NIU President John Peters has had a front row seat watching the university’s national profile move in a positive direction; but rather than holding a bucket of popcorn, he has been holding the reins.

“It really has been a very good two and a half years,” Peters said. “I’ve seen the university grow and develop in so many ways.”

One accomplishment Peters takes great pride in is joining the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges, an elite group of public research universities.

But, Peters won’t take all the credit. He highly regards the staff that he has worked with over the years, including the NIU Provost Office.

“Anything that I have ever asked faculty and staff to do, they have responded,” he said.

Not only does he take pride in the professional growth of NIU at national standards, but he has been even more delighted in seeing accomplishments on-campus.

He referred to the development of the Convocation Center as a “30-year dream,” and was pleased that the project came to a conclusion under his presidency.

“I believe it has made a big difference in our university. It has had an even bigger impact on the locale,” Peters said. “We share it with our larger community.”

Barsema Hall, funded by a $20 million gift from Dennis and Stacey Barsema, was another accomplishment that Peters thinks is one of a kind.

“In just 18 months, Barsema Hall was planned, built and occupied,” Peters said. “I don’t think I’ll ever see the like of that again.”

The 43.8 percent attendance increase that NIU experienced this fall was the third highest in the nation. According to Peters, with the exception of the University of Illinois, a Big Ten school, NIU had the highest average attendance per game in the state.

But despite academic reputations, million dollar buildings and athletic excellence, Peters thinks that the greatest accomplishments he has seen is that of the students, who he said he has found delightful over the years.

“The thing that is the most important is the thousands of students who have gotten their education here and are going out into the world to make their own contribution,” said Peters. “To me, that is the biggest accomplishment.”

Peters’ job also requires dealing with the problems the university is faced with.

The budget cuts that were announced last spring already have made a huge impact. The crisis is something that Peters takes very seriously, as it affects everyone involved with the university.

Peters seems confident, however, that his previous experience with major budget reductions will help him aid the university in a time of crisis. He also has addressed the concerns of many students and faculty who the budget cuts may affect.

“It will require an awful lot of attention on my part to make sure we maintain academic quality,” Peters said. “Hard decisions will be made on a day-to-day basis.”

The stability in leadership exemplified by the administration will be important in guiding NIU through the crisis, and Peters promises to do his best to keep NIU moving in a positive direction, he said.

“I feel on a day-to-day basis that what I am doing is valuable,” said Peters. “When I see the students studying and getting their degrees, it is very fulfilling. It makes me want to work harder.”