The Office of the President needs nominations for the second annual Community-University Awards.

The awards were established in 1986 to recognize organizations, one from DeKalb and one from NIU, that have broadened understanding and cooperation between the two communities.

Criteria for selecting award winners include involvement in volunteer services in community or university assistance, education programs, fund-raising assistance and other innovative activities from Sept. 1, 1987 through Aug. 31, 1988.

Applications for nominees are due Oct. 14 and must be submitted to Kenneth Beasley, assistant to President John LaTourette. They should include the name of the organization, the name and phone number of a contact person, the title of the activities, the purpose of the activities, how the nominee promoted greater community-university relationships and the inclusion of any relevant, supporting material, such as programs or participant lists.

Applications are judged by a committee consisting of Beasley and Jon Dalton, vice president for student affairs, representing NIU, and John Castle, 4th Ward Alderman Rita Tewksbury and City Attorney Ron Matekaitis, representing DeKalb.

Dalton said of the awards, “Local community support is very important for the students’ success. Anything that helps promote cooperation is worthwhile.”

Beasley, coordinator of the awards, said it is a fantastic program that promotes important and vital causes in the university.

Last year’s DeKalb award winner was the Egyptian Theatre because its facilities are often offered as a place where “many community and university people meet and work together.”

The university winner was the Alpha Delta Pi sorority for promoting and participating in about 13 community services and philanthropies over the course of the year, including a clothes drive, Toys for Tots, a literacy program and nursing home visits.

The awards ceremony and banquet will take place in the university Skyroom in late October or early November, depending on when all applications have been reviewed.