The NIU Alumni Association is seeking the nominations of outstanding NIU graduates for the 1989 Alumni Association awards to be presented at the May 13 Graduate School Commencement and the April 10 honors banquet.

NIU Alumni Programs Director Sue Lund, said NIU faculty, staff, students and friends of the university are welcome to submit nominations through Nov. 30.

Recipients will be honored at the May 13 Graduate School Commencement and the university’s April 10 honors banquet.

The awards being presented are the Distinguished Alumni Award, to a graduate who has achieved considerable success in his or her profession; the F.R. Geigle Service Award, to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding commitment and service to NIU; and, the Outstanding Alumni Awards, presented annually to outstanding recent graduates of the university’s seven colleges.

Last year’s recipients of the Outstanding Alumni Awards include James Planey, a graduate of the College of Business now employed with Grubb and Ellis in Chicago; David Walker, a graduate of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences now executive director of Parental Stress Services in Chicago; Amanda Halgrimson, a graduate of the College of Visual and Performing Arts now a professional touring opera singer; and Marvin Walker, a graduate of the College of Education now superintendent of the Dallas Independent School Districts in Dallas, Texas.

Actress and NIU alum Joan Allen, who received the 1988 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her role in “Burn This”, has been nominated for one of the awards this year.

Lund said the award recipients are chosen for outstanding accomplishments and promise during the early years of their career. Nominees’ cultural achievements and charitable efforts are also taken into consideration. The awards committee looks for, “a more well-rounded individual who has not only been recognized within their profession, but one who has been active in the community as well,” Lund said.

The Outstanding Alumni Award was established in 1987 with the intention of honoring more recent graduates from all seven NIU colleges. However, only four university colleges were represented last year. Lund said this could be attributed to the fact that NIU’s Colleges of Law and Engineering are “young,” and have a smaller alumni body. She said she hopes to have recipients from all seven colleges at this year’s awards presentation.

Students, faculty or staff interested in nominating a graduate should submit a letter including the nominee’s qualifications and any available information, brief character sketch or resume to the alumni office by Nov. 30.