General Academics Section | North Central College

North Central College honors Peace Corps administrator with Outstanding Alumni Award

North Central College is honoring Esther Benjamin, associate director for global operations for the Peace Corps, with a 2011 Outstanding Alumni Award.

This is the second of five weekly installments profiling individuals who will receive Alumni Awards & Recognition on Nov. 11 during North Central College’s Sesquicentennial Homecoming Celebration.

Oct. 10, 2011—North Central College is honoring Esther Benjamin of Mitchellville, Md., with a 2011 Outstanding Alumni Award.

North Central College biology alumna making career in avian research

Dana Ripper, a 1998 biology alumna of North Central College, is making a career of avian research, conservation and education.

The Naperville Sun recently featured Ripper and her work with the Missouri River Bird Observatory, an organization she co-founded.

North Central College students stage contemporary comedy “Distracted” Oct. 20-23

North Central College presents “Distracted,” a comedy about parents, children, doctors and their search for a diagnosis of their child’s illness.

North Central College presents “Distracted,” a thought-provoking comedy about parents and the tough choices they face.

Four performances of “Distracted” will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20, 21 and 22 and at 2 p.m. Oct. 23 in North Central College’s Madden Theatre at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. Tickets are $10/adults and $8/students and senior citizens; call the North Central College Box Office at 630-637-SHOW (7469) or visit northcentralcollege.edu/showtix.

Google internship leads to job offer for computer science, math major

North Central College student Jonathan Rascher’s experience as a summer intern with Google has led to an offer of a full-time job with the company.

Oct. 13, 2011—North Central College computer science and mathematics double major Jonathan Rascher’s experience as a summer intern with Google has led to an offer of a full-time job with the company.

North Central College awarded McCormick Foundation grant for principal preparation

North Central alumna Mavis DeMar, principal of Hermes Elementary School, Aurora.

North Central College is participating in a McCormick Foundation-funded study to help the state determine new requirements for principal preparation programs.

Sept. 15, 2011—North Central College is participating in a McCormick Foundation-funded study to help the state determine new requirements for principal preparation programs at Illinois colleges and universities.

North Central’s inclusion as a recipient of grant funds from the McCormick Foundation is the latest example of how North Central College’s undergraduate and graduate degrees in education are among the most rigorous in the State of Illinois, says Kristine Servais, associate professor of education and coordinator of master of education programs at North Central.

U.S. News & World Report names North Central among America’s Best Colleges

For the 18th consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report names North Central College among “America’s Best Colleges.”

Sept. 15, 2011—For the 18th consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report names North Central College among “America’s Best Colleges.”

North Central is ranked No. 23 in the Midwest in the Regional Universities category—schools that offer a full range of undergraduate and master’s degrees.

North Central College alumnus named finalist for Illinois Teacher of the Year Award

Josh Stumpenhorst '03 Teacher of the Year finalist

North Central College alumnus Josh Stumpenhorst is among nine finalists for the 2011-2012 Illinois Teacher of the Year Award.

“I’m very humbled and grateful,” Stumpenhorst said of his nomination. “We don’t go into this profession to receive recognition.”

Stumpenhorst, a 2003 graduate of North Central College, teaches language arts and social science to sixth graders at Lincoln Junior High School in Naperville Community Unit School District 203. He credits his experience at North Central for helping him achieve success as an educator.

North Central College welcomes Sesquicentennial author Bill Bryson Oct. 26

North Central College will host a talk by Bill Bryson Oct. 26 as part of the College’s Sesquicentennial Author Series presented by Anderson’s Bookshops.

Oct. 7, 2011—North Central College will host a talk by Bill Bryson Oct. 26 as part of the College’s Sesquicentennial Author Series presented by Anderson’s Bookshops.

Bryson’s talk begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, in the Theatre at Meiley-Swallow Hall, 31 S. Ellsworth St. The cost is $22 and includes a copy of a new paperback edition of his book “At Home: A Short History of Private Life,” and admission to the author event, question-and-answer session and signing line.

North Central College begins Sesquicentennial year with record enrollment

North Central College begins its Sesquicentennial year with record enrollment of more than 3,000 students.

Sept. 6, 2011—North Central College begins its Sesquicentennial year with a record number of students.

The College—which on Nov. 11 will mark the 150th anniversary of its 1861 founding—anticipates total enrollment to exceed 3,000 as the 2011-2012 academic year begins. The year is expected to begin with more than 2,700 undergraduate students and nearly 300 graduate students.

North Central graduate nominated for national broadcasting award

North Central College student broadcaster Lucas Mitzel of Aurora has been nominated for a national award.

Aug. 26, 2011—North Central College student broadcaster Lucas Mitzel of Aurora has been nominated for a national award.

Mitzel is nominated in the Best Radio Podcast category of the annual Collegiate Broadcasters Inc. (CBI) National Student Production Awards.