NIU Alumni Association

Notable NIU Alumni

A Peaceful Tradition: A Look Back at America’s Transfers of Presidential Power

In our country’s 245 years, very few presidential transitions have been as turbulent as 2020’s.
Carolyn Kiesner, ’07, Named to Sacramento Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” List

As program and business development manager at Engie Services – North America, Carolyn Kiesner is fulfilling a promise to help positively impact the environment.
Non-Traditional Student Diana Estell, ’07, Makes Fantasy Dream a Reality

Estell's love of fiction writing grew from her anthropological studies.
JobsPLUS Connections Benefit Students and Alumni Volunteers

The program aims to create a new network designed to expand access to opportunity for NIU students by increasing what they know and expanding who they know.
Dave Rich, ’19, Named Advocate Sherman Hospital’s 2020 'Nurse of the Year'

At Advocate Sherman, Rich participated in the hospital’s nursing residency program and took part in an evidence-based practice fellowship.
New Graduate Jake Walker, ’19, Fulfills Dream as Elementary Band Director

Walker says his teaching style is attributed to the outstanding educators who taught him at NIU.
Tom Pomatto, ’76, Finally Earns a World Series Ring

As a pitcher in the Men's Senior Baseball League, Pomatto gets a second chance to be a part of a world-class team.
Ami Patel, ’02, Delivers the “LinkedIn Experience” as Manager of Product Operations

Patel credits NIU with expanding her view of the world and allowing her to identify her strengths.
‘Thousands Strong’ Celebrates Huskie Pride, Raises Over $2 Million for Students

Fourteen challenge and matching gifts were established to encourage giving, led by a $400,000 gift donated by John and Anne Landgraf, which was unlocked when the University reached 2,000 gifts.
David Spoehr, ’02, Gets Creative with Chicago-Based Design Company Monroestar

“Web design and development is constantly changing, so the learning never stops,” Spoehr said.
Cameron Barnes, ’14, ‘Helps the Helpers’ Through Taproot Foundation Work

In Barnes’ role as Senior Manager, Strategic Partnerships, he engages foundations in increasing awareness of and access to pro bono services among their grantees.
Robert Eickhoff, ’78, Honors NIU Veterans Through Scholarship Fund

The Eickhoff Family Veteran Scholarship provides emergency relief, scholarship support and support for living expenses for full-time veteran students seeking an undergraduate or graduate degree.
Emily Vitrano, M.F.A. ’19, Enriches World Through the ‘Art of Theater’

Through her on-stage roles and co-directing The Outer Loop Theater Experience, Vitrano is changing the world one play at a time.
Abigail Shields Rocks as High School Counselor and Bears Drummer

Shields and many other NIU graduates play for the Chicago Bears Drum Line.
Marc Largent Turns Hard Work Into ‘Freaky Fast’ Success

With 13 restaurants in Illinois and Texas, Largent credits NIU for building his leadership skills.
Mike Disa, ’87, Brings Dreams of Animation to Life

Disa has had 25 years of experience in television and film, specializing in animation. He has worked for companies such as Disney, Amblin Entertainment and Warner Bros.
Tim Sleep, M.S.Ed., ’89, Chimes in on His Lifelong Music Career

As Naperville City Carilloneur, Sleep plays the Millennium Carillon's 72 bells and acts as the instrument's spokesperson and as a teacher for interested students at Moser Tower.
William McCoy, ’92, Brings Huskie Ethics to Clemson University

Even at Clemson, McCoy considers myself a Clemson Tiger who bleeds NIU Huskie blood.
Elizabeth Nielsen, ’10, M.S. ’12, Ensures ‘Tiny Voices’ Are Heard

Nielsen takes pride in the fact that she provides a natural learning environment for her clients. With the use of the animals, her sessions are fun, engaging, and language-enriched.
Marisel Vera, ’81, Honors Puerto Rican Culture in The Taste of Sugar

Vera's second novel is a tale of love and endurance set in Puerto Rico on the eve of the Spanish-American War.
Beau Wangtrakuldee, M.S. ’13, Ph.D. ‘15, Creates Line of Women’s PPE

Wangtrakuldee received her M.S. and Ph.D. in chemistry from NIU and, while experimenting in the lab here, she had an accident that changed her life.
When Mike Menefee, ’71, Had Few Options, NIU Changed His Life

Menefee went on to a monumental career as a tenured professor and eventually an entrepreneurial consultant at University of North Carolina and Purdue University.
Joseph Sener, ’93, M.S. ’10, Leads NIUAA Board Into New Age

Sener looks forward to "bridging the gap between new graduates and established professionals" and providing a different level of support for our alumni.
NextWaveSTEM’s Udit Agarwal, ‘13, Brings Hands-On Learning to Children

The educational company now offers courses in robotics, drone coding, artificial intelligence and 3-D printing at K-12 schools throughout Illinois and beyond.
Kevin Strom, ’92, Takes Communications to Another Level

As the owner of several cutting-edge multilingual apps and a director at Intellivision Entertainment, Strom uses the communications skills he learned at NIU every day.
Sankat Patel, ’00, Appointed Vice President of NIUAA Board

As national director of treasury management sales for Fifth Third Bank, Patel credits diversity and collaboration on campus with preparing him for the business world.
Academic Advisor Karla Vilchez-Neal, Ed. D. ’17, Joins the NIUAA Board

Vilchez-Neal hopes to share her students’ experiences with her fellow board members, working to improve the alumni association and the University however she can.
John Norton,’03, Developing Therapeutic for COVID-19

Norton hopes the drug will treat severe COVID-19 patients, preventing organ failure and the need for ventilators.
Wells Fargo Advisors' Paul Green, ’81, Joins NIUAA’s Board of Directors

Green believes Huskies don’t expect good things to just come their way. They understand that hard work and effort are required to make great things happen, he says.
Lisa Katzenberger, ’96, Finds Success as Children’s Author

Katzenberger's National Regular Average Ordinary Day landed on the Today Show’s list of “25 books your children and teens won’t be able to put down this summer."
Chad Fitz, B.S. ’01, M.A.S. ’02, of Cherry Hill Programs Joins NIUAA Board

A strategy-minded collaborator at heart, Fitz looks forward to helping NIU students through advocating for the University in Springfield and bringing more NIUAA events to Chicago.
Lifetime Educator Mark Pienkos, '72, M.S.Ed. '74, Joins NIUAA Board

For 45 years, dedicated himself to education. Pienkos served as a teacher, school counselor, associate principal, principal, and school superintendent in Wisconsin.
Robert English, Ed.D.’74 Receives 2020 Distinguished Alumnus Award

English’s financial consulting company, PMA Financial Network, created automated financial analysis tools that helped schools and districts in 10 states. Today, finance officials continue to utilize and benefit from English’s ground-breaking processes
Kweli Kwaza, ’87, Receives F.R. Geigle Service Award for Inner-City Youth Outreach

Kweli Kwaza’s goal is simple—to push Chicago’s inner-city youth beyond their imaginations. Kwaza, ’87, is the founder and executive director of the Talented 10th college prep and career mentoring organization in Chicago.
Gavin Engel, ’97, Gives Back in All Aspects of His Life

In his roles as a counselor at West Chicago Community High School and a mental health therapist for a private practice, Gavin Engel, ’97, knows the value of human connection and community service. Throughout his life, he has strived to be a positive inf
Morgan Kolkmeyer, ’13, Named NIU’s Outstanding Young Alumna in 2020

Kolkmeyer is well-known as a weather anchor for the WGN Morning News in Chicago. At age 28, she has broken into the nation’s third-largest media market in only a few years, accomplishing what many meteorologists never do in a lifetime.
Kymberly Messersmith, ’88, Recognized for Achievement in Public Service

As managing director of government affairs at KPMG LLP, Ms. Messersmith has had an impressive career in governmental affairs, spanning from nonprofit companies to large corporate entities.
Jill Krueger, ’81, Receives Alumni Achievement in Business and Industry Award

In her 25 years as CEO of Symbria, Inc., Krueger has driven revenue at Symbria from $300,000 to $150 million, grew the company’s employee base to nearly 2,000, and spurred innovation.
Michael L. Vazquez, ’80, Awarded Alumni Achievement in the Sciences Recognition

As senior vice president, head of chemistry and a co-founder of Lynk Pharmaceuticals, the work Vazquez is doing has a direct impact on patients suffering from autoimmune diseases and cancer.
Musician Marquis Hill, ’09, Recognized for Alumni Achievement in the Arts

An experienced trumpeter and music teacher, Hill has performed alongside today’s top artists in jazz festivals and competitions and has been honored with many prestigious awards and scholarships.
For Matthew Angela, ’84, NIU Means Connection and Community

A champion NIUAA social media ambassador, a regular alumni volunteer and event attendee, Angela says his NIU circle has only widened over the last three decades, with the NIUAA's help.
Alumni Volunteerism is Music to Marty Johnstone’s Ears

Johnstone's love for NIU is apparent in his attendance at alumni events, his volunteer role as president of the NIU Huskie Marching Band Alumni Council, and his stepping up as one of the youngest members of the Alumni Association’s Board of Directors.
Foreign Language Residence Program Brings Language and Culture to Students

FLRP is a language-immersion special interest community for students who may not be able to afford studying abroad quite yet but want to experience immersion in a world language.
Pat Gostele, ’06, Is in a League of His Own

As an editor and videographer for the Chicago Cubs video team, Gostele is an official documentarian for the famed ball club.
Dean DuCray, ’64, M.A.S. ’69, Receives Honorary Doctorate from College of Business

DuCray was a poor, first-generation underdog when he came to NIU, but he went on to huge success in the business world.
Chicago radio’s Mary Dixon, ’87, is big news

“Putting together solid, creative newscasts is like doing a puzzle—and then you bust it up and start all over again in 20 minutes."
Actress Joan Allen Reflects on Her Huskie Work Ethic

After four decades of stage and screen acting, Allen has not forgotten what she learned from NIU theater classes.
Rachel Stuehm, Au.D. ’19, Advocates for Audiology Patients on Capitol Hill

Stuehm, along with dozens of other audiologists, has advocated for the Medicare Audiologist Access and Services Act in Washington, D.C.
From NIU to HBO, Matt Walsh, ’87, Makes It Up as He Goes Along

Getting his start at NIU, Walsh has gone on to star in, write, produce and direct dozens of stage, TV and film projects.
For Automation Expert James Mortell, ’15, the Future is Now

James Mortell, ’15, works amongst robots, but it does not faze him. As a product engineer for Omron, an electronics company based in Kyoto, Japan, it is all in a day’s work.
Christopher Hennessy, ’91, Goes the Distance to Serve Others

Hennessy helps others as a partner at Cozen O'Connor and as president of the board of CARA.
Kateri Gullifor, M.S. ’11, Named Teacher of the Year for Excellence in Braille Instruction

Illinois teacher Kateri Gullifor, M.S. ’11, was named 2019 Teacher of the Year by Braille Institute for her work with the Huntley Community School District 158 in Algonquin, Illinois, since 2013.
Journalist, Political Insider and Legal Reformer, Ed Murnane, ’66, Got His Start at NIU

Beginning as a journalist, venturing into the world of American politics, and finally serving as an advocate for legal reform through the Illinois Civil Justice League, Ed Murnane, ’66, has been a witness to the best and worst humanity has to offer.
Alpha Phi Omega Alumni Are a Bunch of Happy Campers

What started in 1975 as a simple weekend campout in Watersmeet, Michigan, for 14 NIU alumni, eventually turned into a meaningful 45-year tradition.
NIU ‘Flunkies’ Organization Remembered At 65th Anniversary

For a stretch of two decades on the Northern Illinois campus in the '50s, ‘60s, and ’70s, the Flunkies’ independent organization for male college students was known for its members’ athleticism and goofy antics.
Dr. Sherry Reynolds Whitaker, Ed. D. ’16, Serves Community, Advocates for Education

“I learned that, no matter your past, you can do the work now. You just have to apply yourself and believe," says Whitaker, CSBO of School District 189 in East St. Louis, Illinois.
David Poitras, ’85, and Rick Wholey, ’83, Invest in Their Clients

It’s not common to find an advisory team that invests their personal capital in exactly the same way as they invest their clients’ capital. Poitras and Wholey's needs are completely aligned with that of their clients.
U.S. Army Africa Provost Marshal Craig Giancaterino, ’03, Reflects on His Career

"It’s been challenging—physically and mentally—but it’s something I would do again," Giancaterino said.
Cherilyn Murer, ’78, ‘Paved Her Own Roads In Order to Cross Them’

As the founder, president and CEO of CGM Advisory Group LLC, Murer made lasting contributions to society while cracking plenty of ceilings for women during her 40-year career.
Three Decades, Two Friends, One NIU Community

Two alumnae use 35 years of friendship and experience to help Northern students.
Five Questions with James Egerton, ’76, of Business on the Board®

NIU alumni James Egerton has created an entire business philosophy based on the strategies behind excellent chess play.
Melissa Blake, ’05, Makes Kindness and Courage Go Viral

Blake, who was born with Freeman-Sheldon Syndrome, a rare genetic bone and muscular disorder, was criticized by strangers on the internet for her appearance. She stood up to online trolls and won the admiration of thousands in the process.
Alumni Volunteers Show Students That “First Impressions Count”

When the NIU Alumni Association partnered with the Jobs PLUS program and the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce to bring students the First Impressions Count workshop on campus back in Fall 2018, there was no way to know what a success it would become. Now, a ye
Paul Lencioni, ’99, Brings Customers Quality with Blue Goose Market

After earning an accounting degree in 1999, Paul Lencioni decided to create his own path.
With Roles on “The Middle” and “General Hospital,” Jen Ray, ’92, is a Star

NIU alumna Ray says she wanted to be an actor since she was small child. Now, as she steps into a new role on "General Hospital," she reflects on her journey to stardom.
NIU Team Climbs Mt. Kilimanjaro for a Great Cause

The best view comes after the hardest climb. This bit of wisdom applies to the group of nine Northern Illinois University (NIU) staff members and alumni who made it to Mount Kilimanjaro’s 19,341-foot summit together in June.
Sebastian Maniscalco is Up for the Challenge

After more than 20 years in Hollywood, Maniscalco has been having a banner year, with a new comedy special on Netflix, acting roles in several big-name movies, and a hosting gig at MTV’s Video Music Awards on Aug. 26.
Huskie Dan Calkins Rises to Helm at Benjamin Moore & Co.

NIU played a formative role in Dan Calkins’ career success at Benjamin Moore & Co. His rise through the ranks culminated in January 2019, when he was tapped to be the Montvale, New Jersey-based company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
David Gomel, President of Rosecrance, Inc., is on a Mission

When David Gomel was lucky enough to land an “in training” role with Rosecrance’s behavioral health services in Rockford, Illinois, while finishing his B.A. in Psychology at NIU in 1993, he thought it would be a filler job before starting a career.
Danielle Harris, ’13, Selected as a Fellow to the 2019 NELC Academy

Danielle Harris, ’13, has always had a penchant for overachieving, but even she is surprised by the strides she’s made in the world of employment law in the last few years.
NIU Alumnus named Director of National Tsunami Warning Center

Gridley built a career by thinking big for entities like Amoco Corp., Halliburton, the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Industrial Research and Development Information System (IRIS), and the Office of Naval Intelligence. In December, Gridley was app
NIU Alumnus Uses Event Planning Expertise for Good

After two decades in business for himself, Dick Barton, who received his B.S. in Journalism from NIU in 1968, has reinvented himself a number of times. Since his first editing job as a reporter for the Daily Herald in west suburban Chicago. Barton has gon
Speech Pathologist Pushes Animal Communication Boundaries With Case Study

When Christina Hunger earned her Master of Arts in speech-language pathology from NIU in 2017, she knew she wanted to help young children with speech challenges, which she now does as a Pediatric Speech Pathologist for Early Intervention in San Diego. It
Baseball Dreams Realized With NIU Degree

Ned Colletti, ’76, never would have dreamed that he would spend one season in Major League Baseball, let alone nearly 40 years.
Service With a Smile

Michael Pattrick, '90, M.S.Ed. '94, is this year's NIU's F.R. Geigle Service Award winner.
Jack of All Trades

Carmen Rossi never imagined himself as anything other than a lawyer.
Fulfilling and Fortifying Her Dream and Love of Art

Arlene Turner-Crawford has spent the past four decades as an advocate for social justice, civil rights, community involvement and cultural heritage through her career as an artist and educator.
Family Focus Forges Flexible Career Path for O'Malley and Others

Erica O’Malley credits her career success to employers’ willingness to let her put her family first.
NIU Degree Impacts Keith Liden, M.S. '79, Both Professionally and Personally

Keith Liden, M.S. ’79, credits his NIU education with giving him the agility to excel in a variety of fields.
Raising Her Family and Food Allergy Awareness

Denise Bunning has demonstrated outstanding achievements in promoting food allergy awareness and research on local, state and national levels, including co-founding a not-for-profit support organization MOCHA (Mothers of Children Having Allergies).
How Do You Like Them Apples?

Twin brothers Trevor and Nolan O'Malley have created the blog CiderScene so lovers of hard cider can discover favorites and brew producers can grow in this expanding market.
Breaking Into the Entertainment Industry

As a teenager, William "Dre" Buchanan was falling under the influence of Chicago gangs. But now he works in the music and movie business and raises funds for Chicago school children.
Saving an Endangered Species

Unlike most researchers, Cora Dyslin works in the dark, but she is bringing important research to light about an endangered species.
Finding Purpose

The care and compassion that Spring Piatek experienced as a sick child led her on a path to a career in health care.
Protecting Our Borders

Three alumni are preventing crime and protecting America in different ways as staff of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Walking the Past

Award-winning writer Julia Tagliere shares her story about coming back to campus with her husband and children and reuniting with "ghosts" in Douglas Hall.
Welcome to Dudeland, a Shrine to NIU

Nicknamed ‘The Dude,’ David LaCerra has built a man cave that represents his love for NIU while recording historic glory.
Mark Schwendau: A Technology Wizard and History Buff

Mark Schwendau is a technology guru on the job. But off the clock, he cruises on his motorcycle to find remnants of Illinois stagecoach trails.
The Man Behind the Scenes for PBS and CBS

Marc Shaykin, '89, has worked for virtually every TV station in Chicago as a director and has put in long hours to get there.
Recent Grad Helps Unite Children With Families

A master's degree in public administration led Amy Mason to become a volunteer for the Gift of Adoption to find homes for children.
Alumnus Devotes His Life to Protecting Public Health

David Banaszynski is a standout alumnus who is improving public health in his community and the state.
Taste of Chicago to Feature Alumnus Lester Rey

Up-and-coming contemporary Latin music artist Lester Rey performs at the Taste of Chicago this Thursday, July 12.
Lauren Scott Lives the Dream as Co-Host of Popular Show

Lauren Scott began a lifestyle show at Northern based on her dream job. Five years later, her dream has come true as she co-hosts "Chicago's Best."
Healing Through Yoga

Brianne Spans, '07, talks about why yoga has the potential to transform lives.
Teller: A Leader in Business and Industry

Harlan Teller revamped the university's approach to branding, which led to the first increase in freshman admissions in nearly a decade. He is this year's recipient of the Alumni Achievement in Business and Industry Award.
McCluskey Honored for Alumni Achievement in Public Service

James McCluskey of Momkus McCluskey LLC is rated as a top lawyer in the state and is president-elect of the Illinois State Bar Association.
Waldeland: A Game Changer and Philanthropist

Lynne Waldeland, an NIU professor emeritus and former interim executive VP and provost, is honored with the F.R. Geigle Service Award for outstanding service and commitment to the university.
Joe Minoso Credits NIU for Fine-Tuning His Acting Skills

The "Chicago Fire" star says he was a lost actor until he came to Northern.
Marilyn Stromborg: A Force of Change

Marilyn Stromborg receives the 2018 Alumni Achievement in the Sciences Award for changing lives as a nurse, a professor and chair of the School of Nursing, an author, an assistant state's attorney and a drug court coordinator.
Michael DeGiorgio and Erek Benz

Michael DeGiorgio and Erek Benz have grown Commercial Real Estate Exchange Inc. into an online multimillion-dollar business.
Ned Colletti

Senior adviser to the president, Los Angeles Dodgers
Allan Cox

We caught up with NIU Foundation Board member, Bill Taylor this past summer to get his thoughts on what makes an NIU education so powerful. He told us about...
Alex Cummings

Chairman, Coca-Cola Africa Foundation
Jim Wong

Founder and CEO, Brilliant
Kurt Sutter

Screenwriter, director, producer and actor
Paul Kahan

Influential Chef, Restauranteur
Hon. Melissa M. Olivero

Administrative Law Judge, National Labor Relations Board, Division of Judges
Amy King

President, DeVry University Addison Metro campuses
Anies Baswedan

Minister of Culture and Primary & Secondary Education, Indonesia
Jaymie Simmon

Award-Winning Novelist
Thomas R. Karl

Director, NOAA’s National Climate Data Center and Climate Services Lead
Larry E. English Jr.

Former NFL Linebacker; Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board, The Larry English L.E.A.D. Foundation
Joan Allen

Three-time Academy Award nominated actress