1985 Recipients
C. Wesley Eisele
Class Year: 1928
Outstanding Alumni Award Winner 1985
Dr. Eisele was president emeritus of Estes Park Institute, a non-profit education organization in Englewood, Colo., whose primary mission was the definition of emerging issues affecting high quality healthcare. Dr. Eisele founded the institute in 1964 and directed conferences there for more than 19,000 physicians, trustees and hospital executives from 1,200 community hospitals. He retired in 1972 as associate dean for postgraduate medical education at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He was also a founding member and president of the Board of Trustees of the Commission of Professional and Hospital Activities.
Beatrice Givler Gates
Class Year: 1932
Outstanding Alumni Award Winner 1985
Bea Gates served as an organist in local United Methodist churches for 33 years. She was employed by Kroehler Manufacturing Company in Naperville upon graduation from North Central. She was secretary to North Central Vice President Harvey Siemsen and edited the 1967 Alumni Directory. She remained active in numerous civic organizations and was a class representative.
Merrill Gates
Class Year: 1934
Outstanding Alumni Award Winner 1985
Merrill Gates served the public school system for 41 years, culminating his career as superintendent of DuPage County Schools from 1967 until his retirement in 1975. Prior to that appointment, he was assistant superintendent for 12 years, after serving as teacher, principal and curriculum coordinator. Among his many achievements were his roles in the start of a county film library, vocational education, co-op teacher training and the founding of College of DuPage.
Torrey A. Kaatz
Class Year: 1929
Outstanding Alumni Award Winner 1985
Torrey Kaatz became a North Central College Trustee in 1943. He was a facilities manager at Owens Illinois, Inc., in Toledo, Ohio, until his retirement in 1971. That same year, he was named Life Trustee of the College. Kaatz held many leadership roles in the United Methodist Church, including lay leader of the general conference. In June 1979, he was honored as the first lay person to be elected vice-chairman of the delegation. He was a member of the World Methodist Council from 1976-81 and was involved in the Hope United Methodist Church in Toledo. He also served on the Toledo District Board of Laity. Among his many honors was the Distinguished Layman’s Award from Otterbein College; the Golden Deed Award from the West Toledo Exchange Club, Toledo; and the Layman’s Award, Toledo Kiwanis Club.
Phillip E. Callighan
Class Year: 1974
Alumni Recognition Award Winner 1985
Phillip Callighan is senior account executive, Knorr Marketing in Traverse City, Mich. He promotes the agency as well as working on behalf of the company’s clients. Articles he has written have appeared in various publications ranging from Aerospace Engineering to Shotgun Magazine. Since moving to Michigan in 1993, Callighan has been involved with the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce, Old Town Playhouse Community Theatre, Central United Methodist Church and Encore Wind Symphony. Memberships in professional organizations include American Banking Association, Marketing Network and Northern Michigan Advertising Club.
William H. Robinson
Class Year: 1968
Alumni Recognition Award Winner 1985
After graduating from North Central College, William Robinson earned a doctorate in chemistry from the University of Illinois in 1972. Robinson worked 30 years in the technology area for DuPont and Goodyear. He enjoyed building teams and introducing change into large organizations. What was especially rewarding to Robinson was assisting in leading the implementation of computerization and the Internet into Goodyear’s Research and Development area. He is a member of the American Chemical Society and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. Robinson volunteers at his church and serves on an advisory board at Kent State, which helps raise money for MS and the Lung Association.