George Williams College honors Professor Emeritus Jeanne Norris of Litchfield at Coming Home Reunion

AURORA, IL (10/19/2012)(readMedia)-- George Williams College of Aurora University honored Professor Emeritus Jeanne Norris at the sixth annual Coming Home Reunion lunch on September 22. Norris was presented with the 2012 Spirit Award during the alumni reunion weekend on the Williams Bay, Wis., campus.

Norris is known for her selfless devotion to teaching students of all ages and her many contributions to GWC. Following a position as Director of Music in Holbrook, Massachusetts, Norris joined the faculty of GWC, where she taught for 26 years at the Hyde Park and Downers Grove campuses. Her philosophy of teaching exemplified the GWC belief in preparing students for lives of service.

"Teaching is the most important task. For me, teaching is a means of contributing to the lives of students something of lifelong value and thereby contributing to society," said Norris.

Her journey began in her native Massachusetts where she earned a music degree at Boston University. A few years later she earned a Master's Degree in Education at Loyola University of Chicago, but this was not the end of her educational accomplishments. Some 19 years later she received a PhD in Physiology from Loyola. From there she continued her teaching career as Professor of Physiology at GWC and later at Illinois Benedictine College until her retirement in 1992. While at GWC, she was instrumental in developing the Master of Science in Exercise Physiology and the RN to BSN degrees.

Norris is a "hands-on" learner. Countless GWC alumni talk about watching her waterfront demonstrations in canoeing and rowing at September Camp. They recall her teaching dry-land sailboarding to students before getting on the lake.

A lifelong learner, she embodied GWC's commitment to transformational learning long after leaving the classroom. An early pioneer of campus computing, she continued to expand her knowledge of technology post-retirement, building a successful business called Computer Tutors. Even after relocating to Maine more than 15 years ago, Jeanne has continued her successful technology consulting business.

She has earned honors in her profession, including serving as Commissioner At Large for the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and election to the American Physiological Society, the Society of Sigma Xi – National Research Honor Society, Pi Lambda Theta – National Honor Society for Women in Education and Mu Phi Epsilon – National Honor Society for Women in Music. She is also a member of numerous professional organizations and has published in the area of human physiology..

More than 50 years after she began teaching at GWC, Norris continues to epitomize its values.

About Aurora University

Aurora University is an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning with more than 4,300 degree-seeking students enrolled at the bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels. The university has a long tradition of preparing students for lives of service and leadership, and using its resources and expertise to meet the needs of the community. In addition to its main campus in Aurora, Ill., AU offers programs at its George Williams College campus in Williams Bay, Wis., and Woodstock Center in downtown Woodstock, Ill. Learn more at aurora.edu.

About George Williams College

The 133-acre George Williams College campus offers 18 academic programs, year-round conference facilities, and is home to Music by the Lake and other educational and enrichment programs. Originally founded as a training school for YMCA leaders in the late 19th century, GWC today prepares students for lives of service through a number of degree programs. Aurora University and George Williams College merged in 2000.