College News: Sets of twins win NCC scholarships

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Max and Zach Barvian of Plainfield and Nicole Natalie Midice of New Lenox are among three sets of twins included in the Presidential Scholars at North Central College. SUBMITTED PHOTOS

Updated: November 30, 2011 12:39AM

Sets of twins win NCC scholarships

NAPERVILLE — Brothers from Plainfield and sisters from New Lenox are among three sets of twins who are part of this year’s record crop of 98 Presidential Scholars at North Central College.

The scholarship is North Central’s largest financial award based on academic merit.

Identical twins Max and Zach Barvian will be sharing a car and commuting between campus and their parents’ home in nearby Plainfield. The Plainfield Central High School graduates learned about North Central through their participation in the College’s Lederman Scholars Program.

“I took calculus and American government here,” said Zach, who plans to major in political science. Max, who plans to major in computer science, adds, “I liked the small class sizes and the overall environment.”

Fraternal twins Natalie and Nicole Mildice of New Lenox will be living together as roommates on campus.

“We’re best friends,” Nicole says.

Even so, the twins appeared headed for different destinations after graduating this year from Lincoln-Way Central High School.

“We were going to go to separate schools. I had already decided I was going to go to Purdue,” says Natalie, who plans to pursue a pre-medicine curriculum at North Central.

But Nicole, who plans to study radiation therapy, had already looked at North Central College and liked what she saw. She convinced her sister to give it a look and as soon as Natalie visited campus she changed her mind.

St. Francis honored by magazine

JOLIET — The University of St. Francis has been named among America’s best colleges by U.S. News and World Report for the eighth consecutive year.

USF has been ranked No. 37 in a listing of more than 100 regional universities in the Midwest.

“The entire USF community is pleased to once again rank among the best universities in the region,” said USF President Michael Vinciguerra.

This semester the university welcomed more than 400 new undergraduate students across 40 undergraduate programs and more than 500 new degree-completion and graduate students across 18 programs for adults.

Lewis recognized as military friendly

ROMEOVILLE — For the third consecutive year, G.I. Jobs has designated Lewis University a “Military Friendly School” at www.militaryfriendlyschools.com/2012 list.

The list honors the top 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace American military service members and veterans as students.

“Lewis University is honored to support our nation’s military as these heroic and dedicated men and women serve our country and earn a quality education. This designation recognizes the resources in place for military personnel enrolled at Lewis University on campus and online,” said Brother James Gaffney, president of Lewis.

More than 300 Lewis students are active duty military or veterans.