NEIU alums Ken and Marlene Gill have taken an active role in staying connected to the University as founders of the NEIU Polish American Heritage Celebration. This annual event promotes the education and awareness of Polish culture and tradition to both Northeastern Illinois University and the community.

Ken (BA '66 Elementary Education) is a 35-year veteran Chicago Public Schools (CPS) teacher and librarian who was instrumental in starting the school system's first Polish bilingual education program. Ken's wife Marlene began her degree at NEIU in 1969, but left before completion. Nearly 30 years later she returned, earning her B.A. in 1997 through Northeastern's Board of Governor's (BOG) nontraditional program and an M.A. in Human Resource Development in 2001.

It was after Marlene's return to Northeastern in the 90’s that she and Ken had an opportunity to strengthen their connection to the University. Upon hearing President Emerita Salme Harju Steinberg speak about the desire to host a function for the Polish community, Marlene came up with the idea for the celebration. She submitted a proposal to Steinberg who agreed to sponsor the event through the University's office of alumni affairs.

The first event was held in October 1997 with nearly 200 people in attendance including Polish American dignitaries Edward Dykla, member of the NEIU Board of Trustees, and Maryanne Growin McMorrow, former Illinois Supreme Court Justice. The October 2007 event marked the Polish American Heritage Celebration's 10th anniversary with this year's attendance topping 300.

Through the years, the event has grown in size and support. The celebration now includes the presentation of community service awards, including the NEIU Alumni in Education award. Scholarships for future teachers awarded by the Council of Educators in Polonia have also been added, with part of the awards going to NEIU education students.

Although Ken and Marlene are no longer members of the planning committee, they continue to stay actively involved in the celebration. "We love Northeastern," says Marlene. "We're proud to have started something belonging to our heritage that has now become an annual part of the Northeastern landscape."