Computer Science | North Central College

Computer science students excel at regional competition

Advanced team members, from left: Pero Atanasov ’11, Jonathan Rascher ’12, Kelvi

Computer science students stand out at Associated Colleges of the Chicagoland Area computer programming competition in advanced and novice divisions.

March 4, 2011—Computer science students from North Central College were among the top performers at the 2011 Associated Colleges of the Chicagoland Area (ACCA) computer programming competition held Feb. 26 at Wheaton College in Wheaton.

The competition includes two divisions: a novice division for students with one year of programming or less and an advanced division for all other students. This year’s contest fielded eight teams at the novice level and 14 teams at the advanced level. North Central sent one novice team and two advanced teams.

Chris Foes

Chris Foes not only earned his bachelor’s degree in computer science at North Central College—he went on to earn a master’s degree in computer science at North Central as well. The day after presenting the oral defense of his thesis to professors, he boarded a plane for Los Angeles where he landed a job writing software for Opto-Knowledge Systems Inc. (OKSI), a research and development company that specializes in imaging technology. “The great thing about North Central is being able to have a personal relationship with your professors,” Chris says. “They get to know you—your strengths and weaknesses.” A transfer student from Annawan, Ill., Chris ran track at North Central, where he developed strong writing and communications skills. “The professors here emphasize the importance of communication,” he says. “You have to present a lot and be able to communicate your ideas to people. Employers are looking for people who can communicate well.”

Record number of students to present at national research conference

A record 38 students from various academic areas will represent North Central at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research this spring.

Contact: Nancy Dunker, associate director of public relations, 630-637-5306

NAPERVILLE, Ill. (Jan. 31, 2011)—For the second year, a record number of North Central College students have been chosen to participate in the nation’s leading conference on undergraduate research.

D-Term courses take students around the globe

In December, students take advantage of life-changing study abroad opportunities.

Jan. 24, 2011—North Central College’s trimester format offers students a break from regular classes between Thanksgiving and the new year. During December—or D-Term—students can take advantage of North Central’s study abroad opportunities.

James W. Schlusemann '84/M ’93

James W. Schlusemann M ’93 was named international director of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME). He joined SME in 1989 and served on its board of directors in 2005 and 2006. He’s the director of global business integration for Navistar, Inc.’s Engine Group, one of the world’s largest truck and engine manufacturers, and leads a team charged with expanding Navistar’s engine business to China. During his 37-year career with the company, he has driven technology solutions that support high quality products, a streamlined cost structure and global growth.

Michael D. Oldenettel '88

Michael D. Oldenettel was named the 2011 Treasurer for the Illinois Association of Realtors. He’ll serve as chair of the finance committee and vice chair of the strategic planning committee. Active in real estate for 21 years, he’s the managing broker/owner of RE/MAX Results Plus, Inc. in Jacksonville, IL. He’s a two-term past president of the Jacksonville Area Association of Realtors and led the association in 1995 and again in 2005. He’s served as president of the Illinois Real Estate Educational Foundation in 2007 and 2008 and served twice as dean of the Realtors Institute Working Group.

North Central College offers five-year bachelor’s/master’s degree in leadership

North Central College is offering a new option to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a master of leadership studies degree in just five years.

NAPERVILLE, Ill. (Nov. 16, 2010)—North Central College is offering a new option to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a master of leadership studies degree in just five years.

Students accepted into this program earn both a bachelor’s degree—in any discipline—and the master of leadership studies with the completion of 141 credit hours.

Kitt Vanderwater: Exactly What Google Was Searching For

North Central was well represented at this year’s National Conference for Undergraduate Research.

The most ever student-researchers from North Central College—32—were accepted to attend the National Conference for Undergraduate Research in April. "This is impressive because we’ve never had this many students apply and it really reflects a changing culture here, a true culture of inquiry,” says Perry Hamalis, director of the Office of Academic Opportunities and assistant professor of religious studies.

Kitt Vanderwater

Kitt finds that studying computer science at North Central College means you get individualized attention from full-time faculty, small classes and the opportunity to compete at the national level. Her skills and drive earned Kitt a highly coveted, summer-long paid internship at Google in Kirkland, WA. CampusGrotto ranks Google as the No. 1 college internship in the nation thanks to its reputation for spoiling its interns. "I went kayaking, on a boat cruise, spent two days at an all-inclusive spa resort, went to a Mariners baseball game and went out to eat more times than I can count. The best part is that it wasn't just free, I got paid to do all of that.” Interns also have an inside track at starting their careers at the GooglePlex, considering Google only hired 2,200 regular job applicants out of more than a million last year. “At North Central, your opportunities are what you make them,” Kitt says.