North Central NOW 2012 Annual Report

The comeback kids: Cardinal student athletes battle the odds

Maggie Youel

Maggie Youel ’14 and Dylan Crawshaw ’14 have a story similar to many North Central couples. They met two years ago during First-Year Experience and studied chemistry and calculus together. But their story took a drastic turn on April 16, 2012, when Dylan noticed that Maggie was acting strangely. He called 911. Maggie was rushed to Edward Hospital. As Maggie now says six months later, “Then the stroke happened.”

Karen Brady Popovich '96

Karen Brady Popovich was named the 2012 Illinois Art Educator of the Year by the Illinois Art Education Association (IAEA) and received the award at the IAEA conference in November. The annual award recognizes the exemplary contributions, service and achievements of an outstanding IAEA member. Popovich has taught at Metea Valley High School in Aurora, IL, since 2009. After majoring in studio art, she began her career 17 years ago at the elementary school level and then moved to the middle school level.

Will Allan '09

Will Allan was cast to play the role of Stevie in Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s “Good People,” David Lindsay-Abaire’s class drama that premiered on Broadway in 2011. This was his third role at Steppenwolf Theatre Company. Allan will also appear in spring 2013 in Victory Gardens’ production of “The Whale.”

President's message

The poet Robert Frost wrote: “Don’t join too many gangs. Join few if any. Join the United States and join the family. But not much in between unless a college.” I’ve always hated cliques and stereotypes. I am wary of people who substitute their gang affiliation—their fraternity, their country club membership, the cars they own, their economic status, the exclusive community in which they live—for their character and responsibility as individual, moral human beings.

Lucia Spina '97

Lucia Spina recently played a role on NBC’s “Law and Order: SVU,” appearing in three scenes. This is Spina’s first venture into television after numerous national tours, regional productions and Chicago and Broadway shows. She also headlined the North Central College Sesquicentennial Reunion Celebration on November, 11 2011. Spina resides in New York City.

Carly Kizorek '09

Carly Kizorek is the author of the new iBook, “Perils and Rewards of International Filmmaking.” She also directed videos for nonprofit organizations under Two Parrot Productions in Ethiopia, Liberia, Thailand and Tanzania. Two Parrot is a three-member team including Kizorek, her father Bill and her older sister Jessica. When she is not traveling, she tutors math in the western suburbs of Chicago.

Matthew Kasper '98

Matthew Kasper is director of sales for U.S. Cellular in New England, leading all sales activities in New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont. He has been with the company for more than six years and has held various leadership positions, most recently as the director of sales in Indiana. He holds an M.B.A. from Valparaiso University. He and his wife Jorie and three sons will relocate to Portland, ME.

Jessica Kozelsky '09

Jessica Kozelsky is a registered nurse at Rush University Medical Center. She also graduated from Rush and its Generalist Entry Master’s (GEM) program. She may be reached at jdkozelsky@hotmail.com.

John Petzke M ’98

John Petzke M ’98 was appointed chief technology officer of North Shore School District 112. He previously served as the executive director of technology for Oswego Community Unit School District 308. Petzke’s position combines the duties of director of information and media services and the learning coordinator for technology integration, which were previously two full-time positions at School District 112. He received a doctoral degree in educational leadership from Aurora University and a master’s degree in educational administration from North Central College.

Michelle LeDonne '09

Michelle LeDonne is the communications officer for the Lakeshore General Hospital Foundation in Montreal where she works in media and donor relations and is involved in fundraising and grant writing. LeDonne graduated from McGill University in February 2011 with a master of arts degree in English.