North Central College Announces 10th President

North Central College announced its selection of the college's 10th president in the school's 151-year history Friday.

Dr. Troy D. Hammond, a scientist, teacher, entrepreneur and Naperville resident, will be North Central College’s next president and will replace Hal Wilde, who announced his retirement in Feburary after 22 years at the college.

Hammond begins his role at North Central on Jan. 1, 2013.

Related: North Central College President Hal Wilde Retiring Later This Year

“Dr. Hammond has an impressive record of leadership accomplishments and impeccable academic credentials,” said college trustee Dr. Holly Humphrey in a news release. “This, together with his energy and intellect make him ideally suited as North Central College’s 10th president.”

The 45-year-old scientist earned his Ph.D. in experimental atomic physics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, served as vice president at technology company Plextronics, Inc. and is currently the president of Chicago-based energy services business BlueStar Energy.

“This is a great liberal arts school with a great educational mission in a great location," Hammond said in the release. "It has strong faculty, intelligent and motivated students who travel the globe and earn prestigious national awards, and proud, accomplished alumni who support their alma mater.”

Hammond and his family will be introduced to the North Central College campus community on Monday, Oct. 29, at 1:30 p.m. in Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. A campus reception is scheduled in the Wentz Concert Hall lobby from 2 to 3 p.m.

North Central College’s website will offer a live webcast of the event at northcentralcollege.edu/introduction.