A Commitment That Runs Deep: Linda Grandolfo, '73, M.S.Ed. '77
By Lia Kizilbash Gillet
Linda Grandolfo, '73, M.S.Ed. '77, is deeply committed to NIU and supporting education. (Photo: Linda Grandolfo)
Philanthropic engagement and support for education are crucial to long-time educator Linda Grandolfo, ’73, M.S.Ed. ’77. Anyone looking at her volunteer resume can quickly see the depth of her commitment—it stretches five pages!
Attending NIU on a full-ride scholarship and grant, Grandolfo earned a bachelor’s degree specializing in deaf education. In 1977, she returned to earn a master’s degree in counseling.
“I owe a great deal to NIU,” she said. “The education and financial support I received from NIU motivated me to pursue a graduate degree. It provided me with a 41-year career in deaf education, for which I will always be grateful. I personally feel that it is very important to give back both with time and financially.”
A few years ago, Grandolfo brought these passions to her alma mater as an engaged volunteer and stand-out supporter of the College of Education.
She began volunteering with the Greek Alumni Council and then joined the Golden Huskie planning committee for the 50-year reunion in 2023. What was supposed to be a single-year project expanded to two years, and Grandolfo helped plan the reunion event in 2024 as well.
“The Golden Huskie Homecoming activities brought alumni back to campus for the first time in many years,” she said. “I enjoy planning events and creating new friendships in the process.”
Most recently, Grandolfo has been involved in the new Golden Huskie Alumni Network, which was formed to plan events throughout the year and create interest amongst the Golden Huskie community. She is also involved with the NIU Center for Greek Life fundraising committee.
“NIU in the 1970s was a vibrant campus with a very engaged and involved Greek community,” Grandolfo said. “As a member of Alpha Omicron Pi, I was involved in a variety of campus activities and created lifelong friendships. I have a group of AOII sisters that still get together regularly and have for over 50 years.”
Grandolfo said the Greek Life fundraising committee’s goal is to work with Greek alumni to fund the new Center for Greek Life and to engage with them to support the revival of Greek Life at NIU.
Raised with a strong philanthropic spirit she carries forward, Grandolfo says she made a five-year financial commitment to Project Graduate. She also strongly advocates for the Golden Huskie scholarship and the Center for Greek Life. She encourages all alumni to return to campus for events and to support the programs and initiatives close to their hearts.
After completing her career as an educator in 2014, Grandolfo began working as a part-time family therapist at Warren Youth and Family Services in Gurnee, Illinois, where she still works. She remains highly involved as an alumna member of Alpha Omicron Pi (AOII), holding countless positions over the years, including her current position as president of her local alumni chapter. She is also a long-term volunteer with the Arthritis Foundation.
Despite her varying commitments, she understands NIU needs alumni support to continue to provide experiences for alumni and current students and is grateful for the opportunity to help.
“It is truly my honor to volunteer for NIU,” Grandolfo said. “I hope others will connect with NIU via email or social media, attend an event, or volunteer to meet new friends, have fun and experience firsthand how much NIU values their volunteers!”
NIU alumni volunteer their time in meaningful ways. Want to brainstorm ways you can get involved? Contact Liz McKee, M.S.Ed. '14, at lmckee1@niu.edu or 815-753-7400.