From a major announcement to major rankings, here’s your weekly scoop on Northeastern Illinois University.
Around the Commons
Economic Inequality Initiative
Northeastern has been selected as one of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities participating campuses in the Economic Inequality Initiative. Twenty colleges and universities were selected for the initiative—the first joint American Democracy Project and Democracy Commitment national civic action series.
Diversity ranking
Northeastern has been named a top-100 university for graduating students of diverse ethnic backgrounds. The national rankings, published in Diverse - Issues in Higher Education’s annual “Top Degree Producers,” demonstrate that Northeastern is a leader among American universities for the number of bachelor’s and master’s degrees earned by students of diverse ethnic backgrounds.
Welcome to the neighborhood
Dean of Libraries Carlos Melian wrote an open letter to commemorate the opening of the new Chicago Public Library location in Albany Park, just blocks from the University’s main campus.
And there’s more!
- Biology assistant professor Aaron Schirmer and instructor Frederick Prete were part of a team whose research on praying mantises was published in the Journal of Experimental Biology.
- Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Daniel Lopez will attend CPS DREAMer Information Day on Saturday, Oct. 18, to help immigrant students with their college and career planning.
- Kim Tracy, the chief information officer in technology services, wrote an article for CIOReview magazine about the complexities of cloud-based applications.
- President Sharon Hahs’ State of the University speech has been posted online.
In the media
Immigration and Education
How do undocumented students pay for college? RedEye profiled Northeastern’s Zitlalli Roman, who talked about her success at the University. She told RedEye: “I feel like the scholarships and this money would not be here if I had not come out [as undocumented], if I had not told people up front, ‘I am undocumented, but I am worth it, this is why I should get funding, this is why I should get help, and I will not let you down.’ ”
Also in the media ...
- Northeastern’s resident Chicago Clarinet Ensemble appeared on WGN Radio’s “Pretty Late With Patti Vasquez,” and the host later called the ensemble’s appearance a “highlight of the year.”
- RedEye quoted assistant professor of sociology Olivia Perlow in a cover story from the Ferguson October rally in St. Louis to protest police brutality.
- Conrad Worrill, director of the Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies, was quoted in Mary Mitchell's Sun-Times column condemning a vulgar protest at the governors debate.
- Aaron Cortes, senior coordinator at the Center for College Access and Success, was recognized in The Voice of Hispanic Higher Education, a Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities publication, as a member of the 2014 class of the E. Kika De La Garza Fellowship Program.
- The Las Vegas Informer published an op-ed by Justice Studies department chair Cris Toffolo about the Seattle City Council’s decision to celebrate Oct. 13 as Indigenous People’s Day.
- English department chair Tim Libretti contributed a review of “Sixteen Tons” to the newsletter of the Working-Class Studies Association and a column to PoliticusUSA.
- Northeastern’s new El Centro location was reported by a CNN iReport, Curbed and in Open Salon.
To do
Happy reunion!
The Northeastern reunion is here! The theme for this year’s event, scheduled for Oct. 17-18, is “Reimagining Food ... Remembering Your Roots.”
Art and violence
Northeastern will host the 5th International Art in Response to Violence Conference on Oct. 23-24. The two-day conference encourages understanding of the role art plays as a facilitator of transformation and how art and art-making are processes of awakening, educating and healing.
Mark your calendar!
- “bobrauschenbergamerica” ($10), 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18, Stage Center Theatre
- Omega Clarinet Quartet ($25), 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17, Recital Hall
- Clarinet Ensemble Competition (free), 3 p.m. Oct. 18, Auditorium
- Presidential Lecture Series: Will Allen (free), 7 p.m. Oct. 21, Auditorium
- Student Recital (free), 3:05 p.m. Oct. 21, Recital Hall
- Career Fair for part-time, seasonal and full-time employment (free), 10 a.m. Oct. 22, Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies
- Peace and Conflict in Africa with Richard Cornwell (free), 7:05 p.m. Oct. 23, Bernard J. Brommel Hall Room 101
- Disability Awareness Day (free), 10 a.m. Oct. 22, Golden Eagles
- Q&A session with “Sixteen Tons” author Kevin Corley (free), 3 pm. Oct. 23, Student Union Room 003.
- Student Talent Show (free), 7 p.m. Oct. 23, Auditorium
- Presidential Lecture Series: Omar Yamini (free), 11 a.m. Oct. 24, Auditorium
#FollowFriday
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Do you have a story tip? Let the public relations department know!
Dana Navarro, director of public relations, d-navarro@neiu.edu, 773-442-4227
Mike Hines, assistant director of public relations, m-hines@neiu.edu, 773-442-4240
