Alumni | North Central College

Alumna Cynthia Jele wins Commonwealth Writers’ Prize

Alumna and author Cynthia Jele has won the 2011 Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for the Best First Book in the African region.

Alumna Cynthia Jele wins Commonwealth Writers’ Prize

March 7, 2011—North Central graduate and author Cynthia Jele has won the 2011 Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for the Best First Book in the African region for her novel “Happiness is a Four-letter Word.”

Jele earns a trip to the Sydney Writers Festival in May, when her book will compete against finalists from other Commonwealth regions for two overall best first book awards.

Education alumni share advice with current students

Shane Gillespie, Class of 2004, English teacher

Four alumni of North Central College's undergraduate and graduate education programs share their expertise and advice with students.

March 7, 2011—Students majoring in education at North Central College get to learn from excellent faculty members on a daily basis and from highly respected teachers in the field. Recently, four alumni of North Central’s undergraduate and graduate education programs returned to campus to share their expertise and advice with students in the 242 Classroom Management Techniques in Secondary Education class taught by Kristine Servais, associate professor of education.

Distinguished alumni, cancer researchers are Rall keynote speakers

Dr. Doris Mangiaracina Benbrook, Class of 1981

Rall Symposium for Undergraduate Research welcomes two noted scholars, cancer researchers, professors and North Central alumni as keynote speakers.

May 5, 2011—Each spring, North Central College celebrates and recognizes top student scholars and their academic achievements with a daylong event called Honors Day. The 2011 Honors Day takes place Tuesday, May 17, and includes the 14th annual Rall Symposium for Undergraduate Research in the morning and the 35th annual Honors Convocation in the afternoon.

Alumnus offers advice to art students

Benjamin Buchenot spent a day at his alma mater sharing tips with art students about creating and marketing their art work.

Feb. 23, 2011—Benjamin Buchenot, Class of 2005, spent a day at his alma mater sharing tips with art students about creating and marketing their art work.

Art students watched Buchenot demonstrate how he works with clay on a wheel and listened to him describe how he throws clay and uses tools to make walls. He also shared tips on how to clean up pieces more easily, and fielded questions from students on such topics as properly pricing and photographing pieces.

Neuroscientist discusses gender and the brain Feb. 22

Lise Eliot discusses gender and the brain.

Author of “Pink Brain, Blue Brain” and neuroscientist Lise Eliot will give a talk about gender differences and the brain on Feb. 22.

Contact: Nancy Dunker, associate director of public relations, 630-637-5306

Feb. 8, 2011—North Central College welcomes neuroscientist Lise Eliot, author of “Pink Brain, Blue Brain: How Small Differences Grow into Troublesome Gaps and What We Can Do About It,” to speak about gender and the brain.

Eliot will give a free talk at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22, in North Central’s Meiley-Swallow Hall, 31 S. Ellsworth St., Naperville.

Students from other colleges may enroll in summer courses at North Central

Enrollment is underway for summer school at North Central College. Courses are open to students from other colleges.

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

Feb. 19, 2011—Enrollment is underway for summer school at North Central College. Courses are open to students from other colleges and to all North Central undergraduate and graduate students.

College appoints coordinator of undergraduate research

Nancy Peterson, professor of chemistry, was recently appointed the College’s first coordinator of undergraduate research.

Feb. 18, 2011—Nancy Peterson, professor of chemistry, was recently appointed the College’s first coordinator of undergraduate research. In making the announcement during a faculty meeting fall term 2010, R. Devadoss Pandian, vice president for academic affairs and dean of faculty, noted that one of the objectives of the 2007-2012 Strategic Plan is to expand faculty-student collaboration, including undergraduate research.

T-shirt giveaway for students at Saturday’s games

Members of the Legacy Program gave away FREE “Cardinal for Life” T-shirts to students on Jan. 19 at Kaufman Dining Hall and want to give away more.

Student volunteers train to help with taxes

Two North Central female students, from left, Emilie Sauer and Meghan Gash

A record 25 accounting majors are in training and working to pass an IRS exam and become certified to help low-income people with income tax returns.

Feb. 11, 2011—North Central students are participating in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, providing free federal and state income tax assistance for the elderly, non-English speaking individuals, and low-income families and individuals earning less than $49,000.

International Festival is Feb. 13

Dancers with the Nartan Indian Academy of Dance

The 15th Annual International Festival offers the campus community an opportunity to become immersed in a variety of cultures from across the globe.

Contact: Nancy Dunker, associate director of public relations, 630-637-5306

Jan. 20, 2011—North Central College will host its 15th Annual International Festival on Feb. 13, offering the community an opportunity to become immersed in a variety of cultures from across the globe. During the festival, visitors can sample authentic international cuisine, enjoy ethnic dancing and live music, experience a language immersion room and take part in games and crafts from around the world.