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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student media since 1899

 

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

NIU President Lisa Freeman speaks during her investiture Friday in the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall of the Music Building, where she accepted the university medallion and mace, symbols of the president's authority and academic designation.

Freeman’s inauguration attended by hundreds

By Sophia Mullowney | April 10, 2019

NIU President Lisa Freeman speaks during her investiture Friday in the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall of the Music Building, where she accepted the university medallion and mace, symbols of the president's authority and academic designation.

Wheeler Coleman, former chairperson for the Board of Trustees, addresses the university community when he was still a member of the Board.

Coleman steps down from Board of Trustees after years of service to NIU

By Kierra Frazier | February 3, 2019

Wheeler Coleman, former chairperson for the Board of Trustees, addresses the university community when he was still a member of the Board.

Barsema takes over as chairperson for the Board of Trustees

By Kierra Frazier | February 3, 2019

DeKALB — Dennis Barsema has had been active in the university for the past 19 years and continues so by taking on a new role in the Board of Trustees.One of his most recent accomplishments is filling the position for Wheeler Coleman as Board of Trustees...

Board appoints Freeman as the thirteenth and first female president of NIU

By Jessie Kern | September 24, 2018

The Board of Trustees unanimously voted Acting President Lisa Freeman as the thirteenth president of NIU, making her the first female president in university history.The appointment was made during a Board of Trustees Special Meeting Thursday, with an...

Presidential process incites debate

By Northern Star staff | July 30, 2018

DeKALB — Former State Senator Robert W. Pritchard and student Nathan Hayes were sworn in as trustees by Chairman Wheeler Coleman July 16.“I look forward to putting the experiences I’ve had over the last fifteen years in the legislature working on...

Judge Waller: NIU must pay lawyer fees

By Lindsey Salvatelli | April 2, 2018

DeKALB — Misty Haji-Sheikh, graduate student at large, has been awarded lawyer costs and fees in a suit she filed against NIU.Haji-Sheikh requested DeKalb County Judge Bradley Waller award her $83,118.89 in court costs and lawyer fees for the lawsuit...

From student to Board chair | Wheeler Coleman reflects on NIU journey

By Angela L. Pagan | October 30, 2017

DeKALB — Wheeler Coleman is a man who never lost sight of his roots; despite venturing out of state to attend an acclaimed university and eventually running his own executive consulting firm, EC-United, he was never able to detach himself from the institution...

The presidential search process cannot be secretive 

EDITORIAL | Consistent community feedback needed in presidential search

By Editorial Board | August 31, 2017

The Northern Star Editorial Board would like to commend the Board of Trustees on the preliminary steps it has taken in the search for NIU’s next president; we also ask the Trustees take these steps even further and learn from past mistakes.In the past,...

Board chair strives to improve transparency

Board chair strives to improve transparency

By Ian Tancun | July 31, 2017

Sharon Coleman, Northern District of Illinois federal judge, swears in her husband Wheeler Coleman, Board of Trustees chair, as a trustee Feb. 2, 2012, in Altgeld Hall. Coleman was elected Board chair during a June 15 Board meeting and has since highlighted his goals to increase transparency among officials.

OPEN LETTER | Dear acting president: Please keep your vow of transparency

By Ian Tancun | July 31, 2017

TO: Acting President Lisa FreemanNIU is in a transitional period, which provides opportunities for new beginnings. Former President Doug Baker’s June 30 resignation and the circumstances surrounding it made it clear key deficiencies exist at NIU that...

Trustees elect new leadership: Board holds vote at Thursday meeting

By Lindsey Salvatelli | June 19, 2017

DeKALB — The next Board of Trustees meeting will see Trustee Wheeler Coleman as its chair.Coleman, who will replace Chair John Butler, was elected in a secret ballot during Thursday’s meeting.In compliance with NIU Law and related regulations, the...