Eychaner Award

Eligibility

• Persons who have been affiliated with Northern Illinois University for two or more years, including students, faculty, staff and alumni, are eligible for nomination in the appropriate category.
• Individuals nominated should have distinguished themselves by making significant contributions for the betterment of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community, either locally, regionally or nationally.
• Nominations for co-recipients within a category will be considered only when the nominees' contributions were made as part of a collaborative or team effort, indicating that the nominees jointly accomplished the achievement for which they are nominated.

Nomination Guidelines

Nominations for this award must be made by a member of the operating staff, supportive professional staff, faculty, student body or alumni. The nomination deadline is Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at 12 p.m. noon CST. A complete nomination must include:

• Nomination form.
• Letter of nomination.
• One additional letter of support (two total letters: the nomination letter and letter of support will be considered; these letters do not have to be written by individuals affiliated with NIU.

Leadership and service considered for nomination may be in the form of, but not limited to, areas such as:

• Serving in leadership positions in organizations serving the LGBTQ+ community.
• initiating and/or implementing cultural or educational programming, or workshops, trainings or seminars.
• Serving as an advocate on issues of importance to the LGBTQ+ community.
• Performing outreach activities to heterosexual allies on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community.
• Serving as a mentor or advisor to LGBTQ+ or heterosexual ally students, peers or colleagues.
• Publishing literary or scholarly works on topics related to sexual orientation or gender identity.
• Developing courses or teaching in a manner inclusive of LGBTQ+ history and experience.

Selection Criteria and Process

A selection committee drawn from the membership of PCSOGI and Prism will review nominations. Depending on the number and quality of nominations, it is the intention of PCSOGI and Prism to present two awards each year: one award recognizing the contributions of an NIU student and one award recognizing the contributions of an NIU faculty or staff member or an NIU alumni.

Selection will be made on the basis of the following criteria:

• Demonstrated leadership and service on behalf of people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer+, either locally, regionally or nationally.
• Leadership and service over a period of time.
• Efforts beyond expectations and work responsibilities.
• Achieving results and effecting positive change on behalf of people who are LGBTQ+.

Presentation of the Award

The Eychaner Award is presented annually at the Pride Awards Luncheon in April. Please see our events page of the Pride Awards Luncheon.

Past Award Recipients