Michael Zawacke, '64, M.S.Ed. '69: Supporting Scholarships for Fellow Huskies
By Tony Scott
Judith and Michael Zawacke both give to their respective alma maters, (Photos: Michael Zawacke)
Michael Zawacke, ’64, M.S.Ed. ’69, spent decades as an elementary school principal and then a learning specialist at the collegiate level.
Zawacke credits NIU with the beginning of his professional journey, and he and his wife, Judith, regularly give to their respective alma maters; Judith is an alumna of Illinois Wesleyan University. The pair has a named scholarship at NIU, the Michael and Judith Zawacke Expendable Scholarship, which funds unrestricted scholarship support for students.
In addition to their regular giving, the couple has been strong and consistent supporters of Huskies United, NIU’s annual day of giving.
This year, Huskies United begins on Wednesday, April 2, at 4:25 p.m. and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, April 3.
“We have established general tuition scholarships to help provide the means for all students to receive the opportunity of a college education,” he said. “NIU can be proud to serve a significant number of first-generation students. We want our gifts to make a difference for these capable students and leaders of tomorrow. President Lisa C. Freeman is the strength of NIU. Meet her and your commitment is ensured.”
Zawacke said he wanted to be a teacher when he graduated from high school and chose NIU because of its excellent education department and its proximity from his parents’ home in Elmhurst.
“I received an Illinois State Teacher's Scholarship which covered tuition; room and board was reasonable in those days,” he said. “With part-time campus work - dorm, union dining hall, campus police dispatcher - and summer employment, a student could all but cover college costs.”
Zawacke has great memories of NIU, including watching the Huskies football team in the 1960s, led by Hall of Famers Coach Howard “Fletch” Fletcher and QB George Bork. He met many friends at NIU and has maintained such friendships more than 60 years later.
After starting graduate school, he accepted a sixth-grade teaching position in Palatine, Illinois, and put his master’s degree on hold.
“After several years I was teaching a class of gifted students,” he recalled. “My principal encouraged me to pursue a degree in educational administration. Building committees, school district committee participation and university coursework helped to cement leadership skills required of a principal. After school year and summer coursework, I received a master's degree and soon my first elementary school principalship.”
He stayed in Palatine schools for 37 years until his retirement.
“Unable to call it quits, I worked part-time as a learning specialist at Harper College for another 19 years,” he said. “In that role, I provided academic support in strategies for college success.”
“My story is not unique or special,” he added. “What it has been is a lifelong commitment to serve and help others. Philanthropy has been one part of that commitment.”
For more information on Huskies United, please visit the website: https://dog.niu.edu/