North Central NOW Annual Report 2010

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.

Michelle Porcellino '05

Michelle Porcellino is a grant writer at North Central College. She joined the advancement team after working two years at the Center for Clinical Cancer Genetics and Global Health Initiative division of biological sciences at the University of Chicago. Previously she was a health communications fellow at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Rockland, MD. She received her master’s degree in technical and scientific communication at Miami University in Ohio. She lives in Orland Park, IL, and may be reached at meporcellino@noctrl.edu.

Joey Sanchez '95: Coaching with Impact

In 15 years as a history teacher at Barrington High School and nine years as head football coach, Joey Sanchez '95 demonstrates principles that he experienced both as a music student in North Central's Concert Choir and as a four-year football player with coaches that included Jim Miller '86, now North Central's athletic director.

"My philosophy is, 'what are we doing to make them better people in the long run?'" he says of his approach. "Maybe it's reinforcing that they should arrive on time, ready to engage in studying or practice."

Jeff Schaetzke '92

Jeff Schaetzke was the music director of a musical “Dames at Sea” at Skylight Opera Theatre in the Cabot Theatre in Wisconsin, which ran September 17 to October 3. Called “the most ingenious show on or off Broadway” by Time Magazine, “Dames at Sea” is a musical parody of the grand and glorious Busby Berkeley movie musicals of the 1930s. He lives in Grafton, WI, with his wife Sheila.

Helen Goren Shafton M ’05

Helen Goren Shafton M ’05 wrote a book titled “Making Art Special: A Curriculum for Special Education Art.” She was inspired by her students in the special education program to create the book for art teachers who find themselves responsible for delivering art instruction to students with disabilities. The book is available at www.makingartspecial.com.

Campus Community Prepares for Sesquicentennial Celebration

In less than a year—on 11/11/11—North Central College will celebrate its 150th anniversary marking the day students first attended classes on November 11, 1861, at what was then Plainfield College.

Faculty and staff gathered in Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center on 11/11/10 to learn about the goals of the Sesquicentennial celebration, the various events that will mark the historic occasion and the building displays, published books and videos that will document the College's first 150 years.

Mike Koon '93

Mike Koon served as lead clinician on behalf of the National Association of Sports Public Address Announcers at Bloomington High School. The clinic addresses the P.A. announcer’s role, the Do’s and Don’ts of announcing football, how to handle emergency situations, scriptwriting and working with a spotter. Koon is assistant sports information director and the voice of University of Illinois football.

Raj Cherian '06

Raj Cherian is a credit analyst at JPMorgan Chase. He has also been commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army-National Guard and is assigned to the 1175th Military Police Co. as a platoon leader.

North Central College Welcomes A State-Of-The-Art Bookstore

The corner of Jefferson Avenue and Ellsworth Street was transformed this fall by the swank renovation of the former art building into a free-standing campus bookstore.

Mark Vander Kooi '95

Mark Vander Kooi was named the Chicago Bears High School Coach of the Week for week five 2010. Vander Kooi is in his second season as head coach of the Lincoln-Way West High School football program in New Lenox, IL. As part of the honor, the Bears are donating $1,500 to Lincoln-Way West’s program, and Vander Kooi will be invited to the Bears-Patriots game on December 12 where he’ll be recognized during an on-field ceremony.