NIU Foundation announces Opportunity Grant recipient The NIU Foundation Board recently approved an Opportunity Grant in the amount of $9,868 for a proposal, submitted by Dr. Drew VandeCreek, Director of Digitization Projects for the University Libraries. The Illinois Cultural Heritage Database Project will produce an online collection of high-quality resources describing the significance and history of important cultural and historical sites in Illinois. The database materials will include interpretive texts as well as digital video segments. Students working on this project will draw upon bodies of knowledge developed in the fields of history, literature, communications, and geography. The materials they produce will prove invaluable to travelers interested in cultural tourism, teachers leading young students on field trips, and history enthusiasts. "The project effectively integrates the digital world with the humanities and will help enhance the importance of a liberal arts education," wrote NIU Provost J. Ivan Legg in his letter of support. "The relatively small investment will have a long-term impact on the education of our students." The proposal received strong letters of support and is expected to have an impact on outreach. College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean Frederick Kitterle stated in his letter of support that the Illinois Cultural Database can serve as an engine for cultural tourism in Illinois.