North Central College

The North Central College Departments of Occupational and Physical Therapy held their annual interprofessional education (IPE) collaboration event at Stevenson Hall on June 26. The purpose of the event was to teach students role delineation between two intersecting professions, occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT), which are often confused with one another.

This year’s event was organized by Dr. Sarah Tylkowski (PT), Dr. Maud Makoni (OT), Dr. Gillian McLean (PT), and Dr. Theresa Christopher (OT). The professors covered the public knowledge gap that often exists between OT and PT by engaging students in a critical thinking exercise.

Students were provided with a pre-assignment on a hospital-based case study before being divided into small groups of PT and OT students. Together, the teams discussed the case, created an evaluation format, identified the similarities and differences between their respective disciplines, and received an evaluation from the professors.

Interactive events such as these increase student preparedness for fieldwork and transition into practice and reinforce practitioner collaboration, resulting in more significant patient outcomes. Great job, Cardinals!

Summer break checklist:

☀️ Enjoy the warm weather
⏰ Spend time with family and friends
❤️ Attend one of our Campus Visit Days to learn more about life as a Cardinal!

Reserve your spot for one of our upcoming dates today! https://bit.ly/3ybehne

Wishing our Cardinal family near and far a safe and happy Fourth of July! 🎇

A reminder that the College will be closed today and tomorrow and will reopen on Monday, July 8.

After joining the North Central alumni family in May, elementary education major Gurveen Lally ’24 reflected on what makes North Central special and what she loves most about teaching.

Read more about her experience as a Cardinal by visiting https://bit.ly/4buJ3Fu.

Over the past few weeks, campus has been bustling with activity from our summer camps.

With athletic camps ranging from basketball to wrestling, it has been a joy welcoming kids and teens to our state-of-the-art facilities for a fun-filled summer! 🤼‍♂️⚽️

It’s not too late to grab tickets to see The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra perform this month on the Wentz Concert Hall stage! 🎺🎶

Reserve yours today at https://bit.ly/3qHa1Wp.

“In The Mood” for swing music? On July 24, The World-Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra will perform their greatest hits on the Wentz Concert Hall stage. The 17 member orchestra, their lead singers, and vocal group will perform their catalog of big band classics just the way they would have over 80 years ago when Glenn Miller stood in front of his band. For tickets, visit https://northcentral.vbotickets.com/event/The_Glenn_Miller_Orchestra/119989

What are your fellow North Central alumni up to?

Check out Class Notes in the latest issue of the North Central College magazine to see job changes and promotions, awards and recognition, new degrees earned, weddings, babies, passings, and more: https://bit.ly/3RRTXOV.

Email [email protected] today to share your news for the next issue!

Women’s wrestling is the fastest-growing collegiate sport, and the North Central College Athletics program has quickly gone from a start-up to one of the most successful nationwide.

Read why student-athletes from across the country are coming to Naperville to wrestle by visiting https://bit.ly/45D61cv.

How many colors are in your cup? In the latest issue of the North Central College magazine, Jennifer Shah, assistant professor of education, reflects on an exercise she uses in one of her courses.

Learn more by reading her essay here: https://bit.ly/4ceOzxb.

Have you ever heard of Tyrian purple? Going back to the Bronze Age, garments dyed with the rare color were associated with royalty and social status because the dye was so difficult to make.

The latest issue of North Central College magazine looks at how students tackled an age-old chemistry challenge: create a new synthesis for developing the coveted dye to be scaled for commercial production.

Read more about “Project Purple” by visiting https://bit.ly/45WDHSF.

Bishop Tracy Smith ’90 Malone, who was recently named president of the Council of Bishops for the United Methodist Church, was interviewed for a Good Morning America story about how some religious institutions are becoming more inclusive of all worshippers.

Watch here: https://bit.ly/3VCySJj.

The spring-summer issue of North Central College magazine is here! Highlights include:

🔴 Cover Feature: Redefining Health Sciences Education
Learn about the many new graduate-level health sciences programs North Central offers, including MSPAS, MAT, DPT, MOT, and MSN. Plus, see what makes them different.

⚫️ Finding the Story within the Stream
See how a faculty-led, grant-funded project enabled students to dive into documentary filmmaking and raise awareness about regional waterways conservation.

🔴 Classroom Conversations
The ability to engage in thoughtful discussion and navigate disparate viewpoints is a vital life skill. Learn how North Central faculty facilitate productive, respectful dialogue.

You can read the whole issue on your phone, tablet, or desktop here: https://bit.ly/4eFxf6r.

Admitted students: we’ve got everything you need to celebrate your milestone of becoming !

From party decorations to mobile wallpapers, download all the ways you can showcase your Cardinal Pride here: https://bit.ly/3zclPH7.

Happy first day of summer, Cardinals! ☀️

Throwback to 1965 when students enjoyed a beautiful day on campus on Old Main lawn.

Today, the College is closed to commemorate Juneteenth and encourage the campus community to learn more about the day and its significance to our nation’s history.

For further learning, including resources and upcoming events you can attend in the local area, visit https://bit.ly/3XwkwwO.

North Central has been awarded a five-year, $1.45 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) through the NSF Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program.

This is the College’s largest NSF grant to date and the fourth major NSF grant awarded to the College in the past two and a half years, totaling more than $3 million in research and programming support for students in the STEM field.

The grant will go toward funding the College’s Commitment to Recruit, Educate, and Assist Teachers in Equity (CREATE) project, which aims to prepare and support culturally responsive high school teachers in biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, and mathematics.

Read more about this exciting grant here: https://bit.ly/4b6aUfk.

Congratulations to sport management major Paige Runkle ’25, who was recently named the first recipient of the Al Carius-Frank Gramarosso Endowed Scholarship!

Established by alumni and friends of North Central College in honor of the two iconic coaches, mentors and teachers, the scholarship provides need-based financial assistance to students seeking careers in primary, secondary or higher education, coaching, or health and wellness.

“Wanting to be a coach in the future and make a positive impact on young lives is something that drove me,” said Runkle. “Knowing that there are people out there who think I have the qualities to impact people like Al and Grammy have is an absolute honor.”

To read more, visit https://bit.ly/3VJckb5.

Happy Father’s Day to all of the amazing Cardinal fathers and father figures! ❤️👏

Happy Pride Month, Cardinals! We’re proud to stand with and celebrate our LGBTQIA+ community—this month and every other month. 🏳️‍🌈❤️

For campus resources for LGBTQIA+ community members and allies, visit https://bit.ly/4bXcdOG.

North Central alumni Shelby Slager ’19 and Nathan Leatherman ’18 Slager combined forces to write and create a 15-minute original film titled “Chasing June.”

Using elements of magical realism to explore the themes of grief and returning home, the original film earned them a spot at the 24th annual Beverly Hills Film Festival last month, with Shelby being named Best Actress for her work in the film.

Read more about the making of “Chasing June” in the Naperville magazine here: https://bit.ly/3xcUiEC.

Chasing Hollywood By Jeff Banowetz Two North Central College alums debuted their short film at the Beverly Hills Film Festival A scene from Chasing June The path to making a film, even a short film, isn’t easy. But …

Recently, new guests emerged on campus—the 13-year Brood XIX and the 17-year Brood XIII. These days, campus is humming with their cicada songs.

Despite many of these guests buzzing around, there is no need for concern. Most trees in our campus arboretum are mature and, therefore, are not expected to experience dieback.

Additionally, “newly planted trees that are favored by cicadas will be wrapped in tulle fabric to protect them,” said Head Groundskeeper Paul Hack.

A special shoutout to our Maintenance and Grounds Team for protecting our trees and always keeping our campus beautiful! 🌳

When reflecting on one of his best experiences at North Central, Ian LaPat ’24 quickly answered studying abroad. As a commuter student, LaPat never lived away from home. However, after one trip, he could not get enough of it. “I am very grateful that studying abroad and applying for grants to travel are supported.”

Read more about LaPat’s time as a Cardinal below or by visiting: https://bit.ly/3yRsaaF.

Four years, 15+ students and 25+ coffee farmers to create one inspiring documentary film.

This Friday, June 7, the North Central Coffee Lab will host the premiere of "Visions of Coffee." Made in collaboration with the Kaqchikel Maya farmers of Café Juan Ana, the documentary film tells the stories of indigenous coffee farmers—the very farmers The Coffee Lab works with.

The evening will include an espresso bar, a Guatemalan-style dinner, a film screening, a talk-back with Director Dr. Matthew Krystal, and a dessert reception to engage in conversation around coffee and culture.

To learn more, visit https://bit.ly/3VsyQVl.

We’re all smiles for Student Orientation! 🤩

We look forward to welcoming transfer students to campus today and kicking off our orientation program for our first-year students in just one week!

Whether you’re coming as a first-year student or a transfer student, our orientation programs will ensure that your transition to North Central is smooth and enjoyable. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3ReZ4Zb.

Congratulations to Ben Wong ’20 for being a recipient of the 2023-2024 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship!

Wong Receives NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship - North Central College Athletics North Central College graduate and former football student-athlete Ben Wong '20 has been selected as one of 126 student-athletes during the 2023-2024 academic year to receive an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship.

Each year, the Naperville community group Citizens Appreciate Public Safety (CAPS) recognizes public safety personnel for their contributions to the City.

On May 16, Ashley Klco M ’18, director of the North Central College Department of Campus Safety, presented the 2024 CAPS award to Officer Neil Adamski. A former Campus Safety officer who now works for the Naperville Police Department (NPD), Adamski patrols the zone that includes North Central’s campus, responding to calls at the College and offering mentorship to current Campus Safety officers pursuing careers in law enforcement.

Congratulations, Officer Adamski!

North Central has announced Dr. Mary Groll, MD, as the new dean of the School of Education and Health Sciences (SEHS), effective immediately.

Groll arrived at North Central in 2019 as the founding director of the College’s Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program and later became chair of the Department of Medical Sciences. Since July 2023, she has served as interim dean of SEHS.

“It is an honor to continue to serve North Central College and its amazing faculty, staff, and students in this role,” said Groll. “Together, we will double our efforts to educate the next generation of competent and compassionate educators and healthcare providers, as agents of change.”

To read more about her appointment, visit https://bit.ly/3R9G8eb.

Congratulations to mechanical engineering majors Abigail and Madeline Barickman ’25, who traveled to Seattle last month to present at the Materials Research Society 2024 Spring Meeting and Exhibit.

The two shared findings from research they conducted last summer with Dr. Shan-Ju Chiang, associate professor of mechanical engineering. As undergraduate students, Abigail and Madeline have already conducted engineering research AND presented at a professional conference. Did we mention they also play on the North Central College Women's Volleyball team?

To learn more about North Central’s engineering program, visit https://bit.ly/3VjvzaW.

Make the most of your break with a visit to North Central! Join us this summer for the opportunity to:

​​​​💭 Connect with some of our spirited students, staff, and professors dedicated to your success.
🤔 Get answers to your questions about opportunities at North Central and next steps.
🌳 Receive a guided walking tour and discover the beauty of our campus!

To reserve your spot for one of our upcoming Campus Visit Days, visit https://bit.ly/3ybehne.