Honors Update: During the academic year all Honors students receive an email update from the 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 the contents of the most recent Honors Update, click here

Barsema Microfinance Workshop Series: Dennis Barsema was the 2003 recipient of the College of Business Distinguished Alumni award, 2006 recipient of the NIU Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award, and 2011 recipient of the University Honors Great Professor Award. A faculty member in the NIU Management department, Barsema generously donated his time in the fall to offer what has become a very popular workshop series for Honors students centered on the topic of microfinance. Mr. Barsema uses the series, comprised of five sessions, to discuss his experiences granting small business loans to entrepreneurs in impoverished countries. The workshops are interactive and include group discussions and activities.

Santacaterina Communication Skills Workshop Series: Judy Santacaterina has taught with the University Honors Program since 1985. In 2007, she received the Great Professor Award from Honors. Santacaterina has done numerous workshops on public speaking and presentation skills for Honors, Orientation & First-Year Experience, Human Resources, and NIU Athletics. She has coached NIU's award winning speech team in the role of Director of Individual Events and also directed a summer high school speech camp for the last 26 years. In Spring 2012, Judy will teach a 1-credit hour, graded workshop series for Honors students (ILAS 440H) on the topic of exploring and mastering professional communication skills. Enrollment in the series is closed at this time.

Honors Mentor Program: The mission of the Honors Mentor 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 requirements for those involved are minimal, allowing the mentors and protégés the freedom to structure the relationship how they see fit. Once the matches are established at the beginning of the academic year, all program participants are provided an opportunity to meet in person to kick things off. A second large group event is offered in early spring at which mentors and protégés can reconnect following winter break. Questions regarding the Honors Mentor Program may be directed to Honors Community Leader Alexa Warner at awarner@niu.edu.

Birthday Boxes: The idea behind Honors' long-term service project, new for the 2011-2012 academic year, is to collect shoe boxes and transform them into the ultimate birthday present 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 help. We need volunteers to collect donations (e.g., shoe boxes, wrapping paper, toys), stuff and decorate boxes, make 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 can be sent or dropped off in the Honors office (Campus Life 110).

Honorable Mentions 'Zine: 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 the Honors electronic magazine, 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 opens, Honors staff host an informal pizza dinner and course preview gathering. The purpose of the event is to allow students the chance to meet the faculty teaching the Honors seminar courses that will be offered as well as learn what those courses will entail to aid them in their course selection.

Faculty-Student Social Events: At least once each semester the University Honors Program coordinates an event that brings together its faculty and students in a fun, laidback setting. The Fall 2011 Honors faculty-student event was a soccer game that pitted Honors faculty and students against one another in a battle of speed and agility. Faculty and students involved in the University Honors Program were encouraged to come out to play and/or watch and cheer on the teams. In the end the Honors student team was victorious, beating the Honors faculty by 6 goals with a final score of Students - 10 to Faculty - 4.

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-Northern Illinois University Honors Alumni. We're also on LinkedIn-Northern Illinois University - University Honors Program Alumni. Let us know what you're up to, and receive updates regarding our new Honors Alumni Council affinity group.

SOUPer Wednesdays: Stop into the Honors Center, 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.

Spring 2012 Featured Guest Schedule

Don't Stress the Test: Every semester Honors organizes an evening event at the beginning of finals week to encourage students to relieve some of the tension brought on by exams. The Fall 2011 Don’t Stress the Test included free made-to-order smoothies, professional chair massages, board games, a trained therapy dog, and soothing holiday music in front of a faux fireplace. Details for the next Don’t Stress the Test to be revealed toward the end of spring semester!