Authors David and Myron Wentz '63 sign and discuss their New York Times best-seller "The Healthy Home."

Best-selling book tour stops at the Wentz

Dr. Myron Wentz holds a Ph.D. in microbiology with a specialty in immunology from the University of Utah and a bachelor's degree in biology from North Central College. He founded Gull Laboratories in 1974 and developed the first commercially available diagnostic test for the Epstein-Barr virus. Later he founded USANA Health Sciences and Sanoviv Medical Institute. Honored in June 2007 with the Albert Einstein Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Life Sciences, he is the author of "A Mouth Full of Poison and Invisible Miracles." He also won North Central's Outstanding Alumni Award in 2003. Dr. Wentz is a Life Trustee of North Central College. The College's Wentz Concert Hall bears his name.

Dave Wentz is chief executive officer of USANA Health Sciences, a state-of-the-art manufacturer of nutritional supplements and health products. He received a bachelor's degree in bioengineering from the University of California, San Diego.

We asked Dr. Stephen Maynard Caliendo, North Central College Professor of Political Science, to recommend a few books for alumni to read: 

Dr. Caliendo

Drew Westen, The Political Brain
Westen makes no attempts to be politically neutral -- he is open about his liberalism -- but this book is valuable to anyone who wants to more fully understand how we process and react to political communication. Though Westen is an accomplished cognitive psychology scholar, this book is accessible and interesting, with many metaphors and timely examples that demonstrate how we are affected more by appeals to emotion than to reason with respect to evaluating candidates and public policy alternatives. Readers from all along the political spectra will appreciate the application of neuroscience and cognitive psychology research to help us to understand why we respond as we do to different forms of political messages.

Chinua Achebe, Things Fall Apart
Achebe has described studying Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness and realizing that while he imagined himself in the boat as it floated down the river, he soon realized that he was more likely imagined by Conrad as one of the "savages" jumping up and down on the riverbank. In fact, most of us learned about colonialism from history books that were written from a perspective that contains many assumptions about what it means to be "civilized" or artistic descriptions and images dominated by persons of European heritage. In this classic work, Achebe uses the artistic tool of the novel to give us a powerful glimpse into the perspective of one African village just before and at the onset of colonization. While no one piece of work can undo our deep and persistent socialization into Eurocentric beliefs, this book has the potential to disrupt our comfort level and force us to reconsider what we think we know.

Junot Díaz, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao

It's fun to pull for the underdog, but by titling this book as he does, Díaz lets us know from the outset that he's setting us up. The language is raw, the content refreshingly offensive in its reality, and the interplay between the characters -- perhaps most notably Oscar's family members -- provides an opportunity for us to embrace our inner nerd and learn a bit about the difficulties that child immigrants face as they work to fit in socially, culturally and emotionally.

And we recommend you check out one of Dr. Caliendo's books!

Grace Muganda '11 says she has spent a lot of time in North Central's Science Center over the past four years, conducting independent research, working as a lab assistant and serving as a preceptor for various classes. All those hours of hard work are paying dividends for Muganda, double-majoring in biochemistry and computer science. She's earned an honorable mention in the prestigious Barry M. Goldwater National Scholarship program.

The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship Foundation was created by the U.S. Congress in 1986 to encourage outstanding students to pursue careers in mathematics, the natural sciences or engineering and to foster excellence in those fields. The foundation is supported by the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Fund, which has been established in the Treasury of the United States to honor former Senator Barry Goldwater. Read more.

North Central is pledging to achieve the state's highest recognition for energy-saving and environmentally friendly initiatives by being among the first institutions of higher education in Illinois to seek gold status under a new Sustainability Compact.

President Wilde signed the compact April 18, saying the pledge is a fitting part of North Central's yearlong celebration of its Sesquicentennial. "We've always been an institution that has had a waste-not, want-not ethic," Wilde said. "You can't solve the problems in the world unless you first solve the problems in your own house."

The Illinois Campus Sustainability Compact outlines environmental goals that colleges and universities-both public and private-may adopt on their campuses. The Compact includes objectives such as purchasing renewable energy, implementing green building practices, developing sustainable transportation options, improving water conservation and incorporating sustainable dining practices. Participating institutions are recognized by the state for achieving bronze, silver or gold status, depending on level of commitment. North Central is pledging to achieve gold status. Read more.

In related news: The Princeton Review has named North Central College among the most environmentally responsible colleges in North America. The education services company in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) selected North Central College for inclusion in the second annual edition of "The Princeton Review's Guide to 311 Green Colleges: 2011 Edition." Read more.

The Office of Community Education and North Central professor of Computer Science and Interactive Media, Stephen Renk, introduce a London trip August 23 - September 4, 2011.

Travelers will explore London's rich historical and cultural resources to gain a better perspective on Britain and its approach to global issues.  By day you will navigate the underground transit system to visit London's attractions. Late afternoons and evenings will be free time to shop, take in a performance at one of the many theaters or just relax and meet people from all over the world.  The trip includes visits to London's museums (British Museum, Tate, Tate Modern, Museum of London, National Gallery, Victoria & Albert, Natural History, etc.), parks (Green Park, St. James Park, and Hyde Park), markets (Camden, Portobello and Brick Lane) and many of its famous landmarks (Parliament, Westminster Abby, Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Tower of London and the Globe Theater).

Several informational sessions will be held leading up to the trip. Topics covered will include London history, getting around London, getting the most from your digital camera and cultural dos and don'ts. For more information, visit the Community Education website or call 630-637-5560.

The Chicago Sinfonietta-the nation's most diverse symphony orchestra-will take residency at North Central's Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center beginning with the 2011-2012 performing arts season. Read more.