2010 Distinguished Alumni

These alumni demonstrated the highest degree of excellence in community leadership, humanitarian service and career achievement.

Award recipients were honored and celebrated at the annual Awards Gala with 200 attendees on Saturday, May 15 at The Chicago Club. “Each of you is a shining example of the best and the brightest of the NLU community,” said Nivine Megahed, Ph.D., National-Louis University president, about the distinguished alumni. “We’re here to recognize a select few outstanding NLU alumni who have truly taken advantage of the transformative effect of education by applying their education beyond the classroom walls. You have set a glowing example and prove that learning is a lifelong endeavor.”

Shannon A. Brown, ’91
Shannon Brown, who received a B.A. in Applied Behavioral Sciences from National-Louis, launched his highly successful FedEx career more than 30 years ago. He is senior vice president and chief human resources officer at FedEx Express. In 2006, he was named to Black MBA Magazine’s “Top 50 under 50”—an honor bestowed to executives at publicly or privately traded companies with gross revenues of at least $500 million.

Margena A. Christian, ’93
Margena A. Christian is currently senior writer for Ebony magazine at Johnson Publishing Co. in Chicago. Prior to joining Ebony, she was features editor for Jet magazine. She is the only editor in the company’s history to have written for Ebony, Jet, Ebony Man and Ebony South Africa. She earned an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from National-Louis University in 1993.

Ira G. Kriston, ’05
Ira Kriston inspires, advocates and educates on behalf of individuals with autism. A 2005 NLU PACE graduate, Kriston has drawn on his life experience to help students, educators and others understand how individuals with autism and Asperger’s syndrome navigate their worlds. He is currently a four-year team member at Whole Foods Market and the recipient of numerous employee recognition awards.

Ignacio Lopez, III, ’94 and ’96
In 1994 Lopez obtained a B.A. in Management and in 1996 an M.S. in Management from NLU. Lopez has worked in the pharmaceutical industry for nearly 30 years. His strong work ethic and exceptional management skills earned him management titles with Pharmacia and Upjohn; Pfizer; and now Cubist Pharmaceuticals.

Colonel Ted Mickevicius, ’96
Colonel (Retired) Ted Mickevicius is EADS North America’s director of business development for Reserve Component Forces. In 1988, he became the chief legislative liaison for the Army National Guard, representing the Army Guard’s interest to Congress on all legislative matters. Mickevicius holds an M.S. in Human Resource Management and Development from NLU.

Guy Schumacher, ’91 and ’06
Before becoming Libertyville School District 70 superintendent, Schumacher acted as principal of Libertyville District’s largest elementary school, was assistant superintendent for four years at North Shore District 112 in Highland Park, and served as principal of Ravinia Elementary School in Highland Park. He has an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership as well as a C.A.S. in Administration and Supervision from NLU.

National-Louis University has been a force for change in American education since its founding in 1886. Known for nearly a century as the National College of Education, the institution is nationally acclaimed for its programs in teacher preparation, urban education and educational leadership, as well as for being one of the first universities to address the unique needs of adult learners. To learn more go to www.nl.edu.