NIU President John Peters will address the campus community today in his annual State of the University Address at the Holmes Student Center’s Carl Sandburg Auditorium.

The speech is a yearly assessment of the health of the university, said Melanie Magara, assistant vice president of Public Affairs.

Magara said one issue Peters will address is university funding. He also will speak about the importance of research, outreach and about obtaining alternative forms of funding for the college.

Magara said Peters also will celebrate NIU’s accomplishments over the past year.

Peters will speak about local and national trends that have a direct effect on NIU’s operations, and about the challenges NIU currently faces and strategies that will be implemented to combat the challenges.

Magara said the speech is open to anyone who wants to come. A reception will follow the speech.

The reception will be held at the Holmes Student Center’s Regency Room, said Ellen Anderson, director of event planning. All students and members of the NIU community are welcome to attend the event.

Magara said those who cannot attend the speech can access the speech online. It will be available on the president’s Web site at www.niu.edu/president.

What: NIU president’s annual State of the University Address

When: 3 p.m. today

Where: Holmes Student Center’s Carl Sandburg Auditorium

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