News Briefs: Depot says goodbye to Wilmette; Oakton/NU partnership; Wilmette collegian face of national campaign

Depot Nuevo celebrated 15 years of serving Wilmette on its final night in August.

The restaurant opened in the village’s historic former train depot in 2008 and is making way for Small Cheval, an acclaimed Chicago-based burger joint.

Rob and Ann Garrison’s Depot Nuevo has been a resident favorite during its 15-year run, serving Latin-American fare in a vibrant dining room and expanded patio. The restaurant was also known for its extensive tequila selection and familiar faces.

The Garrisons also operated The Noodle Cafe, which was open in downtown Wilmette from 1990 until 2022.

In a post on social media, the Garrisons thanks Wilmette and the community:

“We love Wilmette and have truly enjoyed being a part of this community and your lives! … We are extremely proud of Depot Nuevo and our incredible staff. We will always have a special place in our hearts for our wonderful customers .

“Thank you for the outpouring of love and support over the years! Thank you for sharing your lives with us for the past 32 years at both Depot Nuevo and The Noodle Cafe!”

Oakton and NU partner for undergrads

Northwestern University and Oakton College agreed on a plan that creates a path for Oakton College students to earn a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University School of Professional Studies, according to a press release from Oakton Community College.

On Aug. 31, leaders from Oakton and Northwestern signed the Early Admission and Transfer Agreement, the first such agreement between Northwestern and a community college.

“We are very excited and grateful to enter this new historic partnership with Northwestern University,” Oakton President Dr. Joianne L. Smith said. “Oakton’s diverse student body includes a large number of post-traditional, adult students, many of whom attend college part-time. This agreement will allow many of these students to pursue their goals by creating a path to earn a bachelor’s degree through the Northwestern University School of Professional Studies part-time programs.”

According to the release, the agreement creates guidelines for Oakton students about which Oakton courses are transferable to Northwestern to complete their bachelor’s degree. Oakton students who complete at least 24 transferable semester credits or an associate’s degree and meet minimum GPA requirements can apply for early admission to bachelor’s degree programs offered by the School of Professional Studies.

Enrollment and academic advisors from Northwestern and Oakton will work with prospective and admitted students while they are completing their associate degrees to facilitate transfers to align with students’ goals.

“The Northwestern University School of Professional Studies is embarking on its first articulation agreement, a partnership that will benefit Oakton, Northwestern and, most importantly, the students we serve,” Northwestern Provost Kathleen Hagerty said. “We look forward to working closely with these students as they pursue their academic dreams.”

Northwestern University School of Professional Studies offers part-time degree programs online and on its Chicago campus — tailored for the busy schedules of professionals. More than 6,000 students enroll in credit courses at Oakton each year, about two-thirds of which attend classes part-time, the release says.

To learn more about Oakton College, including the Northwestern University School of Professional Studies Early Admission and Transfer Agreement, visit Oakton’s website.

Alabama campaign centers Wilmette native

Nathan Yamaguchi, a Wilmette native and standout student at the University of Alabama, is featured in the school’s upcoming national ad campaign, Where Legends Are Made.

Nathan Yamaguchi is a mechanical engineering grad currently pursuing his master’s degree in business administration. While he didn’t grow up in the south, Nathan has strong family ties to UA; his mother and grandfather are alumni, with the latter having played football for the Crimson Tide. 

He’s a member of the Manderson MBA Case Team and served as president of his fraternity, Sigma Tau Gamma. Nathan interned with TVA in portfolio risk management and continues to work part-time this fall. 

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