Academics | North Central College

The legacy of Paul Warren Allen

The North Central College community remembers music professor, Paul Warren Allen

NAPERVILLE, Ill. (Dec. 15, 2010)—Music professor Paul Warren Allen could be moved to tears by the beautiful sounds created by students in his choir at North Central College.

“I remember one Christmas he was conducting the choir singing Handel’s ‘Messiah.’ The truth of the words gripped him and he had crocodile tears running down his cheeks,” recalls his daughter, Paula Billingsley.

Communications professor presents at national conference

John Stanley,assistant professor of speech communication, presents at the 96th annual National Communication Association convention

John Stanley—assistant professor of speech communication, assistant director of forensics and director of individual events—gave two presentations at the 96th annual National Communication Association convention in San Francisco Nov. 14-17.

First-year students experience life in New Orleans

First-year student Gail Oesterle reflects on her experiences learning and serving in New Orleans.

A group of North Central students spent a week in New Orleans this December as part of the First-Year Experience program. Over the summer, all incoming first-year students read the Dave Eggers book “Zeitoun” about a family’s struggles in the Crescent City following Hurricane Katrina’s devastation in 2005. The theme of “Building an Ideal City” was explored during the seven-week FYE 100 course in the fall.

Mock Trial team members recognized

North Central's Mock Trial team of new members competes in Midwest tournament. Two students earn awards for Outstanding Attorney and Outstanding Witnesses.

Two members of North Central’s Mock Trial team were recognized at the University of St. Francis Mock Trial Midwest Challenge Part V Tournament Dec. 4-5. Joshua Bailey ’11, majoring in political science and English writing, earned awards for Outstanding Attorney and Outstanding Witness—a notable achievement because students are rarely recognized for exceptional performance in both roles.

Alternative gift fair, Guatemala trip teach students ethics of business practices

In the rugged highlands of Guatemala, 10 North Central College students are learning about fair and direct trade, the coffee business—and themselves.

In the rugged highlands of Guatemala this December, 10 North Central College students are learning about fair and direct trade, the coffee business—and themselves.

Kirk performs, presents at music conference

Jonathon Kirk, assistant professor of music, performed and presented his custom interactive sound processing software at a conference on improvisation.

Jonathon Kirk, assistant professor of music, performed and presented his custom interactive sound processing software at the International Society for Improvised Music (ISIM) conference, titled Improvisation and Cross-Cultural Creativity: Fostering Connections Through Spontaneous Musical Art. The conference was held at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor Dec. 2-5.

Concert Winds to perform March 12 at “Chords for Kids” event for children with autism

North Central College will host “Chords for Kids,” the fifth annual free concert for children with autism and their families, March 12 in Wentz Concert Hall.

Contact: Ted Slowik, Director of PR and Media Relations, 630-637-5307

Feb. 14, 2011—North Central College will host “Chords for Kids,” the fifth annual free concert for children with autism and their families at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 12, in Wentz Concert Hall at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave.

Borla and Mouse featured in “Recording” magazine

Jazz faculty members Janice Borla and Jack Mouse were featured in “Recording” magazine in the article “A Basement Conversion: The Borla/Mouse Basement Studio.”

Jazz faculty members vocalist Janice Borla and drummer Jack Mouse were featured in a four-page article titled “A Basement Conversion: The Borla/Mouse Basement Studio” in the October 2010 issue of “Recording,” a magazine for the recording musician. The article focuses on their home studio, which they designed, and includes comments from recording engineer John Larson on how the space was adapted for recording and mixing sessions. Here’s a preview from the article:

North Central’s president in the news

“While Harold Wilde might not be the CEO of NCC, he has had just as much influence as the leader of a business,” says Naperville Sun writer David Sharos.

“While Harold Wilde might not be the CEO of NCC, he has had just as much influence as the leader of a business,” says writer David Sharos in his Naperville Sun article, "A man who's living the dream."

FYE: Thanksgiving New Orleans Style

Students participating in the First-Year Experience Verandah in New Orleans are blogging about their experiences.

Fifty first-year students, five faculty, and five First-Year Experience mentors are in New Orleans as part of D-Term Study Away Verandah Experience. Students are performing service work in rebuilding local homes and chronicling their experiences on a FYE: Thanksgiving New Orleans Style blog.