Circle of the Seal

At "center court" of the Great Hall, the NIU seal, measuring eight feet across, is a dominant feature of the stone floor. The seal is surrounded by 18 tiles engraved with the names of alumni and friends who made gifts of $100,000 or more to the building project. The Circle of the Seal symbolizes the commitment of these donors who were instrumental in making the dream of the Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center a reality.

A Warm Welcome

“All Northern alumni should think of this as a second home,” says Dennis Barsema, ’77, Chair, NIU Board of Trustees.

As the new official campus gateway, the center is the first building seen by prospective students and their parents and the starting point for all admissions-related campus tours. The reception area for these guests is the two-story, sky-lit Great Hall, a dramatic space filled with exhibits showcasing the achievements of NIU graduates.

“The Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center offers families an impressive welcome,” says Barsema, whose son also graduated from NIU. “The center fills that role with a lot of style—it’s a great asset in recruiting future Huskies. That’s why Stacey and I made the lead gift necessary to launch this important project.”