Northern Illinois University Athletics

Dennis and Stacey made the largest gift in NIU history to build a new College of Business building - Barsema Hall. They were also the primary donors to the Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center, and have contributed to numerous causes at NIU, including Huskie Athletics. Within athletics, their significant contribution to the Kenneth and Ellen Chessick Practice Center made the Barsema Hall of Champions possible. 

A 1977 graduate of NIU, as a student Dennis was in the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He is a member and former chair of the NIU Board of Trustees; a former chairman of the NIU Foundation Board of Directors, has served on the College of Business Executive Advisory Board, received the College of Business Distinguished Alumni Award in 2003 and the NIU Distinguished Alumni Award in 2006. He is also a former instructor with the NIU College of Business and has taught leadership classes to several football leadership groups over the years. 

Stacey has served on the NIU Foundation Board of Directors for many years and is the president of the Barsema Foundation. Her devotion to education and other worthy causes is evident by her commitment to NIU as well as numerous other organizations. Stacey received the F.R. Geigle Service Award in 2008 and the NIU College of Business Honorary Alumna Award in 2018. Dennis and Stacey have three sons: Matthew, Eric and Jason. Eric ('03) and Jason ('07) are also NIU graduates.