A thermometer is unnecessary to tell the seasons on campus: When the students move out and the construction crews move in, it must be summer.
Several major projects are planned this summer.
NIU Outreach is among the sponsors of the upcoming Stateline FastPitch Competition, an event that provides entrepreneurs throughout the region with the opportunity to pitch their business ideas in three minutes or less to a panel of judges from the business and investment community.
The Rock River Valley Entrepreneurship Center (RRVEC) is coordinating FastPitch, scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 23, at NIU Rockford. The top three vote getters will receive cash and prizes to be used toward their businesses. The top prize is $5,000.
FastPitch participants must submit their business pitches to RRVEC in writing for pre-qualification by Wednesday, June 10. They will be notified regarding participation by Friday, June 12. Full details are available online at www.rrvec.com.
“All participants will receive valuable feedback and visibility from the judges,” said planning committee member Christy Snider, program manager for the Northern Illinois Technology Enterprise Center.
“The competition has generated a significant amount of support from community organizations and businesses from throughout the Rockford region,” she added. “We’re also hoping to generate more interest and participation coming out of NIU.”
Last year’s competition winner, Brad Harrison of Harrison Harmonicas, went on to take first place in the Innovate Illinois competition. The previous year’s winner, Eric Meyers of Board Coverz, was later recognized by both Fast Company Magazine and USA Today.
The upcoming FastPitch event will feature keynote speaker Tim Keane, director of the Kohler Center for Entrepreneurship and the Golden Angels Network at Marquette University.
NIU’s Avalon Quartet will present an evening of chamber music tonight at DeKalb’s Ellwood House, 509 N. First St.
Guest artists Jan Boland (flute) and John Dowdall (guitar), both from Red Cedar Chamber Music, will join the string quartet for the 7:30 p.m. concert. The program includes music by Beethoven, Hugo Wolf, Mozart and Luigi Boccherini.
The concert is free and open to the public. The park and museum will remain open the evening of the concert.
Maintenance on the steam distribution equipment will force a shutdown this week.
Domestic-use hot water and steam/hot water heat will not be available. For more information, call Kevin Howard at (815) 753-6090.
Each alum and friend of the university who joins the NIU Alumni Association before June 30, 2009 will receive an exclusive members-only “Alumni. Employee. Huskie For Life” T-shirt.
The membership program launched last July is an excellent way to show support for NIU and pride in the university. Members enjoy many benefits on campus and in the community. Membership opportunities are available at two levels: Cardinal & Black and Legacy. Visit myniu.com for more information.
The Fall 2009 Teaching Effectiveness Institute is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 13, and Friday, Aug. 14, in the Capitol Room of the Holmes Student Center. The event is sponsored by the Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center.
Day One is designed to introduce faculty to basic principles of teaching, offer information about support resources related to teaching and discuss how faculty deal with students’ needs. It is geared toward an audience who is new to teaching and to those wanting to refresh their knowledge of teaching fundamentals.
Participants will have opportunities to network with both new and experienced faculty at NIU. This institute will include interactive presentations by NIU faculty and staff.
Among the day’s 10 topics: “Planning an Effective Syllabus,” “Strategies to Energize the Classroom Experience,” “Managing Academic Integrity,” “Students with Emotional and/or Behavioral Concerns,” “Accommodating the Needs of Students with Disabilities.”
Day Two – “Teaching Strategies to Help First-Year Students Do Their Best” – will feature speaker Constance Staley, professor of communication at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.
According to recent reports, many new college students accept disengagement over engagement and less academic investment over more. When faced with a demanding course, the easiest solution is often to give up or change majors. What can those who value higher learning do to help students with lower expectations dig in and grapple with the challenge? How to raise the bar?
Some of the day’s six topics include “Understanding General Principles of Engagement and Disengagement,” “Introducing Initial Teaching Strategies that Generate Motivation and Engagement” and “Designing Specific Hands-on Teaching Strategies for Kisesthetic Learners.”
These workshops are open only to NIU faculty and staff.
Registered participants will receive workshop materials, lunch and refreshments and certificates of participation. Advanced registration is required by Friday, July 24, and early registration is encouraged. Register online for Day One and/or Day Two.
Call (815) 753-0595 for more information.