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training-portraitCome out Wednesday, Sept. 21, from 9 -11 a.m., to the Campus Life Building, room 100, where Affirmative Action and Equity Compliance will host a Search Procedure Training: Recruiting Faculty and Staff at NIU. This interactive workshop will cover strategies and best practices for recruiting a diverse qualified applicant pool. Employees who process the hiring paperwork, participate on search committees, chair search committees and/or serve as the hiring official for the search process will find this training most helpful.

To register visit go.niu.edu/search-training. Seating is limited. For more information, contact Roselyn Snell at rsnell@niu.edu or visit niu.edu/aaec.

Date posted: September 21, 2016 | Author: | Comments Off on Search procedure training: Recruiting faculty and staff

Categories: Events Faculty & Staff

research-artistry-grant-portraitThe Division of Research & Innovation Partnerships has launched the Summer 2017 Research & Artistry Grant web page, which includes the online application and details of the requests for proposals for facilitation grants, opportunity grants and completion grants. The deadline for submission of proposals for the 2017 Summer Research & Artistry Grant is Friday, Oct. 21, 2016.

For more information, please go to the webpage at research.niu.edu/divresearch/resources/artistry.

Date posted: September 21, 2016 | Author: | Comments Off on Summer 2017 Research & Artistry Grant webpage now available

Categories: Faculty & Staff Homepage Students

mourning-lincoln-portraitNoted historian and author Martha Hodes will discuss her latest book on how ordinary people mourned the death of Abraham Lincoln during the 13th annual Lincoln Lecture, scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 13, in Altgeld Auditorium.

In “Mourning Lincoln: The Assassination and the Aftermath of the Civil War,” Hodes details the responses of ordinary individuals — Northern and Southern, white and black, soldiers and civilians, women and men – through their diaries and personal correspondence. Those responses paint a portrait of an extremely fractured nation, foreshadowing the future battles over Reconstruction and making the nation whole again.

“Mourning Lincoln” has earned acclaim from the Wall Street Journal as a Best Nonfiction Book (2015), in addition to receiving the 2016 Gilder Lehrman Lincoln Prize and the 2016 Avery O. Craven Award from the Organization of American Historians. The book has also been selected as a long list finalist for the 2015 National Book Awards for Nonfiction.

Hodes, a professor of history at New York University, teaches courses on race, the Civil War and Reconstruction, and 19th century United States. She also teaches additional courses in history-writing,

Martha Hodes

Martha Hodes

such as Writing the Civil War, History and Storytelling, Biography and History, Reconstructing Lives, and Experimental History.

She has published articles in numerous scholarly journals, written for the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Wall Street Journal, and Salon.com, and has appeared on the PBS News Hour. Hodes is the author of three books – “Mourning Lincoln” (Yale University Press, 2015), “The Sea Captain’s Wife: A True Story of Love, Race, and War in the Nineteenth Century” (W. W. Norton, 2006) and “White Women, Black Men: Illicit Sex in the Nineteenth-Century South” (Yale University Press, 1997).

The W. Bruce Lincoln Endowed Lecture Series brings to campus distinguished scholars who address topics of historical interest to both the academic community and the general public. The lectures engage key issues and are often interdisciplinary, in the spirit of the research, writing and teaching of the late professor Bruce Lincoln, who was a best-selling historian of Russia and esteemed member of the NIU History Department.

To learn more about NIU’s Lincoln Lecture Series, go to niu.edu/history/programs/lincoln. 

Date posted: September 21, 2016 | Author: | Comments Off on Author to discuss ‘Mourning Lincoln’ Oct. 13

Categories: Centerpiece Community Events Faculty & Staff Parents Students

out-of-the-blue-centerpieceThe School of Theatre and Dance at NIU opens its 2016-2017 Mainstage Series with Out of the Blue, by Vladimir Zaitsev, a play based on the real-life experiences of a Russian teenager who announced to his parents that he was gay and became the focus of an international rescue mission.

Set in a culture where laws ban “propaganda” that threatens traditional family values, this controversial play stunned Russian audiences, leading to warnings of shutdowns by the authorities, bomb threats and a government investigation. Out of the Blue will be performed at Huntley Middle School Auditorium, opening on Sept. 22.

Guest director Colin Jackson is on loan from Chicago’s Organic Theatre Company. He is focused on presenting this play in a way that shows the storyline is not exclusive to any one culture. The main character (the son) is left unnamed, to show that prejudice can happen to anyone, anywhere.

According to Jackson, it is the fear of differences that cause people to react in especially destructive ways. Out of the Blue demonstrates how anger has a habit of muddying things up and can block any path to understanding.

The main character’s revelation about his sexual orientation is so reviled by his family, he is incarcerated until he can be “cured,” as was the boy upon which the character is based.

Out of the Blue aims to expose the truth,” Jackson says. “No matter how open minded people think they are, deep prejudice still does exist.”

Jackson says the play also challenges the actors, requiring them to come “bursting through the gates with a sense of empowerment on stage.” He believes Out of the Blue will set a new standard for an actor’s sense of security and being brave on stage.

Huntley Middle School Auditorium is located at 1515 S. Fourth Street, in DeKalb. Performances run Sept. 22 through 25, and 29 through Oct. 1.

Tickets are $17 for adults, $15 for seniors and $9 for students with an ID, and may be purchased at the School of Theatre and Dance Box Office located in the Holmes Student Center lower level, next to the Blackhawk Dining Room, on the NIU DeKalb campus.

The box office is open Monday through Thursday from noon to 6 p.m., Friday from noon to 2 p.m., and one hour before show time. Tickets may also be ordered by phone at 815-753-1600 or online at niu.edu/theatre.

Date posted: September 20, 2016 | Author: | Comments Off on School of Theatre and Dance presents ‘Out of the Blue’

Categories: Arts Centerpiece Community Events Faculty & Staff Students Theatre Visual and Performing Arts

just-mercy-portraitA series of events linked to themes of the Common Reading Experience (CRE) book selection, Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption, has been released. Students, faculty, staff and community members are welcome to participate in events that pique your interest.

Events are sponsored by several different entities and focus on themes related to Just Mercy, including injustice in the criminal justice system related to race and poverty, children in prison, mass incarceration and the death penalty.

All CRE events are free and open to the public:

HUMAN The Movie- Vol. 3: Happiness, Education, Disability, Immigration, Corruption and the Meaning of Life, Monday, Sept. 19, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., Holmes Student Center, Carl Sandburg Auditorium View and discuss a film interviewing people from 60 different countries about what it means to be human.

The Illinois Innocence Project, Thursday, Sept. 22, noon, Swen Parson Hall, Riley Courtroom (Rm. 170) Attorneys from Illinois Innocence Project explain how innocent people are imprisoned and how they can be exonerated.

Day in the Life of a Prisoner, Monday, Sept. 26, 3 – 5 p.m., Homes Student Center, Regency Room, Walk through a simulated demonstration of prisoner life in the U.S. Criminal Justice System.

Defamation: The Play, Thursday, Sept. 29, 6 p.m., Homes Student Center, Carl Sandburg Auditorium A play exploring issues of race, religion, gender, class, and the law with a twist: The audience is the jury.

Safety Awareness Fair, Monday, Oct. 3, 7 p.m., Homes Student Center, Duke Ellington Ballroom Drop in to experience various simulations, including texting while driving and a seatbelt interaction. Meet and learn about police, fire and other service agencies.

Open Mic Night: Sharing Stories of Injustice, Monday, Oct. 10, 3:30 p.m., Swen Parson Hall, Riley Courtroom (Rm.170) Share your stories of injustice and/or hear how it has touched the lives of others.

Just Mercy Book Discussion, Wednesday, Oct. 5, noon, Swen Parson Hall, Room 188 Facilitated by Assistant Professor of Law, Daniel McConkie, J.D.

Just Mercy Book Discussion, Wednesday, Oct. 12, noon, Swen Parson Hall, Room 188 Facilitated by Associate Dean and Professor of Law, Marc Falkoff, J.D., Ph.D.

Just Mercy Essay Contest, Due on or before Friday, Oct. 14, 4 p.m. Essays should address themes of social justice, injustice, mass incarceration and others raised by Stevenson’s text. (Open to students currently enrolled in English 102P, 103P, 103, 103ESL, 203, 203ESL, 204, 451, 452, 453, or UNIV 101/201). Submit to Maribel Montelongo at mmontelongo1@niu.edu.

Storybook Project, Oct. 19-26, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Altgeld Hall, Room 100 Purchase a Book to help incarcerated grand/parents record themselves reading for their grand/child.

“American Injustice, Mercy, Humanity and Making a Difference,” Monday, Oct. 24, 6:30 p.m., Homes Student Center, Carl Sandburg Auditorium Author Bryan Stevenson’s presentation followed by Q&A and Book Signing.

Grassroots Leadership: Promoting Change in the Social Media Age, Thursday, Nov. 10, 6 p.m., Homes Students Center, Carl Sandburg Auditorium Payton Head, former Mizzou Association President, will share about creating institutional change.

The CRE is a High Impact Practice (HIP) that has a foundation in liberal education. (Find out more about the goals of the CRE here.) For more information, contact, First- and Second-Year Experience at fsye@niu.edu, 815-753-0028 or visit at Altgeld Hall 100.

Date posted: September 20, 2016 | Author: | Comments Off on Fall 2016 Common Reading Experience events annnounced

Categories: Community Faculty & Staff Homepage Students

grad-schoool-fair-portraitNorthern Illinois University is hosting its eighth annual Graduate and Professional School (GPS) Fair on Tuesday, Oct. 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Duke Ellington Ballroom of the Holmes Student Center. The fair is free to all and is intended to help students get a head start on their searches for master’s, doctoral or professional degree programs.

“On the continuum of student career success, pursuing a graduate or professional degree is often the next logical step for entry or advancement in the workplace. That is true because the great promise of graduate education is that it prepares the next generation of thought leaders, innovators, and practitioners for those roles,” noted Bradley Bond, dean of the Graduate School and associate vice president for Graduate Studies.

NIU graduate and professional programs are well-represented at this year’s GPS Fair, including the Graduate School; the Colleges of Education, Health & Human Sciences, Law, and Liberal Arts & Sciences; the Department of Public Administration; the Department of Finance/M.S. in Financial Risk Management; and the NIU MBA program.

According to the nationwide 2016 Student Survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, 25 percent of graduating seniors (5,600 respondents) planned to continue their education after earning their bachelor’s degrees.

“Graduate or professional degree programs represent an opportunity for students to broaden and deepen their professional skills and interests, thus adding tremendous value to what they bring to the workplace,” said Joyce Keller, associate director of NIU Career Services and coordinator of the event.

Attendees will have the chance to talk face-to-face with graduate and professional school representatives from over 100 programs throughout the United States. The fair includes exhibitors from law, technology, health, business, education, sciences, social sciences and humanities programs, among other areas of study.

Although attendees do not need to dress professionally or bring copies of their résumés, it is recommended that they prepare by reviewing the list of schools and programs scheduled to attend the fair. The growing list of exhibitors for this year’s GPS Fair is available at gpsrecruit.niu.edu.

Students are encouraged to consider advanced degrees early in their college careers. Gathering program information early will help students plan for admissions requirements and funding. Students are invited to visit Career Services to discuss how graduate and professional programs may help them advance toward their career goals and further develop their interests, priorities and talents.

To schedule an appointment with a Career Services staff member to discuss graduate school planning, students may call 815-753-1641 or email careerservices@niu.edu. To see additional information about the Graduate & Professional School Fair, please visit gpsrecruit.niu.edu.

Date posted: September 20, 2016 | Author: | Comments Off on Career Services hosts its eighth annual Graduate and Professional School Fair

Categories: Faculty & Staff Graduate School Homepage Students

The Finance & Budget Office is recruiting an assistant university budget officer (ABO). The deadline to apply for this position is Sept. 30, 2016. For job description and qualifications, please see Assistant University Budget Officer – Human Resource Services – Northern Illinois University.

Date posted: September 20, 2016 | Author: | Comments Off on Assistant university budget officer posting

Categories: Announcements Faculty & Staff Homepage

Jostens will be at Huskie Books & Gear in the Holmes Student Center on Wednesday, Sept. 21, and Thursday, Sept. 22, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., for all your graduation needs – rings, diploma frames and graduation stationary. If you have any questions, call (815) 753-9892.

Date posted: September 19, 2016 | Author: | Comments Off on Jostens hosts to ring event at Huskie Books & Gear Sept. 21 & 22

Categories: Events Students

clothing-expo-portraitThe Gender and Sexuality Resource Center is looking for clothing for their Annual Clothing Expo event and will accept donations until Monday, Sept. 26th.

The Annual Clothing Expo will be on Thursday, Sept. 29, in the Holmes Student Center’s Regency room from 1–3 p.m. They are looking for new and gently used clothing that ranges from everyday wear to professional clothing for attending classes, working on campus and interviews for full-time jobs and internships. Some common examples of the items they offer are coats, shoes, bags, jewelry, sleepwear, boots, gloves, hats, ties, suits, pants, shirts, blouses, jackets, bags, etc. In the past, they have received children’s clothing as well as household items (for residence halls and apartments) that students have made great use of.

Carrie Williams, assistant director of the Gender & Sexuality Resource Center said, “After such wonderful student feedback of how financially helpful it was to have coats, ties, brand new comforters, book bags, professional clothes, jeans, shirts, shower curtains, jewelry, children and baby clothes and much more, we want to encourage people to continue to send items that students can use. We are asking that all items donated are in great condition – no stains or damage – so that students can have long usage of them.” She noted that they will accept items that are still functional and only brand new personal undergarments.

Attendees must be a current NIU student and present their NIU One-Card to enter. This year, local family members are also invited and students can bring one family member to enter with them to shop for free.

As a reminder, you may drop off clothing at the Gender & Sexuality Resource Center, located at 105 Normal Road in the Arndt House – between normal University business hours Monday – Friday. If you have any questions, please contact the office at 815-753-4772 or contact Graduate Assistant Mary Stamps, who will be coordinating the clothing donation efforts this year, at mstamps2@niu.edu.

Date posted: September 19, 2016 | Author: | Comments Off on Annual Clothing EXPO to be held on Sept. 29

Categories: Community Faculty & Staff Homepage Students

fintness-portraitCampus Recreation memberships for NIU Faculty and Staff now include all Group Fitness classes!

Group Fitness is a fun and convenient way to workout. We offer a variety of class formats and class times. We have noon classes on Mondays and Tuesdays and classes that start at 4 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. most days of the week. The instructor will lead you through the exercises so you don’t have to take the time to plan your workout for the day. The classes are designed for all fitness levels.

In addition to Group Fitness classes, memberships also include the use of Gabel Hall pool for open and lap swimming, equipment in cardio and strength training rooms, racquetball/wallyball courts, multipurpose courts, outdoor fields, locker rooms with dry saunas, indoor track, sports equipment check-out and additional programs and services (some at additional cost).

For more information, please visit niu.edu/campusrec.

Date posted: September 19, 2016 | Author: | Comments Off on Group fitness added to employee Campus Rec memberships

Categories: Faculty & Staff Homepage

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is sponsoring a Weight Watchers at Work program.

Join anytime and everyone is welcome. The meetings are held at noon on Tuesdays in the Blackhawk Annex of the Holmes Student Center. Cost is based on the number of sessions and payment plans are available. If you have any questions, please contact the EAP at 815-753-9191.

Date posted: September 16, 2016 | Author: | Comments Off on Weight Watchers meets Tuesdays

Categories: Events Faculty & Staff Homepage Students

Gillian King-Cargile

Gillian King-Cargile

Gillian King-Cargile remembers well a phone call from an administrator at Sycamore High School, where she’d recently handed out free copies of a science fiction novel titled “The Maze Runner.”

“You made a kid’s mom cry,” the caller told her.

What? How? Was the plot objectionable? The subject matter?

No, she was told, the mother simply had returned home late in the afternoon to find her teenage son engrossed in the book written by James Dashner. “She had never seen him reading for pleasure before,” King-Cargile says. “Sometimes it’s just a matter of putting the book into somebody’s hands, and that can make all the difference.”

That enthusiastic and positive reaction is common for NIU’s STEM Read team, which was among this spring’s honorees at the Division of Research and Innovation Partnerships Recognition Ceremony. STEM Read uses live and online programs to inspire readers to learn more about science, technology, engineering and math concepts in popular fiction.

Readers enjoy the books on their own or with school or library groups. They then meet at NIU or online to explore the science behind the fiction through hands-on activities, presentations by NIU faculty and staff, author visits, interactive games, collaborative writing projects and more.

STEM Read is part of the P-20 Center’s suite of STEAM Works programs in the Division of Outreach, Engagement and Regional Development. Program contributors, including NIU’s Kristin Brynteson, Mary Baker and Jacob Johnson, draw on their multidisciplinary backgrounds in everything from visual art and education technology to filmmaking and engineering to create fun and innovative experiences.

All STEM Read programming is posted online as NIU works to build the pipeline of students seeking STEM careers.

“The program originally started in 2011, as a way to work with teens at the local libraries and get them excited about STEMfest,” King-Cargile says. “We had really great events, and we’d get about 10 kids, so we started to think about how we could make these more impactful and get more students involved.”

Field trips – the next is scheduled Nov. 17 and 18 – bring students to NIU’s campus to participate in day-long games based on the STEM concepts from books. Throughout these events, students get to meet and learn from the sci-fi authors and guest speakers from NIU’s STEM departments and partner organizations such as Argonne National Laboratory and the Midwest Museum.

Participants also tackle science challenges related to the books. “A fun and interesting story makes the subject a little less intimidating,” King-Cargile says, “and these field trips get them deeper into the subject matter.”

Usually choosing the types of books that the kids are already reading, the STEM Read team chats with librarians and publishers who suggest great titles. They also take requests from the readers themselves.

Meanwhile, the program now publishes its own works through the NIU Press.

King-Cargile is the author of the Stuffed Bunny Science Adventure Series of educational children’s books – “The Toy and the Twister,” “The Toy and the Tide Pool” and the forthcoming, “The Toy and the Test Drive” – illustrated by NIU alum Kevin Krull.

“Our number one goal is to foster enthusiasm for reading and learning,” King-Cargile says. “Reading for pleasure translates into being much more successful in school and throughout life, and when we celebrate good books and explore them further, we get kids excited, more engaged and doing better in school.”

Date posted: September 16, 2016 | Author: | Comments Off on Science fiction, science fact

Categories: Centerpiece Engineering and Engineering Technology Students