1998 Recipients
Wilbert Snyder
Class Year: 1926
Outstanding Alumni Award Winner 1998
Wilbert Snyder worked for the National Bureau of Standards for 60 years. One of his greatest accomplishments with the Bureau was authoring an 842-page volume titled “Achievements in Radio,” a monumental publication covering 70 years of radio history. He also did research in the fields of sound, acoustics, radar, microwaves, electromagnetic standards and measurements. Snyder’s many distinctions include a bronze medal from the Department of Commerce. He was an elected member of the honor society for scientific research, Sigma Xi, and a fellow of the Acoustical Society of America and the Radio Club of America
Robert Stephen Jr.
Class Year: 1948
Outstanding Alumni Award Winner 1998
Robert Stephen was a teacher and department chairman for 43 years at Naperville Central High School and Waubonsie Valley High School. Upon his retirement, he also taught at the College of DuPage, North Central College, Illinois Benedictine College, George Williams College, Aurora University and the National College of Education. Stephen wrote two books, “Developing and Understanding World Problems” and “People and Progress.” He was a member of many professional organizations, councils and educational programs and received numerous awards, including the University of Chicago’s outstanding teacher award.
Marguerite Veh Lueptow
Class Year: 1953
Outstanding Alumni Award Winner 1998
Marguerite Veh Lueptow was the executive secretary and director of Leuptow’s Inc., a family-owned furniture and appliance store in Port Washington, Wisc., where she remained on the board of directors even after retirement. For 16 years she also owned and operated ShipMate Self-Service Laundry. She has been involved in numerous service organizations, including a stint as president of the Wisconsin Jayceettes. She has been included in Outstanding Young Women of America, has been named Outstanding Wisconsin Jayceette of the Year, and received the Sparkler Award from the Port Washington Jayceettes. She is also an active member in the United Methodist Church, having served as a lay delegate for the Wisconsin Conference and the administrative council chairperson for her church.
Howard Mueller
Class Year: 1958
Outstanding Alumni Award Winner 1998
Rev. Howard Mueller, C. Frederick Toenniges Professor of Religious Studies received a bachelor of divinity degree from Evangelical Theological Seminary in 1961, a master of sacred theology degree from Yale University in 1962, and a doctorate of philosophy from Northwestern University in 1973. As an ordained minister, he served for three years as chaplain and instructor of religion at Albert Academy in Sierra Leone. Since joining the faculty of his alma mater in 1976, Mueller has received numerous awards for distinguished teaching. His classes—while very demanding—have been among the most sought-after by North Central students for nearly 30 years. In recognition of his many contributions, in 1996 North Central presented Mueller with the highest honor it confers on a member of its family: the Harold and Eva White First Citizen of the College Award. Most recently, Mueller was named Outstanding Educator of the Year by the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation.
Ric Federighi
Class Year: 1988
Alumni Recognition Award Winner 1998
Ric Federighi can be heard on the airwaves or seen on local morning news broadcasts throughout the Chicago area. Federighi is the manager of affiliate relations for Shadow Broadcast Services, which provides news, sports, weather, traffic, business and entertainment reports to more than 60 radio and television stations in the Chicago area. He has also given his time and talent to many worthy causes, including the Salvation Army, the March of Dimes and the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. Federighi also provides invaluable assistance in finding internships for North Central students at Chicago area radio and TV stations.