Commencement Program May 2024

For a printable version of the program, please contact commencement@niu.edu.*
*Note: students who were added late will not be in the printed version.

University Administration

Graduate School

• Kerry Wilks, Ph.D., Dean

College of Business

• Denise Schoenbachler, Ph.D., Interim Dean
• Daewoo Park, Ph.D., Associate Dean
• Bradrick M. Cripe, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Accountancy
• Gina K. Nicolosi, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Finance
• Jon P. Briscoe, D.B.A., Chair, Department of Management
• Vijaykumar Krishnan Palghat, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Marketing
• Charles Petersen, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Operations Management and Information Systems

College of Education

• William A. Pitney III, Ph.D., Acting Dean
• David A. Walker, Ph.D., Associate Dean
• Todd A. Gilson, Ph.D., Associate Dean of Research, Resources and Innovation
• Suzanne Degges-White, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Counseling, Adult and Higher Education
• Sally Blake, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Curriculum and Instruction
• Wei-Chen Hung, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Educational Technology, Research and Assessment
• Steven M. Howell, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education
• Carolyn Pluim, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Leadership, Educational Psychology and Foundations
• Hope Wilson, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Special and Early Education

College of Engineering and Engineering Technology

• David Grewell, Ph.D., Dean
• Mansour Tahernezhadi, Ph.D., Senior Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Programs
• Reinaldo J. Moraga, Ph.D., Interim Associate Dean, Undergraduate Academic Affairs, Outreach and Diversity
• Donald Zinger, Ph.D., Interim Chair, Department of Electrical Engineering
• Shi-Jie (Gary) Chen, Ph.D., Interim Chair, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering
• Tariq Shamim, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Mechanical Engineering
• Shun Takai, Ph.D., Interim Chair, Department of Engineering Technology
• Lichuan Liu, Ph.D., Interim Program Director of Biomedical, Engineering
• YJ Lin, Ph.D., Program Director of Mechatronics

College of Health and Human Sciences

• Kelly Fiala, Ph.D., Dean
• Rachel Gordon, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Research and Administration
• Sherrill R. Morris, Ph.D., Chair, School of Allied Health and Communicative Disorders
• Thomas Pavkov, Ph.D., Chair, School of Family and Consumer Sciences
• Jeanne M. Isabel, Ed.D., Chair, School of Health Studies
• Melani Duffrin, Ph.D., Chair, School of Interdisciplinary Health Professions
• Kari Hickey, Ph.D., Chair, School of Nursing
• Andrew Spring, M.A., Chair, Department of Military Science

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

• Robert Brinkmann, Ph.D., Dean and Smerge Endowed Dean’s Chair
• Amanda Durik, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs
• Leslie Matuszewich, Ph.D., Senior Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Affairs
• Christopher McCord, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Academic Administration
• Leila Porter, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Anthropology
• Garry Sunter, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Biological Sciences
• Victor Ryzhov, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
• Mehdi Semati, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Communication
• Nicholas T. Karonis, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Computer Science
• Mark Frank, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment
• Carl Campbell III, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Economics
• Scott Balcerzak, Ph.D., Chair, Department of English
• Valerie Garver, Ph.D., Chair, Department of History
• Andrew LeDoan, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Mathematical Sciences
• Mark Schuller, Ph.D., Acting Director, Center for Nonprofit and NGO Studies
• Jason Hanna, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Philosophy
• Vishnu Zutshi, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Physics
• Mitch Pickerill, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Political Science
• Alecia Santuzzi, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Psychology
• Scott Robinson, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Public Administration 
• Abu Bah, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Sociology
• Alan Polansky, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science
• John Bentley, Ph.D., Chair, Department of World Languages and Cultures
• Judy Santacaterina, M.A., Director, Bachelor of General Studies
• Marlon Millner, Ph.D., Director, Center for Black Studies
• Christina Abreu, Ph.D., Director, Center for Latino and Latin American Studies
• Judy Ledgerwood, Ph.D., Director, Center for Southeast Asian Studies
• Katy Jaekel, Ph.D., Director, Center for the Study of Women, Gender and Sexuality
• Thomas Skuzinski, Ph.D., Director, Institute for the Study of the Environment, Sustainability and Energy

College of Visual and Performing Arts

• Paul Kassel, M.F.A., Dean
• Ed Klonoski, Ph.D., Associate Dean
• Jessica Labatte, M.F.A., Director, School of Art and Design
• Andrew Glendening, D.M.A., Director, School of Music
• Roxanna Conner, B.A., Director, School of Theatre and Dance

Academic Regalia

In its colors and costumes, the graduation ceremony today dates from the 12th and 13th centuries when universities first began to take shape. Long cloaks or gowns worn by clerics studying in holy orders were probably needed for warmth in the drafty, unheated halls. The hood, originally part of the medieval cowl, could be pulled forward or thrown back according to weather conditions.

European universities developed extremely varied, often richly embroidered, academic vestments. Seeking to avoid the complexity and confusion of foreign academic ceremonies, American educators in 1895 adopted a uniform code of dress. Accordingly, the bachelor’s gown is designed to be worn closed and is distinguished primarily by its long pointed sleeves; the master’s gown has oblong sleeves that are cut out at the bottom of the front; the doctor’s gown is distinguished by full bell-shaped sleeves with three velvet bars on the upper arms and velvet panels down the front.

In the United States, the hood is the most outstanding feature of the academic costume. The length and shape of the hood indicate the degree that is granted. The lining displays the official colors of the university granting the degree. Northern Illinois University’s official colors are cardinal red and black. The velvet trimming indicates the degree.

The mortarboard cap is an Oxford style. Except for the gold tassels of the doctoral degrees, the colors of the tassels on NIU regalia represent the degrees or certificates to be granted.

Colors for the hood trimming and tassels are:

• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Master of Arts (M.A.) degree: white
• Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) or Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) degree: brown
• Bachelor of Music (B.M.) or Master of Music (M.M.) degree or Performer’s Certificate: pink
• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or Master of Science (M.S.) degree: golden yellow
• Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.), Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.), Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.), Master of Science in Teaching (M.S.TCH), Educational Specialist (Ed.S.), or Specialist in School Psychology (SSP) degree: light blue
• Master of Accountancy (M.A.C.), Master of Accounting Science (M.A.S.), Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), or Master of Science in Taxation (M.S.T.) degree: light brown
• Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) degree: peacock blue
• Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) degree: salmon
• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree: purple hood, purple tassel
• Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) degree: green hood, gold tassel
• Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree: light blue hood, gold tassel
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) degree: apricot orange hood, gold tassel
• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree: dark blue hood, gold tassel
• Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) degree: teal hood, gold tassel

The colors for the Bachelor of General Studies degree (B.G.S.) and Certificate of Advanced Study (C.A.S.) are determined by the offering college.

Colors representing the degrees generally have historical associations. For example, the white trim on the hood of the graduates in liberal arts derives from the white fur that lined the winter hood of Oxford masters centuries ago.

• A doctoral degree at NIU requires 90 or more semester hours of graduate work beyond the baccalaureate degree and the research and writing of a dissertation, an original contribution to knowledge that is defined in an oral examination.
• The Master of Fine Arts degree is a terminal degree in the creative and performing arts; these programs involve 60 semester hours of graduate coursework and culminate in a major one-person show (in art) or scholarly project (theatre arts).
• An Educational Specialist degree requires 30 semester hours of coursework beyond the master’s degree; the Performer’s Certificate, 24 semester hours, is usually undertaken after a master’s degree.
• Other master’s degrees require a minimum of 30 to 48 semester hours of graduate work (depending upon program); individual programs may require the student to write a thesis or other research paper, produce a show or recital, pass comprehensive examinations, complete an internship or practicum, or undertake other capstone experiences.

Academic Tradition

The University Mace

In academic ceremonies, the mace is symbolic of university authority, transcending the tenure of individual presidents. Protocol requires the use of the mace in the processional and recessional of major academic ceremonies. Typically the mace bearer is a highly respected member of the faculty, and they immediately precede the president both entering and leaving the ceremony.

Designed in 1968 by NIU Art Professor Bill Haendel, the NIU presidential mace was first used at the inauguration of the late President Rhoten Smith. The graceful walnut staff originally featured a four-sided head engraved with quotations from ancient philosophers, writers and founding fathers. In an effort to bring new life to the mace tradition, President Freeman asked students, faculty, staff and alumni to suggest quotations that resonate more meaningfully with today’s university community. School of Art Professor James Obermeier and his students reconstructed the mace to include six sides, each bearing a quotation about the university life and the role of education in a free society.

The Presidential Medallion

The presidential medallion is bestowed upon the university’s chief executive during the investiture ceremony. It is then worn by the president at commencements and other important academic functions. The NIU medallion was designed in 1968 for the inauguration of the late President Rhoten Smith, and its modernistic appearance strongly reflects the prevailing design aesthetic of the period. The six-ounce, 5 1/2-inch medallion which features the initials of the university was created by the late NIU Art Professor Eleanor Caldwell.

Academic Procession

The academic procession is led in by a mace bearer who is a highly respected member of the faculty. The mace bearer is followed by the college’s student marshal, then the platform party. Members of the platform party include the president of the university, the executive vice president and provost, the vice president for research and graduate studies, the dean of the Graduate School, deans of the academic colleges, members of the Board of Trustees and other invited guests. Chairs of the instructional departments in the colleges and members of the faculty comprise the next group in the procession. The deans represent the faculty in acknowledging the graduates, for it is the faculty who have established the university’s curricula and have determined the requirements for the various degrees and certificates. The candidates for degrees are the last group in the procession.

Quotes Inscribed on the Mace

“Public education is our greatest pathway to opportunity in America. So we need to invest in and strengthen our public universities today, and for generations to come.” —Michelle Obama

“Education is not the means of showing people how to get what they want. Education is an exercise by means of which enough people, it is hoped, will learn to want what is worth having.” —Ronald Reagan

“Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” —Aristotle

“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.” —Martin Luther King Jr.

“Education does not change the world. Education changes the people who will change the world.” —Paulo Freire

“Forward, Together Forward.” —NIU Fight Song

Alma Mater Hail, NIU

Hail to thee our Alma Mater,
ever shall we praise your name.

Here we proudly lift our voices,
thousands strong we sing your fame.

Free, steadfast, devoted, true.
We will always stand by you.

Let our cheers resound for Northern: Hail, NIU.

by Wilbur Smith (1957)