NIU College of Law Diversity Open House
Saturday, December 5, 2020
12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Register Now via Zoom
About the Diversity Open House
This program will provide prospective diverse students with a unique look into NIU Law. The open house will include a welcome from Dean Hill, a brief presentation from the Acting Director of Admissions, Kellie N. Martial (’10), followed by remarks from one of our most distinguished alums, The Honorable Vincent F. Cornelius (’89). You will also hear from a panel of current law students who are leaders in various diverse affinity student groups and have the opportunity to ask questions in our Q&A segment.
Program Agenda
NIU College of Law Overview – Kellie Martial (’10), Acting Director of Admissions
Welcome & Introduction of Speaker – Dean Cassandra L. Hill
Featured Speaker – The Honorable Vincent F. Cornelius (’89)
Q&A Panel Discussion – Law School Student Leaders
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- Carletta Sanders (Black Law Student Association);
- Felix Mitchell (Black Law Student Association);
- Sonia Hernandez (Latinx Law Student Association);
- Alyssa Waver (Gender-Sexualities Alliance);
- Debbie Gettemy (Women’s Law Caucus); and
- Rachel Roling (Christian Legal Society).
About The Honorable Vincent F. Cornelius (’89)
The Honorable Vincent F. Cornelius is a Circuit Judge of the 12th Judicial Court of Will County elected in 2018. Prior to joining the bench, he was the founder and principal of the Law Offices of Vincent F. Cornelius, with offices in Joliet and Wheaton. He was an associate attorney with the James D. Montgomery Associates in Chicago, and served as an Assistant State’s Attorney in DuPage County.
Judge Cornelius was elected as the first African American to serve as President of the Illinois State Bar Association in its 140-year history. He is the only lawyer in Illinois history to serve as President of the Illinois State Bar Association, the Illinois Bar Foundation, and as Chancellor of the Academy of Illinois Lawyers. Judge Cornelius is a founding member of the Black Bar Association of Will County. He has served on the Governor’s Commissions, Supreme Court Commissions, Legislative Committees, University, and Hospital Boards.
Judge Cornelius has received many awards for his accomplishments, including the Martin Luther King Journey Award, the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of St. Francis, the Medgar Evers Award from the NAACP, and the New Canaanland Christian Church Community Leadership Award. He was also inducted into the Boys & Girls Club of Joliet Hall of Fame. He is an active NIU College of Law alumnus where currently serves as the Chairman of the NIU Law Board of Visitors. He is the founder and co-host of the NIU Law Minority Reception which began 17 years ago. He is a mentor to students and is a recipient of the Northern Illinois University College of Law’s Outstanding Alum Award and its Alum of the Year Award.