Rosemont Mayor Bradley Stephens Presents Proclamation to Northwestern College in Recognition of its 110th Anniversary!

[Rosemont, IL] On October 10^th, Northwestern College received a Proclamation from Rosemont Mayor Bradley Stephens in honor of its 110^thAnniversary, declaring October 21-28, 2012 as “Northwestern College Week” in the Village of Rosemont!  Mayor Stephens presented the Proclamation to Northwestern College’s President Lawrence Schumacher at today’s Village Board Meeting, as well as to Gail Schumacher, the College’s Executive Vice President of Operations and Lauren Schumacher, its Marketing Coordinator.  The College has been owned by the Schumacher Family since 1956.

Mayor Stephens had appeared at the College’s Rosemont Administrative Offices on September 13^th where he stood alongside President Schumacher and cut a red ribbon commemorating the College’s milestone achievement – 110 years of operation. He was also joined that day for the celebration by five (5) of Rosemont’s Village Board Members – Jack Dorgan, Ralph DiMatteo, Karen Fazio, Jack Hasselberger, and Roger Minale.  Rosemont has been the home of Northwestern College’s administrative offices since 2004. Similar ribbon-cutting celebrations for the College’s 110^th anniversary have been scheduled at the College’s three campuses located in Bridgeview, Chicago-Jefferson Park and Naperville in the coming weeks. 

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 1956 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 (who turned 98 years old in August!) 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 for 34 years has continued to serve as President.  

When it started in 1902, Northwestern College offered two programs: Stenography and Accounting. But as the years passed, new programs were added to meet the needs of Chicago's rapidly growing business community; eventually new programs went beyond the College’s traditional focus of business. Today, Northwestern College continues to meet the needs of career-oriented students with its Schools of Commerce & Technology, Health Sciences, Legal Studies, and Nursing. With class sizes averaging 12 students per faculty member, Northwestern College offers a level of personalized instruction not found at the majority of larger institutions, with staff members providing one-on-one counseling and tutoring as needed by students.

“Thank you Mayor Stephens for this tremendous honor!” stated President Lawrence Schumacher. “Reaching a milestone of 110 years has been exciting for the entire College, as well as for our Family. To have a week designated as Northwestern College Week is a tribute that won’t soon be forgotten, and one that took over a century to achieve. Northwestern College has thrived for 110 years in the Chicagoland area because we continue to offer a good education to the students who walk through our doors, and we look forward to another century of doing just that!” 

About Northwestern College:

Northwestern College (NC) is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, http://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 with campuses in Chicago, Bridgeview, and Naperville. More information can be found at www.northwesterncollege.eduor by calling toll-free (888) 205-2283.