Kudos

Communication instructor Matt Swan gave children across the country, as well as some nostalgic grownups, a special gift this past Christmas: the triumphant return of Davey and Goliath.

The Lutheran church chose Swan to write the script for “Davey & Goliath’s Snowboard Christmas,” reviving the 1960s-era animated series. The holiday special aired twice over the holidays on the Hallmark Channel and received glowing reviews, including one from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that called it “the best new special of the season.”

The stop-motion animated television series for children was first broadcast in 1960. The show focused on Davey Hansen and his talking dog Goliath, who acted as Davey’s conscience. Storylines carried uplifting, moral lessons on topics such as responsibility, care for the environment, acceptance of all people, and other valuable lessons designed to affirm children’s faith in God.

Swan attempted to capture the spirit of the original series, while weaving in a modern Christmas tale with a lesson about respecting diversity. Judging from reviews, he succeeded. Chicago Sun-Times television critic Phil Rosenthal said the 2004 special was “sweet as ever in its old-fashioned simplicity.”

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LeRoy Pernell, dean of the NIU College of Law, received the Extraordinary Leadership Award presented at the Second National People of Color Legal Scholarship Conference held in Washington, D.C. earlier this year. Dean Pernell was recognized for his participation and support of the national conference.

Pernell has long been recognized as a leader in diversity. The NIU College of Law was recently ranked third in the nation by the Princeton Review in its 2005 ranking of law schools, for having the most diverse faculty in the nation.

“Dean Pernell has been a treasure to the academy and this community. In sum, his contributions are immeasurable,” said Alfreda Robinson, associate dean of The George Washington University Law School and National Chair of the Conference.

Pernell also has published an article titled “Deans of Color Speak Out: Unique Voice in a Unique Role,” published by the Boston College Third World Law Journal written in connection with his role as chair of a first-ever panel of minority deans conducted at the First National People of Color Legal Scholarship Conference held in 1999. He returned to the topic at this year’s conference, participating again on the “Deans of Color Speak Out” panel.

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Melody Mitchell has been named director of alumni events and public relations for the NIU College of Law.

Mitchell has a well-established history with NIU. In 1996, she began her career as an academic counselor for NIU’s M.B.A. Program in the College of Business. In 2001, she joined the College of Law as assistant director in the Office of Alumni Events and Public Relations. Mitchell assumed the role of acting director last February after the departure of Carol Jambor-Smith.

As director, Mitchell will coordinate all law school alumni relations events. In addition, she is responsible for public relations for the College of Law, including development of promotional and outreach materials. She also will coordinate special legal education programs external to the regular curriculum including continuing legal education seminars and law review symposia.

“We are thrilled to have Melody on board as the Director of Alumni Events and Public Relations,” Dean LeRoy Pernell said. “She brings a solid background in both business and academia, as well as loyalty to Northern Illinois University. Her credentials were a great fit for the position.”

In September 2004, NIU President John Peters appointed Mitchell to the Presidential Commission on the Status of Minorities. She recently was recently elected secretary of the Commission.

She also serves as president of the Board of Directors for Children’s Learning Center, a non-profit daycare center in DeKalb. An alumna of NIU, Mitchell earned her B.S. in marketing in 1993 and her M.B.A. degree in 1996.

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NIU is the recipient of the first annual President’s Award recognizing outstanding service to INSIGHT 100inc by a member organization.

NIU is a founding member of INSIGHT 100inc and continues to be an active member 20 years later. Wally Czerniak (1990), Cindy Phillips (2000) and Teri Reid (2002, 2003) all have served as president. In addition, Czerniak served as secretary, Phillips served as secretary and vice president, and Reid served on several conference committees, as the Applications & Technology Committee chair and conference director.

NIU sends at least two and usually three attendees to each conference along with their Verizon technical support personnel. NIU staff very generously share their experiences and expertise during the conferences and through their participation in committee conference calls and the INSIGHT_Help listserv. They act as unofficial mentors for newcomers.

The award consists of a plaque to be permanently displayed at NIU and two complimentary conference registrations.

1-18-05