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Robert W. Fioretti Information Center
Robert W. Fioretti is a lifelong Chicagoan. He was born and raised in Chicago’s Pullman/Roseland neighborhood, the son of an Italian immigrant father from Padua, Italy, and a Polish-American mother originally from Superior, Wisconsin. He graduated from the NIU College of Law after receiving his undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois and has been working as an attorney ever since, focusing his practice primarily in litigation and transactional work. Robert currently makes his home on Chicago’s near west side.
What was your motivation for naming this space in the Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center?
I believe many of us have come to realize that our association with NIU extends far beyond the years we are on campus pursuing academic endeavors; rather, our connection with NIU extends throughout our lives. Having served as president of the NIU Alumni Association, I witnessed firsthand the bonds that are made among alumni – professional relationships and friendships that are priceless. Having an Alumni and Visitors Center worthy of those post-graduation bonds was something I feel the family of NIU alumni and supporters deserved.
What does it mean to you to be involved in a project of such importance for the university?
We are at a unique point in time in the history of NIU – and we are fortunate to be able to witness the Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center come to fruition. This facility will showcase the NIU story and serve as a point-of-entry to the university; to not be actively involved in some way wasn’t an option.
What is your personal philanthropic philosophy?
I believe philanthropy can and should equate to smart investing. I know personally the value received from an NIU education. Knowing we can make a contribution to help NIU provide a solid education to assist NIU students become productive and contributing members of society benefits us all.
What does NIU mean to you?
As the son of an immigrant father who didn’t have the opportunity to attend college, but worked hard to see that his family would be able to, the NIU education I received holds deep meaning. Several times as I’ve made remarks at NIU commencements as alumni president, I would look in the audience and see graduates, many of whom were the first in their families to attend college, and their story was very familiar to me. I realize that here in DeKalb the beginnings of many dreams are realized, and an NIU education contributes to the diverse fabric that helps make this the land of opportunity our ancestors dreamed about.
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Barsema Alumni and
Visitors Center
231 N. Annie Glidden Rd.
DeKalb, IL 60115
815.753.1534
815.753.0278 (fax)
Located on the campus of
Northern Illinois University |
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