This September Northwestern College marked its 115th Anniversary as an institution of higher education here in the Chicagoland area. The College recently held an early afternoon Open House to celebrate the milestone with students, faculty, staff, and numerous members of the local Bridgeview business community. Northwestern College President and owner, Lawrence Schumacher, greeted the attendees throughout the afternoon celebration, alongside his wife, Executive Vice President Gail Schumacher and their daughter, Lauren Schumacher, the College’s Institutional Initiatives Director. Chief Operations Officer Dimitrios Kriaras was also present and mingled with attendees.
Approximately 250 guests were treated to fusion tacos, guacamole and chips prepared and served by Taquero Fusion of Skokie via a taco truck that parked immediately outside the College’s front lobby. Guests were taken on tours of the Bridgeview Campus as the College had also utilized the event as a way to showcase its newest program – Dental Assisting – and the opening of the new Dental Lab at this campus.
Northwestern College (formerly known as Northwestern Business College until 2008) was founded in 1902 in Chicago at 1747 N. Robey (later renamed “Damen” Avenue) just north of North Avenue. It has continued to be a family-owned institution of higher learning, which began with a mission of providing men and women with specialized training necessary for successful careers in business. In 1958, the Schumacher Family bought the College when Violet Schumacher – a former student, receptionist, staff member and finally Director of the College – attained ownership. Decades later, Violet sold the College to her two children, with her son Lawrence Schumacher taking over as President in 1978. Lawrence became the sole owner of the College in 2007 and has continued to serve as its President for the past 39 years.
When it started in 1902, Northwestern College offered just two programs: Stenography and Accounting. However, as the years passed, new programs were added to meet the needs of Chicago’s rapidly growing business community. Over the past 115 years, Northwestern College has grown from that one building on Robey Avenue and today consists of two brick and mortar campuses including Bridgeview and Chicago-Jefferson Park. In addition, the College maintains an online venue that allows students to obtain degrees fully online in five (5) programs.
Today, Northwestern College continues to meet the needs of career-oriented students with its Schools of Commerce & Technology, Health Sciences, and Nursing. With class sizes averaging 20 students per faculty member, it offers a level of personalized instruction not found at the majority of larger higher education institutions.
Northwestern College is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) as well as by several programmatic agencies. In March of 2012, the HLC granted continuation of Northwestern College’s accreditation for the highest term available – ten years. Students graduate from Northwestern College and are prepared to enter the workforce as, for example: nurses, medical assistants, medical billing & coding specialists, radiographers, dental assistants, health information technologists, and various professions in business.
Few businesses reach a milestone of 115 years. During that period, Northwestern College has overcome tough economies, two world wars, recessions and depressions, all while maintaining its focus of providing relevant and future-focused programs that target the nation’s fastest growing careers. Its success, though, is based on the students it has educated for well over a century.
“Northwestern College offers a uniqueness as a family-owned business, a business which has been owned by my family for the past 59 years,” President Schumacher remarked. “We are excited to celebrate our 115th year and are grateful to each and every one of the students who have passed through our doors. We have thrived for well over a century in the Chicagoland area because we continue to offer a good education to the students who walk through our doors, and we pledge to continue that tradition to the best of our ability!”
About Northwestern College:
Northwestern College (NC) is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, 230 S. LaSalle St., Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604, (312) 263-0456, www.ncahlc.org. The college offers focused career-oriented associate degree and certificate programs with flexible schedules and a supportive faculty. Day, evening, weekend, online classes and online programs are available. More information can be found at www.NC.edu or by calling toll-free (888) 205-2283.