April 2012 | North Central College

Gems completes Fulbright assignments of teaching, advising, giving lectures

Gerald Gems, professor of health and physical education

Gerald Gems, North Central College professor of health and physical education, lectured and consulted as Fulbright Senior Specialist in Sweden and Denmark.

Gerald Gems, North Central College professor of health and physical education, completed his Fulbright responsibilities from March 10 to 23 in Sweden and Denmark. At Sweden’s Malmö University, he presented a lecture on “Sport, Colonialism, and Politics in the U.S.A.” and held a seminar for Ph.D. graduate students. At the University of Copenhagen, he presented a public lecture on “Sport, Ethnicity, and the Formation of a National Identity” and taught a class on sport concussions to a sport psychology class.

Rivera presented talk to instructors at music school

Nicole Rivera, adjunct assistant professor of psychology

Nicole Rivera, North Central College adjunct assistant professor of psychology, gave presentation on learning disabilities to instructors at Chicago school.

Nicole Rivera, North Central College adjunct assistant professor of psychology, presented a session titled “Learning Disabilities: Implications for Learning, Self and Behavior” for instructors at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago on March 25. The session was part of a joint meeting between the Old Town School of Folk Music and the Illinois Association for Music Therapy.

HR Brown Bag learning sessions for faculty and staff

North Central’s Office of Human Resources will host its first Brown Bag learning session of spring term for faculty and staff on Thursday, April 5, in room 10 at the White Activities Center. Two sessions about understanding Blue Cross and Blue Shield services are offered: noon to 12:50 p.m. and 1 to 1:50 p.m. Bring your lunch for one of the sessions and learn about BCBS discounts, reward programs, 24-hour nurse line, viewing claims and more.

For more information and to RSVP contact laforsythe@noctrl.edu or 630-637-5759.

This week’s top internships and law enforcement workshop April 4

Check out these new student internship opportunities, including a workshop on law enforcement April 4. To learn more, contact Marlene Starzyk, assistant director of Career Development and internship coordinator, at 630-637-5143 or mstarzyk@noctrl.edu, or stop by her office in WAC, room 101.

SIFE presents NCC’s Best Easter Gift Event

Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) will host its NCC’s Best Easter Gift Event, presenting quality gift items and products for a sustainable future, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 4, on the front lawn of the 116 S. Brainard House.

Students will have great Easter gift items on display and available for purchase, either by cash or check, with free gift wrapping and samples of Conscious Bean Coffee.

Marketing, finance alumna Sarah Ackerman honored as a 'Rising Star'

Sarah Ackerman, who earned a bachelor's degree in marketing and finance from North Central College in 2006, has been honored with a "Rising Star" award.

Sarah Ackerman, who earned a bachelor's degree in marketing and finance from North Central College in 2006, has been honored with a "Rising Star" award by a pair of special events trade groups.

Ackerman works for GEP Destination Management in the Atlanta area. Each year the Greater Atlanta Chapters of the International Special Events Society (ISES) and the National Association of Catering Executives (NACE) produce the Allie Awards.

Alumnus Robert Taylor named finalist for Golden Apple teaching award

Robert Taylor, who earned his MAEd from North Central College in 2000, has been named a finalists for the Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching.

Robert Taylor, who earned his master’s of education (MAEd) degree in curriculum and instruction from North Central College in 2000, has been named one of 32 finalists for the Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching.

Taylor is a second-grade teacher at Central Road School in Palatine in Community Consolidated School District 15. He has taught in District 15 since 1997. He became a National Board Certified Teacher in 2003, and is currently renewing that certification.

Oesterle Library presents spring term exhibits, newsletter

During spring term, North Central’s Oesterle Library will feature publications by faculty members, the history of Cornerstone Day and highlights of the College’s Sesquicentennial Celebration. The displays are showcased in the library’s lobby.

Community Publications
David Fisher, professor of philosophy.
• “Law and Revenge Violence: From Saga to Modern Fiction” in Teaching Law and Literature, 2011.

Spring term contemplative series begins April 4

North Central’s department of religious studies invites students, faculty and staff to attend any or all of the series of events this spring focusing on the contemplative dimension of human experience. Short presentations by practitioners from diverse traditions will be followed by contemplative exercises; participation in the exercises is entirely optional.

The following events will take place at 4 p.m. in room 36 at Goldspohn Hall:

• Mindfulness Meditation: Wednesdays on April 4, April 18, May 2

All-campus tornado drill April 3

North Central College will conduct an all-campus tornado drill at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 3. This tornado drill will coincide with the monthly Naperville siren test and last approximately 15 minutes. During Tuesday’s drill, the College will simultaneously test its Outdoor Alert System and network pop-up notification system.

When the siren sounds, each person on campus should move to a designated tornado safe area. These areas are identified on the emergency information cards located in each classroom, office and residence hall room.