NIU Today

Two thousand years ago, philosophers of nature believed the universe was made from symmetrical forms such as circles. Physicists now know that a perfectly symmetric universe is a lifeless void – that it’s the asymmetries that give rise to forms from stars to life itself and offer clues to one of time’s most elusive mysteries....

NIU President John G. Peters invites the entire university community to join him in congratulating the newly named Board of Trustees Professors, Presidential Teaching Professors, Presidential Research Professor, Presidential Engagement Professor, and the Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching and Instruction Award. A reception in their honor is planned from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday, April 22,...

Accountancy Professor Pam Smith will present a talk, “Building Ethical Leaders,” as part of the Board of Trustees Professorship Lecture Series. Smith’s talk begins at 11:30 a.m. Monday, April 22, in the Lincoln Room of the Holmes Student Center. Her comments will focus on how faculty can help students to recognize ethical challenges and make...

NIU has named Dan Gebo in anthropology, Paul Kelter in literacy education and Zhili Xiao in physics as its 2013 Board of Trustees Professors – a top university honor that recognizes faculty members for international renown in their research and excellence in all facets of teaching. Gebo’s paleontological research is elucidating the origins of primates....

In the laboratory of Dan Gebo, you’ll find the tools of his trade on display, including the skeletons of lemurs, chimpanzees, gorillas and humans that help him explain the process of evolution to students. But it’s the smallest treasures in his collection that most intrigue the NIU anthropology professor. Stored away like precious gems are...

Paul Kelter has penned two major chemistry and chemistry-education books, authored more than 60 journal articles and delivered more than 200 conference presentations. His expertise has attracted in excess of $17 million in grants, and he has received 20 major university, state and national teaching awards. But it’s not accomplishments, grants or awards that define...

Throughout his career, professor Zhili Xiao has been a force in physics, pioneering uncharted territory in the research fields of superconductivity and nanoscience. And, since he arrived at NIU in 2004, the force has been with more than a few bright NIU physics students, who have come along for the ride and are now forging...

NIU faculty standout William Baker, who holds a joint appointment with University Libraries and the Department of English, will present a Board of Trustees Professorship Seminar at noon Monday, Oct. 1, in the Capitol Room of the Holmes Student Center. The event is open to the public, with refreshments to be served before the seminar,...

Executive Vice President and Provost Ray Alden has issued the 2012-2013 call for nominations for the Northern Illinois University Board of Trustees Professorships. The professorships were established in 2007 by President John G. Peters and the Board of Trustees to recognize those tenured professors who: have achieved a consistent record of excellence in teaching, scholarship...

NIU President John G. Peters invites the campus community to join him in congratulating this year’s honored professors. Peters will host a ceremony  Thursday, April 19, in the Altgeld Hall Auditorium to recognize the new Board of Trustees Professors, Presidential Teaching Professors, Presidential Research Professor, Presidential Engagement Professor and the recipients of the Excellence in...

The Chinese Academy of Sciences has named Narayan Hosmane, an NIU Board of Trustees Professor of Chemistry, as a recipient of its prestigious 2012 Visiting Professorship for Senior International Scientists. The academy is a leading academic institution and comprehensive research and development center in natural science, technological science and high-tech innovation. Hosmane, of DeKalb, has...

Northern Illinois University has named historian Heide Fehrenbach, chemist Chhiu-Tsu “C.T.” Lin and geologist Reed Scherer as its 2012 Board of Trustees Professors – an honor that recognizes international prominence in research as well as excellence in all facets of teaching. The trio works in fields that seem far removed from each other. Fehrenbach illuminates...