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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Donald Trump isn’t shy about talking up a good thing when he sees it, and he is telling the world about the NIU Marketing “Apprentice” class.

In a 90-second radio spot airing on nearly 300 Clear Channel Communications radio stations nationwide today, Trump praises the NIU College of Business for creating the class based on his NBC show, “The Apprentice.”

The piece, part of a daily program aired across the country featuring commentaries by Trump, was created by Premiere Radio Networks, a division of Clear Channel Communications.

In it, Trump describes the course, talks briefly of efforts by students enrolled in the course to raise money for the USO and praises the idea of using the show as a teaching tool.

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Perhaps the only thing more unlikely than the rise of reality television as a leading form of entertainment would be the emergence of the format as an outstanding teaching tool.

That is exactly what is happening, however, for students and faculty from the Department of Marketing and the Department of Communication, who this semester are engaged in a class based on "The Apprentice." The class pits teams of marketing majors against one another to complete various marketing tasks. Filming all of the action are communication majors who are creating videos aired on the Web and the campus cable channel.

The result for both groups has been some outstanding hands-on learning, say those who are teaching the course.

“The game is teaching them some great lessons. It has been an incredible experience,” says Marketing Chair Denise Schoenbachler, who credits her son, Brett, a junior majoring in finance, and his friend, Liz Siegel, a marketing major and daughter of NIU Trustee Myron Siegel, with coming up with the idea for the class.

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Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan visited NIU for a Wednesday, Sept. 8, press conference inside the NIU Center for the Study of Family Violence and Sexual Assault.

Madigan was joined by NIU President John Peters, DeKalb County State's Attorney Ron Matekaitis and Counseling and Student Development Center Director Kathy Hotelling in launching a statewide campaign to curb partner abuse through informational posters.

Click HERE to view a photo from the press conference.

NIU’s College of Health and Human Sciences has turned to two longtime faculty members – and recent acting chairs – to guide two of its divisions.

Sue Ouellette has been named chair of the Department of Communicative Disorders, formerly headed up by Vice Provost Earl “Gip” Seaver. Laura Smart is the new chair of the School of Family, Consumer and Nutrition Sciences, formerly led by Associate Dean Mary Pritchard.

“We feel fortunate to have selected these two talented individuals to lead these departments forward in the future. We conducted national searches for both of these positions, and feel we have selected the top leadership,” Dean Shirley Richmond said. “I am confident these chairs will be an asset in these changing times in health and human science education.”

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Pongsak Pankaew requests forgiveness for his command of the English language, but his apology is unnecessary.

The Fulbright scholar from Thailand, a visitor in the NIU College of Education for six weeks ending Sept. 30, draws sharp distinctions between education in this country and in his homeland.

“In Thailand, instructors can work on outside projects for companies. Here, everyone pays attention to the college,” Pankaew says. “In Thailand, students pay more respect to their teachers.”

Pankaew is an instructor and associate dean for academic affairs in the Faculty of Education at Chaing Mai University. He is working closely with Associate Dean Diane Jackman, who will visit Pankaew on his home turf from late December through early February.

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Students interested in studying overseas can get more information on available opportunities at the 12th annual Study Abroad Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 23, in the Regency Room of the Holmes Student Center.

The theme of this year’s fair is “Study Abroad – Your Passport to the World.” The fair will feature informational booths on study abroad programs in 65 countries. Students can meet with faculty and program representatives who coordinate NIU study abroad programs to Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and Latin America.

Academic advisers and representatives from international study abroad institutions will be on hand as well.

“The fair encourages participants to explore the many study abroad options NIU has to offer,” said Anne Seitzinger, director of the Study Abroad Office. “Study abroad allows students to explore other cultures, learn new languages, or experience foreign business practices firsthand. Whatever your academic or personal goals, the NIU Study Abroad Office can guide you in every aspect of your journey.”

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Female high school students searching for college and career guidance are invited to attend the 2004 Conference for Young Women, hosted by NIU from 8:15 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20, at Holmes Student Center.

The eighth annual conference is geared for young women in their sophomore through senior years of high school and aims to introduce the students to a variety of career areas, including professions where women are historically underrepresented, such as math and engineering.

“This conference offers an exciting chance for female high school students to explore the academic side of college life,” said Amy Levin, director of the NIU Women’s Studies Program. Levin will serve as moderator during the conference, which will include participation from faculty members from across the university.

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NIU is seeking families in DeKalb to host Muslim and Christian high school students and adult community leaders from the Southern Philippines for two weeks in April.

The visitors will be participating in a training institute led by the university’s Center for Southeast Asian Studies and International Training Office. Funded by the U.S. Department of State, the institute is designed to promote conflict resolution and interethnic and interfaith dialogue. Participants are selected through a competitive application process, have outstanding academic credentials and are fluent in English.

The training institute will introduce participants to American institutions that promote tolerance and will expose them to the religious and ethnic diversity of the United States.

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Bookstore to return
books to publishers

University Bookstore will return books to the publishers for the first-half classes beginning today. Second-half books will begin returning the week of Oct. 25. Please advise students to make all necessary book purchases immediately.

Faculty who plan to start books later in the semester should notify the bookstore to prevent their return. For more information, please call the Text Office at 753-1866.

Golin to honor
pioneer PR educator

Al Golin, founder and chairman of Golin/Harris International, will speak at 7:30 p.m. today at the inaugural Arthur W. Page Society Distinguished Ambassador Lecture. The address will take place inside the Barsema Hall auditorium, and is co-sponsored by the Departments of Communication and Marketing.

NIU was chosen by the Page Society as the site for Golin’s talk, the first of a series of Ambassador Lectures to be given by noted public relations professionals throughout the nation. -- MORE

World premiere remounts
at NIU after Russian run

A modernized adaptation of Aristophanes’ ancient play “The Birds” was rehearsed on the stages of NIU’s School of Theatre and Dance last spring before making its world premiere in June on the stage of Russia's Moscow Art Theatre.

The production now has returned stateside to make its American debut in DeKalb.

“The Birds” plays in the Stevens Building’s Player’s Theatre from Sept. 22 to 26, with weekday and Saturday shows at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased at the Stevens Building Box Office by calling 753-1600. Discounts are available for students and seniors. Please note that this production contains some harsh language and may not be suitable for children younger than 13. For more information, please call the box office or visit http://www.vpa.niu.edu/theater/. -- MORE

Matthew Shepard’s mother
to speak Thursday at NIU

Judy Shepard, mother of Matthew Shepard, will speak at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 23, in the Sandburg Auditorium of the Holmes Student Center.

Shepard and her husband, Dennis, lost their 21-year-old son to a murder motivated by anti-gay hate in October 1998. Determined to use her grief over her son’s death to make a difference, she is now speaking to audiences nationwide about what they can do as individuals and communities to make this world a more accepting place. -- MORE

Indian sitarist to play
concert at School of Music

Narinder Narula, a well-known sitarist from India, will perform a demonstration of North Indian sitar music at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 24, in the Recital Hall of the Music Building.

Narula is the principal at the Government College of Commerce in Patiala, India. He is a widely acclaimed sitar performer and a noted devotee of Indian classical music. He will perform and explain the principles of Indian classical music and demonstrate the technique of the sitar.

The event is sponsored by the Music Society and is open to all. -- MORE

Parade of Flags promises
to be banner event

Nearly 400 fourth- and fifth-graders from DeKalb and Sycamore will march while carrying the flags of more than 100 nations represented at NIU during the fifth annual Parade of Flags.

The parade steps off at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 24, from the east side of Huskie Stadium. The NIU ROTC Color Guard and several members of the Huskie Marching Band will lead.

Parade participants will march along Lucinda Avenue to the Martin Luther King Commons, where Vice Provost Earl “Gip” Seaver will speak at noon, along with DeKalb Mayor Greg Sparrow.

For more information, call 753-9526. -- MORE

Community School offers
courses in art, piano, theater

NIU’s Community School for the Arts is offerings courses this fall in drawing, piano, photography and acting.

Cynthia Haskell de Seife’s art class, which began last week and runs for six weeks, is designed for people who enjoy creating art but who are convinced that they can’t draw. JeongSoo Kim’s Class Piano for Children and Class Piano for Adults are for people who want to enhance their piano skills in a group setting.

Gail Ledbetter’s Photo Techniques, helps students to help develop basic techniques for taking good portrait and landscape photographs. Lisa Comer’s Theatre Games teaches techniques and games to develop natural actors. Haskell de Seife’s Puppet Art combines the visual arts and theatre.

For more information about these or any of the other offerings of the community school, contact Renee Page at (815) 753-1450 or check out the Web site at www.niu.edu/extprograms. -- MORE

Asian American welcome
scheduled for Sept. 29

An Asian-American Welcome Night is scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 29, in the Regency Room of the Holmes Student Center. The program takes place from 7:30 to 8:15 p.m. All are welcome.

Nominations sought for
2004-05 Lincoln Laureate

An outstanding senior from each of the four-year degree-granting institutions of higher learning in Illinois is chosen annually to receive the Lincoln Academy Student Laureate Award.

The University Scholarships Committee asks your assistance in identifying the student, graduating during 2004-2005 (August 2004, December 2004, or May 2005), who will be NIU’s recipient of this year’s award.

The form and any supplementary pages should be returned to the Office of the Scholarship Coordinator, c/o Retention Programs, by noon Monday, Sept. 27, for the nomination to be considered by the selection committee. If you care to hand-deliver nomination forms, please submit them to 402 Adams Hall. -- MORE

NIU tackles bullies:
support group, institute

NIU will offer relief and support to the targets of bullies while providing occasional institute sessions on bullying.

The support group allows participants a safe place to share experiences with others who are dealing with some similar concerns. The group meets from 4:45 to 6 p.m. Mondays from Oct. 4 to Nov. 8 at University Resources for Women, 105 Normal Road. Call 753-0320 for more information.

Institute sessions are “The Bully at Work: Behind Closed Doors” (Wednesday, Sept. 29, Blackhawk East); “Toxic Work Environments” (Monday, Oct. 11, Blackhawk East), and “Finding Your Voice and Your Body Too” (Monday, Oct. 25, Blackhawk East).

Sessions on parenting include “Bullying at Home and School: The Nature of Bullying” (Thursday, Oct. 7, Blackhawk West); “Bullyproofing Your Parenting: Parenting Strategies to Prevent Bullies and Victims” (Friday, Oct. 22, Blackhawk West), and “Dealing with a Bullying Situation: How Can I Help My Child?” (Friday, Nov. 5, Blackhawk West). -- MORE

Disability Mentoring Day
scheduled for Oct. 20

The Office of Affirmative Action and Diversity Resource Program, the center for Access-Ability Resources and Kishwaukee College’s Assistive Resource Center invite participation in Disability Mentoring Awareness Day on Wednesday, Oct. 20.

See here under informational documents then proceed to the correct document for application.

Faculty, Supportive Professional Staff and Operating Staff can download the (Mentor) DMD application. Please send completed forms send to Phinette Maszka at the Affirmative Action and Diversity Resources (AADR) Office No. 169 by Thursday, Sept. 30.

More information also is available at Brown Bag luncheons. Please contact Maszka at (815) 753-6030, TTY (815) 753-2000 or by e-mail at pmaszka@niu.edu to register for the luncheon of your choice: noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 22, at University Resources for Women, or noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 29, at Diversions Lounge in the Holmes Student Center.

Enhancing Success hosts
workshops on disabilities

Project Enhancing Success is sponsoring three workshops on teaching university students with disabilities.

The workshops are titled Enhancing Success for University Students with Disabilities (with an emphasis on teaching strategies). Each workshop has a focus on a different type of disability: hearing, vision and learning.

Faculty, teaching assistants and graduate students are invited to attend the workshops. Refreshments, drawings for gift certificates and helpful publications will be provided. Anyone interested in attending is asked to RSVP to svogel@niu.edu. For more information, call 753-0123 or e-mail ereed@niu.edu. -- MORE

Convocation Center
announces fall dates

Bob Dylan, Big and Rich, Gretchen Wilson and Sesame Street Live are on the fall schedule at the NIU Convocation Center.

Dylan plays at 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31. Tickets are $39.50, with a limited general admission for $29.50. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 24.

Sesame Street Live’s “A Rainbow of Sesame Street Live Friends: Elmo’s Coloring Book” will play at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16, and 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17. Tickets are $12 and $15. A limited number of $18 premium seats are also available, and a facility fee of $1.50 will be added to all ticket prices. Additional fees and discounts may apply.

Country music stars Big and Rich with “Redneck Woman” Gretchen Wilson will play at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 5. Tickets are $22.50 and $28.50.

Tickets are available at the Convocation Center box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by calling (312) 559-1212, or visiting www.ticketmaster.com.

--CLICK HERE