Nancy Prange and Pattie Schiele Honored With 2026 Northern Lights Award
By Lia Kizilbash Gillet
This October, the NIU Alumni Association will recognize Nancy Prange, M.S. ’97, M.P.H. ’21, Ph.D., ’21, and Pattie Schiele, ’86, as the 2026 recipients of the Northern Lights Award — honoring volunteers that embody the spirit of the Huskie Pack and the enduring legacy of Liz McSpadden, '10, M.B.A. '16.
A devoted Huskie, McSpadden exemplified selfless service even while battling stage IV breast cancer. In the six years before her passing in 2024, she volunteered more than 20 times, offering mentorship, encouragement and advocacy to students and her broader community. Her enduring belief that “the greatest gift” she could give was her time and effort remains the foundation of this award.
Northern Lights Award recipients demonstrate at least two of five core characteristics — generosity, initiative, reliability, joyfulness and curiosity. This year’s honorees not only meet those criteria; they bring them vividly to life.
Nancy Prange, M.S. ’97, M.P.H. ’21, Ph.D., ’21 (center) is joined by student volunteers at Huskie Harvest.
(Photo: NIU Marketing and Communications)
Nancy Prange: Transforming Care into Action
For Nancy Prange, director of graduate studies in Nutrition & Dietetics within NIU’s School of Rehabilitation and Performance Sciences, volunteerism is inseparable from her professional mission: ensuring that students have the resources they need to succeed.
Prange works to ensure that students have consistent access to nutritious food — a challenge affecting millions across the country. Feeding America reports that 48 million Americans experience daily challenges with hunger, a statistic that includes college students. Prange has made it her mission to change that reality for students on campus.
As a driving force behind campus food recovery and distribution efforts such as Huskie Harvest, Prange has built systems that recover surplus food, package nutritionally balanced meals, and distribute them across campus with care and dignity. Her leadership extends beyond logistics; she has cultivated partnerships with campus dining services, community organizations and donors, while also mentoring students who participate in the initiative.
She consistently models what it means to serve with purpose and care while exploring thoughtful solutions to meet students’ needs.
“If you can help, you should,” Prange said. “That belief has become the foundation of both my personal and professional life. In my mind, service is a responsibility and a way of life. Through Huskie Harvest, I have been able to leverage campus and community partnerships into tangible support for students, ensuring that access to food is treated not as a privilege, but as a foundation for academic and personal success.”
Prange’s impact also extends beyond the university through programs like Camp Power and the Coordinated Approach to Child Health (CATCH), where she works to improve nutrition and increase food security in underserved communities.
“Community nutrition and education consistently anchor my service efforts, and I have sought opportunities where my skills are most needed,” she said. “Service, for me, is not about filling a seat at a table; it is about identifying where impact can be made and stepping forward. Staying engaged and informed allows me to move service from intention to action.”
Through her dedication, Prange has not only addressed immediate needs — she has fostered a culture in which students, faculty and volunteers work together to support one another. Her work embodies Liz McSpadden’s belief that service is both powerful and deeply personal.
Pattie Schiele: A Voice of Encouragement and Opportunity
For Pattie Schiele, volunteering is about connection — creating meaningful experiences that help students see their potential and navigate their professional futures with confidence.
Schiele spent more than 35 years building a distinguished career, primarily with global corporations including Motorola and Aon. In those roles, she led high-performing internal communications teams and helped organizations communicate strategic initiatives on a global scale. Her expertise now informs the guidance she offers to students, particularly in areas like professional communication and career readiness.
Since beginning her volunteer journey in 2020, Schiele has become one of the NIU Alumni Association’s most dependable and engaged volunteers. Whether writing postcards to prospective students, coaching participants in career workshops, assisting at college fairs, or supporting initiatives such as the Huskie Food Pantry and the Conference in Undergraduate Research and Engagement, she consistently brings energy and insight to every opportunity.
“I was extremely fortunate to have had exceptional mentors and role models while attending NIU, and once I had more time to devote to volunteering, I wanted to contribute to students’ experiences in the same way I received coaching and guidance,” Schiele said.
Schiele's reliability has made her a cornerstone volunteer. She proactively seeks opportunities, provides feedback and willingly fills gaps when last-minute needs arise. After each volunteer opportunity, she leaves feeling energized and inspired.
“I thoroughly enjoy helping current and future Huskies see their potential, identify their superpowers and translate their unique skills into successful careers upon graduation,” she said. “It's so personally fulfilling to be able to offer guidance and encouragement to students during such an exciting, challenging and vulnerable time in their lives.”
Schiele is not only recognized for what she does, but how she does it — with warmth, encouragement and a genuine belief in others. Her volunteer efforts reflect the spirit of the Northern Lights Award through her passion, dependability and willingness to embrace new challenges.
Liz McSpadden, '10, M.B.A. '16 (Photo: McSpadden Family)
Honoring a Legacy Through Service
The Northern Lights Award is more than recognition — it is a continuation of Liz McSpadden’s legacy. Her life demonstrated that service is not defined by circumstance, but by commitment, compassion and the willingness to show up for others.
Nancy Prange and Pattie Schiele embody that legacy in distinct yet equally impactful ways. Prange addresses fundamental needs that allow students to thrive, while Schiele builds confidence and connection that prepares them for life beyond campus. Together, they reflect the many ways alumni can make a difference.
As McSpadden once said, “You have one life to live…there are so many things you can do with your time.”
Through their service, Prange and Schiele show us exactly how meaningful that time can be.
Interested in making an impact? NIU alumni volunteer opportunities continue to grow, offering ways to support students, share expertise and strengthen the Huskie network. Contact Assistant Director of Volunteer Engagement Taylor Curry, M.P.A. '25, at tcurry4@niu.edu.