May 2012 | North Central College

Andrea Hehn earns 2012 Outstanding Student in Interdisciplinary Studies Award

Andrea Hehn was awarded the 2012 Outstanding Student in Interdisciplinary Studies Award during Honors Day May 15 at North Central College.

May 17, 2012—Andrea Hehn of Portland, Ore., was awarded the 2012 Outstanding Student in Interdisciplinary Studies Award during Honors Day May 15 at North Central College.

Hehn is a senior pursuing an individualized major in environmental studies at North Central College. She is the daughter of Lyle and Carrie Hehn and is a 2008 graduate of U.S. Grant High School.

The College does not offer a major program in environmental studies, but students may declare an individualized major in programs not offered by the College.

Architectural group honors North Central’s Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center

North Central College’s Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center has received an award from the Illinois chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

May 17, 2012—North Central College’s Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center has received the top design award in its category from the Illinois chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

The facility was recognized with the AIA’s 2012 Mies van der Rohe Award in the category for innovative design. More than 140 entries in six service categories and 13 design categories were judged by architects. The 2012 AIA awards were announced April 13 in Springfield.

Jessica Brewster receives academic award for her work in art

Jessica Brewster of Sleepy Hollow was awarded the 2012 Diane Duvigneaud Senior Art Award at North Central College.

Jessica Brewster of Sleepy Hollow, Ill., was awarded the 2012 Diane Duvigneaud Senior Art Award during Honors Day May 15 at North Central College. This award is presented to a North Central student who demonstrates exceptional growth and creativity in art.

Brewster is a senior majoring in studio art with minors in dance and English at North Central College. She is the daughter of Philip and Elizabeth Brewster and a 2008 graduate of St. Edward Central Catholic High School in Elgin.

Aiste Kairys earns 2012 Outstanding Major in Interactive Media Studies Award

Aiste Kairys of Naperville was awarded the 2012 Outstanding Major in Interactive Media Studies Award during Honors Day May 15 at North Central College.

May 17, 2012—Aiste Kairys of Naperville was awarded the 2012 Outstanding Major in Interactive Media Studies Award during Honors Day May 15 at North Central College.

Kairys is a senior majoring in the interactive media studies graphic arts track with a minor in marketing. She is simultaneously taking graduate courses toward a master of arts in liberal studies (MALS) degree.

Rachel Garthe earns 2012 Outstanding Major in Psychology Award

Rachel Garthe of Peru was awarded the 2012 Outstanding Major in Psychology Award during Honors Day May 15 at North Central College.

May 17, 2012—Rachel Garthe of Peru was awarded the 2012 Outstanding Major in Psychology Award during Honors Day May 15 at North Central College.

Garthe is a December 2011 graduate of the College who majored in psychology with a minor in sociology. She is the daughter of William and Denise Garthe and a graduate of LaSalle-Peru Township High School.

She has accepted an offer to pursue master’s and doctoral degrees in developmental psychology beginning in the fall at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va.

Kirsten Coffman earns 2012 Outstanding Student in the Science Division Award

Kirsten Coffman of Machesney Park was awarded the 2012 Outstanding Student in the Science Division Award during Honors Day May 15 at North Central College.

May 17, 2012—Kirsten Coffman of Machesney Park was awarded the 2012 Outstanding Student in the Science Division Award during Honors Day May 15 at North Central College.

Coffman is a senior majoring in physics. She is the daughter of Terry and Karen Coffman and a graduate of Harlem Senior High School. After graduating from North Central in June, she plans to pursue a doctorate in biomedical engineering at the Mayo Clinic’s Mayo Graduate School in Rochester, Minn.

Jonathan Rascher earns Outstanding Majors in Computer Science, Mathematics awards

Jonathan Rascher of Bartlett was recognized with two academic awards during Honors Day May 15 at North Central College.

May 17, 2012—Jonathan Rascher of Bartlett was recognized with two academic awards during Honors Day May 15 at North Central College.

Rascher earned two department honors, the 2012 Outstanding Major in Computer Science Award and the 2012 Outstanding Major in Mathematics Award. In addition to double-majoring in computer science and mathematics, Rascher is earning a minor in interactive media studies when he graduates from the College in June.

Grace Muganda earns 2012 Outstanding Major in Biochemistry Award

Grace Muganda of Bolingbrook was awarded the 2012 Outstanding Major in Biochemistry Award during Honors Day May 15 at North Central College.

May 17, 2012—Grace Muganda of Bolingbrook was awarded the 2012 Outstanding Major in Biochemistry Award during Honors Day May 15 at North Central College.

Muganda is a senior double-majoring in biochemistry and computer science with minors in mathematics and bioinformatics. She is the daughter of Godfrey and Lore Muganda, and was home-schooled. She plans to pursue graduate studies in the fall at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Peoria.

Rebecca Tran earns North Central College's 2012 Outstanding Major in Biology Award

Rebecca Tran of Aurora was awarded the 2012 Outstanding Major in Biology Award during Honors Day May 15 at North Central College.

May 17, 2012—Rebecca Tran of Aurora was awarded the 2012 Outstanding Major in Biology Award during Honors Day May 15 at North Central College.

Tran is a senior majoring in biology with a minor in mathematics. She is the daughter of Louis and Susan Tran and a graduate of Waubonsie Valley High School. After graduating from North Central College in June, she intends to pursue graduate studies in medical school.

Szymon Kesek of Schiller Park earns 2012 Outstanding Major in Philosophy Award

Szymon Kesek of Schiller Park was awarded the 2012 Outstanding Major in Philosophy Award during Honors Day May 15 at North Central College.

May 17, 2012—Szymon Kesek of Schiller Park was awarded the 2012 Outstanding Major in Philosophy Award during Honors Day May 15 at North Central College.

Kesek is a sophomore double-majoring in philosophy and political science with a minor in history of ideas. He is the son of Jan Kesek and Barbara Szczepanik-Kesek and a graduate of East Leyden High School.