Sesquicentennial | North Central College

Sesquicentennial Homecoming

North Central College’s Sesquicentennial Homecoming reunited classmates from various eras and gave current students plenty to celebrate.

Alumni traveled from dozens of states to attend reunions during homecoming week. Nineteen members of the class of 1951 gathered for their 60th reunion, with attendees traveling from California, Texas, Florida and other states.

Historic Naperville home dedicated as Abe House for North Central College trustee

North Central College has named a historic Naperville property in honor of William and Mary Abe in appreciation for their generous support of the College.

North Central College has named a historic Naperville property in honor of William and Mary Abe of Naperville in appreciation for their generous support of the College.

The property at 48 E. Jefferson Ave. was named Abe (pronounced ah-bee) House during an unveiling ceremony Nov. 12. Bill Abe, a 1950 alumnus of North Central, and Mary (Bomberger)—a 1952 alumna of the College—attended the surprise unveiling with other family members.

A Night to Remember

North Central College celebrates 150 years.

North Central College celebrated its Sesquicentennial in grand style Friday night, Nov. 11. More than 2,200 guests that included students, alumni, faculty, staff and community members gathered in the Residence Hall/Recreation Center for an evening of dining, dancing and entertainment.

The occasion marked the 150th anniversary of the first day of classes on Nov. 11, 1861.

150 Moments: Pfeiffer Hall and Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center

North Central College’s Pfeiffer Hall and Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center are fine and performing arts gems spanning two centuries.

North Central College’s Pfeiffer Hall and Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center are fine and performing arts gems of both the 20th and 21st centuries.

150 Moments: Meiley-Swallow Hall has faith beginnings

Built in 1909 with connections to founders of North Central College, the red brick church was acquired by the College and renamed Meiley-Swallow Hall in 2007.

Dedicated in 2007 as an academic and fine arts building, North Central College’s Meiley-Swallow Hall has connections to founders of the College.

The Evangelical Association was the founding church of North Central College. When the College relocated to Naperville in 1870, the Zion “Old Brick Church” Congregation (now Community United Methodist Church) was instrumental in funding the College’s relocation expenses and became the religious home of many of the professors and their families.

Local historian publishes column about College’s origins in Plainfield

Local historian Michael Lambert writes in Plainfield Patch about 19th century people and events that preceded the College’s origins in Plainfield.

“Although North Central College is officially 150 years old this week, the school has been a Naperville institution for a mere 141 years,” Lambert writes.

150 Moments: Eating and boarding clubs in the early years

North Central College did not provide room and dining facilities in the early 20th century, but private homes offered room and eating clubs served up meals.

During the early years, North Central College did not provide room and dining facilities. The original Kaufman Hall was not built until 1928 as the first women’s residence hall and dining facility built by the College.

150 Moments: Students hold protests in 1946 to lift ban on dancing

North Central College students ask trustees to lift dancing ban, then hold formal protest, including missing classes and dancing outside Old Main.

From the establishment of the College through the 19th century, social dancing at North Central College was viewed as a gateway to sin.

By the mid-20th century, students increasingly sought social change on campus to allow social dancing at North Central, signaling a deviation from traditional culture to a forward-minded collegiate culture. A student poll showed 70 percent of the students favored dancing.

150 Moments: Evangelical Theological Seminary

Evangelical Theological Seminary chapel service, Koten Chapel

North Central College and Evangelical Theological Seminary shared campus space, spiritual heritage from the College's earliest days in Naperville.

North Central College and Evangelical Theological Seminary, formerly the Union Biblical Institute, shared campus space and spiritual heritage from the College's earliest days in Naperville.

Incorporated in 1873, the Union Biblical Institute (UBI) began holding classes on North Central College’s campus in 1876, renting space in Old Main for a nominal fee. The Evangelical Association started UBI as a training ground for its pastors, missionaries and church workers.

Mayor declares Nov. 11 "North Central College Day" in City of Naperville

Robert Fieseler, from left, Harold R. Wilde and A. George Pradel.

Naperville Mayor A. George Pradel has declared Nov. 11 North Central College Day in the City of Naperville.

Nov. 7, 2011—Naperville Mayor A. George Pradel has declared Friday, Nov. 11 "North Central College Day" in the City of Naperville.

A resolution commemorating the College’s Sesquicentennial was read at the Nov. 1 meeting of the Naperville City Council and presented to College President Harold R. Wilde by council member Robert Fieseler.