College to Honor Cebuano Educator

CEBU, Philippines - The NIU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences has selected alumna Apagita “Ging” Palma Smith as one of six alumni honorees who will receive a 2013 Distinguished Alumni, Faculty, and Staff Award. The awards celebrate and recognize the accomplishments of outstanding individuals in each category.

In making the award, the college cited Ms. Smith’s many decades of distinguished service to her students, her colleagues, and her community.  Leading by example, she has made a lasting impact on the economic, educational, and social well-being of her community. Whether illuminating a concept for students in her journalism classes, leading fundraising efforts, or mentoring hundreds of individuals along their own paths to success, Ms. Smith has dedicated her life to giving back.

A native of the Philippines, Ms. Smith earned bachelor’s degrees in English and Education from the University of San Jose Recoletos and a master’s degree in English from the University of San Carlos. She came to NIU in 1972 as a Fulbright Scholar, completing her master’s degree in Journalism in 1973 and earning a certificate from Harvard University’s Management Development program in 1998.

Ms. Smith spent over two decades as a journalism and technical writing professor at Kishwaukee College in Malta, Ill., serving as head of the department and then Dean of Development and College Relations for the last eight years of her career.  Her role included that of media adviser for the student newspaper, Kaleidoscope, and the student creative writing publication, Kamelian, both of which won industry recognition – including first place awards – under her guidance. 

Upon retirement, she joined the Northern Illinois University Foundation as a major gift officer, raising “friends” and funds for the NIU Libraries. Through her efforts, the principal of the Friends of NIU Libraries Endowment Fund tripled in just four years. Her hard work, integrity, generosity and endless optimism certainly contributed to her success and, ultimately, benefitted the NIU Libraries and their patrons.

Over the years, she has held leadership roles and been involved with many key community groups, including the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, DeKalb County Housing Authority, DeKalb Women’s Club, Family Service Agency, Hope Haven, Kishwaukee College Foundation, Kishwaukee Symphony, Main Street DeKalb, and the NIU Alumni Association. In 2005, Ms. Smith co-directed the Public Relations activities associated with the new Kishwaukee Hospital Campaign.

She has received many awards and accolades for her service, including the NIU Journalism Alumni Award, the DeKalb Rotary Club’s James Forster Community Service Award, the Salute to Heroes Award, and Kishwaukee College’s Award of Excellence. She received the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce Athena Award, reserved for women who have achieved the highest levels of professional accomplishment, while devoting time and energy to meaningful work in their community and paving the way for others.  Ms. Smith serves on the Advisory Board of DeKalb’s Invironments magazine. She is one of 13 local people featured in DeKalb’s “Communiversity” Sesquicentennial Mural, chosen because she symbolizes the fulfillment of the dreams of many immigrants.

Dean Christopher McCord will present the 2013 awards on Friday, October 11, at a reception, dinner, and program held in Altgeld Auditorium on NIU’s DeKalb campus.

Northern Illinois University is a comprehensive teaching and research institution enrolling 22,000 students on four campuses throughout the Chicago region.  NIU’s main campus is in DeKalb, Ill., a growing community of over 44,000 residents located about 65 miles west of Chicago. 

For more information about the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences or the awards event, contact Deborah Fransen, Director, College Communications, at 815-753-0518 or via email at [email protected]. (FREEMAN)