David & Diane Graf Rockford Endowed Scholarship

Through the generosity of the alumni of the College of Business and David and Diane Graf, the business leaders of tomorrow are getting a financial boost to assure their educational success.

Under NIU Rockford Club's direction, scholarships have been awarded since 2005 to incoming freshmen and transfer students who are residents of the greater Rockford area (Boone, Winnebago, Ogle and Stephenson counties).

David & Diane Graf

Dr. David and Dr. Diane Graf, in partnership with the NIU Rockford Club, support the programs and interests of NIU and the College of Business. The purpose of the NIU Rockford Club is to enhance the image of and support NIU and the College of Business in the Rockford area, while providing mutually beneficial networking opportunities for members. Under the NIU Rockford Club’s direction, scholarships have been awarded since 2005.
 

David Graf earned his B.S. degree from the University of Wisconsin Whitewater in 1964. Subsequently, he attended the University of North Dakota, where he received an M.S. degree in 1970 and a Ph.D. in 1975. He joined the faculty of the Department of Business Education and Administrative Services at Northern Illinois University in 1976 as an assistant professor and was appointed chair of the same department in 1982. In 1986, he served as chair of the Department of Operations Management and Information Systems until his appointment as associate dean of the College of Business in 1993. After serving one year as acting dean of the college, he was appointed dean of the College of Business and served in that capacity from 1994 until his retirement in 2005.
 

Diane Graf attended Northern Michigan University, where she earned a B.S. in business education in 1969 and an M.S. in 1970. Subsequently, she earned an Ed.D. from Northern Illinois University in 1990. During her caree, she taught at St. Xavier University and Waubonsee Community College. She also served as an instructor in the Department of Business Education and Administrative Services and as a visiting assistant professor in the Department of Operations Management and Information Systems at NIU.

Freshman Scholarship Criteria

• Meets NIU admissions criteria and will attend NIU full time

• Is a resident of the greater Rockford area (Boone, Winnebago, Ogle and Stephenson counties)

• Achieved an ACT score of 22 or higher

• Achieved a 3.0 GPA (out of 4.0) or higher in high school per current transcript

• Demonstrates proven leadership ability through extracurricular activities (school-related and/or service)

Transfer Scholarship Criteria

• Meets NIU admissions criteria and will  attend NIU College of Business full time
• Is a resident of the greater Rockford area (Boone, Winnebago, Ogle and Stephenson counties)
• Achieved a 3.0 GPA (out of 4.0) or higher through fall semester of the application academic year