DeKALB | A retirement party for kinesiology and physical education assistant professor Walter Owens will be held today from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Sky Room of the Holmes Student Center.

The celebration, open to all, will feature a number of guest speakers and will include refreshments.

“We’ll have some of his friends and colleagues that will speak and share some of their stories and experiences with him,” said associate athletics director Monique Bernoudy.

Owens, who played in the Negro Leagues for the Detroit Stars, served as the NIU basketball team’s assistant coach and head coach of the men’s baseball team. Those who have come in contact with Owens, including numerous student athletes say he was very proactive in helping to diversify the campus.

“He was instrumental in so many people’s lives,” Bernoudy said. “We just want to be able to show our appreciation.”