Feature News

North Central makes headlines with faculty experts and virtual commencement

Kelly Murphy

May 28, 2020

Media appearances provide guidance and hope in a world changed by COVID-19

As times of uncertainty continue, North Central College has stayed current within the media landscape. From providing expertise on timely topics to finding a new way to celebrate Commencement, the College has gone to great lengths to keep their community connected.

North Central celebrated its Class of 2020 in a special way for the College’s first-ever virtual commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 3. Each graduate selected a coach, colleague, faculty or staff member who had a profound impact on them to read their name. The presenters recorded the names on video, and hundreds of them were edited together and streamed over YouTube.

Given the unprecedented circumstances around this spring's commencement due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ceremony was recognized for celebrating the strong bonds that form between North Central students and their mentors. The personalized touch made an impact that resulted in significant media coverage for the College on a regional level.

Faculty and staff were among those who recorded presentations for graduating students.

Faculty and staff were among those who recorded presentations for graduating students.

The College’s subject matter experts also garnered national attention as they weighed in on topics related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Marci Swede, dean of the School of Education and Health Sciences, shared with the Associated Press (AP) how public spaces might look after the shelter-in-place orders. Adam Kotsko, visiting assistant professor in the Shimer Great Books School at North Central College, spoke to AP on the concept of the “invisible enemy” and how people grapple with things out of their control. Finally, some of North Central’s first-generation students spoke to National Public Radio about how their senior year at the College ended a lot sooner than originally anticipated and how that will shape their memories.

Check out some of North Central’s recent media placements, below:

Online/Print

Broadcast*

*Broadcast links will require you to click play prior to viewing the media placement