A Message From the Director - Northern Illinois University

A Message From the Director
To accomplish these goals, we are implementing the following programmatic changes:
Transforming the division into an independent Department of Public Administration
Vol. # No. 1
Fall 2008
Vol. 26 No. 1
Fall 2009
We are beginning an exciting new chapter for the MPA program at Northern Illinois
University. We embark on our 46 th year with a full agenda that will transform
the program and reach for lofty goals. Over the last two years, the faculty
and staff have been working on several strategic initiatives that will be implemented
this year.
Our strategic plan sets three lofty goals to be achieved in the next five years:
To be ranked #1 in local government management
To be ranked in the top 10 public budgeting and finance programs
To be ranked in the top 20 public affairs programs overall.
Collaborating with the Political Science Department and others to create a new School of Public & Global
Affairs, located within the College of Liberal Arts & Science
Transforming the MPA specialization in Human Services Administration into a specialization in Nonprofit
Management
Collaborating with an interdisciplinary team of faculty and staff to create a new Center for NGO
Leadership & Development that will complement the new MPA specialization in Nonprofit Management
Collaborating with an interdisciplinary team of faculty and staff to create a new undergraduate major in
Community Leadership and Civic Engagement
Collaborating with an interdisciplinary team of faculty and staff to create a new PhD in Public Affairs.
These ambitious goals will not be achieved without your involvement. We need your help. Your contribution as an
alumnus or friend of the program can include spreading the word of our ambitions and our successes throughout
your network of friends and colleagues, supporting our MPA and doctoral students with internships and mentoring,
enhancing the intellectual energy of our program with your participation in colloquia and as class speakers,
recruiting the very best students to our MPA program, providing job placement leads to graduating students, and
supporting the programming financially with your annual gift.

2 pracademic
The MPA program at NIU is designed to launch young professionals in a career of public service. This is more
than just “getting a job” at the end of an MPA degree. We are challenging our graduates to reach beyond their
comfort zone to apply for nationally competitive internships and positions in local, state, and federal agencies
around the country, in non-governmental organizations in the US, Canada, and around the world. Our success in
achieving our strategic goals depends on them achieving excellence in their careers, beginning with their first professional
position after earning the MPA, whether they are a pre-service or mid-career student.
We are committed to working with you and our students to realize your full potential as a public service leader. I
hope you will not hesitate to engage us in this effort as a member of the public administration community. We expect
great things from each member of the NIU public administration community, and we look forward to a lifelong
relationship with you, celebrating your successes and helping you rebound from temporary setbacks in your
career. We are partners with ICMA, ILCMA, IGFOA, GFOA, and other professional organizations because we all
share the core value of dedication to excellence in public service.
As the new director of an established and esteemed program, I am excited about our potential and eager to work
with you in our success. Engage in the excitement. That’s what being #1 is all about.
Peace,
Kurt Thurmaier
Director

Dr. Thurmaier helping with construction by passing along bricks.
What we’ve been up to… Africa!
The NIU students spent much of the trip working with a volunteer service group
organized through the NGO Tanzania Development Support. Tanzania Development
Support was created by Dr. Thurmaier, his wife, and their friends to raise funds for the
construction of the girls dormitory and other various needs of the school in the Village of
Nyegina. Dr. Thurmaier explained that the “the single most effective way to fight poverty
is to provide secondary education to young women. That’s true in the United States as well
as in developing nations.”
The students enjoyed hauling bricks and pouring cement and greatly appreciated
the generosity and gratitude poured back upon them by the people of Tanzania who were
in much need themselves. “It’s not just study abroad, where students go and look, but
where they go and look and do,” says Dr. Thurmaier. “Student’s can experience a different
culture and leave knowing they’ve made a lasting contribution.”
“One of the things that struck me the most was how the people were so open to
meeting us,” Stephanie Reilly, a NIU senior student says. “They were excited to see new
faces come and just show interest in their community. The children had never really seen
Caucasians before. The highlight of their day was just being able to hold our hands and
walk alongside us.” In the end, Dr. Thurmaier declared “The students had such a rich
experience. Hopefully their worldview is profoundly different than they set out.”
pracademic 3
This past June, Public Administration Professor and Department
Director Kurt Thurmaier and eight NIU students traveled to the African
nation of Tanzania on the University’s first-ever study aboard expedition
to the region. A year before, Dr. Thurmaier and his wife Jeanie traveled to
Tanzania to meet with a mutual friend, Rev. Leo Kazeri. Rev. Kazeri is
the development director for the local diocese, the director of a secular
economic development organization, and the business manager for the
Nyegina boarding school. The meeting inspired Thurmaier to create a
nearly month long study-aboard trip based in Musoma, Tanzania that
would combine service and experiential learning. During the trip, the students
learned how non-governmental organizations (NGOs) aid the goals
of developing counties. Together, the students
participate in seminars with NGO
officials in the area. Several students had the
opportunity to conduct interviews with officials
as a part of an independent study project.
Katie Stone interviews teachers about
the impact of access to electricity on
women. (left)
NIU student Kaitlin interviews teachers
about information sources. (right)
Tanzanian Children

4 pracademic
2009 ICMA Annual Conference
This fall eleven MPA students, two faculty and staff members, and numerous alumni attended the 2009 ICMA Conference
hosted in Montréal, Québec, Canada. We ensured to spread Huskie cheer via our NIU Alumni Table, hosted another
successful "NIU Alumni and Friends Dinner" at the beautiful Le Saint Gabriel, and enjoyed some sights and tastes of the
surrounding community!
The ICMA conference allows all of us to learn more about best practices and innovations in local government management
and was an ideal opportunity for our students and alumni to network and socialize. The next ICMA Conference will be at
San Jose, California in 2010!

MPA Student Chuck Meyer on the ICMA Conference...
What did you learn or gain from attending the conference?
“The entire ICMA Conference served as a learning experience. There are few opportunities
where you are able to interact with and learn from some of the best intellects
in your vocation. I would say that the most significant gain for me came from the
breadth of educational opportunities available at the Conference. The Key Note sessions
were inspirational and informative, and were complimented by opportunities to
break off into specialties. I was able to view presentations that ranged from the current
economic crisis to performance measurement to understanding the role of Assistant
City Managers. Interactions with fellow local professionals enhanced the experience.
The learning opportunities for me at this Conference cannot be narrowed down
to a specific issue, but rather to the exposure to local public administration and administrators.”
How will this experience affect you in your future career as a public servant?
“I feel that exposure to the ICMA Conference early in my professional career will motivate
me as I look for full-time employment in local government. Being in an environment
that focuses on local professional management is inspiring. While I have never
wavered in my dedication to this field since I began this profession, the experience of
going to ICMA reinforced my feelings that this is truly a unique and worthy occupation.”
MPA Alumni Fund Contributors
Pracademic 5
The MPA program truly appreciates your contributions. Your support enables us to continuously improve
the MPA program and sustain our reputation as one of the top MPA Programs in the nation. Thanks to all of you
who made contributions to our alumni fund from January 2009 through August 2008.
Your monetary and personal support is truly invaluable!
Ellen J. Baer
James & Audrey Banovetz
Robert Barber
Stephen Berley
Kathy Biel
Kurt Bressner
Peter & Denise Burchard
Randolph Cano
Matthew Carlson
Micahel Cavallini
Dale Cheatham
Stephen Collins
Richard & Joyce Escalante
Dianthia Ford-Kee
Daniels Fund
Gerald T. Gabris
Douglas Goostree
BP Matching, Lisa & Mike Green
Lisa and Mike Green
James Griesemer
Daniel Hernandez
Rebecca Hood
Robert Hoyle
Jennifer Johnsen
Steve Jones
David L. Tobias, Jr.
Jay Krauss
June Kubasiak
Greg Kuhn
Thomas Lebak
Larry Maholland
Mark Masciola
Nathan Nickel
James Norris
Duane Olivier
Mike Peddle
Dawn Peters
Gerald Peterson
John Phillips
Kurt Rueckel
Valerie Salmons
Carol Lou Schmidt
Russell Smith
John (Jack) Terry
Susan Wallace
Robin Weaver
Steven Wylie
Matthew Zimmerman
Chuck Meyer

6 pracademic
2009 MPA Alumni and Friends Golf Play Day
Thanks to the following individuals and organizations for
their generosity. Items or cash donations were used as
raffle prizes and silent and live auction items. Proceeds
benefited the NIU MPA Program.
NIU President John G. Peters
NIU Convocation Center
MPA Faculty
William R. Monat, Regency Professor Emeritus
Dr. Michael Peddle
Carla & Warren Montgomery
NIU Athletic Office
City of Elgin
Illinois Association of School Business Officers
NIU University Bookstore
NIU Political Science Department
Greg Kuhn, Alumnus
Myrel Simmons, Alumnus
Dawn Peters, Alumnus
Dawn Wucki-Rossbach, Alumnus
Bradford Townsend, Alumnus
John Schuldt, Alumnus
Ben Nelson, Alumnus
Samantha Fisher, Alumnus
Zano Salons
Rodd Elges, Alumnus
Rich Frampton, Alumnus
Daniel P. O’Malley, Alumnus
Northwest Contractors, Inc.
And last, but not least, Dr. Gerald Gabris
MPA Alumni & Friends Golf
Play Day
Program

pracademic 7
A Special Thanks to those who help make the Golf Play Day possible
John Savage
Vince Long
Class of 2006 - 2007
Dave Strahl Dr. Kurt Thurmaier

8 pracademic
The Division of Public Administration at NIU is proud to welcome the following students into the
M.P.A. program:
Full-Time Students
Peter Michael Cahill
Maxwell Coe Gagin
Hope Elizabeth Garrett
Jr. Albert Gates
Renee Catherine Helm
Inga Jacobson
Erik Glenn Jensen
Anthony Jamar Johnson
Jon Kindseth
Daniel Joseph Laurila
Steven Michael Maney
Melissa Steirer
Christina Lauren Vetter
John Wayman
John Stedman Weidl
Ryan Michael Wiesen
Part-time Students
William Beith
Shante Evans
Michael Lee Frankino
Amy Snodgrass
Heather Zipparro
Dr. Frederick D. Mayhew:
Undergraduate Institution
Lake Forest College
Iowa State University
University of Illinois Chicago
Northern Illinois University
St. Cloud State University
University of Wisconsin Whitewater
Cornell College
Northern Illinois University
Illinois State University
University of Missouri Columbia
Northern Illinois University
Elmhurst College
George Washington University
Northern Illinois University
Northern Illinois University
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Undergraduate Institution
Roosevelt University
Northern Illinois University
Benedictine University
Indiana University Bloomington
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Faculty News
Internship
Village of River Forest
City of Janesville
Village of Westchester
Village of Cherry Valley
City of Highland Park
City of Milton
Village of Gurnee
ROTC - NIU
Village of Westchester
Village of Lake Zurich
City of DeKalb Community Development
Village of Schaumburg
Village of Wilmette
Lee County
Village of Lake Zurich
Village of Mundelein
Professional Organization
2008 Michael Scriven Dissertation Award Recipient for Outstanding Contribution to
Evaluation Theory, Methodology, or Practice. The award is sponsored by the Interdisciplinary
Ph.D. in Evaluation at the Evaluation Center, Western Michigan University.
Alumni News
Village of Campton Hills
NIU Finance and Facilities
Fox Metro Water Reclamation District
DuPage Federation on Human Services Reform
Village of East Dundee
Position Announcements:
‘92 Robert A. Lefeber is the Senior Consultant with The Management Group, Inc.
‘01 Sharon R. Hammer is the City Administrator of Sun Valley, ID.
‘07 Derek Bergsten is the Fire Chief of Rockford, IL.
‘06 Benjamin C. Nelson is in the Department of Finance, City of Wichita, KS.
‘87 Lisa Armour is the Senior Assistant to the Village Manager of the Village of Huntley, IL.
‘02 Michelle (Wise) Lindeman is the Administrator of Provena St. Joseph Campus in Freeport, Illinois.
‘91 Peter Stettler is the Director of Ricondo & Associates, Inc.
‘75 Chuck Schwabe is the Director of Management Services for ICMA Consulting Services.
‘81 Brian Allen is the Vice-President of Healthcare Partnerships, Hope Institute for Children and Families.
‘02 Jason Malmstrom is the Program Manager of the Audit Division, U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General.
‘98 David Hulseberg is the Village Manager of Lombard, IL.
„05 Melissa (Hall) DeSantis is the Continuing Medical Education Manager, American Academy of Disability Evaluating Physicians.
‘90 Suzanne Carrillo is the Director of the Executive Resources Division, Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration.

pracademic 9
‘94 Michael S. Adelberg is the Vice President of Product Development, Heritage Health Systems.
‘07 Michael V. Marzal is the Assistant to the Village Administrator, Village of Lincolnwood.
‘98 Amy K. Blanchard is the Electronic Services Librarian, Warren Newport Public Library.
‘91 Nan Newlon is the Director of Department of Public Works, Village of Downers Grove.
‘00 Robin Hartsell is a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State assigned to Helsinki, Finland where she is serving
as the vice-consul.
‘05 John Ruggini is the Assistant Fiscal and Budget Administrator, Milwaukee County, WI.
‘96 Leslie Edstrom is the Program Administrator for Senior Services Associates, Inc.
Jared Voto is the Senior Analyst in the Grants & Capital Program, Regional Transportation Authority of Chicago, IL.
‘97 Sean Stegall is the City Administrator of the City of Elgin.
Michael L. Allen is the Senior Management Analyst, Financial Management for the City of San Diego, CA.
’08 Joe Carey is a Fiscal and Management Analyst for Milwaukee County, WI.
‘02 Aaron Oppenheimer is the Village Administrator for the Village of Bellevue, WI.
‘08 Anne Marrin is the Assistant City Manager for the City of Highwood.
‘98 John Nevenhoven is the Public Work Superintendent for the Village of Elburn.
‘07 Thomas R. Tullock is a Facilitator with the YMCA of Rock River Valley.
‘06 Lawrence L. Noller is the Assistant Finance Director with the Village of Glen Ellyn, IL.
‘80 Bernard J. Ruess is the Administrative Manager for Hennepin County, MN.
‘01 Eric J. Bernholz is the Chief of the Strategic and Business Planning Division (CG-211) in the Asst. Commandant for Intelligence
and Criminal Investigations.
‘99 Shawn Novak is a Practice Manager for the University Family Health Center in Rockford, IL.
‘84 Thosaporn Sirisumphand is the Secretary-General for the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission, Thailand.
Dennis Leaks is the Food Stamp Outreach Coordinator for Greater Chicago Food Depository.
‘98 Glenn Rodden is the City Administrator for Beloit, KS.
‘06 Michael Lamonica is an Auditor with the US General Services Administration (GSA) Office of Inspector General.
‘08 Zachary Dietz is the Chief Information Office for the Department of Homeland Security Headquarters.
‘09 Benjamin Pohl is hosting a three- month internship working with Iraqi officials to teach them the American governmental system.
Engagement and Wedding Announcements:
‘05 Melissa Hall married Eric DeSantis on June 28, 2008.
‘06 John Anderson is engaged and is excited about for his October 31, 2009 wedding to his fiancée
Eric DeSantis and
Melissa Hall (left)
John Anderson and fiancée
Kate (right)
Birth Announcements:
‘05 Holly Smith and her husband welcomed a little boy named Elias “Eli”
Silver Smith to their family on January 28, 2009.
Benjamin Rea and family recently welcomed Noah Samuel weighed 7lbs.
7oz.
Obituaries:
‘68 James C. Aydt passed away on November 27, 2008.
‘92 Susan H. Nesson passed away in March 2009.
Elias “Eli” Silver Smith Noah Samuel
‘83 Wilbert Parker passed away on December 2, 2008. He was 50 years old. Wilbert was the Senior Program Analyst & VOTE
Program Manager for the Court Services & Offender Supervision Agency in Washington D.C.