President’s CornerGreetings Operating Staff,

I want to extend congratulations on behalf of the council to our amazing Dependent Endowed Scholarship and Outstanding Service Award winners!

We were able to award two, $900 scholarships this year to dependents of operating staff. Maggie Rapp is the daughter of David Rapp from Campus Dining Services. She is a graduate student in the speech-language pathology program who hopes to make a difference in the world by helping people with communication deficits. She has extensive volunteering experience and was on the dean’s list in her undergraduate program.

Sam Hancock is the son of Barb Hancock from Housing and Residential Services. He is one of the first students in the Biomedical Engineering bachelor’s program at NIU and is on the dean’s list and in the University Honors Program. He has been an athlete, actor, musician and participant/leader in LIFE missions across the country.

We wish them the best during their time at NIU. We also thank all the excellent candidates who applied and wish everyone success in their studies.

We are also proud to recognize our operating staff colleagues who won this year’s Outstanding Service Award. They are Ron Barshinger from University Libraries, Ellen Cabrera from the Department of Public Administration, Marjorie Holliday from the Department of Psychology and Patricia Kee from Leadership, Educational Psychology and Foundations. Stay tuned for our next newsletter where you will learn more about their accomplishments at NIU and in the broader community.

I hope you had a wonderful semester.

Holly Nicholson President, 2018-2019

Northern Staff NewsMay 2019

niu.edu/operating-staff-council | osc@niu.edu

David Rapp and daughter Maggie. Barb Hancock with son Sam.

Table of ContentsPresident’s Corner..........................................1

Calling all Future Huskies...........................1

Outdoor Recreation Offerings...................2

Thank You!......................................................2

Operating Staff Bowling Party and Wellness Fair..................................................2

Employment Changes.................................3

Confessions of a Rookie..............................4

Service Awards...............................................4

Calling all Future HuskiesDo you have a child or a family member who is exploring college options and would like to receive information from NIU? Encourage them to complete our Request for Information form at go.niu.edu/request-info.

Also, our Summer Open House is right around the corner. Visiting campus is the best way to learn about all we have to offer. Register at go.niu.edu/summerOH.

Outdoor Recreation OfferingsOutdoor recreation offers a multitude of health and wellness benefits to the individual and community. Northern Illinois University has been engaging students and the community in outdoor pursuits through its rental center since 1983. In addition to their year-round rental program, Outdoor Adventures offers scheduled trips and special events as well as custom teambuilding opportunities for organized groups.

Their summer upcoming events include a Community Open House on May 20 from 3-6 p.m. at the Adventure Center, as well as Learn to Paddle Clinic on May 25 from 1-3 p.m. at the East Lagoon. These events are offered as part of Get Active

Week. Standup Paddleboard Yoga Workshops are scheduled with the DeKalb Park District for June 25 and July 23 from 7-9 p.m. at Hopkins Park Pool. These events and more information are available on our website go.niu.edu/oa.

They believe the outdoors has benefits to wellness for everyone. They invite you to call 815-753-9423, email outdooradventure@niu.edu, or stop by and visit their Adventure Center to let them help you spend more time enjoying the benefits of the outdoors. Subscribe to their email list to receive reminders and updates.

Thank you!With the academic and fiscal year drawing to an end we would like to take this time to offer our heartfelt and sincere thanks to those who are retiring. It has been a pleasure working beside you and with you over the years. Your service has had an impact on those who had the pleasure of requiring your assistance. For those who interacted with you as they were passing through the halls or across campus, those moments demonstrated the Huskie spirit to which we aspire. We wish you all the best in your endeavors.

Oops!We missed mentioning a new hire in our last newsletter. Welcome to NIU Jane Pretkelis, office support specialist for First-Year Composition in the English department.

Operating Staff Bowling Party at Mardi Gras Lanes

Some council members and their families at the party.

Jessica and Debbie Williams.

Wellness Fair 2019

Attendees making cards.

Employment Changes

March 2019Welcome New Employees:Diane Alberts, Program Coordinator – Faculty DevelopmentKourtney Bert, Residence Hall Attendant – Public SafetyChloe Board, Office Support Associate – Leadership, Educational Psychology and FoundationsHeidi Carlson, Special Events Facilitator – Conferences Event ManagementLinda Condon, Program Adviser – University Honors ProgramJoseph Curran, Program Adviser – Kinesiology and Physical EducationJonna Elliott, Food Court/Snack Bar Supervisor – Campus Dining ServicesDiane Fitzhugh, Program Services Specialist – Center for Child Welfare and EducationJoshua Hall, Office Support Specialist – College of EducationDenise Halverson, Admissions/Records Representative – Graduate SchoolDiane Hart, Program Coordinator – Career ServicesAmylin Hendrix, Multimedia Communications Associate – Disability Resource CenterDominique Johnson, Residence Hall Attendant – Public SafetyMegan Junk, Program Director – Student AffairsSiobhan Kelsie, Residence Hall Attendant – Public SafetyRhiannon Luft, Program Assistant – Disability Resource CenterTheresa Melidis, Program Coordinator – Chief Diversity OfficerTina Moran, Administrative Aide – Faculty DevelopmentMark Mourlas, Program Coordinator – College of BusinessJeremy Peters, Laboratory Mechanic – College of Engineering and Engineering TechnologyJose Ramirez, Collection Specialist – Bursar Susan Riebe, Collection Specialist – BursarIvan Rodriguez, Chief Clerk – Housing and Residential ServicesChristine Schweitzer, Program Adviser – Curriculum and InstructionAnusha Shaik, Program Coordinator – Report CardsJulie Slaby, Program Assistant – Disability Resource CenterKathryn Swope, Senior Library Specialist – LibrariesDaniel Tamayo, Program Assistant – Admissions Tours and EventsMarc Thorson, Information Technology Director – Infrastructure ServicesMike Tiema, IT Support Associate – College of BusinessIsabel Vargas Martinez, Chief Clerk – Housing and Residential ServicesJasma Wheeler, Residence Hall Attendant – Public SafetyNicole Wilson, Public Information Coordinator – Administration and Finance

Death:William Rock, Building Service Worker – Building Services

Retirements:William Berg, Food Service Administrator IV – Campus Dining ServicesDawn Johnson, Police Telecommunicator – Public Safety

Separations:Kourtney Bert, Residence Hall Attendant – Public SafetyAngela Camp, Office Support Specialist – College of EducationTrisha Drake, Office Support Specialist – Registration ServicesSandra Fasnacht, Internal Auditor Associate – Internal AuditAdam Gisseler, Financial Aid Adviser Coordinator – Financial Aid and Scholarship OfficeAbigail Lippert, Office Support Specialist – Theatre and DanceMarissa Macedo, Residence Hall Attendant – Public SafetyCatherine Macias, Building Service Foreman – Building ServicesKangi Mombou, Grants and Contracts Associate – Sponsored Programs AdministrationKeri Moreland, Procurement Officer Specialist – Procurement and Strategic SourcingJhakia Pack, Residence Hall Attendant – Public –SafetyHristos Panourgias, Building Service Worker – Building ServicesTravonna Rhodes, Residence Hall Attendant – Public SafetySymone Scott, Security Guard – Public SafetyKamariah Wilkerson, Culinary Worker II – Campus Dining Services

April 2019Welcome New Employees:David Bartel, Building Service Worker – Building ServicesAlexandria Blake, Admissions/Records Representative – Registration and Records Lisa Capparelli, Program Services Aide – Family Violence and Sexual AssaultDaniel Cardinell, Building Service Worker – Building ServicesEileen Chapuis, Office Manager – Political ScienceAsabe Dawudu, Business/Administrative Associate – Development AdministrationTristan Draper, Library Specialist – LibrariesAngela Erickson, Office Support Associate – Health StudiesDavid Finlay, Construction Project Coordinator – Architectural/Engineering ServicesMark Framke, Food Service Administrator IV – Campus Dining ServicesSalina Heller, Human Resource Assistant – Human Resource Services

Matthew Hoffman, Business Manager II – Northern Public RadioJustin Klecka, Building Service Worker – Building ServicesSarah Limon, Office Support Specialist – Testing ServicesSandra Manisco, Public Information Coordinator – College of Engineering and Engineering TechnologyGregory Martyn, Assistant Comptroller – ControllerCynthia Mata, IT Support Associate – Operation ServicesEmily Miller, Building Service Worker – uilding ServicesMary Newquist, Culinary Worker II – Child Development and Family CenterPaula Rader, Office Manager – Morgridge Endowed Chair OfficeRamiro Salto, IT Support Associate – Housing and Residential ServicesRobert Skelley, Building Service Worker – Building ServicesGary Smith, Program Director – College of Engineering and Engineering TechnologyMatthew Sroczynski, Building Service Worker – Building ServicesUrian Tapia, Building Service Worker – Building ServicesPhilip Terry, Human Resource Officer – Human Resource ServicesCody Tescher, Program Adviser – Intercollegiate AthleticsAbigail VanWieren, Food Service Manager – Campus Dining Services

Retirements:Michael Crase, Building Service Worker – Building ServicesEsther Marsh, Phlebotomist I – Health ServicesSandra Overton, Clerk – Registration and Records

Separations:Allyn Davis, Building Service Worker – Building ServicesJeffrey Donohue Jr., Police Officer – Public SafetySandy Garza, Administrative Aide – Education Systems CenterKendall Smith, Food Court/Snack Supervisor – Campus Dining ServicesUrian Tapia, Building Service Worker – Building ServicesJonathan Trutt, Survey Interview Supervisor – Health and Human Sciences Survey Research Laboratory David VanGorder, IT Technical Associate – LibrariesTina Varney, Administrative Assistant – DoIT- Admins-Business-Finance

Northern Staff News is published by the Operating Staff Council of Northern Illinois University.Editor: Jay MonteiroContributors: Rebekka Ayres, Ellen Cabrera, Christina Doe, Angie Gasero, Lisa Johnson, Natasha Johnson, Rave Meyer and Holly Nicholson.

Northern Illinois University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, status based on the Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA) or status as a disabled or Vietnam-era veteran. Further, the Constitution and Bylaws of Northern Illinois University provides for equal treatment regardless of political views or affiliation, and sexual orientation. Printed by authority of the State of Illinois. www.niu.edu 5/19

Operating Staff CouncilDeKalb, Illinois 60115-2828

March 20195 YearsTrent Busse – Building ServicesMichael Mosolino – Building ServicesShelby Tolliver – Building ServicesZackary Wood – Building ServicesKurt Westhoff – CHANCE programTheresa Stack – Conferences Event ManagementJoseph Kauzlarich – Continuing Professional EducationArezou Kashani – International Student and Faculty OfficeJessica Williams – PhilosophyTiffany Adams – Philosophy

10 YearsMichael Emendorf – Lorado Taft OperationsMaria Christiansen – Public Safety

Service Awards

Confessions of a Rookie

Never Have I Ever…...completed that sentence. However, Northern Staff News wants YOU to do just that. Usually the seasoned employees get the majority of recognition, as well they should. They are well-known, and people know their work. However, what about the rookies? What makes them tick? Do they engage in competitive dog grooming? Extreme Ironing? Practice Hikaru Dorodango? (That’s dirt polishing. Strange, but real.)

Starting with the July newsletter, we will have a feature article on one new NIU Operating Staff employee (5 years employment or less). We are looking for employees, willing to answer a few questions. Do you have what it takes? Then we want you! Just email your willingness to rmeyer@niu.edu You could be the next Confessions of a Rookie superstar.

15 YearsBrian Schneider – Campus Dining ServicesJennifer Young – Child Development and Family CenterVicky Trotter – Development AdministrationJacqualine Miller – Registration and Records

20 YearsHongqin Chen – Application ServicesChristine Wilhelm – Building ServicesGary Parquette – Campus Dining ServicesJane Schroeder – Testing Services

25 yearsMarian Swenson – Application Services

April 20195 YearsKenneth Greenawalt – Building ServicesSuzanne Krause – Conferences Event Management

10 YearsSonia Fagan – Admissions Tours and EventsJohn Kearsing – DoIT-Admin- Business-FinanceMarsha White – GroundsAnnemarie Oelschlager – Libraries

20 YearsDiane Faber – Campus ParkingRonald Bisplinghoff – Operation ServicesJeffery Montgomery – Physical Plant

30 YearsSusan Carter – College of Visual and Performing Arts