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Campus and Community Are Together from the Start

October 29, 2026

On August 18, over 150 members of the DeKalb area community and NIU campus came together at Faranda’s for a luncheon to welcome new campus and community leaders, introduce new faculty and celebrate impactful community-engaged partnerships.

The event was presented by Farandas and Heartland Bank in partnership with the City of DeKalb and Northern Illinois University. It was a lively luncheon filled with music, conversation, great food and new connections.

The new leaders introduced included:

In order – left to right

Becky Versluys – Executive Director, Safe Passage

Ruth Kedzior – Administrator, DeKalb County

Richard Burchell – Executive Director, Voluntary Action Center

Jason John – Chief of Police, Northern Illinois University

Luke Howeison – Fire Chief, City of DeKalb

Cassandra Gottschalk – Director of Human Resources, Legal & Compliance, Family Service Agency

Dr. Marisol Morales – Vice President, Outreach, Engagement and Regional Development, Northern Illinois University

Erik Mahan – Chief of Police, City of Sycamore

Billy Hueramo – Superintendent, DeKalb School District 428

Dr. Kristin Campbell – Superintedent, Sycamore School District 427

Rob Harley – Head Football Coach, Northern Illinois University

Andy McFarlane – Executive Director, DeKalb County United Way

Not pictured

Matt Anderson – Director of Water Resources, City of DeKalb

 

 

 

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