Borders in DeKalb to celebrate release of “Brisingr” with free party

Borders, 2520 Sycamore Road, is celebrating the release of Christopher Paolini’s “Brisingr” with a free in-store party. “Brisingr” is the third installment of Paolini’s Inheritance Cycle about Eragon, the farm-boy-turned-dragon-rider who must save the world from an evil king. The midnight party Sept. 19 begins at 10 p.m. and culminates at 12:01 a.m. when the book officially goes on sale.

Activities include: Trivia and Translation Contest – fans will have their knowledge of the Inheritance Cycle tested in this fun activity; Quote Contest – attendees will be provided a quote for which they must name the character who spoke the words; “Open Mic” – fans will share their passion for the Inheritance books by reading a favorite passage or sharing a story about their experience reading Paolini’s work during an “open mic” session.

Throughout the evening, there will be prizes for contest winners, including special souvenirs and a chance to be first in line at 12:01 a.m. to purchase the book.

Newman Center to give away free corn before football game

The Newman Catholic Student Center will host a free corn boil on Saturday at the tailgating section of Huskie Stadium prior to the football game against Indiana State University.

The corn boil is co-sponsored by the NIU Athletic Department, Del Monte and the Newman Catholic Student Center. This year over 3,000 free ears of corn will be distributed to students, alumni, friends and families.

Free hot buttered and unbuttered corn will be distributed staring at 10:30 a.m. until kick-off of the Huskies’ first home game. The Newman Corn Boil tent will be set up on the West side of the stadium. There will also be wagon trains of sweet corn throughout the tailgating grounds.

NIU conference will introduce young women to career opportunities

Female high school students interested in exploring career options and learning more about the academic side of college life are invited to attend the 2008 Conference for Young Women, hosted by NIU from 8:15 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Oct. 6, at Holmes Student Center.

Now in its 13th year, this popular conference has been praised by many participants with varied interests and backgrounds.

The conference introduces young women in their sophomore through senior years of high school to a variety of career areas, including professions where women have been historically underrepresented, and provides opportunities to interact with successful women faculty and NIU students.

This year’s conference includes a panel discussion on career opportunities for women; presentations by faculty on topics related to women’s collegiate experiences and career options; tours of the NIU campus; and lunch with NIU faculty, professionals and students.

Conference speakers will focus on career opportunities in fields ranging from computer programming and politics to law enforcement, sports training and business management.

The conference is sponsored by the NIU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Women’s Studies Program. To register, visit

www.niu.edu/wstudies/2008_Conference_for_Young_Women.shtml or call 1-800-345-9472 .

The registration fee is $38 before Sept. 29, with a $5 additional late charge. Limited scholarships are available. For additional information, call 815-753-1038.

Nancy Castle named interim director of Honors Program

Nancy Castle’s appointment as interim director of the Honors Program demands more than keeping the ship afloat for the next year or so.

Castle also must steer the vessel through uncertain waters, help to find the next captain and create a bigger splash for Honors across campus and in the minds of prospective students.

University leaders will spend the coming months examining and adjusting the Honors Program to closer match expectations set forth in the recent strategic planning process. Key among those goals is a greater focus on engaged learning.

Any changes are likely to generate a revised list of responsibilities for the director, something Castle will help to draft with Vice Provost Earl “Gip” Seaver; Daniel Kempton, chair of the Honors Program Advisory Committee; and a subcommittee of that group.

“It seems unfair to put out a job description when that job could change, maybe adding features that somebody didn’t count on,” said Castle, a professor in the School of Allied Health and Communicative Disorders. “Eventually, we can be more fair to whomever applies and interviews for it if we can articulate what we really see the job encompassing.”

“Nancy will bring a great deal of enthusiasm to the position based on her experience as a faculty member here and also on her most recent experience of working on the strategic planning task force,” Seaver said.

More than 800 students, including nearly 200 incoming freshmen, take part in the Honors Program. They enjoy smaller classes and closer contact with faculty, often meeting weekly with professors to tackle extra projects and engaged learning activities.