NIU Today

NIU’s PI Academy for Research & Engagement will present “Federal Engagement, Innovation, and the NIU Foundation” from 10 a.m. to noon Friday, March 25, in Altgeld Hall 315. This session will introduce participants to three university units that can assist with development of research, scholarship and artistry. The Office of Federal Relations can help faculty...

Since its grand opening in 1995, the NIU-Rockford Education Center at 8500 E. State St. has welcomed hundreds of thousands of students, clients and community members for classes, meetings, community gatherings and special events. As part of its 20th anniversary celebration today, the university launched the NIU EIGERlab Coworking Space in what was formerly the...

NIU’s deep commitment to strengthening the Rockford economy vaulted into a national spotlight Monday with the announcement that the Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute will locate its first chapter in the city. Called a “momentous day in the history of Rockford” and “a big win for the Rockford community and manufacturers across the country,”...

Who’s ready to buzz in? The Bergstrom Stateline Quiz Bowl is back, bigger and better than ever. Rockford’s popular half-hour television show kicks off its 31-week-run at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, on WTVO Channel 17 and at 9:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, on WQRF FOX 39. It also airs at 8:30 a.m. Sundays on...

Starting next fall, engineering students from the Rockford area can earn bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees from NIU without leaving the campus of Rock Valley College. Presidents and other leaders of both institutions made the announcement and signed letters of intent this morning before a standing-room-only and energetic crowd gathered inside the Woodward Technology Center....

A key component of the “Transform Rockford” movement is a greater emphasis on providing quality education to improve workforce readiness and provide better opportunities for the area’s young citizens. In that spirit, WTVO-TV Channel17/WQRF Fox 39 has announced that it will launch “Stateline Quiz Bowl by Bergstrom,” a new half-hour local television series that will...

Regional partners reported results and progress achieved during the first year of the federal Jobs & Innovation Accelerator Challenge (JIAC) grant, which is focused on four major areas – branding, product innovation, work-force pipeline and business entrepreneurship. Examples of innovative and unique services introduced include a new engineering internship program, an integrated marketing strategy and...

Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey declared January as “NIU Huskie Month” in the state’s third-largest city, which is located about 38 miles northwest of DeKalb and serves as home to one of the university’s three outreach centers. The announcement came during a Monday, Dec. 31, meeting of the city council. NIU’s Rena Cotsones was on hand...

What do Rockford-area math teachers have in common with members of the Carpenters Local 792 and employees of scientific equipment maker Thermo Fisher Scientific and aerospace company Woodward Inc.?

A Rockford education, industry and workforce development collaborative has submitted a proposal for a highly competitive $2.1 million federal Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge (JIAC) grant focusing on the regional advanced manufacturing cluster. This follows the collaborative’s successful proposal in 2011, which brought a $2.4 million grant to the area in support of the aerospace...

Friday nights were like graduation at Stevenson Towers this summer. The cafeteria tables were draped in red and black cloths. Parents arrived after work in sundresses, suits or coveralls and steel-toed boots, on time so they wouldn’t miss dinner and the ceremony. As campers showed off their week’s worth of accomplishments and received their certificates...

Seven area groups collaborated and applied for a federal grant that could significantly strengthen the region’s aerospace industry. The announcement was made Tuesday at the NIU-Rockford campus. Promod Vohra, dean of the NIU College of Engineering & Engineering Technology, also spoke at the news conference. Rena Cotsones, NIU’s assistant vice president for regional engagement in...