NIU Today

I hope each and every member of the NIU community enjoyed a holiday season full of joy and great memories. I want to thank the many who maintained essential university operations over the break and during our recent cold snap. I am proud of the ‘can-do’ Huskie spirit of all those who keep NIU running...

While bitter cold grips our campus this week, my heart is warmed by several examples of the NIU Huskie spirit. Of the sights – and often the silence – of our students taking final exams. Of a joyous and festive holiday luncheon enjoyed by our faculty, staff and annuitants. Of a Dec. 26 Poinsettia Bowl...

Last weekend, Northern Illinois University and the City of DeKalb hosted the Illinois High School Association state football championships. Our university and community welcomed more than 30,000 visitors Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving for a football marathon: four championship high school football games each day. I am pleased to report that the event was a...

In the midst of the busiest time of the year – with the semester coming to a close, the last regular season football game and holiday planning – Thanksgiving is a welcome pause and a time to reflect on what’s truly important. Our blessings are abundant, and Dana and I are thankful for the warm...

Last week, I wrote about the need for change at NIU – to think beyond traditional boundaries, center our focus around student career success and strive to make NIU a model university for the 21st century. One of the key factors necessary for students to realize career success begins with the college or university selection...

What a great week to be a Huskie! On Monday, NIU saluted its armed forces veterans with a solemn Veterans Day ceremony at the flagpole near the East Lagoon. These heroes are among our important communities living among us on campus and in the surrounding area, and our veteran community enjoys an excellent academic and...

Greetings from Chicago! This morning I was in the city giving a radio interview to Craig Dellimore for his Sunday public affairs program, “At Issue,” on WBBM-AM 780. On Thursday, I appeared live on WGN-AM 720 as part of Steve Cochran’s mini-series about higher education. Among the many topics I discussed with both was the...

NIU has been a top destination for community college transfer students in the state of Illinois for many years. Those transfer students perform well when they get to NIU and ultimately have strong graduation rates. To build on these strengths, our academic and enrollment management staff members are examining opportunities to further enhance our partnerships....

The fall veto session of the Illinois General Assembly is under way and, with it, many pending issues that will have a critical impact on NIU, public higher education in Illinois and the overall management of the state. Today I have been meeting with legislators and Gov. Pat Quinn to advocate for higher education funding...

Good things continue to happen at Northern Illinois University. Last week, NIU was selected as one of just 16 institutions in the U.S. to be designated as an “Innovation and Economic Prosperity University”

Homecoming week is upon us. I have enjoyed feeling the buzz on campus and seeing NIU pride on display everywhere I go. For students, Homecoming means a chance to enjoy some of the many social and communiversity activities that take place during the week with classmates. For faculty and staff, it marks a chance to...

Last week, Dana and I hosted a dinner to welcome NIU’s new faculty. It was a wonderful evening, and we found ourselves buoyed by the breadth of background and depth of expertise these new colleagues exhibited. They will undoubtedly enhance our students’ academic experience through their teaching, research and outreach. NIU students frequently cite the...