Board of Trustees Resolution Honoring President Peters

May 13, 2010

R E S O L U T I O N

EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP & SERVICE TO
NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

WHEREAS, in June 2000, John G. Peters was unanimously appointed President of Northern Illinois University where he has effectively and faithfully served and is now celebrating ten years of exemplary leadership; and

WHEREAS, just as in his prior position as Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville where he was known as the “student€™s provost,” John Peters quickly developed a student-centered presidency at Northern Illinois University focused on and committed to the needs and welfare of students where he regularly engages students to seek opinions, answer questions, and listen to concerns; and

WHEREAS, the National Association of Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education recently awarded John Peters its highest honor, the President€™s Award, citing John€™s “vision for and stewardship of Northern Illinois University over the past decade€¦â€ that continues to advance the quality of student life on campus; and

WHEREAS, having a decade of distinguished and exemplary service as president, John G. Peters stands as the senior and highly respected dean among the presidents of Illinois Public Universities sharing his experience and leadership as convener of the State Council of Presidents and Chancellors; and

WHEREAS, since John Peters assumed the helm of Northern Illinois University, NIU has been admitted to the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, granted full membership in the prestigious Universities Research Association, has earned the selective Research Universities – High Research Activity designation of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching; and

WHEREAS, John G. Peters€™ leadership as President has further resulted in the successful completion of the university€™s first-ever comprehensive private fundraising campaign exceeding its $150 million goal, thereby providing much needed funding to support more than twenty named professorships and distinguished faculty chairs, to further support quality teaching and research, and to provide over $8.2 million in scholarship support for over 13,700 NIU students; and

WHEREAS, John G. Peters has led the effort for NIU to obtain tens of millions of dollars in federal funding in support of the academic programs, research, and student and public services of the university including the development of one of the finest university clinical care facilities at the Family Health, Wellness and Literacy Center, a state-of-the-art Community Cares primary care clinic in partnership with Dishware Community Hospital, construction of a freestanding research facility that houses the university€™s premier Center for the Study of Family Violence and Sexual Assault, an entire roadway system for over 200 acres on the West Campus, university management of one of only two neutron cancer treatment and research facilities in the United States, funds to develop and construct a high-speed fiber optic network providing municipalities, schools, libraries, hospitals, research facilities, and clinics in the university€™s service region with enhanced broadband capacity to fuel economic development and improved health care, enhanced faculty and student research in the Departments of Physics, Chemistry, Psychology, College of Engineering and Engineering Technology, College of Education and the College of Health and Human Sciences; and

WHEREAS, despite having to serve during a period of unprecedented state budget reductions, limitations, and uncertainty, President Peters has provided exceptional and dynamic leadership and has forged ahead to preserve this great university, its quality academic programs and services, and yet has held as a priority the welfare of our faculty, staff, students and their families despite reduced and uncertain state support; and

WHEREAS, in spite of limited resources and state support for capital improvements, President Peters€™ leadership and perseverance has allowed the institution to address any identified health and safety concerns and also obtained funding for the completion of the renovations and reopening of NIU’s signature building, Halted Hall, built an extensive new chiller system to efficiently regulate temperatures in campus facilities, developed the architectural plans and final engineering drawings to renovate Stevens Hall, home of the university€™s theatre and dance and anthropology programs and procure funds to complete the renovation and re-opening of Cole Hall, site of the tragic shootings on February 14, 2008; and

WHEREAS, John G. Peters demonstrated compassion, dignity, strength and leadership during the immediate and continuing aftermath of the February 14, 2008 campus tragedy, including his service as the face and voice of Northern Illinois University to citizens and media representatives throughout the campus, city, region, state, country and world during those critical hours and days following the tragic shootings that claimed the lives of five students and injured 21 others; and

WHEREAS, John G. Peters has established a presidency in which he is credited with leading by example, the John G. and Barbara Cole Peters Scholarship for Outstanding Public Service was established for students who intend to pursue a public service career; and

WHEREAS, John Peters€™ presidency is critically vital and has served in the best interest of this university through superior, creative, and courageous leadership, especially in these challenging times; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois University in formal meeting herein assembled, extends its grateful appreciation to John and Barbara Peters for ten years of distinguished, dynamic, and exemplary service and leadership of Northern Illinois University and that the Board of Trustees fully supports, encourages and looks forward with great anticipation and confidence to President Peters€™ continued service and leadership of this great university.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this RESOLUTION be presented to John G. Peters and a copy of this document be placed in the official files of the Board of Trustees as part of the permanent record of the university and the state of Illinois and as a lasting tribute to the on-going accomplishments and contributions of John G. Peters as President of Northern Illinois University.

Adopted in a regular meeting assembled this 13th day of May, 2010.