Oh what a night! Feet were dancing, voices were singing! It was the biggest and best ever – the NIU Executive Club Fifth Anniversary Endowed Scholarship Dinner Dance and Silent Auction. The Buckinghams, presented by LaSalle Bank, were captivating as everyone recognized all the tunes and joined in singing and dancing. “Hey Baby, They're Playing Our Song,” “Kind of a Drag,” Susan,” “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy, “Don't You Care” were just some of the many songs highlighting the evening, following a wonderful dinner and auction.
“I haven't seen this type of networking, bonding, and just plain fun – and all for a good cause – in a long time,” remarked one alum at the 2003 5th Anniversary NIU Executive Club Endowed Scholarship Dinner Dance. “I have been entertained at many elegant affairs, but this event combined elegance with an evening of fun, bonding, and networking. It was fantastic!” was just one of the many similar comments echoing at the Oak Brook Hills Resort when the Gala was over.
The NIU Executive Club endowed scholarship gala began with a reception featuring a variety of silent auction items to peruse and discuss. Janice Bergeron, NIU Executive Club scholar, modeled a diamond pendant as one of the selections of custom made jewelry. Dining and entertainment packages, golf outings, sports memorabilia, and a variety of specialty items including artwork and a “Simpsons” script autographed by NIU alumnus Dan Castelaneta, were among the various items for purchase.
The dinner was highlighted with a live auction featuring an Italian dinner in your home by the not-so-famous chefs The Bigone Brothers (alias Joe Locke and Jim Locke), with service provided by sommelier Davi'd Grafinello (also known as dean of the College of Business, David Graf), and Guilermo Bostonelli (Bill Boston). There was also lively bidding for golf with Dennis Barsema at Rich Harvest Links, a vacation at a Keystone Colorado Resort, a diamond pendent, Ron Santo baseball and picture, and an autographed NIU football helmet.
Excitement and pride built among the “Huskie red tie” crowd as the 2003 scholarship recipient, Anthony Querciagrossa, expressed his belief that NIU's College of Business will prepare him to succeed in a business career. “Success is something I plan to achieve, and I know NIU's business school will prepare me well to face the challenges in business and to attain my goals.” The scholarship program is designed to help attract the best and brightest students to NIU. Querciagross selected NIU because of the unique opportunity of the Executive Club scholarship which provides funding, mentoring, internship opportunities, and networking with business leaders.
The evening was an extraordinary success. It was one of the biggest night's in the college's history with the combination of fund raising and great camaraderie. “This is what it is all about,” remarked club president Al Adducci. “Networking, camaraderie, and supporting a great scholarship program – this is the ultimate!”
The College of Business sincerely appreciates all the alumni and corporations who give so generously of their time and resources for this scholarship. Joseph Locke ('68 Management) has continued to chair this event for five years. He is the individual responsible for all the hard work of initiating, promoting, and organizing this event. This endowed scholarship is a result of Locke's dedication and hard work.
LaSalle Bank (Thomas Roegner '70 Management) were responsible for presenting The Buckinghams. Everyone attending this event agreed the entertainment truly highlighted the evening. Already many have made the commitment for next year because they had so much fun with this band!
The College of Business would like to thank Joe Locke, LaSalle Bank, the Gala Committee members, the NIU Executive Club, the student scholars who worked hard at the auction, and all the sponsors who have generously given of their time, money and talents to make this scholarship and celebration a reality. Thank you!
Dinner Dance Committee
Joseph Locke ('68 Management), chair
Alan Adducci ('75 Marketing)
Robert J. Adducci ('80 Management)
William Boston ('70 Marketing/'71 M.B.A.)
George Fleming (
David Graf, dean
James Locke ('74 Accountancy)
Roy Schultz ('00 Finance)
Eric Wasowicz ('80 Computer Science)
Assistants:
Jennifer Locke, Blue Door Design, graphic design
Candace Hintzsche, alumni relations specialist
Sue Braffet, College of Business alumni director
Entertainment Sponsor 
The Buckinghams' performance was made possible by a generous donation from:
LaSalle Bank
Thomas Roegner ('70 Marketing)
Accenture
James Keyes
Adducci Partners
Robert J. Adducci ('80 Management)
CBS Personnel Services
Frederick Kohnke ('73 Accountancy)
Crowe Chizek & Company
Craig Funkhouser ('79 Accountancy)
Enesco Group
Dan DalleMolle ('72 Management)
Experian
Janet Viane ('80 Management/'81 M.B.A.)
Financial Consultants Group
Alan Adducci ('75 Marketing)
Gary F. Baumgartner, CFP
Gary Baumgartner ('72 Finance)
Greenbrier and Russel
Eric Wasowicz ('80 Computer Science)
HSA Corporate Real Estate Services
David Wilson ('80 Marketing)
Kinetic Systems Company
William Boston ('70 Marketing/'71 M.B.A.)
The Kirch Group
Terry Kirch ('70 Marketing/'71 M..B.A.)
Joseph J. Locke & Company (3)
Joseph Locke ('68 Management)
Morgan Stanley
John McCallion ('85 Accountancy)
Napersoft
Bartley Carlson ('69 Management)
NICOR
Kathleen Halloran ('79 M.B.A.)
NIU College of Business
David Graf, Dean
NIU College of Business Alumni Relations
Sue Braffet, Director
NIU College of Business
Department of Accountancy
Greg Carnes, Chair
NIU College of Business
Department of Finance
Richard Dowen, Chair
NIU College of Business
Executive M.B.A.
Harold Wright, Director
NIU Sales Education Foundation
Dan Weilbaker, Phillip Morris USA Professor of Sales
Start-Up-Partners (2)
Dean DeBiase ('80 Marketing)
T.J. Adams and Associates
Kent Nelson ('68 Marketing/'71 M.B.A.)
TSI Transforming Solutions
Dan Feely ('85 OMIS)
BRONZE SPONSORS
These individuals supported the scholarship through attendance and contribution to the scholarship fund.
John Bass
Joseph Cullinane ('80 Marketing)
Don Derrow ('74 Accountancy/'75 M.B.A.)
Nicholas Gialamas ('94 Marketing)
Michael Gold ('77 Accountancy)
Norman Goldstein ('67 Finance)
Dan Grant ('73 Marketing)
James Planey ('68 Marketing)
Richard Rapacki ('75 Math)
Edward Sanchez ('68 Marketing/'71 M.B.A.)
Glenn Sapa ('71 Marketing)
Randy Shelton ('78 Marketing)
Albert Solfisburg
SILENT AUCTION DONORS
Bartley Carlson ('69 Management)
Craig Funkhouser ('79 Accountancy)
David and Diane Graf
Dennis and Stacey Barsema ('77 Management)
Entertainment Management Group
Fireside Art Studio – LaVeta Kirby
Gary Baumgartner ('72 Finance)
Greenbrier & Russel – Eric Wasowicz ('80 Computer Science)
James Locke ('74 Accountancy)
Joseph Locke ('68 Management
John McCallion ('85 Accountancy)
Julie Browning
Kathy Halloran ('79 M.B.A.)
Lee McCauley
NIU Athletics
Oak Brook Hills Resort
St. Louis Rams
Terry Bishop
Terry Kirch ('70 Marketing/'71 M.B.A.)
David Wilson ('80 Marketing)