Founders Forum Wall to Become Reality Thanks to Generous Gift

An expression of gratitude can be simple: a card from an old friend, or, in these exceptional times, a friendly wink and nod from behind a mask. Sometimes, there is a need to express a profound amount of appreciation. An homage to those who have made a tremendous impact on NIU students will soon be unveiled in NIU’s historic Altgeld Hall.

The Founders Forum Wall will become a reality thanks to a generous gift from NIU alumni John C. and Anne M. Landgraf. John earned his bachelor’s degree in biology in 1974 and his master’s degree in microbiology in 1975, while Anne earned a bachelor’s degree in history with minors in education and biology in 1973. John worked his way up the corporate ladder at Abbott Laboratories, and after 37 years, he retired as executive vice president of Abbott Nutrition. Anne taught middle school history and science in Aurora, Park Forest and Libertyville schools. Both John and Anne are highly engaged in volunteer organizations and are passionate philanthropists.

NIU President Lisa Freeman praised the Landgrafs for their generosity and vision. “This financial contribution is generous, significant, and it will make a difference,” President Freeman said. “But, even more meaningful to NIU’s future is the Landgrafs’ vision—the mechanism they are creating to celebrate transformative contributors to NIU by recognizing them as ‘new founders’ and rewarding them for their efforts to keep NIU progressing and moving forward.”

Starting this fall, the hallway outside the entrance to the magnificent Altgeld Hall Auditorium will be flanked by the names of those who have made impactful and powerful gifts to NIU and its students. This beautiful display will be dedicated to NIU’s generous donors who are members of the NIU Foundation’s Founders Forum Distinguished Donor Society.

The Founders Forum honors and recognizes those whose cumulative, lifetime giving to NIU is $50,000 or greater. Thanks to these notable alumni and friends, NIU students have learned, practiced and researched in new or newly-renovated facilities; have been inspired and challenged by phenomenal faculty; and have launched successful careers without the burden of student loans because of scholarships and so much more.

“The Founders Forum is named after the University’s founding figures, whose vision and leadership ensured the establishment of Northern Illinois University,” said Catherine Squires, President and CEO of the NIU Foundation. “Much in the way that the founders helped launch NIU, the members of the Founders Forum have helped lay the foundation for the University’s current and future success. “It’s so fitting that the recognition of our dedicated philanthropists in the Founders Forum society will find its home in Altgeld Hall, the birthplace of NIU.”