For Kris, ’01, M.S.Ed, ’06, and Becky, ’00, Cassie, NIU is more than the place where they earned their degrees. It is where their lives came together, where their careers began to take shape and where they built the foundation for a future grounded in service, family and community.
 

The couple honors that foundation through the creation of the Kris and Becky Cassie Legacy Scholarship, which supports students pursuing studies in teaching, science, music and mathematics.

"It feels like a natural continuation of what NIU gave us," Becky said. "This scholarship is our way of honoring the opportunities we were given and helps others step confidently into their own future."

Kris, a Chicago-area native who grew up in Mount Prospect, arrived at NIU with a passion for education and a desire to make a difference in young people's lives. Becky, whose childhood took her from Colorado to Florida before settling in Illinois, came to NIU after earning her associate degree at Rock Valley College and pursuing her interest in journalism and sociology.

At NIU, their individual paths converged.
 

NIU’s strong academic programs initially drew them to DeKalb, but it was the campus community and the opportunities they found there that left a lasting impression. The couple relied on family support and their own hard work, balancing academics with jobs and other responsibilities.

"That combination of family support, hard work and opportunity shaped our experience and is a big part of why we believe so strongly in giving back,” Becky said.

For Kris, NIU's College of Education transformed classroom learning into a calling. Teaching practicums allowed him to see firsthand the impact educators can have on students, while faculty mentors such as Connie Fox, Jenny Parker and Clersida and Luis Garcia modeled a passion for education that still influences him more than two decades later.

"I am about to begin my 26th year in education and I carry that passion for helping children succeed," Kris said. "I honor those professors each day that I do my job."

Kris built a career defined by service for 25 years as a teacher and coach in the Sandwich School District, 21 of those years as a football coach, including seven as the head football coach at Sandwich High School. He has worked as a wrestling coach at multiple age levels. His work in athletics and in the classroom has impacted countless students, reflecting a belief that every young person deserves someone who believes in them.

That philosophy was shaped not only by his NIU professors but also by influential mentors, including National Wrestling Hall of Fame coach and NIU alumnus Lon Gerrish, ’82, and former Sandwich High School principal Gil Morrison. To Kris, they reinforced lessons about leadership, integrity and investing in others.

"Lon’s example showed me what it meant to lead with integrity, to invest deeply in athletes and to build programs rooted in character as much as competition; Lon didn’t just teach me how to coach—he taught me how to lead," Kris said. "Gil’s mentorship helped me understand the broader impact of school culture, collaboration and student-centered decision-making. His guidance shaped my approach to teamwork, communication and the responsibility educators carry in shaping young lives."

For Becky, NIU nurtured a different set of talents while arriving at many of the same values. As a journalism major and sociology minor, she found inspiration in storytelling and community engagement. Some of her favorite memories come from long hours spent in the photo lab, where she learned alongside fellow students and under the guidance of photojournalism professor Russell Elder.

"He encouraged curiosity, creativity and pride in your craft," she recalled. "Through his classes and the time I spent working for him, I realized that your profession becomes a meaningful part of who you are."

Those lessons carried through a diverse professional journey that included community journalism, graphic design, healthcare communications, executive leadership and organizational operations - with a current role as senior administrator at Blue Peak Tents in Batavia. Along the way, Becky also experienced one of the most defining moments of her life when she stepped away from her career to care for and homeschool their daughter during a serious illness. The experience reinforced her commitment to family, resilience and service--values that continue to influence her leadership today.

While their careers followed different paths, the Cassies share a common thread: a commitment to helping others succeed.

That commitment inspired them to establish the Kris and Becky Cassie Legacy Scholarship, a gift designed to help future NIU students pursue their educational dreams and create lasting impact in their own communities. The scholarship reflects both their personal experiences and their belief that education has the power to transform lives. 

"Supporting students in these fields allows us to invest in areas that strengthen communities and open doors for future generations," Becky said.

The scholarship is also a reflection of gratitude. The couple credits NIU with helping them discover not only their professional direction but also who they wanted to become as individuals. They describe NIU as a place rooted in hard work, inclusivity and real-world preparation, one that empowers students from all backgrounds to define success on their own terms.

More than two decades after meeting on campus and marrying in December 2000, the Cassies continue to build on the lessons they learned at NIU. Together with their three children, Alyssa, Ash and Jake, they created a family culture centered on education, service and giving back.

Their hope is that the scholarship will create opportunities for future generations in the same way opportunities were created for them.

For the Cassies, philanthropy is not simply about financial support, it is about investing in people.

"The power of philanthropy lies in its ability to open doors," Becky said. "Many of us succeeded because someone invested in us through guidance, encouragement or financial support. Giving back is how we honor that."

Their gift ensures that future Huskies will have access to those same opportunities, creating a legacy that extends far beyond a single scholarship. Through their generosity, the Cassies are helping students pursue their ambitions, strengthen their communities and write the next chapter of the NIU story.

And that, they believe, is the true power of giving back.

For more information on being a philanthropic Huskie, click here!