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A pair of Northern Illinois University alumni who lived at the same time on opposite sides of Huskie Stadium—but never crossed paths—are proof that it’s never too late to forge strong ties that benefit the NIU community.

About 10 years after leaving campus, at a 2004 pre-concert rooftop party in Denver, Colorado,

Christian Dow and Trace Tyler met. It was a shared enjoyment of Jimmy Buffett music that

connected them, and a fast friendship formed between these two “Parrot Heads.” Since then,

through numerous trips to NIU football games in DeKalb and across the country, they have forged

a strong bond.

Recently, they took their friendship to the next level by creating a shared scholarship in the

School of Engineering. The scholarship awards students who need a little financial boost to cross

the finish line to graduate.

For Christian and Trace, it was only the start: Trace is establishing an endowed scholarship at the

School of Law, and Christian is now exploring how he can expand his support to the College of

Engineering Mechatronics program. These men, who worked to put themselves through college,

Alumni Strengthen NIU Ties Through Scholarships

Continued on Page 4

Extend Your Commitment to NIULike Christian and Trace, you can create a scholarship at NIU to support future students. Contact Judy Schneider, Gift Planning Officer, at (815) 753-1389 or jschneider@niu.edu to learn how.

Alumni Trace Tyler (left) and Christian Dow teamed up to support future NIU students.

NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION

I Younan An didn’t have much when he came to NIU from Cambodia, aside from hope.

With the support of the NIU family and a generous scholarship,

he graduated in December as the 2018 Student Lincoln Laureate,

an honor reserved for the university’s top senior. An ocean away

from his family in a world very different from the one he grew

up in, he’s made himself known around campus as the tall,

lanky, humble guy who makes the rounds every morning just

to greet people.

Full of enthusiasm, he’s always ready to help anyone and

everyone he encounters, living by a motto he borrows from

Ronald Reagan: “We can’t help everyone, but everyone can

help someone.”

“Everything I do,” he says, “I want to be part of that everyone.”

I Younan is the recipient of the John G. and Barbara C. Peters

Student Endowment for Public Service. Always thinking of the

greater good, he says, “These scholarships will help me reach

my goal of implementing programs in developing countries that

address gender equality, women’s empowerment, education, and

health care.”

Political Science Professor Kheang Un, who nominated

I Younan for the award, wrote, “In addition to being incredibly

intelligent, I Younan has an authentic enthusiasm and passion

for his work, study, and community engagement. His energy for

research, student, and community engagement is infectious, and

is all the more rare, combined with his academic prowess.”

Kheang supervised I Younan’s award-winning Research

Rookies project: “How Does the Khmer Rouge Regime

Psychologically Affect the Khmer Rouge’s Survivors’ Political

Participation?” Both Cambodian, Kheang and I Younan have

become close, and I Younan even joined Kheang’s family for

Thanksgiving this year.

Along with I Younan’s academic achievements—University

Honors, Political Science Department Honors, Senior and

Junior Leadership awards, and many more—his list of

involvement in volunteer activities and organizations is endless.

So, too, is his gratitude.

“These scholarships will help me reach my goal of implementing programs in developing countries that address gender equality, women’s empowerment, education, and health care.

—I YOUNAN AN, recipient of the John G. and Barbara C. Peters

Student Endowment for Public Service

”

All About ‘The Greater Good’SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORTS CAMBODIAN STUDENT DRIVEN TO HELP OTHERS

YOUR LEGACY: Make Room for HuskiesWhen you created your will, did you focus exclusively on family? It’s not unusual. Ensuring our loved ones are cared for after we’re gone is one of the top reasons we craft this important legal document.

But what about the other people and places that matter to you?

Those that help shape the futures of young people and the

world—institutions like Northern Illinois University.

It’s not too late to give back to NIU while still putting family

first. Simply update your estate plan with this easy strategy.

Percentage GivingInstead of a fixed amount, you can give a percentage of your

estate or of specific assets to the Northern Illinois University

Foundation for the benefit of NIU. Your gifts to us and to

loved ones remain proportional, regardless of how the value of

your estate fluctuates.

Here are three ways to put family first and support

future Huskies:

1. Gift a percentage of your estate to the NIU Foundation

for the benefit of NIU in your will.

2. Leave us a percentage of your residual estate (the portion

of your estate that remains after all gifts have been made

and all claims of the estate are satisfied).

3. Name the NIU Foundation as a beneficiary of a

percentage of your life insurance policy or retirement

account for the benefit of NIU.

DON’T YET HAVE A WILL? Seek the assistance of an estate planning attorney. To find a qualified professional, ask family and friends, or consult your local bar association.

The Gift That Keeps on Giving Learn more about creating endowments in our FREE guide Create a Lasting Tribute for Someone You Love or Admire. You will find information on making gifts in honor of loved

ones. Simply return the enclosed reply card to receive your copy today.

1425 West Lincoln Highway • DeKalb, IL 60115

Judy Schneider, Associate Director, Planned Giving(815) 753-1389 • jschneider@niu.eduniu.planmylegacy.org

© The Stelter Company | The information in this publication is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax adviser. Figures cited in examples are for illustrative purposes only. References to tax rates include federal taxes only and are subject to change. State law may further impact your individual results.

appreciate how financial support can significantly impact a

student’s journey.

Both relocated to Colorado shortly after earning degrees

from NIU. That was in 1995 for Christian, who is president of

Panther Industries in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Two years

later, Trace moved to the Centennial State, pursuing a career in

law, estate planning, and other financial services that has led to

his current status as owner of two American Family Insurance

agencies near Vail, Colorado.

Christian’s company, a manufacturer of automated labeling

machinery, has developed a relationship with STEM School

Highlands Ranch to help students develop the skills vital to a

manufacturing career. That partnership has created a program

enabling students to earn an associate degree in Mechatronics

concurrently with their high school diploma.

The experience sparked Christian’s interest in helping NIU

students. He had already committed financial support to the

Alumni Strengthen NIU Ties Through ScholarshipsContinued from Page 1

university through his estate but felt a tug to do something

more—and more immediately.

“NIU students are go-getters—they make things happen, and

this is a good way to give back,” Christian says. “I’m in a position

that it just makes sense.”

Trace cites his parents, Jan and Dewey, as major influences

in modeling generosity. A decade ago, he began donating to

scholarship funds at his Lutheran grade and high schools. In fall

2017, he mentioned the idea of supporting NIU students to

Christian. His friend “jumped on board” right away, Trace recalls.

“If you’ve been blessed, pay it forward,” Trace says. “And

you can start small. Over time, it grows. God’s blessed me with

so much abundance that I just wouldn’t feel right not doing

something and giving back.”

“Most people just want to know how they can participate,”

Christian adds. “Maybe it’s time or mentoring or money. This

was the way that Trace and I could get involved.”