Northwestern College (Illinois)

Northwestern College Logo

Northwestern College (NC), formerly Northwestern Business College, is an institution of higher education offering associate in applied science degree programs and certificate programs. It has no affiliation with Northwestern University. It is primarily known for being the alma mater of John Wayne Gacy.

History

Northwestern College’s history began in 1902, when J.F. Fish decided that businesses would need competent, well-trained workers. The College opened its doors at 1747 N. Robey Street (later known as Damen Avenue) offering programs in accounting and stenography. NC changed ownership in the mid-30’s when Myrtle M. Voss purchased it. During Voss’s ownership, Violet Schumacher enrolled in the College to enhance her office skills. Voss was so impressed with Violet that she hired her before she even completed her studies. Violet Schumacher rapidly advanced from receptionist to admissions representative to director of admissions, to registrar, to director.^{[citation needed]}

In 1958, Violet Schumacher and her husband, Edward Schumacher, purchased Northwestern College from Voss. The slow, yet steady growth of the College continued under Violet Schumacher’s guidance. In the 1970s, Northwestern College attained significant success by increasing its enrollment and gaining credibility as an outstanding Chicago educational institution. In 1973, Northwestern College received both degree-granting status from the Illinois Board of Higher Education, and accreditation from the Accrediting Commission for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS). The College’s continued growth led to another relocation to Belmont and Lavergne Avenues in 1976. During this period, Violet Schumacher’s daughter and son came to work for the College. Nancy Schumacher Kucienski managed the academic areas and Lawrence W. Schumacher took on responsibilities in the administrative and recruitment areas. When Edward Schumacher died in 1977, Lawrence W. Schumacher and Nancy Schumacher Kucienski formed Lancelot, Incorporated, and purchased Northwestern College from their mother. It was at this time that Violet Schumacher took a less active role in the day-to-day operations, and Lawrence W. Schumacher became president of the College.

In 1987, Northwestern College opened a second campus in the southwest suburbs, thereby bringing its programs to a new community. The 1990s were marked by a series of exciting new developments. Northwestern College actively sought and achieved regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and the southwest suburban campus moved to new, larger facilities in Hickory Hills. By the end of the decade, the College earned even greater recognition – each program offered by the College achieved accreditation or recognition from a related professional organization.^{[citation needed]}

In 2001, Northwestern College brought its programs to the western suburbs, opening a third campus in Naperville. Soon after, NC moved its southwest suburban campus from Hickory Hills to Bridgeview following a complete remodeling of the 88,000-square-foot (8,200 m²) facility. In 2002, the College celebrated its 100th anniversary and in 2007, President Lawrence W. Schumacher took over sole ownership. In 2008, the College changed its name from Northwestern Business College to Northwestern College. The word “Business” was retired from the name because it no longer reflected the diversity of all the academic programs offered.^{[citation needed]}

Campus Locations

Bridgeview

The Bridgeview campus, located in S. Harlem Avenue, serves the southwest suburbs as well as those residing in the communities surrounding Midway Airport.

Chicago

The Chicago campus is located in the Jefferson Park neighborhood on the northwest side of the city.

Naperville

Located in an office complex on the corner of Mill Street and Diehl Road, the Naperville campus serves residents of DuPage, Kane, Will, and Cook Counties.

Virtual Campus

The Virtual Campus is a form of distance education which allows students to earn their degrees while taking classes online.

Academics

The College consists of four academic schools:

1. the School of Commerce & Technology offers associate degrees and certificates
2. the School of Legal Studies offers associate degrees and certificates
3. the School of Health Sciences offers associate degrees and certificates
4. the School of Nursing offers an associate degree

NC offers associate degrees in the following programs:^[1]

• Administrative Assisting
• Business Administration
• Criminal Justice
• Executive Accounting
• Health Information Technology
• Human Resources Management
• Information Management Systems
• Massage Therapy
• Medical Assisting
• Nursing
• Paralegal
• Radiologic Technology

NC offers certificates in the following programs:^[2]

• Accounting
• Business
• Health Care Billing/Coding Specialist
• Massage Therapy
• Paralegal

Services to Students

Northwestern College has resources available to support students from enrollment to graduation and even beyond. Among them are:

• academic advising
• financial assistance
• peer and professional tutors
• counseling services
• services for students with disabilities
• clubs, organizations, and honors societies
• new student orientation
• lifetime employment assistance
• library/resource center
• college bookstore

Scholarships^[3]

Scholarships for Incoming Students

• Academic Scholarship
• Achievement Scholarship
• Board of Directors Scholarship
• Centennial Scholarship
• Community Scholarship
• Early Incentive for High School Seniors
• Educational Achievement Scholarship
• First Responders Scholarship
• Merit Scholarship
• Military and Family Scholarship
• Presidential Scholarship
• Transfer Student Scholarship

Scholarships for Continuing Students

• Daniel Lawrence Memorial Scholarship for Outstanding Part-Time Students
• Departmental Scholarships
• Vice Presidential Scholarship

Accreditation

• Northwestern College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.^{[citation needed]}

• Northwestern College is approved by the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE).

• The Health Information Technology Associate in Applied Science Degree is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).

• The Medical Assisting Associate in Applied Science Degree is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).

• The Radiologic Technology Associate in Applied Science Degree is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology(JRCERT).

• The Administrative Assisting, Business Administration, and Executive Accounting Associate in Applied Science Degree programs are accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

• The Paralegal degree and certificate programs are approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).

• Northwestern College is approved for veterans training under the G.I. Bill for Veterans Educational Assistance.

• Northwestern College is approved by the United States Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service as an institution of higher education for training international students.^{[citation needed]}

External links

• Official Website

References

1. ^ Associate Degree Programs, Northwestern College. Retrieved 2010-05-27.
2. ^ Certificate Programs, Northwestern College. Retrieved 2010-05-27.
3. ^ Scholarships, Northwestern College. Retrieved 2010-05-27.