
NIU Alumni Volunteers
We are proud of our Huskies and enjoy seeing your successes after graduating from NIU. We especially appreciate those who look back to NIU and volunteer to offer their support to the next generation of Huskies. Many alumni connect on-campus, off-campus or online to support students and share NIU’s impact with their networks. Read their stories and learn more about how our Huskies are donating their time back to their alma mater.
Interested in volunteering with NIU? Check out NIU Nexus, our alumni volunteer community!
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Marty Johnstone Felt Something Was Missing, So He Started Giving Back to NIU
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.
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Retired RN Karen Guy, ’68, Thanks NIU by Mentoring Future Nurses
As a first-generation student at NIU, Karen Guy, ’68, like so many others, got her start in nursing at NIU. Now, after retiring from nursing and nursing education, Guy mentors future nurses on campus.
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NIUAA Board President Peter Garrity Calls Campus Experiences Transformative
As the NIUAA Board president and a regular volunteer on campus, Peter Garrity, '71, M.B.A. '76, says his campus experiences continue to enlighten his perspective on the world.
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Volunteering Offers Marcie Rogers, ’69, M.S.Ed. ’79, “New Dimension to Retirement””
After a 34-year career as a high school English teacher, Marcie Rogers, ’69, M.S.Ed. '79, is enjoying unforeseen opportunities and adventures through her volunteer work and travel with the NIU Alumni Association (NIUAA).
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Dave Templin, ’89, Credits Accounting Faculty for Teaching Him to “Care for People”
First-generation student Dave Templin, ’89, discusses how NIU prepared him for a long, successful career in accounting while instilling in him the importance of people over numbers.
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Sherry Reynolds-Whitaker Says “Doors Opened for Her” Because of NIU Education
Sherry Reynolds-Whitaker, M.B.A. ’09, MS.Ed. ’13, Ed.D. ’16, was a non-traditional and first-generation student during her time at NIU. Now, as CFO and chief school business official, she knows how to make the most of school resources.
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Dan Chamberlain, ’92, Learned Valuable Life Lessons at NIU
From first-generation student at NIU to Marketing Lead at Capgemini, Dan Chamberlain used his time on the NIU campus as the basis for his career.
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Illinois Human Rights Commissioner Steven Andersson Reflects on NIU’s Many Gifts
After a successful career as an attorney, a member of the Illinois House of Representatives, and now the Human Rights Commissioner for the State of Illinois, Steven Andersson, ’86, J.D. ’92, credits NIU with important lessons.
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Accounting Professor Emeritus Dave Sinason, ’15, Shares His Non-Traditional NIU Story
Accounting Professor Emeritus Dave Sinason, ’15, has had a unique experience as an NIU parent, professor, student and volunteer.
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First-Generation Student Ellen Strebar Strives to Be a Servant Leader
As director of marketing and program development for Inte Q in Oak Brook, Illinois, Ellen Strebar works every day to cultivate partnerships and build lasting relationships across a variety of industries. She also volunteers on campus, mentoring students
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Don Hubbartt, ’96, M.B.A. ’01, Mentors and Solves Problems Through Work and Volunteering
As director of compensation at Siemens USA and a member of the NIU Alumni Association’s (NIUAA) Board of Directors, Don Hubbartt, ’96, M.B.A. ’01, finds fulfillment in helping employees plan their career paths at his company. He’s also happy to gu
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Michelle Gorham, ’89, M.S. ’92, Serves her Community with Pride
As the chief advancement officer at YMCA of Rock River Valley, Inc., in Rockford, Illinois, Michelle Gorham, ’89, M.S. ’92, feels most fulfilled when she can be helping her community. She is an experienced fundraising professional who uses the practic
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From Non-Traditional Student to Successful Engineer, Joseph Sener Set His Own Course
Joseph Sener, ’93, M.S. ’10, didn’t take the traditional route to earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in industrial engineering. His dedicated work ethic and desire to give back to NIU set him apart from other alumni.