Honors Update: During the academic year all Honors students receive an email update from the Honors Program Coordinator at the end of each week outlining upcoming social and academic enrichment events as well as service opportunities both internal and external to the University Honors Program. Additional announcements may also be shared via the Honors email list from week to week. To review this week's Honors Update contents, click here.

Microfinance Series with Dennis Barsema: NIU alumnus and Management faculty member Dennis Barsema is once again offering his popular workshop series on the topic of microfinance this semester. Mr. Barsema will meet with Honors students in Barsema Hall 219 every other Tuesday afternoon (4:00-5:30PM) to discuss his experiences granting small business loans to entrepreneurs in impoverished countries. The workshops are interactive and include group discussions and activities. The dates for the Fall 2011 workshops are—Sept. 13, Sept. 27, Oct. 11, Oct. 25, and Nov. 8.

Honors Mentor Program: Our mission behind this new Honors program is to match Honors students newer to NIU (i.e., freshmen, sophomores, and transfers) with upperclassmen pursuing the same, or similar, majors/minors. The time commitment for those involved will be minimal, allowing the mentors and protégés the freedom to structure the relationship how they see fit. Once students have been matched at the beginning of the academic year all program participants are provided an opportunity to meet in person to kick things off.

Birthday Boxes: Get involved with our new, long-term service project! We will be collecting shoe boxes and transforming them into the ultimate birthday presents for children ages 0-18 that have been designated as "in-need" in the DeKalb County area. There are tons of ways for students, faculty, staff, and those in the community to get involved. We will need volunteers to help collect donations (e.g., shoe boxes, wrapping paper, toys), stuff and decorate boxes, write birthday cards, bake cupcakes, and come with us to deliver these birthday boxes and throw birthday parties for children at local organizations. To find out more, join our group on Facebook-NIU Birthday Boxes-or send an email to Honors Community Leader Lauren Sikes at lsikes@niu.edu. Donations will be collected in the Honors office (CL 110).

Honorable Mentions: We happen to know that Honors students are talented, well-rounded individuals who dabble in the left AND the right sides of their minds - so we're tapping into that! Honors students are asked to submit their original creative works to an Honors ‘zine, Honorable Mentions. This is an online publication devoted to displaying your talents. The project is being led by Honors Community Leader Laura Fenwick, and the mission is to offer a place where NIU Honors students can share their diverse literary, artistic, musical and other talents. Honorable Mentions will reflect the well-rounded talents and interests of NIU Honors students. Submissions should be sent to niuhonorablementions@gmail.com.

Course Preview Nights: Just before priority registration for the next semester begins, the Honors staff will host an evening event during which students can come to meet the faculty teaching the Honors Seminar courses being offered and learn what those courses will entail.

Faculty-Student Social Events: At least once each semester the University Honors Program will coordinate an event that brings together its faculty and students in a fun, informal setting. The Fall 2011 Honors Faculty-Student event is a soccer game that will pit Honors faculty and students against one another in a battle of speed and agility. Faculty and students involved in the University Honors Program are encouraged to come out to play and/or watch and cheer on the teams! Intentionally scheduled during Homecoming Week, the game will take place on Thursday, Oct. 13 between 5:30-7:30PM in the Chick Evans Fieldhouse. Those interested in playing on either team should contact Honors Community Leader Jacquie Beck at jbeck1@niu.edu.

Current students are strongly encouraged to join the Northern Illinois University Honors Program Facebook group through we which share announcements and reminders. We also want to reconnect with our alumni so we've created a special Facebook group just for you! Search for Northern Illinois University Honors Alumni. We're also on LinkedIn (search Northern Illinois University - University Honors Program Alumni). Let us know what you're up to, and receive updates regarding our new NIU Honors Alumni Affinity Group.

SOUPer Wednesdays: Stop into the Honors office, Campus Life 110, between 11:30AM-1:30PM every Wednesday for a FREE lunch (soup, muffins, and beverages) AND chance get to know Honors staff and students. Most weeks also include featured guests who have been invited to speak briefly on their areas of expertise at noon.

Fall 2011 Featured Guest Schedule

Don't Stress the Test: Every semester Honors holds an evening event at the beginning of Finals Week to encourage students to relieve some of the tension brought on by exams. This semester Don’t Stress the Test falls on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011 and will take place from 5-7PM in the Douglas C/D Cafeteria. Exact event details to be revealed later!