Women have made an important contribution to NIU, said NIU President John Peters at the Outstanding Women Student Awards ceremony Sunday at the Holmes Student Center’s Regency Room.

“This time of year is one of the most rewarding times for NIU faculty and administration because we can see the fruits of our labor come to fruition,” Peters said. “I am struck by the number of women who would do anything they want to help the citizens of the world, whether they are scientists or journalists.”

The Outstanding Women Student Awards started in 1980 as the Women’s Student Leadership Awards. The awards were intended to foster the development of leadership among graduate and undergraduate women students.

“The event does single out about 40 women from hundreds and hundreds of eligible women, and I am proud because many of them are in my department,” said Art Doederlein, director of undergraduate studies for the communication department.

To be considered for an award, nominees had to provide information concerning departmental and university leadership roles, community involvement, other awards and scholarships, goals and aspirations and obstacles overcome in pursuit of their education. Preference is given to candidates with a 3.0 grade point average or better.

“I am surprised and proud,” said Dini Rahim, a graduate political science student. “Even though I am from Indonesia, I decided to work hard and got involved at NIU.”

Sue Doederlein presented Lt. Deborrah Pettit of the University Police department with this year’s Award for Enhancing the Climate on Campus for Women, the Wilma Dr. Stricklin award. Doerderlein was the 2003 recipient of the award, which was created in 1995 by the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women. Criteria for the award include demonstrating “extraordinary effort, commitment and time given to enhance the climate on NIU’s campus for women; exemplary and continuing leadership; orienting, training and mentoring women; and, achieving results/effecting change in the climate on campus for women.”