Peter and Corrine Magnoni

Peter Magnoni is a graduate of Northern Illinois University College of Business. Peter received his Bachelor of Science degree in marketing in 1962 and a Master of Science degree in education in 1964. In addition, Peter received a Certificate of Advanced Study in Business Education and Administrative Services in 1969.
Peter transferred to NIU from LaSalle-Peru- Oglesby Junior College at a time when his parents, and the community, were focused on family, not higher education. Peter’s focus was on education and getting the most out of his degree. Peter was involved in many areas as an undergraduate business student. He was the social chairman of Neptune West and the Newman Club. Peter was active in the Society for the Advancement of Management, the Political Science Club and the Vice-President and President of the Young Democrats Club. While attending NIU, Peter worked part-time and full-time as a janitor in Neptune-West, at a local Standard Oil service station, and as a fundraiser for the DeKalb County Democratic party. All of these jobs helped pay for his educational expenses.
As a graduate student he was employed by NIU as a teaching assistant. His professional career began with his appointment as secretary-manager of the Sycamore Chamber of Commerce, a teaching position, and directorship of Sycamore High School’s newly-instituted Distributive and Office Education Program.
In 1968, Peter moved on to accept the position of Assistant Vice President for Business Affairs at Lewis University. This was followed by employment as the Vice President for Business Affairs at Saint Xavier College and later as Vice President of Administration at Chicago State University.
Peter’s desire for rural living and a dream of owning a farm took him to Wisconsin in 1974. He has been employed in administrative capacities in several settings, most recently as the President of BancMutual Financial Services, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank Mutual. He retired from BMFS in 2014 after 27 years. The farm, purchased in 1979, remains one of the best decisions he ever made. The farm has become his main retirement focus and activity along with his present consulting business.
Corrine graduated from Concordia University St. Paul and has a Bachelor of Arts degree in business management. Her most recent employment history includes positions at the WEA Insurance Trust/WEAIT Insurance Corporation (Controller 1976-1985 and CFO 1985-1988) and the Chazen Museum of Art-University of Wisconsin Madison (Assistant Director for Administration 1988-2002). She retired from full-time employment in 2002 and now enjoys partnering with Peter on the farm and consulting activities.
Peter and Corinne contribute time and resources to community activities, church and other charitable ventures. They support students interested in Northern Illinois University and specifically the College of Business, and they encourage a long-term commitment to education and fundamental business skill that allowed for the success today. They have chosen to endow a scholarship at NIU due to Northern’s commitment to teach the career-building skills so desperately needed today. Peter’s business skills not only served him but contributed to his success when facing the many challenges and obstacles of life and employment. Peter and Corinne hope that by helping students whose backgrounds are similar to theirs, success will be realized by these students in our changing world.