NIU Foundation presents annual awards
The NIU Foundation presented its annual awards earlier this month in Naperville at the Foundation Donor Annual Recognition Dinner.
Joseph Locke won the award for volunteer service, Earl and Margaret Hoffmann and J. Patrick White won awards for individual philanthropy and Caterpillar received the award for corporate philanthropy.
“What wonderful donors and volunteers we have,” said Mallory M. Simpson, chief development officer for NIU and president of the NIU Foundation.
“One of the great privileges of being associated with the NIU Foundation is this opportunity we take each year to recognize those who have contributed so significantly to advance excellence at NIU and the Foundation,” Simpson said. “Our Leadership Committee annually selects volunteers and donors whose contributions were not only noteworthy, but have inspired others to support the university as well.”
Locke, who graduated from NIU in 1968 with a degree in business, enjoyed a distinguished career of executive positions in the financial services industry. In 2003, he received the Outstanding Alumni Award from the College of Business.
As a member of the NIU Executive Club board, Locke was instrumental in organizing the speakers bureau, identifying experienced alumni who could speak to groups of students and share “real life” business wisdom.
Locke also initiated and has chaired the NIU Executive Club dinner dance and silent auction, which raises funds for an endowed scholarship for business students. This annual event has raised a total of $140,000, and Locke’s additional efforts have brought nearly $31,000 more into the scholarship fund.
“Joe’s commitment to professional success has never pulled him away from the things he holds most dear – his family and friends, his faith and his community,” Simpson said. “We are grateful to be among those communities with which Joe has chosen to share so generously.”
Philanthropy awards recognize those who are helping to establish a culture of philanthropy at NIU by demonstrating a long history of giving, wide-ranging support, giving that acts as a catalyst for others or giving that profoundly impacts students and programs at NIU.
The Hoffmanns are best described as “lifelong learners.”
Earl was a faculty member in the College of Education, teaching and supervising student-teachers until 1993. Earl and Margaret hold five degrees between them and enjoyed various teaching and school administrative positions.
Both grew up on farms during a time when education beyond eighth-grade was unusual, but both were determined to leave the farm and embark on a quest for learning.
Their philanthropy at NIU has created endowed scholarships in elementary education and educational administration – to help future teachers gain an “insatiable desire and insistence on meeting the specific needs of children” – and for vocal music students.
They also have given their time and talents to such causes as Habitat for Humanity and Northern Public Radio.
“The Foundation Award for Philanthropy isn’t about just dollars,” Simpson said. “It’s about the heart – the spirit of giving – and the giving spirit in Margaret and Earl is beautiful to behold.”
White, an NIU history professor emeritus with more than 30 years of service to the university, taught some of the most popular courses in the department and won the Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award in 1986.
And when White retired in 1993, he wanted to continue investing in the lives of students.
He established and funded the J. Patrick White History Education Endowment to support seniors preparing to teach history at the secondary level. He also contributes generously to an endowed scholarship fund supporting graduate students doing research as well as a variety of other funds.
“It is his persistent pattern of giving that is truly noteworthy,” Simpson said. “About every month or so, he sends another check to help NIU students, distinguishing himself among other donors.”
Several NIU colleges have received large and generous gifts from Caterpillar, as well as gifts from alumni employees matched by Caterpillar.
Over the years, Caterpillar has contributed more than $319,000, including gifts to the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and Student Placement Services.
Caterpillar recently made a commitment of $150,000 to NIU’s College of Business to name a tiered classroom in Barsema Hall. The funds will support technology innovation, faculty and staff development and professional development for students.
“Few corporations have taken a more active and supportive role in partnering with NIU to expand opportunities for our students than Caterpillar and its affiliated Caterpillar Foundation,” Simpson said. “Caterpillar has pioneered strategies with NIU for providing ‘real-life’ opportunities for students to learn, develop and apply classroom learning.”
10-27-03
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