History of the Department

Timeline

  • 1899

    Northern Illinois State Normal School (NISTC) opened its doors.

  • 1921

    The Department of Biological Sciences was established.

  • 1955

    The expanded NISTC was renamed Northern Illinois State College (NISC).

  • 1957

    The expanded NISC was renamed Northern Illinois University (NIU).

  • 1959

    The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, in which the Department of Biological Sciences is located, was established.

  • 1969

    The Department moved from Davis Hall (built in 1943) into Montgomery Hall (built in 1969).

  • 1970

    Dedication of Charles E. Montgomery Hall on Oct. 16, 1970.

Chair of Biological Sciences

  • 1921-1952 Charles E. Montgomery
  • 1952-1965 George L. Terwilliger
  • 1965-1968 Harvey A. Feyerherm
  • 1969-1978 James A. Mc Cleary
  • 1978-1984 Jerrold H. Zar
  • 1984-1995 Marvin J. Starzyk
  • 1995-1999 Patricia S. Vary
  • 1999-2006 J. Michael Parrish
  • 2006-2009 Carl N. von Ende
  • 2009-2020 Barrie P. Bode
  • 2020-2021 Wesley Swingley (interim)

Distinguished Research/Teaching Professors in the Department

Name Dates Research or Teaching
Ana Calvo 2014-2018 (Research)
Richard King 2011-2015 (Research)
Reed Scherer 2009-2013 (Research)
Dan Gebo 1998-2002 (Teaching)
J. Michael Parrish 2002-2006 (Research)
Rangaswamy "Nathan" Meganathan 2002-2006 (Research)
Peter Meserve 1999-2003 (Research)
Daniel Gebo 1998-2002 (Research)
Jozef Bujarski 1997-2001 (Research)
Laszlo Hanzely 1993-1997 (Teaching)
Patricia S. Vary 1991-1995 (Research)
John L.A. Mitchell 1987-1991 (Research)
Arnold E. Hampel 1982-1986 (Research)

Contact Us

Department of Biological Sciences
Montgomery Hall 349
815-753-1753
815-753-0461 (fax)
kmeyer5@niu.edu

Graduate Studies
Graduate Advisor
815-753-7819
vlnaples@niu.edu

Graduate Administrative Assistant
815-753-0437
sfarley@niu.edu

Undergraduate Studies
Undergraduate Advisor
815-753-0114

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