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Naperville’s College and Community Television Station Collaborate
in the Classroom.

Executive Director, NCTV17 Liz Spencer and R. Devadoss Pandian Vice President for Academic Affairs & Dean of Faculty -North Central College
Executive Director, NCTV17  Liz Spencer and R. Devadoss Pandian Vice President for Academic Affairs & Dean of
Faculty -North Central College Sign the agreement!



North Central College and Naperville Community Television, Channel 17 (NCTV17), signed a cooperative agreement today, Thursday, March 9, that will enhance and expand educational opportunities between the two groups.

The agreement formalizes expansion of the College’s current TV/video/broadcasting curriculum for undergraduate students by utilizing the resources of NCTV17, including the station’s technical facilities and personnel for instruction. Students who enroll in the broadcast track in speech communication will gain both a comprehensive liberal arts education and practical, hands-on training in NCTV17’s studios with opportunities to create television programming that will air on NCTV17.

“This is an ideal match,” said NCTV17 executive director Elizabeth Braham Spencer. “North Central is a highly respected college with an award-winning radio program and has now added an outstanding video component to its curriculum.


Liz Spencer , Bill Mueller (NCTV17), John Pettinger, President of the Board of Directors (NCTV17), Rick Spencer – Vice President of Institutional Advancement – North Central College  -- “Think Tank!”
Prof. Steve Macek and ED Liz Spencer – taught together last year!
Prof. Steve Macek and ED Liz Spencer – taught together last year!
Erika Rerych, Liz Spencer, Stephanie Miller and Jeff Chow – “Liz and her students”
Erika Rerych, Liz Spencer, Stephanie Miller and Jeff Chow – “Liz and her students”

We’re the community television station with a professional staff and resources and our relationship is really the definition of partnership.”

Collaboration between the College and station began when Spencer assumed the role of executive director at NCTV17. In 2005, she was named adjunct professor and instructor for video-related courses at North Central. Those courses will expand under the new agreement. Spencer holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Hope College ( Mich.) and a master’s degree in communication management from Northwestern University. “Liz has a thorough understanding of TV,” said Sara Eaton, North Central professor of English and chair of the Division of Arts and Letters. “She loves working with students. Her expertise gives students the tools and experience they need to get a job in this competitive field.”

According to Rick Spencer, vice president of institutional advancement at North Central College, “the possibilities are endless” for televising future College and community events, including athletic competitions, concerts and speaker presentations.

This new cohort relationship enriches North Central’s new Interactive Media Studies (IMS) program, in which students can take courses that cross four academic disciplines, from computer science and speech communication to English and graphic arts.

As a public access television station, NCTV17 is committed to educational outreach to the public. This agreement helps accomplish that goal.

For more information, contact Stephen Renk, professor of computer science and coordinator of the IMS program at North Central College,
at 630-637-5170.

 
Standing, l. to r.: John Pettinger, NCTV17 board president; and North Central College faculty and staff members Sara Eaton, professor of English; Rick Spencer, vice president for institutional advancement; Steve Renk, professor of computer science; Steve Macek, assistant professor of speech communication; and Richard Paine, professor of speech communication/theatre. Stephanie Miller, John Pettinger, Bill Mueller, Nancy Weirsum, Carl Schultz, Jeff Chow, Liz Spencer, Richard Paine, and Laura Zinger.