Rita Harvard
Class of 1947Alumni Recognition Award, 1998
Ms. Rita Harvard's name has become synonymous with community involvement in Naperville. Ms. Harvard serves: North Central College as a Trustee; Edward Hospital Institutional Review Board, Grace Methodist Church Foundation Board, Naperville Fire and Police Commission, Naperville YMCA as a Trustee, and the Naperville Heritage Society Planned Giving Task Force.
Ms. Harvard is a member of Grace United Methodist Church, the Naperville Heritage Society, A.A.U.W., Rotary Club of Naperville, P.E.O., and the League of Women Voters.
Among the many awards won by Ms. Harvard are: 1988 AAUW "Woman of the Year", 1993 Naperville Jaycees Distinguished Service Award, 1995 DuPage YWCA Outstanding Woman Leader in DuPage County, the 1995 Gael D. Swing Award for Meritorious Service to North Central College, 1995-96 Naperville Rotary Club's Rotarian of the Year, 1997 Naperville Family Spirit Award, 1997 Crystal Award from Citibank Naperville.
In addition, Ms. Harvard served on the following Boards: First Chicago Bank (1988-97), North Central College (1982-present), Naperville Heritage Society (1968-present), Grace Methodist Church, Ellsworth School, Highland School, Lincoln School, Edward Hospital Auxiliary (1960-85), Edward Hospital Foundation (1988-89), Edward Institutional Review Board (1989-present), County District Board (1990-95).
Ms. Harvard was also President of Rotary in 1994-95, a member of the Naperville Chamber of Commerce (1976-1980), a trustee for the Naperville YMCA (1996-present), on the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners (1996-present), the Chairman of the Naperville Spirit Campaign (1987), the Co-Chair for the Sesquicentennial Ball, and was appointed by the city for the Bicentennial Celebration (1976). Ms. Harvard also presented to the City of Naperville, in 1996, a gift of one acre of land in the downtown area.
Rita Harvard's enthusiasm for Naperville and to the citizens of our community is extraordinary. She stands as a model to all of our students as an example of how one person can make a difference in the lives of so many people.
Mrs. Harvard married John Harvard (NCHS "47) in 1981. She has blended family which includes five children. All three of Mrs. Harvard's children attended NCHS.
MS. HARVARD'S MESSAGE FOR STUDENTS: Have a dream. Set goals. Pursue them doing the best in all you do no matter how small the task. You will be a winner.
