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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Dr.
4Bernard J. Brommel, professor emeritus and philanthropist of
5Northeastern Illinois University, who passed away on September
622, 2018 at his home in Kalamazoo, Michigan at the age of 88;
7and
 
8    WHEREAS, Dr. Brommel was born in St. Mary's, Iowa, south of
9Des Moines, in 1930, one of nine children who grew up on the
10family farm with humble beginnings; he earned his bachelor's
11degree in speech and history from Iowa Northern University in
121950; he earned his master's degree in speech education from
13the State University of Iowa (University of Iowa) in 1955; he
14earned his Ph.D. in Communication, Theater, and Education from
15Indiana University in 1963; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Dr. Brommel taught at Northeastern Illinois
17University for 28 years; in retirement, he was one of the
18institution's most generous donors; he was a great teacher,
19mentor, scholar, and philanthropist; among the many
20Northeastern Illinois University students that he influenced
21are Sarah Feigenholtz (B.A. 1978 Political Science and Speech),
22Alice M. McGee (B.A. 1984 Speech), Jarice Hanson (B.A. 1976
23Speech), Timothy Portokalis (B.A. 1985 Nontraditional Degree

 

 

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1Program-Kaskaskia), Raymond Wohl (M.A. 1994 Speech), Debra J.
2Niemann (B.A. 1976 Speech), Libby Komaiko (B.A. 1977
3Nontraditional Degree Program-University Without Walls),
4Richard Lindberg (B.A. 1974 History, M.A. 1987 History), and
5Robert Jordan (M.A. 1994 Speech); and
 
6    WHEREAS, Dr. Brommel leaves a significant legacy at
7Northeastern; among his contributions, he established the
8following: the Brommel Doctoral Scholarship to support
9graduate students who want to pursue a doctorate, the
10Distinguished Research Professor Award to provide a research
11stipend for current faculty, the Brommel Awards for Student
12Research and Creative Activities to recognize outstanding work
13in the annual student symposium, 25 scholarships named in honor
14of key people in his life, primarily faculty and students at
15Northeastern, but also leaders of the university's resident
16dance company, Ensemble Espaņol, as well as mentors and
17students of and from his various high school and college
18teaching posts, the Brommel-Hahs Lectureship in the College of
19Arts and Science, and the Bernard J. Brommel Endowment in
20Communication, Media and Theatre to support a faculty position;
21and
 
22    WHEREAS, Northeastern Illinois University is hosting a
23memorial to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Brommel on
24December 1, 2018; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Dr. Brommel is survived by his partner of over 20
2years, Carl Ratner, and his children, Michaela, Brian, Debra,
3Brent, Brad, and Blair; therefore, be it
 
4    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
5HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
6offer our heartiest condolences to the family and friends of
7Dr. Bernard J. Brommel and honor the lasting legacy he left for
8his students, colleagues, mentees, and many others; and be it
9further
 
10    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
11presented to the family of Dr. Brommel as an expression of our
12deepest sympathy.