Convocation Center “President’s Preview”
President’s Remarks
8-20-02

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us this evening to help celebrate Northern Illinois University’s graduation into a new era … With the opening of this wonderful new facility, both NIU and its host community move to new levels of achievement and prestige.

I’ve been through this arena a number of times during its construction, including several times in recent weeks as it nears completion … And I have to tell you that it is a thrill to me, every time I come in here.

You know the expression, “feeling like you’re in a dream?” Well, we are in a dream – all of us … a dream thirty years in the making, with a cast of thousands and more plot twists than a Steven King novel. But a good idea WILL eventually win out, and it’s our good fortune to be here when that happens.

In the back of your program you may have noticed an item from our archives … It’s an editorial that appeared in the Norther, NIU’s yearbook, in 1971 … more than thirty years ago. In their editorial, student leaders point out the need for a first-class university to have a first-class sports and entertainment venue … and when you get a chance to read it, notice how closely their dream matches up with the final reality. I see former president Bill Monat in our audience, and I know that Bill could also attest to the long history and endurance of the arena idea at NIU.

Many people have worked hard to make this dream come true … you’re going to hear from some of them and about some of them in the next few minutes.

We are very fortunate at NIU to have had our Board of Trustees behind this project from the start. Many of you know that we were finally given our own, independent governing board in 1995, and once those trustees came into office, great things began to happen here very quickly.

One of the first priorities our board adopted was construction of a multipurpose arena. A project of this magnitude would never have become a reality without unanimous support from the top, and that’s what we’ve had from our trustees. Our governing board is chaired today by one of the original gubernatorial appointees named back in 1995 … He also holds the distinction of being a proud NIU alumnus (though he won’t tell us if HE actually authored that yearbook piece) … AND he is the first Hispanic to serve as chair of a public university board in Illinois, and one of only two Hispanic board leaders in the united states. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Manny Sanchez.

I’d like to ask each of you to think back on your own college experience. I’d wager that for most of you, some of your strongest and fondest memories are of events you attended with others. Athletic events. Concerts. Commencement.

Over the years at many different institutions, I’ve heard it time and time again at alumni gatherings – “Remember that Stones concert?” or “I was there when so-and-so scored 30 points in a game!” Or “President Reagan spoke at our commencement.”Large scale events make a huge impression on us for one simple reason: they build a sense of belonging and a sense of what we call “community.” For a few hours on a given day, we have something in common with thousands of people – something we can talk about for years to come.

That’s what our students were asking for in 1971, and that’s what their children and grandchildren will be able to experience here at NIU from this day forward. For a few more thoughts on what this facility means to NIU students, may I present the president of the NIU Student Association, Mr. Kevin Miller. Kevin?

This evening as we were first touring the center and talking about its features, I was pleased to see how many leaders we have here from our local community. It’s gratifying to see the shared excitement about this facility and the promise it holds for so many issues related to quality of life and economic development here in DeKalb County.

I’d like to single out three elected officials for their assistance with the Convocation Center project: State Representative Dave Wirsing … State Senator Brad Burzynski … and State Representative Ron Wait … all three of these gentlemen worked on our behalf to obtain state funding at important stages of this project. Dave and Brad are on their way back from Springfield as I speak, but I see that Ron Wait is here with us … Ron, could you please stand and be recognized?

Finally, there is a special guest with us this evening that I want to recognize. Perhaps no one in recent history is more closely associated with the Convocation Center … certainly no one worked harder or with more tenacity through extremely challenging political times … And, I strongly suspect, no one is happier to be sitting in this finished arena today than him. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in publicly thanking him for helping make this dream come true. I am talking, of course, about my predecessor, former NIU President John La Tourette. John and Lili, will you both please stand and accept our appreciation?

John, for your steadfast pursuit of this project – and your courage in insisting that it be done the right way – we thank you.

I think one of the happiest faces I’ve seen here this evening belongs to our Athletic Director, Cary Groth. In her years with NIU Athletics, Cary Groth has held the arena banner higher than anyone. As she will no doubt tell you again, Cary has seen what a difference top-notch facilities make in recruitment, team performance and fan enjoyment. Beyond that, Cary believes, as I do, that a solid athletic program contributes greatly to quality of life for our students. Certainly the completion of this building signals a new era in Huskie Athletics. Please welcome NIU Athletic Director Cary Groth. Cary?

Well, after all is said and done … after all the votes have been cast and all the agreements forged on a project like this, someone has to make it real. Someone has to take on the Herculean task of financing, planning and actually building the largest-ever capital project in NIU’s history. There’s only one “someone” I know who could have pulled off a project of this magnitude “on time and on budget,” as we say … Please join me in a special round of applause for the man who makes dreams come to life on this campus – Dr. Eddie Williams. Eddie?

Thank you, Eddie, and thank you, John Gordon and all of the Convocation Center staff, for your hard work and dedication to this project.

I’ve seen what a facility like this can mean to a university and to its community. I’ve seen arenas like this one inject tremendous pride into a campus and its host city. I’ve seen students plan their free time around the many options presented by a large-scale entertainment venue like this one.I’ve seen new businesses sprout up around convocation centers, and existing businesses enhanced by a steady flow of new customers. I’ve seen all those things, and I have every reason to believe that we’ll see the same benefits here at NIU.

To all of you who have believed in this project, we offer our sincere thanks. If you haven’t yet toured the center, I invite you to do so now … and if you have seen most of the facility, I hope you’ll stay with us a little longer and enjoy some Convo Center food and refreshments. Thank you for attending this evening, and we hope to see you back here soon.