NORTHWESTERNPARENT quarterly
THE
Issue 3 | Winter 2012
NORRIS ICE RINK
THANK YOU
2011 Family Weekend was a blast, don’t you think? To those who visited, thank you for taking time to visit campus. We always enjoy sharing our community with you; come back soon!
HEY, IT IS NEVER TOO EARLY TO PLAN A VISIT. Family Weekend 2012: October 19-21
WINTER 2012
CONTENTS NU PARENT QUARTERLY
10 LET IT ‘REIGN’
HOMECOMING 2011 IS A SUCCESS
6 15
A NEW PLAN
MORTY REVEALS STRATEGIC PLAN
SISTER ACT
SISTERLY DUO ON THE COURTS
IN THIS ISSUE 4 LETTER FROM ORIENTATION AND PARENT PROGRAMS
5 NEWS ACROSS CAMPUS 8 BREAKING GROUND: QATAR 9 UNIVERSITY CALENDAR UPDATE DATES CHANGE FOR FALL 2012
9 VEGAN-FRIENDLY 14 DID YOU KNOW:
NU FUN FACTS AND OTHER NEWS
15 STAY INFORMED
Letter
from Orientation & Parent Programs
Hi Northwestern Parents and Family Members, Welcome to the beginning of another terrific year here at Northwestern. I hope you were able to spend a few weeks with your child during the winter break to catch-up, relax, and, if they were anything like me as a college student, wash a few loads of laundry. The fall quarter was quite the vibrant one for us here in Evanston. The pages of this issue of NPQ will recap some of the highlights of last quarter (note we could not fit the plethora of accolades and achievements that occurred from September to December in this issue, though we tried to fit as many as possible) and provide a look at what is to come for this winter quarter. From sporting victories to a Rhode Scholar winner to abundant student performances, fall can most certainly be deemed a success. This proves even more accurate with Family Weekend in November; thank you to the record number of family members who attended a very enjoyable weekend. I had the opportunity to meet a great deal of you and finally put faces with names; we most certainly have an outstanding and caring family community here at Northwestern. But with the fall quarter now behind us, we look to a promising winter session. When I sat down to write this letter yesterday, the thermometer read 46°F; a day later it is 27°F with snow covering the ground. The weather has been quite strange, but I am confident that is not a tell-tale sign of the quarter to come. During my time at Northwestern, this southerner has come to look forward to the winter quarter. There is nothing quite like seeing an already gorgeous campus look even more pristine while covered in a blanket of radiant white snow. Though students will rush from residence halls to class attempting to avoid the chilly air, the activities occurring on campus bring the community together to celebrate diverse talents. If you have not heard about Dance Marathon (referred to as DM by the students) from your child, you will in the coming months. DM is a philanthropic event truly engrained into the campus culture; I am anxious to see the students top the $1 million raised last year when the total is revealed the weekend of March 2. The Dolphin Show, America’s largest student-produced musical, is celebrating its 70th year by staging 42nd Street beginning January 20. I encourage you to stop by campus if you are in the area to witness another terrific production. Finally, I want to provide a note of warning: keep an eye on our sports occurring during the winter quarter, there will be some truly captivating games (with a good number of victories, I hope). Men’s and women’s basketball, women’s tennis, and the defending NCAA champion women’s lacrosse team are just a few of the groups to watch for this quarter. Please remember that the Orientation and Parent Programs office exists to not only help transition new students to the university but to also support our parent and family population all four years. Do not hesitate to contact our office with any questions or concerns. Thank you for being active supporters of our community and your child’s education. I look forward to seeing you on campus in the near future.
Go ’Cats!
Joshua N. McKenzie Orientation and Parent Programs 4 NORTHWESTERN PARENT
NEWS ACROSS CAMPUS Graduate Wins Rhodes Scholarship
President’s Message on University Finances
Sarah Smierciak will pursue development studies at Oxford, continues Middle East studies Read more
President Schapiro Provides an overview of the University’s financial condition Read more
A Virtual Campus Visit The Northwestern campus can now be viewed using Google Maps Read more
2011: A year’s review Look back on the top moments of 2011 from the NU NewsCenter Read more
Northwestern student wins big on Wheel of Fortune
NU Names a New Director of Sustainability
Andrew Boston (MEAS ’14) took away $16,050 and a trip to St. Lucia from the Television game show Read more
Robert Whittier will lead effort to make Northwestern a model for sustainability Read more
Study Abroad Adds International Security Position Julie Friend to chair Risk Assessment Committee Read more
Medill to Host Sports Media Panel
McCormick Faculty and Students Take the Prize
NU Welcomes International Guest Artists
Medill, Northwestern Athletics to host panel on college sports and the media Read more
Bike-friendly app takes second prize in “Apps for Metro Chicago” Challenge Read more
Superstars Rufus Reid and Hugh Masekela among performers to visit Evanston campus Read more
New Culprit Found in Lou Gehrig’s Disease A second “bad” gene is linked to damaged cell buildup, paralysis in Lou Gehrig’s disease Read more
Better Batteries New technology improves both energy capacity and charge rate in rechargeable batteries Read more
View PlanIt Purple for upcoming events at NU NORTHWESTERN PARENT 5
A NEW PLAN, A BETTER NU
Plan to ‘discover, integrate, connect and engage’ charts Northwestern’s future By Pat Vaughan Tremmel
A clear direction for how Northwestern University will draw upon its strengths and distinct advantages to achieve even greater national and international stature in the coming decade was unveiled during presentations of the University’s strategic plan Tuesday, Nov. 1, on the Evanston campus and Wednesday, Nov. 2, on the Chicago campus.
One of the world’s leading research universities, Northwestern, with its extraordinary breadth of scholarly enterprise, will continue to Discover Creative Solutions, through research and innovation that cross disciplines, interests, schools and continents. The areas targeted are nanoscience, energy and sustainability, biomedical sciences, global health, writing and oral expression, design, media, performing arts, international studies and markets, social structures and public policy. They map to Northwestern’s collection of schools and to big themes that cut across the University. The University, Provost Linzer said, very much believes in supporting high-quality, theoretical academic research as well as translating that research into new technologies and startup companies. “So theory and practice are our culture and what we embrace in this plan,” he said.
The University will continue to Integrate Learning and Experience, stressing learning by doing to broaden academic perspectives. The Northwestern community is challenged to seamlessly integrate academic innovation, experiential learning, career development and cross-disciplinary course work to achieve a truly unified learning experience. Students especially value learning from faculty outside of the classroom, President Schapiro said during the Chicago presentation. Students often talk about transforming experiences, such as working at a lab or on a play or at a news storefront in Chicago or in an orchestra, or on a new educational program or on developing a robot, the provost said. Increasing such co-curricular opportunities, here and abroad, is a major goal of the plan.
Connect Our Community will mean far more than disparate groups sharing common space, with the University’s unwavering resolve to provide an optimal environment for every member of the community. The plan supports diversity -- in the fullest meaning of the word --
Nearly two years in the making, with input from a host of Northwestern community members, the plan for Northwestern’s future was unveiled by President Morton Schapiro and Provost Daniel Linzer first on the Evanston campus to a packed auditorium of approximately 400 people, with many spilling into the aisles. On the Chicago campus, the plan was presented to about 150 people in a room filled to capacity and, through a video stream, to about 90 people in overflow rooms. We are Northwestern, the president and provost emphasized to both audiences, and “it is up to us to bring the plan alive,” to keep it dynamic and “put meat on its bones.” Four simple words -- discover, integrate, connect and engage –- are key to understanding the significant goals the plan outlines. Serving as the pillars or guideposts of the new plan, the words represent areas in which Northwestern already is making a difference and can have the greatest impact.
6 NORTHWESTERN PARENT
so members of the community can learn from and collaborate with others regardless of their similarities or differences. The University is a place where students can for the first time meet people that are different from them or look different from them, Provost Linzer said. “That is so enriching for us to build a community that we all benefit from.” It doesn't just happen and requires all of us to participate, he said.
And Engage With the World means Northwestern will not only continue its commitment, across disciplines, to global engagement and partnerships, but also grow relationships with outstanding public and private organizations in the Chicago area. “We are on a college campus in Evanston that is beautiful, that is waterfront, that enables us to do certain things in building community that is hard to do on an urban campus,” Provost Linzer said. “What I heard from students, faculty and staff was how lucky they were to be here at the epicenter of history, and being in the Chicago area gives us an opportunity to be engaged in a world city, a global city.” Northwestern's logistical advantages for global partnerships are especially great, he said, because of the University's campuses in Chicago and Qatar as well as in Evanston, and he cited Northwestern's programs in Asia, throughout Africa, in Central and South America and in Europe. "We are a global university," he said.
Northwestern community members are encouraged to study the plan and do their part to put it into action. “At Northwestern, we know that we are on strategy when our graduates put their knowledge and leadership into action and the world takes notice,” President Schapiro said. “Whether in a courtroom, a newsroom, a boardroom or a classroom, in a hospital, an African village, a design laboratory or a concert hall, if it becomes a better place because of their presence, we have done our job well.” Provost Linzer pointed to key phrases in the strategic plan: “Define yourself. Transform the world.” “A central idea was that we are different from a number of other institutions where you go there to be branded by that institution,” he said.
“...we are constantly reinventing Northwestern. This is consistent with our pioneering spirit and reputation for innovation.” -Schapiro, on the Strategic Plan
“Northwestern is more of a place that you go to take advantage of all of the opportunities to define yourself, not to be defined within the mold of that institution, and, in so doing, you become really empowered to change the world.” President Schapiro thanked the 140 members of the task force for their contributions, citing in particular the co-chairs of the task forces and Evelyn Tsai Caliendo, director of planning and special projects at Northwestern. “I think this plan is going to take us to the next level, but we’re starting from a very, very good level now,” President Schapiro said at the conclusion of the presentation. Northwestern's rankings in terms of diversity, international students, applications, yield and NIH funding keep getting better, he emphasized. “There’s not a single metric under which we’re not better than we were 10 or 20 years ago,” he said. “With this plan, we’re going to be better than we can imagine.” Copies of the plan were distributed at the meetings and are available at campus locations and online at http://www.northwestern.edu/strategic-plan/. Video of Strategic Plan revealing Audio, Provost Linzer presents plan NORTHWESTERN PARENT 7
BREAKING GROUND
Northwestern breaks ground on new building in Qatar Northwestern University in Qatar is making a substantial contribution to the region’s development,” stated H.E. Abdulla bin Ali Al-Thani in advance of the groundbreaking.
Northwestern University in Qatar, the region’s premier media, communication and journalism school, celebrated the groundbreaking for its long anticipated new building on Tuesday morning in Education City. The new facility, designed by renowned American architect Antoine Predock, will house a growing program with an emphasis on digital and global operations for communication, journalism and liberal arts programs and will have state-of-the-art multimedia studios, lecture halls, a theater, radio station, newsroom, library and exhibition space as well as the latest media technologies. Members of the University’s Joint Advisory Board (JAB) as well as faculty, staff and students were on hand at the dedication. NU-Q’s JAB includes HE Sheikha Hind Bint Hamad Al Thani, director of HH the Emir’s Office, and HE Dr. Abdulla bin Ali AlThani, president of Hamad bin Khalifa University and vice president for education at Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development; as well as officials from Northwestern University including William Osborn, chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Daniel Linzer, provost, and Thomas Cline, vice president and general counsel. “This new building will be a state-of-the-art facility for equipping future journalism and communication professionals to play their part in realizing the vision of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani and of Qatar Foundation Chairperson Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser. Both Qatar and the Arab region are changing rapidly and our populations need to be informed about and involved in these processes so that our societies are both participative and sustainable. As a core partner of Hamad Bin Khalifa University, 8 NORTHWESTERN PARENT
Chairman William Osborn said, “Antoine Predock is an architect of great distinction who studied the desert landscapes, sketched them and then offered us a distinctive building that will meld universal values in design with modernity, creating a platform for a 21st century school that aims to produce media and communications professionals for Qatar, this region and the world.” “Today we begin the process of construction for a structure that is designed to think big, to guide its faculty and staff and students through a rapidly changing world where they will soon take their place as journalists, film makers, media and communications professionals and engaged and informed citizens,” added Chairman Osborn. Also present were Senior Technical Manager Eng. Jassim Telefat from Qatar Foundation Capital Projects and Public Affairs Officer Ms. Carolyn S. Clark, who attended on behalf of the United States Embassy in Qatar. The new 32,520-square meter building “will be among the most modern and well equipped in the world,” said Dr. Everette E. Dennis, dean and CEO of NU-Q. Plans for the structure, which will be located between Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service in Qatar and the future Islamic Studies Centre, have been four years in the making. From its striking external façade—large limestone blocks rising skyward to resemble a natural desert formation—to its sweeping internal spaces replete with gardens and terraces, the building will be home to NU-Q’s mediacentric instructional, production and research programs. Focusing on the instruction and research that will take place in the building, Provost Daniel Linzer said, “Here students will enter a world of classrooms, studios, control rooms and theaters all a platform for learning as they connect settled knowledge with new discoveries and learn to mold their skills into professional practice that will adapt to change.” A special feature of the building will be an exhibi-
UPDATE: 2012 FALL UNIVERSITY CALENDAR
in the know
Please note the dates for the start of the 2012 fall quarter were recently changed in order to avoid potential conflicts with religious holidays. Though the number of weeks of instruction will not be affected by these changes, new dates can be found to the right. Please also visit the University Registrar’s website for a comprehensive University Calendar. These changes are consistent with the University Calendar Principles.
NEW STUDENT MOVE-IN: September 20, 2012
tion space for what will serve as a hub for understanding the past, present and future of communication and media, according to Dean Dennis. “This museum space will introduce scholars and enthusiasts of world and Middle Eastern media to artifacts from the past as well as changing exhibits that capture the essence of current debates over media and their role,” he said.
The award comes after an online student vote and independent assessment of the quality and quantity of vegan dining options offered by nuCusine, the University’s dining service contractor operated by Sodexo, Inc.
The NU-Q building is scheduled for completion in 2014, and includes the following features: Four video production studios Two 150-person lecture halls One black box theater A two-studio radio station facility for teaching and broadcast activities A multi-media newsroom A library capable of housing 40,000 volumes Office facilities for more than 50 faculty and 60 staff A conference center for events and special programs Student lounge and activity spaces
MOST VEGANFRIENDLY By Brendan Cosgrove
For the second consecutive year, Northwestern University has been selected by peta2, an affiliate of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, as the most vegan-friendly college in the small U.S. schools category.
WILDCAT WELCOME (new student orientation): September 20-26, 2012 RETURNING STUDENT MOVE-IN: September 24, 2012 FIRST DAY OF CLASS: September 27, 2012
“The dining services department reports that between 35 and 55 percent of students select a vegetarian or vegan entree every day,” said the peta2 assessment. “With options such as tofu French toast, country-fried seitan steak with vegan mashed potatoes and vegan curried tofu with jasmine rice, it's easy to see why.” Also cited was Northwestern’s participation in “Meatless Monday,” a weekly program that encourages all students to choose a non-meat entree one day per week. “We are thrilled to be recognized this way for the second year in a row,” said Richard Thomas, executive director of Norris University Center and Student Auxiliary Services. “The population of students who prefer to eat vegan grows each year so we need to ensure our food program meets their needs.” Thomas praised the nuCuisine culinary team for its work in making Northwestern vegan friendly. “Vegan options are not just for those who identify as vegan,” he said. “The culinary team does a great job of creating vegan options that appeal to everyone.”
NORTHWESTERN PARENT 9
LET IT REIGN 2011 HOMECOMING
Northwestern may have ended a few points short, but that does not mean a sea of purple subsided. Take a brief look at 2011 NU Homecoming.
‘LIVE’ FROM NU
By Matt Paolelli Television viewers were stuck with a “Saturday Night Live” rerun this weekend, but Northwestern students and returning alumni got a live “Weekend Update” from Seth Meyers (Communication ’96), when he returned to campus Friday to serve as grand marshal of the 2011 Homecoming Parade. Meyers joined student groups, the football team, the Wildcat Marching Band (NUMB), the NUMB alumni band and others in a north-to-south procession down Sheridan Road, culminating in a pep rally on Deering Meadow. The rally featured performances by NUMB and WildPride, as well as remarks from University President Morton Schapiro and head football coach Pat Fitzgerald. But Meyers stole the show. Introduced by accomplished director and fellow alumnus Garry Marshall (Medill ’56), Meyers joked that perhaps Northwestern should change the honorary title bestowed upon its Homecoming parade 12 NORTHWESTERN PARENT
leader. “I think ‘grand marshal’ is a perfectly fine title for every other school in this country, but I really think you should just start calling yours the ‘Garry Marshall,’” he said. “So I’m going to tell everyone that I went back to Northwestern to be this year’s ‘Garry Marshall.’” Meyers -- celebrating his 15-year reunion -- briefly reminisced about his time as a student, which was highlighted by the football team’s trip to the 1996 Rose Bowl during his senior year. He said he followed the team very closely and deftly rattled off the outcome of each of Northwestern’s games played during the 1995 football season. “And then they went to the Rose Bowl, and I TiVo-ed it,” he joked. “I haven’t watched it yet -- no spoilers.” All kidding aside, Meyers said he is proud of his Northwestern heritage and the football team’s more recent successes.
“It was so great to go to a school as good as Northwestern and have a football team that good,” he said. “And it’s been so exciting under the Fitzgerald era to have this team be this good and this competitive.” Meyers expressed his hopes for a Northwestern victory against Penn State at Saturday’s homecoming game -- hopes that were ultimately dashed in a 3424 defeat -- and poked fun at the age difference between the two teams’ head coaches. “With Joe Paterno versus Pat Fitzgerald, it’s the largest gap in age ever between two football coaches,” he said. “It’s 155 years.”
Meyers (Communication ’96) with accomplished director Gary Marshall (Medill ’56)
Meyers ended the pep rally by crowning the winners of the Homecoming Court competition. Communication senior Janna Kaplan won Homecoming Queen, and Weinberg senior Andrew Duble was crowned Homecoming King. “Congratulations,” Meyers said. “I’ve always dreamed of putting a weird purple crown on a dude’s head.”
The annual Homecoming Parade roared through Evanston on Friday afternoon
Homecoming Executive Co-Chairs Elisse Kavensky (WCAS ’12) and Camille Provencal-Dayle (WCAS ’12)
HOMECOMING PHOTOS & MEDIA Students devour homecoming and the spirit it exudes. From spirit competitions to the float contest (pictured top left and bottom right), homecoming is a week to celebrate the NU campus. Andrew Duble (WCAS ’12) and Janna Kaplan (Communication ’12) were crowned as royalty (bottom left) while other members of the court participate in the parade (top right).
Homecoming video coverage Game highlights Photos by The Daily Northwestern NORTHWESTERN PARENT 13
DID YOU KNOW... NORRIS ICE RINK To begin its second year on campus, the Norris Ice Rink was set to open at the start of winter quarter. With a bit of uncharacteristically warm weather, we currently have a Norris wading pool instead. The rink will open once weather cooperates!
January 2011
January 2012
DANCE MARATHON 2012 The colored lights, students awake for 30 hours, and the dancing...the sheer volume of dance moves that are performed in a 30 hour time span is astounding. This year, students will take the Norris University Center by storm March 2-4 in hopes of topping last year’s recordbreaking $1 million for this year’s primary beneficiary, The Andrew McDonough B+ (Be Positive) Foundation for childhood cancer. DM is most certainly a Northwestern tradition; visit their website for more information and to donate!
NEXT: NORTHWESTERN EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM The Northwestern Externship Program (NEXT) is a one-day job-shadowing program that connects students to a NU alum eager to offer you an insider's view of daily activities in his or her profession. NU alumni in ALL parts of the country and outside the U.S. will host NU students for a one-day job shadowing experience from March 19-April 19, 2012. The exact externship date will be mutually decided by the student extern and alumni host within this month-long timeframe. What a great way for your child to make valuable connections within the desired field! Information sessions will be held on January 17 and 18 at 4:30 p.m. in Norris; registration is open until February 3. For more information visit www.alumni.northwestern.edu/next
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY: JANUARY 16 On Monday, January 16, students will have a day off from class in recognition of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. A wealth of programs and speakers will occur during this holiday; visit the MLK website for more information.
FRATERNITY AND SORORITY RECRUITMENT The Interfraternity Council (IFC) and National Panhellenic Council (NPC) hosted recruitment for participating fraternities and sororities the first two weeks of winter quarter. NPC (sororities) welcomed 475 women to their organizations– a record for the past decade– while IFC (fraternities) welcomed approximately 400 men– also an increase.
NORTHWESTERN CELEBRATES A BIRTHDAY The 161st anniversary of the school’s chartering will be celebrated on Saturday, January 28. The Evanston campus will post a slide show of photos submitted by Northwestern students, alumni, faculty and staff online and displayed on screens across campus. More information here.
NU SPORTS SISTER ACT The sisterly duo add a dose of family to NU women’s basketball Released by Northwestern Magazine, Winter 2011 issue
Growing up, Tailor and Morgan Jones didn’t have a basketball hoop in their backyard, so the sisters shot hoops together at local gyms in Orlando, Fla., their hometown. This season the dynamic backcourt duo bring their game to Welsh-Ryan Arena. Tailor, a senior guard, transferred to Northwestern from the University of Florida after her freshman campaign and sat for a season before joining the Wildcats. Freshman Morgan, also a guard, came to Northwestern in large part to play with her sister and best friend. This sister act holds plenty of potential. Last season Tailor made half of her shots from the field and recorded 3.6 assists per game (115 on the season), good for ninth in the Big Ten. A high school All-American, Morgan was ranked ninth in the nation and third for her position for her age group by HoopGurlz, a division of ESPN. The athletes are sometimes competitive with each other, but only on a constructive level. “It’s all love,” Tailor said. “She makes me better, I maker her better. It’s always positive.” They are also quick to point out each others’ strengths. “She’s strong. She’s athletic. She’s vocal,” Morgan said of Tailor. “She’s a leader, and she’s hard to guard. We’ll be playing pickup, and everyone else will scatter away, and I’m left with her. I’m like, ‘Cool, I got her.’ There aren’t too many players as physical as my sister.” Tailor also called her sister a leader and praised Morgan’s shooting skills. “her height alone [6-foot-2] gives her versatility,” Tailor added. “She’s a very pure shooter, a great passer and a very smart player.” The Jones sisters hope to use their bond to make the Wildcats even better in 2011-12. “We know what each other is thinking,” Morgan said. Tailor added, “People love our relationship and how comfortable and open we are. I think it’s great for the team to see the love we have for each other. It sort of feeds into the other players.”
Read the Northwestern Magazine
STAY INFORMED
Subscribe to the Northwestern NewsCenter email list
Read NU’s student-run newspaper, The Daily Northwestern
Follow Northwestern’s social media hub for a streamlined glimpse of posts from across the web.
Download the NU mobile phone app (for multiple platforms) NORTHWESTERN PARENT 15
from the office of
ORIENTATION & PARENT PROGRAMS
1/13/2012 J.M.