NIU Foundation

Latest News

101 Year Old Alumna and Donor Reflects Fondly on Her Time at NIU

NIU alumna Helen Woods Milligan, ’41, still gives back to her alma mater as a donor nearly 80 years after leaving campus. Helen, who recently turned 101, graduated from Northern Illinois State Teachers College only months before the U.S. entered WW II.
Scharping, Smith selected in NFL Draft

For the first time since 2014, two Huskies were selected in the NFL Draft over the weekend, as left tackle Max Scharping was selected in the second round by the Houston Texans on Friday, and and defensive end Sutton Smith was taken in the sixth round by t
Experience NIU: Distinguished Alumnus Award Lecture - Ned Colletti

The NIU Alumni Association is proud to honor former Major League Baseball executive Ned Colletti, '76, as its 2019 Distinguished Alumnus Award winner, in conjunction with the 2019 NIUAA Alumni Awards.
Baseball Dreams Realized With NIU Degree

Ned Colletti, ’76, never would have dreamed that he would spend one season in Major League Baseball, let alone nearly 40 years.
Service With a Smile

Michael Pattrick, '90, M.S.Ed. '94, is this year's NIU's F.R. Geigle Service Award winner.
Jack of All Trades

Carmen Rossi never imagined himself as anything other than a lawyer.
Fulfilling and Fortifying Her Dream and Love of Art

Arlene Turner-Crawford has spent the past four decades as an advocate for social justice, civil rights, community involvement and cultural heritage through her career as an artist and educator.
Family Focus Forges Flexible Career Path for O'Malley and Others

Erica O’Malley credits her career success to employers’ willingness to let her put her family first.
NIU Degree Impacts Keith Liden, M.S. '79, Both Professionally and Personally

Keith Liden, M.S. ’79, credits his NIU education with giving him the agility to excel in a variety of fields.
Raising Her Family and Food Allergy Awareness

Denise Bunning has demonstrated outstanding achievements in promoting food allergy awareness and research on local, state and national levels, including co-founding a not-for-profit support organization MOCHA (Mothers of Children Having Allergies).
Physical Education alumnus Cal Korf takes a trip down memory lane six decades after graduation

The year was 1955, and Cal Korf was preparing to begin his career as a Physical Education teacher.
A's and B's First, X's and O's Second

There is so much more than football that could explain the love and regard that new NIU head football coach Thomas Hammock ’02 has for his alma mater.
Former Huskie Thomas Hammock '02 Returns to Lead NIU Football Program

Thomas Hammock, '02, a former Huskie player and assistant coach, returns home as the 23rd head coach in the history of the Northern Illinois University football program.
Successful 50th Anniversary NIU ROTC Reunion Leads to $850 Donation

All proceeds raised from ROTC 50th Anniversary alumni events in October to benefit Cadet Fund.
Alumni Integral to Building the Future for Honors Students

Would you like to share your career expertise? Learn how you can help an honors student get job shadowing experience or qualify for scholarships.
Join NIUniverse! The New NIUAA Social Media Ambassador Program

You can start earning points for prizes simply by sharing social media from the NIU Alumni Association!
Alumni Connecting With Graduate Students

Because of a new NIU professional development program, graduate students have the opportunity to connect with alumni to learn about the job skills that they'll need.
Golden Knights Skydiving Team to Swoop in for Homecoming

In honor of the 50th anniversary of ROTC on campus, the Golden Knights will parachute into Huskie Stadium to present the game ball for homecoming.
Steve Peifer: An International Hero

Author Steve Peifer shares how a pilgrimage to Kenya transformed him from an ordinary middle-aged man into an international hero.
Dr. Lisa Freeman Named 13th President in NIU History

The NIU Foundation is pleased with the announcement of Dr. Lisa C. Freeman as the 13th president of Northern Illinois University.
Alumna Returns to NIU to Tell Her Story About the Vietnam War

Meet Rita Dragonette on Oct. 25 as she chronicles the Vietnam War and compares the time period to today's social unrest.
STEMfest Draws All Ages for Hands-On Fun

A new Mini Maker Faire, the Haunted Physics Lab, sparking machines and robots are some of the highlights awaiting families at STEMfest on Oct. 27.
Get Ready for Football and Watch Party Day

Reserve your tickets for home games and check out the venues for National Football Watch Party Day on Nov. 1.
Meet Our Youngest Board Member

At 26 years old, Michael Cahill has already raised money for student scholarships, recruited students for jobs and mentored students.
Come Back to NIU for the Revamped Corn Classic

Because of a team effort by alumni and the community, the Corn Classic 10K on Sunday, Sept. 23, offers a new experience for the whole family to run or volunteer. As the finale, it ends with the Taste of DeKalb, a new event with food and entertainment.
Meet New Board Member Marlo Barnett

With five years of experience in higher education, Marlo Barnett plans to give her ideas on how the university can continue academic excellence and recruit students.
Murer Named Woman of Influence

The Chicago Business Journal recognizes Cherilyn Murer for her impact in her profession and community.
High-Impact Programs Connect Alumni With Students

Alumni can contribute to student success by giving as little as an hour of their time to speak about their personal and professional experiences.
Murer Appointed to Surgical Solutions Board

Cherilyn Murer continues to have a major voice in health care issues.
NIU Alumni Association Announces 2018-2019 Board of Directors and Officers

The NIU Alumni Association Board of Directors elects Peter Garrity, '71, M.B.A. '76, as president; Joseph Sener, '93, M.S. '10, as vice president; and Michael Hughes, '92, M.A. '93, as treasurer.
College of Business Honors Outstanding Huskies

Four Huskies are recognized for their career accomplishments and dedication to service.
The Power of the NIU Spirit

NIU employees are changing lives in their free time.
Barsema Alumni & Visitors Center Building a Legacy - Brick by Brick

Alumni, faculty, staff, students, parents and friends are invited to make their mark at NIU by purchasing a personalized commemorative brick, which will be placed at the Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center.
NIU Alumni Association 8th Annual Golf Outing Rained Out

The 8th Annual NIU Alumni Association Golf Outing, including the dinner, has been cancelled due to inclement weather.
Alumni Bring Students Into Political Science Arena

Political science graduates, from city leaders to movers and shakers in Washington, D.C., are among alumni making a huge impact at NIU by providing internships, serving as mentors and giving their time to strengthen programs.
Alumnus Gives Back by Providing Job Training

Derrick Strand believes in giving back to NIU by using "machete methods" to teach what really matters on the job.
NIU Nexus Connects Alumni to University

Alumni can reconnect with the university and make an impact through NIU Nexus, a volunteer alumni community.
NIU Cares Day

Give back to the community by serving as a site leader for students at NIU Cares Day on Saturday, April 21.
NCIS Director: Distinguished Alumnus of the Year

Andrew Traver, director of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, is the 2018 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year for his years of commitment to protect the nation and for giving back to NIU.
McCluskey Honored for Alumni Achievement in Public Service

James McCluskey of Momkus McCluskey LLC is rated as a top lawyer in the state and is president-elect of the Illinois State Bar Association.
Waldeland: A Game Changer and Philanthropist

Lynne Waldeland, an NIU professor emeritus and former interim executive VP and provost, is honored with the F.R. Geigle Service Award for outstanding service and commitment to the university.
Joe Minoso Credits NIU for Fine-Tuning His Acting Skills

The "Chicago Fire" star says he was a lost actor until he came to Northern.
Marilyn Stromborg: A Force of Change

Marilyn Stromborg receives the 2018 Alumni Achievement in the Sciences Award for changing lives as a nurse, a professor and chair of the School of Nursing, an author, an assistant state's attorney and a drug court coordinator.
Benz and DeGiorgio: Outstanding Young Alumni in Real Estate

Erek Benz and Michael DeGiorgio have created a commercial real estate marketplace to advance the industry and streamline transactions, from listing to closing.
2018 NIU Alumni Awards Luncheon

The 2018 NIU Alumni Awards Luncheon will be held on Friday, March 23, at 12 p.m. at the Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center.
NCIS Director and NIU Distinguished Alumnus Andrew Traver to Speak March 22 at NIU

The free lecture is a part of the "Experience NIU" series, presented by the NIU Alumni Association, and will take place at 6 p.m. March 22 in the Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center. A reception will be held before the event at 5 p.m.
Alumnus Donates $1 Million to Benefit Students

During NIU Foundation’s annual gala, Red and Black, this month, a $1 million gift from John Burns (’88) and his wife, Denise Burns, of River Forest, Illinois, was part of the celebration.
NIU Alumni Association and Admissions Student Recruitment Phone-a-thon

The NIU Alumni Association and Admissions Student Recruitment Phone-a-thon offers alumni an evening filled with one-on-one phone conversations with our prospective students, encouraging them to attend NIU.
And the 2018 Alumni Award Winners Are ...

Eight alumni, from the director of the nation’s Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) to entrepreneurs who are revolutionizing their industry, will receive 2018 awards from the NIU Alumni Association.
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Seeking Nominations for Annual Awards

Nominations due by March 19
Students Connect With Alumni and Their Businesses

A new externship program matches alumni mentors with honors students to forge connections and give students a chance to understand their career options.
Aurand Honored With Marketing Professorship

The James E. Thompson Professorship in Marketing is renewed and extended to professor Tim Aurand again to bring research results into the classroom.
NIU Nexus

NIU has many volunteer opportunities appropriate for alumni at all stages and places in their lives – all of which are in need of your support!
NIU Alumni Association Seeking Applications for NIUAA Board of Directors

Are you interested in serving your alma mater as a director on the Northern Illinois University Alumni Association’s board of directors? The deadline for applications is March 4, 2018.
Networking Reception at the State Capitol

Alumni are invited to join university officials and members of the Illinois General Assembly at a networking reception to discuss NIU priorities. Don't miss this opportunity to make a difference!
Alumni Volunteer Opportunities This Semester

Reconnect with NIU by making a difference in the lives of students or helping the community. Check out several ways that you can give back this semester.
Leveraging the Best Communication Style in the Workplace

Through NIU Jobs PLUS, alumna Audrey Southard is teaching students about communication styles that all employees could benefit from to improve their job relationships.
Scholarships for Students

Let a student know how easy it is to access scholarships through AcademicWorks, which includes our Merit Scholarship and the Fanny Ruth Patterson Scholarship. The deadline to apply for most scholarships is Jan. 31.
Alumna Reaches Out to Congress to Advocate for Dreamers

Sen. Tammy Duckworth shares Christian Villalobos' story on the Senate floor to advocate for young immigrants who are contributing to the nation.
NIU Law Earns 84% Passage on Bar Exam

Northern Illinois College of Law is proud to announce that the passage rate for first-time takers on the Illinois July 2017 bar was 84 percent, four points above the state average.
Tuition Frozen, Domestic Rate Extended

The NIU Board of Trustees voted to lower fees and freeze tuition for the 2018-2019 academic year during its Dec. 7 meeting.
Cornelius Makes List of Best U.S. Attorneys

Vincent Cornelius (J.D. '89) has been recognized in the 2018 edition of “The Best Lawyers in America” in the practice area of criminal defense.
Radous Honored by Crain’s

Citing his dedication and strong business acumen, Crain’s Chicago Business has named UniCarriers Americas Corp. President James J. Radous III to its 50@50+ list. The distinction honors individuals who are at or above 50 years of age and who have made...
Temple Grandin to Speak on Autism

Best-selling author and internationally acclaimed speaker Temple Grandin will be on campus Wednesday, Dec. 6, to talk about “Developing Individuals Who Have Different Kinds of Minds.”
Volunteer for NIU

Alumni help the university meet its mission by donating their time and talent to NIU