In order to obtain community input about the future development of the university, NIU President John LaTourette has appointed fifteen regional senior corporate executives, including seven NIU alumni, to a president’s advisory council.

Tom Montiegel, vice president of development and university relations, said the advisory council will confer with LaTourette to provide independent reactions to the planning and development of the university. In addition, the executives will be relaying to NIU the needs of the companies and industries throughout the area, Montiegel said.

“As we plan for our second century of service to our region, it is imperative we involve business and civic leaders. We are in the midst of refining a campus faciltities master plan and initiating a strategic plan in academic affairs,” LaTourette said.

“The appointment of an executive-level external advisory group is particularly appropriate at this time. It is critical that what we set in motion be tested to help ensure we serve our state’s academic, research and public service needs,” he added.

Members of the council represent a variety of fields including research and development, printing and communications, financial services and banking, utilities, education and manufacturing.

Montiegel said the members were recruited by NIU from a diverse geographic area including DeKalb-Sycamore, Rockford, Chicago’s west and northwest suburbs, and downtown Chicago. He said some members were chosen from companies that recruit NIU graduates and some were chosen from companies that offer co-op programs to the university.

“As far as we know, this is the first time the president will have such a group. It has been a priority of the university for some time,” Montiegel said. He said other constituents on campus, such as the college of business, have had similar advisory councils in the past.

DeKalb Bank President Dewey Yaeger, a council member, said the council also will benefit the regional businesses and industries.

“I think the companies identify closely with the university and with the economic development of northern Illinois. It is absolutely in sync with the growth of northern Illinois itself,” Yaeger said.

e said being a member of the council will provide him with the opportunity to interact with some of the “leading corporate people.”

“I am excited about it. It (the council) will benefit the quality of life that the university brings to the community and we will have a helping hand in it,” Yaeger said.

The council will meet at least three times a year at various locations throughout Illinois. Montiegel said the council’s first meeting will be at NIU on Dec. 9.