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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Author David Vann speaks Tuesday night at Barnes and Noble, 2439
Sycamore Road. Vann took questions about his book, Last Day on
Earth, which released in October.

The value of truth: Author shares struggles of writing book on NIU’s Feb. 14, 2008 shooter

By Kyla Gardner | November 9, 2011

David Vann, author of Last Day on Earth, a portrait of Feb. 14, 2008 gunman Steven Kazmierczak, believes in the value of truth. In the aftermath of the NIU shooting that left six dead and more than 20 injured, the media got the story wrong, Vann said....

Last Day on Earth may help us learn from a tragedy

By Northern Star editorial board | November 7, 2011

What can we learn from tragedy? David Vann's new book, Last Day on Earth, aims in part to understand what makes someone walk into a crowded lecture hall and open fire. His book focuses on Steven Kazmierczak, the man who killed five students and wounded...

Author discusses book detailing life and death of Feb. 14, 2008 gunman Steven Kazmierczak

Author discusses book detailing life and death of Feb. 14, 2008 gunman Steven Kazmierczak

By Kyla Gardner | October 21, 2011

The Feb. 14, 2008 shootings were the most tragic event NIU and the DeKalb community has witnessed, leaving five students dead and 17 wounded. In the newly published Last Day on Earth, author David Vann investigates the life of the sixth person left dead...

Feithen: DeKalb's perception as unsafe may be unfounded

Feithen: DeKalb’s perception as unsafe may be unfounded

By Dave Gong | September 6, 2011

DeKalb's problem with drugs and violence may be more perception than reality, said DeKalb Police Chief Bill Feithen. Feithen said three high-profile incidents that have occurred in DeKalb within the last few years -the Feb. 14, 2008 shooting at Cole Hall,...

President Peters discusses Vision 2020, new online degree programs

By Matt Liparota | September 1, 2011

By 2020, NIU hopes to have 30,000 students enrolled.This announcement came as part of President John Peters' annual State of the University address Thursday afternoon. For the second year, the speech focused on the Vision 2020 initiative.During last year's...

Cole Hall projected opening date extended due to weather related delays

By Ed Reitveld & Brian Belford | July 25, 2011

DeKALB | The opening of Cole Hall has been pushed back to spring 2012 from its intended opening for the fall semester. Brad Hoey, team leader for NIU Media Relations and Internal Communications, said the delay was caused by "weather situations" in the...

In Focus: Does NIU make the grade?

In Focus: Does NIU make the grade?

By Northern Star Columnist | May 8, 2011

Jack Baker, columnist NIU has done a great job of making plans to improve the campus. With the new residence hall, renovations to both Cole Hall and Grant, the new outdoor recreation complex and other projects, the campus will be looking much better in...

NIU on enrollment decrease

By Jessica Sabbah | April 27, 2011

Chicago resident Craig Thompson is a junior at Marist High School and has began his college search. He is looking for a college that is semi-close to home and somewhere he can have an enjoyable college experience. Thompson is just one example of the thousands...

NIU students leave flowers and candles at Cole Hall after the 2009 candlelight vigil honoring the victims of the Feb. 14 shootings.

Students move ‘Forward Together,’ 3 years later

By Jessica Sabbah | February 13, 2011

Three years ago today, the NIU community was changed forever. On Feb. 14, 2008, gunman Stephen Kazmierczak opened fire in a Geology 104 class in Cole Hall, Room 101 killing five students and injuring 21, before killing himself. Those killed were Gayle...

Seniors recount the NIU shootings from their freshman year

By Amy Kreeger | February 13, 2011

This year, fourth-year seniors will be some of the last students who were on campus when a gunman entered Cole Hall and open fire three years ago. At the end of the day, five NIU students were killed and 17 were injured. Cole Lightfoot knew at least one...

Construction crews pill up rubble while tearing down Cole Hall's foyer as part of the remodeling process.

State bill to fund Stevens Hall renovations overturned; Cole Hall project remains funded

By Jim Maahs and Allyson martin | January 28, 2011

DeKALB | Funding for the Stevens Hall renovation plan was abruptly halted Wednesday when an Illinois appellate court ruled the bill unconstitutional. NIU President John Peters announced the news at a University Council meeting Wednesday afternoon. Projects...

Construction on Cole Hall is underway

By Jacqueline Evans | January 18, 2011

DeKALB | The remodeling of Cole Hall officially began on Friday, almost three years after the Feb. 14 shooting. Nearly a year ago, Gov. Pat Quinn visited NIU to announce that state funds for Cole Hall's renovation had been released. According to NIU Today,...