When Weekender decided to do a power list, it became obvious the search for NIU’s 15 most influential people had to be extensive. Over the course of this semester, administrators, faculty and students were consulted to pinpoint the people who have had the most impact on the 105-year-old institution. It was decided that alumni were excluded from the list. (Sorry Dennis Barsema and Homer Simpson.)

Why: Because you could hear the sighs of relief from the entire NIU community after he was eliminated from contention for the president of the University of Tennessee job last year.

Peters, who started his NIU presidency on June 1, 2000, doesn’t believe a job title necessarily dictates influence.

“Influential people are those who are able to influence and motivate people outside their own areas of control,” he said. “Their powers of persuasion and the respect in which they are held allow them to rally support for an idea or vision. Their opinions are sought out, and when they speak, others listen. Most importantly, truly powerful and influential people treat others as they would like to be treated, and respect all points of view.”

The overseer of a university with seven colleges and more than 25,000 students thinks his impact is minimal compared with others who don’t seek or receive the limelight.

“I know for a fact that individual professors are far more influential in the lives of our students than any administrator – and that’s as it should be,” he said.

Kathryn Buettner, executive director of state and federal relations for NIU, said Peters doesn’t give himself enough credit.

“He is truly student-centered and loves to meet and talk with students,” Buettner said. “He is well-respected and liked by the political leadership in the state, as well as the Congressional delegation in Washington.”

LaVerne Gyant, director of the Center for Black Studies at NIU, said Peters has performed admirably despite difficult budget circumstances.

“I think Dr. Peters has done an excellent job in bringing NIU into the 21st century, striving to diverse the faculty and staff, encouraging the community to be more student- friendly and keeping us motivated during the ‘lean’ times,” Gyant said. “He has done a lot in moving forward to change the image of NIU.”

UT’s loss is NIU’s gain for the foreseeable future. In 2003, the Board of Trustees extended Peters’ contract until 2010 and raised his salary to $272,950.

Buettner said even her son thinks Peters is worth it.

“When I brought my 12-year-old son and his friend to a football game last year, John Peters spent about five minutes regaling them with tales of growing up in Catholic grammar schools in Ohio,” Buettner said. “He had the kids in stitches, and they paid him the highest compliment after he walked away: ‘Mom, he’s really cool! Are all college presidents like him?’”

We can only dream.

Fun fact: Peters is an avid reader and loves biographies.

Joe Novak – Head football coach

Why: 26-9.

That’s Novak’s record over the past three seasons, which have seen the Huskies play in several nationally-televised contests, shock Maryland and Alabama, scare the pants off BCS officials and nearly single-handedly change the ‘suitcase school’ mentality.

Novak, who puts in 85 hours a week during the season, realizes the importance of his program’s success.

“Athletics is a big window for a university,” he said. “Much more important things are happening on this campus, but athletics can give your school some very positive exposure.”

Fun fact: Novak’s favorite baseball team is the Cleveland Indians.

Gary Skoien – Board of Trustees chairman

Why: So far this year, his seven-member panel has the power to approve tuition and student fee increases if it sees fit. Skoien has focused on increasing efficiency during a budget crisis and working on a west campus development plan.

Fun fact: He won an Outstanding Young Man in America award in 1985.

Ivan Legg – Executive vice president and provost for NIU

Why: Legg oversees three high-profile areas – academic affairs, student affairs and research in the graduate school. Legg’s office recently moved from Lowden Hall to Altgeld Hall. He appreciates his new digs, but misses the view from his old window, which overlooked several buildings on campus. From now on, he’ll settle for having a considerable impact on their inhabitants.

Fun fact: Legg lived in Stevenson Towers North for his first year and a half at NIU.

Eddie Williams – Executive vice president of Finance and Facilities

Why: Williams is a prime force in determining how and when buildings like the Convocation Center get built. He plays a large role in rewarding contracts to general contractors.

Fun fact: Williams drives a large motorcycle during the summer.

Kathy Buettner – Associate vice president for state and federal relations

Why: She is NIU’s lobbyist with 22 years of state legislative experience, which has never been more critical than when the university needs its voice heard in Springfield. Buettner’s office tracks more than 5,000 state legislative proposals per year and reviews revenue forecasts religiously.

Fun fact: Her usual breakfast includes a chai tea latte.

Brian Hemphill –

Vice president for Student Affairs

Why: His position was appointed to the President’s Senior Cabinet – a move that allows Hemphill to bring student issues to the immediate attention of senior level administrators. Hemphill will make a significant stamp on NIU Tuesday when recommendations for a restructuring of student affairs are released.

Fun fact: Hemphill grew up with 12 siblings.

Jim Phillips –

Athletics director

Why: Phillips is responsible for the well-being of 426 student-athletes and has the power to hire and fire coaches. While others were eating and sleeping this Thanksgiving, Phillips was flying around the country in search of an elusive bowl bid to end a 21-year drought.

Fun fact: Phillips attended the basketball game where Indiana Pacer Ron Artest went into the stands.

Larry Bolles – Judicial Office director

Why: To be a judicial officer on a college campus, patience and a sense of humor are essential. Bolles has both. Plus, he can expel you if necessary. Bolles is in charge of ensuring due process for NIU students. Bolles disciplines students for five violations: noise, drinking, drugs, academic misconduct and acts of violence.

Fun fact: Bolles’ favorite musician is James Brown.

LaVerne Gyant – Director of the Center for Black Studies

Why: Gyant is the chair of NIU’s Task Force on Multicultural Curriculum Transformation and has been a fixture on several diversity-centered committees.

Gyant derives her motivation from spiritual sources.

“I see myself as doing what God and the ancient mothers have requested me to do,” she said. “I try to remember that I have a responsibility to society, especially to people of African decent.”

Fun fact: Gyant doesn’t have a lucky number.

Sylvia Fuentes – Director of University Resources

Why: Hispanics are the fastest-growing minority in the United States, and Fuentes plays a critical role in recruiting and retaining Latino students. Fuentes came to NIU in 1989 as a timid, young student. Today, she is an educator with one of the most influential voices on campus. Her office offers several academic programs, grants, speakers and seminars.

Fun fact: Fuentes’ favorite movie is “The Graduate.”

Chris Juhl – Activities adviser of Greek Affairs

Why: From chapter operations, to alumni assistance, to program planning, to assisting students with their development, Juhl is involved in the day-to-day lives of 1,200-plus students and more than 30 fraternities and sororities.

“Fraternity and sorority life in general is very important because these values-based organizations are designed to develop young men and women into the civic leaders of tomorrow,” Juhl said.

Fun fact: Juhl’s favorite color is blue.

Craig Marcus – Student Association president

Why: Marcus received 56 percent of the vote and led his ticket to a win in SA executive elections last year, which gave him control of NIU’s student government, which is responsible for $1.5 million in student fees.

“The worst part of my job is hearing all of the complaints that students have,” Marcus said. “Many times I agree with what they have to say. However, it is nearly impossible to fix every problem that occurs at a university with 25,000 students. Very rarely will someone call and say what a wonderful job you are doing. So, the fewer number of phone calls and written complaints, then we must be doing something right.”

Fun fact: Favorite pizza toppings are sausage, green peppers and onions.

Eric Johnson – Board of Trustees

student trustee

Why: The Board of Trustees features business owners, attorneys, a bank chairman and even a negotiator of complex acquisitions of non-core business operations from larger corporations. Johnson? He’s a senior political science major.

“My priority before making any vote is thinking of how will this affect students,” he said.

Fun fact: Johnson became the youngest elected official in the state when he was a DeKalb County Board member at age 19.

Mark Bieganski Northern Star

editor in chief

Why: Bieganski is responsible for more than 180 employees that put out a newspaper with a print circulation of 16,000 and a Web site that receives 80,000 unique visitors a day.

“It’s the paper that has the influence,” Bieganski said. “So many people read it in so many different forms. It’s the one source that people in the NIU community turn to for information.”

Fun fact: Bieganski enjoys eating cold corn directly from the can.