Alumni | North Central College

New Ruge Fellows “humbled” by honor

North Central College has named three Ruge Fellows, rewarding outstanding teaching of senior faculty.

North Central College has rewarded three faculty members for their outstanding teaching by naming them Ruge Fellows. Mara Berkland, associate professor of speech communication, Stephen Maynard Caliendo, professor of political science, and Nancy Peterson, professor of chemistry, were recognized at the April 25 faculty meeting by R. Devadoss Pandian, vice president for academic affairs and dean of faculty.

“Teaching is an art and a science,” he said. “These professors have an enthusiasm for working with students and a passion for their discipline that’s unfathomable.”

Rabenold’s artwork displayed in studio at national conference

Christine Rabenold, assistant professor of art

Christine Rabenold, North Central College assistant professor of art, displayed her ceramic artwork in “Redefined,” an exhibit at a national arts conference.

Christine Rabenold, North Central College assistant professor of art and student art gallery director, displayed four ceramic pieces in an exhibition titled “Redefined” at Spring Street Studios in Houston. Her artwork was part of the Concurrent Independent Exhibitions at the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) conference held March 20-23.

Hoodie Allen performs May 18 at North Central College with The Ready Set, Outasight

North Central College welcomes American hip-hop artist Hoodie Allen in concert May 18 with opening acts Outasight and The Ready Set.

The performance begins at 9 p.m. Saturday, May 18, in North Central’s Residence Hall/Recreation Center, 440 S. Brainard St. Tickets are $20; call 630-637-SHOW (7469) or visit northcentralcollege.edu/showtix. The concert is presented by North Central College’s Fine and Performing Arts, College Union Activities Board (CUAB) and Office of Alumni Relations.

April 16 screening of “Con los Brazos Abiertos” documentary

North Central students at ceramics shop in Totonicapn, Guatemala

North Central College faculty and students present free screening of collaborative documentary project about sustainable tourism in Guatemala.

North Central College faculty and students have collaborated to create a documentary, titled “Con los Brazos Abiertos,” about sustainable tourism in Guatemala. A free screening will be shown to the campus community at 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, in Heininger Auditorium at the Larrance Academic Center.

“The film project,” says Matthew Krystal, associate professor of political science, sociology and anthropology, “is primarily about professional development and faculty-student collaboration in the production of films on anthropological and economic topics.”

Students learn valuable lessons in leadership from faculty, staff and alumni

North Central College’s annual leadership conference “Lead For A Change” attracts more than 200 student participants.

More than 200 students attended North Central College’s second annual leadership conference, “Lead For A Change: Lead, Follow + Get in the Way,” held on campus April 5-6.

North Central alumnus, advisor to EPA to discuss federal sustainability efforts.

Charlie Bartsch ’73, senior advisor for economic development to the EPA, will give a lunchtime lecture that’s open to campus community Friday, April 12.

Charlie Bartsch—a North Central College Class of 1973 alumnus and political science and history major—will give a lunchtime lecture that’s open to the campus community on Friday, April 12. He is senior program advisor for economic development to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) assistant administrator Mathy Stanislaus.

North Central College hosts “Lead for a Change” conference April 5-6

All students—especially those interested in leadership—are invited to the Student Leadership Conference featuring workshops, panels and more.

All students—including paraprofessionals, student workers, student organization leaders and anyone interested in leadership—are invited to attend a two-day Student Leadership Conference held on campus Friday and Saturday, April 5-6.

Admission is free; advance registration is online.

North Central trustee, alumnus coaches team to NCAA Sweet 16

La Salle University men's basketball coach John Giannini ’84 certainly hasn’t forgotten his alma mater.

North Central College alumnus and Trustee John Giannini ’84 is enjoying the spotlight that comes with guiding an NCAA Division I basketball team to the Sweet 16, but he certainly hasn’t forgotten his alma mater.

“I’ll tell you how much I love North Central,” says Gianini, head basketball coach for the La Salle University Explorers. “I talked with four people this morning. Mike and Mike on ESPN radio, Coach K (Duke University head coach Mike Krzyzewski) and Rick Spencer (North Central College’s vice president for institutional advancement).”

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel was 2007 North Central College Commencement speaker

Newly appointed Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel was the 2007 Commencement speaker at North Central College.

Hagel was sworn in on Feb. 27 as the nation’s 24th defense secretary, one day after the Senate voted 58-41 to approve his appointment by President Barack Obama.

Hagel spoke at North Central College’s 142nd Commencement ceremony on June 9, 2007, when he was awarded an honorary doctor of laws degree. Hagel was a U.S. Senator representing Nebraska at the time. A North Central College alumnus, T.J. Birkel ’04, served as a senior staff member to Senator Hagel.

North Central College purchases home at 409 E. Chicago Ave.

At its February meeting the North Central College Board of Trustees voted unanimously to purchase a house adjacent to campus at 409 E. Chicago Ave.

At its February meeting the North Central College Board of Trustees voted unanimously to purchase a house adjacent to campus at 409 E. Chicago Ave. The house will replace the Edward Everett Rall House as home to the College’s president.

In February 2012 the Board began evaluating the Rall House, which served the recent five presidents of the College: Edward Everett Rall, after whom the house is named; C. Harve Geiger; Arlo L. Schilling; Gael D. Swing and Harold R. Wilde.