Norah Flaherty ’19 stirred attendants with her student address. Flaherty, a speech communication major and All-American competitor in forensics, encouraged her fellow graduates to pursue their own genuine goals as they venture into a world of large expectations and competing influences.

"It takes a lot of courage to follow that little voice in your head because the things it wants are really tough,” Flaherty said. “Wherever you go, whatever you do, make sure it sings with your soul. Because that is the song a Cardinal sings."

Award winners and faculty emeriti at Commencement recognized for important contributions

Three retiring faculty were honored and received emeritus status: James Donovan, professor in the Shimer Great Books School emeritus; David Horner, Harold and Eva White Distinguished Professor in the Liberal Arts Emeritus; and Richard Paine, professor of speech communication and theatre emeritus, who has been the foundation of the North Central forensics team since 1983.

Other highlights included the presentation of four special awards. Michael Brower ’19 received the Mark A. Reid Leadership Award, Trustee Steve Sellers ’76 was recognized with the Gael D. Swing Award for Meritorious Service, and Head Men’s Track and Field Coach Frank Gramarosso received the Harold and Eva White First Citizen of the College Award. New this year was the Dr. Marti Bogart Award for Distinguished Collaboration, which went to Schneller Sisters Professor of Leadership, Ethics & Values, Professor of Business Law, and Co-Director of the Center for Social Impact, Thomas Cavenagh.

The Mark A. Reid Leadership Award is named for Mark Reid, who was a campus leader and president of the Student Governing Association (SGA) when he was killed in an auto accident in 1984. Brower received the award by vote of the senior class for his leadership and selflessness. Brower majored in mathematics and secondary education. He’s been heavily involved with Junior/Senior Scholars, Blue Key Honor Society and in mentoring future education majors. He was also a freshmen orientation and Cardinal camp leader.

The Gael D. Swing Award, named for North Central’s eighth president, recognizes extraordinary contributions to the life of the College. Sellers is the owner of Applied Noetics in Batavia, Ill. In 1997, he joined the Board of Trustees, where he served as chair of the liaison committee from 2005 until 2018. He’s now serving as chair of the academic affairs committee. In addition, Sellers has been coaching in the College’s golf program since 2012, and he was named CCIW Men’s Golf Coach of the Year in 2019.

The Harold and Eva White First Citizen of the College Award honors a North Central student, faculty or staff member who exemplifies the best of North Central College. Gramarosso became a full-time assistant coach at North Central College in 1985 and by 1989, the men’s track and field team won indoor and outdoor national titles. Out of a total of 12 men’s track and field national titles in College history, the team has earned five since he became head coach in 2010.

“Importantly, he is fully committed to pushing student-athletes to achieve their best, supports a team concept 100 percent, and displays a selfless attitude that permeates the program,” President Troy D. Hammond said of Gramarosso. “This program would not be where it is today without his focus, extraordinary management skills and dedication.”

The Dr. Marti Bogart Award is presented annually to recognize a faculty member or academic administrator who bridges the important academic and student development functions of North Central College. It was established in 2018 upon the retirement of Dr. Bogart, whose esteemed career spanned 38 years. Cavenagh has directed the Leadership, Ethics and Values (LEV) program since 2006. Early in his career, he founded the Dispute Resolution Center. Cavenagh has been instrumental in helping the College launch the Center for Social Impact, achieve the Ashoka Changemaker Campus designation, create new LEV majors and minors, and land a $3.2 million grant from the Kern Foundation for character education.

For photos and video from the Commencement ceremony, visit northcentralcollege.edu/commencement.