Emiley Engle was selected as a 2009 David & Diane Graf Rockford Endowed Scholarship recipient based on her academic achievement and her demonstrated work ethic. Emiley is a 2006 graduate from Freeport High School where she was in 4H and a program coordinator on the school's Pride Committee. Emiley is transferring from Highland Community College into the College of Business at NIU on the DeKalb campus.
Emiley's professional work experience includes assisting brokers at a title escrow company, administrative support at Mechanical, Inc., and a teller at Fifth Third Bank.
Emily plans to obtain internship experience and work hard to get a degree from the NIU College of Business to help her achieve a successful professional career.
Danielle Wilken was selected as a 2009 David & Diane Graf Rockford Endowed Scholarship recipient based on her proven commitment to academics and her drive to someday be a small business owner. Danielle is a 2007 graduate from Forreston High School where she was involved in Future Farmers of America (FFA), 4-H, Scholastic Bowl and Servant Leadership. Proudly, her Scholastic Bowl team won the conference championship.
Danielle is transferring from Highland Community College into the NIU Business Administration program, (B.S.B.A.) in Rockford.
Danielle's professional work experience includes financial responsibilities at Professional Hearing and Audiology in Freeport and performing operations support at Highland Community College Library.
Danielle plans to get a Business Administration degree from NIU to help her achieve a long-term goal of owning a massage therapy business.
Michael is a graduate of Hononegah Community High School in Rockton. He was involved in the Future Business Leaders of American organization, and placed 12th in a regional accounting competition. His group placed 1st runner up in a Global Economics Summit sponsored by SIFE in 2008.
Michael plans to major in accounting at NIU, and obtain a law degree. His goal is to become a Chief Financial Officer.
Jenner graduated from Christian Life High School in Rockford with numerous academic and athletic awards. In addition to her many athletic achievements, Jenner received a Congressional Citation for participation in the 2006 "21 Century Leaders" Conference. She participated in and organized several volunteer service projects in the Rockford area.
Jenner plans to major in business management and minor in coaching. Her ultimate career goal is to open and manage a small business.
Joseph served in the United States Navy. He was deployed to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. Following his honorable discharge and graduation from Rock Valley College, Joseph is transferring into the NIU B.S.B.A. program in Rockford. He plans to use his business degree to help achieve his long term goal of becoming a Theoretical Astrophysicist.
Robert graduated from Freeport High School in June 2007. He served as President of the Business Professionals of American Club. He assisted as a student worker at the Freeport Junior High School and was a volunteer tutor for first graders at Lincoln-Douglas Elementary School. Robert worked through high school at a screen printing business, A&B Designs.
Robert's passion for the past few years has been drag racing. Finishing in the top 10 in points for the past two years are proof of his skill and passion to succeed. Robert plans to succeed in his college and business career as well. He plans to obtain an accounting degree to be able to work with a large motorsports company or eventually own his own CPA firm.
With a dream to someday be a top executive at a major company, Ian loves learning about businesses. He is pursuing a degree in Finance with plans to become an investment banker. While attending Sterling High School, Ian was a three time member of the NCIC All Conference Academic 1st Team. He also was an Illinois State Scholar, a member of the National Honors Society, and Student Council.
Tutoring fourth graders and shoveling snow for a local YWCA are activities Ian performs to serve his community. He has also worked at Menards for over a year, where he is responsible for guest services.
With his NIU Business degree, Ian hopes to make the business world more profitable and a better place for everyone.
David graduated first in his class from Stockton High School in May 2003. During his high school career, he was a member of the Academic Team and National Honors Society. He was an Illinois State Scholar, and received the Prairie State Achievement Award in Social Science and the Stockton High School Science and Spanish Awards. David works full-time during the summer and weekends during the school year on the maintenance crew at Apple Canyon Lake.
After attending community college, David is now entering the B.S. in Business Administration Program in Rockford. He plans to pursue a career in law enforcement, and with his business degree wants to advance into the administration area.
Having diligent plans for the future, Jamie Terhark has been named a David & Diane Graf Rockford Endowed Scholarship Recipient. With graduation in May 2006 fresh at his back, Jamie is already foreseeing his career in business management.
During his high school years Jamie excelled in the classroom and in multiple extracurricular activities. In addition to three years commitment to the Guilford High School football team, Jamie also participated in Student Council, the Honors English Society, the Renaissance Club, and Carpe Diem.
In addition to school and activities, Jamie still found time to work seasonal, self employed jobs. His work found him mowing lawns, shoveling snow, and other various manual labor tasks teaching him the essence of hard work. More recently he has served as a host at Habaneros Mexican Grill and Salsa Bar, a place where he can familiarize himself with the restaurant industry. It is quite possible that Jamie will some day join the family business, owning and operating a Rockford restaurant establishment.
With this likelihood in mind, Jamie would like to use this opportunity to achieve his degree in Business Management. His sights do not stop there however. Jamie’s plans after college include graduate school and a Masters in Business Administration to give him the management skills to necessary to run a personal business.
With his sights set high and past successes as groundwork, Jamie is thankful to be given the financial opportunity to place him in a situation where he may achieve great things.
Taking to heart her Key Club Pledge, “to build her home, school, and community,” Jennifer Timm has qualified herself to be selected as a 2006 David & Diane Graf Rockford Endowed Scholarship recipient.
Jennifer is a recent 2006 graduate of Hononegah High School in Rockton, IL. She excelled in several activities within the school, making her a well-rounded student and recipient. A member of the Wind Ensemble II, Jennifer was able to showcase her musical abilities as a talented flutist. Her repertoire, however, also includes community service participation in the Global Economic Summit Group as a group leader, and in the Hononegah High School Key Club.
The Key Club is an organization committed to helping others through doing volunteer work in your local community. As a member, Jennifer worked at Winnebago separating recyclable items, directing traffic, and managing a metal drive. In addition to these services, Jennifer participated as a cold-nosed bell ringer for the Salvation Army during the winter holidays to help her community.
To gain work experience, Jennifer was a responsible, mature babysitter for three years while enrolled in school. She also worked at Pets Mart, learning valuable knowledge in regards to customer service, money management, and business operations.
All this amounts to a young business hopeful, who by utilizing her experience in different areas aspires to one day start her own business. She appreciates the support NIU has provided her with this scholarship. With this opportunity, Jennifer feels she will be able to continue to helping the community around her, which now includes the NIU family.
Charles Dorn graduated first in his class from Rockford Jefferson High School in June 2005. In addition to excelling in academics, Charles participated in numerous extracurricular activities during high school, including Track, Cross Country, Football, and Wrestling. He tutored other students in math as well.
In addition to school activities, he demonstrated leadership through community service helping with Hunger Connection, Ponds for Kids, and volunteered to pick up trash along the roads. Charles managed to participate, excel in academics, and work during his high school years.
Charles plans to study accountancy at NIU and someday open his own accounting firm in the Rockford area. He believes a business degree from Northern Illinois University will help him achieve his dream to become a business leader in the Rockford community.
Megan McKnight was selected as the 2001 Outstanding Student Scholar based upon her grade point average as well as involvement in extra curricular and community service activities.
Megan is the Vice President of Alumni Relations for the NIU Marketing Honor Society, is a puppy-raiser volunteer for "Leader Dogs for the Blind," and is a volunteer at SMILES Riding for the Handicap program. In addition to excelling academically and participating in extracurricular and community activities, Megan also works as a horseback riding instructor and as a waitress.
Megan plans to receive a B.S. degree in Marketing from the College of Business. She states, "Advancing as far as possible in both my education and in my career are top priorities in my list of goals. I hope these goals will allow me to learn much from others and teach others as well."
Eric Rowe was the first recipient of the NIU College of Business Rockford Club Outstanding Student Scholarship. His selection was based upon his grade point average as well as involvement in extra curricular or community service activities.
Eric has had internships in Washington DC with the United States House of Representatives, Trustmark Insurance Company in Freeport, Illinois and KPMG in Chicago. He has worked with Congressman Don Manzullo's 1998 Campaign in Stephenson County while also being a Deputy Registrar.
Eric plans to receive a MAS degree in Accounting from the College of Business. He will sit for the CPA in November of 2002. Eric has been interested in accounting since his first accounting class. He is also interested in acquiring international work experience.