Home News Northwestern College Conducts 113th Commencement!

Northwestern College Conducts 113th Commencement!

34
0

Emery Moorehead of the Famed Chicago Bears 1985 Super Bowl Team Presented Keynote Address

Northwestern College President Lawrence Schumacher announced that over 300 students were awarded certificates and degrees at the College’s 113th Commencement

Northwestern College’s 113th Commencement Ceremony
Emery Moorehead of the 1985 Chicago Bears Super Bowl Team presented the Keynote Address at Northwestern College’s 113th Commencement Ceremony held at The Copernicus Center in Jefferson Park.

Ceremony held mid-June at The Copernicus Center in Chicago’s Jefferson Park. Graduates completed their studies at the College’s two Illinois campuses, including Bridgeview and Chicago-Jefferson Park, as well as on-line.

The largest group of graduates stemmed from the College’s School of Health Sciences (including Health Information Technology, Massage Therapy, Coding, Medical Assisting and Radiologic Technology programs) as well as the Violet L Schumacher School of Nursing. The graduates also stemmed from the Schools of Commerce and Technology as well as Legal Studies. These Schools yielded graduates from the Programs of Business Administration, Executive Accounting, Human Resources Management, Criminal Justice and Paralegal.

This year Northwestern College was honored to feature Emery Moorehead of the famed 1985 Chicago Bears Super Bowl team as its Keynote Speaker. A prodigy of the Chicagoland area, Moorehead grew up in Evanston earning All-State honors as a Running Back at Evanston Township High School before heading to the University of Colorado where he played as both a Running Back and Receiver. There, he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Communications. Moorehead was drafted by the New York Giants and also spent a short stint with the Denver Broncos before returning to Chicago to play for his hometown team, the Chicago Bears. As the Bears Starting Tight End for 8 consecutive years, he culminated his distinguished 12 year NFL career with a Super Bowl Championship.

After retiring from the NFL, Moorehead took what he learned on the football field and transitioned it into a successful 27 year career in real estate in the Chicagoland area. His leadership skills served him well and led to numerous positions in local and state realtor associations as well as on philanthropic boards.

During his remarks to the Northwestern College 2017 Graduates, Moorehead shared the adversities he faced getting through college as well as trying to succeed in the National Football League (NFL). He stressed to the graduates the importance of being versatile, being willing to adjust to a situation, and the need to be flexible with their plans, for that’s what brought him through to where he was today. Being from Chicago, he told them, “When the going gets tough, the tough get tougher!”

Moorehead explained that the American people strive on competition, but that greatness isn’t measured on achievements alone, but also on the obstacles we overcome to get there. He pointed out that his fellow teammate, the late great Walter Payton finished his NFL career as the all-time leading rusher for the NFL, but he also finished his Chicago Bears career as the all-time leading fumbler. “One can only achieve greatness by accepting risks, believing in oneself, and having the ability to rebound after failure.”

As he shared his own experiences in the world of real estate, Moorehead pointed out there have been people who worked in the corporate world for years, then suddenly found themselves the product of layoffs. However, the setback also gave them the opportunity to go back to school to do something they always wanted to do, leaving them wondering later on why they hadn’t followed their dreams during their youth. “Trying to race to get the highest paying job or the most prestigious position is not what it’s all about,” he cautioned.

As he summed up his remarks, Moorehead dug deep into his own life experiences. “The best advice that I can give you today are three words. The first is Preparation; the second is Preparation and the third, is Preparation.” As a football player, he told them, there’s nothing more important than being prepared for a game, and for your opponent. As a realtor, he further expressed, there’s nothing more important than knowing your client’s needs, and being prepared for anything that could come up with a potential or pending sale. “Try to be prepared for the best case scenario, the worst case scenario and to be ready for when opportunity knocks.”

At Northwestern College’s commencement ceremony the graduates were also addressed by the College’s President, Lawrence Schumacher. President Schumacher focused his remarks on the amazing graduates and alumni of Northwestern College. He professed that over the years he had met students who had overcome enormous obstacles and challenges in order to cross the stage and accept that diploma, and just when he thought he had heard it all, he came across another student who had catapulted an even greater hurdle to earn their degree.

“For over a Century – actually, over 115 years,” President Schumacher professed, “Northwestern College has changed lives one student at a time, and we’re proud of that.” He shared how his mother first enrolled at the College in the 1930’s, was hired as a student and remained for 20 years as an employee before she bought the College in the 1950’s. He himself grew up as a child in and around the classrooms, assuming the College’s Presidency in the late 1970’s. “That’s 85 years my family has had the privilege and honor of making lives better!”

In wrapping up his remarks, President Schumacher imparted these last few words. “As I said – at Northwestern College… We Change Lives. ONE STUDENT at a Time! But it takes two. We can provide you with the tools, but you have to use them in order to make this work. You have the Tools…now use them to Succeed!”

About Northwestern College:
Northwestern College (NC) is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, 230 S. LaSalle St., Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604, (312) 263-0456, www.ncahlc.org. The college offers focused career-oriented associate degree and certificate programs with flexible schedules and a supportive faculty. Day, evening, weekend, online classes and online programs are available. More information can be found at www.NC.edu or by calling toll-free (888) 205-2283.

tags:

LEAVE YOUR COMMENT

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *