NIU Today

What do a mountain, a nonprofit organization and the Division of Public Administration at NIU all have in common? Kurt Thurmaier. The director of the division in the NIU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is planning to climb Africa’s highest peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro, in June. Tanzania Development Support (TDS), a nonprofit organization co-founded by Thurmaier...

John Mravik’s life is like a book filled with a series of tragic – and even near-death – chapters, along with a few joyous ones. One of those joyous chapters will be written Friday evening when the Elgin resident accepts his  master’s of arts degree during the graduate school commencement. He’ll receive his diploma while...

Gerould W. Kern, senior vice president and editor of the Chicago Tribune, was named Illinois Journalist of the Year at the NIU Journalism Banquet, held April 27. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences’ journalism program in the Department of Communication also named Eileen Norris as the recipient of the 2012 Donald R. Grubb Distinguished...

Northern Illinois gymnasts Kim Gotlund (Wadsworth, Ill./Warren Township HS), Megan Melendez (Stafford, Va./North Stafford HS) and Tanya Rachan (Lowell, Ind./Hanover Central HS) have been named to the 2012 Gymnastics Academic All Mid-American Conference Team, the league office announced Wednesday. NIU’s three selections tie for the most in school history for gymnastics. “I can’t say how...

Northern Illinois University’s Ph.D. program in history has earned a prestigious Top 100 designation by U.S. News & World Report, ranking 92 among the nation’s history programs. “Doctoral students must have a master’s degree to be admitted to our program, so they arrive with solid skills in analytical reading and writing,” said Anne Hanley, associate...

Adam Lopez, a Mexican-American student at NIU and a Golden Apple Scholar, is an advocate for attaining awareness about one’s history. That includes one’s familial and cultural roots: People who gain a greater understanding of themselves can better “come together and create positive change,” he says. Lopez also sees a place for himself and others...

F.O.C.U.S. (Future Opportunities Creating Ultimate Successes) is sponsored every spring by the Communication Student Advisory Council of the Department of Communication. This year’s event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, April 27, in the Illinois Room of Holmes Student Center. Alumni from the department (spanning the various communication emphases and journalism) will...

Senior Jenner Sio and junior Jenelle McCalla were both named to the Mid-American Conference’s Academic All-Conference team, the league office announced Tuesday. In addition, Erica Miller and Courtney Oldenburg earned honorable mention recognition by the MAC. “Our staff and team are extremely proud of Jenelle and Jenner’s Academic All-MAC honor,” said NIU Driector of Track &...

Sparking students’ interest in political science is not difficult, said NIU political science professor Andrea Radasanu. Having them consider the historic and philosophical implications of decisions and events that shape our world is a challenge. “The courses I teach are not required, so students who are in my classes already have interest in the subject,” Radasanu...

When NIU communication instructor Matthew J. Swan assigns a writing project to his students, he gives then two pieces of advice: “Do your best, and don’t over-think the assignment.” If students are not comfortable or accustomed to writing stories, essays and academic papers, he said, they will worry about it and let their fears dictate...

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...

Issues ranging from the use of social media to sharing confidential information with friends will be in question when the NIU College of Business puts students in the hot seat during its second annual NIU Ethics Case Competition from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, April 13. Hosted by the BELIEF Initiative (Building Ethical Leaders...