Your support is essential to the success of students, faculty and programs that make up the Department of Biological Sciences. By giving, you help fund research, scholarships and professional development, ensuring we maintain our tradition of excellence.
Ways to Give
- Choose a specific fund: Direct your gift to scholarships, research initiatives or a departmental priority.
- Support the department's Excellence Fund: Address critical needs, seize new opportunities and plan confidently for the future.
- Alumni Scholarship in Biological Sciences
- This award is presented annually to an outstanding undergraduate student in biological sciences. The award is made possible by generous donations from biology alumni.
- Elwood and Ruth Briles Memorial Scholarship
- Established to honor the memory of Dr. W. E. Briles and Ruth Briles, who worked for nearly 40 years in the Biology Department at NIU in the field of immunogenetics. The endowed scholarship provides support to graduate students performing research in genetics.
- Harvey A. Feyerherm Award
- Established as a memorial to Dr. Harvey A. Feyerherm, who came to NIU in 1950 and served as head of the Department of Biological Sciences from 1964 to 1969. He also served as a professor of biological sciences and acting director of the School of Allied Health. This annual award is made to a junior with high academic achievement and potential for success in a health care profession.
- August M. Gorenz Award
- Established in 2000 by Dr. August Gorenz (B.S., NIU; Ph.D., UW). Dr. Gorenz had a long and successful career in plant pathology working at various locations around the world. The award is presented annually to an outstanding undergraduate student majoring in the biological sciences.
- David R. Layman Scholarship Fund
- Established in 1997 by David R. Layman. This award supports outstanding students in the Biology Teacher Certification Program.
- Dennis Larsen Endowed Scholarship
- An endowed scholarship honoring NIU Biology alumnus Dennis Larsen, a longtime teacher and environmental activist. The scholarship supports undergraduate and graduate students in the Department of Biological Sciences with an emphasis or interest in environmental studies.
- Michael Mangold Scholarship
- Established in 1996 and funded by Dr. Michael Mangold, an NIU graduate (B.S. 1979, M.S. 1984). He created this scholarship to recognize and assist students who are working to fund their education. It is presented to a premedical student with an excellent academic record and significant work experience.
- Sidney A. Mittler Award
- Established to honor the memory of Dr. Sidney Mittler, professor of genetics, who died in 1988. Dr. Mittler came to NIU in 1960 and served as a faculty member until his retirement in 1987. A certificate and monetary award are presented to the outstanding graduate student in genetics, as determined by a faculty committee.
- Charles E. Montgomery Award
- Established to honor the memory of Dr. Charles Montgomery, who came to Northern Illinois State Normal School in 1917 and served as head of the Biology Department from 1921 until his retirement in 1952. This award is presented to biology majors in the teacher certification program who demonstrate excellence in scholarship and qualities that suggest they will become outstanding teachers.
- George L. Terwilliger Memorial Scholarship Fund — Endowed
- Established to honor the memory of Dr. George L. Terwilliger. Dr. Terwilliger came to the institution in 1925 when it was Northern Illinois State Teachers College and served as a faculty member for 45 years until his retirement in 1968. He was department head from 1952 to 1964. Each year a certificate and monetary award are presented to the outstanding graduate student in the department, as determined by a faculty committee.
- University Fellowship
- This monetary award was established in 1965 to recognize academic excellence and high potential in a major field of study. Recipients are selected by the Graduate School Fellowship Committee from students nominated by academic departments.
- Jerrold H. Zar Endowed Scholarship in Biology
- Established in 2002 by Dr. Zar to provide scholarship support for senior undergraduate students majoring in biology at NIU. Dr. Zar earned his B.S. at NIU (Ph.D., UIUC), joined the NIU Biology faculty in 1968, served as chair of the department from 1978 to 1984 and served as vice provost for research and dean of the Graduate School from 1984 until his retirement in 2002.
- Jerrold H. Zar Endowed Scholarship in Science Education
- Established by Dr. Zar to provide scholarship support for a full-time student admitted to an initial teacher certification program in biological or physical science at NIU.
To learn more about additional giving opportunities, such as creating a named fund or including the department in your estate plans, please contact Alex VerVynck, director of advancement, at 815-753-1557 or avervynck@niu.edu .
Your gift has the power to transform lives, open new doors and shape the future of biological sciences at NIU. Thank you for your generosity and support!
Make your gift today