NCC: Presidential Inaugurations records

The dates of tenure for the College’s Presidents are as follows: Augustine Austin Smith, 1861-1883 Henry H Rassweiler, 1883-1888 Herman J. Kiekhoefer, 1889-1910 Lawrence H. Seager, 1911-1916 Edward E. Rall, 1916-1946 C. Harve Geiger, 1946-1960 Arlo L. Schilling, 1960-1975 Gael D. Swing, 1975-1990 Harold R. Wilde, 1991-2012 Troy D. Hammond: 2013-2022 Anita Jones Thomas: 2023-

Lawrence Hoover Seager was born in Freemont, Ohio on April 19, 1860. He graduated from Ohio Northern University in 1886, and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Latin-Scientific courses from North-Western College in 1887. In 1888, he graduated from the Union Biblical Institute. With a strong college and seminary background, he assumed Presidency of North-Western College from 1911 to 1916. During his tenure, Seager achieved Accreditation by the North Central Association, purchased a new athletic field, and established the department of Domestic Science. He resigned the position after being elected bishop of the church at the General Conference in Los Angeles, California in 1915. Seager died on October 30, 1937.

C. Harve Geiger was born on a farm near Milford, Indiana on June 22, 1893. He studied at Manchester College from 1918 to 1920, and then enrolled at the University of Chicago, receiving his Bachelor of Philosophy in 1922. He taught at high schools in Kankakee and Beardstown, Illinois, at Iowa Wesleyan College as professor of Education from 1925-1927 and at Coe College from 1928 to 1946. Geiger received his Master of Education degree at Harvard University in 1928, Doctor of Philosophy from Columbia University in 1940, honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from Coe College in 1946, and Doctor of Letters from Carroll College in 1947. He was inaugurated as President of North Central College on April 18, 1947, and retired in October 1959. During his term, President Geiger had Kroehler Dormitory, the new library, Seager Hall, Kroehler Hall and Geiger Hall constructed. Geiger died on October 20, 1975.

Harold R. Wilde was born in Wisconsin. He graduated magna cum laude from Amherst College, and received his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in government from Harvard University. He worked for the state of Wisconsin from 1972 to 1975, for the University of Wisconsin as an assistant to the president from 1975 to 1981, and for the University of Beloit as vice president of external affairs from 1981 to 1991. He also taught courses at Beloit College, Harvard University and the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He married Benna Brecher Wilde, and has three children. He was inaugurated as President of North Central College on May 18, 1991, and retired in 2012.

Troy D. Hammond began his duties as President of North Central on January 1, 2013. He retired from this position in June 2022. Prior to North Central, Hammond was the president of BlueStar Energy in Chicago. Hammond also previously worked as a vice president for Plextronics, Inc. and as an associate principal at McKinsey & Company. He holds a Ph.D. in experimental atomic physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a bachelor’s of science degree in physics from Georgia Tech and a bachelor’s of science in mathematics from Milligan College.

Anita Jones Thomas assumed her role as the President of North Central on July 1, 2023. She also holds the faculty rank of professor of psychology in North Central’s College of Arts and Sciences. Prior to North Central, Thomas was executive vice president and provost at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota. Prior to serving at St. Catherine, Thomas was the founding dean of the College of Applied Behavioral Sciences at the University of Indianapolis. Previously, Thomas served for 10 years at Loyola University Chicago, where she was a faculty member in the counseling psychology and school counseling department. She became the graduate program director for counseling psychology and later associate dean for academic affairs and research in the School of Education. She holds a doctorate in counseling psychology from Loyola University Chicago, a master's degree in community counseling also from Loyola, and a bachelor’s degree in education and social policy from Northwestern University.