Welcome Back Northern Now!

DEAR HUSKIES:

I can’t tell you how happy I am to bring you the return of an NIU tradition, Northern Now magazine. Whether you’re reading this in print or online, I hope you will find the stories included to be interesting and inspirational. From the announcement of our first female leader to a taste of the impact NIU makes around the world, you will find the content contained herein to be engaging and informative.

If you’d like to receive a printed edition of Northern Now, it’s easy; just join the NIU Alumni Association as a dues-paying member. It’s just one of the many benefits you’ll receive, while supporting alumni programming and scholarships. We welcome your input and feedback! We can always do better, and it takes your insight for us to improve. Enjoy the issue, and go Huskies!

Reggie Bustinza
Executive Director, Northern Illinois
University Alumni Association

NIU Law Prisoners’ Rights Program

This past fall, NIU law students began gaining valuable real-world experience representing prisoners in federal court. The NIU College of Law and the P. Michael Mahoney (Rockford, IL) Chapter of the Federal Bar Association announced their partnership and launch of the Prisoners’ Rights Program during a special ceremony at the Stanley J. Rozkowski U.S. Courthouse. The event was attended by Chief Judge Ruben Castillo and Magistrate Judge Iain Johnston from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Members of the P. Mahoney (Rockford, Illinois) Federal Bar Association present a check for $10,000 for the Prisoners’ Rights Program to the Northern Illinois University College of Law.

“Today is a win-win situation,” commented Chief Judge Castillo. “It’s a win for the court, for prisoners who are going to be bringing cases before the court, for the Sixth Amendment right to counsel and for the law school of Northern Illinois University because those law students are going to get a unique opportunity to represent clients.”

The Prisoners’ Rights Program is a hybrid between a clinic program and an externship. Students will be supervised by adjunct professor and Rockford attorney Lisa Jensen and handle cases involving allegations of civil rights violations. The students will have the cases from the beginning, including filing court papers, interviewing the client and witnesses, and drafting interrogatories. Ultimately, the students will try a federal civil case in front of a jury — which makes this program unique.

Rockford native Alonte’ Holliday is one of six third-year law students who is participating in the inaugural program. His experiences during law school along with his passion to be a public defender, led to his decision to apply for the program. “There are a lot of people, especially those that are incarcerated, who don’t know where to turn. I want them to know that they are still human beings that deserve to have someone in their corner fighting for their basic human rights,” Holliday remarked.

Interim Dean Mark Cordes, Associate Dean Marc Falkoff and alumnus Rene Hernandez, ‘90, all played pivotal roles in developing the program, which helps relieve the over-burdened docket with regard to prisoner litigation, gets law students the experience of trying cases and provides community outreach.

The Prisoners’ Rights Program adds to the list of incredible experiential learning opportunities offered by the College of Law for its students. The Civil Justice Clinic and Criminal Defense Clinic, also located in Rockford, Illinois, along with the Health Advocacy Clinic in Aurora, Illinois are all a part of the law school’s history of public service and mission to provide hands-on experience for students to advocate on behalf of real clients.

 

Upcoming Alumni Events

2.16

Alumni Day at the NIU Convocation Center

3.18

NIU Day at Chicago Blackhawks

4.12

Alumni Association Awards Luncheon

5.20

Ninth Annual Alumni Golf Outing

Replace Judgment with Curiosity

James Cohen, associate professor in the NIU Department of Curriculum and Instruction greets the regional director of education for the Miaoli County Government in Taiwan.

After 14 hours in the air, there was obviously no need to tell Marcus Lewis that he wasn’t in DeKalb anymore.

Yet his first steps off the plane into a nearly empty airport in China, with none of the crowded hustle and bustle of O’Hare International Airport, did the job anyway.

His important realizations would come later, however, as the elementary education major spent six weeks from early July through mid-August 2017 teaching English to teenagers at the Beijing Royal School.

Language barriers toppled — and learning took place — in Beijing and Taiwan at the Miaoli County Government Education Bureau schools.

English lessons came through an exploration of fairy tales, movies, TV shows, comic books and superheroes. Through morning exercise. Through telling stories of life in America. Through touching U.S. currency. Through synonyms and antonyms. Through celebrating the Fourth of July. Through song and dance. Through imaginations sparked with “a bunch of glue and a bunch of sticks.” Through hugs and tears.

“Students and kids are kids wherever you go,” said Lewis, one of 37 NIU College of Education students who participated in the 2017 maiden voyage of Educate Global, which provided round-trip airfare, room and board, and cultural tours at no cost to the students or the college.

“Things can be culturally different, but people — regardless of wherever you go — are people. If they want to acquire some knowledge, they’re going to do so, and they’re going to do so in a way that’s rewarding to you as their teacher.”

Part of the college’s experiential Educate and Engage Program, Educate Global was designed exactly for outcomes like that — outcomes achieved again in the summer of 2018 when a contingent of 10 traveled to the Beijing Royal School to teach English.

Undergraduates in early childhood education, elementary education, middle level teaching and learning and special education, as well as graduate students in the same licensure programs and alumni currently holding teaching licenses, immersed themselves in what Dean Laurie Elish-Piper calls “an amazing opportunity to expand their worldviews.”

Doing so, she added, enhanced their preparation and resiliency for rapidly changing classrooms in the United States. “We are seeing an increasing diversity in the K-12 population,” Elish-Piper said.

“Our graduates are going to encounter students who speak different languages, who come from different cultures, who have different experiences,” she added. “They are now more aware. They will approach teaching from a more global understanding. They appreciate the diversity and differences our students bring to the classroom.”

Urged to replace judgment with curiosity, NIU’s globe-trotters returned with greater confidence and flexibility.

“Each student who participated has been transformed in different ways. They’ve experienced the life of being a teacher in a very unfamiliar setting,” she said. “Educate Global was an eye-opening opportunity to be in a part of the world where the culture, the language and the educational setting are so different.”

David Walker, associate dean for Academic Affairs, witnessed that with his own eyes.

Walker, along with Terry Borg, director of the college’s Office of External and Global Programs, visited all the classrooms in China and Taiwan in 2017 to observe NIU students in action and to debrief them afterward.

“I saw our students really grow. I saw them be really self-reflective about how they need to change and develop,” Walker said. Adding that “the life-altering set of experiences” enabled students to learn about themselves, what they do well and where they need to improve.

“Even now, I’ve had a number of them come up to me — in Gabel Hall, in Graham Hall, on the sidewalk — and tell me how Educate Global has changed their lives. It’s changed the trajectory of what they want to do with teaching,” he added. “These are comments initiated by the students — which reveals to me what a powerful experience this was.”

Borg knows why the Huskie travelers feel that way.

“When we place them internationally, they become the minority. They, in many cases, find out for the first time what it’s like to actually be in a situation where they’re not in control or can’t navigate,” he said.

“For somebody to survive in that situation, and to excel and to thrive in that situation, means that the teacher-candidate is adaptable, is flexible, can make something out of nothing,” he said. “It allows our students to become better citizens of the world. It requires our students to look at the world differently. It allows them to really reflect, and also to really reach out to students that perhaps don’t come from the same place that they come from.” Case in point: Students in China and Taiwan “do not behave like American students,” Borg said.

“These students do not ask questions. That’s not how their educational system is set up,” he said. “Our students had to begin to ask more questions. Our students had to become far more observant in terms of the interactions that the Taiwanese or the Chinese students had.”

Quickly, however, “our students began to realize that the way they would behave around American students must be different in terms of how they would behave around Chinese and Taiwanese students, in particular in terms of how to build rapport.”

“Many times, an Educate Global student would have to break down that wall in order for that student to begin to share and to become more open,” Borg said.

“The effective educator really needs to be prepared to meet students where they’re at and move them to the next level,” he added. “This is what NIU’s College of Education is all about. We want to be sure that our students have a whole tool kit to pull out at any moment.”

Amor Taylor, a middle level teaching and learning major, used fun activities to flatten language barriers.

Taylor and her co-teacher played games with students at the Beijing Royal School, which educates 11-to-15 year-old students, asking them to demonstrate comprehension by completing unfinished sentences or drawing pictures of words spoken in English.

Nonetheless, “some of the students got frustrated. They were really hard on themselves. They are more disciplined, and when they do things wrong, they are really angry at themselves and some of them would cry,” Taylor said.

“We would tell them, ‘It’s OK.’ We tried to show them that we’ve been here for five weeks and we still don’t know as much Chinese as you know English,” she added.

“I felt like I was actually helping them, so it was very rewarding. I felt like we were making a difference. They were happy they were learning, and we were happy we were teaching them in a way they could learn.”

When Taylor eventually returns to her native Chicago to teach in “a school that’s impoverished,” she will bring the experiences of China with her.

“You have to slow down and take your time, because it’s not always that the students don’t understand. It’s that sometimes you’re going a little too fast for them to be able to let you know that they understand,” Taylor said.

“Sometimes we look only at the majority, and there’s a few stragglers behind. They’re still not grasping the material as quickly. We have to make sure that everybody knows it before we continue on because, when we go on to another subject, then they don’t know the first one — so they’re not going to be able to grasp that one either.”

Her confidence has risen to meet such challenges.

“There are people that we feel like might not ever ‘get it,’ and we have to strive to help those students because it’s our job to make sure they get it. We have to figure out a way to help them so they can move on, so they can continue in life and continue in their education,” she said.

“I was able to just get a glimpse of what happens when you slow down, you help them,” she added, “helping their confidence to grow so they can feel comfortable learning the material even if they make mistakes. That made me feel good as a teacher.”

Beyond adding an unparalleled international experience to their resumes, Educate Global students also can apply for NIU’s’s Engage PLUS Academic Transcript Notation, which documents such skills as critical thinking, organization and teamwork.

“Our students who participated in Educate Global are highly motivated,” Elish-Piper said. “They are mature and serious. They are excited about taking a chance — of going out of their comfort zone, learning about others and, more importantly, learning about themselves.”

“The experiences they explain to principals and school districts are phenomenal,” Walker added. “I don’t know of many schools in our area that offer this kind of program. It’s the chance of a lifetime and will be a hallmark of their lives.”

James Cohen, an associate professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, joined colleagues Jodi Lampi and John Evar Strid and former NIU faculty member Samina Hadi-Tabassum in traveling in China and Taiwan to supervise and mentor the students in 2017.

Professors who made the 2018 trip were Melanie Walski from the Department of Curriculum and Instruction and Stephanie DeSpain, from the Department of Special and Early Education.

“What I saw in our students was that they stepped up to the plate,” Cohen said. “I saw games. I heard songs. I saw projects. I saw physical activities that got the students out of their chairs. I saw one teacher taking students outside, in the heat, to run while working on their English.”

NIU’s Educate Global Scholars inside Yu-Da University in Taiwan.

 

NIU Nexus Connects Alumni to University

When Vinay Mullick, ’00, thinks of Northern Illinois University, he remembers it as the place where he learned how to study, work with others, become a leader and handle adversity and failure.

Because Northern changed his life personally and professionally, Mullick gives back by volunteering, from mentoring students to serving as a member of the NIU Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Like Mullick, alumni can easily volunteer through the NIU Alumni Association’s new volunteer program, NIU Nexus. The program was created as a one-stop shop so alumni can serve in areas that they’re interested in either on or off campus. Volunteers can make an impact by giving as little as three hours a year as an NIU Cares Day volunteer or an hour a week as a social media ambassador.

“I’ve heard from so many alumni who want to reconnect, but they’re not sure how to start,” said Reggie Bustinza, executive director of the NIU Alumni Association. “This will provide a perfect avenue for finding a way to volunteer.”

Opportunities for involvement include referring a student, participating in a letter writing campaign for prospective students, welcoming new graduates to the alumni community and hosting interns at a workplace. Alumni are encouraged to sign up for NIU Nexus and explore volunteer opportunities at the web page.

“It’s amazing to see the number of kids who get up early and go out to help people in the community,” said Sue Trump, ’74, who enjoys helping at NIU Cares Day with her husband.

As a retiree, Trump has also mentored students by sharing her NIU experiences and providing guidance.

“I think it’s worthwhile to connect with the students and stay in touch with what’s going on at the university,” she said.

During the last year, the NIU Alumni Association has forged partnerships with the Division of Student Affairs and the Office of Undergraduate Admissions to connect alumni and students. One result of those efforts is an externship program that began last semester through a partnership between the NIU Alumni Association and the University Honors Program.

The externship program was one of the most rewarding volunteer experiences for Mullick. He hosted an education major at his company, UpMetrics, which provides data and analytics to schools, nonprofit community organizations and foundations.

Mullick, who was in the University Honors Program when he attended NIU, enjoyed showing the student how his company could support her efforts when she becomes a teacher.

Another way Mullick has contributed as a volunteer is through NIU’s letter writing campaign to prospective students. The last campaign reached more than 5,000 students.

Writing a letter “was not a huge time commitment, but it was a way to make a huge impact quickly,” he said.

Bob Gallagher, ’91, ’92 M.B.A., immediate past president of the NIU Alumni Association Board of Directors, and his wife Christy Gallagher, ’91, give back as project site leaders at NIU Cares Day to connect with students. He has also helped students as a mentor, an instructor of NIU accountancy classes and a speaker for the Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity.

“NIU was a stepping stone to my career and has led to a successful outcome for me,” Bob Gallagher said. “And I’d like to see others be able to have the same opportunities.”

One of his favorite events is the annual Alumni Awards Luncheon, where he has had the opportunity to introduce alumni award winners and student scholarship recipients.

“Hearing the great stories of some of our most successful alumni is incredibly inspirational,” he said.

As a young alumna, Sandra Gonzalez, ’15, has volunteered for Northern since she was a junior. When she was an undergraduate research assistant, she began promoting the Center for Latino and Latin American Studies.

Today, she still finds time outside of her career as a high school Spanish teacher in Aurora to speak to incoming students about her experience as a first-generation college student. For example, she shares how she was almost on probation her first semester at Northern, but learned how to study and worked her way up to a 3.8 GPA. She makes students feel welcome by telling them how to get involved on campus, how to find scholarships and what to expect as a new student.

To further her efforts to help students and grow her network, Gonzalez is a member of the NIU Latino Alumni Council, which sponsors workshops, raises funds to support Latino students and connects the Latino alumni community.

“Ultimately, I just love helping people,” Gonzalez said. “At the same time, I’ve made connections [as a volunteer] so that when I need them, they are there because I’ve established relationships with these people.”

What is NIU Nexus?

NIU Nexus serves as the connecting point (e.g. nexus) between alumni interested in volunteering with their alma mater and current volunteer opportunities that exist at NIU. Alumni volunteers provide real value to NIU through a variety of volunteer roles and opportunities, ranging from prospective student recruitment to providing real-world job experience. Please review the volunteer categories (right) to find the best fit for your volunteering interests.




Help us grow the pack. Share your success story with prospective NIU students through alumni-centered recruitment opportunities, ranging from the simple act of referring a Huskie to NIU to hosting a sendoff in your area for new freshmen leaving for NIU.



Leadership positions exist at a variety of levels on campus, though most require a formal election. Involvement in other NIU Nexus activities will help you plug in to leadership opportunities. Indicate your interest in a leadership opportunity when you complete your volunteer profile and alert staff of your desire.



Share your real-world experience and professional expertise with faculty, staff or students. Opportunities are limited, so please indicate your interest in being connected so that our staff can let you know when the appropriate opening arises.



Join one of our alumni affinity groups! Affinity groups bring together alumni with similar backgrounds and interests. Each group offers a unique opportunity for its members to network and promote their own special interests.



Support important functions at critical mission events. Opportunities include being a research symposium judge or performing service in your community on our annual day of service, NIU Cares Day.



Equip students for success in the professional world by supporting career readiness opportunities, including mock interviews and hosting interns at your place of work.


Champion NIU’s cause by sharing your Huskie pride and NIU success stories both in person and online through our social media ambassador program or networking within your community.




Help NIU connect with other alumni. NIU Nexus recruiters are provided with recruitment cards to share with alumni they meet all over the world.



Keep your alma mater relevant in important political conversation through legislative advocacy at all levels.

Class Notes

’56

Ted Bacino, M.S.Ed., published his novel “The Shakespeare Conspiracy” about 10 years ago and developed it into a stage play, with productions in several cities in May 2018, the play opened Off Broadway at the Studio Theatre in New York. A motion picture is being considered.

’61

Janice M. Wagner has written a genealogy/biographical book, “So Many Cousins,” containing over 100 short biographies of Norwegian and American family members.

’67

Robert O’Connor published his 12th and 13th books, “Southern Oasis at Gettysburg” and “Harriet Lane — Original First Lady of Washington.” He has been named finalist four times in national book competition. www.boboconnorbooks.com

’69

Susan Bourrie has joined Xavier Society for the Blind’s Advisory Group. She will help select content for publications in braille and audio and advise the best use of technology and new initiatives.

Bill Kolasinski went from a 40-year career in sales to writing three books, now available on Amazon, “Glory to Grave: The Not So Ordinary Lives of Nine Civil War Notables,” “A. Lincoln: A Life in The Shadow of Death” and “We Are Not Enemies, But Friends.”

’70

James Egan, M.S.Ed., C.A.S. ’75, Ed.D. ’81, retired in 2015 after 50 years in education and 20 years as superintendent of the Southwestern Wisconsin School District.

Marydale Stewart-Caruthers, M.A. ‘76, Ph.D. ’87, has launched her second novel, “Leaves of the Linden Tree,” July 1 in Princeton, Illinois and July 12 in LaSalle, Illinois. The novel is a sequel to “The Wanderers,” both published by Black Rose Writing.

’71

Sister Regina Koehler, M.S.Ed., celebrated a milestone anniversary of 60 years with the School Sisters of St. Francis on June 17, 2017. She is a volunteer at Clement Manor in Greenfield, WI.

’72

Michael Dugan has been named superintendent of the Hononegah High School district in Rockton, IL, beginning July 1, 2018, with a three year contract.

’74

Louis G. Apostol, M.B.A., J.D. ‘78, was appointed by the Governor to a new four-year term as public administrator for Cook County, beginning January 3, 2018. Confirmation before the Illinois Senate Executive Appointments Committee was unanimous on April 19, 2018. The Appointments runs through the end of 2021.

Joyce Diveley has published her book, “Ants in the Kitchen,” written and illustrated for children. www.joycediveleypottery.com

’75

Beverly Biehr, M.M., has authored her memoirs that took place in the middle of the 1968 political firestorm, “Casualties of Peacemaking,” published by Peppertree Publishing.

Sister Janet Marie Gilligan, M.A., Ph.D. ’86, celebrated a milestone anniversary of 60 years with the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN in June 2017. She is an archives assistant and grant writer at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

’76

Jay McCracken served as interim superintendent for the 2017–2018 academic year at Hall High School in Spring Valley, IL.

Trudy Ring was honored for 20 years of employment with The Advocate, the national LGBT news magazine, and is the copy chief of the online edition.

’77

Bill Sullivan hosted a book signing for “Long Before the Miracle…the Making of the New York Mets” on Aug. 4 as part of the Summer Author Series at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY.

’78

Mary Kingston joined PeaceHealth on July 30, 2018, as chief executive of the Oregon network. She has over 30 years of broad executive experience and more than 10 years of leadership experience in Catholic health care.

Cherilyn G. Murer, J.D., founder, president and CEO of CGM Advisory Group LLC, has been appointed to the board of directors of Surgical Solutions, a health care services company owned by Sterling partners and headquartered in Deerfield, IL.

D. Todd Woodcock II, M.B.A. ’80, a retired colonel in the US Army Reserves, retired from the investment services industry after 23 years, and a teacher of Algebra 2 and Algebraic Reasoning at MacArthur Senior High School, has completed the last six Chevron/Houston marathons and the last three Woodlands marathons.

’79

George H. Cook, M.B.A., M.S.T. ’02, has announced his retirement from MacLean-Fogg Co. at the end of August 2018. For 24 years, he has shown tireless effort, superior leadership skills, strategic analysis and outstanding banking acumen and has been a critical asset to the MacLean-Fogg Board of Directors.

Bill Holliday, M.B.A. ’80, was appointed in April 2018 as Rockford Systems, LLC’s vice president of finance, with 35 years of financial experience in the manufacturing industry.

‘80

Susan M. Miura, a Schaumburg resident, has written a young adult novel, “Healer,” where a 17-year-old discovers she possesses the spiritual gift of healing. The novel was released January 2018 by Vinspire Publishing.

’81

Jeff Barker, a 30-year professor of theater at Northwestern College, has been named the recipient of the college’s new Faculty Excellence in Faith, a Learning Award, and was honored during commencement exercises on May 12, 2018.

Brent M. Davids, film composer, presented his original music score, performed by the Civic Symphony of Green Bay, at the premiere screening of PBS Lake of Betrayal. The Oneida Nation Arts Board awarded the Civic Symphony of Green Bay a community grant.

Jeff Glen, Community Bank president for the Rochelle area, has been appointed to the Central Bank Illinois Board of Directors, responsible for overall bank management and board strategic planning.

Robert McMurtry has been named as president of Richards-Wilcox, Inc. and will be responsible for the company’s corporate divisions, including Aurora Storage Products, Richards Wilcox Hardware and Richards-Wilcox Conveyor.

’82

Deb Grymkoski was awarded the designation of Part-Time Instructor of the Year at Pueblo Community College in Pueblo, Colorado. She has been science lab coordinator since 2015 and is an adjunct professor of microbiology, biology and anatomy & physiology at PCC.

Cheryl H. Johnson M.B.A. ’84, has been appointed a member of Caterpillar’s executive office as a human resource officer, bringing more than 20 years of experience.

Jeffrey A. Kluckman was appointed January 2018 as the executive vice president of Global Business Development of General Finance Corp., being responsible for all aspects of the global acquisitions.

’83

James J. Radous III appointed as president of UniCarriers Corp. by the board of directors in Kawasaki, Japan, in January 2016, has been named to UniCarriers Americas Corp.’s 50@50+ list honoring individuals who are at or above 50 years of age and have made outstanding contributions to their company and their communities.

’84

Scott Egler joined Aquilon Energy Services as the firm’s vice president of marketing.

Ron Hetzel has been named principal and senior investment research consultant in the Chicago office of Mercer, a consulting firm to advance health, wealth and career.

’85

Jim Falduto has joined the McBee firm as director in December 2017 to collaborate with post-acute providers to discover the best solutions to address current clinical, financial and operational challenges.

David Resnick, M.M., is the executive director of the Northeast Iowa School of Music. A music educator in Dubuque for 35 years, he began his new role in August 2018.

’88

Vincent Cornelius, J.D. ’89, has been recognized in the 2018 edition of “The Best Lawyers in America” in the practice of criminal defense. The annual publication compiles a list of the top 5 percent of practicing attorneys out of 58,000 attorneys in 140 practice areas.

James Heitzman has been promoted from vice president of advertising to president of advertising of Celtic Chicago, a full-service advertising agency in Morton Grove, IL.

Rebecca Bell Hodges was named the principal of Holy Cross Catholic School in Santa Cruz, NM

’89

Ron Gozum has been appointed as president of Marco & Associates, a Chicago staffing and recruiting firm for finance and accounting professionals, effective May 21, 2018.

Wanda L Nelson was the keynote speaker for the celebration of the 150th anniversary of Sager Brown, an orphanage and school for African-American children and youth orphaned by the Civil War. “The Homecoming” was celebrated Oct. 2017 at the Sager Brown Campus in Baldwin, Louisiana. Dr. Nelson’s formative education began at Sager Brown Home and Godman School through eighth grade.

Rick Schmitt, M.S.Ed., Ed.S. ’98, superintendent of Sandwich School District 430, was named a 2018 Superintendent of Distinction through the Illinois Association of School Administrators. He was honored at an awards luncheon May 1, 2018, in Springfield, IL.

’90

John P. Boardman, Ph.D. ’94, was the recipient of the Clifford and Paula Dietz Award for Faculty Excellence by exhibiting competence, the ability to communicate effectively and stimulating students and faculty colleagues to do their best work.

Paul Hertel, M.S.Ed., acting superintendent since November 2017, has been named superintendent of Des Plaines Elementary School District 62 through 2020.

Matthew Wetstein, M.A., Ph.D. ’93, formerly vice president of instruction and planning at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, CA, was appointed president of Cabrillo College in Aptos, CA in Feb. 2018.

’91

William Andreozzi has joined RMS US LLP as a tax partner with more than 26 years of tax experience serving global, multi-state middle market companies and their owners.

Kimberly M. Burk has been named senior vice president of human resources at Intevac Inc., headquartered in Santa Clara, CA.

’92

Scott Prestin, J.D. ’95, produced a feature-length documentary on the 1985 Chicago Bears with fellow law alumnus Richard Lenkov, ‘95, and Bear great Otis Wilson. In 2017 Prestin organized a two-day Chicago Bears-themed golf tournament in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, to benefit Otis Wilson charities. 85bearsdoc.com

’93

Michael S. Lata has been appointed as the head of the Laredo North Border Patrol Station, the largest station in the Laredo sector in Laredo, TX. He has 20 years of experience.

Joseph Baar Topinka, J.D., has authored the only biography of his mother, Judy Baar Topinka, a committed public servant, devoted mother and pioneering Illinois leader. The book is entitled, “Just Judy,” and was published March 29, 2018, via Amazon and Hiltonpub.com

“Judy was blunt, pragmatic, unfailingly cheerful and energetic, and always willing to put politics aside to find common-sense solutions that made a difference for the people of Illinois.” —  President Barack Obama.

’94

Stephen Wrobel has joined investment bank Balmoral Advisors in May 2018 as managing director to focus on debt capital markets and special situations.

’95

Craig Ortiz earned his educational leadership degree from the University of St. Francis and will begin his 23rd year of teaching mathematics at Morris Community High School.

Brian Shelton was appointed Chair of the Music Department at Texas A&M University — Corpus Christi beginning fall 2018. He has served as director of bands since 2013.

Mike Swemline was named chief of police for the city of Colona, IL at the city council meeting Oct. 2017. He was appointed to the former Green Rock Policy Department in 1996 and became sergeant in 2008.

’96

Mary E. LeSure has written an autobiography, titled “I Believe. I’ll Testify,” which is an evangelism tool to ministers of the masses. It is available on Amazon.com

Paresh Patel changed from becoming a pharmacy technician to owning his own business. Marco’s Pizza opened Aug. 2017 on Lincoln Highway in DeKalb, IL.

’97

David Ballard, M.S.Ed., has become principal of East Aurora School District 131, Fred Rodgers Magnet Academy.

’98

Connie Beck has been named vice president and chief financial officer for Nortech Systems. She directs all financial planning and accounting practices, and oversees Nortech’s relationships with its business partners, the financial community and shareholders.

Richard Irvin, J.D., was honored by Northern Illinois University College of Law as its 2017 Alumnus of the Year. He was presented the award before an audience of fellow NIU College of Law alumni, former professors and supporters from Aurora. He was elected the 59th mayor of Aurora on April 4, 2017.

’99

Tiffany Morris has joined the executive search firm Witt/Kiefer as chief human resources officer, on March 20, 2018, in Oak Brook, IL, supporting the overall achievement of the firm’s goals and managing the life cycle of the employee experience.

’01

Kimberly Covelli has been promoted to Commander at the Lincolnshire Police Department. Covelli became the highest-ranking female officer at the Lincolnshire Police Department.

Alison Miller is the assistant professor of art history at the University of the South in Sewanee, TN, which began in the fall of 2017.

’02

Ross C. Alexander, Ph.D., began serving as vice president for academic affairs and provost at the University of North Alabama on July 1, 2017.

Kenneth T. Getty Jr. was appointed on June 11, 2018, by the Lyons Township School of Trustees, to the position of Lyons Township School treasurer, beginning July 1, 2018.

Gabriela Nunez-Reagan, M.S.Ed., was among five Golden Apple recipients for 2018. The presentation was a surprise in her classroom at Seth Whitman Elementary in Belvidere, IL by board members, sponsors, the superintendent, family and media representatives. The banquet was held April 27, 2018, honoring her 19 years of teaching.

’03

Ryan Dowd, M.P.A., J.D., executive director of Hesed House, a homeless shelter in Aurora, IL, received an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters at North Central College’s 153rd commencement. Dowd has published “The Librarian’s Guide to Homelessness; An Empathy-Driven Approach to Solving Problems, Preventing Conflict, and Serving Everyone,” for the American Library Association.

Chris Grode has been named the 2018 Superintendent of Distinction by his colleagues in the Egyptian Region of the Illinois Association of School Administrators at an awards luncheon in Springfield. He has served as superintendent of Murphysboro the last 11 years.

Rahula Kochar was named Akos chief information officer in July of 2018.

’04

Nadine A. Gonzales M.M., has joined the faculty of the College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago and is the chair of the Department of Fine and Performing Arts.

Theresa Komitas has been approved as the communications director for the Community Unit School District 308 in Oswego, IL.

Molly Talkington, M.P.A., was hired September 2017 as the city of DeKalb, IL’s finance director.

Dan Teefey, M.S.Ed., has been hired as executive director of the Tracy Family Foundation, a philanthropic foundation founded by Dot Foods, in July 2017.

’06

Wesley Prato has been elected to partner in the Chicago accounting, tax and advisory firm of CohnReznick LLP on Feb. 1, 2018.

Chris Yucus won first place for Lincoln Portrait in the portrait/personality photo competition in the 2016 Illinois Associated Press Media Editors contest.

’07

Bernard Bull Ed.D., was named president of Goddard College on Oct. 2, 2018.

Constance Cooper, Ed.D., has been named dean of Galen College of Nursing. She has served as acting dean since August 2016 and was program director for the associate degree in nursing since 2013.

Cheronda Everett had her first book in her project management series for the everyday person published on March 27, 2018 — “A Cheronda Marie Inc. Lesson: Everything is a Project.”

Marissa Spencer, J.D., was appointed November 2017 as assistant corporation counsel by the Aurora City Council and will join the corporation counsel to form the city’s legal department.

’08

Victor Gensini, M.S.’10, taught at the College of DuPage for five years and has now returned to his alma mater, NIU, to teach and research weather and climate. Gensini will be collaborating with his former NIU adviser to research large thunderstorm complexes and how these phenomena might change under future climate change scenarios.

Benjamin McCready, M.P.A., was hired on May 14, 2018, as the assistant city administrator and director of administrative services for the city of Geneva, IL. He will manage the city’s Administrative Services, comprising of administration, finance, human resources and IT divisions.

Katie Jodscheidt Richards, author, certified health and fitness professional, published her book in June 2018, “Kale and Kegels: Helping Women Experience a Healthier, Happier Motherhood.”

Shirazette Tinnin is a cast member in the Off-Broadway musical “Cross That River,” a historical fiction without engaging the full context of slavery and racism.

’09

Jennabeth Klein has been named principal and lead health consultant to Mercer, a consulting firm in advancing health, wealth and career. She will be located in its Chicago office.

’10

Keegan Nichols, Ed.D., vice president for student success at Arkansas Tech University, was part of a team of researchers that has been recognized by the professional organization NASPA, Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education.

’11

Allison Hinton-Briddell studied coral reef ecology and the conservation of marine systems along the Great Barrier Reef in Australia in the summer of 2017. Allison, a science teacher at Addison Trail High School in Addison, IL, took the graduate course in pursuit of her master’s degree from Miami University’s Advanced Inquiry Program with the Chicago Zoological Society — Brookfield Zoo.

’12

David Aarons, M.M., completed his doctoral degree after spending 11 months in Ethiopia doing research. Aarons started working in Jamaica at a music college to teach steelpan and percussion, but also works with the folk music archives.

Lindsay Griebenow has launched her own PR, communications and photography firm, Pink House Media, specializing in writing and sharing inspiring stories about the work her clients are doing.

Krista Perine is working as a K-2 self-contained special education teacher in Las Vegas, NV.

Carmen Rossi, J.D., was featured in the October 2017 issue of Entrepreneur magazine. She is an attorney and was an extraordinarily successful restaurant entrepreneur at age 32. She is also founder of the Chicago-based company “8 Hospitality Group,” a management company that has over 900 employees, and specializes in food and beverage marketing branding, promotions, public relations and operations.

’14

Joshua Ott graduated in May ’18 with an M.S. in engineering management from George Washington University.

Laura Patrasso was named as an account manager at Tealium — a SaaS company specializing in data orchestration in San Diego.

’15

Jeffrey Ryder, M.S.Ed., has been hired as assistant superintendent of finance of East Aurora School District 131.

’17

Ashley Heiberger, Ph.D., has been named assistant professor of English as a second language at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa.

’18

Kathryn Backman has joined By Your Side in Burr Ridge, IL, as an applied behavior analysis therapist.

Nithin Devang, M.S., relocated to Newark, New Jersey to begin employment with Amazon Audible as a software development engineer.

Marriages

Linda E. Alberty, B.A.’08, M.A.’11 and Austin A. Layhew, B.F.A.’08, were married May 3, 2018 in Oahu, Honolulu, Hawaii.

Allison Regis, B.S.’07, M.A.S.’08 and Jude Regis, B.S.’05, M.S.’08, were married March 4, 2017 in Belize.

Births

Christine Fahey, B.S.’04, M.A.S.’05 and Matthew Fahey, B.S.’04, welcomed their second child, a daughter, Kayleigh Bridget Fahey on March 27, 2017.

Kimberly Kocur, B.S.’07 and Robert Kocur, B.S.’07, welcomed their second child, a daughter, Freya Kocur on April 4, 2018.

Darla Marshall, M.S.Ed.’10, welcomed a daughter, Paige Allison Martinez, on January 1, 2017.

Adam Reidel, B.A.’02 and his husband, Gordon, welcomed their daughter, Amelia Bernice, born March 23, 2018.

Shane Rosenberry, B.S.’13, M.S.’15 and Jennifer Rosenberry, B.S.’13, welcomed their son, Jackson Lee Rosenberry, on June 20, 2017.

In Memoriam

Elizabeth Ann LeSage, ’36, on June 14, 2018 in Sarasota, Florida.

Marian E. Hiland, ’40, B.S.Ed.’70, on May 22, 2018 in Prophetstown, Illinois.

Ruth Myers, ’41, on May 8, 2018 in Sherman, Illinois.

Evelyn C. Pyszka,’41, M.S.’70, on June 17, 2018 in Rockford, Illinois.

Lillian E. Oberwise Tesch, ’41, on December 27, 2017 in Harvard, Illinois.

Ralph E. Bordner, ’42, on July 22, 2017 in Metamora, Illinois.

Grace Mae Fowler,’44, on August 19, 2018 in Rockford, Illinois.

Margorie E. Walsh, ’44, on September 4, 2017 in Naperville, Illinois.

Doreen E. Savage, ’44, on September 12, 2018 in St. Charles, Illinois.

Richard T. Haselton,’46, on May 12, 2018 in Rockford, Illinois.

Ruth Cole, ’47, on March 29, 2018 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Neva M. Millonas, ’47, on June 13, 2018 in Oak Park, Illinois.

Mary E. Ackelson, ’48, on March 22, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Norma Herring, ’48, on April 4, 2018 in Ewing Township, New Jersey.

Dora Kastrinos, ’48, on April 6, 2018 in Cedarpines Park, California.

Gloria J. Schmidt, ’49, on October 12, 2017, in Huntington Beach, California.

Rosemary Baxa Daurer, ’50, on August 10, 2018 in Melrose, Florida.

Elinor A. Klages, ’50, on December 30, 2017 in DeKalb, Illinois.

Milton George, ’51, M.S.Ed.’59 on March 12, 2018 in New Lenox, Illinois.

Geraldine Kooken, M.S.Ed.’51, on May 21, 2018 in Wood Dale, Illinois.

Ronald J. Mathews, ’51, on September 6, 2017 in Destin, Florida.

Kenneth E. Michel, ’51, M.S.Ed.’52, on May 1, 2018 in Lakeland, Florida.

Ruth Berg, ’52, on March 31, 2018, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Ralph Johnson, M.S.Ed.’52, M.S.Ed.’59, on December 8, 2017 in Arlington Heights, Illinois.

John F. Kostka, ’52, on April 3, 2018 in Rockford, Illinois.

Joan Pennock, ’53, on March 20, 2018 in Rockford, Illinois.

Edgar J. Prettyman, ’52, on April 13, 2018 in Ottawa, Illinois.

Steffi Stone, ’53, on December 3, 2017 in Libertyville, Illinois.

Marcia Wilkening, ’53, on November 15, 2017 in Elgin, Illinois.

Velna Kolodzie, ’54, on May 20, 2017 in Grinnell, Iowa.

Richard L. Eckert, M.S.Ed.’55, on March 23, 2018 in St. Charles, Illinois.

Donald Mertic,’55, on June 16, 2018 in Palos Heights, Illinois.

Charles J. Wightman, ’55, M.S. Ed.’61, on April 15, 2018 in Hebron, Illinois.

Lawrence Eggleston, ’56, M.S.Ed.’65, on May 5, 2018 in Sterling, Illinois.

Theopolis D. Kimbrough, ’56, on April 16, 2018, in Los Angeles, California.

Thomas E. Wick, ’56, on November 19, 2017 in Portland, Oregon.

Sheldon C. Bell, ’57, on July 13, 2017 in Plainfield, Illinois.

Dorothy M. Felicetti, ’57, on June 8, 2018 in Elgin, Illinois.

Helen DiTullio Kohlhep, ’57, on May 6, 2018 in Randallstown, Maryland.

Marguerite M. Kross, ’57, on December 31, 2017 in Cullom, Illinois.

Gerald L. Medlar, ’57, on July 29, 2017 in Oregon, Illinois.

Melvin A. Watson, ’57, on July 16, 2017 in Rockford, Illinois.

Rev. Robert W. Zetterberg, Sr.,’57, on December 22, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Milton L. Carlson, ’58, on April 28, 2018 in Peoria, Illinois.

John Doyle, ’58, on September 20, 2018 in Glenview, Illinois.

Mary Katherine Freese, ’58, on August 3, 2018 in Hudson, Wisconsin.

Joanne B. Friesen, ’58, on December 13, 2017 in Rockford, Illinois.

Bernard E. Johnson, ’58, on April 18, 2018 in Rockford, Illinois.

Larry Leadley, ’58, on March 17, 2018 in Aurora, Illinois.

Beverly J. Strang Smith, ’58, on September 25, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Rozene M. Taylor, ’58, on January 25, 2018 in Boulder, Colorado.

Ronald L. Giles, ’59, on May 16, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin.

Norman Huntley, ’59, M.S.Ed.’65, on October 22, 2017, in St. Charles, Illinois.

William C. McCloskey, 59, on August 27, 2018 in Lemont, Illinois.

Joseph J. Motyl,’59, on May 24, 2018 in West Dundee, Illinois.

Dolores Puchi,’59, on May 21, 2018 in Sedona, Arizona.

Donald P. Smith, ’59, on March 27, 2018 in Maricopa, Arizona.

Donald Sykes, ’59, on August 13, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Marian Carol Unruh, ’59, on August 7, 2018, in Tucson, Arizona.

Dorothy Coleman,’60, on December 13, 2017 in Tucson, Arizona.

Thomas W. Hill, ’60, on August 4, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Mary Pejril, ’60, on October 14, 2017 in Libertyville, Illinois.

Carl Street, ’60, M.S.Ed.’70, on September 14, 2018 in Rockton, Illinois.

Charles R. Ward, ’60, on April 2, 2018 in Streamwood, Illinois.

Karen Beretta, ’61, on June 27, 2018 in Aurora, Illinois.

Donna J. Freter, ’61, on July 2, 2017 in St. Louis, Missouri.

Leona M. Kamnikar, ’61, on July 25, 2017 in South Haven, Michigan.

Manda Nicolette Kazmier, ’61, on September 7, 2018 in Ogden Dunes, Indiana.

Dwight Klotz, ’61, ’61, on December 26, 2017 in St. Anne, Illinois.

Sharon Luomala, ’61,’61, on April 24, 2018 in Waukegan, Illinois.

Sue Elizabeth Tackett, ’61, on January 4, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Charles. E. Behmer, ’62, on April 11, 2018 in Durand, Illinois.

Shari G. Bryant, ’62, on December 27, 2017 in Barrington, Illinois.

Jeanette Cutrera, ’62, on August 23, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Thomas R. Drucker, ’62, on July 6, 2018 in Anthem, Arizona.

E. Darrell Elder, M.S.Ed.’62, on September 11, 2018 in Springfield, Illinois.

Robert B. Grabitz, M.A.’62, on August 14, 2018 in Tucson, Arizona.

Jon Larry Oswald,’62, on June 8, 2017 in Jupiter, Florida.

George Samuelian, M.S.Ed.’62, on June 30, 2017 in Glenview, Illinois.

Dorothy E. Schultz, ’62, M.S.Ed.’78, on October 23, 2017 in Aurora, Illinois.

Dorothy J. Feldmann, ’63, on November 2, 2017 in DeKalb, Illinois.

Gerald W. Hagerty, ’63, on May 20, 2018 in Lincolnshire, Illinois.

Karl A. Kubon, ’63, on July 2, 2017 in Barrington, Illinois.

Thomas C. Walthouse, M.S.Ed.’63, on July 9, 2018 in The Villages, Florida.

Gordon J. Amundson, M.S.Ed.’64, on May 15, 2018 in Roseville, Minnesota.

Sherri A. Eggert, ’64, on August 20, 2018 in Lansing, Illinois.

Gerrie M. Geerdes, ’64, on September 20, 2018 in Venice, Florida.

Elegie LoCascio, ’64, M.A.’68, on April 26, 2018 in DeKalb, Illinois.

Lynn E. Lorr, ’64, on September 5, 2017 in St. Johnsbury, Vermont.

Robert Ordway, ’64, on July 19, 2017 in Traverse City, Michigan.

Charles R. Behrends, M.S.Ed.’65, on September 6, 2018 in Rockford, Illinois.

William Floyd, ’65, M.S.’67, on April 14, 2018 in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

James S. Kaelin, Jr., ’65, on July 3, 2018 in Sycamore, Illinois.

Robert J. Morrissey, ’65, M.A.’67, on April 27, 2018 in Winter Haven, Florida.

Robert Webb, ’65, on June 1, 2018 in Barrington, Illinois.

Lyndon Wharton, M.S.Ed.’65, on June 24, 2017 in Melbourne, Florida.

Paul W. Batty, M.A.’66, on December 17, 2017 in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

Merilee L. Curtis, ’66, on July 15, 2018 in Apple Canyon Lake, Illinois.

Anthony Cvelbar, ’66, M.A.S.’69, on July 18, 2018 in Washington, Illinois.

William B. Dinges, ’66, on July 24, 2018 in Rockford, Illinois.

John T. Hepperly, ’66, on June 5, 2018 in DeKalb, Illinois.

Daisette A. McGrath, ’66, M.S.Ed.’78, on June 28, 2018 in Sycamore, Illinois.

Barbara E. Nelson, ’66, on December 9, 2017 in Rockford, Illinois.

Evelyn F. Roark, ’66, on July 9, 2017 in Peoria, Illinois.

Ronald Bachenheimer, ’67, on March 27, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Georgiann Baird, ’67, on April 27, 2018 in Sycamore, Illinois.

Elizabeth Cronin, M.S.Ed.’67, on March 13, 2018 in Tomah, Wisconsin.

Marylee Frank, M.S.’67, in July 2018, in Henderson, Nevada.

Joan Peterson Holmgren, ’67, on December 19, 2017 in Chandler, Arizona.

Marilyn Howland-Derrington, M.S.Ed.’67, on September 26, 2018 in Sycamore, Illinois.

Virginia Klockenkemper, M.S.Ed.’67, on August 22, 2018 in Zionsville, Indiana.

John T. Stapleton, ’67, on October 24, 2017 in Downers Grove, Illinois.

Esther E. Wilson, ’67, on April 16, 2018 in Leaf River, Illinois.

Richard Wirth, ’67, on March 22, 2018 in Rancho Mirage, California.

Raymond P. Baxter, C.A.S.’68, on March 13, 2018 in Hinsdale, Illinois.

Judith M. Jobe, ’68, J.S.Ed.’71, on June 2, 2018 in DeKalb, Illinois.

Bill Lee Lankenau, M.A.S.’68, on April 15, 2018 in Naperville, Illinois.

Joseph W. Logli, ’68, on June 16, 2018 in Rockford, Illinois.

Jenlyn J. Luedeking, ’68, M.S.Ed.’70, on March 10, 2018 in Freeport, Illinois.

C. Burton Nelson, M.S.’68, on September 9, 2018 in Rockford, Illinois.

Thomas J. Parsley, M.S.Ed.’68, on June 22, 2018 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.

JoAnn J. Shaheen, M.S.Ed.’68, Ed.D.’73, on August 4, 2018 in Rockford, Illinois.

Carmen Beuna Whitaker, ’67, M.S.’68, on August 13, 2018 in Mercedes, Texas.

Julie A. Buchmann, ’69, on July 12, 2017 in Rockford, Illinois.

John C. Coldewey, M.A.’69, on November 15, 2017 in Seattle, Washington.

Virginia A. Collier, M.S.’69, on September 5, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Thomas V. Hoehne, ’69, on March 22, 2018 in Denver, Colorado.

Muriel J. Nellis, ’69, M.S. Ed.’77, on February 26, 2018 in Springfield, Illinois.

Joanne M. Nottke, ’69, on April 9, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois.

J. Roger Nystrom, M.S.Ed.’69, on February 18, 2018 in St. Charles, Illinois.

George J. Renne, M.S.Ed.’69, on July 25, 2017 in Dixon, Illinois.

Sara Jo Sherwood, ’69, M.S.Ed.’75, on April 3, 2018 in Muskogee, Oklahoma.

John M. Swanson, ’69, M.B.A.’71, on March 13, 2018 in San Mateo, California.

Dennis Arnold, ’70, on July 7, 2018 in Rockford, Illinois.

David H. Channel, ’70, on July 5, 2018 in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

Michael R. Heinz, ’70, on March 26, 2018 in Sun City West, Arizona.

Marian E. Hiland,’70, on May 22, 2018 in Prophetstown, Illinois.

Helene Krueger, ’70, on July 5, 2018 in Mukwonago, Wisconsin

Eddie M. LeCrone, M.S.Ed.’70, on July 17, 2017 in Marengo, Illinois.

Miriam Lois Lehman, M.S.Ed.’70, on May 28, 2018 in Naperville, Illinois.

Edward R. McCormick, Jr.,’70, on February 19, 2018 in Homewood, Illinois.

Gregory Nienaber, ’70, on April 15, 2017 in Gallatin, Tennessee.

John T. Raukar, M.S.Ed.’70, on May 26, 2018 in Pocatello, Idaho.

Nona M. Stier, C.A.S.’70, on October 27, 2017 in Chapin, South Carolina.

Marilyn Stephens, ’70, C.A.S., on January 2, 2018 in DeKalb, Illinois.

Rebecca R. Sutter, ’70, on July 4, 2018 in Austin, Texas.

Linda M. Babich, ’71, on December 23, 2017 in Joliet, Illinois.

Kenneth McMillen, ’71, on July 16, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma.

Jeffrey B. Mikkelsen,’71, on May 17, 2018 in Freeport, Illinois.

Joanne M. Miller, ’71, on August 2, 2017 in Springfield, Illinois.

Lee M. Peterson, Jr., ’71, on August 3, 2018 in Naperville, Illinois.

Louis Skoff, ’71, M.A.’73, on September 16, 2017 in Kingwood, Texas.

Larry C. Spaulding, M.S.Ed.’71, on December 28 2017 in Rockford, Illinois.

William F. Spikes III, ’71, M.S.’73, Ed.D.’75, on November, 2017 in Manhattan, Kansas.

Patricia Volz, M.S.’71, on February 23, 2018 in Ludington, Michigan.

Rose Marie Weber OSF, ’71, on July 14, 2018 in Sugar Grove, Illinois.

Marlene L. Whittaker, ’71, on August 10, 2018 in Redding California.

Robert Winike, ’71, on July 16, 2018 in Portland, Oregon.

Elizabeth S. Bishop, M.A.’72, on August 16, 2018 in Grayslake, Illinois.

Barbara Evansizer, ’72, on July 25, 2017 in Glenview, Illinois.

Margaret Francis, ’72, on April 29, 2018 in Rockford, Illinois.

William Kush, ’72, on July 12, 2017 in Port Townsend, Washington.

Frank M. Lhotka II, M.S.Ed.’72, on July 16, 2017 in Pontiac, Illinois.

Gilbert R. Maple, Jr., M.S.’72, on December 25, 2017 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Morgan R. Michel, M.A.’72, on May 7, 2018 in Rockford, Illinois.

Jon Pattelli, ’72, on August 16, 2017 in Naperville, Illinois.

Jacqueline J. Petersen, ’72, on December 17, 2017 in Morton, Illinois.

Robert G. Popp, M.S.Ed.’72, on October 10, 2017, in Woodstock, Illinois.

James W. Rasins, ’72, M.A.S.’74, on September 30, 2017 in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.

Edward Reichensperger, ’72, on March 29, 2018 in Rockford, Illinois.

Kathleen M. Rinehart, ’72, on April 15, 2018 in Joliet, Illinois.

Paul W. Swanson, ’72, on December 19, 2017 in Rockton, Illinois.

Gary W. Uloth, ’72, on August 24, 2018 in DeKalb, Illinois.

Doris M. Aimers-Voss, M.S.Ed.’73, C.A.S.’82, Ed.D.’86, on October 14, 2017 in Wauconda, Illinois.

Lillis Brackett, ’73, on July 7, 2018 in Hendersonville, North Carolina.

James A. Buchar, M.B.A.’73, on May 9, 2018 in Joliet, Illinois.

Mary Louise Burger, Ed.D’73, on September 8, 2018 in Rolling Meadows, Illinois.

Kevin M. Click, ’73, on August 1, 2017 in McHenry, Illinois.

Lucinda G. Cousins, M.S.Ed.’73, on April 5, 2018 in Bloomington, Indiana.

Geri A. Hayes, ’73, on September 25, 2017 in West Allis, Wisconsin.

Susan A. Huhta, M.M.’73, Ed.D.’00, on June 25, 2018 in Belvidere, Illinois.

Phyllis M. Kelley, ’73, on December 25, 2017 in Beaverton, Oregon.

James W. Massier, ’73, on February 17, 2018 in Mesa, Arizona.

Mary Alice Metcalf, ’73, M.S.Ed.’76, on September 26, 2018 in Lake Forest, Illinois.

John W. Miller, M.S.Ed.’73, on April 2, 2018 in Belleair, Florida.

Carol Mosby, M.S.Ed.’73, on July 10, 2017 in Rockford, Illinois.

Michael Schneider, ’73, on July 19, 2018 in Tucson, Arizona.

Daniel J. Wallenberg, ’73, on December 21, 2017 in Rockford, Illinois.

Barbara Bellman, ’74, on November 4, 2017 in Barrington, Illinois.

Lois Gartner, M.S.Ed.’74, on May 19, 2018 in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.

Carl M. Herrmann, ’74, on September 2, 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Edward J. Karasek, M.B.A.’74, on May 11, 2018 in Lyndhurst, Ohio.

R. William Klein, M.S.Ed.’74, on June 26, 2018 in Wheaton, Illinois.

K. Patrick Martin, ’74, on September 11, 2018 in Rockford, Illinois.

Barbara J. Meilinger, ’74, M.A.’76, on August 27, 2018 in West Chicago, Illinois.

Lynn R. Oswald, M.S.Ed.’74, on April 29, 2018 in Rockford, Illinois.

Margo J. Shifo, ’74, on July 11, 2017 in Oregon, Illinois.

Pamela Sprague, ’74, on June 7, 2018 in Aurora, Illinois.

Denise Smith, ’74, on April 2, 2018 in Munster, Indiana.

David Swacina,’74, on January 1, 2018 in Washington County, Maryland.

Jan T. Wentz, M.A.’74, on July 12, 2017 in Wausau, Wisconsin.

P. Joyce Battaglia, ’75, on August 17, 2018 in Peoria, Arizona.

Kathleen Marie Duffy, ’75, M.S.Ed.’88, on May 16, 2018 in DeKalb, Illinois.

Martha H. Kiessig, ’75, on May 16, 2018 in Callaway Florida.

Kathleen Oyervides,’75, on December 30, 2017 in New Lenox, Illinois.

Gale P. Ryczek, M.S.Ed.’75, on August 30, 2018 in Bristol, Wisconsin.

Phyllis Brooks, M.S.Ed.’76, C.A.S.’79, Ed.D.’88, on April 1, 2018 in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Mary Cassidy, M.A.’76, on July 28, 2018 in Yorkville, Illinois.

Michael R. Gillespie, ’76, on August 5, 2018 in Peoria, Illinois.

Judith Ann Kaulfuss, M.S.Ed.’76, on May 16, 2018 in Arlington Heights, Illinois.

Gloria Ann Knoll, M.S.Ed.’76, on August 12, 2018 in Rockford, Illinois.

Joe Misurelli, M.P.A.’76, on December 23, 2017 in Bull Valley, Illinois.

Patricia Ann Oakley, M.S.Ed.’76, on March 19, 2018 in Huntley, Illinois.

Rena B. Sereno, M.S.Ed.’76, on March 23, 2018 in Batavia, Illinois.

Ellen C. Whitmore, M.A.’76, on June 15, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Gale Colleen Berg, ’77, on March 15, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida.

Margaret Jo Gruver, ’77, on April 7, 2018 in Lake in the Hills, Illinois.

Kevin Michael, ’77, on August 1, 2017 in Wonder Lake, Illinois.

Ellen Okonsky, ’77, on July 9, 2018 in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Terry L. Stevig, M.S.Ed.’77, on April 14, 2018 in Wauconda, Illinois.

Eugene Westphal, Ed.D.’77, on January 31, 2018 in Naperville, Illinois.

Evan E. Broy, M.S.Ed.’78, on October 17, 2017, in Geneva, Illinois.

Barbara A. Coussement, M.S.Ed.’78, on October 30, 2017 in Manchester, Vermont.

Susan K. Fahey, ’78, on July 19, 2017 in Clearwater, Florida.

James R. Fritz,’78, on December 12, 2017 in Cape Coral, Florida.

John L. Olson, M.S.Ed.’78, on September 4, 2018 in DeKalb, Illinois.

Richard L. Sheeley, M.P.A.’78, on May 9, 2018 in Anna, Illinois.

Scott E. Canene, ’79, on August 4, 2018 in Dyer, Indiana.

Karen M. Kietzman, M.S.Ed.’79, Ed.D.’83, on July 14, 2017 in Joliet, Illinois.

Mary Jo Schuster, M.S.Ed.’79, on August 7, 2017 in Morris, Illinois.

William L. Borchardt, ’80, on September 20, 2018 in Countryside, Illinois.

Cynthia Elkins, ’80, on July 3, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois.

Bryan H. Groves, ’80, on July 27, 2017 in Lake Zurich, Illinois.

Craig S. Kenworthy, ’80, on February 19, 2018 in Winfield, Illinois.

Lisa R. (Veilleux) Stern, M.S.Ed.’80, on July 24, 2018 in Skowhegan, Maine.

J. Douglas Stewart, Ed.D.’80, on July 6, 2018 in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

John W. Cota, M.B.A.’81, on November 1, 2017 in Naperville, Illinois.

Patricia H. Foreman, ’81, on April 30, 2018 in Oak Park, Illinois.

Lucille Ann Gain, ’81, on September 17, 2017 in Winfield, Illinois.

Maura C. Hurless, ’81, J.D.’85, on July 5, 2018 in Rockford, Illinois.

Joan M. Jaraczewski, ’81, on April 25, 2018 in Rockford, Illinois.

Thomas J. Main, M.B.A.’81, on September 16, 2018 in Downers Grove, Illinois.

Patricia L. Rehberg, M.S.’81, on June 22, 2018 in Asheville, North Carolina.

William Samuelson, M.S.’81, M.S.Ed.’92 on June 4, 2018 in Rockford, Illinois.

Becky M. Foster, ’82, on July 16, 2017 in Rockford, Illinois.

Michael E. Harwood, ’82, on May 29, 2018 in Palatine, Illinois.

Carol Ellen Krenek, M.A.S.’82, on September 25, 2018 in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Barbara Adams, M.S.’83, on July 4, 2018 in Peoria Heights, Illinois.

Barbara A. Calk, M.S.Ed.’83, on July 1, 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Larry Erven, Ed.S.’83, on October 3, 2017 in Lombard, Illinois.

William Pelz, Ph.D.’83, on December 10, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois.

Lucille Plachetka, M.S.Ed.’83, on July 30, 2017 in Oswego, Illinois.

Elaine Thomas, M.S.Ed.’83, on July 23, 2017 in Libertyville, Illinois.

Andree R. Wood, M.A.’83, on August 6, 2017 in Barrington Hills, Illinois.

LeAnn Dahl, ’84, ’02, on December 23, 2017 in Rockford, Illinois.

Kevin T. Dargan, ’84, on April 2, 2018 in Bellingham, Washington.

Cathy Barnes, M.A.’85, on March 5, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas.

Kenneth A. Brooks, Ed.D.’85, on January 26, 2018 in Kirkland, Illinois.

Shirley J. Fluegel,’85, on May 6, 2018 in Cortland, Illinois.

Jeffrey C. Nankervis, ’85, on December 20, 2017 in Wheaton, Illinois.

Thomas Nesti, M.S.Ed.’85, on August 22, 2017 in Spring Valley, Illinois.

Timothy Philbin, M.F.A.’85, on May 13, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois.

Sherri L. Van Egtern, ’85, on July 1, 2018 in Saline, Michigan.

Donna Turner, M.A.’86, on May 16, 2018 in Midlothian, Illinois.

Daniel G. Walsh, ’86, on October 12, 2017, in Beecher, Illinois.

Dale Lee Wren, ’86, J.D.’89, on June 23, 2017 in Yuma, Arizona.

Robert W. Zanko,’86, on May 15, 2018 in Carbondale, Colorado.

Edward Koscak, ’87, M.B.A.’98, on December 8, 2017 in Rockford, Illinois.

Richard M. Kucera, ’87, on June 9, 2018 in Stickney, Illinois.

Patricia Marschalk, ’87,’89, on August 10, 2018 in Maple Grove, Minnesota.

Amy Polzin, ’87, on June 25, 2018 in Kirkland, Illinois.

Janet J. Russell, ’87, on June 26, 2018 in Bartlett, Illinois.

Sarah L. Totman, ’87, on July 4, 2018 in St. Charles, Illinois.

William D. Ellison, J.D.’88, on August 16, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Ruthe A. Howes-Palacios, J.D.’88, on May 2, 2018 in Des Plaines, Illinois.

Elizabeth A. Hess Nylander, M.B.A.’88, on August 26, 2018 in Bixby, Oklahoma.

Kelly J. Thornburg, ’88, M.F.A.’94, on September 26, 2018 in Winfield, Illinois.

Barbara S. Stewart-Thomas, M.F.A.’89, on August 1, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois.

Scott A. Walter, ’88, M.S.’90, on September 4, 2018 in DeKalb, Illinois.

Barbara M. Weiss, ’91, M.S.Ed.’95, on January 5, 2018 in South Elgin, Illinois.

Ernie Cruz, ’92, on July 22, 2017 in DeKalb, Illinois.

Patrick R. Hillyer, ’92, on July 12, 2018 in Rochelle, Illinois.

Laura J. Smith, ’92, M.S.’03, on October 15, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois.

Richard A. Whitecotton, Ed.D.’92, on November 5, 2017 in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.

John M. Yaeger, ’92, on January 28, 2018 in Atlanta, Illinois.

Mitchell K. Hayes, ’93, on April 5, 2018 in Parchment, Michigan.

Gary L. Maitland, M.P.A.’93. on July 15, 2018 in Cherry Valley, Illinois.

Victor W. Grimaldi, ’94, on May 29, 2018 in Sacramento, California.

Teressa Zammuto, ’94, M.S.Ed.’96, on August 17, 2018 in Rockford, Illinois.

Scott A. Gustin, ’95, on August 29, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas.

Ronald W.T. Urbanik, M.S.’95, on January 1, 2018 in Naples, Florida.

Judith A. Crawford, ’96, on March 21, 2018 in Elgin, Illinois.

Robert A. Suding, M.B.A.’98, on September 27, 2017 in Huntley, Illinois.

John Ireland, M.F.A.’99, on June 30, 2017 in DeKalb, Illinois.

Thomas L. Nolan, Jr., Ed.D.’99, on May 22, 2018 in Leesburg, Florida.

William Pool, ’99, on March 26, 2018 in Jacksonville, Illinois.

Matthew C. Sell, ’99, on December 18, 2017 in Biloxi, Mississippi.

Cole Bianchi, ’00, on February 4, 2018 in Pekin, Illinois.

John R. Lichtenberg, M.B.A.’02, on May 23, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin.

Jose A. Motos, Sr., ’02, on December 8, 2017 in Palm Coast, Florida.

Alan M. Bern, ’06, on December 24, 2017 in Lakemoor, Illinois.

Craig J. Freiburg, ’06, on September 9, 2018 in Naperville, Illinois.

Kenneth M. Windisch, M.S.Ed.’06, on August 21, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois.

Amie L. Wallin, ’09, on March 17, 2018 in Genoa, Illinois.

Brandon Pereklita, ’10, on July 20, 2017 in Arkansas.

Trey N. Soesbe, ’11, on August 4, 2018 in Aurora, Illinois.

Chase A. Shott, ’15, on October 18, 2017 by Mystic Lake, Montana

Kyle A. Mortell, ’16, on May 3, 2018 in Sycamore, Illinois.

Jeanne M. Essex,’17, on July 20, 2017 in Winfield, Illinois.

Kyle Rosenstiel, ’17, on October 29, 2017 in DeKalb, Illinois.

Friends, Staff and Faculty

Sheila M. Ary, former Educational Research Information Center, on December 25, 2017 in Island Lake, Illinois.

Georgiann Baird, Retired IT Support, on April 27, 2018 in Sycamore, Illinois.

Lynn M. Barclay, on June 5, 2018 in Aurora, Illinois.

Dann J. Becker, Electrician, Physical Plant, on December 11, 2017 in DeKalb, Illinois.

Mary L. Benbow, secretary, Family, Consumer & Nutrition, on March 25, 2018 in DeKalb, Illinois.

Stanley J. Brint, retired Heating Plant, on December 19, 2017 in DeKalb, Illinois.

Illene A. Burkart, Administrative, Grants & Contracts, on April 4, 2018 in DeKalb, Illinois.

Marjorie L. Buzzell, Retired Account Tech I, on April 7, 2018 in Belvidere, Illinois.

Clifford Chaffee, retired professor, on August 9, 2018 in Waupaca, Wisconsin.

Raymond Contreras, building service, on October 13, 2017, in Beloit, Wisconsin.

Robert G. Cornell, Physical Plant, on April 3, 2018 in DeKalb, Illinois.

Shirlee J. Dailey, on May 24, 2018 in DeKalb, Illinois.

Gerri Davidson, retired from Bursar’s office, on June 16, 2018 in DeKalb, Illinois.

Anne Donnersberger, NIU instructor, on July 3, 2017 in Countryside, Illinois.

Irving C. Erickson, on October 11, 2017 in Rockford, Illinois.

Robert W. Fredrickson, retired staff, on August 3, 2018 in Amelia Island, Florida.

Arlene B. Gochee, retired accounting office clerk, on October 11, 2017 in Shabbona, Illinois.

Sally W. Hendrick, on November 2, 2017 in Oregon, Illinois.

Zdenek D. Hurych, visiting professor of physics, on July 18, 2018 in St. Charles, Illinois.

Jane L. Gilmore, on May 10, 2018 in Elgin, Illinois.

Martin F. Kaplan, retired professor, on October 5, 2017 in Oxnard, California

Alan J. Katte, on November 1, 2017 in Green Valley, Arizona.

Bernice G. Kayes, retired food service, on September 22, 2018 in DeKalb, Illinois.

Clifford E. Knapp, Retired Professor in Outdoor Teacher Ed. Program, on September 17, 2017 in Oregon, Illinois.

Leona Ann Kocher, on December 20, 2017 in Zion, Illinois.

William M. Kreda, System Programmer Application Services, on May 7, 2018 in Malta, Illinois.

William G. Lange, retired building service, on October 28, 2017 in DeKalb, Illinois.

Alice E. Marks, on December 12, 2017 in Edmonds, Washington.

Daryl D. Miller, retired building service, on October 28, 2017.

Clifford R. Mirman, Chair, College of Engineering and Engineering Technology, on January 16, 2018 in DeKalb, Illinois.

Esther Mocega-Gonzalez, former Language Department Faculty member, on August 22, 2018 in Houston, Texas.

Anne Marie Mueller, on July 24, 2017 in DeKalb, Illinois.

Joyce Nangle, on December 27, 2017 in Vista, California.

Lee Newburg, former secretary audio/visual communication services department, on August 16, 2017 in San Diego, California.

Paul L. Piatek, Sr., NIU computer operator, on December 29, 2017 in DeKalb, Illinois.

Willie Pickens, Retired Staff – Music, on December 12, 2017 in Lincoln Center, New York, New York.

C. Robert Sarver, retired building service, on November 6, 2017 in DeKalb, Illinois.

Donald P. Schoo, retired maintenance, on July 7, 2018 in DeKalb, Illinois.

Rosanna M. Schneider, on August 22, 2018 in Joliet, Illinois.

Delores A. Sheridan, former Bursar’s office, on July 1, 2018 in Winfield, Illinois.

Mary E. Slade, on August 1, 2017 in DeKalb, Illinois.

Paula Y. Smith, former staff, on August 6, 2018 in DeKalb, Illinois.

Lev I. Soudek, Professor English Dept., on April 6, 2018 in DeKalb, Illinois.

Allen E. Staver, retired meteorology professor, on November 4, 2017, in DeKalb, Illinois.

Richard N. Wade, building services foreman, on July 18, 2017 in Oregon, Illinois.

Richard Walsh, on January 1, 2015 in Rockford, Illinois.

Nancy M. White, Secretary, on March 14, 2018 in West Plains, Missouri.

Daniel Wit, retired staff, on June 11, 2018 in Rancho Mirage, California.

See the World With the NIU Alumni Association Travel Program

The most popular program run by the NIU Alumni Association is its travel program, which offers a variety of trips across the globe. Because of the popularity of the program, the association increased the number of annual trips from six to eight this year.

“There are so many reasons I book a trip with Northern, including the destination, the cost, the value for price, accommodations, safety and security concerns, companions and, most of all, the way Pat Anderson manages the group and her day-to-day coordination of all the details of our journey,” says Chris Kenar, ’74. “I have met some of the nicest people on these trips, and we have now become old friends and enjoy booking trips together, as well as visiting each other after NIU travel events.”

The best marketing tool for the program has been word of mouth. After hearing about trips, family and friends have signed up through the years, and most of the travelers come back for another trip. During the last seven trips, the association saw 174 unique travelers (those who took at least one trip this year), the majority were alumni and 83 percent were repeat travelers.

The program helps support other alumni programs, such as the Merit Scholarship for continuing students and our student career success initiatives. Last year, the program brought in $133,726 in gifts. A gift of $100 is part of the total trip cost, but many of the travelers make additional donations.

If you haven’t traveled with the NIU Alumni Association yet, consider joining! The trips are fun, educational and turnkey, so let NIU help you go on your next adventure.

For a list of upcoming trips, please visit: myniu.com/travel


NIU Alumni Association Listing of Countries Traveled to

(DOMESTIC IN BOLD)

Alaska
Alberta, Canada
Arizona
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Belize
British Columbia, Canada
Bulgaria
California
Cambodia
China
Colorado
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cuba
Czech Republic
Denmark
England
Equador
Estonia
Finland
France
Galapagos Islands
Germany
Greece
Guatemala
Hawaii
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Kenya
Liechtenstein
Massachusetts
Monaco
Morocco
Netherlands
New Zealand
Northern Ireland
Norway
Nova Scotia, Canada
Ontario Province, Canada
Oregon
Panama
Pennsylvania
Peru
Poland
Portugal
Prince Edward
Island, Canada
Quebec Province, Canada
Romania
Russia
Scotland
Serbia
Sicily
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Thailand
Turkey
Vietnam
Virginia
Washington
Washington DC
Wyoming


What You Don’t Know You Don’t Know … Half a World Away

Imagine traveling halfway around the world for an internship in Nepal only to discover you’ve landed squarely in the unknown.

That’s how spring wrapped up for NIU Business alumnus Terry Lesyk, ‘18. At that time, Lesyk was a senior marketing major, pursuing an emphasis in sales and completing the social entrepreneurship minor offered out of the management department. Graduation was fast approaching, a mere handful of days away, as was the mid-July launch of his professional career in the sales department with Schindler Elevator, a leading global elevator and escalator provider.

Lesyk, back row, third from left, traveled to Nepal as a part of Global Orphan Prevention.

But the week before commencement, a particular guest lecture altered the course of Lesyk’s immediate future. His inspiration came from social entrepreneur Katie Hilborn, who spoke about the insights she gained from her world travels — insights so indelible that they gave form to her passion to help children and ultimately compelled her to found Global Orphan Prevention as one possible means to fight child trafficking in Nepal. A non-government organization (NGO), Global Orphan Prevention operates independently from government organizations and, like most NGOs, receives funding through donations and help from volunteers.

“I was so moved by what Katie was doing with families in remote parts of Asia, that I had to find a way to be involved,” Lesyk said without a trace of senioritis. “Even if that meant creating the opportunity right there and then.”

That is precisely what he did.

“Here I am in Barsema Hall with a chance to do something meaningful on the other side of the world by using what I learned in my social entrepreneurship classes,” Lesyk said. “I also had three months at my disposal to take action.”

Huddled around a classroom table and just days in front of graduation, the NIU Business senior and the social entrepreneur crystalized an opportunity and began to co-design a one-month internship.

“Before class, I had no idea things would unfold as they did. I’m incredibly grateful Katie was open to the suggestion that I intern for her. Frankly, I jumped at the chance.”

After drafting the internship components, Lesyk completed final exams that week, walked the commencement ceremony that Saturday and then flew to Nepal by himself the very next day.

“I was born in Ukraine and lived there until I was 5 years old, when my family moved to the Chicago area,” he said. “I’ve traveled alone many times, so I’m pretty open to the idea of going anywhere in the world, particularly if I can help create positive change.”

Literally overnight he found himself deep in Southeast Asia with a fledgling organization and in the midst of a vastly different country with cultures, lifestyles, sounds and sights far removed from those he might have been familiar with in Ukraine or the United States. He hadn’t traveled to Nepal or anywhere in Asia before. And he hadn’t yet worked hands-on in the field with an NGO. To a very real degree, Lesyk had, in a matter of a few short hours, become a stranger in a strange land.

That is until he reflected on an earlier message from Hilborn:

“Terry, all possibilities and opportunities exist if we know they are meant for us. Know that you will always be progressing forward as long as you evolve, find your passions and utilize them to make our world a better place. Keep learning and be curious about everything.”

With that advice as a mental compass, he waded more deeply into the unknown. He discovered not only ways to contribute to Global Orphan Prevention, but he also began to learn a great deal about himself.

“It was challenging,” Lesyk said laughing in retrospect. “I was forced to sort through rapidly changing circumstances — much of which happens because of the nature of the country itself. In the West, we take a great deal for granted. We benefit enormously from solid infrastructure and systems and numerous examples of best practices. By contrast, in Nepal that type of formal structure, that type of shared learning, isn’t readily in place. Random change is the norm in Nepal.”

Working through an abstract problem in a constantly shifting environment challenged Lesyk, but at the same time, doing so also informed his thinking. It was through the lens of a chaotic landscape that he saw the need for a solid business framework to guide Hilborn’s passion for Global Orphan Prevention. The questions in his mind then became: How best to go about building structure in the midst of chaos? Where and how to begin? Lesyk followed his immediate impulse and waded in even further with the NGO in an effort to better understand its services and its clients. In order to wrap his mind around the overall environment, he began to look for lessons and inspiration in the community itself as well as in nearby towns.

The village of Bharat Pokhari, home to Global Orphan Prevention, sits on the remote outskirts of Pokhara, which is Nepal’s second largest city located 128 miles away from Kathmandu. Opportunities to generate income in Bharat Pokhari are few and far between. That’s where Global Orphan Prevention comes in. The organization’s broad goal for combating child trafficking is to foster education and social entrepreneurship opportunities. Together these increase the possibility for income generation for villagers so that families can stay together.

“When families have the financial means to send children to school, they become literate and they start to see opportunities open up,” Lesyk shares. “This can help break the cycle of poverty and powerlessness that many families face, particularly single mothers who were abandoned by their husbands, widowed or divorced.”

In Nepal’s social stratification, single mothers fall into the lowest caste. Viewed as “untouchables,” they are treated with disdain by the higher castes. Because of their gender, they are regarded as inferior in their own community.

“If we can help single mothers create financial stability and give them access to education for their children,” Lesyk said. “Then they stand a better chance of not losing their children. Because of their circumstances, these women often fall prey to child and sex traffickers, which is a huge industry here. It really exploits the weak, the poor and the illiterate.”

Lesyk poses with some Nepalese school children.

Currently, Global Orphan Prevention’s education services involve partnerships with two low-caste governmental schools on the outskirts of Pokhara. Lesyk traveled the backroads to Pokhara — about 1½ hours away from Bharat Pokhari — on a regular basis throughout his internship. Intent upon learning more about Nepal’s education system, he soon taught in one of the partnering schools. He also made a point of visiting other government schools and private schools in the area. At the same time, he kept an eye open for any other NGOs or private organizations that had goals aligning with those of Global Orphan Prevention.

During one of his walks through the streets of Pokhara, Lesyk ran into a number of foreign nationals from around the world. Among them: doctors, NGO founders, business people, university students and casual travelers who came to Nepal with hopes of making a positive difference. Fairly rapidly, this collection of volunteers morphed into an informal network of support.

Lesyk, third from right, adopting traditional Nepalese garb.

“I met a Hungarian who taught kids at the Maya Universe Academy, a private school located in Pokhara. Maya Universe has a setup similar to Katie’s operation with Global Orphan Prevention. It dawned on me that these two organizations would be a great fit together. From what I saw, the government school system could be improved, but lacks the resources to bring about any meaningful change. Global Orphan and Maya Universe could support and learn from each other.”

This became the central idea to the business plan that Lesyk developed as part of his internship.

“I came to Nepal to contribute. It’s the Wild West in many ways … all of which forced me to learn how to see possibilities in unusual places. Doing so wasn’t easy, but it appealed to me. My mentality is this: Why not tackle the most challenging problem first?”

Easier said than done, even for those who believe that “80 percent of success is showing up.” With this internship experience, however, Lesyk began to understand just what that phrase meant on another, wildly complex level.

“I learned so many things over that one-month period in Nepal. If I had to summarize it all, I’d have to say that I honestly believe I learned more from the children and families there than they did from me. They are so incredible. They have a powerful sense of gratitude, even though they don’t have much in terms of material possessions.

They have an elegant and unwavering dignity in spite of some very real and very hard challenges.”

And if he could describe all of what he learned?

Lesyk said, “It’s really challenging to implement an idea, even a great idea. Success isn’t a guarantee, but passion, vision, a solid framework and a willingness to be open to the world helps. That’s a life lesson that became quite tangible in Nepal. The first time I had heard that idea, it came from Dennis Barsema, who I met as a freshman and who I had as a professor in my social entrepreneurship minor. Mr. Barsema always offered guidance and made me feel at home in the college. His influence on me has been immense. I think it’s really cool that his teachings continue to guide me, even if I didn’t immediately realize it and even half way around the world.”

“That level of impact is something I hope I’ll be able to do for others someday.”

Terry Lesyk

Learning About Health Services Across the Pond

NIU School of Nursing Presidential Teaching Professor Jeanette Rossetti ’02 and Associate Professor Kathy Musker have led a study abroad program “Exploring Ireland’s Healthcare System” since the summer of 2013.

Students learn about the history of Ireland’s health care system, attend lectures, tour hospitals and clinics, and visit the state-of-the-art simulation lab at the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG). Part of the trip is spent in Dublin, where students stay at the historic Trinity College and then travel to the west and stay in the residence halls of NUIG. They also get to enjoy the culture of Ireland — visiting the Cliffs of Moher, the Aran Islands, Guinness Storehouse, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the Book of Kells, which is located in the Trinity College Library in Dublin.

Students who have participated report a transformative and inspirational experience.

“It was a wonderful experience. It changed me as a person all around – career-wise and personality-wise,” said trip participant Natalie Werner, ’17.