NIU to honor
25 'amazing women'

NIU's Presidential Commission on the Status of Women has named 25 “Amazing Women” in honor of its 25th anniversary.

In cooperation with the Office of the President, the Women's Resource Center and the Women's Studies Program, the awards recognize and celebrate the women's achievements and contributions in their careers and personal endeavors.

Seventy-two women from all divisions and employment categories were nominated.

Some have many years of service; others have made an impression in a shorter amount of time. All had wonderful letters of nomination and support, emphasizing how much of an impact each has made on the writers and on the university community.

Members of the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women are pleased that this process not only called attention to the contributions of many women on this campus but provided an occasion for people to look around them and appreciate the kinds of work and character that their colleagues bring to daily life at NIU.

President John G. Peters will honor the winners at a Thursday ceremony with dinner in the Duke Ellington Ballroom of the Holmes Student Center.

Click on the names below to learn more and see portraits of the “Amazing Women.”

Betty L. Baugh, administrative secretary, Women's Resource Center

Alexandra G. Bennett, associate professor, Department of English

Patricia Boesche, business manager, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Kathleen D. Brunson, director, Student Financial Aid

Virginia R. Cassidy, vice provost for academic planning and development, Office of the Provost

Margaret M. “Margie” Cook, director, LGBT Resource Center

Julie L. Crouch, associate director, Center for the Study of Family Violence and Sexual Assault

Sharon L. Dowen, director of internal audit, Internal Audit – Administration

Tamara Farley, director, Treasury Operations

LaVerne Gyant, director, Center for Black Studies

Deborah Haliczer, director of employee relations, Human Resource Services

Catherine M. Harned, senior research associate, Regional Development Institute

Lee Ann Henry, administrative assistant to the vice president of University Advancement, University Advancement

Sonja R. Herington, staff secretary, Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures

Debra R. Hopkins, director of the NIU CPA Review, Department of Accountancy

Anne C. Kaplan, vice president for Administration and Outreach, Administration and Outreach

Nancy J. Kasinski, director, Center for Access-Ability Resources

Blanche McHugh, assistant director/area coordinator, Housing and Dining/Residential Life

Elaine S. Pannell, carpenter, Building Maintenance

Ellen S. Parham, acting chair, School of Allied Health Professions

Carol Scheidenhelm, assistant director, Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center

Lise Mae Schlosser, secretary, Women's Studies Program

Denise D. Schoenbachler, professor and chair, Department of Marketing

Josephine M. Umoren, associate professor and coordinator, School of Family, Consumer and Nutrition Sciences

Lidia B. Vitello, adjunct associate professor and visiting professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

4-24-06