Northwestern College (Illinois)
Encyclopedia
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
.
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.
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 88000 square feet (8,175.5 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.
campus is located in the Jefferson Park
neighborhood on the northwest side of the city.
is a form of distance education which allows students to earn their degrees while taking classes online.
NC offers associate degrees in the following programs:
NC offers certificates in the following programs:
Scholarships for Continuing Students
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
. It is primarily known for being the alma mater of John Wayne Gacy
John Wayne Gacy
John Wayne Gacy, Jr. was an American serial killer, rapist and clown who sexually assaulted and murdered at least 33 teenage boys and young men between 1972 and 1978. Gacy buried 26 of his victims in the crawlspace of his home, buried three others elsewhere on his property, and discarded the...
.
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.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.
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 88000 square feet (8,175.5 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.
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 ChicagoChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
campus is located in the Jefferson Park
Jefferson Park
Jefferson Park may refer to:* Jefferson Park, Los Angeles, California, a district* Jefferson Park , California, a city park* Jefferson Park, Denver, Colorado, a neighborhood and park* Jefferson Park, Chicago, Illinois, a neighborhood...
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 CampusVirtual Campus
A virtual campus refers to the online offerings of a college or university where college work is completed either partially or wholly online, often with the assistance of the teacher, professor, or teaching assistant....
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:- the School of Commerce & Technology offers associate degrees and certificates
- the School of Legal Studies offers associate degrees and certificates
- the School of Health Sciences offers associate degrees and certificates
- the School of Nursing offers an associate degree
NC offers associate degrees in the following programs:
- 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:
- 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
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.
- 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 EducationCommission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management EducationThe Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education is the accrediting organization for degree-granting programs in health informatics and health information management...
(CAHIIM).
- The Medical Assisting Associate in Applied Science Degree is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education ProgramsCommission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education ProgramsCommission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, , is an agency of accreditation for the accredits postsecondary education programs in 19 different allied health and related fields....
(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 ProgramsAssociation of Collegiate Business Schools and ProgramsThe Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs , formerly the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs, is a U.S. organization offering accreditation services to business programs focused on teaching and learning....
(ACBSP).
- The Paralegal degree and certificate programs are approved by the American Bar AssociationAmerican Bar AssociationThe American Bar Association , founded August 21, 1878, is a voluntary bar association of lawyers and law students, which is not specific to any jurisdiction in the United States. The ABA's most important stated activities are the setting of academic standards for law schools, and the formulation...
(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 JusticeUnited States Department of JusticeThe United States Department of Justice , is the United States federal executive department responsible for the enforcement of the law and administration of justice, equivalent to the justice or interior ministries of other countries.The Department is led by the Attorney General, who is nominated...
, Immigration and Naturalization Service as an institution of higher education for training international students.