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NIU renames Campus Life Building in honor of former president John G. Peters

October 11, 2022

For 13 years, Dr John G. Peters was known as “the students’ president” at Northern Illinois University, and now generations of students to come will know his name and understand his legacy.

A large crowd gather on Oct. 6 for the dedication of the Peters Campus Life Building during NIU’s 115th Homecoming celebration.

In a ceremony held Oct. 6, more than 100 friends, family and colleagues gathered at the Campus Life Building to be on hand as that facility was renamed in Peters’ honor. The building, which is now known as the Peters Campus Life Building, was selected because it is home to a wide array of student support services, including the Center for Student Assistance, Student Financial Services, Career Services and the Deacon Davis CHANCE Program.

“Each day this building comes alive with staff who share John’s passion for engaging and supporting students, so it is only fitting that we name this the Peters’ Campus Life Building in his honor,” NIU President Dr. Lisa Freeman told the assembled crowd.

Peters said that he was honored and grateful to be associated with a building that will improve the lives of students for generations  to come. “It is very gratifying to know that in the years ahead, thousands of NIU students will come through this building to receive advice, support, guidance and encouragement as they pursue their academic and career goals,” he said.

Peters’ commitment to students during his years as president (2000-2013) was a common theme for speakers at the event.

President Peters said he was honored and grateful to be associated with a building that will improve the lives of students for generations to come.

“I saw how Dr. Peters led as a student-centered leader – how he led the NIU community with integrity, with loyalty and love, and what I can simply describe, in hindsight, as leading with greatness,” said Scott Peska, who worked closely with Peters as the liaison to survivors of the horrific events of Feb. 14, 2008, and to the families of the five students who were lost.

“President Peters once said that NIU would not be defined by a single act of violence, and he was right. We were defined by our response to it. He challenged his leadership team to do the right thing, no matter the cost and no matter the difficulty,” added Peska, who now is the assistant vice president of Student Services and Alumni Relations at Waubonsee Community College. “You led with dignity, grace and vulnerability. You inspired us to move forward through the unthinkable, always guiding us to make sure that we used immense thoughtfulness in taking care of NIU students.”

In his remarks, Trustee Dennis Barsema recalled how he connected with Peters in the earliest days of his presidency. Barsema was about to make the largest donation in university history – to build Barsema Hall – when Peters was named president. Before Barsema finalized the gift, he and his wife, Stacey, asked to meet the university’s new leader.

“We wanted to see for ourselves: Did NIU hire a great leader?” Barsema said. “From the moment that Stacey and I met John, we knew that we were in the presence of somebody with whom we wanted to invest. We knew that John would not only take good care of the investment that we were about to make in NIU, but that he would grow it. I am here to tell you that this is the best investment we ever made.”

Former student trustee Eric Johnson, one of several former student trustees to attend the dedication ceremonies, vouched for Peters’ commitment to students. “He was approachable; he was somebody you could talk to. He led with vision, and he produced an ever-improving student experience,” said Johnson, who is now the village manager for Carpentersville, Ill.

Like many student leaders, Johnson said, he found a mentor in Peters. “He wanted to guide us, develop usand prepare us for the real world,” Johnson said before addressing Peters directly: “You poured your wisdom and experience into us and instilled a pride for NIU that many of us still carry today. On behalf of the hundreds, maybe thousands, of student leaders that you had the honor to work with, and who passed through the halls of the university, I say thank you for making the NIU experience better. May this building stand as a testament to the legacy that you left behind.”

That legacy included:

  • Strengthening NIU’s stature as an engaged public research university through enhanced collaboration with Fermilab and admission into the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities.
  • Earning donor support and trust that led to several new buildings, including Barsema Hall, the Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center, the Yordon Center and the Chessick Center.
  • Directing the development and construction of New Hall and Northern View, as well as the renovation of Gilbert, Grant and Altgeld halls.
  • Leading NIU’s first capital campaign to success, raising more than $150 million.

Matt Streb, NIU’s Chief of Staff, made remarks during the dedication ceremony.

Many of those accomplishments are highlighted on the entryway wall of the building, which features Peters’ official portrait and photos of him throughout his time on campus.

“Not every president is deserving of having a building named after them, but President Peters’ record of accomplishments during his time at NIU certainly rises to that level,” said NIU Chief of Staff Matt Streb, who filled a similar role for Peters during part of his time on campus.

Streb, along with Freeman, led the effort to have the building named in honor of Peters and he emceed the event. “People traveled from all across the country to be here for this occasion,” Streb said.  “That is a testament to the affection that so many had for President Peters.”