The Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) has named Northern Illinois University one of four recipients of its inaugural Economic Prosperity University awards. Economic engagement efforts include universities working with public and private sector partners in their states and regions to support economic development through a variety of activities -- innovation and entrepreneurship, technology transfer, talent and workforce development, and community development. Award categories include innovation, place, and overall. NIU, which won the "Place" category award, is joined by the State University of New York, the University of Cincinnati, and the University of Michigan.

The APLU press release reports that '[the] “Place” award, which recognizes a university that is excelling in community, social, and cultural development work, went to Northern Illinois University for a variety of activities, including a commitment to expanding broadband internet access throughout the region and state, enhancing university research capacity and also helping to grow businesses and create jobs; an effort aimed at reducing fragmentation and maximizing the impact of off-campus P-20 activities by faculty, students, and staff through better coordination of these efforts; and support for growth and development of an aerospace cluster in a distressed region of the state, through workforce education, R&D partnerships, regional branding, and stimulation of entrepreneurship.'

“Engagement with our communities and regions has always been the defining characteristic of America’s top public universities,” said, Northern Illinois University President Douglas D. Baker. “To be held up as one of the best in this endeavor, in the company of some of our country’s finest institutions, is a tremendous honor.”

Read the full announcement at: http://www.aplu.org/2013ProsperityAwards.