Northern Illinois University

Correction: Midwest Tornadoes story

December 12, 2021 GMT

MAYFIELD, Ky. (AP) — In a story published December 11, 2021, about deadly tornadoes hitting several states, The Associated Press erroneously reported the name of a researcher on extreme weather at Northern Illinois University.

NIU may return to remote learning if COVID rate climbs

August 18, 2021 GMT

DEKALB, Ill. (AP) — Just days before students are set to return to class at Northern Illinois University, faculty and staff there have been told if the on-campus COVID-19 positivity rate hits the 8% mark they will be allowed to teach remotely, union officials said.

Aurora shooting: NIU student Trevor Wehner, alumnus Clayton Parks remembered at vigil on campus

KELSEY RETTKE krettke@shawmedia.comFebruary 22, 2019 GMT

DeKALB – Trevor Wehner was so excited to begin his internship at Henry Pratt Co. in Aurora that he told his Northern Illinois University professor, Terry Bishop, about it Thursday, one day before he was slain in a shooting at the plant.

Young voters say NIU polling place not sufficient

KELSEY RETTKE krettke@shawmedia.comNovember 12, 2018 GMT

DeKALB – Northern Illinois University graduate student Kevin Barton, 23, from Collinsville, wanted to vote in the community he calls home, but when he tried to register at the NIU polls during Tuesday's midterm election, he faced unexpected hurdles.

NIU STEM Café to celebrate legacy of Frankenstein

DAILY CHRONICLE news@daily-chronicle.comOctober 20, 2018 GMT

DeKALB – To celebrate the 200th anniversary of Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein,” the Northern Illinois University STEM Café will bring together experts in a variety of fields for a lively discussion about dead bodies and body parts.

NIU Board approves negotiating with Freeman as next president

ANDREW KING Shaw Media correspondentSeptember 13, 2018 GMT

DeKALB – Northern Illinois University will begin negotiations with Lisa Freeman to remove the “acting” tag from her title and make her the university's first female president.

After nearly four hours of closed session discussion, the Board of Trustees unanimously voted (9-0) on Thursday afternoon to negotiate with Freeman, rather than pursue any other candidates for the position, vacated when disgraced ex-President Doug Baker stepped down in June 2017.

‘Archeology on Ice’ exhibit opens Thursday at NIU’s Pick Museum

Staff WriterAugust 30, 2018 GMT

DeKALB – The Pick Museum of Anthropology will host an opening reception from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday for its new exhibition “Archeology on Ice.” The museum is in Cole Hall on the campus of Northern Illinois University.

Official: Support staff contract ratified

CHRISTOPHER HEIMERMAN cheimerman@shawmedia.comAugust 29, 2018 GMT

DeKALB – Some of Northern Illinois University's worst-pad employees are on the brink of being assured things will get better, according to their union representative.

Sara Dorner, spokeswoman for American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees Council Union 31, which includes the Local 963 members who serve food, clean the buildings and generally keep up the campus, said the negotiating teams ratified a new five-year contract Tuesday evening.

Business incubator update given during DeKalb County Economic Development committee meeting

KATIE FINLON kfinlon@shawmedia.comJune 6, 2018 GMT

SYCAMORE – The DeKalb County Government Business Incubator gave an update during the Economic Development Committee meeting Tuesday at the Administration Building’s Conference Room East, 110 E. Sycamore St.

Stamp Out Hunger drive looking to expand efforts in Sycamore

DREW ZIMMERMAN dzimmerman@shawmedia.comMay 10, 2018 GMT

SYCAMORE – Last year, the National Association of Letter Carriers collected a record 28,000 pounds of food to stock the shelves of local food pantries as part of the annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive.

Northern Illinois University students care for Earth, community during annual event

By AIMEE BARROWS - Shaw Media correspondentApril 22, 2018 GMT

DeKALB – Alexis Isely never gets tired of seeing the faces of those she helps on NIU Cares Day.

This year, the Northern Illinois University senior raked leaves and worked in the garden at the home of DeKalb resident Mary Lu Stracker.

NIU launches its first weather balloon

CHRISTOPHER HEIMERMAN cheimerman@shawmedia.comApril 21, 2018 GMT

DeKALB – A white balloon, its mission to gauge meteorological data, climbed into the bright blue sky Friday afternoon – a stopover 14 years into a journey for a Northern Illinois University professor.

NIU conference to focus on world conflict, peace

DREW ZIMMERMAN dzimmerman@shawmedia.comApril 6, 2018 GMT

DeKALB – Scholars from Northern Illinois University and Macedonia’s University of Tetovo will discuss approaches to peace and transcultural communication at the local and international level April 19, as part of the “Global Problems and Community Praxis” conference.

NIU student group voices safety concerns to DeKalb reps

DREW ZIMMERMAN dzimmerman@shawmedia.comFebruary 8, 2018 GMT

DeKALB – Several actions have been taken by the city of DeKalb since staff members last met with Northern Illinois University student leaders to discuss how to improve the city’s standing with students.

History fair looking for volunteer judges

DREW ZIMMERMAN dzimmerman@shawmedia.comFebruary 7, 2018 GMT

DeKALB – The 56th annual Northern Illinois Regional History Fair is in need of volunteer judges for the Feb. 24 event, according to a news release from Northern Illinois University.

Each year, hundreds of junior high and high school students participate in the fair by writing research papers, designing websites, building exhibits, creating documents and performing skits related to Illinois history.

NIU seeks naming rights partner for Convocation Center

DREW ZIMMERMAN dzimmerman@shawmedia.comJanuary 29, 2018 GMT

DeKALB – Northern Illinois University is looking for a naming rights partner for the 10,000-seat Convocation Center in an attempt to secure new revenue streams.

The official request for a proposal for potential partners was recently posted and includes details on the benefits to potential partners including naming recognition, on- and off-site signage and promotional materials and credentials.

Shooting of NIU student by Chicago police in 2015 ruled unjustified

KEVIN SOLARI ksolari@shawmedia.comDecember 30, 2017 GMT

CHICAGO – A police oversight office has ruled that the shooting of Northern Illinois University student Quintonio LeGrier on Dec. 26, 2015, was unjustified, according to a report from the Chicago Tribune.

New NIU exhibit shares tales of strife: ‘We want pens and notebooks’

KEVIN SOLARI ksolari@shawmedia.comDecember 15, 2017 GMT

DeKALB – A new exhibit at the Blackwell History of Education Museum at Northern Illinois University chronicles the history of a university that was not allowed to exist for its first decade.

The University of Tetova in Tetova, Macedonia, was founded in 1994, and its first lecture the following year was interrupted by police with machine guns and riot gear.

NIU alumni donate $1M to Angel Touch program

JOSH TOLENTINO jtolentino@shawmedia.comNovember 24, 2017 GMT

DeKALB – Giving Tuesday got a head start at Northern Illinois University.

On Saturday, the university celebrated a $1 million gift from John and Denise Burns of River Forest during its Red and Black fundraising gala.

NIU appoints new chief financial officer

DREW ZIMMERMAN dzimmerman@shawmedia.comNovember 16, 2017 GMT

DeKALB – Northern Illinois University's Board of Trustees approved the hiring of Sarah McGill, an associate vice president at Northwestern University, as the school's new chief financial officer during a special meeting Thursday.

NIU Board of Trustees to vote on new CFO on Thursday

DREW ZIMMERMAN dzimmerman@shawmedia.comNovember 13, 2017 GMT

DeKALB – Sarah McGill, an associate vice president at Northwestern University, is expected to become Northern Illinois University's new chief financial officer, pending a vote during Thursday's Board of Trustees meeting.

NIU close to hiring new CFO

DREW ZIMMERMAN dzimmerman@shawmedia.comOctober 14, 2017 GMT

DeKALB – The search for a new chief financial officer at Northern Illinois University is entering the final phases, with the group of candidates being narrowed down to three.

Although a selection is close, NIU spokesperson Joe King said there is not a definitive timeline for when the university will announce the results of the search.

NIU Harmonic’s first performance of the semester Wednesday

DREW ZIMMERMAN dzimmerman@shawmedia.comOctober 10, 2017 GMT

DeKALB – The Northern Illinois University Philharmonic will perform its first concert of the semester Wednesday under the direction of Danko Drusko.

The concert will be at 8 p.m. in the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall of the Music Building at 400 Lucinda Ave.

: NIU’s Baker getting ‘golden parachute’

DREW ZIMMERMAN dzimmerman@shawmedia.comJune 17, 2017 GMT

DeKALB – A Chicago-area lawmaker voiced his frustrations with Northern Illinois University President Doug Baker receiving about $600,000, plus benefits, after stepping down from his position June 30.

Documents: Doug Baker’s severance agreement with Northern Illinois University

JOHN SAHLY jsahly@shawmedia.comJune 16, 2017 GMT

Doug Baker will receive a full year's salary of $450,000, plus applicable benefits, and $137,000 to not serve as faculty of the College of Business after stepping down as president of Northern Illinois University.

NIU students blow off steam after finals

Staff WriterMay 9, 2017 GMT

Northern Illinois University students took a sledgehammer to a donated car Tuesday as a way to relieve stress after final exams.

NIU to honor Cliff Alexis, ‘the Stradivarius of the steelpan’

Staff WriterApril 26, 2017 GMT

Northern Illinois University’s Cliff Alexis is retiring, and he’s going out on a high note.

The longtime co-director of the world-renowned NIU Steelband – and master of the art of building steel drums – will be feted during a concert in his honor beginning at 3 p.m.

NIU staff meteorologist laid off

DREW ZIMMERMAN – dzimmerman@shawmedia.comApril 14, 2017 GMT

DeKALB – Northern Illinois University Staff Meteorologist Gilbert Sebenste was let go after 19 years.

NIU spokesman Joe King said the decision was not a reflection of the work Sebenste has done for the university.

NIU alumni to present app on ‘Shark Tank’

By DREW ZIMMERMAN dzimmerman@shawmedia.comApril 13, 2017 GMT

DeKALB – Two Northern Illinois University alumni will be featured on Friday’s episode of ABC’s “Shark Tank” to present their personal security startup company, Guard Llama.

Joe Parisi, a 2011 accounting graduate, and Adam Havey, a 2012 graduate in communication studies, launched their startup in 2015.

Jack McCullough case highlighted in NIU Law Review symposium

By DREW ZIMMERMAN- dzimmerman@shawmedia.comApril 1, 2017 GMT

DeKALB – Presented as an example of how wrongful convictions affect society, the case of Jack McCullough, who was exonerated of the 1957 murder of Maria Ridulph last year, was examined during the Northern Illinois University Law Review’s annual symposium.

NIU Faculty Senate wants more input on president evaluations

By DREW ZIMMERMAN- dzimmerman@shawmedia.comApril 1, 2017 GMT

DeKALB – Northern Illinois University’s Faculty Senate discussed how it could get more involved in presidential evaluations during its Wednesday meeting after an appearance by President Doug Baker.

NIU conference: Experts to share tips for unique small business ventures

DAILY CHRONICLEMarch 25, 2017 GMT

DeKALB – Successful entrepreneurs and tourism experts will headline a daylong conference at Northern Illinois University on rebuilding and strengthening local economies.

Illinois Tourism Director Cory Jobe, Humboldt Park furniture shop owners Lynne and Ty McDaniel, and Ottawa agribusiness partners Scott Struchen, Peter Limberger and Keith Pearse are among those presenting new ideas on economic development at the April 3 event at NIU’s Holmes Student Center.

Donated music items support CSA scholarships for kids

Staff WriterMarch 9, 2017 GMT

The Northern Illinois University Community School of the Arts needs your used sheet music, music books, old musical instruments, stands, CDs and other items that might be of interest to musicians. Your unwanted music items will be sold during Performathon to raise money for scholarships.

NIU panel talk to explore ‘screen time’ for children

DAILY CHRONICLE- news@daily-chronicle.comMarch 3, 2017 GMT

DeKALB – A panel discussion at Northern Illinois University will focus on the benefits and drawbacks of children’s “screen time” with digital devices such as cellphones, tablets and TVs.

NIU’s College of Education will be hosting the panel as part of its spring Community Learning Series from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Photos: Job fairs at NIU and DeKalb County

Staff WriterFebruary 22, 2017 GMT

A job fair at the Convocation Center at Northern Illinois University and at the DeKalb County Community Outreach Building brought job seekers and prospective employers together on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017 in DeKalb.

DeKalb city staff seeking NIU student input to draw downtown business

By DREW ZIMMERMAN- dzimmerman@shawmedia.com DeKALB – Caleb Tomaszewski, a Northern Illinois University senior and director of government affairs for the Student Association, said many of his fellow students are unaware of the attractions in the city’s downtown. A lack of communication between the university and the city was cited as one of the reasons that students don’t engage in activities outside the campus area on nights and weekends. “There needs to be discussions on how to make DeKalb moreFebruary 22, 2017 GMT

DeKALB – Caleb Tomaszewski, a Northern Illinois University senior and director of government affairs for the Student Association, said many of his fellow students are unaware of the attractions in the city's downtown.

STEAM Learning Center feasibility study to be presented to DeKalb City Council

By DREW ZIMMERMAN dzimmerman@shawmedia.comFebruary 11, 2017 GMT

DeKALB – The prospect of a multimillion dollar science, technology, engineering, arts and math learning center in downtown DeKalb is getting high praise ahead of the presentation of a feasibility study Monday, but would require a $4 million investment from the city.

NIU president, Illinois congressmen respond to Muslim immigration ban

DAILY CHRONICLE- news@daily-chronicle.comJanuary 31, 2017 GMT

DeKALB – Northern Illinois University is prepared to support those affected by President Donald Trump’s travel ban on seven predominantly Muslim countries deemed to be exporters of terrorism, according to a statement NIU President Doug Baker issued Monday.

NIU awards honorary doctorate to Thai princess

September 19, 2013 GMT

DEKALB, Ill. (AP) — A visiting Thai princess has received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degree from Northern Illinois University.

Maha Chakri Sirindhorn visited the DeKalb campus Wednesday to receive the degree as the school marked the 50th anniversary of its Center for Southeast Asian Studies.

Court appoints defense attorney in NIU death

August 20, 2013 GMT

SYCAMORE, Ill. (AP) — A northern Illinois man who is serving a 37-year prison sentence for killing a Northern Illinois University student now has a court-appointed attorney.

The Daily Chronicle reports (http://bit.ly/13DPqDE) a DeKalb County judge on Tuesday appointed Yorkville criminal defense attorney Dan Transier to represent 36-year-old William Curl.