Tom, '85, and Mary Jane Dee, '85: Bringing Promise to Potential
By Lia Kizilbash Gillet
Thomas “Tom” J. Dee, ’85, and Mary Jane (Daneck) Dee, ’85, support student success through programs like the Huskie Promise. (Photo credit: Mary Jane Dee)
What if the moments that define a person aren’t the big ones at all? What if they are quieter — the kind you only recognize years later?
For Tom Dee, ’85, and Mary Jane (Daneck) Dee, ’85, those moments include choosing a class that opened them up to new concepts, joining a team that welcomed them, and saying yes to a student-leadership opportunity that pushed them to grow.
These were not headline moments during their time at NIU. They were the beginnings — the building blocks of careers, purpose and a lifetime of Huskie spirit. Years later, they became the lens through which Tom and Mary Jane chose where and how to give back.
“We firmly believe that today’s Huskie is tomorrow’s future, and no other school works harder to prepare leaders than NIU,” Tom said. “We are proud to be a part of that by opening the door to meaningful, life-shaping experiences for all students, regardless of their background or the obstacles they face.”
As first-generation college graduates, Tom and Mary Jane know what it feels like to step onto campus with hope, ambition, and eyes open to the opportunities and discoveries that could guide their futures. That’s why they chose to support students through the Huskie Promise, which not only offers scholarships to attend NIU but also strengthens the network of resources that help students thrive.
The Huskie Promise is NIU’s commitment to ensuring every student has the support they need to succeed, regardless of their financial or personal circumstances. It provides financial assistance, academic resources, and holistic support designed to remove barriers and keep students on track toward graduation. At its core, the Huskie Promise is about creating pathways to opportunity and fueling the growth and belonging every student deserves.
“What I love about the Huskie Promise is that it opens doors in so many different ways,” Mary Jane said. “Every student needs something a little different to succeed, and this program makes room for all of them. That’s why we’re proud to support it.”
At the Beginning of Possibility
Tom and Mary Jane arrived at NIU expecting a strong education; what they also found were early chances to step up, fund their room and board, and realize what they were capable of.
“I zeroed in on NIU because of its affordability and prominence of the business school and outstanding accountancy program,” Tom said. “The combination of academics and practical on-campus experience gave me the foundation to build a future career,” he said.
Tom became one of the youngest resident advisors on campus in his sophomore year. The role helped fund his education while accelerating his maturity, discipline and organizational skills. After two years as an RA, he spent his senior year working as a student housing courier.
Mary Jane had her pick of several colleges, but NIU was the clear standout.
“It was hard to refuse attending a top-notch university which was only 30 minutes from home,” she said.
Once she moved into Douglas Hall as a freshman, her ties to her hometown loosened quickly. She loved campus life so much that she rarely went home except for school breaks, even opting to stay for two summer sessions.
Later, becoming a resident advisor in Neptune Hall helped with room and board and brought a life-changing bonus: she met Tom there.
Foundations Built by Everyday Moments
Tom discovered the power of analytics to shape business in his managerial accounting class with Professor David Earl Keys, who had a profound influence on him. Keys’ class also confirmed Tom’s belief that an accounting degree provided the strongest foundation for understanding business, even as he sought a broader impact beyond the discipline.
Meanwhile, Mary Jane’s academic path took an unexpected but defining turn. A required data processing class for her marketing major sparked a genuine interest, inspiring her to add computer science as a second major.
“Computing was an exciting and fairly new career field in 1983, and a rigorous curriculum at NIU by outstanding teachers prepared us well for it,” Mary Jane said. “NIU was really at the cutting edge of the emerging technology for which I am truly grateful.”
Outside of the classroom, Tom and Mary Jane’s experiences were just as formative.
Mary Jane threw herself into Huskie spirit right away, cheering her freshman year and coaching the freshman squad as a sophomore. This was an especially electric time to be on the sidelines during the Huskies’ thrilling win at the 1983 California Bowl. Between cheerleading and an overload of Honors Program coursework, she kept a pace that was demanding but deeply rewarding.
Athletics ran deep for Tom as well. He jumped into intramural flag football, basketball and co‑ed softball, forming friendships with student‑athletes. Their encouragement — and his growing reputation — eventually caught men’s basketball Coach John McDougal’s attention, leading to off‑season scrimmages with the men’s team. He’ll never forget spraining his ankle in an intramural tournament and Coach insisting the trainer treat him so he could help win the championship.
Though work and academics prevented him from pursuing collegiate athletics, those experiences left him with a lasting admiration.
“With our three daughters, we have been to countless football and basketball home and away games, and we contribute to football, golf, basketball, and other team programs,” Tom said. “We were also happy to help establish the Sports Nutrition Performance Center at Huskie Stadium.”
Launched by NIU Experiences
After graduating, Tom earned his CPA and launched his career in public accounting before moving into the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors — a career path spanning more than three decades, including 24 years with Abbott Laboratories. While at Abbott, he earned an executive MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management and later lived abroad in the Netherlands, eventually traveling to more than 50 countries.
“The exposure to less developed and underdeveloped countries was the inspiration to help others less advantaged upon my retirement from the business world,” Tom said. “Two fellow Huskies and I founded Altus Academy, an independent college preparatory primary school based in North Lawndale. Amidst all my professional experiences, this has been my most rewarding venture.”
Mary Jane graduated early, in just three years, and went on to spend nearly a decade contributing to the IT field at Standard Oil (now BP) and Abbott Laboratories. She later shifted her focus to raising their family, first during their memorable period living abroad in the Netherlands and then back in Chicago’s northern suburbs.
Carrying the Huskie Spirit Forward
Tom and Mary Jane continue to feel and fuel Huskie Pride.
“We have witnessed so much wonderful growth at NIU in 45 years and made incredible friends along the way,” Tom said. “Both of us continue to be eager to promote the school and support the students via programs like the Huskie Promise.”
Tom and Mary Jane’s support has also extended to the NIU Alumni Association, the NIU Athletic Association, and the College of Business alumni community, as well as student-athlete mentoring and out-of-state networking events. They are equally proud to have established the Dee Community Impact Through Education (CitE) Scholarship to support Chicago-area students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who have attended a college-preparatory school.
Mary Jane understands the value of an NIU degree and relishes the opportunity to help contribute to the education of future Huskies.
“We want every student to have the chance to prove to themselves, their families, and the world what they are capable of.”
Learn how you can help prepare the next generation of leaders at niuforward.com.