North Central NOW Winter 2013 | North Central College

President's message

What an honor to write this column as the 10th president of North Central College!

My family and I have had a great time getting to know the College over the last few months. I’ve learned very quickly that this is one busy campus—even in the middle of a Chicago winter. From the alumni track & field meet, basketball games and the International Festival, to the Martin Luther King prayer breakfast and Chicago Sinfonietta performance, we’ve enjoyed experiencing the diverse and enriching opportunities this campus offers.

North Central scholars experience calendar celebration in Guatemala, not doomsday

As the media warned of impending doom on December 21, 2012—supposedly the end of the world as predicted by Maya calendars—scholars of Maya culture like Matthew Krystal, associate professor of anthropology, knew that the doomsday hype was a hoax. So did Haley Kirk ’13, who has a double major in Spanish and global studies. She had extended a North Central College research trip in Guatemala to attend a special ritual on December 21. The atmosphere that day among the Maya people was one of hope and celebration, not apocalypse, she says.

One trip, two jobs and three countries later...

Jacob Aufderheide ’10 got a taste of world travel during his senior year at North Central when he spent a term in Limerick, Ireland. That taste turned into a hunger that he needed to satisfy after graduation, resulting in an adventure unexpectedly spanning 24 months, three countries and two different jobs.

North Central College’s WAC “living room” is transformed, opened for all

Once closed-in, separated areas of the Harold and Eva White Activities Center (WAC) are transformed, open, furnished and accessible to everyone to use.

A transformation has expanded student gathering space in the main level of the Harold and Eva White Activities Center (WAC). The once closed-in and separated areas are now open, furnished and accessible to everyone to use.

Exploring ways to create more usable space in WAC has been a goal of the College and student involvement staff, says Amy Clarke ’03 Sievers, director of student involvement and associate director of the First-Year Experience.

A time for reflection, remembrance

The campus will gather at 12:10 p.m. Wednesday, Feb.13, in Koten Chapel for a nondenominational Ash Wednesday service.

Join the campus community at 12:10 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 13, in Koten Chapel for a nondenominational Ash Wednesday service to reflect and pray on this first day of the Lenten season.

Graduate course offers students chance to study, travel abroad

North Central College graduate students traveled to Greece during D-Term on a study abroad course dedicated exclusively for them.

North Central College graduate students traveled to Greece during D-Term on a study abroad course dedicated exclusively for them. Thirteen students from various graduate programs embarked on a 3-credit course designed to advance their studies, careers and personal exploration outside the classroom. In particular, they gained an understanding of Greek history, economics, politics and culture as they relate to the region.

Hill Harper delivers Martin Luther King Jr. Week keynote address at North Central College

Actor/author Hill Harper delivered an impassioned Martin Luther King Week keynote address in Wentz Concert Hall.

Actor/author Hill Harper delivered an impassioned Martin Luther King Jr. Week keynote address Jan. 21 in North Central College’s Wentz Concert Hall.

Harper spoke about “Being an Active Architect of Your Own Life” and used the analogy of an architect who designs a building to talk about how people could do more to plan their own lives.

College, city partner to transform downtown Naperville eyesore into park

North Central College is moving ahead with plans to create a park on land that for years was home to a downtown Naperville eyesore.

Demolition work of the structure at 420 S. Washington St. began on Jan. 19. A backhoe tore down the building that sat vacant for the past decade at the prominent location along Washington Street. Debris was carted away over the following few days.

North Central College alumnus Dr. Karl Brooks speaks at MLK prayer breakfast

Alumnus Karl Brooks ’90, a Joliet Junior College administrator, was keynote speaker at the College’s MLK prayer breakfast.

North Central College alumnus Dr. Karl Brooks ’90 spoke to students, faculty, staff and guests about the importance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy during the College’s annual MLK prayer breakfast Jan. 21.

Dean of student success at Joliet Junior College, Brooks encouraged audience members to reflect on what inspires them—saying King’s legacy is a source of daily inspiration to him.

“We are all benefactors of Martin Luther King’s legacy,” Brooks said. “He calls us all to a higher moral and ethical ground.”

Another banner year for devoted alumna

For some 25 years, Caroline Smith ’69 Lewis has volunteered to construct national championship banners for North Central College's athletic department.

A stream of red and white national championship banners in the Residence Hall/Recreation Center grows steadily, thanks to the talents of North Central’s student-athletes, their coaches and Caroline Smith ’69 Lewis. The Naperville resident donates her time, talent and materials to construct the banners.

“One thing I won’t do is buy any of the materials ahead of time,” she says. “If I were to have it on hand, they might not win. I only buy what I need after Al (Carius) calls me to say they won.”