NIU President John G. Peters will deliver his annual State of the University Address at 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, in the Altgeld Hall auditorium.
The speech is streamed live on the Internet. Visit www.niu.edu/president for a link.
A reception will follow in the Altgeld Hall foyer immediately after the address.
Call (815) 753-1999 for more information.
NIU’s College of Engineering and Engineering Technology has received a $1 million grant to help the American railroad industry find ways to squeeze more miles from a gallon of fuel and reduce the pollution produced by locomotives.
The grant, from the U.S. Department of Energy, has launched a college-wide effort that will examine options ranging from developing improved lubricants for locomotives and rails to harnessing the power of fuel cells to eliminate diesel engines altogether.
According to data collected by the Federal Surface Transportation Board, a diesel locomotive can move a ton of freight 436 miles using a single gallon of diesel fuel. As impressive as that statistic is, the industry is looking to push it higher. With diesel locomotive fuel currently priced at about $3 per gallon, even a 1 percent improvement in gas mileage could save the industry $120 million a year.
As for emissions, just this year the Environmental Protection Agency passed regulations requiring all new or refurbished diesel locomotives to meet pollution standards that slash the amount of allowable soot by 90 percent and require an 80 percent reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions.
Promod Vohra, dean of the college, believes his faculty can help to bring about those improvements.
“Our faculty bring a unique set of skills to this task, one that is well suited to helping the industry address both of these needs,” Vohra said. “We are very excited about this opportunity and look forward to devising some ground-breaking solutions.”
The college has partnered with the Norfolk and Southern Railroad to facilitate their work on the project.
“We couldn’t have asked for a better partner for this project,” said Cliff Mirman, chair of the CEET’s Department of Technology, who is overseeing the project. “They have given us access to equipment, to facilities, to laboratories – everything we have needed. They are very interested in lowering their operating costs, so we are very lucky to have them as collaborators.”
The project has been broken down into five key tasks, with teams of faculty and students collaborating on each.
Bio-diesel could potentially provide a less costly alternative fuel for locomotives, but the switch would require many logistical changes. A team of six NIU professors will take a systems engineering approach to that problem examining issues such as: how to convert existing fuel depots to accommodate the greener fuel; how to cope with the limited shelf-life of biodiesel products; and whether or not additional fuel depots would be required.
Project Team: David Schroeder, Richard Marcellus, Robert Tatara, Dennis Cesarotti, Omar Ghrayeb, Federico Sciammarella,
One of the best ways to eliminate diesel fuel costs (and the environmental impact of burning that fuel) would be to eliminate the fuel all together. While that might sound far-fetched, a switching engine powered by fuel cells is already commercially available.
To learn if that success can be translated to trans-continental locomotives, a team of NIU engineering professors will evaluate different types of high temperature fuel cells (which rely less on precious metals than low temperature models and produce more heat, which also can be harnessed for power) for use in locomotive power systems. They will study performance, cost, reliability and durability of various fuel cells.
“We aren’t so much interested in creating new types of fuel cells, but rather in harnessing existing cells for this task,” said Donald Zinger, a professor of electrical engineering who is leading the team. “We hope to devise a power source that is more efficient, that eliminates the greenhouse gases that locomotives create and which is less costly in the long run.”
Project Team: Pradip Majumdar, Donald Zinger, Liping Guo, David Schroeder
At their most basic, diesel locomotives are nothing more than massive, long-life power plants on wheels. Improving the durability and performance of the components of those power plants could lead to significant long-term savings for railroad.
Toward that end, a team of seven NIU faculty will study the feasibility of using materials such as ceramics, high strength steel and aluminum, titanium and composites to improve components such as pistons, valve guides and cylinder heads. They also will look at ways to modify the shape of locomotive bodies, creating more aerodynamic surfaces to reduce drag, while increasing the life of certain key components.
Project Team: Federico Sciammarella, Andrew Otieno, Meung Jung Kim, Cliff Mirman, Sarveswara Kilaparti, Omar Ghrayeb, Richard Marcellus
Anyone who has ever stood on a street corner as a bus passed by knows that diese- powered vehicles generate substantial heat and exhaust gasses. A team of seven engineering professors from NIU will examine those issues, looking for ways to harness the waste heat from locomotives and reduce the emissions generated by them.
“Faculty involved in this project have extensive experience in areas such as energy technology; simulation and modeling of thermal and combustion processes; thermal management and nanotechnology – all of which will be crucial to our success,” said team leader Pradip Majumdar, a professor of mechanical engineering.
Project Team: Robert Tatara, David Schroeder, Pradip Majumdar, Milivoje Kostic, Meung Jung Kim, Dennis Cesarotti
Most people understand the term “grease the rails” to mean “make things easier.” However, few realize that it has its roots in the day-to-day operation of railroads, which actually do rely upon lubricants to make wheels move smoothly across rails and reduce wear.
A team of nine NIU engineering professors will study the efficiency of lubricants currently used by the railroad industry and will investigate whether different lubricants, including those utilizing nano-particles, can reduce wear and increase efficiency under the diverse conditions and loads experienced along rail lines.
The faculty on our team have years of experience in tribology (the study of friction, wear and lubrication) and extensive experience working with nano-particle lubricants – both in the lab and in industry.
NIU is a partner in the operation of the Center for Tribology and Coatings, a not-for-profit entity operated as a partnership between Sugar Grove-based Falex Corp. and the NIU College of Engineering and Engineering Technology.
Project Team: Federico Sciammarella, Pradip Majumdar, David Schroeder, Sarveswara Kilaparti, Milivoje Kostic, Meung Jung Kim, Dennis Cesarotti, Omar Ghrayeb, Richard Marcellus
Assisting faculty in their research will be a number of graduate and undergraduate students who will get an opportunity to do hands-on research and analysis.
“One of the hallmarks of our programs is that students get the opportunity to gain real world experience, and nothing is more real than this,” Mirman said. “These students will have an opportunity to aid one of the largest, and most important, transportation sectors in the world.”
NIU’s College of Engineering and Engineering Technology officially dedicated the AutomationDirect Automation Laboratory last week in historic Still Hall.
The sponsor of the lab, Cumming, Ga.-based AutomationDirect, is a leading seller of industrial equipment used in facility automation. Its extensive product line includes programmable logic controllers, touch panel control screens, motors, drives, sensors and hundreds of other products.
The company’s gift of $100,000, spread over four years, also makes possible a named term professorship.
“AutomationDirect has been a generous supporter of the college for many years, and we are delighted to formalize that relationship through the naming of this laboratory and the creation of the AutomationDirect Professorship,” said Promod Vohra, dean of the college. “We are proud to be partners with a company of its stature.”
The laboratory is equipped with an extensive selection of AutomationDirect equipment that students are likely to encounter in the workplace after graduation.
“Thanks to the generosity of AutomationDirect, our students have access to the latest technology, and their skills are on the cutting edge when they graduate,” said Cliff Mirman, chair of the NIU Department of Technology. “We hear from employers all of the time that our graduates have an advantage when applying for jobs based upon their familiarity with this equipment.”
NIU is one of about 15 schools with which AutomationDirect has a working relationship, but this is the first time it has named a lab and created a professorship.
“The manufacturing and automation industries need to encourage students to pursue technical careers by supporting these programs, particularly at the university level,” said Joan Welty, director of marketing at AutomationDirect.
“AutomationDirect wished to expand their educational support by establishing a strong presence in various regions of the country, and since we had already been working with NIU, it made sense to choose it as our focus for the Midwest region,” Welty added. “We feel NIU’s Technology program offers hands-on, practical experience that is a key to driving productivity and thus competitiveness in the new global marketplace.”
Andres Otieno will fill the role of AutomationDirect Professor.
In that role, he will supervise and maintain the lab and work with AutomationDirect to ensure that students continue to have access to the most up-to-date equipment. He also will facilitate the creation of programs to provide professional development training in the lab for engineers and technologists from local industries.
Registration is under way for NIU’s new text alert system at http://www.niu.edu/alert/.
Enrollment is quick, easy and free. Cell phone users without unlimited texting might incur charges for text messages and should check their plans.
More than 5,500 cell phone users already have signed up to receive text message notifications of imminent and verifiable dangers or threats affecting the general campus population, said Walter Czerniak, associate vice president for information technology. Because the typical participation rate for college campuses is around 30 percent, another 4,500 are expected.
The text alerts add to NIU’s repertoire of emergency warning options, which also include sirens, public address systems, e-mail and Web page notices. Text alerts will only be sent in the event of imminent and verifiable dangers or threats affecting the general campus population.
“Students and families wanted to know if we have a text messaging system. The people who ask for one are pretty passionate about it and think it’s pretty important,” Czerniak said. “We looked at several systems and found one that was easy to use and fast to set up.”
NIU chose New Lenox, Ill.-based Xstream Mobile Solutions Corp.’s Xstream SAFE technology, which ITS will maintain. NIU’s Department of Public Safety will control the use of the system, Czerniak said.
Testing has gone well, he said. A few early concerns with wireless carriers that were “a little bit slower” have been resolved. If cell networks are not overtaxed, the alerts will come to users unobstructed and in a timely manner.
For more information, including frequently asked questions, visit http://www.niu.edu/alert/.
NIU has become the place of work for several new professors, administrators and other supportive professionals. Here is a glimpse at just a few.
Background: Bell received her master’s degree and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Western Michigan University. She completed a one-year clinical internship through the Boston Consortium, where she trained for eight months within the Behavioral Sciences Division of the National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. She received additional training in substance abuse and couples therapy. Most recently, she completed a two-year research fellowship through Brown University, serving as a project director for a clinical trial examining the efficacy of an HIV-risk-reduction intervention for pregnant, drug-abusing women. Her research interests are broadly focused on examining risk factors associated with interpersonal trauma, including intimate partner violence and adult sexual assault.
What I teach: “Currently I am teaching two sections of Introduction to Psychopathology for undergraduates. I also provide research supervision for graduate and undergraduate students taking independent study within my Interpersonal Violence research laboratory. In addition, I am actively developing my research program examining contextual factors associated with episodes of intimate partner violence.”
Why NIU? “I chose NIU for a variety of reasons. The Psychology Department’s emphasis on conducting quality research on family violence fit well with my own research interests. Additionally, I appreciated the departmental and university-wide commitment to graduate and undergraduate training, as well as NIU’s overall collegial atmosphere. The greater DeKalb/Sycamore region also seemed like a great environment to raise my daughter.”
Goals: “My goals are to achieve excellence in scholarly research and teaching by maintaining an active research program in partner violence and contributing to graduate and undergraduate training.”
What others say: “Dr. Bell’s research is important both to our basic understanding of interpersonal violence and to emerging strategies for the treatment and prevention of intimate partner aggression,” Psychology Chair Greg Waas says. “Her research is of keen interest to undergraduate and graduate students alike. We are thrilled that she has joined our department.”
Background: Clark is originally from the village of Lymm in Cheshire County, just outside Manchester, England. He comes to NIU from Washington, D.C., where he was a lecturer at George Washington University. He worked for both the Department of Political Science and the Elliott School of International Affairs, teaching classes in American and West European politics. Clark received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Essex, England, and his Ph.D. from the University of California, Santa Barbara. His research focuses on the policy-positioning strategies of political parties and on the effect that events, such as political scandals, have on political parties’ electoral fortunes.
What I teach: “This semester I’m teaching an introductory course in comparative politics as well as a graduate seminar in research methods. I’m looking forward to teaching West European Politics next semester.”
Why NIU? “The Department of Political Science faculty and staff are a great bunch of people, who get on very well with one another and work hard at their teaching and research. I admire that and was thrilled to be asked to be a part of that environment, especially since I think the department stands out as a very positive attribute of the university. More broadly speaking, NIU is a university on the rise, and I only see it becoming stronger in the future. I’d like to be a part of that, too. I hope students who attend NIU will feel proud of what’s happening here.”
Goals: “I’d like to improve upon my scholarly research thus far. Turning my doctoral research into a book, for example, would be a great step down that road. I also want to improve my skills in the classroom to ensure that when students take a class with me they can genuinely feel like they learned something useful that helps them understand political events around the globe.”
What others say: “Michael is a great addition to our department,” says Political Science Chair Christopher Jones. “He is a promising, cutting-edge scholar of comparative politics, who specializes in Western Europe, political parties and elections. Mike’s British background further internationalizes our faculty. He also brings with him a solid publishing record, and his previous teaching experience and warm personality convince me that he will be very successful in the classroom. My colleagues and I are delighted to welcome Michael to our student-centered research department.”
Background: Fisher is not only an advocate of the Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) program at NIU, she’s also an alumna. Prior to returning this summer to her alma mater, she worked for the American Cancer Society Fox Valley Region, where she raised funds to enable research, education, advocacy and services related to oncology patients and cancer prevention. She also was heavily involved in state and local lobby efforts for the enactment of Smoke-Free Illinois laws. Fisher holds two NIU degrees: a bachelor’s degree in sociology and an MPA degree with an emphasis in human services.
What I do: “I provide academic and professional support for the Division of Public Administration director, faculty, support staff and students. I also work closely with the director in areas of recruitment, admissions, course planning, academic advising, endowment funding, strategic planning and community relations.”
Why NIU? “For public administration, NIU has one of the highest-ranked programs in the nation. The MPA program produces about one-third of all Illinois city managers and is really starting to branch out to the nonprofit-management realm as well. This is a world-class learning environment for both domestic and international students, and I am fortunate to be able to be just one part of a well-oiled academic and professional machine.”
Goals: “I want to help mentor and shape some of the most ethical, intelligent, efficient and effective public leaders this nation has ever seen. I also hope to help the division increase our city management program ranking to number one in the U.S. News and World Report list of America’s Best Graduate Schools.”
What others say: “Sam Fisher has quickly stepped into the role of MPA coordinator in a highly effective manner and has displayed the kind of leadership, knowledge and skills for which our graduates are well known,” says Professor Gerald Gabris, director of the NIU Division of Public Administration. “She gets to know all of our students very well and works with them to improve their professional development, interpersonal skills, communications and leadership abilities. Sam also serves as a vital link between the MPA students and faculty, and she is responsible for managing the MPA student admissions process, helping us to recruit new students. This position and the person in it is one reason why the MPA program is able to achieve and sustain its top national ranking in urban management.”
Background: Kuglin joins NIU after working for three years at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington. At Wesleyan, Danielle served as the director of Orientation Services and Fraternity and Sorority Life, as well as working with housing, alternative break programs and homecoming. Kuglin received her M.S. Ed. in college student personnel administration and a B.S. in interdisciplinary studies in psychology and special education from Illinois State University.
What I do: “I work with the Orientation & First-Year Experience office, particularly with the First-Year Connections program. I will co-teach UNIV this year and support the instructors and peer instructors for the course.”
Why NIU? “I appreciate the opportunity to focus my energies in one direction of student affairs, while being able to support the programs and services of colleagues on campus. I am passionate about orientation and the first-year experience and I believe the Orientation & First-Year Experience office at NIU will provide a wealth of learning opportunities. I also look forward to working with the diverse population of students, faculty and staff at NIU.”
Goals: “My goal is to help first-year students successfully transition to the Northern Illinois University community. My hope is that first-year students will acclimate to the university from matriculation to commencement. I also look forward to strengthening the programs and services of Orientation & First-Year Experience.”
What others say: “Danielle brings a wide range of experiences to NIU from previous positions at Illinois Wesleyan University and Illinois State University, including involvement with orientation,” said Denise Rode, director of Orientation and First-Year Experience. “We look forward to her becoming a productive, contributing member of the Orientation and First-Year Experience staff team.”
Background: Simpson holds a Ph.D. in economics from Fordham University in New York City. The Ph.D. in economics requires qualification, through course work and comprehensive examination, in three fields. Simpson qualified in finance, international economics and monetary economics. Simpson also earned an M.A. in international political economy and development from Fordham University. He holds two B.A. degrees, one in history and one in political science from Oregon State University in Corvallis, Ore. Simpson has published more than 20 scholarly articles in peer-reviewed finance journals and holds a charter as a Chartered Financial Analyst. Simpson has taught finance at Marshall University and the University of Texas-Pan American, where he was director of the Ph.D. in Business Administration program.
What I teach: Simpson’s research is broadly related to investments. Many of his articles deal with hedging foreign exchange risk and with the impact of macroeconomic variables on the spot and forward exchange markets. He also has published a number of articles related to the credit, equity and real estate markets. Recently, he co-authored an article on the relationship between politics and the returns on real estate investment trusts, which won the award for the “Best Paper Related to Investments and Portfolio Management” at the annual meetings of the American Real Estate Society. Simpson has teaches courses related to investments, portfolio management and the operation of financial markets and institutions.
Why NIU? “NIU has a strong reputation as an up-and-coming research institution, and a strong commitment to teaching. The College of Business is highly regarded and ranks among the top 100 colleges of business in the country. The finance faculty, in particular, are well-regarded nationally for their work.”
Goals: “I want to strengthen the department’s ties to the Chicago area financial community, and increase opportunities for our students and graduates.”
What others say: “We felt very fortunate when Marc agreed to join us at NIU as chair of the Department of Finance,” said Denise Schoenbachler, dean of the NIU College of Business. “We feel that department has a great deal of potential for growth and development and he has just the right type of leadership style to help us realize that potential. He brings strong scholarship, leadership experience and new ideas to the college.”
Background: Raised in Oklahoma, Tardy received a B.S. in aerospace engineering from Texas A&M University and an M.S. in mechanical and aerospace engineering from the University of Missouri-Columbia. After graduation, he worked for the Analex Corporation in Brook Park, Ohio, doing space launch vehicle guidance and control work. For the last six years he worked at CENTRA Technology in Arlington, Va., providing aerospace flight mechanics expertise and programmatic oversight to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the Office of Naval Research and NASA.
What I do: “My job is to assist faculty in the College of Engineering & Engineering Technology to identify and obtain external funding for their research projects.”
Why NIU? “After many years in the corporate world, I was ready to return to an academic setting. I am excited that I can continue to be involved in promoting research and development and contribute to the advancement of science, engineering and technology.”
Goals: “I hope to use my experience working in the government R&D sector to expand research funding within CEET and to help support the next generation of engineers and technologists.
What others say: “Jason will serve as a valuable catalyst to advance our ongoing transformation toward becoming a more research oriented-college. His role to facilitate a match between faculty research interests and funding sources will serve our faculty well,” said Promod Vohra, dean of the NIU College of Engineering & Engineering Technology. “Jason is well-qualified for the job, and I am looking forward to working with him.”
Background: Walther grew up in rural Indiana, where her parents continue to raise corn and cattle. She recalls that her first college sociology class had more people in it than her entire graduating high school class. Walther now holds a Ph.D. in sociology and a master’s degree in sociology from Texas A&M University. She also has bachelor’s degrees in sociology and biology from Indiana University. Before coming to NIU, she taught courses in demography, feminist theories and introduction to sociology at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne. Her research focuses on social inequalities and demography. For example, she has studied the influence of the state on people’s interactions with governmental forms and has examined the influence of religion on the settlement patterns of same-gender couples.
What I teach: “This semester, I am teaching two courses, Introduction to Women’s Studies and Race and Ethnic Relations. In the courses, we explore social structures and the intersections of race, class, gender and sexuality.”
Why NIU? “I am very impressed with the faculty and students in the Department of Sociology. The faculty members are doing very exciting research, and I hope to participate in the growth that the Sociology Department has been experiencing in the past years.”
Goals: “My goals are to continue to have an active research agenda that incorporates undergraduate and graduate students in the research process.”
What others say: “Carol is a great fit for our department,” says William Minor, sociology chair. “She has expertise in demography, gender and LGBT studies, and race and ethnic relations, as well as in statistics and quantitative research methods. Our only dilemma is deciding how to use her talents most effectively because, unfortunately, we can’t clone her.”
NIU Physics Professor Michel van Veenendaal is helping lead efforts to establish a network of 25 scientists from across the world who will work to lay the theoretical foundation for understanding “resonant X-ray scattering” – a developing and important tool for materials science researchers.
X-ray scattering techniques, used at high powered synchrotrons such as the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory, examine the scattered intensity of X-ray beams applied to sample materials. These techniques yield information about the structure, composition and physical properties of materials.
Resonant X-ray scattering is a new development in this area that uses atomic resonances to make the X-ray scattering chemically selective. The technique could help scientists investigate exciting phenomena such as electronic reconstructions at the interfaces of two materials and the mechanism of high-temperature superconductivity.
The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded a grant of $840,000 over three years to a Computational Materials Science Network (CMSN) led by van Veenendaal, Arun Bansil of Northeastern University and Jim Freericks of Georgetown University.
The CMSN will bring together 25 scientists from the United States and abroad, with funding to be used for joint postdoctoral researchers, exchanges, travel and workshops. The network’s research will provide necessary theoretical support to the growing experimental X-ray scattering work conducted at DOE-supported facilities such as Argonne.
“In materials science, researchers are continuously exploring new materials and devices, such as nanostructures, that we hope ultimately will help improve our quality of life,” van Veenendaal said. “This new project creates a global network of scholars dedicated to X-ray scattering research. It also will foster new collaborations and generate a better understanding of resonant X-ray scattering processes that can be used by the scientific community at large.”
Van Veenendaal serves as associate director of the NIU Institute for Nanoscience, Engineering and Technology.
For years, NIU students who also are children of civil service employees have been invited to apply for a pair of scholarships each worth $500 a year.
Members of the Operating Staff chip in annually to raise the $1,000 necessary.
Now leaders of the Operating Staff Council have launched a campaign to endow a $25,000 scholarship fund that would finance the awards for years to come through interest accrued by the account.
If 1,000 members gave $1 per pay period for a year, the endowment would reach $24,000. That total would top $40,000 if all of 1,700 employees participated.
“This would put us on a permanent footing,” said Clair Williams, who is leading the fund drive for the Operating Staff Council’s public relations committee. “Once you have it endowed, it’s there for perpetuity to provide a constant source of money. As people make donations, and if there are good earning years, there is a potential to have the endowment grow.”
Williams compares the fund drive to the “one for all, all for all” concept behind the Sick Leave Bank. NIU employees can donate compensable sick leave days that assist colleagues who have exhausted their own sick leave.
“This would be another example of a way Operating Staff members could pool, or come together, for a common cause: to help another person, in this case a son or daughter,” Williams said. “That’s the heart of what we’re trying to do. It’s a very low-cost way to come help a few of our children with the cost of a college education.”
According to a flier created to promote the endowment campaign, a year at NIU, including tuition, fees, books and insurance, costs more than $10,600. That figure does not include housing, transportation and other personal and miscellaneous expenses.
“The Dependent Scholarship is an important program to support. It gives employees a chance to reward members of our own NIU family,” says Jay Monteiro, president of the Operating Staff Council. “It’s a nice little bonus that the student can use any way they need. It is not specifically designated for tuition and books, like other scholarships. With costs going up, and the state of the economy, any way we can help our fellow co-workers’ children to succeed is important.”
Staff at the NIU Foundation will manage the endowment. For more information about the scholarships, including past winners, visit http://www.niu.edu/osc/dependentaward/index.shtml.
The National Science Foundation has awarded a three-year, $330,000 grant to Chemistry and Biochemistry Professor Douglas Klumpp.
The grant will fund research that seeks to develop new ways of preparing “heterocyclic compounds,” which are compounds that contain nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur as part of their basic structure.
“Heterocycles are key structural components in more than half of the clinically important drugs,” Klumpp says.
“Consequently, medicinal chemists are always in need of new methods to prepare such compounds,” he adds. “The research results may lead to drugs that are increasingly effective in the treatment of diseases, as well as leading to more cost-effective methods for preparing these substances.”
Klumpp has been a faculty member in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry since 2003. With the latest NSF grant, his research has now attracted more than $1 million in external funding over the course of his career.
Klumpp also is co-author of the 2007 book, “Superelectrophiles and Their Chemistry,” with Nobel Laureate George A. Olah of the University of Southern California. Professor Klumpp was a postdoctoral research scientist in Olah’s laboratory when Olah won the 1994 Nobel Prize in chemistry.
From Monday, Sept. 29, through Friday, Oct. 3, representatives of the national oral history project StoryCorps will record interviews at NIU to honor and remember the stories and people affected by the events of Feb. 14.
Members of the campus community can memorialize friends or family members who died or record their stories about the experience and impact of that day. NIU students and staff, DeKalb and Sycamore community members, and anyone affected by the Feb. 14 tragedy are invited to participate to preserve these extraordinary personal experiences for history.
Come to Holmes Student Center Room 404 for interviews. A trained facilitator will explain the process, make you feel comfortable and sit with you during your 40-minute session. At the end of your session, you will receive a free broadcast-quality CD to pass along to family and friends. Copies will be archived at the Library of Congress and at NIU.
StoryCorps is an independent nonprofit project whose mission is to honor and celebrate one another's lives through listening.
Since 2003, tens of thousands of everyday people have interviewed family and friends through StoryCorps. Each conversation is recorded on a free CD to take home and share, and is archived for generations to come at the Library of Congress. Millions listen to our award-winning broadcasts on public radio and the Internet. StoryCorps is one of the largest oral history projects of its kind, creating a growing portrait of who we really are as Americans.
Listen to stories and learn more at www.storycorps.net.
StoryCorps’ visit to NIU has been arranged by the Department of History and University Archives.
Campus knitters, from rookies to crochet experts and everyone in between, are invited to the Fireside Lounge of Nepune Hall from 9 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, for creativity, conversation and snacks.
Other upcoming dates are Oct. 30 and Nov. 20. Co-sponsors are the Women’s Resource Center and Alpha Phi Omega. Call (815) 753-0320 for more information.
Would you know what to do if you got a flat? Does your dad change your oil and check the tire pressure on your car for you? Do you think it’s time to learn how to do it yourself?
Join the Women’s Resource Center for a workshop on the basics you need to know ... and often are not taught growing up ... to deal with and maintain a vehicle. The event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, in Parking Lot X at Annie Glidden Road and Grant Drive includes simple car maintenance tips, a chance to win emergency car kits and food.
The NIU Parking Deck will serve as a rain location. Call (815) 753-0320 for more information.
NIU’s Supplier Diversity Networking Fair 2008 will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Oct. 1, in the Duke Ellington Ballroom of the Holmes Student Center.
The fair presents business enterprises owned by minorities, females and/or persons with disabilities exhibiting their commodities, supplies and services to NIU faculty, staff and student organization officers. More than 50 diverse businesses will be represented at the fair.
Services and products offered by these vendors include catering, advertising, printing services, marketing/promotional services and much more. Compare and sample a wide variety of products and services in a low-key, non-pressured setting.
There is no cost to attend the fair. A free brunch buffet will be served throughout the morning.
Register in advance by e-mailing bep@niu.edu or register at the door. For more information, call Tara Mitchell at (815) 753-1649 or e-mail questions to bep@niu.edu.
NIU’s Campus Child Care Center will hold its annual Children’s Book Fair during the week of Oct. 6.
The book fair will be open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday. Come browse through this wide selection with multiple copies of books, early readers, parent resource materials, calendars and much more. Approximately 1,700 books and other items are available for purchase. Checks and credit cards are welcome.
The center is located just off Annie Glidden Road on the west side of Gabel Hall. The main entrance can be accessed by the circle drive in front of the white stone building in parking lot 38/S. For community visitors, parking is available in lot 38/S (request a visitor’s pass at the front desk).
Call (815) 753-0125 for more information.
The NIU Division of International Programs is seeking nominations for two awards that will be presented this fall during the annual International Recognition Reception.
The “Outstanding International Educator Award” honors an NIU faculty or staff member who has contributed significantly toward international education at the university. The Division of International Programs for the first time this year will recognize the award recipient with a travel reimbursement of $500.
The 2008 award recipient will have made sustained contributions to the enhancement of international education at NIU through teaching, research, public service and student-service efforts.
Joseph Grush, vice provost for resource planning, will speak at this year’s International Recognition Reception, which will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17, in the Holmes Student Center Sky Room.
The second major honor, the award for Outstanding Contribution to International Education at NIU, recognizes the academic unit or support unit that made the most significant contribution toward international education on campus during the last academic year. Last year, the award was won by the Department of Political Science; Marketing Professor Dan Weilbaker was recognized as the Outstanding International Educator.
The deadline for this year’s award nominations in both categories is Friday, Oct. 17.
More information on the awards and nomination forms is available online or by calling Sara Clayton at (815) 753-9526.
Northern Public Radio (89.5 WNIJ) invites participation in its fall membership campaign, scheduled for the week of Oct. 17 to Oct. 24.
A growing percentage of the station’s annual budget comes directly from listener-members and local business support.
Those who wish to volunteer some time answering pledge calls at the DeKalb studio, 801 N. First St., can contact Diane Drake at ddrake@niu.edu for available shifts.
Northern Public Radio is the broadcast service of NIU.
The NIU Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences has announced dates for its Fall 2008 Colloquia, co-sponsored by the Graduate School.
All talks will be held at 4 p.m. in Davis Hall 308. For directions and updates to the schedule, visit http://www.niu.edu/geology. Call (815) 753-1943 for more information.
Friday, Sept. 26: Eugene Perry, NIU, “The Rocks Beneath Our Feet: Using Groundwater Chemistry as a Stratigraphic Tool. Plus a Short Retrospective.”
Friday, Oct. 3: Tim Naish, director of the Antarctic Research Center at Victoria University of Wellington, “Late Cenozoic Antarctic Ice Sheet Oscillations and the Global Implications.”
Friday, Oct. 10: NIU faculty research updates by Phil Carpenter, Mark Fischer, Kathy Kitts and Paul Loubere and Ross Powell.
Friday, Oct. 24: Paul Wallace, University of Oregon, “Volatiles in Subduction Zone Magmas: Concentrations and Fluxes based on Melt Inclusion and Volcanic Gas Data.”
Friday, Oct. 31: Mark Frank, NIU, “Dehydration Kynetics of Serpentine up to 1023 K and 5 GPa with Relevance to Subduction Zones.”
Friday, Nov. 7: Pedro J. Jugo, Laurentian University, “Understanding the Role of Oxidized Sulfur in Magmatic Systems: From Ore Deposits to Climate Change to Martian Meteorites.”
Friday, Nov. 14: Beth Johnson, NIU, “Provenance of Slackwater Sediments in the Savanna Terraces, Northwestern Illinois.”
Friday, Nov. 21: Jennifer Jackson, California Institute of Technology, title to be announced.
Female high school students interested in exploring career options and learning more about the academic side of college life are invited to attend the 2008 Conference for Young Women, hosted by Northern Illinois University from 8:15 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6, at the Holmes Student Center.
Now in its 13th year, this popular conference has been praised by many participants with varied interests and backgrounds.
The conference introduces young women in their sophomore through senior years of high school to a variety of career areas, including professions where women have been historically underrepresented, and provides opportunities to interact with successful women faculty and NIU students.
This year’s conference includes a panel discussion on career opportunities for women; presentations by faculty on topics related to women’s collegiate experiences and career options; tours of the NIU campus; and lunch with NIU faculty, professionals and students. Conference speakers will focus on career opportunities in fields ranging from computer programming and politics to law enforcement, sports training and business management.
“I received information on the 2008 Conference for Young Women, and I think it is a wonderful event,” said Candace Gardner, mother of two former conference participants. “The campus experience was very inspiring for my two older daughters as they were leaving high school and searching for life direction.”
The conference is sponsored by the NIU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Women’s Studies Program. Registration is available online or by calling (800) 345-9472.
The registration fee is $38 before Sept. 29, with a $5 additional late charge. Limited scholarships are available. For additional information, call (815) 753-1038.
NIU’s Campus Child Care Center is celebrating 30 years of quality child care.
An open house will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, at the center located within parking lot 38/S. Come for tours, refreshments and photo displays of the center’s past and present. Guest also can visit the children’s book fair, win door prizes and more.
Alumni of the program are welcomed and encouraged to come; a special photo display of campus child care alums is in progress.
Parking is available in the center’s circle drive or by requesting a visitor’s pass. Call (815) 753-0125 for more information.
NIU faculty and staff are invited to attend a one-day regional drive-in conference on “Strengthening the First Year of College: Purposeful Strategies for Pedagogy and Practice.”
The conference will be held Friday, Oct. 24, at the Holmes Student Center. The conference is co-hosted by Oakton Community College and Rock Valley College.
The registration fee is $79. A continental breakfast and luncheon are included. Registration and other conference information are available online or through Orientation & First-Year Experience at (815) 753-1535.
The keynote address, titled “Promoting First-Year Success through Collaborative Partnerships,” will be given by Charles C. Schroeder of Noel-Levitz, Inc. As a senior associate consultant for Noel-Levitz, Schroeder offers more than two decades of experience as an administrator, writer, and consultant on student affairs and the student experience. He is a past president of ACPA (College Student Educators International) and has published more than 70 articles and chapters in various refereed journals and books.
The plenary speaker, Trudy Bers, is executive director of research, curriculum and planning at Oakton Community College in the northern suburbs of Chicago. Bers’ research interests include the community college, the assessment of student learning outcomes and college choice for community college students and their parents.
This regional drive-in conference provides a forum for faculty, academic administrators and student affairs professionals to share ideas, resources and engaging pedagogy to enhance the learning of first-year students on two- and four-year campuses.
Concurrent breakout session topics include:
Nominations are being sought for NIU’s 2009 Presidential Research Professorships, which recognize outstanding accomplishment and future potential in academic research or creative artistry.
Faculty members may be nominated, or may initiate their own candidacy, by submitting letters of nominations or self-nominations to James Erman, interim vice president for research, by Monday, Oct. 20.
The nomination and self-nomination letters must include the candidate’s qualifications in accordance with the award specifications. Four complete sets of application materials must then be submitted to Erman’s office by Monday, Nov. 10.
Up to three new Presidential Research Professors are designated each year. Upon appointment, each award recipient will receive a base-salary increment of $2,000.
Additionally, a grant of $5,000 will be provided during each year of the appointment, provided the recipient remains a full-time NIU faculty member. The grant money is to be used for scholarly activities. Award recipients also receive one semester of release from teaching and other non-research responsibilities.
More detailed information on the award and on the call for nominations can be found at www.niu.edu/provost/awards/prp.shtml.
All letters of nomination for the 2009 Presidential Teaching Professorships should be submitted to Vice Provost Earl “Gip” Seaver, Office of the Provost, Altgeld Hall 215, no later than Monday, Sept. 29.
Following receipt of a letter of nomination, the selection committee will invite each nominated faculty member to prepare materials in accordance with the published procedure. Only full professors with tenure and at least six years service at NIU are eligible for the award.
The Presidential Teaching Professorships were established in 1990 to recognize those outstanding teachers who have demonstrated over time that they:
The procedure calls for a rigorous and thorough portfolio review including contacting former students. The 2009 recipients will be announced next spring.