Governor appoints four to NIU Board of Trustees

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has announced four appointments to the governing board of Northern Illinois University.

Board newcomers Cherilyn G. Murer of suburban Homer Glen and Marc J. Strauss of DeKalb begin new terms this month, while veteran trustees Barbara Giorgi-Vella of Rockford and Myron E. Siegel of Bannockburn were reappointed to the eight-member board. All four appointments are subject to Illinois Senate confirmation.

NIU President John Peters said he was extremely pleased with the governor’s appointments.

"Since NIU received its own, independent governing board in 1996, we have been very fortunate in terms of the quality of individuals chosen to serve as trustees," Peters said. "These appointments certainly continue that tradition, providing both the continuity of experienced trustees and the fresh perspective of new members – both of which are needed to meet the challenges that lie ahead. I am very much looking forward to working with these individuals and all of the members of our board in the months and years ahead."

All four appointments announced this week are for six-year terms ending in January 2011. Murer, Strauss, Giorgi-Vella and Siegel join ongoing trustees Bob Boey, George Moser and Manny Sanchez, as well as newly elected student trustee Andrew Nelms. The new and reappointed trustees will be sworn in at the next full board meeting June 16.

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