June 13, 2008

DALLAS -- Jeffrey Yordon, leadership donor to Northern Illinois University Athletics, served on a national donor panel at the 14th annual National Association of Athletic Development Directors' (NAADD) Conference in Dallas last Wednesday.

Yordon, founder of Sagent Pharmaceuticals, has more than 38 years of injectables experience in the medical industry. This experience was gained by a career path that included senior level executive positions with a wide variety of pharmaceutical companies and culminated with his being an original founding member of LyphoMed, Gensia Laboratories, and American Pharmaceutical Partners (APP), now called APP Pharmaceuticals. Most recently, while at APP, he held the positions of Chief Strategic Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and President. All three of these companies had extraordinary growth during Yordon's tenure and each attained major milestones.

"Re-engaging with NIU and the athletic program is one of the best decisions that my wife (Kimberly) and I have made," Yordon said during the panel. "We consider the individuals we have met through our involvement with Northern as friends, and it is gratifying to be treated in the same regard by them."

Northern Illinois' Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics Jeff Compher said Yordon's participation was very well-received and much-appreciated.

"Jeff's thoughtful and candid presentation was a refreshing insight for the several hundred athletic fund-raisers in attendance," Compher said. "This was the first time a panel such as this was assembled for the annual meeting and several people commented that this was the most useful program they attended. We are extremely grateful for Jeff's time and willingness to be a part of this program"

Yordon's loyalty to NIU is evident in a variety of ways. He and Kimberly made the largest private athletic gift in the institution's history in November of 2006 with the seven-figure leadership gift on the Jeffrey and Kimberly Yordon Center, a 61,000 square-foot facility located in the north end zone of Huskie Stadium. Servicing each of NIU's 467 student-athletes, the Yordon Center houses Student-Athlete Academic Support Services (SAASS), a state-of-the-art Strength and Conditioning Center, training and equipment rooms, the football locker room, and football coaches' offices and meeting rooms.

Additionally, Yordon's time commitment includes his service on NIU's Foundation Board and Board of Directors of the Northern Illinois Executive Club, along with being a member of NIU's Athletic Advisory Council. Yordon received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Northern Illinois University. He and Kimberly have two daughters - Alexis (16) and Rachael (13) - and the family maintains residences in the Chicago area and the Southern California.

Along with Yordon, other panelists included Malcolm Louden, a Texas Christian University alumnus and civic and business leader who has contributed numerous capital gifts to TCU and a founder of the Frog Club; and Sherri Parker Lee, a graduate of both the University of Tennessee (masters) and TCU (bachelors). Ms. Lee has provided athletic leadership gifts to both athletic departments, including Tennessee's Sherri Parker Lee Softball Stadium and the basketball practice facility at TCU.

-NIU--