With her role at the American Medical Association, Cathy Ngoma, ’20, is advancing efforts to improve health equity in communities across the country.

Ngoma, who earned her bachelor’s degree in public health from NIU, is a senior partnerships coordinator within the AMA’s Center for Optimal Health Outcomes on the Partnerships and Strategy Team.

“My work has a nationwide scope through our Release the Pressure initiative, which focuses on empowering Black communities with the knowledge, resources and opportunities needed to achieve optimal health,” Ngoma said. “In my role, I lead our grants and sponsorships portfolio for the center. Through this work, we are able to sponsor, fund and strengthen a variety of partnership initiatives that advance our mission and expand our impact.”

Those partnerships span the country and range widely in focus.

“The AMA collaborates with a wide range of partners, including physicians from across the country and many national organizations such as the American Heart Association, Minority Health Institute, and the National Medical Foundation,” she said. “We also work with hyper-local and regional partners like Westside United, RUSH University, and the Chicago Department of Public Health, to name a few.”

Ngoma said her work comes with both challenges and meaningful rewards.

“In my role at the AMA, the most challenging part is navigating complex partnerships and aligning diverse stakeholders toward shared goals,” she said. “However, the most rewarding part is seeing the tangible impact of our work—whether it’s supporting health equity initiatives, creating new opportunities for collaboration or advancing programs that make a real difference in communities.”

Before joining the AMA, Ngoma worked for the Chicago Mayor’s Office’s Community Safety Coordination Center, where she helped address the root causes of violence in communities most affected.

“This experience strengthened my commitment to equity, collaboration and community-driven solutions,” she said.

Ngoma’s passion for service is rooted in her upbringing in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia. Her mother worked for the Zambian government, and her father was a businessman. She grew up as the second youngest of eight children.

“Coming from a large family taught me at an early age the value of teamwork, resilience and shared responsibility,” she said.

When it came time to choose a college, Ngoma was eager to broaden her worldview by engaging with people from a wide range of cultures and backgrounds.

“I chose NIU because of its strong academic programs, supportive community and opportunities for international students,” she said. “The university provided a welcoming environment where I could both pursue my professional goals and grow personally.”

Scholarships and grants made her NIU education possible.

“As an immigrant coming from humble beginnings, my family did not have a lot of resources, so receiving the financial assistance I needed was both impactful and deeply appreciated,” she said.

During her time on campus, Ngoma was deeply involved in student life.

“Being part of the campus community allowed me to build lasting friendships and connections,” she said. “I was part of the African Students Association, which gave me opportunities to grow as a leader, collaborate across cultures and give back to the community.”

She credits several professors and mentors with shaping her academic and personal development.

“I was fortunate to have professors and mentors who took an active interest in my growth,” she said. “Their encouragement and guidance gave me the confidence to take on challenges and pursue opportunities I might not have otherwise considered. They modeled leadership, resilience and service—qualities that I carry with me in my career today.”

One mentor who played a particularly influential role was Professor Shawn Jeffers, who also served as CFO of Little City Foundation, an organization advocating for people with disabilities.

“He had a significant impact on me,” she said. “I ultimately joined Little City as a community health specialist after graduating from NIU.”

Reflecting on her time as a student, Ngoma said NIU taught her to value relationships, embrace diversity and remain adaptable.

“The skills I developed in balancing academics, leadership, and cultural engagement have stayed with me and continue to shape how I approach both professional and personal goals,” she said.

To her, a true NIU Huskie is defined by resilience, community and curiosity.

“Huskies are people who rise to challenges, value relationships and seek to learn from every experience,” she said. “They carry these values forward to create a positive impact wherever life takes them.”

This is just one example of how NIU empowers students to become leaders who shape tomorrow’s world. Discover how NIU is fortifying our future at niuforward.com.

When Madeline Alger, ’18, graduated from Northern Illinois University with a marketing degree and a graphic design minor, she knew she had the tools to succeed in the fast-paced world of digital marketing. What she didn’t anticipate was how those same skills would empower her to take on a second role — helping her family run a publishing company and bring a major project to life.

Today, Alger works full-time as a director at the digital marketing agency BluShark Digital, while serving as marketing manager for Four Walls Press, the publishing company owned and operated by her parents, Paul Alger, ’87, and Kristen Alger. In both roles, her NIU education is the foundation for everything she does.

“My marketing degree has been instrumental in my career at BlueShark, leading the community outreach team, guiding projects, and helping clients build meaningful digital and in-person connections,” Alger said. “Unexpectedly though, at Four Walls Press it has helped me develop pricing and publishing plans, as well as entire marketing plans including: drafting press releases for local audiences, grassroots marketing through book clubs, multi-platform social media campaigns, website design and SEO — you name it, and my degree provided the base for it all.”

Her expertise doesn’t stop at strategy. Thanks to her minor in graphic design, Alger has also handled the creative side of publishing.

“I was able to typeset the entire 587 pages of the book Letters of a Traveling Architect,” she said. “The cover design and internal illustrations are based on the architectural sketches of the main character and help make the entire book feel like his story.”

“My work is only possible because of my time and education at Northern,” Alger said. “NIU gave me the tools to succeed professionally and personally.”

Beyond her career and family projects, Alger continues to give back to NIU as an active member of the Master of Science in Digital Marketing board, where she mentors students and shares industry insights. Each semester, she speaks to students about emerging trends in search engine optimization and digital marketing, with recent topics exploring AI and Google algorithms.

“Alumni involvement helps the program remain at the forefront of digital marketing and complements the strong foundation students gain through coursework,” Alger said.

In addition to guest speaking, she’s reviewed resumes, conducted mock interviews, and coached students through their job search process.

“I love giving back,” she added. “I am always looking for more ways to help.”

For NIU, Alger’s journey is a powerful example of how education opens doors — not just to jobs, but to unexpected opportunities.

This is just one example of how NIU empowers alumni to help create distinctive experiences for future business leaders. Discover how you can help—start at niuforward.com.

Joshua Barron, Ed.S. ’06, Ed.D. ’12, is grateful for mentors like coaches and teachers who helped lift him up during his youth. As the superintendent of Community High School District 218 in suburban Oak Lawn, Illinois, he is now a mentor to others.

“I feel a purpose in life helping others, especially young people, to fulfill their dreams,” he said. “Teachers, coaches and school leaders saved my life. There is no better job on earth.”

Barron, who was born and raised by a young, single mother on Chicago’s South Side, said he saw teachers and coaches as father figures.

“I never met my father, but my mother worked hard as a caretaker and eventually proudly completed her Bachelor of Arts degree,” he said.

Barron said he was a natural leader in sports and the classroom as a teenager, graduating 16th in his high school class at Mount Carmel and playing on the school’s 1990 and 1991 state championship football teams.

He earned a full-ride baseball scholarship to Lewis University, compiling the second-highest number of wins in school history and pitching and winning a 1994 College World Series game. During his time at Lewis, he was selected as both an Athletics and Academic All-American athlete.

Barron said he decided to return for his doctoral degree while working full-time as a school principal at Alan B. Shepard High School in Palos Heights, Illinois. He praised NIU for its program and for the people he met during his journey.

“I had the Huskie grit and perseverance,” he said. “I was a young principal with three kids in diapers at home, and I was going to school.”

Barron recalled driving to DeKalb every Saturday for three years, having class from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a cohort of 30 classmates.

“I chose NIU for its reputable doctoral program,” he said. “The cohort was great with many going on to become superintendents, and we continue to network.”

Barron said one professor stood out during his time at NIU.

“Dr. Rosita Lopez was instrumental in helping me complete my dissertation,” he said. “I am forever grateful.”

Barron has a passion for learning, as he’s currently working on his fifth degree, working toward an Executive Master of Nonprofit Administration degree at Notre Dame Mendoza School of Business.

Working in education, shaping young lives, has given his life purpose, he said.

“I felt leading could change kids’ lives too,” he said. “I am doing that now.”

This is just one example of how NIU empowers students to become leaders who shape tomorrow’s world. Discover how NIU is fortifying our future at niuforward.com.

Fifty years after earning his Ph.D. in English, Dave Oliphant, ’75, returned to Northern Illinois University’s DeKalb campus not only as an award-winning poet and author, but as a man revisiting the pages of his own past.

Oliphant’s writing has long served as a lens through which to view moments in time, and this visit offered a chance to look back at one of the most formative chapters in his life.

His time at NIU was more than academic; it was deeply personal. DeKalb was where his daughter, Elisa, was born and where his son, Darío, went to NIU lab school. Beyond the vibrant Huskie community, Oliphant and his late wife, María, found a home and joyful friendships in nearby Malta, Illinois.

Visiting campus in early October 2025 with Elisa, Oliphant embraced the opportunity to celebrate cherished memories and reflect on his literary journey, deeply rooted in his NIU experience.

“Driving through the farmland and the corn was very emotional,” he said. “NIU was a wonderful experience in my life.”

“It’s been a long time since I dreamt of María,” Oliphant continued. “But, two nights ago I did. She had her back to me and was looking back at me over her shoulder—and now that I think about it, it was like she was looking back into the past.”

His visit was thoughtfully curated by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to showcase his professional legacy and share his wisdom with the next generation. Highlights included guest speaking in an intensive reading and literary analysis course, multiple poetry readings, a reception hosted by the Department of English, and lunch with faculty from the Department of World Languages and Cultures.

A particularly poignant moment came at the Book Lab in the Founders Memorial Library, where Oliphant reunited with a printmaking press he helped bring to campus in the 1970s.

“I went to Chicago with fellow instructors and brought this press to DeKalb,” Oliphant said. “The first thing ever printed on it was my poem about a famous writer in Texas who wrote about the environment. It was long, so they had to split it into two columns to fit on one page. I helped set the type.”

The Book Lab celebrates traditional bookmaking methods, offering students and visitors hands-on experiences in typesetting, printing and old-fashioned writing. During his visit, Oliphant and attendees handcrafted custom bookmarks—a fitting tribute to his enduring love of the written word.

It was at NIU that Oliphant honed his craft in writing long, epic poems, experimenting with new structures and themes that enabled deeper narrative exploration.

“I began to write on themes and certain techniques that were new for me—structures that supported longer, more narrative poems,” he said. “That all began at NIU.”

Oliphant earned his B.A. from Lamar University and his M.A. from the University of Texas. In 1965, he traveled to Chile through an exchange program between the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Chile in Santiago. The following year, he returned independently to teach, and during that time, he met María, who worked as a librarian. In her, he found a partner and his most profound muse. They married in 1967 and moved to Texas before relocating to New Mexico, where Oliphant pursued a Ph.D. in American Studies at the University of New Mexico while teaching at a junior college.

Seeking a full-time teaching position, Oliphant called NIU’s English Department and serendipitously connected with a former Lamar English professor. He was offered a half- or three-quarter-time teaching role while pursuing his Ph.D. in English. In 1969, he packed up his family and moved to Illinois.

From 1969 to 1974, Oliphant balanced his studies and teaching. He also nurtured his love of jazz. On a fluke, he participated in a trivia game broadcast on NIU’s NPR station. After answering correctly, he was invited to speak on-air about jazz and read his poetry. He fondly remembers attending the legendary Duke Ellington concert—believed to be Ellington’s last official performance—which led to the naming of the Holmes Student Center ballroom.

Though his literary career is primarily centered on Texas history and Texas jazz—reflecting his longtime residency in the Lone Star State—Oliphant’s work also delves into deeply personal themes, including María and the people he met at NIU. One poem, written about NIU Professor Russell Durning, who directed Oliphant’s dissertation, captures the tragedy of the 1979 fire that claimed the lives of Durning and his family.

“If I were to write a poem today about my NIU visit, I would convey my gratefulness for all the support of people here,” Oliphant said. “I think about them almost daily, and for that reason, they appear in my past writings.”

“After NIU, I never turned down an opportunity to write,” he continued. “My openness developed at NIU as I saw worlds that I never expected or experienced.”

Now retired after six decades of writing poetry and books, Oliphant’s career is lovingly chronicled on a Texas-sized website created by Elisa, which features family photos and captures the enduring love between her parents.

As he reflected on his journey, Oliphant offered a message to aspiring writers and students:

“Don’t give up. If you’re truly wanting to achieve something, you just have to stick with it and suffer through the low points and ride on the high ones.”

To support faculty and help inspire discovery at NIU, visit niuforward.com.

Philanthropic engagement and support for education are crucial to long-time educator Linda Grandolfo, ’73, M.S.Ed. ’77. Anyone looking at her volunteer resume can quickly see the depth of her commitment—it stretches five pages!

Attending NIU on a full-ride scholarship and grant, Grandolfo earned a bachelor’s degree specializing in deaf education. In 1977, she returned to earn a master’s degree in counseling.

“I owe a great deal to NIU,” she said. “The education and financial support I received from NIU 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.”

A few years ago, Grandolfo brought these passions to her alma mater as an engaged volunteer and stand-out supporter of the College of Education.

She began volunteering with the Greek Alumni Council and then joined the Golden Huskie planning committee for the 50-year reunion in 2023. What was supposed to be a single-year project expanded to two years, and Grandolfo helped plan the reunion event in 2024 as well.

“The Golden Huskie Homecoming activities brought alumni back to campus for the first time in many years,” she said. “I enjoy planning events and creating new friendships in the process.”

Most recently, Grandolfo has been involved in the new Golden Huskie Alumni Network, which was formed to plan events throughout the year and create interest amongst the Golden Huskie community. She is also involved with the NIU Center for Greek Life fundraising committee.

“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. I have a group of AOII sisters that still get together regularly and have for over 50 years.”

Grandolfo said the Greek Life fundraising committee’s goal is to work with Greek alumni to fund the new Center for Greek Life and to engage with them to support the revival of Greek Life at NIU.

Raised with a strong philanthropic spirit she carries forward, Grandolfo says she made a five-year financial commitment to Project Graduate. She also strongly advocates for the Golden Huskie scholarship and the Center for Greek Life. She encourages all alumni to return to campus for events and to support the programs and initiatives close to their hearts.

After completing her career as an educator in 2014, Grandolfo began working as a part-time family therapist at Warren Youth and Family Services in Gurnee, Illinois, where she still works. She remains highly involved as an alumna member of Alpha Omicron Pi (AOII), holding countless positions over the years, including her current position as president of her local alumni chapter. She is also a long-term volunteer with the Arthritis Foundation.

Despite her varying commitments, she understands NIU needs alumni support to continue to provide experiences for alumni and current students and is grateful for the opportunity to help.

“It is truly my honor to volunteer for NIU,” Grandolfo said. “I hope others will connect with NIU via email or social media, attend an event, or volunteer to meet new friends, have fun and experience firsthand how much NIU values their volunteers!”

NIU alumni volunteer their time in meaningful ways. Want to brainstorm ways you can get involved? Contact Liz McKee, M.S.Ed. ’14, at lmckee1@niu.edu or 815-753-7400.

Adrienne Miller, M.F.A. ’15, came to NIU with a clear goal: to elevate her career.

Now serving as exhibition and publications manager at the Speed Art Museum in Louisville, Kentucky, Miller has built a career where creativity meets precision.

“I was a studio manager and gallery coordinator at Vanderbilt University for five years,” she said. “I kept running into jobs that I was interested in applying for that all required a graduate degree. The time I spent at NIU developing my own studio practice, teaching, and working at the NIU Art Museum led me exactly where I am today.”

After applying to several graduate programs, Miller chose NIU for its strong offer of two graduate assistantships: one as a shop technician in the printmaking studio and another at the NIU Art Museum in Altgeld Hall.

“I applied to NIU knowing I would get to work with Professors Michael Barnes and Ashley Nason, both of whom I had met previously through national printmaking conferences,” she said. “Michael is one of the preeminent American lithographers and has really put NIU on the map as a school to study printmaking.”

Printmaking is a process that involves creating images by transferring ink from a surface—such as metal, wood or stone—onto paper or another material. One printmaking technique, lithography, relies on the repulsion between oil and water to produce detailed, layered prints. Another technique, known as the intaglio process, fascinated Miller from the start.

“The intaglio printing starts by carving lines into a metal plate. Ink settles into those grooves, and paper is pressed into the plate to pull out every detail,” Miller said. “In contrast, I also often worked with relief printing, where the ink sits on a raised surface and the paper picks up the image from the top. I liked to use Japanese paper and also created collographs to mix things up by using textured materials to build the plate, rather than carving or etching.”

Miller’s three years at NIU flew by. She taught courses in printmaking and drawing, gaining valuable experience as an educator. She appreciated having a large off-campus warehouse studio owned by the university to work in and cherished the faculty and students she collaborated with.

Recently, she attended an NIU event in Kentucky, eager to reconnect with and meet fellow Huskies.

“I had never met any other alumni in this area, so I was curious who would be there,” she said. “It was so lovely reminiscing about DeKalb and the campus.”

At the event, she was also able to share her love of the arts and advocate for others to explore art in the community.

“Supporting art and creativity in your own community is so important,” Miller said. “Go to gallery openings, the theater, or an orchestra performance. You don’t always have to spend money, but if you feel compelled to, museum memberships are a great, lower-cost way to support the arts. Finally, buy artwork that moves you! It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive; any purchase allows the artist to keep making things.”

Miller’s passion is reflected in her work at the Speed Art Museum, where she plays a role in managing every exhibition and installation. At any given time, she might be drafting contracts for shows years in the future while overseeing a current installation.

“I like to describe my role as being the air traffic controller for six curators and their projects,” she said. “Whenever we create a publication in-house, I work alongside our curators and designers to ensure the project is completed on time. It’s a unique role that requires both high-level strategic thinking and attention to the smallest details.”

Founded in 1927 by Hattie Bishop Speed in memory of her late husband, the museum is the largest and oldest art museum in Kentucky, housing over 13,000 objects. It will celebrate its centennial in 2027.

“My favorite part of my job is designing exhibitions,” Miller said. “It’s somewhat like being an interior designer. You have to consider both the content of the artwork and how the space helps visitors understand the conceptual takeaways.”

Before stepping into her current role, Miller honed her skills through a series of positions at the Speed Art Museum, including exhibition and special project coordinator and assistant preparator. She also freelanced for local museums and art organizations, building a diverse portfolio of experience.

“I have been very strategic and sometimes lucky with the roles I have taken on through my career,” Miller said. “I was pushed as early as high school to volunteer or intern with other creatives and find out what jobs as an artist might look like.”

Outside of her museum work, Miller is also a practicing studio artist. She primarily works two-dimensionally on paper, focusing on printmaking. She describes her studio practice as exploring symbolic landscape and abstract architectural spaces to examine the psychological power of physical and mental boundaries.

“My personal research involves psychology, America’s relationship to natural spaces, suburban expansion, and the history of property ownership,” she said. “Lately I have been studying female surrealist painters active during and after the World Wars, thinking about the dynamic relationship of their work to the cultural and political change that was happening around them.”

This year, in addition to working at the museum, Miller and her husband opened a small gallery in Louisville called Friend of Mine, housed in their storefront studio building. Between exhibitions featuring other artists, Miller’s own work is often on display. She also has art currently featured in “Sixty Years of Printmaking at NIU: A Legacy of Excellence” in the NIU Art Museum.

When asked what contributes to her success, Miller credits focus, community engagement and hard work. She acknowledges her parents for exposing her to diverse experiences and the arts at a young age.

“I grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, and I was always involved in extracurriculars and community service,” she said. “Reading, creativity, theater, music—those things were always emphasized around me. That early exposure shaped how I see the world today.”

Miller is also quick to acknowledge inspiring teachers and mentors who helped her stay the course. She worked closely with NIU Art Museum assistant director Peter Olson, describing him as a calm and steady presence who consistently offered thoughtful, grounded advice.

“Anytime you can build a rapport with someone who sees your genuine interest and wants to help you grow, that’s a special relationship,” she said.

Empower NIU students to thrive in visionary careers—start at niuforward.com.

NIU junior Amanda Trotz, who aims to graduate in May 2027 with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing, has the profession in her genes: both her mother and grandmother are nurses.

“Their passion for caring for others deeply inspired my decision to pursue this path,” Trotz said.

Trotz has a career goal of becoming a pediatric intensive care nurse.

“I have a longstanding passion for working with children and feel that I can connect with them in a meaningful and compassionate way,” she said. “While I am currently undecided about pursuing education beyond my bachelor’s degree, I remain open to opportunities for professional growth and further learning in the future.”

Trotz, who grew up in the northern Illinois town of Marengo, attended NIU football games in her youth and appreciated both the campus atmosphere and its proximity to her hometown.

After deciding to enroll at NIU, she applied for and received numerous scholarships funded by generous donors to help her attain her goals, including the M. Catherine Burkhart Excellence Fund, the Ruth I. Hall Endowed Nursing Scholarship, the Phyllis L. Ross Memorial Scholarship in Nursing, the Marian Frerichs Nursing Scholarship Fund, and the Harold W. Finney and Janet P. Finney Medical Memorial Scholarship Fund.

“Thanks to the generous scholarships I have been awarded, I’m able to focus fully on my education without the added stress of financial burdens,” she said.

Before she received the scholarships, Trotz had started her nursing school journey and was overwhelmed by the challenge of balancing work, school expenses and study time.

“At that same time, my grandfather, whom I called Papa, was critically ill and hospitalized,” she said. “Just days before his passing, I started receiving emails from the scholarship office. In that moment, amid hardship, I truly felt it was God’s way of reminding me that everything would be okay—and that I was exactly where I was meant to be.”

Trotz praised assistant professor Stephanie Uhr, Ph.D., for being a supportive mentor.

“Dr. Uhr was my instructor for NURS 302 last semester, and she is truly one of the kindest and most supportive educators I’ve had the privilege of learning from,” Trotz said. “She genuinely understands the demands of nursing school and consistently advocates for her students. Dr. Uhr made it a priority to check in with us regularly, offering encouragement and reminding us that we are capable of overcoming the challenges of nursing school.”

Even as she attends school, she has worked as a patient care technician at Northwestern Medicine in Huntley, Illinoi since she was 17.

“When I began my college journey, I transitioned to a PRN – or per diem nursing – role to better balance work and academics,” she said. “I continue to pick up shifts as often as possible to support myself through school and invest in my future. Balancing a rigorous nursing program with 12-hour shifts can be challenging, so managing my time effectively has become essential.”

Trotz also continues to be active in her nursing school community and other organizations. She serves on the Student Advisory Council and is a member and merchandising director of the Student Nurses’ Organization Executive Board. She also works as a peer tutor for pathophysiology.

“I’m passionate about giving back to the School of Nursing, as it has given so much to me,” she said.

She is also a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority, where she has formed a number of close friendships and serves as its communications director.

“Additionally, I had the opportunity to participate in the Penguin Players organization at NIU last year—an experience that holds some of my most cherished memories during my time here,” she said.

The Penguin Players are part of the Penguin Project, which pairs college students with people with special needs for a live musical theater production.

Trotz is incredibly grateful to those who support scholarships, and encourages others to do so.

“To the generous individuals who donate to support student scholarships, I want you to know that your contributions have the power to truly change a student’s life,” she said. “In moments when the world feels like it is crashing down, your kindness and generosity provide not only financial relief but also a profound sense of hope and encouragement. Your support is making a meaningful impact and helping shape the next generation of professionals who will go on to serve and strengthen our communities.”

To help Huskies like Amanda achieve their goals, please visit the NIU Forward website.

Doug Bratt, ’01, M.M. ’02, found that NIU was more than his second act; it was the encore that brought his passion center stage.

His path to becoming a talented percussionist and a tenured professor at Moraine Valley Community College (MVCC), where he has led successful music ensembles over the past 23 years, was a sharp pivot from his initial career plan.

Bratt first earned a bachelor’s degree in American history from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1992. He then followed in the footsteps of his parents, both attorneys, and worked as a paralegal in Chicago for nearly four years.

With an extensive history of playing percussion in high school and college, Bratt was eager to find ways to join Chicago’s vibrant music scene.

“I auditioned often and jammed with great players, including, believe it or not, auditioning for what later became the 1990s indie rock band Veruca Salt, a gig I actually turned down!” Bratt said.

During the summer of 1995, he juggled working as a paralegal at the University of Chicago Medical Legal Affairs office from 6:30 a.m. to midafternoon and then joined the jazz quartet “Pier Pressure” at Navy Pier for an additional seven hours. Working long hours on adrenaline and passion panned out. After the summer, the gig became a full-time, year-round job for the next two years and was steady enough that Bratt left his paralegal position entirely. The quartet also created a spin-off group that performed at local clubs and special events outside of the Pier.

“Through that intensive two-year stint of playing five to six days a week, I began to realize that I wanted to go back to school for a music degree,” Bratt said. “Several of the quartet members and many of our regular subs had attended music school and spoke about their experiences studying theory and composition, touring with legendary musicians, and learning a wide range of music styles. It was clear that there was so much more I wanted and needed to learn.”

Bratt had learned of NIU’s music program through a high school classmate, Chris Goode, ’93; his former percussion instructor, Bill Elliott, M.M. ’91; and Erik Leckrone, M.M. ’95, son of renowned University of Wisconsin Marching Band Director Mike Leckrone.

“Of course, the deeper I got into the Chicago music scene, I realized a high percentage of the busiest players were NIU graduates,” he said. “And everyone spoke very highly of the program.”

Immersed in Education, On Stage With Legends

In 1997, ready to return to college, Bratt and his wife, Sarah Cauldwell Bratt, ’00, decided to move to DeKalb and both pursued their second bachelor’s degrees.

“I was a much more focused and productive student as a married 27-year-old with many experiences behind me,” Bratt said. “It was a bit strange being the oldest student by about nine or 10 years in most of my undergraduate classes, but I was fortunate to still make strong connections among my first-year colleagues. This experience is one I find myself sharing with our returning adult students at Moraine Valley, particularly when they might be feeling like they’re not fitting in.”

In 1998, Bratt earned a coveted spot in the NIU Jazz Ensemble.

“There were days I’d leave rehearsal wanting to chuck my drums into the Kishwaukee River, but I persisted and improved, encouraged by the opportunities to perform alongside some of the most iconic musicians in jazz,” he said.

According to Bratt, Professor Ronald Carter, then-director of the NIU Jazz Ensemble, booked guest artists such as saxophonists Benny Golson and Jimmy Heath; trombonist Curtis Fuller; and drummer Ed Thigpen for weeklong residencies and tours with the band. They performed at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago and the International Association of Jazz Education (IAJE) conference in New York City.

“I had an ‘out-of-body’ experience when trumpeter and composer Wynton Marsalis joined us at the IAJE,” Bratt said. “It was one of the best performances I ever had with the band, and we got a huge standing ovation at the end.”

The ensemble concluded the same year with a summer European tour, featuring Thigpen as their guest artist.

At NIU, Bratt significantly broadened his percussion skills. Under the guidance of professors Rich Holly and Robert Chappell, he explored a wide variety of styles and instruments—from fundamentals on snare drum to steel pan, Afro-Brazilian and West African drumming, among others. With percussion playing a role in nearly every genre, Bratt was frequently invited to perform in other students’ recitals, a demanding but rewarding experience that pushed him to grow as a musician.

Bratt performed in ensembles including the NIU All-University Jazz Band, NIU Lab Band, NIU Percussion Ensemble, and the NIU Steelband. He also performed in the percussion sections of the NIU Wind Symphony, NIU Wind Ensemble, and NIU Orchestra. With almost no concert percussion experience before coming to NIU, this was invaluable training for Bratt’s future career.

Conducting the Classroom

Although Bratt described his performing experiences as life-changing, he believes that his graduate assistantship teaching MUSC 220 and co-directing the All-University Jazz Band provided him with the integral experience that led to his hiring at MVCC.

MUSC 220 was full—roughly 130 students—for all four semesters Bratt was teaching it. The course covered jazz history exclusively, which was a perfect combination of Bratt’s degrees in American history and music. Teaching developed his education principles and practices, giving him the confidence to build a lifelong career as a music educator. As co-director of NIU’s All-University Jazz Band, Bratt also gained his first ensemble-directing experience leading first- and second-year music majors along with a handful of talented non-music majors.

“I learned an enormous amount,” he said. “I learned how to choose music for a music ensemble that was both attainable and engaging, how to run an effective music rehearsal, how to manage personnel and personalities, and so much more.”

He also recognized NIU’s School of Music faculty for their guidance and excellence.

“The faculty, particularly in percussion and jazz, were some of the best teachers I ever encountered,” he said. “They weren’t only nationally and internationally known experts in their fields; they were top-notch educators who were and remain ideal examples for me as a music educator. Professor Joey Sellers, who was my faculty supervisor for MUSC 220, occasionally guest-taught the course. I loved his lectures, which focused on helping students become engaged, critical listeners. I still incorporate elements of his lectures into my own classes at Moraine Valley.”

Professor Carter was the one who awarded Bratt the graduate assistantships.

“He had a knack for knowing exactly how to provide the specific guidance and support his students needed. I think he saw potential in me to build a solid teaching career and gave me the tools in grad school to make that happen.”

A Career That Hits the High Notes

Today, Bratt remains grateful for his music education, which fuels his commitment to his students. Bratt directs the jazz ensemble, percussion ensemble, and concert band at MVCC. All three are open to both college students and community members. Building a music community across such a wide range of ages and life experiences is Bratt’s favorite part of his role.

Bratt also teaches applied percussion lessons to majors, non-majors and community members, as well as several online sections of Introduction to American Music. Serving as MVCC’s coordinator of academic music since 2010, he supports the hiring of part-time faculty, scheduling and staffing classes, developing new curriculum, managing student recitals and juries each semester, and overseeing equipment purchases.

Outside of his responsibilities at MVCC, Bratt is proud to have co-led an 18-piece ensemble with Doug Stone, ’03. Made up mainly of musicians connected with the NIU Jazz Program, the Stone Bratt Big Band played monthly on Chicago’s North Side for about two and a half years, including performances at well-known venues like the Green Mill and Reggie’s Music Joint. In 2008, they released their album “Stone Bratt Big Band.”

Bratt remains a freelance performer, often subbing in for other drummers. Since 2017, he has also played the drum set and percussion for the York High School Drama program in Elmhurst, Illinois.

“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work all over the Chicago area and Midwest, including performances at major Chicago venues such as the Jazz Showcase, FitzGerald’s Nightclub and Millennium Park,” he said. “Subbing in for drummers is really fun to do since it allows me to play a wide variety of music with a ton of different musicians. It’s also, I suppose, a nod to my sight-reading and listening skills since most of these performances do not include rehearsals!”

As a freelance educator, Bratt has been invited as a guest clinician at DePaul University, the University of Texas at Arlington, and the University of Missouri, among others.

Every fall, Bratt gathers with NIU percussion alumni at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention. He credits his lasting NIU connections for countless opportunities.

“The lasting friendships I made with so many of my fellow NIU classmates have led to years of performance opportunities, teaching collaborations, and guest-artist engagements,” Bratt said. “I find myself drawing on that same network when hiring musicians, recommending people for gigs, or bringing in guest artists for Moraine Valley programs. The quality of NIU’s music program, stretching back more than 50 years, makes it a safe bet to work with a fellow NIU graduate even if I haven’t necessarily collaborated with them before.”

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Pam Franzen, ’75, grew up traveling the world, absorbing cultures and customs that would shape her worldview and career. When her father, the late Daniel Wit, Ph.D., accepted a position as a professor of political science at NIU, she discovered a community that felt like home thanks to the university’s diversity and academic vibrancy.

Wit was no ordinary professor. He was NIU’s founding chair of the Department of Political Science, the university’s first director of International Programs (now Division of International Affairs), and a co-founder of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies. His work helped establish NIU’s global academic presence, and his influence extended far beyond the classroom. Franzen’s mother, Phyllis Wit, also forged her own path at NIU, earning an M.A. in audiology in 1968 with a specialization in aphasia.

Before Wit laid the foundation for NIU’s global reach, he laid the foundation at home—stamping Franzen’s childhood passport and broadening her perspective.

“My parents said I had traveled around the world twice before I was in the first grade,” Franzen said. “When my father got involved in Southeast Asian politics, we moved to Thailand so he could work for a company supporting governments in developing countries. After a few years, we returned to the U.S. and moved to Indiana before coming to DeKalb, which became my first permanent residence.”

Franzen attended NIU’s former university lab school in Gabel Hall through eighth grade and graduated from DeKalb High School at the age of 16. Driven by a love for art, she began auditing art classes at NIU that summer but ultimately majored in fashion merchandising.

“I worked at a clothing store near The Junction (Eating Place),” she said. “I had a work permit at 15 and just always loved it. My mom wanted to be a hat model when she was growing up, so we were always into fashion, and it seemed like art and fashion went together.”

Franzen’s time at NIU was marked by memorable professors and experiences, including marketing classes with John McNamara—famous for the M&M slogan “It melts in your mouth, not in your hands”—and art studies with Mahboob Shahzaman, Ph.D., a master weaver.

Franzen’s international upbringing continued during college, including a stint in Salzburg, Austria, where she studied art while her father worked with NIU’s International Program. During her father’s sabbatical from NIU, Franzen attended the American School in The Hague, while he taught at the Institute of Social Studies in the Netherlands.

Her Yorkville, Illinois, home today is full of art collected from NIU faculty and Franzen’s travels.

“There are a lot of NIU memories around my house; it’s part of who I am,” she said. “NIU afforded us (my family) a lot of opportunities to go overseas, building tolerance and knowledge of other people’s cultures. I have been on the USS Enterprise, to NATO headquarters, and met kings and queens. I wouldn’t have been blessed with all those opportunities if it weren’t for my dad’s work at NIU.”

Still, Franzen is grounded in her Midwestern roots. Though she had many exceptional experiences abroad, she was just as comfortable in the cornfields of DeKalb. Her adaptability is part of what makes her storytelling so compelling, and it’s a trait she shares with her father, who compiled his own tales into a book titled “That Reminds Me: Fifty Years of International Happenings.”

After graduating, Franzen entered sales and later transitioned into the insurance industry, where she thrived for over four decades. Her roles included executive vice president at MVP Financial Services, regional vice president at Prudential Financial, and senior vice president at Capitas Financial.

“My international experiences made me feel comfortable in any situation,” she said. “I’ve worked with people from all backgrounds, and that adaptability has been key.”

Franzen shared her passion for education with her two children, Erik Franzen and Elise Nolan, both of whom are now elementary school teachers—Erik in Florida and Elise in Illinois, who also attended NIU.

Now semi-retired, Franzen focuses on giving back—especially to NIU. She contributes to the Daniel Wit Scholarship Award in the School of Public and Global Affairs. She also volunteers with the Braven program, mentoring students and sharing her career wisdom.

“I remind young people that college is about learning as much as you can,” she said. “You’re not necessarily making life decisions in those four years—you’re building discipline and discovering yourself.”

One student she met through Braven even helped her learn HubSpot, a marketing platform she was beginning to explore.

“There was no downside to the Braven program. The students are grateful, and I’ve learned from them, too.”

Franzen understands the power of coaching through Braven, having experienced its impact firsthand during her time at Prudential. She’s also inspired by a group of retired CEOs she met—professionals who now offer interim leadership and mentorship to companies in transition.

“It’s about not letting your experience go to waste,” she said. “In Southeast Asian cultures, elders are honored for their wisdom. In the U.S., we’re expected to retire and relax on a golf course or at the beach. The beach is still calling me, but I still have knowledge to share.”

For Franzen, retirement isn’t about stepping away but stepping forward—inspiring others with the wisdom gathered across both borders and decades.

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Mike, M.S.Ed. ’73, and Rosemary Greene,’69, built their own successful business management software company before retiring and not only enjoying their time as grandparents, but as self-published authors too.

“We are a couple who value family relationships,” Rosemary said. “As a result, we’ve developed many family traditions, including what we call Grandma and Grandpa Camp. Our family includes four grown children, their spouses, eight granddaughters, and two grandsons-in-law. We cherish opportunities to gather for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and really, any occasion to get together.”

The couple has hosted their week-long “Grandma and Grandpa Camp” since 1998 with their granddaughters.

“This tradition has built a legacy of love, laughter and treasured memories,” Rosemary said.

The couple recently published their first book, called “Grandma and Grandpa Camp: Inspiring Stories to Strengthen Generational Bonds,” inspired by the time spent with their grandchildren.

“This warm and heartfelt guide is packed with creative ideas, practical tips, and touching stories designed to help grandparents create beautiful, lasting memories with their grandchildren,” Rosemary said. “Some of the adventures we share include backyard movie nights, cake decorating, scavenger hunts, swimming, and our tradition of naming an ‘artist of the year’ to design the annual camp T-shirt. Additionally, we provide planning tools and ideas to help find adventures with grandchildren at home, in the community, and around the neighborhood. Most importantly, we share how our Grandma and Grandpa Camp has strengthened our relationships with our granddaughters.”

She continued, “Through this book, our goal is to inspire and empower grandparents everywhere to foster and deepen their relationships with their grandchildren.”

The book is available to purchase on Amazon and at Barnes and Noble and other retailers.

The couple, who now reside in Texas, started their educational journey at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, where they both began their studies and where Mike received his bachelor’s degree, before they married and moved to the Chicago area.

Rosemary attended NIU to finish her bachelor’s degree in two years while balancing the responsibilities of raising their two oldest children. A few years later, while working as an assistant principal in Palatine, Illinois, Mike earned his master’s from NIU.

“Although commuting from the northwest suburbs of Chicago limited our opportunities to engage in campus activities, we both value the quality of our education at NIU,” Rosemary said. “Carpooling with fellow students provided encouragement, connection, and stimulating conversation as we traveled back and forth to NIU. We’re also grateful for having had many excellent professors along the way, even if their names have faded over the years.”

Mike grew up in the small town of Hanna City, Illinois, near Peoria, with one brother and one sister. His father worked as a watchmaker, purchasing agent and, later, an accountant. His mother, now 102, lives close to the couple in Richardson, Texas.

Rosemary grew up in Peoria, Illinois, with five brothers and two sisters. Her father worked as a tool designer at Caterpillar.

In the early years of their marriage, Mike built a career in education, serving as a teacher and school administrator in the Chicago suburbs, while Rosemary dedicated herself to raising the couple’s four children.

In 1978, the couple relocated to Dallas, Texas, where they both joined a company to do data processing. A few years later, they founded their company, RAM Software Systems, Inc., which they owned and operated for 40 years before their retirement.

“Our business specialized in providing Enterprise Resource Planning solutions to mid-sized manufacturing companies,” Rosemary said. “We not only delivered the software but also partnered closely with clients to implement systems tailored to their organizational needs. The manufacturing world truly is a fascinating place.”

The Greenes are extremely grateful for how their time at NIU shaped their careers and their lives.

“The education and experiences at NIU provided us with valuable skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and adaptability,” Rosemary said. “These skills not only shaped our professional lives but also enriched our personal lives as we raised our family and built meaningful careers.”

To help fortify the future at NIU, visit niuforward.com.