President La Tourette will present NIU’s first Presidential Supportive Professional Staff Awards for Excellence to four recipients Thursday at an awards ceremony.

The professionals who will receive the award and a $1,000 check this year include Joan Greening, associate director of Career Planning and Placement; Sandra Kuchynka, academic counselor for the College of Professional Studies; Linda Schwarz, director of the Office of Sponsored Projects; and Bob Woggon, director of the Office of Public Information.

Greening said she is pleased to receive the award and considers it a great honor.

“The support of the professional staff is important to the operations of the university, so I think it is befitting to be recognized,” she said.

Assistant to the President Ken Beasley said a recommendation was made to the president to establish an award for the supportive professional staff.

“The operating staff employees and faculty at NIU have had outstanding awards for their employees for many years,” he said. “We thought it was time for this group of employees to be recognized as well.”

Woggon said he was very flattered and gratified to receive the award.

“I am humbled by this award because I can think of dozens of others who could have been nominated as well,” he said. “There are people very loyal to this university who we take for granted.”

Beasley said foundation money is being used for the monetary awards. Foundation money comes from donations from alumni and people of the community to the university.

The ceremony and reception will be held at 3:30 p.m. at the Holmes Student Center’s Skyroom and is open to the public.