The award is presented in two categories, one recognizing the contributions made by an NIU student and one recognizing the contributions of a faculty or staff member or an NIU alum.
Nominees must have been affiliated with NIU for two years.
Individuals should have distinguished themselves by making significant contributions for the betterment of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community, either locally, regionally or nationally.
NIU’s Unity in Diversity (UID) Steering Committee is now accepting entries for its annual theme contest, which is created to encourage participation in diversity programming as it relates to gender, sexual orientation, culture, religion, race and physical ability.
The theme contest is open to all faculty, students and staff. The theme winner will receive a $100 prize and be recognized at the Diversity & Equity Awards Gala in April. Themes must be 10 words or less and reflect the idea of Unity in Diversity. Themes must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. Friday, March 4.
UID also provides supplemental funds to university departments, programs and Student Association-recognized organizations to support diversity-related events on campus.
Currently, UID is accepting funding proposal applications for diversity programming.
Funding proposals must be submitted by 4:30 pm Wednesday, March 2, to the Diversity & Equity Office, Campus Life Building 230.
Date posted: February 23, 2011 | Author: Jennice O'Brien | Comments Off on Unity in Diversity seeks ideas for 2012 theme
Submission deadline is 4:30 p.m. Friday, March 11.
Submission Guidelines
The contest is open to undergraduate and graduate NIU students.
Students can write personal essays or research papers (including papers written for classes) that focus on the complexities of lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender experiences and/or the experiences of LGBT allies.
Essays that explore connections between LGBT experiences and issues of race, gender, class, religion and/or ability are especially encouraged.
Essays may be any length up to 20 pages (typed, double-spaced).
Students may submit more than one essay, but will be eligible for only one prize per year.
All events are free and open to the public. For more information, call (815) 753-1531.
Tuesday, Feb. 22, 7:30 p.m. Latino Center, 515 Garden Road
Documentary screening and discussion, “Which Way Home” (in Spanish with English subtitles)
“Which Way Home” is a 2010 Oscar-nominated documentary produced and directed by Rebecca Cammisa. This fascinating film showcases the trials, hopes and sorrows of various unaccompanied child migrants who travel through Mexico into the United States by a freight train referred to as “The Beast.”
Sponsors are the Center for Latino and Latin American Studies and Dream Action NIU.
Wednesday, Feb., 23, 7:30 p.m. Cavan Auditorium, Gabel Hall
Documentary screening and discussion, “on the edge”
“on the edge” is a documentary produced by Laura Vazquez and Diane Nilan. This film highlights the plight of the homeless and the issues surrounding homelessness by following the lives of seven courageous women as they share their stories of trying to escape homelessness in the United States.
Sponsors are the Center for Latino and Latin American Studies and the Women’s Studies Program.
Thursday, Feb 24, 7:30 p.m. Grant A/B Formal
Documentary screening and discussion, “The Other Side of Immigration” (in Spanish with English subtitles)
“The Other Side of Immigration” features the work of Roy Germano, an award-winning filmmaker with a Ph.D. in political science. This documentary addresses the questions of why Mexicans leave their homes to work in the United States and what happens to the families and communities they leave behind. Based on more than 700 interviews, the film illuminates the issues surrounding one of the most “hot-button” topics in the news today.
Sponsors are the Center for Latino and Latin American Studies and Dream Action NIU.
Date posted: February 21, 2011 | Author: Jennice O'Brien | Comments Off on Latino Film Festival begins Tuesday
The annual College Bowl, where the best and the brightest engineering and engineering technology students test their knowledge while they compete for valuable prizes, is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 23.
NIU students, faculty, staff and alumni are encouraged to join the fun and watch these students battle it out.
Omar Ghrayeb, associate dean of the College of Engineering & Engineering Technology, said the College Bowl offers CEET students a great opportunity. “Our College Bowl recognizes the great accomplishments of our current students and showcases their ability to become successful engineers,” Ghrayeb said.
The College Bowl begins at 3:30 in Room 354 of the Engineering Building. The finals will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m. with a banquet and dinner immediately following. Because of space restraints, dinner guests should register by Tuesday, Feb. 15. For information, contact the associate dean’s office at (815) 753-1442.
Following dinner, a representative from British Petroleum will discuss the engineering and technology used in the oil exploration and development industry in the Gulf of Mexico.
In addition to Wednesday’s events, CEET will host almost 250 area middle and high school students Tuesday, Feb. 22.
These students will participate in hands-on activities, watch experiments performed by faculty and NIU students, listen to presentations and tour the engineering laboratories. Thanks to great popularity, registration is currently closed for this event. However, the college is currently scheduling several open houses for people and schools interested in showcasing engineering professions.
For more information, contact David Grady at (815) 753-0745.
“CEET, along with many professionals in the field, believes that our kids should be exposed to engineering and other STEM fields at an early age,” Ghrayeb said. “By inviting schools to visit us, more children are exposed to the exciting career opportunities awaiting them in the real world.”
Engineers Week celebrates engineering professions by showcasing the vast of array of careers available to engineering and engineering technology graduates.
The National Engineers Week Foundation, a formal coalition of more than 100 professional societies, major corporations and government agencies, is dedicated to ensuring a diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce by increasing understanding of, and interest in, engineering and technology careers among young students and by promoting pre-college literacy in math and science.
Engineers Week at NIU is just one of the many events supported by NIU STEM Outreach.
NIU’s STEM Outreach delivers off-campus programs and on-campus activities designed to increase science, technology, engineering and mathematics literacy and enthusiasm among P-12 students, their families and educators.
Date posted: February 8, 2011 | Author: Jennice O'Brien | Comments Off on Engineering & Engineering Technology to mark National Engineers Week with Feb. 23 bowl
Recreation Services is planning two trips for Valentine’s Day weekend that put physical activity over roses, dinner and a movie.
An ice skating trip is planned from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13, to Millennium Park in Chicago.
Traveling by train into the city, travelers can enjoy skating at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink. The energy and excitement of downtown Chicago does not end in the winter, and the trip is a perfect chance for pictures and fun.
The $20 registration includes transportation to and from the Elburn train station, skate rental and lunch. An additional fee for the train ticket ($7 round trip) is not included. Registration deadline is Thursday, Feb. 10.
Indoor climbing at Vertical Endeavors will take place from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Monday, Feb. 14.
Work your way to the top! Climbing is a problem solver’s workout with lots of options to build strength, endurance, agility and balance. Beginner to advanced climbers welcome.
The $25 registration fee includes transportation, instruction, equipment rental and admission. Registration deadline is Thursday, Feb. 10.
Register at the Outing Centre from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday.
For more information, call (815) 753-9422, e-mail clagattolla@niu.edu or stop by the Outing Centre, located inside of the Rec, during business hours.
Date posted: February 4, 2011 | Author: Jennice O'Brien | Comments Off on Recreation Services provides two active options for celebrating Valentine’s Day weekend
Recreation Services will host free clinics on cross-country skiing from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8, and Thursday, Feb. 10.
Whether participants have never cross-country skied before or need to brush up, these clinics offer an introduction to this popular winter sport, help skiiers gear up and develop their skills and become active throughout the season. Come to the Outing Centre for the chance to get some practice in before the next trip.
The clinics will offer good preparation for a Saturday, Feb. 12, cross-country ski trip to Rock Cut State Park.
The trip is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; transportation capacity is limited to 12 people. Stop by the Outing Centre or call (815) 753-9422 to reserve a space by Thursday, Feb. 10. The registration cost is $25, which includes transportation, instruction, gear rental and lunch.
Rock Cut is the largest state park in northern Illinois. Located just north of Rockford in Loves Park, this park is blanketed with pretty white snow and offers easy to intermediate gentle terrain. There are many miles of groomed trails to practice on getting the rhythm that makes this sport so relaxing.
For more information, call (815) 753-9422, e-mail clagattolla@niu.edu or stop by the Outing Centre, located inside of the Rec, during business hours.
Date posted: February 4, 2011 | Author: Jennice O'Brien | Comments Off on Recreation Services plans cross-country ski trip to Rock Cut State Park, pair of free clinics
Love the outdoors and seeing new places? What could be better than taking a trip with Outdoor Adventures this Spring Break!
Outdoor Adventures is traveling down to Georgia to spend the week volunteering in the Chattahoochee National Forest. All expenses (gear rental, food, transportation and camping) are included. The trip will take place from Saturday, March 12, through Saturday, March 19.
Informational meetings are scheduled at 9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 1, and Wednesday, Feb. 9, in the Outing Centre.
Ready to go?
Register at the OC from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday.
Register early by Friday, Feb. 11, and pay only $175. The regular registration deadline is Tuesday, March 8; the cost is $200.
Attend the pre-trip meeting at 9 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, in the Outing Centre.
For more information, call (815) 753-9422, e-mail clagattolla@niu.edu or stop by the Outing Centre, located inside of the Rec, during business hours.
Date posted: January 28, 2011 | Author: Jennice O'Brien | Comments Off on Outdoors Adventures planning Spring Break trip to Georgia, volunteers invited to meetings
The trip departs at 4 p.m. Friday and returns by 4 p.m. Sunday.
Whether you are learning the slopes, or are a seasoned veteran, Outdoor Adventures will provide instructions to anyone who wants to get started in this exciting sport. Devil’s Head is home to more than 30 trails of different varieties, a vertical rise of 500 feet and multiple lift systems with skiing day and night.
Devil’s Head’s slopes offer a challenge for any level of ski/snowboarder. After a day on the slopes, relax in a toasty cabin in Lake Delton with new friends and memories.
Ready to go? The pre-trip meeting is at 9 p.m. Monday, Jan 31, at the Outing Centre. Register at the OC from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday. The deadline to register is Thursday, Feb. 3; the trip costs $250.
For more information, call (815) 753-9422, e-mail clagattolla@niu.edu or stop by the Outing Centre, located inside of the Rec, during business hours.
Date posted: January 28, 2011 | Author: Jennice O'Brien | Comments Off on Outdoor Adventures plans ski, snowboard trip
The Outing Centre of Recreation Services is planning two events for Groundhog Day — Wednesday, Feb. 2 — including a sledding trip.
First, a winter sports clinic is scheduled from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Outing Centre. Come check out the great possibilities of winter, warm up with hot chocolate and test out cross-country skis, snowshoes and/or ice skates. Visitors can learn about trips and try out the gear all for free.
Second, a sledding trip is planned from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
No one is ever too old to stop sledding, so grab some friends and go sledding at Russell Woods Forest Preserve in nearby Genoa. This offers the chance to be a child once again, put the books aside for a couple of hours and just have fun.
All events are free. Register to reserve a space for the Russell Woods trip; transportation capacity is limited to 12 participants.
For more information, call (815) 753-9422, e-mail clagattolla@niu.edu or stop by the Outing Centre, located inside of the Rec, during business hours.
Date posted: January 28, 2011 | Author: Jennice O'Brien | Comments Off on Outdoor Adventures to welcome six more weeks of winter with pair of Groundhog Day events
Members of the NIU and DeKalb County communities are invited at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 25, to watch an award-winning documentary about the world’s toughest mountain bike race.
The race traverses more than 2,700 miles along the Continental Divide and climbs more than 200,000 vertical feet through the Rocky Mountains. The tests of endurance and the accomplished moments throughout “Ride the Divide” prompt viewers to reflect on their inner desires to live life to the fullest.
The event will be held at North Central Cyclery, 534 E. Lincoln Hwy. in DeKalb. Popcorn and sodas will be provided. This is a free event, and no registration is necessary.
Students who will be juniors or seniors at NIU for the 2011-2012 school year and have been active in LGBT organizations or activities might be eligible to apply to receive scholarships.
The Joseph Harry Endowed Scholarship Program provides tuition scholarships to undergraduate students who have participated in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) organizations or activities. Scholarships will be awarded on the basis of financial need, scholarly performance and academic standing.
The endowment for the Joseph Harry Scholarship Program was established through the generosity of Joseph Harry, who taught in the NIU Department of Sociology from 1977 to 1998. During that period, he conducted considerable research in the area of gay studies and was also the faculty adviser for several years to NIU’s LGBT student organization, then called the Gay/Lesbian Union.
Several students have benefited from this award over the years, enabling them to continue to be successful academically and active within the NIU LBGT community.
The scholarship is administered by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Resource Center, Division of Student Affairs & Enrollment Management. For more information about the Joseph Harry Scholarship, call (815) 753-5428, e-mail lgbt@niu.edu or visit Holmes Student Center 707.
Date posted: January 24, 2011 | Author: Jennice O'Brien | Comments Off on Applications for LGBT scholarship due Feb. 4
The Eychaner Award, sponsored by the Presidential Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Prism, is presented annually to recognize individuals affiliated with NIU who have made outstanding contributions that enhance the lives of people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender (LGBT).
