Golden Huskies

Join Your Fellow Golden Huskies At A 50+ Year Reunion

Mark your calendar for Oct. 17-19, and join your fellow Golden Huskies during NIU's 117th Homecoming weekend! For those that don't know, a Golden Huskie is anyone who graduated from NIU at least 50-years ago. Each reunion weekend, we feature those who are celebrating their 50th. This year, we are featuring the class of 1974.
 

If you have any questions about any of the events or the reunion in general, please email alumnievents@niu.edu.

Expand the tabs below for more information about the various aspects of the weekend. 

 

Reunion Weekend Schedule of Events 
(Click bars for more information. Please note events with a
* are reunion-specific events.)

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 Glenn Hollister

Graduation Year: 1973
Email: Ghollist1@gmail.com


My Journey Since NIU:
After graduating went to work as an Assistant Product Manager at a privately held company in Sycamore, IDEAL INDUSTRIES INC. Retired after 41 years with the company in 2015. Held various, Marleting, Sales, Management and General Management positions. Travelled the world for business. As I typically had an NIU hat or shirt on during my off days when traveling, I met so many people who called out "Go Huskies!". Made me proud to be a Huskie! My wife got her Masters in Speech Pathology from NIU, and we have two grown sons, one of whom got his undergraduate degree along with his wife from NIU.

Who I Would Like to See at the Reunion:
Hope to reconnect with some fellow golfers

 Michael Garfield

Graduation Year: 1973
Major: Meteorology
Email: mbgarfield@aol.com


My Journey Since NIU:
Plans to be a TV weatherman ended when I lost a job to Tom Skilling. Found a great career in the EAP industry that shaped my family and lifepath.

My Favorite NIU Memory:
Cheerleading trip to Madison Square Garden for basketball game.

Who I Would Like to See at the Reunion:
I would like to see Dave Dion. I am very close with Lou Schoenburg.

 Gerald Reinert


 Nancy Decho-Laures

Graduation Year: 1974, B.S.
Major: Accountancy
Residence Hall: Lincoln, Alpha Omicron Pi House
Email: ndlaures@yahoo.com


 Michael Korcek

Graduation Year: 1970, B.S.
Major: Journalism
Residence Hall: Gilbert (1966-67) and Lincoln (1967-70) halls
Email: mkorcek@niu.edu


My Journey Since NIU:
Coming to NIU was one of the best decisions of my life.

My Favorite NIU Memory:
Working in Intercollegiate Athletics with great student-athletes, coaches, and administrators.

Who I Would Like to See at the Reunion:
Student-athletes, fellow journalism majors or Northern Star types.

 Robert Zivin

35 years in medical / pharmaceutical research, inventor of FDA approved drug inventor.


 Susan Zanis

Graduation Year: 1974
Major: Art Education
Residence Hall: A house on John Street.
Email: susanzanis@yahoo.com


My Journey Since NIU:
I am very grateful for my experience and wonderful education I received at NIU. I was blessed in using my art education degree right after school. I taught for 5 years, then took a break to have a family of five children who my husband and I decided to homeschool. Of course art was an important subject. Four of our five children attended collage, two graduated with honors and one of those earned her Doctorate in Social work and has has her own business. At present I am a substitute teacher and this is my 16th year. I have two grandchildren who love school as well as excel at it. I hole to spend more time with them and travel hopefully to Hawaii. I have enjoyed several long term art positions at middle and elementary level. I love helping students love learning.

My Favorite NIU Memory:
The art building, weaving and jewelry class.

 Nancy Warchol


 Ted Bacino

I'm 90-years old and I still write a monthly newsletter for banks and credit unions. My novel, The Shakespeare Conspiracy" has been made into a play that's had Off-Broadway and multi-major-city productions.


Formerly executive assistant Secretary of State (Illinois) and vice-president of the United Bank chain.

 Nancy Zingrone

My career started after I obtained my master's at NIU in 1977, specializing in community college education and teaching psychology. My first teaching job was at Northeastern Illiinois University in 1979, got my first teaching/research job in 1982 at a private research foundation in Durham, NC, gained candidacy in history of science at Duke in 1990, a PhD in psychology at University of Edinburgh in Scotland in 2006, spent 10 years at the University of Edinburgh, and 10 years doing research at survey and history of psychology at University of Virginia, ran a small online graduate school (Atlantic University in Virginia Beach) for nearly 3 years. And NIU kicked off this life that I'm still living.


 Thomas Erekson

Graduation Year: 1974, B.S.Ed.
Major: Industrial Education
Residence Hall: Commuted from Aurora, my home town, first 2 years, rented a house in Sycamore the last year.
Email: tl-erekson@wiu.edu


My Journey Since NIU:
Earned my grad degrees at the U of Illnois, started my 45 year career in higher ed at NIU in 1977. I left NIU in 1984 to pursue administrative positions, eventlually serving as a dept chair for 12 years and a college dean for 22 years.

My Favorite NIU Memory:
Homecoming floats sponsored by the Industry & Technology Dept always took 1st place honors.

 Shelley Epstein

Graduation Year: 1974
Major: Journalism
Email: shelleyrepstein@yahoo.com


My Journey Since NIU:
After graduating in 1974 I went to work for the Peoria Journal Star. During a 33 year career I covered government and politics, interviewing mayors, governors and presidents to be. After retiring I worked as a VP/Communications at Bradley University until retiring in 2013.

My Favorite Memory at NIU:
Days and nights at the Star. Learning a profession and making lifelong friends.

Who I Would Like to See at the Reunion:
Rick Rock 74. Scott Stevens 75 and 77. Gary Benson 73. Bob McLeese 73.

 Susan Trump

Graduation Year: 1974, B.S. in Education
Email: superjecki@aol.com


My Journey Since NIU:
Most of my career ended up being at a hospital in Cardiac Rehabilitation. I used my teaching degree to educate patients about diet, exercise and risk factors for heart disease.

My Favorite NIU Memory:
During my junior block for education our professor encouraged us to think outside the box when planning field trips. We went to the South Water Market in Chicago and Starved Rock in January. Both were great experiences.

Who I Would Like to See at the Reunion:
I have stayed in contact with sorority sisters since graduation. It will be nice to spend the Homecoming weekend with them.

 Robert Odelson

Graduation Year: 1972
Major: Philosophy
Residence Hall: Grant South


My Journey Since NIU:
I have had quite the journey through life. Since Philosophy wasn't practical I became a Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist. This enabled me to move to San Diego. CA and become an Administrator, Clinical Systems Engineer and a Project Manager.

My Favorite NIU Memory:
Seeing Elton John in concert at the Field House with my younger brother.

Who I?d Like to See at the Reunion:
Greg Zachwieja. I have not stayed in touch with any classmates.

 Robert Edwards

Graduation Year: 1972; B.S.
Major: Journalism; Speech Minor - TV Production
Residence Hall: Freshman/Sophomore Yr. - Grant South / Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity House (230 Augusta) / Cardinelli Apartments.
Email: robertped@hotmail.com


My Journey Since NIU:
After Graduation I worked for WBBM-TV as a writer/producer, then worked at AT&T's management training center writing and producing audio visual training materials. That's was my Journalism career. Had various career changes after that.

My Favorite NIU Memory:
Shooting photographs of students for University Relations that were then sent to the students home town. Interviewing President Rhoten Smith for a TV Production Speech Class.

Who I Would Like to See at the Reunion:
Would love to see former room-mate Richard Vyborny / 1973 Alumni

 Denise Jacob

Graduation Year: 1974, B.S.
Major: Journalism
Residence Hall: Neptune Hall


My Journey Since NIU:
My degree did prepare me for my career, most of which was spent in advertising. We have two sons and three grandsons. Sorry I didn't take up kayaking sooner.

My Favorite NIU Memory:
Being blown across campus with my art portfolio on the way to class. Also, any time at the pond/lagoon. Also, getting a chance to peek through the telescope and astronomy class.

Who I Would Like to See at the Reunion:
Can't make the reunion, sorry!

 Michael Sawicki

Graduation year: 1973
Major: Marketing
Residence Hall: Douglas
Email: m.sawicki.ga@gmail.com


My journey since NIU: N/A
My favorite NIU memory: N/A
Who I would like to see at the reunion: N/A

 Steve Klein

Graduation Year: 1974, B.A.
Major: Speech Communication-Radio & TV, Journalism-News Broadcasting
Residence Hall: Stevenson South, Apartment on Kimberly on Greek Row
Email: Steve@SteveAKlein.com


My Journey Since NIU:
Moved from Chicago to Hastings NE, south central Nebraska (population 20,000 - a culture shock), then to the middle of Kansas, Salina on the Dallas TX. Been here for46 years.

My Favorite NIU Memory:
Meeting Elton John & George Carlin backstage

Who I Would Like to See at the Reunion:
All of the students from Steven South 8th floor - "Scurge"

 Mark Lamb

Graduation Year: 1973
Major: Journalism/Speech Communications
Residence Hall: Grant North, University Heights, College Square
Email: marklamb@ameritech.net


My Journey Since NIU:
I married by girlfriend from Senior Year. We're coming up on 50 years of wedded bliss. Our two kids are doing well. We have 3 grandchildren who reside in Austin, Texas. I'm still working and plan to never retire.

My Favorite NIU Memory:
Concerts, riots, protests, working my NIU media jobs.

Who I Would Like to See at the Reunion:
Would love to see old Norther and TV-8 News vets. And old Grant North dorm mates.

 Kath Conver

Graduation Year: 1974, B.S.
Major: Journalism-Broadcast Sequence
Email: Kathconver1@att.net


My Journey Since NIU:
I retired from Bradley University as the Senior Director of Public Relations. I currently serve as the President of the Alpha Omicron Pi Foundation.

 Scott Johnson

Graduation Year: 1974
Major: Speech Communications: Radio-TV-Film
Residence Hall: My dorm days were in Grant North, from where I moved to Suburban Estates and later to James Court.
Email: jscottalan@comcast.net


My Journey Since NIU:
After graduation, I anchored and reported for affiliates of ABC, NBC, CBS and PBS, covering historic events like the Butler-Robideau AIM Trial, to documenting the tragedy at Love Canal. Eventually, I left broadcasting and became a 24/7 single dad, somehow finding time to crank out a novel and pursue occasional voiceover work.

My Favorite NIU Memory:
Key moments included a serious session with the college catalog at the end of sophomore year that spun me straight into the world of Radio-TV-Film. This led to auditioning for a TV-8 co-anchor gig and making the cut, another key moment. Great fun along the way.

Who I Would Like to See at the Reunion:
I?m looking forward to seeing anyone who makes it to the reunion. Unfortunately, I?ve fallen out of touch with most of my classmates except for a small handful who won?t be at the reunion.

 Darlene Hutchens


 Dominic Nessi


 Donald Shearer

Graduation Year: 1974, BSN Education General Science
Residence Hall: Gilbert Hall
Email: d23shearer@aol.com


My Journey Since NIU:
I taught two years of high school chemistry and physics after earning my degree in education, but was not prepared for the interference of parents and administration. So I left to purchase and operate a hardware store.

My Favorite NIU Memory:
Learning glass blowing and shooting rockets out of my dorm window.

Who I Would Like to See at the Reunion:
Clyde Leigh.

 Lorraine Johnson