NIU Alumni Association names
Alumni Award recipients for 2005

NIU’s Alumni Association honored 13 recipients of its 2005 Alumni Awards at a private reception and dinner Thursday, April 21, at the Chicago Athletic Association. Recipients were selected based on outstanding professional and personal successes, as well as involvement in civic, cultural or charitable activities.

“NIU alumni have gone on to distinguish themselves and Northern in countless ways,” said Lee McCauley, assistant vice president for alumni relations. “Our Alumni Awards program seeks to recognize some of those outstanding individuals who have gone out and achieved great success in their personal and professional lives.”

This year, NIU recognized the significant contributions to the university made by Darrell “Doc” Newell by presenting him with its F.R. Geigle Service Award. The Alumni Association presented chemist and marketing professional Ronald R. Ream with the prestigious Distinguished Alumni Award. Gospel music industry leader Tracy Williamson received the Outstanding Alumni Award.

In addition, 10 alumni received Outstanding College Alumni Awards from their respective areas of study.

Those recipients are: Jeffrey Aronin and James Rose for the College of Business; joint recipients Anthony and Carolyn Kambich and Kathleen Kiernan for the College of Education; Kenneth Hartman for the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology; Lora McDonald McGuire for the College of Health and Human Sciences; Michael Vitale for the College of Law; Peter Butterfield for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; and Anthony Padilla for the College of Visual and Performing Arts.

For more information about the NIU Alumni Association Awards Program, call (815) 753-1452.

F.R Geigle Service Award
This award is given to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding service and commitment to the best interests of NIU. This service may have been given in the classroom, in other university activities, or in the wider community.

Darrell “Doc” Newell
Professor Emeritus, NIU College of Engineering and Engineering Technology

Fondly known simply as “Doc” to his students and colleagues, Darrell Newell came to NIU as a part-time professor in the Department of Industry and Technology and went on to build a life-long relationship with the university. After receiving full-time status, Newell went on to chair the electrical engineering department from 1986 through his retirement in 1990, in addition to serving several years as the college’s interim associate dean. As a recipient of the NIU Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, Newell’s students regarded him as an outstanding educator whose ability to balance theory with practical, hands-on experience prepared them well for their careers. Although he retired nearly 15 years ago, Newell has remained involved with the college’s progress as a consultant and professor emeritus. He also is working with NIU to establish an endowed scholarship fund for engineering students.

Distinguished Alumni Award
The most prestigious award given by the NIU Alumni Association, the Distinguished Alumni Award is presented to an alumnus who has achieved outstanding success in his or her profession.

Ronald L. Ream
B.S. ’64, Chemistry
Executive Director of Corporate Development, Wrigley Yorkville

Here’s something to chew on: Fatigue was the main cause of casualties among U.S. troops in the Gulf War, and chewing gum created by NIU alumnus Ron Ream will help today’s soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan remain alert while performing military duties. As the executive director of corporate development at Wrigley in Yorkville, Ill., Ream worked with the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research to produce a caffeinated gum that quickly delivers the energizing drug into the body’s system, resulting in increased alertness, cognitive abilities and physical performance. The product is only one of more than 70 patents created by Ream throughout his 40-year career in the confectionary industry at Wrigley. Among his well-known creations are Hubba Bubba, Big League Chew and Bubble Tape, which he not only helped develop in Wrigley laboratories, but also marketed to net the company more than $1 billion in total sales.

Outstanding Alumni Award
The Outstanding Alumni Award is presented to an individual who has exhibited outstanding professional and personal accomplishments within ten years of earning an undergraduate degree from NIU.

Tracy Y. Williamson
B.S. ’99, Marketing
Label Director, Tyscot Records
President and Producer, Early Growth Productions

For Tracy Williamson, 2005 is already starting out to be a stellar year. In February, she walked the red carpet at the Staples Center in Los Angeles as one of the gospel recordings she produced was nominated at the 2005 Grammy Awards. The 27-year-old also graced the pages of Ebony magazine’s April issue as one of its “30 Leaders of the Future” for her work in the music industry. In addition, another one of her productions received two nominations at the 2005 Stellar Awards. As a premier up-and-coming professional in the music industry, Williamson operates Early Growth Productions, a music services company she founded at the age of 12. She also serves as label director for Tyscot Records in Indianapolis, where she has written and produced for such music award nominees as The Rance Allen Group, Chicago Mass Choir, DeAndre Patterson, and Rodnie Bryant, in addition to producing two Gospel Kid’s projects. Williamson honed her industry know-how by studying music, songwriting and producing at the Van Moody School of Music. Among her mentors is Percy Gray, Jr., a Grammy-nominated and Stellar Award-winning producer, who introduced Williamson to the inside workings of the music business.

Outstanding College Alumni Awards
In addition to the award presented to a member of the general alumni population, individual awards are given to a representative from each of the university’s seven colleges, thereby highlighting the diverse disciplines of a comprehensive university.

College of Business
Jeffrey Aronin
B.S. ’89, Marketing
Founder and president, Ovation Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Jeffrey Aronin has spent the past four years successfully guiding one of the fastest growing pharmaceutical companies in the United States. In 2001, he founded Ovation Pharmaceuticals in Deerfield, Ill., which has emerged as a leading specialty pharmaceutical company. With his experience leading two venture-backed health care companies, RxMarketing and MedCare Technologies, Aronin followed through on his strategic vision to acquire so-called “orphan drugs” that serve specialized patient groups, which he realized were often overlooked by big pharmaceutical companies in favor of more popular prescriptions that generate greater returns. As the company’s president, Aronin oversees the development and marketing of 11 drugs, with several more pending. Ovation’s products, such as Nembutal and Membaral, which aid those with epilepsy, typically treat central nervous system disorders and other rare diseases. The company has doubled every year in size and revenues with a goal of $200 million in revenues for 2006. Aronin also received the American Porphyria Foundation 2004-2005 Partner of the Year Award, as well as being named the 2004 Corporate Citizen of the Year by the Chicago Chapter of the Epilepsy Foundation.

James M. Rose
B.S. ’83, Management
CEO, Mosaic Sales Solutions

Jim Rose has been described as a visionary whose abilities captured the attention of Mosiac Sales Solutions, which last year tapped him to run its operations as chairman and chief executive officer. The Dallas-based company employs 10,000 people and provides a variety of marketing resources and solutions in consumer and business-to-business environments in the areas of merchandising, selling, customer acquisition, and event marketing to such clients as Microsoft, Disney and Best Buy. Rose joined Mosaic from his position as CEO for Media Planning Group North America, one of the largest full-service media planning and buying companies in North America. Prior to MPG, Rose served as CEO for numerous organizations, including London-based QXL Ricardo PLC, where he still serves as chairman, and led the process of taking the company public on both the London Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ. Rose also has remained active with his alma mater, serving on the NIU College of Business Board of Executive Advisors and being a member of the NIU Executive Club.

College of Education
Anthony L. Kambich
B.S. ’59, Physical Education
Carolyn A. Kambich
B.S. ’60, Elementary Education
Founders, Deerfield Montessori Schools

“What can we do to help?” is Tony and Carolyn Kambich’s trademark saying, as they have spent the past 45 years putting their NIU education to its best use on local, national, and international levels. In 1966, they founded the Deerfield Montessori School, a private, nonsectarian school accredited by the American Montessori Society, which Carolyn oversees as its executive director with Tony serving as president of the board of directors. Today the school, which serves infants through sixth-grade children, has grown to four locations throughout the northern Chicago suburbs and enrolls children from more than 350 families. Through their service with Rotary International, Tony and Carolyn extended their talents and support globally, assisting with the development of Montessori schools in Uganda as well as Slovenia, the homeland of Tony’s father. Serving on the NIU College of Education development committee, Tony is leading the drive to raise funds for the college’s project to provide educational and economic development opportunities in Mwala, Kenya. Carolyn also has led discussions on the Montessori method with the college’s faculty and is helping them build a Montessori resource library. They also provide financial support for technology needs, student scholarships and faculty development within the college.

Kathleen L. Kiernan
Ed.D. ’03, Adult Continuing Education
Senior Executive Vice President for International Law Enforcement, MZM, Inc.

Kathleen Kiernan was the most senior woman in the history of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, rising through the ranks from special agent to the assistant director of intelligence. Assigned to the interagency task force on the first World Trade Center bombing, Kiernan has led the intelligence efforts throughout the events and aftermaths of terrorist activity on domestic soil. A 29-year federal law enforcement veteran, today Kiernan is the senior executive vice president for international law enforcement with MZM, Inc., a national security firm in Washington, D.C. She is currently leading a nationwide Intelligence Community project involving the active interdiction of weapons of mass destruction through the law enforcement and public safety communities. Additionally, Kiernan is guiding a multi-disciplinary team bridging the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security. She is a senior member on the International Association of Chiefs of Police Terrorism subcommittee and has presented training on critical incident management and explosives response protocol on a global basis. In 2002, Court TV recognized her as a Criminal Justice Superstar and Ladies Home Journal named Kiernan one of its Ten Women in America who are Making a Difference.

College of Engineering and Engineering Technology
Kenneth D. Hartman
B.S. ’76, Electrical Engineering Technology; M.S. ’90, Electrical Engineering
Chief Technical Officer, Connor-Winfield Corp.

In addition to enjoying a successful career at The Connor-Winfield Corporation in Aurora, Ill., as its chief technical officer, Ken Hartman finds time to remain active with his alma mater. In his position overseeing all aspects of technological innovation and advancement at the company, as well as directing its research and development group in addition to four other areas, Hartman plays a pivotal role in the hiring of NIU graduates at Connor-Winfield. He also enhances the NIU engineering program by serving on its Alumni Society Board of Directors, where he helped establish the Engineering Excellence Awards program. Hartman’s involvement at NIU also includes membership on the Industrial Advisory Board for the Department of Electrical Engineering and educating future engineers as an adjunct professor in the Department of Technology. In his career, Hartman has received more than $80,000 in research awards, holds eight patents, and is often called upon to share his knowledge at conferences and in publications.

College of Health and Human Sciences
Lora L. McDonald McGuire
B.S. ’74, Nursing
Professor of Nursing, Joliet Junior College

Lora McDonald McGuire is a nationally renowned expert in the field of pain management, having improved the quality of life for countless people through lectures, medical journals and textbooks, and magazine articles. Teaching has always been a true passion for McGuire, who is presently a professor of nursing at Joliet Junior College. When she’s not in the classroom or consulting with medical professionals on pain management, McGuire manages to find time to volunteer within her community, including the Will-Grundy Medical Clinic, Zonta International, and Take Back the Night domestic violence awareness event. In 2003, McGuire was the first woman to receive the Silver Cross Sehring Medal of Excellence from Silver Cross Hospital – the highest recognition for a health professional. Additional accolades for her work include the 2001 ATHENA award from the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Joliet Junior College Distinguished Service Award, the Joliet Area Hospice Volunteer Award, and the St. Francis Academy’s Distinguished Service Award for Outstanding Career Achievement.

College of Law
Michael Vitale
J.D. (Law) 1979
Attorney, Law Offices of Michael Vitale

Michael Vitale likens his role as a pro bono attorney to his days as a little league coach, where he believed that every kid, no matter their ability, deserved a chance to play. As with his little leaguers, Vitale believes in giving all of his clients a fair chance, regardless of their ability to afford his services. In addition to operating his solo practice in Berwyn, Ill., where he focuses on bankruptcy, juvenile and criminal law, Vitale also has devoted nearly 20 years providing pro bono services through Chicago Legal Clinic, which honored his dedication with its 2003 Pro Bono Award. He also serves as a court-appointed mediator for custody and visitation cases in DuPage County, as well as a bar attorney for the Cook County Juvenile Court, where he represents people who do not qualify for a public defender but are unable to afford customary legal fees. In addition to earning his law degree from NIU in 1979, Vitale also holds a master of law degree in juvenile and family law from Loyola Law School.

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Peter M. Butterfield
B.A. ’76, Psychology
President and CEO, Kia Motors America

Peter Butterfield has been a driving force in the automotive industry for more than 25 years and today heads one of the fastest-growing car companies in the U.S. – Kia Motors America – which he leads as its president and chief executive officer. Butterfield has steered Kia in a direction of significant growth and development, resulting in increased annual sales and innovative advances in its product line. Coming to Kia from Volvo Cars of North America, where he rose from managing its incentive and marketing programs to serving as its executive vice president and senior American executive, Butterfield’s priorities at Kia have been on improving its products’ safety and quality. And his efforts have paid off. Since joining the Korean-based business in 2001, sales under his direction have accelerated and Kia, a relatively new-comer to the car scene, now ranks 14th among 40-odd-brands sold in the nation. Also under his leadership, Kia has continued to rake in various accolades and recognition for its growing line of vehicles. Examples of such honors include several Strategic Vision Awards, MotorWeek’s Driver’s Choice Award for Best Midsize SUV in 2003 (for the Kia Sorento), and earning the five-star side-impact crash test safety rating by the NHTSA.

College of Visual and Performing Arts
Anthony P. Padilla
B.M. ’88, Music – Piano Performance
Association Professor of Music and Chair, Keyboard Department
Conservatory of Music, Lawrence University

Recognized internationally as a pianist of remarkable sensitivity, refined interpretation and dazzling technique, Anthony Padilla made his debut with the Seattle Symphony at the age of 16. After studying with the legendary pianist Jorge Bolet during his freshman year at the Curtis Institute of Music, Anthony transferred to NIU specifically to study with the late Donald Walker, whom he considers one of the most extraordinary and charismatic teachers he has known. Since his gradation from NIU, Padilla has continued to astound audiences as a guest artist with orchestras and at concert series throughout the world. When not on tour, Padilla can be found in the classrooms at the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music in Appleton, Wis., where he serves as an associate professor of music and chair of the Keyboard Department. His engaging master classes and clinics are in high demand, especially his lecture-recital titled, “The Element of Humor in Classical Music.” Most importantly, his students regularly receive top recognition at state and national auditions. Padilla is a recipient of the prestigious Beethoven Fellowship and won the top prize in the esteemed Concert Artists Guild International Competition. In addition, Padilla has garnered highest honors from the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts, the Society of American Musicians, and the Music Teachers National Association, among many others. He also released a debut recording of Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson’s, “Statements: Sonata No. 2 for Piano.”

4-25-05