Dr. Avi and Mrs. Elizabeth Bass

Abraham Z. Bass was a journalism professor at NIU from 1969 to 1999, specializing in “Mass Media and Society” and international journalism courses. He taught courses that met at Chicago media sites and took students to Europe several times for NIU Study Abroad programs. These experiences gave him the idea for travel grants. He was the journalism program’s grammar expert an taught Journalism 200, News writing, nearly every semester. He introduced the Journalism Qualifying Exam at NIU. Elizabeth Bass worked as an editor and writer in NIU’s alumni and development office and subsequently in the public affairs office. She wrote and edited Northern Now, the university’s alumni publication, and newsletters for donors and for parents of students. In public affairs, she also wrote news releases and worked on various projects. While in the alumni office, Elizabeth – sometimes with Avi – led European trips for the NIU Alumni Association. She has long been an active attendee at NIU theater productions and music concerts and at lectures on a wide variety of topics.