Northern Illinois University
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Northern Illinois University |
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| Established | 1895 |
| Type | Public |
| Endowment | $2,137,922 |
| President | Dr. John Peters |
| Students | 25,313 (Spring 2007) |
| Undergraduates | 18,816 (Spring 2007) |
| Postgraduates | 6,182 (Spring 2007) |
| Location | DeKalb, Illinois, United States |
| Campus | Suburban, 755 acres (3.0 km²) |
| Nickname | Huskies |
| Colors | Cardinal and black |
| Website | www.niu.edu |
Northern Illinois University, located in DeKalb, Illinois, is the second largest university located in the state of Illinois. It was founded on May 22, 1895 by Illinois Governor John P. Altgeld as a satellite campus for the Illinois State Normal School (now Illinois State University), located in Normal, Illinois. The DeKalb campus was originally called Northern Illinois State Normal School. Today named Northern Illinois University, it has become an independent public university, and has grown into a comprehensive teaching and research institution with a student enrollment of more than 25,000—larger even than its parent school.
NIU's main campus is located about 65 miles (104 km) west of Chicago. The DeKalb campus can be easily accessed via I-88 which runs east and west from Chicago. Illinois Route 38, also known as Lincoln Highway, runs along the southern border of the NIU campus. NIU also operates satellite centers in Hoffman Estates, Naperville, Rockford, and Oregon, Illinois.
Over the past three decades NIU has undergone tremendous expansion, adding more programs to enhance its academic pedigree, such as the establishment of the NIU College of Law[1] in the early 1980s. Today, the university is composed of seven degree-granting colleges that together offer 54 undergraduate majors and 74 graduate programs, including 10 Ph.D. programs, doctoral degrees in Education and the Juris Doctor. With this growth, NIU has been recognized in the prestigious US News rankings as a "National University", that is, a university which grants a variety of doctoral degrees and strongly emphasizes research. However, the same publication ranks NIU as a "fourth tier" school, meaning that it is currently in the bottom 25 percent of schools within the National University category.[1]
NIU's programs serve many first generation students, a status which 35% of NIU students claim.[citation needed]
At the same time, NIU's athletic department is growing in reputation. Almost completely unknown to observers from outside of Illinois only fifteen years ago, NIU has been making its mark as an NCAA Division I school, especially in football. Currently, the NIU Huskies compete in the Mid-American Conference.
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[edit] Academics
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This section is a stub. You can help by expanding it. |
Northern Illinois University has seven colleges:
- College of Business
- College of Education
- College of Engineering and Engineering Technology
- College of Health and Human Sciences
- College of Law
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- College of Visual and Performing Arts
[edit] Highlights
- Northern is a member of the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges (NASULGC).[2] This exclusive association represents only about 5 percent of American colleges and universities.
- The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching recognizes Northern Illinois University as an elite institution of higher education, based on breadth of research and academic programs. Carnegie categorizes Northern as: "RU/H: Research Universities (high research activity)."[3]
- Northern is a full member of the Universities Research Association (URA), a group of 90 top research universities from around the globe. Illinois has only five members: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Chicago, Northwestern University, Illinois Institute of Technology, and Northern Illinois University.[4] Membership in URA places Northern among the top 4% of universities in the United States.
- For the last ten years, U.S. News & World Report has ranked the Northern Illinois University College of Business as among the best business colleges in the country. In 2006, the NIU College of Business continued to be ranked as among the nation's best by making the listing of "America's Best Colleges and Programs" (2007).
- The Northern Illinois University Department of Chemistry and BioChemistry was cited in the American Chemical Society's trade journal Chemical & Engineering News on September 26, 2005 as one of the top 25 producers of Bachelor of Science degrees in chemistry in the United States.
- Northern Illinois University's Accountancy program is nationally prominent. In 2005, Public Accounting Report ranked NIU's graduate program 10th in the nation, while undergraduate ranked 11th. According to Public Accounting Report, NIU has remained in the top twenty programs for 18 consecutive years. In the 2006 edition, U.S. News & World Report ranked the Accountancy program in the top 25, out of 450 programs nationwide. [2]
- Thanks to a donation provided by Dennis and Stacey Barsema, NIU's College of Business moved to its new building in Fall 2002, located on the far northeast corner of campus. The 144,000 square foot facility combines classrooms, computer labs, a 375-seat auditorium, specialized labs, faculty and staff offices, and spaces for studying, meeting, and even eating. The core of the building contains a large atrium space complete with a cafe.
[edit] Living on campus
[edit] Residence halls
The first residence halls were built to house women only. Williston Hall, in 1915, was named after Northern's first President, John Williston Cook. It provided such luxuries for women students as formal table cloths, fresh cut flowers on cafeteria tables, and oriental rugs in the common rooms and was also home to the annual Christmas Ball -- a formal dance in which men wore tuxedos and women wore evening dresses. Williston Hall was converted into administrative offices in 1969. It currently houses the Office of Admissions, Records and Registration, Educational Services and Programs, Division of International Programs, University Office of Teacher Certification and the Transfer Center.
Adams Hall opened in 1949 and is named for Karl L. Adams, President of NIU from 1929-1948. Joliet marble shaped in a Collegiate Gothic design constitutes the exterior of the building that provided nearly luxurious accommodations, not found on campus today. Women students were provided with amenities such as furnished linens laundered twice a week, Bavarian china and fine silver for meal service, and silver hollowware for tea each afternoon. The building was converted for administrative use in 1967. It currently houses the Graduate School, the Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Testing Services, the Office for Teaching Assistant Training and Development, the Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center and faculty offices. It also is home to the Chandelier Room, a nonprofit, student-run dining and catering service. Students in the School of Family, Consumer, and Nutrition Sciences (FCNS) work in the Chandelier Room for laboratory experience for food service courses.
The first men's dormitory, Gilbert Hall, opened in 1952. It was named for Newell D. Gilbert, a prominent early faculty member (1899-1924). After turning coed, it was also converted to an office building housing the Office of Publications.
Northern Illinois University currently has five dormitory complexes (Neptune, Lincoln, Douglas, Grant and Stevenson). All freshmen attending NIU are required to live in the residence halls their first year; after that, they can choose to continue living on-campus or choose to move off-campus.
The Neptune Hall Complex is centrally located on campus, right next to the Holmes Student Center, and serves a large population of art students. The buildings are made of red brick and are about 3-4 stories. Originally for women only, it was built over a period of several years. Neptune North opened in 1955, Neptune West in 1959, and Neptune East along with Neptune Central, the dining-recreation center, in 1960. The complex was named for Celine Neptune, another prominent faculty member (1922-1948).
The remaining dormitories, located west of Annie Glidden Road, were built in two phases and named for prominent Illinois politicians. The older two complexes Lincoln and Douglas opened in 1962 and 1963. Each complex consists of four five-story halls which connect to alternating sides of an octagonal one story common building containing a cafeteria and multi-purpose rooms.
Grant Towers opened in 1966. Stevenson Towers were opened in two phases in 1967 and 1968. They lie to the northwest of Lincoln and Douglas. These two high rise complexes are also nearly-identical to each other. Each features four 12-story triangular-shaped towers which connect to a low rise rectangular building housing cafeteria and multi-purpose rooms. A university bus system serves all of the above residence halls with several stops across campus.
[edit] Off-campus housing
Since the residence halls only provide housing for about a third of the students at NIU, large areas of off-campus housing in close proximity to the campus exist. There exists a large section of student housing north of campus, including townhomes, apartments and the houses of "Greek Row", as well as the massive University Plaza, which offers dorm-style living. A secondary area of student housing exists in the form of apartment complexes along Lincoln Highway, south of campus. Both areas are heavily populated by students and are serviced by separate lines on the NIU student-funded Huskie Bus Line. [3]
[edit] Student life
NIU's Student Association governs the NIU community and makes decisions which affect the quality of life of students at NIU. The association is organized similar to that of the U.S. government, with executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The NIU Student Association is one of the largest student governments in the United States and has a $1.3 million budget. Much of the money goes to the University's extensive bus system, which is one of the largest student-run bus systems in the United States. Additional resources are provided to Health Enhancement, Recreation Services, Campus Childcare, the Campus Activities Board, and every registered group on campus. Much of the activity on campus is headquartered out of the Campus Life Building.
The Campus Activities Board is responsible for bringing activity to the campus, and is also responsible for bringing the many high caliber performers which have come to the Convocation Center.
In addition, 200+ student organizations on campus exist, including a large community of Fraternities and Sororities, political groups, including the College Democrats and College Republicans, advocacy groups such as the LGBT Resource Center and Black Student Union, special-interest groups, academic clubs, and so forth.
The Student Association operates Organizational Expos throughout the year which gives all the ogranizations on campus the opportunity to showcase their groups and recruit students.
[edit] Student facilities
Facilities that exist on campus to enhance Student Life include: The Campus Life Building, which serves as the headquarters for the Student Association, Campus Activities Board, Northern Star newspaper, and offices for a variety of important groups on campus. There is also a meeting room here.
Additional facilities include the Holmes Student Center, which serves as the headquarters for visitors on campus, featuring a hotel, numerous offices, classrooms, meeting rooms, banquet halls, lounges, and a food court anchored by Subway. A branch of TCF Bank is also located here. In the basement of the Holmes Student Center is the Huskie's Den, which features bowling lanes, billiards, video games, and other entertainment offerings for students.
On the west side of campus near the residence halls is the sprawling Campus Recreational Building, which offers students a weight room, aerobics mats, a gymnasium, and a large room featuring dozens of treadmills. Also on the west side of campus is the recently-built Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center, located just west of Huskie Stadium, which serves as an important visitors center and banquet venue for formal events on campus.
[edit] Athletic facilities
Also on the west side of campus is Huskie Stadium, the home of NIU football games, which also often plays host to other significant outdoor events. Huskie Stadium, which has a seating capacity over 30,000, is surrounded by large open grassy areas which provide recreation, and also serve as the tailgating lots for football games. There is also a baseball field, Ralph McKinzie Field, softball field, Mary M. Bell Field, soccer field, Huskie Soccer Complex, and tennis court, Gullikson Tennis Courts, which flank Huskie Stadium. Currently under construction at the Stadium's north end zone is the $14-million Academic and Athletic Performance Center named after Jeffrey and Kimberly Yordon after a $2.5 million dollar donation in the fall of 2006. The facility is scheduled to open in August 2007.
On the far west side of campus is the Convocation Center, a state-of-the-art 10,000 seat arena which hosts NIU Men's and Women's Basketball, Gymnastics, Wrestling and Volleyball, Victor E. Court, games, the opening Convocation Ceremony for incoming freshmen, music concerts, and a variety of events throughout the year including Job Fairs, Internship Fairs, and other expositions.
The residence halls, which are located in the same area as the above athletic facilities are also flanked by numerous sand volleyball areas, a large quad between the dorms, basketball courts, skating courts, Eco Lake, and numerous open fields which offer numerous opportunities for outdoor student recreation.
At the corner of Annie Glidden Road and Lucinda Avenue is the Chick Evans Field House, a building which consists of a series of gymnasiums, which has since been under-used due to usage of the Convocation Center. Nevertheless, the fieldhouse continues to host expositions and sporting events of a smaller scale, and serves as the headquarters for the campus ROTC program.
[edit] Notable alumni
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[edit] Arts and entertainment
- Actress Joan Allen, Academy Award-Nominated, B.A., Theatre, 1989
- Actor Dan Castellaneta, Emmy Award-Winning Actor, Voice of "Homer Simpson" and "Krusty the Clown" on The Simpsons, B.S.Ed., Art, 1979
- Recording Artist Bradley Fish, Sony Digital Pictures, B.A., Music 1992
- Actor Steve Harris, Emmy Award-Nominated, The Practice, B.A., Theatre, 1989
- Actor Wood Harris, Remember the Titans and The Wire, B.A. Theatre Arts
- Animator Erik Kuska, The Road to El Dorado, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, and Looney Tunes: Back in Action, B.F.A., 1995
- Actor Justin Mentell, Boston Legal, B.F.A., Acting, 2005
- Producer Robert Zemeckis, Back to the Future and many other films, e.g.: Forrest Gump, Romancing the Stone. XFER'd to USC.
[edit] Business
- Peter Butterfield, President and CEO, Kia Motors America, B.A., Psychology, 1976
- Lyle Heidemann, President and CEO, True Value Company, B.S., Marketing, 1967
- Jerry Palmer, Vice President, Caterpillar Inc. WLED Division, B.S., Economics, 1969
[edit] Media
- Melissa Barrington, on-camera meteorologist for the The Weather Channel, 1993
- Tim Bennett, President, Harpo Productions, Inc., B.S., Journalism, 1971
- Terry Boers, Co-host, Boers and Bernstein, 670AM WSCR Chicago (The Score), B.S., Journalism, 1972
- Mark Brown, Columnist, Chicago Sun-Times, B.S., Journalism, 1977
- Lonny Cain, Managing Editor at the Daily Times in Ottawa, IL, B.S., Journalism, 1970
- Phil Kadner, Columnist, Daily Southtown, B.S., Journalism, 1974
- Deborah Nelson, Investigations Editor, L.A. Times, Washington, D.C. Bureau; Winner of 1997 Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Reporting, B.S., Journalism, 1975
- Nicole Manski, former Miss Teen Illinois, 1998; was a cheerleader with current IRL race car driver Danica Patrick, Co-host, Speed Report, on the Speed Network.
- Robert Reed (Journalist), business journalist/commentator for [4]Chicago Magazine, WBBM-AM Newsradio 780, Crain's Chicago Business. Presented the NIU Distinguished Alumni Award (2000). B.S., Journalism 1976
- Sean Riley, Lighting Director for CNBC, 2005
[edit] Politics
- Tammy Duckworth, former Democratic Congressional Candidate[5]
- Dennis Hastert, Republican U.S. Congressman since 1987; Longest-serving Republican Speaker of the House. M.S., Education, 1967
- Markos Moulitsas, founder of the Daily Kos weblog[6], B.S., Journalism, 1996
[edit] Sports
- Larry Brink, former NFL Defensive Lineman, two time Pro Bowler
- Brad Cieslak, NFL Tight-End for the Buffalo Bills
- Ryan Diem, NFL Offensive Tackle for the Indianapolis Colts
- P.J. Fleck, NFL Wide Receiver for the San Francisco 49ers
- Darrell Hill, NFL Wide Receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs
- Sam Hurd, NFL Wide Receiver for the Dallas Cowboys
- Brad Jay, Professional Wrestler, B.A. History, 2004
- Nicole Jeray, LPGA Professional Golfer
- LeShon Johnson, former NFL running back, 1994
- Maria Kanellis, WWE Diva
- Marty Lurie, Professional Wrestling Manager and Announcer, B.A., Political Science, 1995
- Justin McCareins, NFL Wide Receiver for the New York Jets
- Hollis Thomas, NFL Defensive Tackle for the New Orleans Saints
- Michael Turner, NFL Running Back for the San Diego Chargers
- Larry Young, MLB Umpire
[edit] Other
- Deirdre "Dee" Battaglia, Warden, Statesville Correctional Center, B.A., Sociology, 1975
- Raymond McGury, Chief of Police, Bollingbrook, IL, M.P.A., 2000
- Manny Sanchez [7], Majority partner in largest minority owned law firm in the United States, B.A., 1970
- Emil R. Schiesser, Aeronautics Engineer, NASA, B.S., Physics, 1959, M.S., Physics, 1961
- Paul Sereno, Paleontologist, University of Chicago, B.S., Biology, 1979
[edit] References
- ^ US News. Northern Illinois University 2007 ranking.
- ^ National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges. Member list. July 2006.
- ^ The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Northern Illinois University Carnegie Classification.
- ^ Universities Research Association. URA Universities.
[edit] External links
- Official website
- NIU Student Association
- Official Athletic website
- Official Alumni Association website
- Northern Star student newspaper
- Campus map
- Dog Pound Forum
- NIUFans.com
- NIUFans.com Forum
| Mid-American Conference | ||
|---|---|---|
| East division | Akron • Bowling Green • Buffalo • Kent State • Miami • Ohio • Temple (football only) |  |
| West division | Ball State • Central Michigan • Eastern Michigan • Northern Illinois • Toledo • Western Michigan | |
| Public Colleges and Universities in Illinois |
|---|
| Chicago State • Eastern Illinois • Governors State • Illinois • Illinois-Springfield • Illinois State • Northeastern Illinois • Northern Illinois • SIU-Carbondale • SIU-Edwardsville • UIC • Western Illinois |
Categories: Articles with unsourced statements since March 2007 | All articles with unsourced statements | Articles with sections needing expansion | Articles lacking sources from March 2007 | All articles lacking sources | Cleanup from March 2007 | Wikipedia articles needing clarification | Mid-American Conference | Northern Illinois University | Educational institutions established in 1895 | North Central Association of Colleges and Schools | State universities in Illinois | Universities and colleges in Illinois | DeKalb County, Illinois | DeKalb, Illinois
