EUGENE C. DRENDEL
Class of 1954Alumni Recognition Award, 2000
Gene Drendel is no stranger to the halls of Naperville Central High School. Mr. Drendel grew up in Naperville, attending St. Peter and Paul School. Mr. Drendel is a member of one of Naperville’s founding farm families. At Naperville High School, Mr. Drendel was involved in student government, serving as Student Council President during his senior year. Mr. Drendel was also active in athletics, playing or serving as a team manager in football, basketball, track and baseball. Mr. Drendel earned his bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University.
After graduating from Iowa State, Mr. Drendel worked for three years as a science teacher in DeKalb, Illinois. Soon after, Mr. Drendel returned home to Naperville teach math at the new Lincoln Junior High School. Mr. Drendel became assistant principal at Lincoln in 1966. He also served the school district as principal of Naper Elementary School, the director of student services, and as principal of Beebe Elementary School. Mr. Drendel opened Jefferson Junior High School in 1971 as the school’s first principal. He was the principal at Jefferson for fifteen years. He then served NCUS#203 for nine years as the associate superintendent for secondary students.
Mr. Drendel has received two awards from the Jaycees for his work in the schools. Rotary Club of Naperville honored him for his work. Mr. Drendel was inducted into the SS Peter and Paul School Hall of Fame in 1997. In 1998, Kennedy Junior High School was dedicated in his honor.
Drendel’s community involvement includes serving as president of the Rotary Club of Naperville, as a member of the Little Friends Board of Directors, as treasurer of the DuPage County Fair Board, and as a member of the Riverwalk Commission. In addition, Mr. Drendel serves as the public address announcer for the IHSA State Wrestling Finals.
Gene Drendel is married (Sharon) with five children. Theresa is assistant principal at Hill Middle School. Joe is an architect. Andrea (Coates) is superintendent with the Naperville Park District, Sean is a trader at the Mercantile Exchange in Chicago and an assistant coach at Naperville North in football and baseball. Doug works with the Hyatt Corp. in Louisville, Kentucky.
MR. DRENDEL’S MESSAGE FOR NCHS STUDENTS: Treat all of your fellow students and staff members with respect. Try to remember their names and treat all of them as individuals. Share your talents and remember someone may need your support.
