Philip John Sonni, family, and friends of David Onak

David Joseph Onak graduated in 1981 with a B.A. degree in public relations from Northern Illinois University. While at Northern, he sought opportunities to hone his skills, gain leadership experience, and build new friendships. He worked for the Northern Star his junior and senior year, first as a reporter then as columnist and editor. He also was an active member of PRSSA, serving as liaison with the Chicago PRSA Chapter and participating on the NIU PRSSA board, which founded the student-run PR agency Contact Communications. Dave always felt that his college experiences prepared him well for his career in public relations and corporate communications. Throughout his career, Dave was among NIU’s most active alums. As a professional advisor to NIU-PRSSA for more than a decade, he shared his knowledge and experiences with students entering the PR field. He often spoke to journalism classes, sharing his career experiences and giving students a glimpse into the world of business communication. Dave strongly valued the time he spent with students, offering viewpoints and helping with career decisions.