Alumni

Involvement Opportunities

The NIU College of Law is proud of the close community each student becomes a part of while attending the law school. After graduation, the Office of Strategic Communications, Alumni Engagement and Diversity Initiatives maintains that connection to students and provides a variety of ways to keep our graduates a part of the NIU College of Law community.

NIU Law Graduates in the Judiciary

NIU Law is proud to have over 100 graduates as members of the judiciary across the country.

Alumni Awards

The NIU College of Law Alumni Council annually honors exceptional graduates for their outstanding career achievements, devotion to the public good and service to the College of Law.

The council also honors outstanding elected officials with the Public Service Award, and exemplary friends of the College of Law with the Honorary Law Alumnus/a Award. Award nominations must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on July 26, 2023.

The annual awards reception will be held in person on Wednesday, Sept. 13 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Union League Club of Chicago.

2023 Alumni Award Nomination Form

The Alumnus/a of the Year Award is bestowed to graduates who have made outstanding achievements in their careers, demonstrated service to their community or profession, and upheld professional integrity.

Criteria for nomination:

  • Living graduate of the Northern Illinois University College of Law
  • Demonstrated service to their community or profession
  • Possess outstanding professional accomplishments
  • Consistently demonstrates professional integrity

The Distinguished Service Award is bestowed to graduates who have been out of school for more than 10 years and have made outstanding achievements in their careers, demonstrated service to the NIU College of Law and to the public good, and upheld professional integrity. 

Criteria for nomination:

  • Living graduate or individual outside of the Northern Illinois University College of Law who has been out of school for over ten years
  • Demonstrated service to the NIU College of Law
  • Demonstrated service to their community or profession
  • Possess outstanding professional accomplishments
  • Consistently demonstrate professional integrity

The Outstanding Public Service Award is bestowed to graduates or individuals who have shown outstanding service to the College of Law. They also must demonstrate service to their community or profession, possess outstanding professional accomplishments, and uphold professional integrity.

Criteria for nomination:

  • Living graduate or individual outside of the Northern Illinois University College of Law who have demonstrated service to the NIU College of Law
  • Demonstrated service to their community or profession
  • Possess outstanding professional accomplishments
  • Consistently demonstrates professional integrity

The Honorary Law Alumnus/a Award may be bestowed on individuals who are not graduates of the Northern Illinois University College of Law, but who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to the college and the communities it serves.

Criteria for nomination:

  • Individual who is not a graduate of the College of Law who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to the College of Law
  • Demonstrated service to their community or profession
  • Possess outstanding professional accomplishments
  • Consistently demonstrates professional integrity

The Young Alumnus/a of the Year Award is bestowed to graduates who have been out of law school for 10 years or less and have made outstanding achievements early in their careers, demonstrated devotion to the public good, and upheld professional integrity.

Criteria for nomination:

  • Living graduate of the Northern Illinois University College of Law who has become successfully established within ten years of graduation
  • Has made outstanding achievements in their early careers
  • Has shown devotion to the public good

The Public Service Award is bestowed to graduates or individuals who are elected officials and who have provided extraordinary support and/or service to the College of Law specifically or NIU in general.

Contact Us

Office of Strategic Communications, Alumni Engagement and Diversity Initiatives
Melody Mitchell, Assistant Dean
Swen Parson 350
815-753-9655
lawalums@niu.edu