Honorary or Memorial Gifts Honorary gifts recognize special individuals, anniversaries or events. Memorial gifts recognize lifetime accomplishments of individuals who have passed away. Honorary or memorial gifts can be unrestricted or designated for use in a particular college, department, or program. All gifts are recognized with a card sent to the honoree or family of the memorialized individual.   For more information on making an honorary or memorial gift to Northern Illinois University, call Diane Johnson, Assistant Director of Donor Relations, at 815-753-9469 or e-mail dianejohnson@niu.edu.