John Butler, former director of forensics in NIU’s communication department, recently returned to NIU as a member of the Board of Trustees.

With 13 years of direct involvement at NIU as a student, graduate student and faculty member, he feels his time spent at NIU has given him a good understanding of the campus, Butler said.

“I’ve always been interested in serving on the board,” Butler said.

Before teaching at NIU, he was interested in serving on the BOT, but put that ambition aside when he became a faculty member, Butler said. His interest in serving on the BOT came back after he no longer worked as a faculty member at NIU, he said.

Butler grew up in a working-class town and feels that working in public service in his present career is meaningful and important.

“One of my commitments is to open up a channel with students and the faculty,” Butler said.

While serving on BOT, he wants people to be able to easily contact him, Butler said. His personal e-mail address can be found on the BOT Web site, he said.

The governor’s office appoints the Board of Trustees, not the university, Self said. She is confident Butler’s credentials were well-checked in the appointment.

“From my perspective, Butler is an excellent appointment,” Self said.

Working on the Board of Trustees as an advocate for the university is very different than working as a professor, Self said.

Butler applied to be on BOT through the governor’s office and after a one year process, he was appointed to the position. His background with NIU was an important factor in the appointment, he said.

“He received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northern; served two terms as student regent under NIU’s previous governing body, the Board of Regents; and spent seven years as an assistant professor and director of forensics in NIU’s department of communication,” according to a NIU news release.

Also, Butler is given significant credit with his work in forensics at NIU, Self said. Butler is concerned for the well-being of the university and brings a good perspective to the board, she said