The Grammys weren’t the only awards announced this week—check out what’s going on at Northeastern Illinois University! We’ve got more about accolades, a look ahead to NEIUGround gardening season and next week’s visit by some special guests from Poland.
Around the Commons
Black Heritage Awards
Several members the Northeastern Illinois University community will be honored during the 13th Annual Black Heritage Awards Ceremony on Feb. 20. “We hear so much about the work to be done in order to promote African-American success, and we are doing that work,” African and African American Resource Center Director Kim Everett said. “On this night, we pause to celebrate the many people doing great things for and with African-Americans at Northeastern.”
A distinguished woman
Educational Leadership and Development Professor Ana Gil-Garcia will be honored April 7 as one of La Raza newspaper’s Mujeres Destacadas (Distinguished Women) in the education category. Gil-Garcia is currently teaching at Prince Mohammad bin Fahd University in Khobar, Saudi Arabia.
A new LGBTQA Resource Center director
If you really want to get to know Stephen Loveless, the new director of the LGBTQA Resource Center, ask them why they’re here. That story begins in Florida, where Loveless was outed to their parents when they were a freshman at the University of West Florida. Loveless’ parents cut them off. Loveless finished that semester of school, then dropped out with no family support. You’ll have to read the story to find out how Loveless ended up at Northeastern.
Get in the garden
Registration opens at 8 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 16, for $75 plots in Northeastern’s community garden, NEIUGround, for the 2015 growing season. (Students may use the case-sensitive promo code “2015NEIUStudenT” for a $25 discount.) The community garden is a part of Reimagining Food, a joint initiative of the College of Arts and Sciences and the Division of Student Affairs. Registration will run through Feb. 27.
And there’s more!
- African-American Recruitment Coordinator Alice Pennamon will be recognized Feb. 21 at the Black Legends Scholarship Luncheon in Chicago.
- Kim Tracy, Northeastern's chief information officer in Technology Services, will participate in a Stanford Authors’ Panel Discussion on Feb. 14 in Winnetka.
In the media
More accolades for El Centro
Modern Luxury Interiors Chicago named JGMA the best architecture firm of 2014, citing El Centro as a prime example of the firm’s work. “We believe JGMA has the ability to catapult our city’s reputation from a destination for traditional building design to one of progressive, modern forms as well,” the magazine raved.
Also in the media ...
- Medill News Service quoted Justice Studies Instructor Edward Voci in a story about Chicago’s recently released Problem Landlords List.
- eNews Park Forest mentioned the Center for College Access and Success and its participation in the second annual Destination: Chicago—Winter Break event featuring activity stations and pop-up workshops in engineering, architecture, computer science and more.
- The Detroit Free Press republished a story from last week first published by RedEye that quoted Education Professor Sara Schwarzbaum about the effects of alcohol abuse on relationships.
- The Chicago Reader previewed a Feb. 14 concert that will include a performance by Music and Dance Instructor Jeffrey Kowalkowski.
- Economics Department Coordinator Mike Wenz was quoted in an Examiner column about the January federal jobs report.
To do
Meet our guests from Warsaw
Edward Halizak, director of the Institute of International Relations at the University of Warsaw in Poland, will present a lecture on Monday, Feb. 16, titled “The Ukrainian-Russian War: Realist, Liberal and Constructivist Perspectives.” The lecture is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. in Student Union 216. Halizak will be joined by Jakub Zajaczkowski, deputy director of the Institute of International Relations, and Aleksandra Jarczewska, coordinator of the institute’s partnership with Northeastern. After the lecture, students will have an opportunity to learn about studying in Warsaw.
Diversity Week
The Office of Student Leadership Development invites all students to celebrate the rich diversity of the University with Diversity Week 2015, a weeklong series of events beginning Monday, Feb. 16. Get the full schedule of events here.
Mark your calendar!
- Richard D. Benson II discussion and book signing (free), 5:30 p.m. Feb. 13, Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies
- Jazz Clinic and Performance: Luis Bonilla’s Four Swingin’ Bones (free), master class 4 p.m., rhythm section workshop 5:30 p.m., performance 6:45 p.m., Q&A 7:45 p.m. Feb. 13, Recital Hall
- 10th Annual Jacob H. Carruthers Conference (free), 8:30 a.m. Feb. 14, Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies
- Giordano Dance Chicago ($15/$20 general admission; free for students, staff and faculty), 7 p.m. Feb. 17, Auditorium
- Computer Science Society HackerRank challenge (free), 3 p.m. Feb. 17, LWH 2054
- “Las Analfabetas” film screening (free), 6:10 p.m. Feb. 18, El Centro Room 201
- NEIU Orchestra (free), 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19, Auditorium
- EmpowHERment Group (free), 3 p.m. Feb. 19, Pedroso Center
- “Gregor and the Squonk” ($10), 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 19-21 and Feb. 26-28; 2 p.m. on Feb. 28, Stage Center Theatre
- Jewel Box Series: Trio Voronezh ($15/$25), 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20, Recital Hall
- Nancy Lu Rosenheim: “Driftless: Can't See the Forest for the Trees” art reception (free), 6-9 p.m. Feb. 20, Fine Arts Gallery
#FollowFriday
Be my Golden Eagle
Calling all alumni! Did you pair up while attending Northeastern? Valentine’s Day is coming, and the Alumni Association wants to hear about it. Check out the stories and photos that already have been shared on Facebook and add your own!
Do you have a story tip? Let the public relations office know!
Mike Hines, director of public relations, m-hines@neiu.edu, (773) 442-4240
