North Central Now Spring 2011 | North Central College

Jim Harper 1957

Jim Harper spoke about growing up in Culver, IN, at the Culver-Union Township Public Library in honor of Black History Month. Culver was once home to a thriving African-American community, which included members of the first integrated high school basketball team in Indiana (in 1922) and an African Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1950, Harper left Culver to attend North Central College where, he said, “My first year at college I was the only person of color in Naperville and at the school, but it didn’t seem to make a big difference.

Michael Reedy 1996

Michael Reedy showed a collection of his artwork, titled “Recent Works,” at The Kishwaukee College Art Gallery in Malta, IL. Recognized with numerous awards, his work has been widely exhibited across the country in a variety of local, regional and international exhibitions and can be viewed in many notable private and institutional collections.

LeRoy Roesti 1965

LeRoy Roesti shared his memories after learning about the passing of music professor Paul Warren Allen: “Who can forget where you were when Kennedy was shot on Nov. 22, 1963? We [North Central students] were in a bus outside a high school waiting to give a concert. Some of our girls cried. Dr. Allen calmly said we’d give the concert and dedicate it to Kennedy and we did. ... Professor Allen encouraged me most as a composer by conducting three of my choral pieces ...

Michelle Phillip Junkin 1997

Michelle Phillip Junkin is a co-op member of the “In Your Eye Gallery” in the Paseo Arts District and is a member of the Oklahoma Artist Guild and the Paseo Arts Association. She works in a variety of media, including acrylic, mixed media, clay monoprinting and ceramics, and her artwork has been accepted into juried national shows and displayed locally and in regional competitions.

Marti Healy 1967

Marti Healy published her third novel titled “The Secret Child” in 2010. Set in the midlands of South Carolina in 1855, the story interweaves unexpected subjects and issues, such as slavery, human rights and other harsh realities of 19th century South Carolina. It has received high critical acclaim and special recognition from the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance and other literary groups. For more information visit www.martihealybooks.com. Healy lives in Aiken, SC, and may be reached at MartiHealy@MartiHealyBooks.com.

Bryant Cobarriubias 1999

Bryant Cobarrubias owns Atomic Games, a place for kids to hang out and play board games and card games—a resource to the community. The store has a large library of open board games for people to enjoy at no cost and he hosts events for popular card games every week. He’s working with local schools, churches and organizations to set up more game nights. The store also supports The Edge Youth Center, located across the street. In his other career, he’s a software developer specializing in document imaging solutions.

James E. Saloga 1968

James E. Saloga was appointed to the board of directors of Batavia Enterprises, Inc., a locally owned property management and development firm. After serving in the U.S. Navy, he graduated with honors from John Marshall Law School. He returned to North Central to teach business law as an adjunct professor, 1977-1985. During his legal career, he established the widely accepted arbitration programs used by both Northern Illinois Home Builders Association and Fox Valley Home Builders Association to resolve homebuilding disputes. In 2001, he co-founded Home Closing Services, Inc.

Jeremy Gudauskas 1999

Jeremy Gudauskas was promoted to assistant dean of students at North Central College. He previously served as director of ministry and service. He lives with his wife Michelle ’99 and three sons, Brady, Jesse and Judah, in Naperville and may be reached at jkgudauskas@noctrl.edu.

R. Jackson Ferch 1970

R. Jackson Ferch had his artwork represented and published by Alcove Books in Berkley, CA, and Kennedy Art Publishing in Williamsburg, VA. Plans to publish an exclusive book of his sculpture in 2011 are being made by Kennedy Art Publishing. He started ELEMENIUM Sculpture & Design 20 years ago. To view his work, visit jacksonferchsculpture.com. He lives in Denton, TX, and may be reached at jacksonferchsculpture@hotmail.com.

Jessica Holtz 1999

Jessica Holtz is a gymnastics coach at Phenom Gymnastics in Aurora, IL. In May 2009 at the USA Gymnastics Level 10 national competition, she coached a gymnast who became the first to win all four events—beam, bars, vault and floor, and the all-around competition—and made the 2009 USA Gymnastics Junior Olympic National Team.