North Central College Cornerstone Day is always celebrated on the Friday of Cornerstone Week to commemorate the arrival in 1870 of the educational institution to heart of Naperville. A year ago, Cornerstone Day also was a time to participate in the 150th-year celebration of its founding in Plainfield.
During the special occasion with hundreds of students and residents in attendance, then-President Hal Wilde and public officials from the Riverwalk Commission and the Riverwalk Foundation held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Riverwalk Gateway just across the covered bridge, adjacent to Fredenhagen Park with a clear view of Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium.
During North Central College Homecoming festivities in late October 2012, the Riverwalk Gateway was dedicated.
Today, Cornerstone Day again will celebrate the arrival of North Central College in Naperville on May 17, 1870. The annual picnic is slated from 11AM to 1:30PM in the new Riverwalk Gateway Park, adjacent to Fredenhagen Park in downtown Naperville. The public is invited.
The cornerstone is located on the northwest corner of Old Main. When our cameras took this shot of the cornerstone early this morning, we were mindful of remarkable growth and development of Naperville’s college since it arrived here 151 years ago.
Congratulations to all for building a fine liberal arts institution and to Dr. Troy D. Hammond on the day of his inauguration as the 10th President of North Central College.
The Public Is Invited
May 17, Community picnic: NCC welcomes members of the community to its annual Cornerstone Day Picnic from 11AM to 1:30PM Fri., May 17, at the College’s Riverwalk Gateway between Fredenhagen Park and the north end of Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium. FREE.
May 17, Panel discussion: NCC President Troy D. Hammond hosts a roundtable discussion from 1:30 to 3PM Fri., May 17, in Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave. The public is invited to hear participants discuss Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in the context of a liberal arts education. The event is free and will be moderated by CBS2 Chicago reporter and weekend co-anchor Jim Williams.
May 17, Music: Acclaimed NCC jazz faculty and vocalist Janice Borla performs at 8PM Fri., May 17, in Madden Theatre, 171 E. Chicago Ave. Tickets are $20/adults, $15/students and seniors.
May 18, Music: NCC presents “Big Bad Voodoo Daddy: The 20th Anniversary Tour” at 8PM Sat., May 18, in Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s irresistible live show has proven to be the singular standout among the numerous bands that launched the swing revival. Tickets are $50, $40 and $35.
May 18, Music: NCC presents American hip-hop artist Hoodie Allen, with opening acts Outasight and The Ready Set at 9PM Sat., May 18, in the Residence Hall/Recreation Center, 440 S. Brainard St. Tickets are $20 for the general public. The concert is presented by NCC’s Fine and Performing Arts, College Union Activities Board and Office of Alumni Relations.
For more information about upcoming activities at North Central College, visit northcentralcollege.edu.
