North Central News

North Central College dedicates Dr. Myron Wentz Center for Health Sciences & Engineering

Kelly Murphy

Oct 08, 2021

On Thursday, October 7, North Central College hosted a building dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Dr. Myron Wentz Center for Health Sciences & Engineering, located at 160 E. Chicago Ave, just east of Downtown Naperville.

Dr. Wentz ’63 (H)’11 contributed $10 million in support of the inspired instruction that will take place in the building for generations to come. The dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony provided the North Central community with an opportunity to thank Dr. Wentz for his generosity and love for his alma mater.

The ceremony featured remarks on the importance of the new building, its tremendous potential for generations of future students as well as the local community, and appreciation for Dr. Wentz and his stewardship of the College and its mission. Speakers included President Troy Hammond; Adrian Aldrich '02, assistant vice president for institutional advancement; Marci J. Swede, dean of the School of Education and Health Sciences; and Stephen Maynard Caliendo, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

The ribbon is cut to open the Wentz Center for Health Sciences & Engineering.

The ribbon is cut by Rick Spencer, retired vice president of institutional advancement, President Troy Hammond, and Dr. Myron Wentz.

Members of the community experienced the building’s thoughtful design and inviting finishes—along with state-of-the-art technologies—that make it an exciting addition to campus. The address of 160 was selected to commemorate the 160th year since the College’s founding.

Tour highlights showcased:

  • The Skills Lab with three-dimensional Anatomage tables that serve as virtual cadavers and allow students to perform traditional dissections using the virtual images of four patients.
A group is shown one of the anatomage tables at the Wentz Center for Health Sciences & Engineering.

Tim Woods, assistant professor of physician assistant studies, give a tour group a demonstration of the state-of-the-art 3D anatomage tables.

  • Handheld Clarius Ultrasound devices that connect via Bluetooth to personal cell phones and iPads and increase timely access to critical care. Only a few medical schools across the country use this technology, placing North Central College at the forefront of health science education.
A student uses a Handheld Clarius Ultrasound device.

A Handheld Clarius Ultrasound device in action.

  • Simulation rooms, including a hospital room, labor and delivery room, trauma room and a patient exam room. Instructors can observe students from behind one-way mirrors and use computer controls to alter the condition and response of high- and low-fidelity mannequins that serve as patients.
A simulation room is displayed on a tour.

Tour groups get a demonstration in one of the Simulation Rooms.

  • The Manufacturing Processes Lab for the College’s engineering programs, where students have access to high-precision lasers that can cut metal and non-metals; a 3D printer with a 4-foot by 8-foot build surface; two computerized numerical control (CNC) milling machines; a CNC lathe; and a 3-ton bridge crane.

 

The Manufacturing Processes Lab is shown to a tour group.

Frank Harwath, director of the engineering program, takes a tour group through the Manufacturing Processes Lab.

For more images of the Center and its features, check out this photo gallery. You can also watch a video recap of this exciting event.

An outdoor view of the Wentz Center for Health Sciences & Engineering.