Northeastern Illinois University Assistant Professor James “Jim” Macdonald recognized with honorary street

The City of Chicago has designated the streets from N. Keeler Ave. between W. Ainslie Ave. and W. Foster Ave. as “James ‘Jim’ Macdonald Way,” after Northeastern's late, former Assistant Professor of Anthropology.

Macdonald joined the University in 1968, the same year he earned his master’s degree from the University of Toronto. He was an ardent environmentalist and worked on issues related to restoration and recycling. He was the recipient of numerous grants and awards, including Northeastern’s Faculty Merit Award, a Ford Foundation Grant and a Community Service Award for Recycling. He retired from the University in 2001 and died on May 6, 2024 after a long battle with cancer. He was preceded in death by his wife, Judy, and is survived by many nieces and nephews.

“Jim Macdonald was a valued member of the Northeastern Illinois University faculty for more than three decades,” said Northeastern President Katrina E. Bell-Jordan, Ph.D. “We are thankful to the City of Chicago, Alderman Samantha Nugent, and Jim’s family, friends and neighbors who worked to enshrine his legacy with this recognition.”

Chicago’s 39th Ward Alderman Samantha Nugent sponsored the ordinance for Macdonald’s honorary street, which was passed during the May 21, 2025 City Council meeting. A dedication ceremony was held with neighbors, family and friends on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.

Northeastern Professor Emerita of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Theodora “Teddy” Bofman, Ph.D., said Macdonald was her first faculty friend when she came to the University.

“Jim was a devoted teacher,” Dr. Bofman said. “He was so bright and so engaging. His students loved him. He was one of the kindest humans I’ve ever known in the world.”

Dr. Bofman shared that Macdonald’s care for people was equally matched by his devotion to protecting and preserving the environment — for people and animals alike.  

“I look out in my garden and it’s filled with flowers Jim gave me,” Dr. Bofman said. “He loved nature and got me started in gardening. My house has had dogs for the last thirty years because Jim shared his love of dogs with me. He taught me so much.”

Macdonald was hailed as a “Northwest Side Hero” by the website Memoir for Me, for his numerous achievements, which included helping to develop a recycling program before the City of Chicago implemented one. He served as a nature steward at Gompers Park for many years, enriching the community with his expertise and love of nature.

During his tenure at Northeastern, Macdonald gave a number of presentations and lectures internally and externally, and served on a number of University committees, including the Honors Faculty Advisory Committee and the Environmental Working Group, and was a Department Representative for the Academic Affairs Committee. He held several professional memberships, including the American Association of Physical Anthropology, American Federation of Teachers and the Society for the Study of Human Biology. He was a specialist in physical and forensic anthropology, as well as in the Pacific Islands.

Macdonald’s nephew, Paul Grossberg, attended the honorary street unveiling ceremony with his husband, Dean Ziemke, and their son, Sean Grossberg. He shared that his aunt and uncle complemented each other — in both intellect and kindness — sharing a love of travel, languages and different cultures. He also recalled how Macdonald’s commitment to nature, animals and an ecologically healthy environment led him to organize and train teams to improve Gompers Park, the wetlands and the Chicago River.

“Jim was a smart, kind, caring and generous friend with a great sense of humor and an infectious laugh,” Paul said. “If you knew Jim and you needed help, he’d be there for you. He was a true humanist and really did help make the world a better place. We in Jim’s family are so grateful to everyone in Jim’s many spheres of influence in Chicago — from his colleagues at Northeastern Illinois University to his many neighborhood friends. We are especially grateful to Jim O’Reilly and Alderman Samantha Nugent for all their hard work to make this street naming honor happen. Thank you!”
 

Paul Grossberg, Dean Ziemke, Sean Grossberg and their dog

Top photo: A composite image of with street signs that read “N Keeler Ave," and “Honorary James 'Jim' Macdonald Way" on the left and a photo of James "Jim" Macdonald holding a photo of himself when he was younger (college portrait) on the right.