North Central NOW Annual Report 2010

Don Moravec '69

Don Moravec '69 frequently relies upon the principles forged in a 31-year career as an educator in his current role as North Central's head women's tennis coach.

"Coaching is educating, but in a different setting," he says. "They both involve having knowledge of a subject and being able to demonstrate it to others. They both require repetition, and they both require good fundamentals, whether it's taking general math before algebra or having the proper grip on a racket before you serve."

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.

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.

John Rygiewicz: Lessons in Hard Work

Students who choose to work in the maintenance department with John Rygiewicz are expected to put out a lot of energy in all types of weather. And they quickly learn that they are part of a tradition of camaraderie, hard work and pride that complements their transformation into well-rounded young adults. They also learn a work ethic that has long been the hallmark of North Central's maintenance staff.

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.

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.

Kathy Guy '98 Guthrie: Inspired by Great Teaching

Teaching at Florida State Univeristy in Tallahassee, FL, Kathy Guy '98 Guthrie still has flashbacks to her days at North Central College. When she ponders how to best reach her students, she reflects on her days as a student of Tom Cavenagh, Schneller Sisters Professor of Leadership, Ethics and Values. " I still think about his teaching today, how he would get students to care about a topic," she says. "He was one of the people at North Central who changed my life."

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.

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.

Joey Sanchez '95: Coaching with Impact

In 15 years as a history teacher at Barrington High School and nine years as head football coach, Joey Sanchez '95 demonstrates principles that he experienced both as a music student in North Central's Concert Choir and as a four-year football player with coaches that included Jim Miller '86, now North Central's athletic director.

"My philosophy is, 'what are we doing to make them better people in the long run?'" he says of his approach. "Maybe it's reinforcing that they should arrive on time, ready to engage in studying or practice."