Classnotes | North Central College

Student volunteers serve local refugee community

From left, elementary education and Spanish majors Sarah Hall ’12 and Liz Linnin

North Central College’s service learning program was featured in an online story.

March 9, 2011—In early 2011, the Aurora office of World Relief published a story on its website about North Central College student volunteers who tutor and serve refugee children on a weekly basis as part of the College’s service learning program. Here’s that story, written by World Relief intern Glenn Oviatt.

Alumna Cynthia Jele wins Commonwealth Writers’ Prize

Alumna and author Cynthia Jele has won the 2011 Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for the Best First Book in the African region.

Alumna Cynthia Jele wins Commonwealth Writers’ Prize

March 7, 2011—North Central graduate and author Cynthia Jele has won the 2011 Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for the Best First Book in the African region for her novel “Happiness is a Four-letter Word.”

Jele earns a trip to the Sydney Writers Festival in May, when her book will compete against finalists from other Commonwealth regions for two overall best first book awards.

Dave Rivait '82

Dave Rivait was appointed deputy chief financial officer of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) on July 18. DOT is one of 15 cabinet departments, with a budget of $80 billion and 55,000 employees. He may be reached at rivtreas@aol.com.

Amy Clarke '03 Sievers

Amy Clarke Sievers was promoted to director of student involvement/associate director of the First-Year Experience at North Central College. She lives in Glen Ellyn, IL, and may be reached at aeclarkesievers@noctrl.edu.

James W. Schlusemann '84/M ’93

James W. Schlusemann M ’93 was named international director of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME). He joined SME in 1989 and served on its board of directors in 2005 and 2006. He’s the director of global business integration for Navistar, Inc.’s Engine Group, one of the world’s largest truck and engine manufacturers, and leads a team charged with expanding Navistar’s engine business to China. During his 37-year career with the company, he has driven technology solutions that support high quality products, a streamlined cost structure and global growth.

Mike Reeb '03

Mike Reeb released an album of original music titled “Breaking” on September 1. The songs are available on iTunes or for free at mikereeb.com. In addition to writing the songs, he played drums, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, keyboard and tambourine for the album.

Michael D. Oldenettel '88

Michael D. Oldenettel was named the 2011 Treasurer for the Illinois Association of Realtors. He’ll serve as chair of the finance committee and vice chair of the strategic planning committee. Active in real estate for 21 years, he’s the managing broker/owner of RE/MAX Results Plus, Inc. in Jacksonville, IL. He’s a two-term past president of the Jacksonville Area Association of Realtors and led the association in 1995 and again in 2005. He’s served as president of the Illinois Real Estate Educational Foundation in 2007 and 2008 and served twice as dean of the Realtors Institute Working Group.

Rob Hamilton '04

Rob Hamilton was ordained in June and named associate pastor at Glenview United Methodist Church in Glenview, IL. He graduated from Garrett-Evangelical Seminary and as a North Central student was involved with service opportunities and New Beginnings VBS through campus ministry. He actively promotes New Beginnings to other Methodist churches.

Jeff Schaetzke '92

Jeff Schaetzke was the music director of a musical “Dames at Sea” at Skylight Opera Theatre in the Cabot Theatre in Wisconsin, which ran September 17 to October 3. Called “the most ingenious show on or off Broadway” by Time Magazine, “Dames at Sea” is a musical parody of the grand and glorious Busby Berkeley movie musicals of the 1930s. He lives in Grafton, WI, with his wife Sheila.

Michelle Porcellino '05

Michelle Porcellino is a grant writer at North Central College. She joined the advancement team after working two years at the Center for Clinical Cancer Genetics and Global Health Initiative division of biological sciences at the University of Chicago. Previously she was a health communications fellow at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Rockland, MD. She received her master’s degree in technical and scientific communication at Miami University in Ohio. She lives in Orland Park, IL, and may be reached at meporcellino@noctrl.edu.