2020-2024

Brad Cripe, Department of Accountancy
Laura Vazquez, Department of Communication

2019-2023

Laurence Lurio, Department of Physics

2018-2022

Walker Ashley, Department of Geographic and Atmospheric Science
Mylan Engel Jr., Department of Philosophy

2017-2021

Jeanette Rossetti, School of Nursing
Thomas Smith, Department of Educational Technology, Research and Assessment

2016-2020

Toni Van Laarhoven, Special and Early Education

2015-2019

Gulsat Aygen, English
Jim Schmidt, History 

2014-2018

Brianno Coller, Mechanical Engineering
Michael Kolb, Anthropology
Kristen Myers, Sociology

2013-2017

E. Taylor Atkins, Department of History
Chris Jones, Department of Political Science
Pamela Smith, Department of Accountancy

2012-2016

Elevated to Distinguished Teaching Professor, 2016

Anne Britt, Department of Psychology
James Johnson, Department of Finance
Joseph Scudder, Department of Communication

2011-2015

Elevated to Distinguished Teaching Professor, 2015

Harvey Blau, Department of Mathematical Sciences
Murali Krishnamurthi, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering
Greg Long, School of Allied Health and Communicative Disorders 

2010-2014

Elevated to Distinguished Teaching Professor, 2014

Rebecca Butler, Department of Educational Technology, Research and Assessment
Chuck Downing, Department of Operations Management and Information Systems

2009-2013

Elevated to Distinguished Teaching Professor, 2013

Laurie Elish-Piper, Department of Literacy Education
David Gunkel, Department of Communication
Stephen Martin, Department of Physics

2008-2012

David Changnon, Department of Geography
Dan Gebo, Department of Anthropology
Toni Tollerud, Department of Counseling and Higher Education

2007-2011

Tomas Kapitan, Department of Philosophy
Lee Shumow, Department of , Educational Psychology and Foundations
James Young, Department of Accountancy

2006-2010

John Hartmann, Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures
Richard Orem, Departments of Literacy Education and Counseling and Higher Education
David Taylor, College of Law

2005-2009

Jeffrey Chown, Department of Communication
William Koehler, School of Music
Parviz Payvar, Department of Mechanical Engineering

2004-2008

William Blair, Department of Mathematical Sciences
James Giles, Department of English
Rick Ridnour, Department of Marketing

2003-2007

Robert Chappell, School of Music
Gerald Gabris, Division of Public Administration

2002-2006

Carole Minor, Department of Counseling and Health Education
Rhonda Robinson, Department of Educational Research, Technology and Assessment
Jule Scarborough, Department of Technology

2001-2005

Chhiu-Tsu Lin, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Diane Musial, Department of Educational Psychology and Foundations
Gene Roth, Department of Counseling and Health Education

2000-2004

Gary Glenn, Department of Political Science
William Goldenberg, School of Music
Jim Thomas, Department of Sociology

1999-2003

Martha Cooper, Department of Communication
James Mellard, Department of English
Fred Smith, Department of Anthropology

1998-2002

C. Daniel Dillman, Department of Geography
Kuo-Huang Han, School of Music
William A. Oleckno, School of Allied Health Professions

1997-2001

John Beachy, Department of Mathematical Sciences
Clark Neher, Department of Political Science
John Simon, Department of Accountancy

1996-2000

Elliott Lessen, Department of Educational Psychology, Counseling, and Special Education
James Lockard, Department of Leadership and Educational Policy Studies
Lorys Oddi, School of Nursing

1995-1999

Craig Ducat, Department of Political Science
Pamela J. Farris, Department of Curriculum and Instruction
Judith Testa, School of Art

1994-1998

Roger Cliffe, Department of Technology
Phyllis Cunningham, Department of Leadership and Educational Policy Studies
Linda Sons, Department of Mathematical Sciences

1993-1997

Frank Bazeli, Department of Curriculum and Instruction
Laszlo Hanzely, Department of Biological Sciences
Sherman Stanage, Department of Philosophy and Department of Leadership and Educational Policy Studies

1992-96

Jerry Johns, Department of Curriculum and Instruction
John Niemi, Department of Leadership and Educational Policy Studies
Mary Sue Schriber, Department of English

1991-1995

Richard Baker, Department of Accountancy
William Johnson, Department of English
Robert Wheeler, Department of Mathematical Sciences

2019-2023

Jeffrey Einboden, Department of English
Tao Xu, Department of Chemistry

2018-2022

Liam Teague, School of Music
Vishnu Zutshi, Department of Physics

2017-2021

Michelle Demaray, Psychology
Douglas Klumpp, Chemistry and Biochemistry

2016-2020

Swapan Chattopadhyay, Physics
Omar Chmaissem, Physics

2015-2019

Sanjib Basu, Statistics
Anne Britt, Psychology
Aaron Fogleman, History

NIU Today article

2014-2018

Giovanni Bennardo, Anthropology
Ana Calvo-Byrd, Biological Sciences
Nancy Wingfield, History

NIU Today article

2013-2017

Elizabeth Gaillard, Department of Biological Sciences
Wei Luo, Department of Geography
Philippe Piot, Department of Physics

NIU Today article

2012-2016

Joseph Magliano, Department of Psychology 

2011-2015

Elevated to Distinguished Research Professor, 2015
Dhiman Chakraborty, Department of Physics
Richard King, Department of Biological Sciences 

2010-2014

Elevated to Distinguished Research Professor, 2014
Jeff Kowalski, Department of Art History
Amy Newman, Department of English
Zhili Xiao, Department of Physics

2009-2013

Elevated to Distinguished Research Professor, 2013
Reed Scherer, Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences
Larry Arnhart, Department of Political Science
Michel van Veenendaal, Department of Physics

2008-2012

Elevated to Distinguished Research Professor, 2012
Mohsen Pourahmadi, Division of Statistics
John Skowronski, Department of Psychology

2007-2011

Elevated to Distinguished Research Professor, 2011
Winifred Creamer, Department of Anthropology
Nader Ebrahimi, Division of Statistics
Heide Fehrenbach, Department of History

2006-2010

Elevated to Distinguished Research Professor, 2010
Courtlandt Bohn, Department of Physics
David Buller, Department of Philosophy
Kenton Clymer, Department of History

2005-2009

Elevated to Distinguished Research Professor, 2009
James Corwin, Department of Psychology
Stephen Martin, Department of Physics
Donald Richgels, Department of Literacy Education

2004-2008

Elevated to Distinguished Research Professor, 2008
Andrea Bonnicksen, Department of Political Science
Michael Gonzales, Department of History
Chhiu-Tsu “C.T.” Lin, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

2003-2007

Elevated to Distinguished Research Professor, 2007
William Baker, University Libraries and Department of English
Christine Worobec, Department of History

2002-2006

Elevated to Distinguished Research Professor, 2006
J. Michael Parrish, Department of Biological Sciences
Rangaswamy “Nathan” Meganathan, Department of Biological Sciences
Frederick Bloom, Department of Mathematical Sciences

2001-2005

Elevated to Distinguished Research Professor, 2005
Paul Loubere, Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences
Biswa Nath Datta, Department of Mathematical Sciences
Narayan Hosmane, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

2000-2004

Elevated to Distinguished Research Professor, 2004
Gerald Blazey, Department of Physics
David Kyvig, Department of History
Susan Vogel, Department of Literacy Education

1999-2003

Elevated to Distinguished Research Professor, 2003
Stephen Duke, School of Music
Peter Meserve, Department of Biological Sciences
Bogdan Dabrowski, Department of Physics

1998-2002

Elevated to Distinguished Research Professor, 2002
Daniel Gebo, Department of Anthropology
Theodore Kisiel, Department of Philosophy
David Hedin, Department of Physics
Lee Barnes Peck, School of Art

1997-2001

Elevated to Distinguished Research Professor, 2001
Jozef Bujarski, Department of Biological Sciences
Marilyn Frank-Stromborg, School of Nursing
Jindrich Necas, Department of Mathematical Sciences

1996-2000

Elevated to Distinguished Research Professor, 2000
Harold I. Brown, Department of Philosophy
Stephen Haliczer, Department of History

1995-1999

Elevated to Distinguished Research Professor, 1999
Sylvia Huot, Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures
Robin D. Rogers, Department of Chemistry
Anton Zettl, Department of Mathematical Sciences

1994-1998

Elevated to Distinguished Research Professor, 1998
Cecil H. Brown, Department of Anthropology
Samuel Kinser, Department of History
Ross D. Powell, Department of Geology

1993-1997

Elevated to Distinguished Research Professor, 1997
Stephen Foster, Department of History
Michael Gelven, Department of Philosophy
Fred H. Smith, Department of Anthropology

1992-1996

Elevated to Distinguished Research Professor, 1996
Joel S. Milner, Department of Psychology
Sean Shesgreen, Department of English
James F. Willott, Department of Psychology

1991-1995

Elevated to Distinguished Research Professor, 1995
Jonathan H. Berg, Department of Geology
Marvin A. Powell, Jr., Department of History
Patricia S. Vary, Department of Biological Sciences

1990-1994

Elevated to Distinguished Research Professor, 1994
Martin Lorenz, Department of Mathematical Sciences
Alan C. Repp, Department of Educational Psychology, Counseling, and Special Education
Charles W. Spangler, Department of Chemistry

1989-1993

Elevated to Distinguished Research Professor, 1993
Hsin Yi Ling, Department of Geology
Benjamin L. Mahmoud, School of Art
Bruce White, School of Art

1988-1992

Elevated to Distinguished Research Professor, 1992
James E. Erman, Department of Chemistry
Stephen R. Kern, Department of History

1987-1991

Elevated to Distinguished Research Professor, 1991
Thomas C. Wiegele, Department of Political Science
John L.A. Mitchell, Departments of Biological Sciences and Chemistry

1986-1990

Elevated to Distinguished Research Professor, 1990
Thomas D. Rossing, Department of Physics
Jordan A. Schwarz, Department of History

1985-1989

Elevated to Distinguished Research Professor, 1989
Martin F. Kaplan, Department of Psychology
Dennis N. Kevill, Department of Chemistry

1983-1987

Elevated to Distinguished Research Professor, 1987
Zdenek Hurych, Department of Physics
Lucien H. Stryk, Department of English

1982-1986

Elevated to Distinguished Research Professor, 1986
Carl H. Albright, Department of Physics
Jan M. Bach, School of Music
David F. Driesbach, Department of Art
Arnold E. Hampel, Departments of Biological Sciences and Chemistry
Clyde W. Kimball, Department of Physics
Paul J. Kleppner, Departments of History and Political Science
W. Bruce Lincoln, Department of History
Wallace R. McAllister, Department of Psychology

2020

Alan Clemens
Jennifer Ridge
Leslie Shive
Patricia Wallace

2019

Ron Barshinger
Ellen Cabrera
Marj Holliday
Patricia Kee

2018

Cathy Cradduck
Debra Rempfer
Julie Miller
Kathryn Buffington

2017

Nancy Brown
Jay Monteiro
Leslie Pergament-Nenia
Lynn Retherford

2016

Brenda Hart
Ruperto Herrera
Lynne Meyer
Lise Schlosser

2015

Chris Atherton
Margaret Berg
Pat Erickson
Kathy Zuidema

2014

Lisa Clark
Amy Deegan
Patricia Lee
Liz Wright

2013

Sharon Freeman
Shyree Sanan
Steve Sarver
Scott Walstrom

2012

Kenlyn Bialas
Lincoln Fox
Brenda Jones
Kelly Stewart

2011

Jill Draves
Mary Kain
Renee Page
Sophia Varcados

2010

Marcia Dick
Jennifer Gregory
Lee Ann Henry
Lenita Hepker

2009

Cliff Alexis
Angela Euhus
Bill Finucane
Barbara Rice

2008

Bonnie Anderson
Sharon Dowen
Joy Hadley
Mary Hamell

2007

Margie Foshe
Varsie Geisler
Diana Grace
George Tarbay

2006

Judy Burgess
Danell Nixon
Karen M. Smith
Mariano Spizzirri

2005

Sandy Little
Joan Metzger
Tris Ottolino
Kay Shelton

2004

Lilli Bishop
Joyce Chaney
Amy Polzin
Lynn Slater

2003

Joe Baird
Joyce Gardner
Jodi Tyrrell
Janice Vander Meer

2002

Sara Clayton
Chris Gilbert
Nancy Schuneman
Sue Stelling

2001

Elizabeth Buck
Rita Finucane
George Garman
Dianne Wunsch

2000

Tadson Bussey
Joanna Ganshirt
Mireya Pourchot
Connie Rumer

1999

Abby Chemers
Tom Folowell
Patricia Perkins
Diane Tilton

1998

Janice Eisele
Mary Ann Erickson
Jim Fluckey
Harlan Walley

1997

Victor Bakanas
Mary Crumbacher
Andy Small
Amy Townsend

1996

Tom Anderson
Fran Norris
Dianna Strink
Richard Vaupe

1995

Juanita Challgren
Dixie Hulfachor
Cathy Lubbers
Ralph Wallis

1994

Glenn Bateman
Cindy Carls
Patricia Monahan
Phyllis Roush

1993

David Artabasy
Robin (Bassing) Boyes
Ines DeRomaña
Allan H. Metzger

1992

Neil Kepner
Adela Lopez
Steven L. Nemeth
Sally A. Saksa

1991

Pamela Long
William Lundberg
Judy Neal
Cheryl Ross

1990

Leon Keutzer
June Kubasiak
Patricia Siebrasse
Mary Wantroba

1989

Jean Callary
Donna Dunn
Michael Korcek
Robert Wallace

1988

Melody Amundsen
Robert Bailey
Karen Garland
Roberta Politsch

1987

Nancy Allen
Earl Haile
Edwin Hyland
Norma Zopp

1986

Dorothy McConn
Roger Lemke
JoAnn Bergren
Roy Maddux

1985

Peggy Abbott
Ronald Clarner
Margaret Schmuller
Barry Stark

1984

Patricia Francis
Myrtle Podschwit
Doris Rauman
Robert Weishaar

2020

Dara C. Little, Assistant VP for Research and Sponsored Programs
Charles Eric Hoffman, Coordinator, Networked Writing and Research, Department of English
Merlynette V. Griffin, Undergraduate Program Advisor, School of Nursing
Stephanie Richter, Director, Faculty Development and Instructional Support

2019

Jeremy Benson, STEM Outreach
Karinne Bredberg, Commercialization and Innovation, Office of Innovation
Brooke Ruxton, Counseling and Consultation Services
Mary Strub, Center for Governmental Studies

Read the 2019 recipient bios in NIU Today.

2018

Denise Burchard, Public Administration
Gillian King-Cargile, Outreach P-20
Abbey Wolfman, Orientation and Family Connections
Carrie Zack, Educator Licensure and Preparation

Read the 2018 recipient bios in NIU Today.

2017

Karen Baker, Affirmative Action and Equity Compliance
Jo Burke, Art Museum
Laura Lundelius, Campus Services
Mark Pietrowski, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences External Programming

Read the 2017 recipient bios in NIU Today.

2016

Gregory P. Barker, Testing Services and Academic Affairs Research Support
Melissa Burlingame, Center for Governmental Studies (formerly in Institute for the Study of the Environment, Sustainability and Energy)
William C. McCoy, BELIEF Program, College of Business
Mark McGowan, Institutional Communications

Read the 2016 recipient bios in NIU Today.

2015

Patricia “Pat” Anderson, Alumni Relations
Benjamin “Ben” Bingle, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Center for Non-governmental Organization Leadership and Development (NGOLD)
Elizabeth “Betsy” Hull, College of Education Dean’s Office
Jennifer Kirker Priest, Anthropology Museum

Read the 2015 recipient bios in NIU Today.

2014

Steve Estes, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Dana Gautcher, Office of Student Academic Success
Kathryn Maley, History and Social Sciences Secondary Teacher Education Program, History Department
Jeanne Meyer, Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct

Read the 2014 recipient bios in NIU Today.

2013

Terry Borg, External Programs, College of Education
Rebekah Kohli, Women’s Studies
Donna Schoenfeld, Health Enhancement
Rachel Xidis, Web Communications

Read the 2013 recipient bios in NIU Today.

2012

Todd Latham, Department of Leadership, Educational Psychology and Foundations
Michelle Pickett, Academic Advising Center
Deborah Pierce, International Programs
Jason F. Rhode, Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center

Read the 2012 recipient bios in NIU Today.

2011

Kate Braser, Honors Program
Abby Chemers, Division of Finances and Facilities
Dan Nichols, School of Music
Patricia Sievert, Center for P-20 Engagement

2010

Bobbie Cesarek, Intercollegiate Athletics
Jes Cisneros, Honors Program
Patrick Gorman, Media Services
Michael Stang, Housing and Dining

2009

Nancy Apperson, Employee Assistance Program
Barbara A. Fouts, Career Services
Lina Davide Ong, International Training Office
Connie Uhlken, School of Nursing and Health Studies

2008

Margaret M. “Margie” Cook, LGBT Resource Center
Daniel J. Ihm, Information Technology Services
Jennice O’Brien, Office of Public Affairs
Judy Santacaterina, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

2007

Debra R. Hopkins, CPA Review
Julia S. Lamb, Center for Southeast Asian Studies
Steven E. Lux, Health Enhancement
Blanche McHugh, Housing and Dining

2006

Sandi Carlisle, Housing and Dining Services
Glen Gildemeister, Regional History Center, University Libraries
Brad Hoey, Media Services
Derrick Smith, Center for Black Studies

2005

Joanne Dempsey, Illinois Council on Economic Education
J. Daniel House, Institutional Research
Lori Marcellus, College of Business
Judy Skorek, Women’s Resource Center

2004

Shevaun Eaton, ACCESS
Len Lennergard, Media Services
Judith Pokorny, Department of English
Phillip Young, Department of Geography

2003

Robert Burk, Office of Admissions
Michelle Emmett, Academic and Student Affairs
Jack King, Department of Sociology
Donna Prain, Department of Biological Sciences

2002

Richard Becker, Biological Sciences
Eric Behr, Mathematical Sciences
Margaret Bridge, University Office of Teacher Education
Don Larson, Records and Registration

2001

Ellen E. Anderson, Career Planning and Placement Center
Patricia Hanzely, Office of Sponsored Projects
Jamie Rothstein, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Carol Scheidenhelm, Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center

2000

Lori Bross, Department of Psychology
Deborah Haliczer, Human Resource Services
Mary Obrzut, College of Law
Daniel Olson, Department of Biological Sciences

1999

Beverly (Beetham) Espe, University Health Service
John Lewis, Center for Governmental Studies
Denise Rode, Orientation and Campus Information
Susan Timm, University Resources for Latinos

1998

Tsui-Yee Dorothy Chow, CHANCE
Kathleen Patchett Lutz, Admissions
Steven Pace, Budget and Planning
Robert Snow, College of Law

1997

Tim Griffin, Office of the Ombudsman
Nicholas Noe, Office of the Provost
Lucy Robinson, Family, Consumer and Nutrition Sciences
Carol Zar, Center for Governmental Studies

1996

Robert Albanese, Physical Plant
Judd Baker, Holmes Student Center
Deborah Brue, College of Engineering and Engineering Technology
George Gutierrez, University Resources for Latinos

1995

Leroy Mitchell, CHANCE
Ellen Franklin, Freshman English Program
Ron Marks, Admissions
Alan Farber, Counseling and Student Development Center

1994

Zainal “Z” Ahmad, University Programming and Activities
Michael Haines, Health Enhancement Services
Mitchell Kielb, University Bookstore
Robert Vest, Environmental Health and Safety

1993

Steven Duchrow, University Programming and Activities
Sharon Howard, University Resources for Women
Norden Gilbert, General Counsel
Grant Olson, Center for Southeast Asian Studies

1992

Joan Greening, Career Planning and Placement
Sandra Kuchynka, College of Professional Studies
Linda Schwarz, Sponsored Projects
Robert Woggon, Public Information

In men’s hoops, head coach Tom Jorgensen’s Huskies headed into uncharted waters with a school-record 21 triumphs in 25 outings, the school’s first and only appearance in the AP major-college Top 20, an electrifying 85-71 win versus fifth-ranked Indiana and coach Bobby Knight, an 11-game winning streak, ten 100-plus scoring games, seven home sellouts at Chick Evans Field House, and a regular-season Midwestern Conference championship.

Not bad for a program in only its fifth year of NCAA Division I status, right?  “Jorgy” had upgraded the team’s schedules in those years and fan interest grew.  Prior to 1971-72, NIU recorded respectable 13-11 (1968-69), 13-12 (1969-70), and 13-10 (1970-71) records, setting the stage for prep phenom and the greatest recruit in school history, 6-foot-9 Jim Bradley.

After leading East Chicago, Ind., Roosevelt to a 28-0 record and the Indiana state title in 1969-70, Bradley was recruited by over 300 schools—including UCLA—before signing a National Letter of Intent with Northern Illinois that May.  And the hoopla began.

Back in the early 1970s, freshmen were not eligible for NCAA competition, so Bradley played on maybe NIU’s best-ever intramural team in the interim.  He was legend before playing one varsity minute.  In the 1971-72 preseason, Sport magazine put him on its five-man sophomore All-America team. 

Then Sports Illustrated upped the fan anticipation mode higher with the icing on the cake by featuring Bradley full-page, four-color shot, wearing his white No. 24 white jersey and that infectious smile standing in a DeKalb cornfield (ironically, near where the NIU Convocation Center is now).  It was the SI College Preview issue—billed on the cover as the “Year of the New Giants”–indeed– and projected the Huskies into its Top 25 in November.

Why not?  Jorgy returned all five starters from a team that averaged 92.7 ppg. the previous winter.  When NIU bushwhacked Cal State-Fullerton, 116-82, in its home opener, the fun started.  After beating Indiana and two more opponents, the Huskies cracked the AP Top 25 (No. 20 on Jan. 18 and No. 19 on Jan. 25) before losing to South Carolina before 18,462 spectators at the Chicago Stadium.  Coupled with a last-second, late February 86-85 setback at Evans to rival Illinois State with All-America Doug Collins, the NCAA tourney selection committee may have soured on the fledging NIU program.  In March, the Huskies were snubbed by the NCAA (only a 25-school field in 1972) and NIT (the consolation prize was a 1972-73 date in New York’s Madison Square Garden).

The memories linger.  Without the three-point basket, Northern Illinois still finished No. 3 in NCAA team scoring (95.2 ppg.) that winter.  In two seasons before departing for the ABA, Bradley scored 1,134 career points and made four All-America squads.  In 2000, Bradley was named the NIU Player of the Century by a blue ribbon committee during NIU’s Centennial.  Four starters from that squad—Bradley (NBA and ABA), Jerry Zielinski (ABA), Billy “The Kid” Harris (NBA), and Larry Jackson (NBA)—were drafted.

Meanwhile, the NIU women, playing in relative obscurity at Anderson Hall, not only set a (then) record for single-season triumphs, captured the AIAW Midwest Regional, and advanced to the quarterfinals of the first-ever AIAW Division I national tournament in 1971-72.

Coached by Dr. Mary Bell, the matriarch of the Huskie women’s athletics program, NIU finished 15-3 and won its first eight contests.  En route, NIU defeated five Big Ten Conference quintets—Purdue, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan State, and Indiana.  The latter two coming in the AIAW Regional at Mount Pleasant, Mich.  Northern Illinois made the 16-school national bracket at the AIAW finals in Normal, Ill., and posted a 50-43 triumph over Washington State in the opening round.  In the quarterfinals, the Huskies would lose to West Chester State, 66-54, which was the eventual AIAW runner-up to national champion Immaculata.                            

By Mike Korcek, Sports Information Director Emeritus

By definition, “normal schools” only offered two-year degrees. Normal school graduates were prepared to teach in the elementary school grades (or “common schools,” as they were known at the time). Educators who wanted to teach at the high school level  needed to do more advanced work at institutions offering four-year, or baccalaureate degrees. 

In the early 1900s, only the state’s flagship public university, the University of Illinois, was educating high school teachers. Some of the state’s other schools chafed under the restrictions they endured as “mere normal schools,” including a decidedly less-favorable funding model. 

But while some Illinois normal school presidents were eager to expand their offerings,  John Williston Cook at NISNS was not among them. So strong was his belief in the normal school concept that he held off expanding the school’s curriculum through the end of his presidency. Finally, under the leadership of his successor, Northern became a four-year, bachelor’s-degree-granting institution in 1921.

Click on photos to enlarge

Just west of the Kishwaukee River on the eastern edge of Northern’s campus was a depression in the earth that filled with water during heavy rainfalls.  NISNS groundskeeper W.C. Claybaugh first proposed creating a lake there in 1905; two years later, Claybaugh and campus gardener Frank Balthis oversaw excavation of the “mud hole” and creation of a seven-acre pond with a series of pools and miniature waterfalls. 

They decided to give the lagoon some visual interest by creating an irregular shoreline and a small island, and planted hundreds of plants and trees around its edges. 

Creation of the lagoon followed the larger campus landscaping plan of renowned landscape architect Walter Burley Griffin (a former colleague of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright) who was hired by the NISNS board to transform the virgin campus.  Griffin’s plan included large terraces in front of Altgeld Hall, eight feet high and 384 feet long, extending into the area where Lowden Hall now stands. It also called for a large, octagonal garden just to the southeast of Altgeld where the university flag pole is now located, and a series of interconnected “lakes” fed by the nearby Kishwaukee River. 

To bring Griffin’s plans to life, NISNS hired Balthis from the Shaw Botanical Gardens in St. Louis.  He remained at Northern for 18 years, creating a campus with a wide reputation for beauty.  In addition to that work, Balthis developed playgrounds, tennis courts and baseball diamonds as well as a large greenhouse for the children at the Practice School to learn about botany.  At one point, Balthis had 385 different species of plants growing there, including bamboo, pineapple, coffee and banana. 

During the Great Depression of the 1930s, a government program known as the CWA, or Civil Works Administration, provided the manpower to recreate the lagoon.  The CWA created a new Castle Drive and the bridge just north of the lagoon; other workers employed by the Works Progress Administration, or WPA, dredged and enlarged the lagoon.  The work took two years, but when it was done, the lagoon became the center of many campus and community activities, from fishing and ice-skating to staging plays and commencement exercises.

Click on photos to enlarge

Fanny Ruth Patterson from Hinkley, Illinois was the first African-American student to graduate from Northern. 

After completing high school, Fanny worked for a few years before enrolling at NISNS at the age of twenty-one. When she completed her two-year degree in 1915, President Cook wrote a letter of recommendation for her to the head of personnel for the St. Louis school system where she had applied for a teaching job.

“Fanny is an excellent girl, having good looks, good taste, extreme modesty of demeanor, and a good mind,” Cook wrote. “She is a most excellent and interesting young woman and she has had the entire confidence of everybody with whom she has worked.” Cook recommended her for a position teaching English and history.

While Fanny’s race was noted in a handwritten aside on her admission documents, that detail was not typically part of early student records. Yet recent efforts to identify the first African-American male graduate have led to a well-known campus figure: three-sport Northern athlete Elzie Cooper of Rochelle.

Elzie Cooper was the first African-American student athlete at Northern and the first student of color to win an NI varsity letter in any sport. He played football, basketball and baseball at Northern during the 1930s, lettered in all three, and was a two-time Athletics Hall of Fame inductee. He also worked as a football student coach under the legendary Chick Evans.

Elzie graduated from Northern in 1936 and returned to his hometown of Rochelle, where he worked and coached youth baseball and basketball.  So well-loved was the pioneering community leader that the Rochelle Park District named its primary baseball facility Elzie Cooper Field. Fanny Patterson and Elzie Cooper would no doubt be surprised to learn that, a century later, students of color represent nearly 50 percent of the NIU student body.

Click on photos to enlarge