Alumni from around the world support the pack by dedicating both time and talent through various Northern Illinois University volunteer opportunities. From sending notes of encouragement to students, helping develop their professional skill sets, connecting through speaking engagements, supporting the Huskie Food Pantry, and so much more–we are proud to have such a dedicated alumni network!

The NIU Northern Lights Award has been established to recognize those exemplary volunteers while honoring the spirit of faithful volunteer Liz McSpadden ’10, M.B.A. ’16, who continued to show up for her alma mater throughout her battle with cancer. Everyone is welcome to nominate an NIU alumnus/alumna and/or friend of NIU who has demonstrated at least two out of the five award characteristics in their volunteer service with NIU. Read more about Liz and the award parameters below:

Liz McSpadden’s Story:

Liz McSpadden was a double Huskie (B.S. in accountancy and M.B.A.), who went above and beyond the call of service–volunteering 22 times in the six years before her passing in 2024. She supported current students in their personal and professional development and helped prospective students see the value of the NIU experience. Liz was also dedicated to enriching the lives of NIU students and took the initiative to develop relationships with the Circle K International and Lambda Sigma Lambda Honors Society, two NIU community service student organizations.

She advocated for those battling cancer, her “Pink Ribbon Sisters,” and supported her community through sock drives for HallieStrong, charitable giving campaigns through the Poundcake Bakery for Here For the Girls (H4TG), walks for cancer, advocacy for Stage IV Cancer research, volunteering for animal welfare organizations, and so much more.

Liz wasn’t just an inspiration–she was a wife, daughter, sister, friend, dog lover, and advocate. Her memory is honored by her family, the support network she dubbed “Team Sunshine,” and all who were touched by her spirit. Liz McSpadden wasn’t just a beacon of joy and perseverance; she was also someone who supported and inspired so many others.

“NIU has given me a lot to be grateful for – an excellent career, my passion to give back, and a place where I met so many of my best friends and relationships. I chose NIU for an excellent education at an affordable price, for an amazing business school for both my accounting degree and my MBA. Not only do I love the campus, but I love what NIU represents. It represents community, home, and a place for people to find themselves. I have stage four breast cancer, so I don’t have the ability to give great amounts of money. But, I have the ability to give time and effort. To me, that is the greatest gift I can give.”
– Liz McSpadden

Award Criteria & Information:

The NIU Northern Lights Award honors those who follow Liz’s example and embody the spirit of…

• Generosity – Goes above and beyond in their support of the NIU mission and volunteer expectations.
• Initiative – Seeks and/or creates their own opportunities to support their community through volunteerism.
• Reliability – Demonstrates integrity; follows through on their commitments; and is someone staff, students, and fellow volunteers can count on.
• Joyfulness – Positively impacts those around them with their joy, high spirits, and passion.
• Curiosity – Embraces new ideas and opportunities with excitement and an open mind.

…through volunteering their time, talents, and selves across various NIU volunteer opportunities.

Nominations are accepted from Jan. 26 to April 15. Final award recipient(s) are announced in June and honored in an in-person ceremony in October.

Nominate an NIU Volunteer for the Northern Lights Award

View our Award Recipients

2025 Award Recipients

For Brian Simpson, ’85, a celebrated jazz pianist, composer and songwriter whose career has taken him from television stages to world tours and Billboard chart success, the path to a life in music began with a stroke of luck.

After graduation, Simpson joined the band of pop star Sheena Easton, appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, a moment he still describes as surreal. He later co-wrote “The First Time” for the group Surface, a song that reached No. 1 on the Billboard charts in 1990. His career also included a world tour with Janet Jackson in 1995.

Growing up in suburban Gurnee, Illinois,Simpson was surrounded by music from an early age. His father loved jazz. His older brother excelled as a drummer and his sister played clarinet in school bands. Music filled the family’s modest home, where rehearsals, records and impromptu performances were simply part of daily life.

When Simpson was nine years old, his parents surprised him with a Baldwin piano. Though his first teacher was a jazz musician rather than a traditional instructor, he quickly developed a love for the instrument. What he lacked in formal training, he made up for through listening and absorbing the sounds and language of jazz that surrounded him.

Still, college was not part of his original plan.

In high school, Simpson focused on vocational auto mechanics courses and enrolled at the College of Lake County after graduation. On a whim, he auditioned for the community college’s jazz ensemble despite having never played with other musicians.

As it turned out, he was the only pianist who showed up.

“That was truly a pivotal moment in my life,” Simpson recalled.

The opportunity changed everything. Under the guidance of a patient band director, Simpson learned how to translate years of listening into performance. Within months, he had gone from the least experienced musician in the ensemble to one of its strongest players. New opportunities followed, including paid work with a local wedding band and a coveted position performing in the stage productions at Great America.

Surrounded by professional musicians who were pursuing music degrees, Simpson realized he wanted to do the same. He chose NIU because it was close to home and affordable for his family. Only later did he realize how transformative that decision would become.

His music audition for NIU was, in his own words, “terrible.” Without classical training, he had little to show faculty members evaluating prospective music majors. Fortunately, the head of the piano program saw potential and accepted him into the program.

That decision led Simpson to study with renowned jazz pianist and arranger Frank Mantooth, who had just joined the NIU faculty. Though Mantooth remained at NIU for only two years, from 1982 to 1984, his influence on Simpson proved lasting.

“From his training, I developed a harmonic knowledge that I employ to this day in my own music,” Simpson said.

At NIU, Simpson thrived in an environment that felt both intimate and inspiring. Living in Gilbert Hall and spending much of his time among fellow music and art students, he found a close-knit community that encouraged creativity, collaboration and growth.

His experience was further shaped by jazz ensemble director Ron “Mode” Modell, whose award-winning program emphasized more than technical excellence.

“Mode showed us how to entertain an audience,” Simpson said. “I learned to look at the bigger picture.”

Those lessons would serve him well throughout a remarkable professional career.

Today, Simpson focuses primarily on creating his own music. He recently completed his 13th album and has built a devoted global audience, including more than 340,000 followers on Spotify. He currently tours throughout the world, including gigs scheduled next year for Toyko and London.

Despite decades of success, he continues to draw on lessons learned in DeKalb.

“I’m so very grateful for the teachers I had at NIU,” he said.

One lesson in particular has remained with him throughout his career: “Unity, Variety and Continuity,” concepts emphasized in a music theory class that he didn’t fully appreciate at the time.

“I remembered it,” Simpson said. “And it guides me through every album I make now.”

Looking back, Simpson sees a career shaped by talent, hard work and a few fortunate twists of fate. But he also recognizes the critical role NIU played in transforming opportunity into achievement.

From a pianist with no classical training who almost missed his chance to pursue music, Simpson became a world-class performer, songwriter and recording artist.

NIU led Simpson down this path by providing the mentorship, community and transformational experiences that helped make it all possible.

This is just one example of how NIU prepares students for impactful careers through transformational experiences. Discover how NIU is fortifying our future at niuforward.com.

When a life-changing event forced Karl Fruecht, ’87, to leave Southern Illinois University after his first year, he wasn’t sure where to turn.

Unsure of what to do next, Fruecht drove to NIU, where his older sisters, Penny and Sharon, had attended, and met with an advisor. That single conversation led to a support system of mentors who took an interest in him and helped him regain his footing during a difficult period.

“I continued my education because when I needed help the most, someone was there for me,” Fruecht said. “My advisor would check in with, ‘Hey, listen, are you okay?’ — and the Huskie community helped me reestablish a sense of normalcy.

“I probably wouldn’t have graduated college if it weren’t for NIU.”

He credits Jeff Chown, Ph.D., Phillip Gray, Ph.D., and Mary Larson, Ed.D., for their generous support and for holding him accountable in class.

“I was given pathways to success, no shortcuts,” Fruecht said. “They showed up for me in ways that I needed, checking in to see if I was putting in the work, and at times they felt like older siblings in how they listened and looked out for me. Those three people changed my life.”

More than three decades later, Fruecht is helping students find their own pathways to success. Through Uncharted Learning, the nonprofit he co-founded in 2014, students learn entrepreneurship and explore possibilities for their futures.

Partnering with school districts across the country, Uncharted Learning provides K-12 entrepreneurial curriculum, teacher training and support services. At the high school level, students don’t just learn about entrepreneurship; they practice it. There are no tests and no textbooks. Instead, students build real businesses while developing practical business knowledge and durable life skills. Today, more than 30,000 students participate in an Uncharted Learning program each day.

The idea for Uncharted Learning began with a conversation at a graduation party. Fruecht and future co-founder Michael Miles found themselves discussing two seemingly unrelated observations: their children planned to study business in college despite never taking a business class in high school, and local leaders often made economic development decisions without first understanding what the young people wanted from their hometown of Barrington, Illinois.

“What if students could help identify what problems to solve in our town?” they wondered.

That question sparked a much bigger vision. The pair imagined a non-traditional business class, taught in a space that felt more like a workplace than a traditional classroom. Students would work in teams, tackle real-world challenges (like local economic development planning) and gain exposure to opportunities that could help shape their futures.

“I called Michael the next morning,” Fruecht recalled. “I’m like, ‘Let’s go, man. We’re doing this.’”

For the next month, the two met over breakfast, refining the concept before presenting it to local school leaders. It quickly gained traction. With support from local school district leaders, they met with leading entrepreneurial education programs around the country, developed curriculum, redesigned a classroom space and secured private funding to launch their first program.

“We were building the plane while we were flying it,” Fruecht said. “But it turned out great.

“I vividly remember Dr. Gray saying that there are only two types of people in the world: people afraid to try, and people not afraid to be wrong,” he continued. “It’s a philosophy I’ve carried with me ever since.”

Fruecht did all of this while maintaining a demanding full-time career, spending evenings, weekends and early mornings transforming an idea into reality.

Long before Uncharted Learning began taking shape, Fruecht had already build a reputation for embracing new challenges and opportunities. After graduating from NIU with a bachelor’s degree in communications, he initially pursued a career in media, working in post-production for regional commercials and later in educational film production. He soon discovered, however, that he wanted to explore business and began working at the Chicago Board of Trade as a runner carrying paper orders across the trading floor.

Over the next two decades, that opportunity led to roles at Bear Stearns, Chase and HSBC. At HSBC, he helped launch the bank’s first revenue-producing website in the Americas and later led its futures business. He went on to hold senior leadership positions with Forsythe Technology and SilkRoad Technology, focusing on operations, strategy, business development and growth.

For years, Fruecht supported Uncharted Learning as a board member while working full time. Eventually, he decided he wanted to become more involved.

“I needed something a little richer in my soul,” he said.

Today, Fruecht serves as Uncharted Learning’s co-founder and self-described ‘master of mentoring.’

“Just the other day I spent time helping a superintendent,” he shared. “To be able to help that person who could help so many other people underneath them, I don’t take that lightly.”

That commitment to helping others extends beyond education.

In 2000, after his daughter Molly was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 3, Fruecht, his wife, Nancy, and their children, Molly and Noah, launched The DASH to Cure Diabetes, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness and funding for diabetes care and research. What began as a fundraising effort evolved into a source of support and connection for families facing a difficult diagnosis.

“After navigating the diagnosis with Molly, we wanted to say to others, ‘Listen, this isn’t great, but you can do this,’” Fruecht said.

Fruecht is also the founder and managing partner of The NOMY Group, a consulting firm that helps individuals and organizations identify growth opportunities and navigate periods of change. Through an affiliated initiative called LyfeGroove, he publishes a wellness newsletter focused on health, fitness and well-being for men.

Despite the variety of Fruecht’s ventures, a common thread runs through all of them: helping people discover what’s possible.

“The most successful people are also the most generous people,” he said. “The people at NIU didn’t have to invest that much time in me, but they gave me themselves. The least I can do is pay that back.”

Every student’s journey includes moments when guidance can make all the difference. Your support helps NIU provide the resources, mentorship and experiences that help students succeed. Visit NIUForward.com to learn more.

For Kris, ’01, M.S.Ed, ’06, and Becky, ’00, Cassie, NIU is more than the place where they earned their degrees. It is where their lives came together, where their careers began to take shape and where they built the foundation for a future grounded in service, family and community.

The couple honors that foundation through the creation of the Kris and Becky Cassie Legacy Scholarship, which supports students pursuing studies in teaching, science, music and mathematics.

“It feels like a natural continuation of what NIU gave us,” Becky said. “This scholarship is our way of honoring the opportunities we were given and helps others step confidently into their own future.”

Kris, a Chicago-area native who grew up in Mount Prospect, arrived at NIU with a passion for education and a desire to make a difference in young people’s lives. Becky, whose childhood took her from Colorado to Florida before settling in Illinois, came to NIU after earning her associate degree at Rock Valley College and pursuing her interest in journalism and sociology.

At NIU, their individual paths converged.

NIU’s strong academic programs initially drew them to DeKalb, but it was the campus community and the opportunities they found there that left a lasting impression. The couple relied on family support and their own hard work, balancing academics with jobs and other responsibilities.

“That combination of family support, hard work and opportunity shaped our experience and is a big part of why we believe so strongly in giving back,” Becky said.

For Kris, NIU’s College of Education transformed classroom learning into a calling. Teaching practicums allowed him to see firsthand the impact educators can have on students, while faculty mentors such as Connie Fox, Jenny Parker and Clersida and Luis Garcia modeled a passion for education that still influences him more than two decades later.

“I am about to begin my 26th year in education and I carry that passion for helping children succeed,” Kris said. “I honor those professors each day that I do my job.”

Kris built a career defined by service for 25 years as a teacher and coach in the Sandwich School District, 21 of those years as a football coach, including seven as the head football coach at Sandwich High School. He has worked as a wrestling coach at multiple age levels. His work in athletics and in the classroom has impacted countless students, reflecting a belief that every young person deserves someone who believes in them.

That philosophy was shaped not only by his NIU professors but also by influential mentors, including National Wrestling Hall of Fame coach and NIU alumnus Lon Gerrish, ’82, and former Sandwich High School principal Gil Morrison. To Kris, they reinforced lessons about leadership, integrity and investing in others.

“Lon’s example showed me what it meant to lead with integrity, to invest deeply in athletes and to build programs rooted in character as much as competition; Lon didn’t just teach me how to coach—he taught me how to lead,” Kris said. “Gil’s mentorship helped me understand the broader impact of school culture, collaboration and student-centered decision-making. His guidance shaped my approach to teamwork, communication and the responsibility educators carry in shaping young lives.”

For Becky, NIU nurtured a different set of talents while arriving at many of the same values. As a journalism major and sociology minor, she found inspiration in storytelling and community engagement. Some of her favorite memories come from long hours spent in the photo lab, where she learned alongside fellow students and under the guidance of photojournalism professor Russell Elder.

“He encouraged curiosity, creativity and pride in your craft,” she recalled. “Through his classes and the time I spent working for him, I realized that your profession becomes a meaningful part of who you are.”

Those lessons carried through a diverse professional journey that included community journalism, graphic design, healthcare communications, executive leadership and organizational operations – with a current role as senior administrator at Blue Peak Tents in Batavia. Along the way, Becky also experienced one of the most defining moments of her life when she stepped away from her career to care for and homeschool their daughter during a serious illness. The experience reinforced her commitment to family, resilience and service–values that continue to influence her leadership today.

While their careers followed different paths, the Cassies share a common thread: a commitment to helping others succeed.

That commitment inspired them to establish the Kris and Becky Cassie Legacy Scholarship, a gift designed to help future NIU students pursue their educational dreams and create lasting impact in their own communities. The scholarship reflects both their personal experiences and their belief that education has the power to transform lives.

“Supporting students in these fields allows us to invest in areas that strengthen communities and open doors for future generations,” Becky said.

The scholarship is also a reflection of gratitude. The couple credits NIU with helping them discover not only their professional direction but also who they wanted to become as individuals. They describe NIU as a place rooted in hard work, inclusivity and real-world preparation, one that empowers students from all backgrounds to define success on their own terms.

More than two decades after meeting on campus and marrying in December 2000, the Cassies continue to build on the lessons they learned at NIU. Together with their three children, Alyssa, Ash and Jake, they created a family culture centered on education, service and giving back.

Their hope is that the scholarship will create opportunities for future generations in the same way opportunities were created for them.

For the Cassies, philanthropy is not simply about financial support, it is about investing in people.

“The power of philanthropy lies in its ability to open doors,” Becky said. “Many of us succeeded because someone invested in us through guidance, encouragement or financial support. Giving back is how we honor that.”

Their gift ensures that future Huskies will have access to those same opportunities, creating a legacy that extends far beyond a single scholarship. Through their generosity, the Cassies are helping students pursue their ambitions, strengthen their communities and write the next chapter of the NIU story.

And that, they believe, is the true power of giving back.

For more information on being a philanthropic Huskie, click here!

Every evening in Aix-en-Provence, France, NIU student Aline Niyogusenga sat down with her host family and spoke a language she wasn’t fully confident in.

What began as a challenge became one of the most transformative experiences of her NIU education.

Niyogusenga, a psychology and philosophy double major expected to graduate in spring 2027, spent three weeks studying in France. Financial support, including the Joyce De Winter World Languages and Cultures Scholarship, made her experience possible.

“Studying abroad has changed me to become an adaptable individual,” Niyogusenga said. “It influenced my perspective on the world, and my expectations of France were debunked by my actual experience.”

Niyogusenga’s greatest insights came as much from everyday interactions as from academics. Studying in France exposed her to different customs, social norms and ways of thinking.

School of Nursing Interim Chair Jeanette Rossetti, Ed.D., M.S., RN, CNE, who has led NIU’s Exploring Ireland’s Healthcare Services program since 2012, has repeatedly witnessed similar discoveries among her students.

“Many feel uncertain about traveling internationally and navigating unfamiliar environments, but they return with a greater sense of independence and self-assurance,” Rossetti said. “They become more comfortable communicating with people from different backgrounds, adapting to unexpected situations and viewing challenges as opportunities for growth.”

Although classroom learning provides an essential foundation, the personal growth students experience while studying abroad is difficult to replicate in a traditional classroom setting.

Rossetti has watched students in NIU’s Exploring Ireland’s Healthcare Services program return with a deeper appreciation for how culture shapes healthcare, patient experiences and public policy. As future healthcare professionals, they leave Ireland with a stronger understanding that delivering high-quality care requires recognizing and respecting the values, perspectives and lived experiences of the patients they serve.

Educational Psychology Professor Stephen Tonks, Ph.D., leads study abroad programs in Japan and has co-directed educational experiences in Indonesia. He asked his Ph.D. students in educational psychology to describe the changes they observed in themselves.

“Empathy,” said Ph.D. student Joshua Sidney. “It is virtually impossible to spend time with people, eat their food, see their lives, participate in the day-to-day and not be changed. Studying abroad is as close as a student can get to walking in someone else’s shoes, which is why it is so important.”

For Ph.D. student and middle school teacher Faith Whitfield, the most profound change was not simply learning about Japan but recognizing how her own students navigate their worlds.

“As a middle school teacher who studies newcomer experiences, I felt, if only for a moment, the disorientation of moving through spaces where language, expectations and norms were not my own,” she said. “That experience reshaped how I see my students’ courage and persistence. I returned home with a renewed commitment to building classrooms where belonging is not assumed but intentionally cultivated.”

Rossetti believes every student should have the opportunity to benefit from experiences like studying abroad.

“Study abroad experiences foster skills that employers increasingly value, including cultural competence, adaptability, communication and global awareness,” she said. “In healthcare, these competencies directly translate into better patient care.”

Whether navigating language in France, exploring healthcare systems in Ireland or building connections in Japan, NIU students return with more than memories. They return with new perspectives, greater confidence and a deeper understanding of the world and their place in it.

Through FORWARD: The Campaign for NIU, donors can help ensure more Huskies have access to experiences that broaden horizons, challenge assumptions, and prepare them to lead in making a difference in the world.

This October, the NIU Alumni Association will recognize Nancy Prange, M.S. ’97, M.P.H. ’21, Ed.D., ’21, and Pattie Schiele, ’86, as the 2026 recipients of the Northern Lights Award — honoring volunteers that embody the spirit of the Huskie Pack and the enduring legacy of Liz McSpadden, ’10, M.B.A. ’16.

A devoted Huskie, McSpadden exemplified selfless service even while battling stage IV breast cancer. In the six years before her passing in 2024, she volunteered more than 20 times, offering mentorship, encouragement and advocacy to students and her broader community. Her enduring belief that “the greatest gift” she could give was her time and effort remains the foundation of this award.

Northern Lights Award recipients demonstrate at least two of five core characteristics — generosity, initiative, reliability, joyfulness and curiosity. This year’s honorees not only meet those criteria; they bring them vividly to life.

Nancy Prange: Transforming Care into Action

For Nancy Prange, director of graduate studies in Nutrition & Dietetics within NIU’s School of Rehabilitation and Performance Sciences, volunteerism is inseparable from her professional mission: ensuring that students have the resources they need to succeed.

Prange works to ensure that students have consistent access to nutritious food — a challenge affecting millions across the country. Feeding America reports that 48 million Americans experience daily challenges with hunger, a statistic that includes college students. Prange has made it her mission to change that reality for students on campus.

As a driving force behind campus food recovery and distribution efforts such as Huskie Harvest, Prange has built systems that recover surplus food, package nutritionally balanced meals, and distribute them across campus with care and dignity. Her leadership extends beyond logistics; she has cultivated partnerships with campus dining services, community organizations and donors, while also mentoring students who participate in the initiative.

She consistently models what it means to serve with purpose and care while exploring thoughtful solutions to meet students’ needs.

“If you can help, you should,” Prange said. “That belief has become the foundation of both my personal and professional life. In my mind, service is a responsibility and a way of life. Through Huskie Harvest, I have been able to leverage campus and community partnerships into tangible support for students, ensuring that access to food is treated not as a privilege, but as a foundation for academic and personal success.”

Prange’s impact also extends beyond the university through programs like Camp Power and the Coordinated Approach to Child Health (CATCH), where she works to improve nutrition and increase food security in underserved communities.

“Community nutrition and education consistently anchor my service efforts, and I have sought opportunities where my skills are most needed,” she said. “Service, for me, is not about filling a seat at a table; it is about identifying where impact can be made and stepping forward. Staying engaged and informed allows me to move service from intention to action.”

Through her dedication, Prange has not only addressed immediate needs — she has fostered a culture in which students, faculty and volunteers work together to support one another. Her work embodies Liz McSpadden’s belief that service is both powerful and deeply personal.

Pattie Schiele: A Voice of Encouragement and Opportunity

For Pattie Schiele, volunteering is about connection — creating meaningful experiences that help students see their potential and navigate their professional futures with confidence.

Schiele spent more than 35 years building a distinguished career, primarily with global corporations including Motorola and Aon. In those roles, she led high-performing internal communications teams and helped organizations communicate strategic initiatives on a global scale. Her expertise now informs the guidance she offers to students, particularly in areas like professional communication and career readiness.

Since beginning her volunteer journey in 2020, Schiele has become one of the NIU Alumni Association’s most dependable and engaged volunteers. Whether writing postcards to prospective students, coaching participants in career workshops, assisting at college fairs, or supporting initiatives such as the Huskie Food Pantry and the Conference in Undergraduate Research and Engagement, she consistently brings energy and insight to every opportunity.

“I was extremely fortunate to have had exceptional mentors and role models while attending NIU, and once I had more time to devote to volunteering, I wanted to contribute to students’ experiences in the same way I received coaching and guidance,” Schiele said.

Schiele’s reliability has made her a cornerstone volunteer. She proactively seeks opportunities, provides feedback and willingly fills gaps when last-minute needs arise. After each volunteer opportunity, she leaves feeling energized and inspired.

“I thoroughly enjoy helping current and future Huskies see their potential, identify their superpowers and translate their unique skills into successful careers upon graduation,” she said. “It’s so personally fulfilling to be able to offer guidance and encouragement to students during such an exciting, challenging and vulnerable time in their lives.”

Schiele is not only recognized for what she does, but how she does it — with warmth, encouragement and a genuine belief in others. Her volunteer efforts reflect the spirit of the Northern Lights Award through her passion, dependability and willingness to embrace new challenges.

Honoring a Legacy Through Service

The Northern Lights Award is more than recognition — it is a continuation of Liz McSpadden’s legacy. Her life demonstrated that service is not defined by circumstance, but by commitment, compassion and the willingness to show up for others.

Nancy Prange and Pattie Schiele embody that legacy in distinct yet equally impactful ways. Prange addresses fundamental needs that allow students to thrive, while Schiele builds confidence and connection that prepares them for life beyond campus. Together, they reflect the many ways alumni can make a difference.

As McSpadden once said, “You have one life to live…there are so many things you can do with your time.”

Through their service, Prange and Schiele show us exactly how meaningful that time can be.

Interested in making an impact? NIU alumni volunteer opportunities continue to grow, offering ways to support students, share expertise and strengthen the Huskie network. Contact Assistant Director of Volunteer Engagement Taylor Curry, M.P.A. ’25, at tcurry4@niu.edu.

Each year, the NIU Alumni Association rewards the accomplishments of incredible alumni who have achieved outstanding professional and personal successes while pursuing civic, cultural or charitable activities. This year, the NIU Alumni Association Awards will be handed out during NIU’s 119th Homecoming weekend.

“Our alumni continue to be the greatest reflection of NIU’s mission, pushing boundaries and shaping a better world through their leadership and service. We are incredibly proud to celebrate their remarkable achievements, and we honor the profound impact they continue to make in their fields and communities,” said Liz McKee, the NIU Foundation’s Interim Executive Director of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving.

These three 2026 award winners personify the ultimate spirit of excellence and resilience that define our Huskie community.

• Thomas J. Dee, ’85 (COB) – Distinguished Alumnus Award
Thomas J. Dee has built a distinguished career in healthcare and biotechnology leadership while remaining deeply connected to the values and experiences that shaped him at NIU. Dee currently serves as chief executive officer of Endsulin Inc., a pre-clinical gene therapy company focused on developing treatments for Type 1 diabetes. Previously, he was senior vice president and chief financial officer of AveXis, Inc., where he helped guide the company through the successful development of a groundbreaking gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy, now marketed by Novartis as Zolgensma. Prior to AveXis, he worked as an independent business development consultant and spent 24 years with Abbott Laboratories, holding numerous senior leadership positions in finance and international operations.

A certified public accountant, Dee earned his bachelor’s degree from NIU and later received an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. He has also served on the boards of several companies and educational institutions. Dee hopes his legacy will be measured by the impact he has had on young people, dedicating his time and resources to helping children and young adults gain opportunities for a brighter future. Dee met his wife, Mary Jane (Daneck) Dee, ’85, while a student at NIU and both have been loyal and steadfast supporters of their alma mater.

• Linda B. Grandolfo, ’73, M.S.Ed. ’77 (COE) – F.R. Geigle Service Award
Linda Grandolfo has devoted her life to education, service, and philanthropy, creating a legacy of advocacy and support that has benefited countless students, families and communities.

Grandolfo credits NIU’s educational opportunities and financial support with helping launch her career serving deaf and hard of hearing students. From 1974 to 1984, she worked as a guidance counselor at Whitney Young High School before spending 30 years as a classroom teacher with the North Suburban Special Education District. In 2004, she began a second career as a family therapist with Warren Youth and Family Services, where she continues to serve today.

Grandolfo’s commitment to helping others extends far beyond her professional career. A dedicated volunteer and advocate, she has contributed her leadership and time to numerous organizations, including the Arthritis Foundation, Mothers Trust Foundation, Chicago North Shore Alumnae Panhellenic and Alpha Omicron Pi. Her volunteer service with the Arthritis Foundation earned her the Champion Award in 2021 and the Charles B. Harding Award for Distinguished Service in 2024. An engaged and passionate NIU alumna, Grandolfo serves on the Golden Huskie Alumni Network and the NIU Center for Greek Life fundraising committee and has been a strong supporter of scholarships and student success initiatives.

Grandolfo has also been a long time Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority volunteer, serving on the Executive Board, Foundation Board and Properties Board. In 2021 she received the prestigious Barbara Daugs Hunt Award intended to honor alumnae who demonstrate exceptional service, leadership and commitment to Alpha Omicron Pi. She currently serves in several volunteer positions. Through decades of service, generosity and community engagement, she exemplifies the spirit of public service and the transformative power of giving back.

• Nicole Struthers, ’17 (CHHS) – Outstanding Young Alumna Award
Nicole Struthers has distinguished herself as a healthcare educator, mentor and board-certified pathologists’ assistant whose commitment to excellence continues to impact both students and patients. Since graduating from NIU, she has built an impressive career that reflects a dedication to advancing healthcare, education and service. Struthers serves as an instructor in the Pathologists’ Assistant Program at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, where she helps train the next generation of pathology professionals.

Her commitment to clinical education was recognized in 2019 with the College of Health Professions Clinical Education Award. She has also contributed to the advancement of her field through research and professional publications, including an article published in *The Cutting Edge*, the journal of the American Association of Pathologists’ Assistants (AAPA), and through her work on the AAPA’s Macroscopic Examination Guidelines.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Struthers remains deeply connected to NIU and its students. She frequently returns to campus to speak with Medical Laboratory Science students about careers in laboratory medicine and pathology, providing insight, encouragement and mentorship. She has also supported university recruitment efforts through NIU’s Admissions Letter Writing Campaign and the Student Recruitment and Retention Team (START), helping prospective and newly admitted students envision their future as Huskies. Struthers’ commitment to service extends beyond the classroom and laboratory. She has volunteered with organizations including Bernie’s Book Bank, the Medical Explorers program and Goldy Fights Cancer, while also serving as a mentor through the American Society for Clinical Pathology and in leadership roles within the AAPA.

In addition to her NIU degree, Struthers earned a Master of Health Science degree from Rosalind Franklin University and holds certifications as both a medical laboratory scientist and pathologists’ assistant through the American Society for Clinical Pathology.

Few accomplishments are more meaningful than turning possibility into impact.

Throughout a distinguished career spanning healthcare, biotechnology and mission-driven entrepreneurship, Thomas J. Dee, ’85, has helped guide organizations developing life-changing medical innovations while creating opportunities for the next generation to succeed.

Those achievements have earned him the NIU Alumni Association’s 2026 Distinguished Alumnus Award, the association’s most prestigious honor recognizing alumni who have made extraordinary contributions to their professions, communities and NIU.

Dee currently serves as the chief executive officer of Endsulin Inc., a pre-clinical biotech company focused on developing a gene therapy for Type 1 diabetes with the potential for one-time treatment to cure the disease.

Previously, as senior vice president and chief financial officer of AveXis, Inc., he helped guide the company through the successful development of a groundbreaking gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy, now marketed globally by Novartis as Zolgensma. While there, he built and managed all financial and administrative functions of the business. In 2016, he helped take the comapny public, raising nearly $1 billion in 18 short months. Today, AveXis is known as Novartis Gene Therapies.

Dee spent more than 20 years at Abbott Laboratories, where he held senior leadership roles in finance and international acquisitions that helped expand the company’s global reach. During his tenure, he oversaw financial operations for Abbott’s $18 billion global pharmaceutical business.

Throughout his career, Dee has served on the boards of several companies and educational institutions, helping guide organizations focused on innovation, growth and opportunity.

As a first-generation college student, Dee seized opportunities at NIU that helped shape his life and career. He earned his bachelor’s degree in accountancy from NIU before going on to receive an M.B.A. from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. He credits NIU with providing both the educational foundation and leadership experiences that helped shape his career.

“I learned about leadership, professionalism, discipline and character development through my experiences at NIU,” he said.

As a student, Dee became one of the university’s youngest resident advisors as a sophomore. The position helped fund his education while developing leadership and organizational skills that would serve him throughout his career. As a senior working as a housing courier, he met his future wife, Mary Jane (Daneck) Dee, ’85, who was serving as a resident advisor.

Living on campus for all four years, Dee became active in student organizations and intramural athletics.

“I played basketball several days per week,” he said. “I met many student-athletes and coaches. Through that experience, I grew to respect the commitment required for success in academics and athletics.”

That appreciation evolved into a lifelong commitment to NIU Athletics. The Dees have attended Huskie football and basketball games across the country, supported numerous athletic programs and helped establish the Sports Nutrition Performance Center at Huskie Stadium, enhancing resources that support student-athlete health and performance.

Outside of athletics, the Dees remain dedicated supporters of the university and its students through philanthropy, advocacy and engagement. Their support of the Huskie Promise has helped expand access to education and strengthened opportunities for future generations of Huskies. They have also supported the College of Business alumni community, mentoring programs and alumni networking initiatives.

Alongside two fellow Huskies, Dee helped found Altus Academy, an independent, college-preparatory primary school in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood. Established to expand educational opportunities for students in an underserved community, Altus Academy is built on a belief shared by the Huskie Promise: that every child deserves the support and resources to reach their full potential. Among his many accomplishments, Dee describes the venture as one of the most rewarding of his career.

Building on that commitment, Dee and his family established the Dee Community Impact Through Education (CitE) Scholarship, which supports Chicago-area students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who attended college-preparatory schools.

“I am hopeful my legacy will have a ripple effect from investing in young lives,” Dee said. “I have focused my time and resources on assisting children and young adults who don’t have advantages most people take for granted because they deserve a fair start.”

Through his leadership in healthcare and biotechnology, dedication to expanding educational opportunities and meaningful support of NIU, Dee exemplifies the excellence, service and lasting impact recognized by the Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Dee will be recognized during NIU’s 119th Homecoming celebration. Learn more about Homecoming events and festivities here.

Nicole Struthers, ’17, is dedicated to helping others succeed, whether she’s mentoring students, training future healthcare professionals or advancing the field of pathology through education and service.

Struthers serves as a full-time faculty member with the rank of assistant professor in the Pathologists’ Assistant Program at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in North Chicago. There, she helps prepare the next generation of pathologists’ assistants, specialists who are academically and practically trained to provide accurate and timely processing of a variety of laboratory specimens, for careers that ultimately impact patient care.

Struthers, who received a Master of Health Science degree from Rosalind Franklin University, also works as a per diem pathologists’ assistant in the Surgical Pathology Department at Endeavor Health’s NorthShore University HealthSystem.

Prior to that per diem position, she served as a full-time pathologists’ assistant for NorthShore University Health System and held pathologists’ assistant posts at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago and Swedish American Hospital in Rockford, and did her clinical rotation at the University of Minnesota Medical Center in Minneapolis.

In addition, Struthers frequently visits the NIU campus to speak to students in the Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) program about opportunities in the laboratory science and pathology fields.

Her commitment to education, mentorship and service, along with her continued support of NIU and its students, has earned her the NIU Alumni Association’s 2026 Outstanding Young Alumna Award.

For Struthers, receiving the honor was both unexpected and deeply meaningful.

“When my MLS program director, Jeanne Isabel, reached out to inform me that the program would like to nominate me for this award, I was shocked,” she said. “I was honored to even be considered for this award, let alone to ultimately receive it.”

She credits NIU with opening doors that shaped both her professional and personal life.

“NIU played an integral role in shaping me into who I am today,” Struthers said. “I’ve said to friends and family over the years that NIU led me to the opportunities that ultimately shaped me into who I am today and that I was always meant to be a Huskie.”

Two faculty members in particular helped guide her journey: Isabel and Ellen Olsen, who is the current MLS program coordinator.

“Dr. Isabel and Ellen continually fostered my innate curiosity in laboratory medicine and consistently encouraged me to participate in the myriad of opportunities that were available to me,” Struthers said.

Those opportunities included the NIU MLS Club, a Mayo Clinic summer internship and a study abroad experience in Belize. Outside the classroom, Struthers found equally valuable lessons through campus employment. She fondly remembers working in marketing for Housing and Dining, where she helped with open houses, residence hall tours and freshman move-in events.

“That job challenged me in ways I had yet to experience,” she said. “I experienced tremendous growth during my time there.”

Today, many of those same lessons guide her work as an educator.

“Growth happens when you say ‘yes’ to opportunities that challenge you,” Struthers said. “Some of the experiences that shaped who I am today came from stepping outside my comfort zone, getting involved and building relationships with faculty, mentors and classmates.”

That philosophy continues to shape the legacy she hopes to leave. Through her teaching, Struthers strives to equip future pathologists’ assistants with technical expertise, critical-thinking skills and an unwavering commitment to patient care.

“Every student I help train will go on to impact the lives of thousands of patients throughout their career,” she said.

By investing in future healthcare professionals and remaining deeply connected to NIU, Struthers embodies the spirit of service, leadership and lifelong learning that define the Outstanding Young Alumna Award.

Struthers will be recognized during NIU’s 119th Homecoming celebration. Learn more about Homecoming events and festivities here.

For years, Linda B. Grandolfo, ’73, M.S.Ed. ’77, has dedicated her time, talents and resources to strengthening Northern Illinois University and expanding opportunities for fellow Huskies. Through her volunteer leadership, philanthropy and alumni engagement, she has helped foster connections among alumni while championing programs that advance student success.

In recognition of her outstanding commitment to NIU, Grandolfo has been selected as the recipient of the NIU Alumni Association’s 2026 F.R. Geigle Service Award. The award honors individuals whose service has advanced the best interests of the university.

Grandolfo’s connection to NIU began when she arrived on campus in 1969, supported by a full scholarship and grant funding. She earned a bachelor’s degree specializing in deaf education in 1973, followed by a master’s degree in guidance and counseling in 1977. The support she received as a student inspired her commitment to giving back to NIU.

“I owe a great deal to NIU,” Grandolfo said. “The education and financial support I received motivated me to pursue a graduate degree. It provided me with a 41-year career in deaf education, for which I will always be grateful. I personally feel that it is very important to give back both with time and financially.”

As a student, Grandolfo found a sense of belonging through her involvement in Alpha Omicron Pi (AOII), a social sorority.

“NIU in the 1970s was a vibrant campus with a very engaged and involved Greek community,” Grandolfo said. “As a member of Alpha Omicron Pi, I was involved in a variety of campus activities and created lifelong friendships.”

Her involvement in AOII became one of the defining experiences of her time at NIU and sparked a lifetime of leadership and volunteer service within the organization.

Grandolfo first brought her volunteer spirit to her alma mater as an engaged volunteer and standout supporter of the College of Education. In recent years, she has devoted significant time and energy to NIU through the Golden Huskie 50-year reunion planning committee, the Golden Huskie Alumni Network and the Center for Greek Life fundraising committee. She has become a passionate advocate for alumni engagement, encouraging fellow Huskies to reconnect with the university and support causes that matter to them.

Raised with a strong belief in philanthropy, Grandolfo has paired her volunteer service with financial support. She made a five-year commitment to Project Graduate, which helps remove financial barriers for students nearing completion of their degrees, and continues to champion initiatives including the Golden Huskie Promise Fund and the Center for Greek Life.

Beyond NIU, Grandolfo has remained committed to serving others. Following her retirement from her career in education, she began working as a part-time family therapist at Warren Youth and Family Services, where she continues to work today. She also remains actively involved with AOII and has devoted many years of volunteer service to the Arthritis Foundation.

For Grandolfo, giving back to NIU is a way of honoring the opportunities that helped shape her life and career. Through her volunteer engagement, philanthropy and advocacy, she has strengthened the university and deepened connections among generations of Huskies. Her stewardship of Northern Illinois University embodies the values celebrated by the F.R. Geigle Service Award.

Grandolfo will be recognized during NIU’s 119th Homecoming celebration. Learn more about Homecoming events and festivities here.