Altgeld open house,
State of the University Address
both scheduled for Oct. 7

NIU’s lovingly restored flagship building, century-old Altgeld Hall, will open its doors to the campus community in a series of events slated for Thursday, Oct. 7.

An open house featuring self-guided tours, docents and a commemorative booklet will be offered from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The building’s formal rededication will take place at 11 a.m. in the beautifully refurbished Altgeld Auditorium, restored to its original grandeur by a team of architectural historians and artisans.

Finally, the president’s annual State of the University Address at 3 p.m. will cap off the day’s events as the first formal speech in the building since completion of the five-year renovation project. A reception will follow the president’s speech in two reception rooms just outside and across the hall from the Auditorium’s main, second-floor entrance.

Alumni and community members will be invited to tour Altgeld the following week as part of NIU’s Homecoming celebration. Altgeld will be open for tours, and shuttles will run from the football stadium area throughout that morning (Saturday, Oct. 16).

For details on any of the Altgeld reopening events, contact Special Events Director Ellen Andersen at 753-1999.

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NIU President John Peters has been selected to serve on a blue-ribbon task force created by Gov. Rod Blagojevich to support Argonne National Laboratory in its bid for a $1 billion accelerator project.

Illinois and Michigan are competing to be selected as the site for construction of the Rare Isotope Accelerator. Illinois officials say the project would be a boon to the state economy, creating thousands of construction jobs and eventually hundreds of permanent high-tech research positions. Universities statewide also stand to benefit from their proximity to the one-of-its-kind research tool.

The U.S. Department of Energy has listed the project as a high priority and could choose a construction site by year’s end.

“We’ll do everything we can to support Argonne, which has throughout its history been at the very cutting-edge of science,” NIU President Peters said. “NIU researchers are at the forefront of accelerator physics, and we intend to apply our considerable resources and talents to the benefit of this proposal.”

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He marched alongside Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma, Ala., and was among the rare Protestant ministers participating in Vatican II, the Roman Catholic Church’s historic summit meeting. His prolific writings have won more awards than some books have pages.

And he’s coming to NIU.

Martin E. Marty, one of the nation’s most prominent interpreters of religion and contemporary culture, will visit NIU on Monday, Oct. 11, to deliver the inaugural installment of the W. Bruce Lincoln Endowed Lecture Series.

Marty is professor emeritus of religious history at the University of Chicago. He is a Lutheran pastor, nationally known speaker, longtime columnist for The Christian Century magazine and author of more than 50 books, including “Righteous Empire,” for which he won the National Book Award.

Marty will speak at 7:30 p.m. in the newly refurbished Altgeld Hall auditorium.

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Sunday’s LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, pitting 40,000 runners against a 26.2-mile course, is not only a testament to the capability of the human body but a “medical undertaking” of grand proportions.

Race organizers will erect two medical tents, one more than 300 feet long with 170 cots and another that houses 75 cots. The 17 course aid stations are found every mile or mile-and-a-half. The number of medical volunteers, from physicians, nurses and paramedics to athletic trainers and college students, exceeds 500.

And, for the first year, the marathon’s medical brigade includes students in NIU’s athletic training program.

Gina Delmont, academic coordinator of clinical education for the program housed in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, said she will escort between 12 and 20 of her students to the race that starts and ends in Grant Park.

“They’re pumped,” said Delmont, a certified athletic trainer.

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NIU’s Center for Southeast Asian Studies will host a one-day faculty development seminar titled, “Building Bridges to Asia: Integrating Southeast Asia into Your Curriculum.”

The free seminar will be held from 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 12, in the Holmes Student Center, followed by a tour of the Donn V. Hart Southeast Asia Library Collection in Founders Memorial Library. All college- and university-level educators and administrators are welcome to participate.

Professor Emeritus Clark Neher will deliver the keynote presentation on geopolitical and current issues in Southeast Asia.

Established in 1963, NIU’s Center for Southeast Asian Studies is the second oldest of its kind in the United States and is designated by U.S. Department of Education as a National Resource Center.

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The Women’s Studies Program at NIU invites interested university departments, organizations and individuals to join in the planning of activities for the annual celebration of Women’s History Month in March.

The 2005 theme, “Body Waves,” will focus on the growing debate about the role of body display in feminism. Specifically, different generations of feminists have different perspectives on the importance and definitions of appearance.

Women’s Studies is seeking proposals for activities such as performances, concerts, films, visual displays, speaking engagements and panel discussions to be held in conjunction with the month-long celebration. Proposals are due Nov. 5.

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English Professor Amy Newman will read from her new book of poetry, titled “fall,” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 7, at Barnes and Noble, 2439 Sycamore Road, DeKalb.

Newman’s book was released just last month through Wesleyan University Press.

The collection of poems explores the 72 definitions of the title word, with each definition engendering its own poem and serving as a selection title.

NIU announces revised
internal audit procedures

Last spring, the Legislation, Audit and External Affairs Committee of NIU’s Board of Trustees asked President John Peters for help in making improvements recommended by the university’s external auditors.

The president brought two ideas for change to the board at its Sept. 23 meeting. Both of these new policies will have an impact on departments across campus.

If you have questions, please e-mail them to Sharon Dowen at sdowen@niu.edu or Kinga Mauger at kmauger@niu.edu. -- MORE

Nominations sought for
Presidential Teaching Professors

All letters of nomination for the 2005 Presidential Teaching Professorships should be submitted to Earl Seaver in the Office of the Provost (Altgeld Hall 220B) no later than Monday, Oct. 18.

Following receipt of a letter of nomination, the selection committee will invite each nominated faculty member to prepare materials in accordance with the published procedure. Only full professors with tenure and at least six years service at NIU are eligible for the award.

The Presidential Teaching Professorships were established in 1990 to recognize outstanding teachers. -- MORE

Customer Service Week
shows ‘everybody’s job’

The week of Oct. 4 is nationally recognized as Customer Service Week.

NIU’s Information Technology Services reminds all university employees, whether they serve students directly or indirectly, to keep in mind that exceptional service provides a competitive advantage and ensures that NIU is the school of choice for generations to come.

Take some time Wednesday, Oct. 6, to recognize colleagues who demonstrate an acute awareness of the powerful impact of providing their best in quality service throughout the year.

Geology announces
fall colloquia dates

The NIU Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences has announced dates for its Fall 2004 Colloquia, co-sponsored by the Graduate School.

All talks will be held at 4 p.m. in Davis Hall 308. For directions and updates to the schedule, click here. Contact Reed Scherer at 753-7951 or via e-mail at reed@geol.niu.edu for more information. -- MORE

College of Engineering
to host job fair

NIU’s College of Engineering and Engineering Technology will hold host 14 companies at its Showcase Job Fair from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 7.

These events, held each fall and spring, were initiated in 1998 at the suggestion of the college’s Engineering and Technology Alumni Society.

Among the companies attending this year will be Daimler Chrysler, Johnson Controls, United Parcel Service and Caterpillar. -- MORE

Tennessee Williams lauded
in student theater production

Re-enacting memories of a broken family and a lonely man who finds companionship with an alley cat are themes from the first of NIU School of Theatre and Dance 2004-2005 Studio Series productions, “Two By Tenn.”

“Two By Tenn” opens in the Stevens Building Corner Theatre on the NIU campus on Thursday, Oct. 7, and runs until Sunday, Oct. 10. Weekday and Saturday show times are 7:30 p.m. with a 2 p.m. Sunday matinee. All tickets are $3 and can only be purchased at the door.

For more information, please call 753-1337 or visit the NIU School of Theatre and Dance online at http://www.vpa.niu.edu/theater/. -- MORE

Law professor to receive
2004-05 Merritt Award

Martha Nussbaum, Ernst Freund Professor of Law and Ethics at the University of Chicago Law School, will present “Compassion and Global Citizenship in a Time of Global Tension” from 4 to 5:45 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 7, in the Clara Sperling Skyroom of the Holmes Student Center.

Nussbaum also will receive the 2004-05 Merritt Award for distinguished service to philosophy of education.

Northern Illinois Shotokan hosts
training in Funakoshi's karate texts

Northern Illinois Shotokan will host its 20th annual Fall Special Training this weekend at the Rec Center.

John Teramoto, curator of Japanese art at the Indianapolis Museum of Art and translator of Funakoshi's seminal karate texts, will attend.

For more information, e-mail wkreda@niu.edu.

LGBT community invited
to ‘Home-Coming Out’

The Presidential Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity invites all friends and allies of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community to its “Home-Coming Out” fall reception, in celebration of NIU’s Homecoming and LGBT History Month.

Join in socializing and refreshments from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12, in the Thurgood Marshall Gallery in Swen Parson Hall.

For more information about the reception, LGBT History Month or LGBT resources on campus, contact Margie Cook at 753-LGBT or via e-mail at lgbt@niu.edu. -- MORE

FIT program presents
‘Low Carb Mania’

NIU’s FIT program will host “Low Carb Mania: Truths and Myths,” a free seminar from noon to 12:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15, in Anderson Hall 244.

To sign up, contact FIT at 753-0335, via e-mail at fit@niu.edu or stop by Anderson Hall 127.

Asian American Center
hosts open house Oct. 15

The Asian American Center at NIU invites the university community to "preview" its newly renovated home from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15, during a Homecoming Open House.

The center is located in the Jacobs House, 429 Garden Road, across from Anderson Hall. A special alumni meeting begins at 6 p.m.

Please RSVP by Friday, Oct. 8, to 752-1177 or by e-mail at mbringas@niu.edu.

NIU Campus Child Care
to host annual book fair

NIU’s Campus Child Care Center will hold its annual Children’s Book Fair during the week of Oct. 18 to 22.

The book fair will be open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and will be held at the Campus Child Care Center. -- MORE

NIU hosts colloquium
on ‘cultural models’

NIU will host “A Colloquium on Cultural Models” from 1:30 to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22, in the Clara Sperling Sky Room of the Holmes Student Center.

The colloquium is open to the public. Sponsors are the Graduate School, the departments of anthropology, computer science and English, and the Cognitive Studies Initiative. -- MORE

Convocation Center books
Incubus for Nov. 12

Building on a tour that started in March 2004, in support of their latest album, Incubus, with special guests The Music, will rock NIU’s Convocation Center at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 12. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets are $29.50 for students with student ID. A limited amount of tickets will be held for students for a limited time. Public tickets are $34.50. Tickets are available at the Convocation Center box office and all Ticketmaster outlets, by calling (312) 559-1212, or visiting www.ticketmaster.com.

This concert is sponsored by the Convocation Center and the Campus Activities Board Concerts Committee. For more information visit www.niuconvo.com or call 752-6800. This event is Student Association-allocated and open to all.

--CLICK HERE