9 minute read
Cue the Highlight Reel: Rick Spencer looks back at 40 years
-President Troy Hammond
With the end of his 40-year career at North Central College in sight, Rick Spencer has more than a few stories to share about the people, events and gifts that made his time here so extraordinary. The College’s vice president for institutional advancement will retire in June.
You might know him as the ambitious young director of admission who changed the culture of recruiting at the College; the confident fundraiser who could ask for multi-million dollar gifts; a concerned benefactor who found support for international students; the proud father of two successful alums—one coaching at the College; and the generous philanthropist who named a classroom in the Myron Wentz Science Center for the Spencer family’s ties to North Central, including his parents, Wes ’43 and Marian (Mickey) Stahl ’43 Spencer, and sons Bradley ’04 and Tyke ’06, and daughters-inlaw Nikki Michelson ’17 Spencer and Kalah Thorngren ’07 Spencer (pictured, p. 4).
Underlying his talents is a focus and dedication to the success of North Central College that transcends a 40-hour work week—as well as a love for Cardinal athletics, especially football.
For Spencer, the high point of his career highlight reel was the 2019 NCAA Division III National Football Championship. It was the culmination of all things important to his life and career. “Being with my family and watching Brad coach, seeing alumni I recruited and friends of our boys, raising money for buses to take our students to the game; that game is probably my happiest moment,” Spencer said. He still aches for daughter-in-law Kalah, who had to stay in Illinois to care for her flustricken daughter Emmy.
A CAREER LAUNCHED IN ADMISSION
After graduating from Augustana College in 1974, Spencer began his career in the admission office there. He learned lessons that would later transform North Central’s admission operation, where he took over as director of admissions and financial aid in 1981.
“(1981) was the hardest year of my life,” he said. “Our son Brad was born, we were living with my parents and my mother was ill. And (in the admission office) I was trying to implement evening calls, home visits, Presidential Scholarships and more campus visit days.
“But by fall 1983, we had our largest first-year class ever—286. That was a big number for a school of our size at that time.”
Since Rick Spencer became vice president for institutional advancement, the College:
• Secured nearly $296 million in financial gifts, pledges, and will commitments to date, including $120 million toward the Brilliant Future Campaign;
• Completed renovations of Old Main, Kiekhofer
Hall and Koten Chapel, and Meiley-Swallow Hall;
• Constructed the Wentz Concert Hall and
Fine Arts Center, the Wentz Science Center,
Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium, Zimmerman
Stadium, Shanower Family Field, the Residence
Hall/Recreation Center, Schneller Hall, and the
Rolland Center Boilerhouse Café;
• Obtained the A.A. Smith House;
• Endowed 13 faculty chairs.
Colleagues, friends and alums share their memories...
Rick invited my parents and I to the admissions office one evening. My mom had to convince my dad to go and he was not happy. We walk in and Rick was Rick. He talked about everything North Central had to offer. I am sure he could tell my father's displeasure so Rick turned and worked on him. What happened in the next 30 minutes was amazing—he took my stubborn father from saying I needed to go to the University of Denver to walking out telling me that North Central is where I needed to be. Thank you Rick for helping bring me to North Central College! Go Cards!
DAVID ELLIOTT ’92
Rick Spencer was the best boss I ever had! Rick was smart, strategic, hard-working, able to delegate, and possessed an amazing energy as well as a great (and sometimes sorely-tested) sense of humor. His leadership helped raise the “funds and friends” that are, to this day, transforming the College, ensuring its students leave their mark on an ever-changing world.
MARY-CLAIRE USELDING
North Central Director of Public Information, 1994-2006
Rick Spencer’s dedication and tireless efforts on behalf of North Central College have been an inspiration to me for nearly 25 years. He’s been a spark plug who shows our community how empathy and humane leadership foster loyalty and trust. He also graciously facilitated the introduction and made the endowed chair process feel like a meaningful, personal connection to John ’59 and Norma Bramsen. Thank you for your humor and your great love for this institution. You made us better.
JENNIFER JACKSON Associate Professor of English; Svend and Elizabeth Bramsen Professor in the Humanities
Rick helped recruit me as a student, then I worked for him for five-plus years following graduation. Although I have been gone for over 20 years, Rick has always made me feel like a part of the family. I have cherished our friendship through the years.
MIKE KOON ’93
Spencer was named vice president for admission and financial aid in 1983. More than 4,250 students enrolled and graduated during his tenure in admission. And many of the staff he mentored went on to accept leadership roles at North Central and other institutions.
In December 1992, Spencer was tapped by President Emeritus Harold Wilde to become vice president for institutional advancement. The College was in dire need of financial resources and upgraded facilities—a challenge Wilde and Spencer embraced.
“My first major gift came from Gus and Connie Schoenherr who gave us their farmland in Plainfield,” Spencer said. “That’s when I realized the joy and understood the impact of a major gift. That gift also showed me the importance of growing up in Naperville.” His family ties often opened doors for prospective donors.
Another impactful memory for Spencer involves the late John Tworoger ’65, a trustee whose daughter was considering attending North Central. Before he flew out to San Diego to meet father and daughter, Wilde suggested that Spencer ask Tworoger for a $1 million gift.
“I was sweating,” Spencer recalled. “I finally made my ask and John gets up and leaves the restaurant. I was mortified. But then he comes back with a smile on his face. He said, ‘I’m not ready to do that Building a relationship with Dr. Myron Wentz ’63 (H) ’11 and wife Prudence Conley was life-changing for Spencer and the College. Spencer had dinner with the couple in San Diego in 2003. Late into the evening, Wentz stood up in the restaurant to sing the College’s “Alma Mater.”
“Prudence promised me he’d come to campus,” Spencer said, feeling confident that a major gift was indeed possible. And like with many donors over the years, year, Wentz announced a multi-million dollar gift toward the Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center. “When the Chicago Symphony Orchestra played the night of the dedication, Myron kept hitting my leg and saying ‘We did it, the CSO is at North Central!’”
When Spencer and President Troy Hammond approached Wentz in 2015 for a naming gift for the Wentz Science
right now, but the fact that you asked makes me confident you’re the right person for this job.’ That was an important moment … I knew it would take guts and perseverance to be a fundraiser.” it was the beginning of a friendship that Spencer will always treasure.
Wentz did visit campus and learned the campus needed a fine arts facility and science building. At Homecoming that
RICK SPENCER
Pictured from left: Stagg Bowl victory; at an event as the director of admissions; with President Troy Hammond; the Spencer family in 2021, from left Tyke, Emersyn, Kalah, Hudson Pat, Rick, Weston, Nikki and Brad; with President Emeritus Harold Wilde; with former vice president Paul Loscheider during Old Main renovation in 1996; with coach Al Carius (H )’16; watching Cardinal Football in 2004.
Center, they had just 20 minutes to present their case. “Myron said to us, ‘I appreciate both of you so much for your commitment to my school. I know how hard this is.’ He gave us both a hug. It’s one of my cherished moments.” Spencer and Hammond learned later that Wentz would indeed pledge a naming gift.
There were many, many others donors who brought joy to Spencer’s fundraising role, like the late Judy Stevenson, who “stepped up any time we needed anything” and named Meiley-Swallow Hall for her family. Others he worked with included Jane Koten ’55 and the late John Koten ’51, Mimi ’55 Flickinger Rolland and her late husband Ian Rolland, and Bartley and Maricela ’99 Madden.
The generosity of alumni, trustees, parents and friends has propelled North Central to the place of strength it is today. “When a donor decides to contribute, they make the College great,” he said. “And I’m lucky to be the person who interacted with all our donors.
“I’m grateful to everyone who had a role to play in getting us where we are today, including my family. The support I’ve received from my wife, Pat, who led the charge of raising two great boys, each becoming a part of North Central, allowed what I do here to become integrated into our family. That’s how you can succeed at a long career.”
We’re very fortunate Rick came to North Central when he did. I think North Central became a distinctive, unique institution because of having people like Rick create the foundation of values and virtues and characteristics to help us be distinctive.
COACH AL CARIUS (H) ’16
Assistant men’s cross country/track & field coach
The day I got admitted to North Central was the most exciting day of my life. When I was introduced to Mr. S. he offered me a helping hand, and assured me that I would be able to graduate so long as I put in the required effort (and) I would not have to worry about not being able to attend class because I can’t afford it. My life changed that day, Mr S. gave me a voice and a chance at higher education and I will always be grateful for that.
ASTRID RUTAYISIRE ’18
One year we caroled for the CEO of Girl Scouts of America and were all stoked to walk out with a couple boxes of thin mints each! Then Rick stopped to give his cookies and a money handshake to a man with a ‘homeless veteran’ sign. He gave them away so quickly, so assuredly, when he saw an opportunity for kindness. I’ll never forget how thankful that man looked, nor how Rick told him it was nothing and wished him a Merry Christmas. I continue to be in awe of his ability to find opportunities for giving and human connection.
ANDREA LARSON ’10 MOST
“I cannot think of a time going back to the 1980s when Rick Spencer was not around. It has been a privilege to meet him over the years in Illinois, Florida, Cape Cod and other geographic destinations. He is the ultimate outstanding fundraiser for buildings, endowment and important North Central College venues. (We shared) a few remarkable lunch sessions at La Casita Restaurant in Little Havana in Miami and evening delights with stone crabs at Joe’s in Miami Beach.
Saludos afectuosos, RUBEN A. ROCA ’62
