Creating Community Connections

Each spring, NLU holds its "REACH for the Stars" Distinguished Alumni Awards Ceremony. The gala honors alumni who have demonstrated the highest degree of excellence in such areas as community leadership, humanitarian service, career achievement and social justice. The following biographies are of NLU's Distinguished Alumni Award recipients from 2009.

Elaine M. Bryant

College of Arts and Sciences 2008

Elaine Bryant is a fine example of the mature, dedicated adult learner who enrolls and graduates at NLU and then distinguishes herself as an alumna through her many professional and community contributions. She had a wealth of experience in the field of human services as a corrections officer, substance abuse counselor, program supervisor and clinical director before coming to NLU. Even with all of her accomplishments, she took the extra step to achieve a master's degree while working full–time as a director of a women's residential program in Chicago. She saw the need to be a mentor and role model for other disadvantaged women, and to demonstrate the power of what an education can provide through dedication and hard work. She continues to advocate for disenfranchised individuals, speaks at conferences, provides pro bono work through community outreach, and genuinely uses her time, talents and treasure to help make her community a better place.

Roberta J. Buhle

College of Arts and Sciences 2008

Roberta Buhle is the distinguished literacy director for both Naperville and Mannheim school districts and co–designer of the Illinois Snapshot of Early Literacy Designer produced by the K–Leap Early Literacy Intervention program. She is also co–director of the Chicago Literacy Initiative Partnership and author of numerous chapters and articles in publications including Educational Leadership.

Andrew E. Clements

National College of Education 1972

Andrew Clements earned a master's in education at NLU after the experience of teaching creative writing at a series of summer high school workshops; learning just how hard it is to be a teacher, as well as how rewarding and fun it can be. He taught in the public schools near Chicago for seven years before moving East to begin a career in publishing and writing. He is now the author of numerous Random House titles for young readers including Frindle, "Things Not Seen," "Lunch Money," "The Landry News," "The School Story," "A Week in the Woods," and "The Last Holiday Concert." Notably, "The Landry News" was awarded the 2002 William Allen White Children's Book Award by Emporia State University. His first book, "Frindle," was recently adapted for the stage and performed for children in grades four through eight in Arlington Heights, IL.

Louise M. Gruenberg

College of Arts and Sciences 1992

Louise Gruenberg is currently the senior usability officer for the American Library Association, promoting libraries and library education internationally for its 65,000 members. In her current position, she focuses on the implementation of the ALA's website design and information architecture working with ALA content managers to target specific areas for immediate improvement and performing ongoing usability studies for the website. She has a 20–year history in technology–based assignments. She has been an E–Learning Instructor—designing, developing and delivering web–based applications—for the ALA's 200+ staff and volunteers. Her history includes many talents and skills which led her to the ALA, including: freelance author, educational consultant and instructor, design consultant and small business owner.

Christine Maxwell

PACE 2000

Christine Maxwell is a young woman who is truly a PACE success story. PACE helped her to realize her independence and now she lives in her own condo in Evanston. She is an active PACE alumna as well as a frequent participant in the Special Olympics, not only in Illinois, but in North Carolina and Washington D.C., as well. She has many Special Olympic medals, and at the Summer Games at ISU Stadium she co–emceed the Opening Ceremonies. In 2008, Maxwell and her family were designated the Illinois Special Olympics Family of the Year. Through Maxwell's volunteer work with the National Association for Down Syndrome, she met President Clinton, among other national leaders. She is also a board member of the Park Ridge National Association for Down Syndrome. She is a willing volunteer and is involved in many civic activities. She works at the Evanston Cinemark Theatre as a ticket taker.

Jennifer M. Orban

College of Arts and Sciences 1996

Jennifer Orban is currently the CEO of the Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland. In this newly created position, she brings five Girl Scout Councils together for the first time and is creating a new organization that covers MO, OK and KS, is expanding programming and inspires the next generation of women leaders by serving 28,000 girls and adults. Prior to her new position she was chief professional officer of the Far Northwest Suburban United Way and a member of United Way Metropolitan Chicago. She also served as assistant director of the Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association. She specializes in launching volunteer initiatives with corporate partners for children in underserved neighborhoods.

Kevin Scanlan

College of Arts and Sciences 1984

Kevin Scanlan is a health care executive with almost 30 years of progressive experience. He spent the past 18 years overseeing many of Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council's (MCHC) programs and services, including all Human Resource programs and services which are offered to MCHC member organizations. In his current role, Scanlan serves as the CEO of MCHC with oversight for all Council programs including Government Relations and Public Affairs, Group Purchasing Services, Patient Financial Services, Finance and Reimbursement services, Clinical Services, Disaster Planning, the Illinois Poison Control Center and the Chicago Hospital Risk Pooling program. Additionally, he represents the health care community on several local, regional and national committees. Read more about Scanlan.

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