”
“IT’S EASY TO TELL HOW MUCH WORK YOU PUT IN FROM THE FINAL PRODUCT.”-Y O U T U B E C O M M E N T E R “THANK YOU FOR THIS INCREDIBLE WEBINAR.” - D O N N A L I M P E R , L E A D E R S H I P T E A M R E P R E S E N T U S D U PA G E C O U N T Y
“THANKS FOR HOSTING THE Q & A WEBINARS. YOU’RE DOING A FANTASTIC JOB. WE LOVE THAT NORTH CENTRAL COLLEGE IS OFFERING THESE WEBINARS.” - L E S L I E K A S I N G E R -W E B E R
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NORTH CENTRAL STUDENTS CREATE UNIQUE AND SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS JEWELRY COMPANY During a trip to Medellín, Colombia, Maria Clara Ospina ’21 fell in love with the bright and bold handmade earrings sold there. Not long after she returned, she received several questions about the vibrant jewelry she wore. After brainstorming with Marco Antonio Dávila ’21, the pair decided to introduce the earrings to the greater Chicago area. In May 2019, Kawami Jewelry was born. Ospina and Dávila describe Kawami as “unique, ethical and beautiful.” These words summarize the company’s mission to enhance their customers’ beauty and confidence while providing a fair wage to the artisans who make jewelry. After a year in business, they’ve encountered a variety of challenges, as well as rewarding experiences. “When you start a business, you put in an obscene number of hours that nobody knows about. Balancing our time has been a challenge,” Dávila explained. The two work hard to find time for their studies, on-campus jobs, personal lives and extra time commitments. Ospina is pursuing theatre and global studies while Dávila is a student-athlete and majoring in small business management and entrepreneurship. The pair hopes to expand their market after graduation. “We’ve truly fallen in love with the beauty of it! It’s worth it when we walk around and see someone wearing Kawami, and they’re shining with a smile from ear-toear,” said Dávila.
AL CARIUS MOVES TO ASSISTANT ROLE FOR MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY “IT’S AN ADVANTAGE FOR ME TO FOCUS ON WHAT I KNOW I DO BEST.” For the first time since 1966, the men’s cross country program will be under the direction of a head coach other than Al Carius (H)’16. The College’s athletic department announced in July that Carius was transitioning to an assistant coaching role within the program. Frank Gramarosso, head men’s track and and field coach, has been promoted to the head coaching position for cross country, as well. He’s been a member of the coaching staff since 1983. “You evolve into what your strengths are,” Carius said. “I firmly believe my strengths are in the interactions personally with individuals and with the teams. I love that, and I want the time to be able to do that. I am going to be in a stronger position to help our program and help Frank the way I’m best capable. I feel very, very good about it.”
FALL SPORTS POSTPONED BY CCIW In July, the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) announced the postponement of all fall conference competition and championships in response to the ongoing public health threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, North Central College is not participating in intercollegiate athletics in the sports of cross country, football, golf, soccer, tennis, triathlon or women's volleyball this fall. CCIW staff is developing opportunities for competition in cross country, football, soccer and volleyball in the spring, while maintaining conference competition for all spring sports including golf and tennis. USA Triathlon (USAT) is evaluating options for a possible spring season. Student-athletes in the affected sports will not be charged with using a season of participation, as a blanket waiver has already been approved by the NCAA Division III Administrative Committee.
NOR THCENTR ALCARDINAL S.COM WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE L ATEST INFORMATION.
Gramarosso, a five-time U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) National Coach of the Year, envisions a continued team approach to coaching. “Al designed our coaching staff to be a team. He’s been the heart of the program since the ’60s. No matter what your title is, our staff is a team and we want to be the best we can be, wherever that gets us.” The two coaches will experience a very different season in fall 2020, as the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) announced it was postponing all fall conference competition and championships in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. (See left) Carius plans to stay very involved in the team, however the altered season progresses. “I love being a part of our staff. We’re a team amongst ourselves working for the betterment of the program, and it’s an advantage for me to focus on what I know I do best.”
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Q &A
WITH NEWLY SUCCESSFUL CHILDREN’S AUTHOR
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MEET SARAH KURPIEL ’10, WHO PUBLISHED A CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOK TITLED “LONE WOLF” TO WIDE INDUSTRY ACCLAIM. It received a starred review from the School Library Journal and was named a Summer 2020 Kids’ Indie Next Pick. Her major in English at North Central College helped define her passion for stories, while also preparing her to earn a Master in Library and Information Science (MSLIS) from the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign. She works as an emerging technologies librarian at Benedictine University in Lisle while illustrating and writing original children’s books.
Q A
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE AND ILLUSTRATE PICTURE BOOKS?
I’ve always loved to draw. I can’t count the number of sketchbooks I’ve gone through. When I was 11, I was diagnosed with a form of muscular dystrophy; by middle school, I was pretty sure a career in visual art was not in my future. At North Central, I took several English courses from [former professor of English] Richard Glejzer, who included graphic narratives in his reading lists. Those books had a powerful impact on me. I remember thinking, “I want to illustrate stories.” My first library job reminded me of my love of picture books and I knew what kind of stories I wanted to make.
Q A
HOW DID THE CREATIVE PROCESS EVOLVE?
“Lone Wolf” is about a Siberian Husky named Maple who is mistaken for a wolf so many times that she starts to believe maybe, just maybe, she is one. I think many readers can relate to the way Maple feels in her moments of self-doubt. Maple is inspired by my childhood dog, a husky named Mikayla. I started the creative process by drawing key pictures, visual moments I couldn’t imagine the book without. I then constructed the concept, plotted each spread and created a dummy, which is a sketched version of the book. Thanks to feedback from my agents and editor, the point-of-view shifted and the story arc evolved. Visual motifs naturally emerged, such as circles, handwritten annotations and dotted lines. Once the editor approved the final dummy, I started the final art. I draw digitally in Photoshop using a Wacom tablet, mostly using digital dry media brushes. I taught myself how to draw in Photoshop in 2016 by watching YouTube videos, observing other illustrators’ techniques, and simply experimenting.
Q A
HOW DID YOU SUCCEED IN GETTING YOUR BOOK PUBLISHED?
By a stroke of luck, someone from the literary agency Writers House reached out to me on Instagram, where I had been posting my drawings under a pseudonym. She and a senior agent helped me revise my story and develop a portfolio. The day they offered me representation was one of the best days of my life. It finally felt real. Shortly after, “Lone Wolf” went out on submission and two weeks later, I accepted a publication offer. About 18 months after that, the book hit the shelves (the book hit the shelves figuratively, because all the bookstores were closed due to the pandemic! ).
Q A
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR ASPIRING AUTHORS/ILLUSTRATORS?
Read contemporary picture books. Read them out loud. Read your favorites again and again. It’s the best way to learn about pacing and page turns and everything that makes a good picture book special. That said, I’m very much still learning myself.
Q A
DO YOU HAVE ANOTHER BOOK UNDERWAY?
Yes! My next book, “Original Cat, Copy Cat,” is expected to be released next summer. For a long time, I proclaimed myself “a dog person.” Then, my family adopted a cat. Turns out, I’m a cat person, too. Cats are naturally funny, which makes them so fun to draw—which is fortunate since I had to draw so many of them for this book!
LEARN MORE ABOUT LONE WOLF AT
SARAHKURPIEL.COM
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ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM HELPS SPAWN NEW OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT COMPANY Entrepreneurs see a need in the world and find a way to fill it. Tyler Jones ’20 took that idea to heart. He turned a frustrating moment on vacation into a business idea that launched his career. North Central is where he learned how to make it happen.
Jones is the founder and CEO of SLAB Outdoors, a company that makes equipment for fishing, hunting, camping, grilling, tailgating and various other outdoor activities. The company developed during Jones’ time in the Entrepreneurial Strategy & Innovation course with Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship Chetan Chawla. The business was born, though, before Jones ever took the class— during a fishing trip on the Chippewa River in Wisconsin. “After witnessing my father struggle to fillet (fish) on unfavorable surfaces, I quickly realized that there wasn’t a foldable, durable cutting surface that could be utilized (during) outdoor activities,” Jones said. He and his father researched what it would take to make the product marketable. They found a gap in what stores were offering and related it back to what they needed on the river. Jones sought help taking the next step to sell his idea.
Finding success secrets in an entrepreneurship education When he returned to North Central that fall, Jones saw the perfect opportunity to grow his business in Chawla’s class. “This course completely changed my life and taught me the customer validation process,” Jones said. “Professor Chawla required each student to talk to strangers in our respective industries…consistent feedback quickly shaped my project and helped (me) focus on building a high-quality product and memorable brand.” Jones searched for established brands in outdoor equipment and interviewed staff at chain stores that sold them. He knew he needed a name for his company that customers could relate to. He wanted it simple and strong, but meaningful, too. “The outdoors has always meant a lot to my family and some of our (favorite) memories are in the Great North Woods, so that has been a great source of inspiration,“ Jones said. “I named the venture SLAB Outdoors. SLAB stands for the fillet of a fish, but also signifies a durable surface. This double meaning stood out to people and seemed to fit the initial product concept.”
Chawla has been Jones’ primary advisor as he has worked on SLAB. In addition to taking Chawla’s class, Jones met with him weekly to talk about the new company and how to keep it moving forward. The two of them are working together even now. “Professor Chawla and I have completed two case studies with an organization to be named in January when the pieces are published,” Jones said. The hard work Jones put in has paid off in both immediate results and hope for the future. “As (far as) sales, we’ve had an exciting few months and ship orders pretty consistently,” he said. “We are currently reaching out to independent outdoor shops and online retailers. As of now, we have reached agreements with gear.com and chimneytrail. com.”
Learning the ropes from business classes Jones received a lot of help from North Central’s community of business experts. The relationships he made as a student kept getting stronger and won’t stop now that he’s an alumnus. “Although I had an idea and experienced individuals around me, North Central College’s entrepreneurship program walked me through the startup process,” Jones explained. “Smaller class sizes (at North Central) allow students to form relationships with professors that last a lifetime and I felt cared for at the institution. The team in the business department has incredible experience and the connections I made outside of the College were almost always due to a professor’s connection.” Learn more about SLAB Outdoors at slaboutdoors.com or reach out to the founder directly at tylerj@slaboutdoors.com.
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ALUMNI SNAPSHOTS 1. Geneva Pedersen ’99 2. Brad Munson ’17 3. Bob ’50 and Vivian Berg ’49 Miner 4. Aaron Lawler ’02 /M ’10 5. Jordan Patterson ’17 6. Stefany Sigler M ’17 7. Hubert Zanczak ’17
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Classnotes 1949/50 BOB ’50 and VIVIAN BERG ‘49 MINER celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on June 24. The two met while attending North Central soon after Bob returned from the Navy. They fondly remember their days at North Central and have remained an active part of the College community through the years. Their love of North Central extended to their daughter KRISTIN MINER ’81 WEST and granddaughter SARAH WEST ’13. They can be reached at robert_miner@comcast. net and vigoviv@comcast.net.
1972 CORRECTION: J. MICHAEL HENDERSON published an article through the World Union of Deists. In the article he discusses the effect his religious upbringing had on his stance as a deist. The article can be read online at deism.com/ whydeismmikehenderson.htm. Henderson resides in San Luis Obispo, Calif. He can be reached at mhenderson13@gmail.com.
1989 TOM SCHAGER has been promoted to general manager and vice president of sales and marketing of The Times of Northwest Indiana, Indiana’s second largest newspaper. Schager got his bachelor’s degree in marketing and communications from North Central.
1990 JIM VANHOOTEGEM has returned to coaching as a track and field assistant coach at Purdue University. VanHootegem spent six seasons as head coach at the University of Oklahoma, where his teams produced 83 NCAA qualifiers and 72 All-Americans and won Big 12 conference championships in 28 individual and relay events.
1991 CHRISTIAN LEGAN is Caveo Learning’s new QA Specialist, where he reviews and maintains the overall quality of clients’ learning deliverables and style guides. Caveo Learning advances clients’ business objectives by creating customized learning strategies and programs to engage employees and deliver measurable impact.
1993 JOHN MALONE received his doctor of public administration degree from the University of Illinois at Springfield on June 4.
1994 DAN IVERSON, head coach of Naperville North High School’s girls’ cross country program, was a guest on The Opening Statement with Joe Shannon podcast in April.
1974 DANIEL RYAN is the author of “Social Security for State and Local Government Employees” from Windy City Publishers, published in February 2020. Ryan met the team from Windy City at a North Central community education workshop. The book is available on amazon.com. He can be reached at dkryans514@yahoo.com.
1975 DENNIS GAGE was profiled by Chris Flynn in an article for Hotcars.com on May 14. The article details unique facts about the television star who hosts “My Classic Car” and mentions his degree in chemistry and physics from North Central.
1977 DR. BETH HOTHAN-ZIELINSKI was featured in a piece for IssueWire.com on April 27. Dr. Hothan-Zielinski is a general surgeon in practice with Jefferson County Health Center in Fairfield, Iowa, which she joined in May of 2013. She graduated from North Central with a bachelor’s degree in biology.
1988 ANA SEGARRA HAMIL moved to Florida from Madison, Wis., to help start the Florida Chamber Safety Council in Tallahassee. This is the official chapter of the National Safety Council and the new safety initiative for the Florida Chamber of Commerce.
Cardinal Pride Tattoos [Continued] Stacie Heins ’94 read the Spring 2020 feature about North Central College tattoos and wanted to share her own story. You can send a photo of your tattoo and related story to omc@noctrl.edu.
STACIE HEINS ’94 (pictured, above left) earned her soccer ball tattoo for a very different reason other than victories and championships. “I got my first tattoo in the summer of 1993 after I found out that all the time and effort I put into establishing women’s soccer at North Central paid off and we got it! It was something I was very proud of then and still am now.” At the time, women played on the men’s team and Heins thought there was enough interest to establish a separate program. She and others had to collect signatures to show interest and knocked on residence hall doors to get them. She helped organize a meeting for prospective players on campus. Once approved, Heins helped hire the first part-time coach, Ed Puskarich. “It was my senior year so I only got to play one year!” One of her favorite memories is playing in the pouring rain at Illinois Wesleyan University, in her hometown of Bloomington, Ill. The team changed into fresh clothes at her parents’ house for a catered party while their uniforms went into the family washing machine. n
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1997 MIMI COWAN was named speaker of the Will County Board on June 18. Cowan graduated summa cum laude from North Central with a B.A. degree in music and communications.
1998 ANNA MARIE FRIES M ’98, an art teacher at Fischer Middle School in Aurora (Indian Prairie School District 204), was the subject of the Naperville Sun’s Teacher Feature on March 11, 2020.
1999 GENEVA PEDERSEN and her sister Rena ’06 donated 1,300 mini loaves of bread from their company Treasure Breads, Inc., to Franciscan Health in Olympia Fields, Ill.
2001 STACY CUNNINGHAM, vocal music instructor at Leyden High Schools in Cook County, Ill., directed the vocal jazz ensemble to win the category of Small Vocal Jazz Group in the 43rd annual DownBeat Magazine Student Music Awards.
2002 AARON LAWLER ’02/M ’10 successfully defended his dissertation, “The Cult of Ignorance: A Visual Inquiry into AntiIntellectualism in American Culture,” and was awarded a Ph.D. in Philosophy of Education from Concordia University. Lawler is currently an assistant professor of humanities at Waubonsee Community College. There, he was named 2020 Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year.
2003 JOSH STUMPENHORST, the learning commons director at Lincoln Junior High School in Naperville, was featured on Naperville Community Television (NCTV17) on April 4 for using a 3D printer to make face shields to help local medical professionals guard against the spread of COVID-19.
2004 MICHAEL NORWOOD will be teaching physical education and will be head football coach at Gage Park High School.
2006 SHARON ALEXANDER S ’06 was appointed brand marketing manager for Caleffi North America.
BRANDON WOODWAR, a social studies teacher at Dixon High School in Dixon, Ill., won the Dixon Amazing Teachers Award from Sauk Valley Media.
2007 JEFFREY BUCK, owner of Probiotic Pros, secured exclusive rights to a technology used in European and Israeli hospitals that naturally purifies environments with probiotics. Probiotic Pros uses natural probiotics super-concentrated to purify homes, autos and businesses across the United States.
2009 RYAN ROCKAFELLOW M ’09 has been named vice president and general manager of the Capacity Trucks and LayMor sweeper businesses based in Longview, Texas. Rockafellow was most recently the vice president of sales & marketing at Heil Trailer/ Polar Tank, a division of EnTrans International. Rockafellow has a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Western Illinois University and an MBA degree with a concentration in business development from North Central.
2011 JACLYN KACZMAREK is a (legal) counsel II at Ulta Beauty in Bolingbrook, Ill. She began at Ulta in 2010 as a beauty advisor at Ulta Beauty’s Orland Park, Ill., store. On June 18, 2013, Kaczmarek completed her first day as a legal intern at Ulta Beauty’s corporate headquarters. During her time with the company, Ulta has grown from a few hundred stores to more than 1,200 stores across the country.
2012 ERIN MINOGUE MANNING is the owner of and designer for LullaBelle Design. She is celebrating her third year in business as a stationery designer and has worked with more than 50 couples. Manning’s work has been published in blogs around the country and she is currently featured in the Celebration Society’s Weddings magazine. ERIC MCKEE is an assistant professor of finance at West Texas A&M University. McKee got his Ph.D. in business administration with a concentration in finance from the University of Iowa in the spring of 2020. He did his thesis on essays in corporate finance and market efficiency. ERIN HINCKLEY WHEELER works for UnityPoint Methodist Hospital in Peoria, Ill., as a family medicine resident.
2015 RYAN KUEHNE M ’15, a kindergarten through fifth grade physical education teacher at Madison Elementary School in Lombard, Ill., was named one of May’s Top Teachers along with his colleague, fifth grade teacher Tony Melton, by the Daily Herald. Kuehne and Melton filmed and edited their own version of actor John Krasinski’s COVID-19 response videos on YouTube. Theirs were called “Some Good News with Less Famous People.” KRISTEN LUCHENE serves veterans at the Battle Creek VA Medical Center in Battle Creek, Mich., as a doctoral psychology intern. She recently began specialized training in PTSD through the VA Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System Fellowship Program. JAYME MOTEN was featured in the Naperville Sun, having worked his first NFL draft as a sports agent for Priority Sports. According to the story, one of the clients he worked with was former North Central quarterback Broc Rutter ‘20, who signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent.
2016 ALLYSON MARTENS was promoted to chief operating officer of Merkle Retirement Planning in Grimes, Iowa.
2017 BRAD MUNSON has been awarded a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship. DoD’s SMART program is an opportunity for students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in STEM disciplines to receive a full scholarship and guaranteed civilian employment with the DoD upon completing their degree. JORDAN PATTERSON was featured in buzz magazine in Champagne-Urbana, Ill., on June 11. The article discussed his emerging rap career under the name WilliamGold, including the release of his debut album “Asleep With the TV On” in June. STEFANY SIGLER M ’17 is the winner of the 2020 Outstanding New Advisor Award from NACADA, a global community of academic advisors. HUBERT ZANCZAK graduated magna cum laude from Chicago-Kent College of Law During law school, Zanczak had two articles published and his moot court team received the award for Second Best Brief in the Brooklyn Region at the 2019 American Bar Association National Appellate Advocacy Competition. Zanczak plans to take the September bar exam and will join Reed Smith, LLP in January 2021.
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2018
Births
MANILYN GUMAPAS was invited to contribute a chapter for an upcoming book by Revolutionaries Press called “I Am ARMY: It’s Time to Begin.” The book explores the cultural and social phenomenon of South Korean music group BTS and their fandom, known as ARMY. The book will be published worldwide on September 13. Gumapas’ chapter is one of nine in the book and illustrates BTS’s influence on her personal experience with the formation of self-love. She hopes this book helps dismantle the stereotype that BTS is a “boy band craze” and illustrates the global and historical importance the group has. The book is available for pre-order now as an e-book from Amazon or in paperback from Revolutionaries Press.
JOE ’11 and JESSICA STRUTHERS ’10 ANTONACCI, a daughter, Ayla Louise, on September 26, 2019, weighing 6 lbs., 13 oz., and measuring 19.5 inches. She was welcomed by aunt CAROLINE STRUTHERS ’15. 4
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MATT MAHAY ’08 and wife Kelsey, a daughter, Gracelyn Kay, on April 28, weighing 7 lbs., 11 oz., and measuring 20.5 inches.
MICHAEL DUY, a social entrepreneurship major, will manage the North Central College Coffee Lab as a graduate assistant. ALYSSA KLEMM is a tax analyst for Aldi and majored in accounting. TANNER MCQUALITY is participating in the U.S. Air Force Allied Health Profession Scholarship Program (HPSP). He graduated with a degree in biochemistry. AXEL PONTEN will be pursuing a master of science degree in physics at ETH Zürich in Switzerland starting in fall. MELANIE SCHMIDT of Elgin, Ill., was named to the position of marketing specialist for Pulse Technology. Schmidt will play a key role in overseeing the company’s social media presence, as well as helping with collateral materials including flyers, internal communications, email blasts, and blogs. Schmidt earned a B.A. in graphic design from North Central.
Marriages DEANNA BRAND ’16 to Chris Marbut on April 4. The couple resides in Celebration, Fla. ADRIAN COOK ’05 to Anna Ohlson on April 17. Adam Pennington ’08 served as the officiant. GINA FISHER ’16 to VINCE KMIEC ’15 on April 25. ROBYN GAUTSCHY ’08 to Allen Skaggs on April 25 in Alton, Ill. 1
KYLE ’10 and AMY SCHWENT ’12 BRADY, a daughter, Eleanor Rose, on March 19. JILLIAN ZAK ’08 CHANDLER and husband Brian, a son, Dean Zbigniew, on March 11, weighing 8 lbs., 8 oz., and measuring 20.5 inches. He joins big brother Walter, 5, and big sister Eleanor, 3.
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ZACH DEWITZ ’05 and wife Darlene, a son, Conrad Oliver, on April 10. 5 SHELLY PORCELLINO ’05 GALASSO and husband Nick, a daughter, Ariana Rose, on May 11, weighing 7 lbs., 11 oz., and measuring 20.5 inches.
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KELLY LANG ’03 PALMER and husband Kevin, twin daughters, on April 27—Sadie Kay, weighing 4 lbs., 13 oz., and Addison Rose, weighing 5 lbs., 4 oz. KRISTIN ANN PALONCY ’04, a son, Grayson Marc Patel, on June 9, weighing 7 lbs., 12 oz., and measuring 20 inches. 6 JULIE SAFLARSKI ’10 PETERSON and husband Ryan, a son, Benjamin, on March 17. JENNIFER BARTGEN ’02 REID and husband Ben, twins, on January 27—a son, Maxwell Evan, weighing 3 lbs., 6 oz., and a daughter, Francesca Davis, weighing 2 lbs., 8 oz. CRAIG REXROTH ’11 and wife Michelle, Brynn Louise, on March 28. Ashley and KEVIN SABO ’09, a son, Knox, on March 17, weighing 7 lbs., 3 oz., and measuring 19.5 inches. 7
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PHILLIP ’02 and TAMMY KOEHLER ’01 WIERCIAK, a daughter, Theresa Lea (“Tessa”), on October 25, 2019, weighing 7 lbs., 12 oz., and measuring 20 inches. She joins sisters Isabella (“Izzy”), 9, and Scarlett, 6. She was welcomed by godmother NICOLE SWANSON ’01. ERIC ’09 and HEATHER KRUG ’09 YOUNG, a daughter, Margo Elaine, on February 7, weighing 6 lbs., 11 oz., and measuring 20 inches. She joins brother Emmett, 4, and sister Bonnie, 2. She was welcomed by relatives JASON KRUG ’14 and NATHAN KRUG ’11. 8
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MADISON HASKI ’14 to FRANK SUTPHIN ’13 on May 23 in Oswego, Ill. 2 VIVIANA LEON ’18 to JACK MCCOY ’17 on March 14. The couple resides in Aurora. ALLYSON MARTENS ’16 to IAN BRAUN ’16. In the wedding party were ANDREW EPPERSON ’16, ERIK FLOECKHER ’16 and MISSY MUSTO ’16. 3
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currently serves on the College’s Board of Trustees. Son Bill Naumann Jr. ’74 received Alumni Recognition and Outstanding Alumni Awards. Stepson Scott Barrett ’75 was inducted into the College’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
In Memoriam DAVID BASHAW ’79 of Geneva, Ill., on June 4. He is survived by nephew Jake Bashaw ‘19. MARJORIE BLUHM ’44 of Highland, Ind., on March 26. DAVID BOERKE ’80 on January 1. DONALD BORNEMEIER ’62 of Sterling Heights, Mich., on April 13. He was predeceased by his brother, Dwight ‘56 (see below). He is survived by his wife Sheila (Koeder) ‘58, and his sister, Marcia (Robert) Harman ‘60. DWIGHT BORNEMEIER ’56 of Dalhart, Texas, on March 17. BRIAN DENNISON ’90 of Seaton, Ill., on April 17. HELEN EILERT ’71 of Steelville, Mo., on July 22. ARLIE FAULHABER ’63 of Oregon, Wis., on April 1. REV. GEORGE FLEMING ’62 of South Haven, Mich., on April 16. He is survived by his sister Dorothy Fleming ’65 Shonkwiler and cousin Marie Fleming ’76. DR. J. PHILIP HEY ’52 of Beecher, Ill., on May 15. TIM KRAHENBUHL ’98 on April 1. KATHLEEN MOLLISON ’60 of Fort Myers, Fla., on April 15. JUNE BOWELL ’55 MUEGGENBORG of Darien, Ill., on July 29. She is survived by her daughter Karin Mueggenborg ‘82 Peraino, granddaughter Rebecca Peraino ‘18, and exhusband Don Mueggenborg ‘57. HERB NADELHOFFER ’58 of Naperville, on April 27. TOBY PRANGE ’76 of Lincoln, Ill., on June 24. PAUL PUCKORIUS ’53 of Sebring, Fla., on March 29, 2019.
DR. WILLIAM “BILL” NAUMANN, SR., 89, beloved professor of religious studies emeritus who was a colleague, mentor and friend to faculty, staff and alumni, passed on August 2. Naumann’s deep family roots at North Central College extend to 1861, as he was the great-great-grandson of A.A. Smith, the College’s first president. To date, 83 members of the extended Naumann family have attended North Central College. Granddaughter Brittany Naumann ’09 Collins is the most recent graduate. “Bill was one of my favorite College professors and he became a dear friend,” said Rev. Dr. Lynn Pries ’67, who retired as North Central’s chaplain in June 2014. “He embodied so much of the best of North Central College. He focused on teaching students, had good relationships with his faculty colleagues, was a person of deep faith and committed to inclusion and justice. I enjoyed being a student in his classes and much later, appreciated his friendship at Community United Methodist Church (in Naperville) when I was the College’s chaplain.” Naumann’s connections to North Central include his wife Helen “Herbie” Gamertsfelder Naumann ’46, who served as the College’s registrar and later as adjunct professor of art. Daughter Nancy Naumann ’79 Hanson
Naumann’s true calling in life was his ability to teach and help students find their life’s calling. He helped build a foundation of inspired teaching that distinguishes North Central College today. He was a skilled listener, stimulating many with probing, thoughtful questions. He taught in the public schools before starting his 30-year career at North Central College. Like his father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he was ordained in the EUB Church (United Methodist Church). Naumann earned degrees from Asbury University (B.A.), Kent State (M.A.), Oberlin College (B.D.), and Yale University (M.A. and Ph.D.). The Naumanns relocated from Naperville to Pleasant Hill, Tenn., in 2001, where they joined Pleasant Hill Community Church, United Church of Christ. He supported peace through protest, gave lectures on world religions and international concerns, and supported environmental causes important to their area of Tennessee. At age 80, he was featured on the evening news for activism on the street corners in Nashville. Naumann is survived by his wife, Herbie; eight children, Gary (Jan) Barrett, Rex (Kathy) Barrett, Bill (Cheryl) Naumann Jr., Scott (Jan) Barrett, Terry (Ann) Naumann, Teri (Bud) Barrett Carlson, Nancy (Breck) Naumann Hanson, and Jeff (Diane) Naumann; 20 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren, a sister, eight nieces and nephews, and 17 great nieces and nephews. Gifts of remembrance can be made to North Central College’s Naumann-Gamertsfelder Scholarship Fund. n
DIANE RAMONAS ’99 of Aurora, Ill., on April 30. TORI SCHERER ’17 of Elizabethton, Tenn., on March 15. HOWARD SPRECHER ’58 of Columbus, Ohio, on December 16, 2019. ALAN SUMWALT ’74 of Ottawa, Wis., on April 12. He is survived by his sister-in-law Susan Patterson-Sumwalt ’79. KATHLEEN VANPAASSCHEN S ’67 of Richmond, Va., on March 16. CORRECTION: In the Spring 2020 issue, Erma Zager ’50 was inadvertently left out of the following obituary: Rev. Carl Zager ’50 of Sterling, Ill., passed away on October 14, 2019. He was survived by his wife Erma Zager ’50, son Tim Zager ’76, son David Zager ’77 and daughter Maria Zager ’80 Boynton.
MOHAMMAD RIAD HUSSAIN ISMAT, 73, who served as scholar-in-residence for the 2014-2015 academic year at North Central College, died May 13 from coronavirus at a hospital in Glenview, Ill. As a visiting professor of arts and letters, he taught courses in playwriting, acting and directing, and lectured on Syria, Arabic literature and drama. “He was here to remind us, through the creative arts, that caring about each other—across borders and cultures—must and can prevail,” said Jack Shindler, professor of English emeritus. An acclaimed dramatist in the Arab world with 34 books to his credit, Ismat served as Syrian minister of culture from 2010 to 2012, as Syrian ambassador to Pakistan and Qatar, director general of State Radio & TV and rector of Syria’s Academy of Dramatic Arts. He was a Fulbright fellow and was awarded a doctorate in Shakespeare studies from Greenwich University. In his career, Ismat emphasized bridging the gap between cultures, drawing from his Arab heritage in a modern approach. Ismat had been living in Evanston, Ill., with his family and was continuing to lecture and teach as a scholar and adjunct professor. n
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Progress continues on the new Health Sciences and Engineering academic facility located on Chicago Avenue that will house graduate health science programs and a manufacturing processes lab for engineering. Due to the pandemic, a scheduled site visit by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant required a recorded tour for a virtual review. Mary Groll, M.D., program director, helped provide the commentary.
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