In the spirit of holidays and traditions, NIU President John Peters and his wife Barbara will host their annual holiday luncheon for the NIU community today.

The holiday luncheon will be held from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. today at the Holmes Student Center’s Duke Ellington Ballroom.

“Basically, it is his gift to the university community,” said Ellen Anderson, director of special events. “It has been incredibly successful.”

This will be the third year Peters has hosted the holiday luncheon.

Peters will give welcoming remarks to the 1,500 people expected to attend.

“I’ve been to last year’s and it was nice,” said Bertram Dugan, leadership development coordinator for University Programming and Activities. “It is a good time for people across the university to get together. People who don’t usually see each other will get together in the spirit of the holiday season.”

Karen Euhus, secretary of the honors office, also will attend the luncheon.

“I think it is important to show and support university activities,” she said. “If you are able to go, you should go.”

Following the luncheon, Peters will attend the retirement reception for General Counsel George Shur, which lasts from 2:30 to 5 p.m. at the HSC’s Regency Room.

“It is to celebrate George Shur’s retirement as general counsel,” Anderson said. “George has been here for 19 years.”

Last year, Shur was selected by the National Association of College and University Attorneys to receive its Distinguished Service Award. He was the 18th person to receive such an award in the 41-year history of the organization.

Peters, along with former NIU President Bill Monat, will be one of the speakers at the reception.