February 24, 2003, Northern Today Abridged
NIU plays role in regional economic transformation
Northern Illinois University is a key player in two projects that hold promise for transforming the economic landscape of north-central Illinois.
Both projects - one in Rockford focusing on reviving manufacturing industries there, the other in Belvidere seeking to develop and market new agricultural-based products - will rely heavily upon resources and innovative thinkers from NIU.
"We are extremely proud to be involved in both of these projects," NIU President John Peters said. "They will provide terrific outlets for our skilled researchers and fantastic learning opportunities for our students. These projects will redefine how our region will be perceived for years to come, and we are excited to be a part of that."
Christine Worobec and William Baker win
2003 Presidential Research Professorships
Two NIU faculty members whose research and books have garnered international attention have been named as the 2003 Presidential Research Professors.
President John Peters will formally recognize history professor Christine Worobec and professor William Baker, who holds a joint appointment with University Libraries and the Department of English, at the first-ever Convocation for Academic Excellence. The event will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday, April 13, in the Duke Ellington Ballroom of the Holmes Student Center.
Given out annually since 1982, the Presidential Research Professorship is the university's top recognition for outstanding research.
Peters takes reins of MAC Conference governing council
As the newly elected chairman of the Mid-American Conference Council of Presidents, NIU President John Peters has set his sights on raising the profile of the MAC.
"I want to increase the visibility of the MAC conference in the Chicagoland area," Peters said. "It's an exciting, competitive conference that draws many of its star players from the Chicagoland area, so I think the interest is already there.
"If you look at the success that MAC football teams have had against (Chicago-based) Conference USA teams (8-0), and the frequency with which MAC teams are playing Big Ten teams, it stands to reason that Chicago-area sports fans will follow the MAC if given the opportunity," Peters added.
NIU geography department partners with Northern Illinois Food Bank
To erase hunger from the map, the Northern Illinois Food Bank first needed, well, a map.
So when the food bank set out recently to identify population pockets of greatest hunger need, it turned to Northern Illinois University mapping experts for help.
Cartographer Lenny Walther and research scientist Phil Young, both faculty in NIU's Department of Geography, volunteered to create a map illustrating varying hunger needs by township in the northern Illinois region. The completed map (see http://www.niu.edu/PubAffairs/RELEASES/2003/feb/FoodPantry.pdf) allows food bank planners to identify quickly the proximity of pantries and distribution sites to needy areas.
NIU slates events for Women's History Month
Focusing on a theme of volunteerism, NIU has scheduled 17 events to coincide with the celebration of Women's History Month in March.
The NIU Women's Studies Program, together with various co-sponsors, is pleased to bring attention to important women's issues. Volunteerism encompasses the lives of women in various arenas, including community support, activism in the pursuit of social justice, dedication to home and family, and the balancing of career and family.
Floris Barnett Cash, a graduate colloquium speaker, will present her lecture titled, "African-American Women and Volunteerism: A Historical Perspective of Women in Chicago," at 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 18, in the Heritage Room of the Holmes Student Center. She also will present a seminar, "Ida B. Wells Barnett, A Feminist Race Woman," at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 19, in the Center for Black Studies.
Jewell Parker Rhodes, a professor of creative writing at Arizona State University, will read from and discuss her newly published novel, "Douglass' Women," at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 27, in the Heritage Room of the Holmes Student Center. A book signing will follow her presentation.
Judith Mayne of Ohio State University will give an address, "Marlene Dietrich and Hollywood's Representation of the Aging Female Star," at 3 p.m. Friday, March 28, in Gabel Hall's Cavan Auditorium. Gillian Rose, of the Open University of the United Kingdom, will speak at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, in Davis Hall, Room 308. Her talk, titled "Family Photography and Domestic Spacings: A Case Study," will address feminist interpretations of self, time and space.
The annual International Women's Day Luncheon will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 5, in the Chandelier Room of Adams Hall. The featured speaker will be Josephine Mendez-Negrete, assistant professor of Mexican American Studies at the University of Texas, San Antonio. Call (815) 753-9614 for reservations (fee for lunch).
Mendez also will give a formal address, titled "The Gender Pipeline: Culture, Education, and Opportunities," at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 6, in the Heritage Room of Holmes Student Center.
The annual Women's History Month Art Show will exhibit art by female faculty and graduate students in the NIU School of Art. The opening reception will be from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 6, at the DeKalb Area Women's Center, 1021 State St., DeKalb. Interested viewers can call (815) 758-1351 for gallery hours.
Other highlights include a panel discussion, "Volunteerism, Past and Present," which will highlight women who represent such diverse areas as the Girl Scouts and a local battered women's shelter. The panel will be held at 3:30 p.m. Monday, March 17, in Reavis Hall, Room 211.
The final event in celebration of Women's History Month is titled "Vagina Seminar: Re-imaging Women's Bodies." The seminar, a popular event continued from last year, will begin at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, in Faraday Hall, Room 143. The seminar allows the audience to ask questions in a safe and comfortable atmosphere.
In addition to these events, many other programs are scheduled. All events are open to the public, and unless otherwise noted, are free. Sign language interpreters are available upon request; call (815) 753-6515 (one week's notice is preferred).
For further information and a complete schedule of events, visit http://womenshistorymonth.niu.edu or contact the Women's Studies Program at (815) 753-1044.
Women's Alliance sponsors 'Vagina Monologues'
Women's Alliance, an activist and education group on campus, will sponsor a production of Eve Ensler's "The Vagina Monologues" to benefit the Safe Passage shelter. NIU theater students will perform, directed by theater student Colleen Mosher for her senior project.
The performances are at 7:30 p.m. today, Tuesday, Feb. 25, and Thursday, Feb. 27, in the Diversions Lounge in the Holmes Student Center. There is a suggested $6 donation at the door.
For more information, contact scaldron@niu.edu via e-mail or call 753-4930.
Friends of NIU Libraries to host author
Former DeKalb resident Richard Powers will read from his second novel, "The Time of Our Singing," at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, in the Staff Lounge on the lower level of Founders Memorial Library.
There will be an opportunity for discussion and light refreshments after the presentation.
NIU to host conference on race, children
NIU will host a conference on the issue of race as it relates to young children from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 4, in the Holmes Student Center.
The conference, titled "The Other 3 Rs: Reality, Racism and Respect," is being offered free of charge for students studying for careers in teaching, educators, day care providers and all others with an interest in the young child. The event hosts are the NIU Early Childhood Studies Program Steering Committee and the NIU Early Childhood Studies Professional Advisory Committee.
To register, contact Carrie Blackwood at 753-8362 no later than Friday, Feb. 28. A continental breakfast will be available for all attendees, and lunch will be provided for the first 200 registrants.
Institute for Learning in Retirement announces 'Brown Bag' series
The lecture series takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays.
March 19, HSC 505
Literature of the Holocaust, Steven Franklin, Department of English
March 26, CLB 100
Iraq: Images and Realities, Mazen Nagi, Department of Political Science
April 2, HSC 505
Galaxies of Prime, Richard Blecksmith, Department of Mathematics
April 9, HSC 505
Artificial Intelligence, Joel Jeffrey, Department of Computer Science
April 16, HSC 505
Ethics and the Professions, James King, Department of Philosophy, Professor Emeritus
April 23, HSC 505
Age and Generation Identity: What Does Your Generation Mean to You?, Lisa Finkelstein, Department of Psychology
April 30, HSC 505
Toni Morrison's 'Beloved': When a Voice is Lost, Where Does it Go?, Amy Levin, Director, Women's Studies, Department of English
May 7, HSC Lincoln Room
Public Opinion: The First Lady, Barbara Burrell, Associate Director, Public Opinion Lab, Department of Political Science
Apple Computers representatives to visit campus
Information Technology Services Customer Support Services is pleased to welcome representatives from Apple Computers, Inc from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, March 20, in Room 405 of the Holmes Student Center.
The representatives from Apple will provide an overview of the latest hardware and OSX, including the most recently developed tools.
If you would like to attend please RSVP to Elizabeth Leake, ITS Customer Support Services, at 753-9512 or eleake@niu.edu by Friday, March 7.
Share the word. Participation is limited to the first 60 to respond. Registration will be confirmed upon receipt of an e-mail reply from its@niu.edu.
Designing universally accessible Web resources
utility CD now available from ITS
Those who missed Jon Gunderson's Jan. 10 workshop might wish to have the compact disc he shared during the workshop. The CD provides several helpful utilities, templates, alternative browsers, accessibility checkers, Dreamweaver extension and links to important accessibility resources on the world wide web.
For more information about Dr. Gunderson, please visit: http://www.staff.uiuc.edu/~jongund/
Dr. Gunderson also offers fee-based on-line courses on Designing Universally Accessible Web Resources. See: http://cita.rehab.uiuc.edu/courses
For a copy of the CD (while supplies last), please e-mail Elizabeth Leake, eleake@niu.edu. Please include your NIU post-office mailing address in your message.
CAB sponsors trip to Mall of America
The bus leaves at noon Friday, March 28, from the east side of the Holmes Student Center. The transportation cost for students is $19 and $22 for general public, payable in the CAB office, Campus Life Building 160. Anyone interested in attending must sign up by Friday, March 7.
Total cost for the trip including transportation, hotel and taxes: four per room is $51.31;
three per room is $62.08, or two per room if $83.61. Add $3 for non-students.
Participants must make their own hotel reservations with the Days Inn. For more information, please contact CAB at 753-1580. Information packets are also available in the CAB office.
Costa Rica photo exhibit on display
A photography exhibit of images of Costa Rica is open to the public at The House, 263 E. Lincoln Hwy. The show will be on display for about six weeks, and the images are available for purchase.
The exhibit, titled "Tibas Market: Images of Costa Rica by Francisco Solares-Larrave," consists of nine photographs of people and food, taken during Solares-Larrave's last visit to Costa Rica as a faculty member and teacher at the Costa Rica program of Spanish Language and Culture, run by NIU Study Abroad Office and the Department of Foreign Languages, in which he is a faculty member.
One of the goals of this exhibit is to promote the Costa Rica Spanish language program, aimed at students at the intermediate level interested on the experience of living abroad.
2-24-2003
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