Academics | North Central College

Students, staff present at LEV-cosponsored conference on faith, justice and civic learning

North Central College’s Leadership, Ethics and Values (LEV) program recently co-sponsored the first National Faith, Justice and Civic Learning Conference.

July 1, 2011—North Central College’s Leadership, Ethics and Values (LEV) program recently cosponsored the first National Faith, Justice and Civic Learning Conference with DePaul University, providing students and staff the opportunity to present three sessions on various topics.

Cancer researcher returns to North Central to guest lecture science courses

Zach Pratt, a 2005 alumnus who recently completed his doctorate in cancer biology, returned to North Central to guest lecture some biology courses.

Zach Pratt hopes to combine his passion for scientific research with his knack for teaching.

Since earning his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from North Central in 2005, Pratt has completed his doctorate in cancer biology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He returned to North Central in February 2011 to guest lecture some biology courses, using bacteria to teach a lesson in evolution.

North Central stages the witty, fanciful opera “Iolanthe”

North Central College’s Summer Light Opera presents the Gilbert and Sullivan comic opera “Iolanthe” July 12-14, 18-20 with actors from the community.

North Central College’s Summer Light Opera presents the Gilbert and Sullivan comic opera “Iolanthe” in July and features actors from the community.

Six performances will be staged at 7:30 p.m. July 12, 13 and 18-20 and at 2 p.m. July 14 in North Central’s theatre at Meiley-Swallow Hall, 31 S. Ellsworth St., Naperville. Tickets are $15/adults and $10/students and senior citizens; call the North Central College Box Office at 630-637-SHOW (7469) or visit northcentralcollege.edu/showtix.

North Central College students achieve Dean’s List honors for spring term

North Central College has named its Dean’s List of scholars for the 2013 spring term.

North Central College has named its Dean’s List of scholars for the 2013 spring term. To be eligible for the Dean’s List, undergraduate students must maintain a grade-point average of 3.6 (4.0=A) for the term and be enrolled as full-time students.

The following students were named to the Dean’s List for spring term:

Annie Adamski
Jesse Adamson
Carolyn Aikens
Alejandra Alarcon
Joshua Albright
Alyssa Allgood
Jeffrey Andersen
Allison Anderson
Armana Ansari
Migal Arasar
Michelle Arb
Mario Arellano

Jack reaches national audience with new book about shifting rural landscapes

Zachary Michael Jack, associate professor of English

Zachary Michael Jack, North Central College associate professor of English, authored the book, “The Midwest Farmer’s Daughter: In Search of an American Icon.”

Zachary Michael Jack, North Central College associate professor of English, authored “The Midwest Farmer’s Daughter: In Search of an American Icon,” a book about the shifting landscape of rural America.

O’Connor coauthors study related to development of Parkinson’s

Christopher O’Connor, visiting assistant professor of biology

Christopher O’Connor, North Central College visiting assistant professor of biology, is coauthor of a study about a key protein in Parkinson’s disease.

Christopher O’Connor, North Central College visiting assistant professor of biology, is coauthor of a Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine study about Parkinson’s disease and how a protein in the disease acts like a virus.

The study was published April 25 in the journal PLOS ONE by virologist Edward Campbell, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Loyola’s Stritch School of Medicine, and colleagues.

Madormo’s mystery series for young readers gains wide appeal with educators

John Madormo, assistant professor of broadcast communication

John Madormo, North Central College assistant professor of broadcast communication, receives many opportunities to speak about his Charlie Collier book series.

John Madormo, North Central College assistant professor of broadcast communication and general manager of WONC-FM 89.1, continues to receive wide acclaim and various opportunities to speak about his “Charlie Collier, Snoop for Hire” series of three mystery books for middle-grade readers.

Outstanding faculty and staff are recognized at Service Awards

North Central College recognized faculty and administrative staff for their outstanding teaching, scholarship and service in 2013 with endowed Dissinger awards.

Five outstanding North Central College faculty and staff for the 2012-2013 academic year were recognized May 29 at the annual Service Awards presentation.

Each year the College recognizes faculty and administrative staff members for their outstanding teaching, scholarship and service “above and beyond the call of duty.” Award recipients are presented with endowed awards established in memory of two North Central College alumni—Clarence F. Dissinger, Class of 1921, and his sister Ruth C. Dissinger Althaus, Class of 1922.

Graduating student-veterans are standout students, leaders

North Central College’s graduating student-veterans James Davidson, Adam Doden and Wesley Sorrill are standout scholars, future leaders.

Three student-veterans—James Davidson, Adam Doden and Wesley Sorrill—are among some 730 students who will graduate from North Central College in 2013 and attend Commencement June 8.

Each veteran is a standout student. They are inductees to North Central’s SALUTE national honor society and were named the outstanding student in each of their academic majors at the College’s 2013 Honors Convocation.

Macek’s op-ed receives wide syndication

Steve Macek, associate professor of speech communication

Steve Macek, North Central College associate professor of speech communication, authors syndicated op-ed about cyber-security bill in U.S. Congress.

Steve Macek, North Central College associate professor of speech communication and coordinator of urban and suburban studies, authored an opinion piece, titled “Let’s not sacrifice our privacy on the altar of cyber security,” that has been picked up by various news outlets, from The Naperville Sun and Columbus Dispatch, to outlets in San Diego, Brooklyn, Texas, Kentucky and more. The piece was syndicated by the American Forum, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that works to encourage more citizen debate on important societal issues.