What defines Northwestern?

brebeuff
Thu, 29 Apr 2010 07:45:31 +0000

What defines NU is strength in a wide variety of fields-- arts & sciences as well as journalism, education, communications, film, theater, music, and engineering. We therefore manage to attract top students and faculty in every single one of those disciplines, making for a very diverse student body in terms of interests.

It’s also unusual that we have a large (and pretty chill) Greek scene and theater/arts scene at the same time, and the two camps are not mutually exclusive. Some famous alumni involved in both include Dermot Mulroney, Zach Braff, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Seth Meyers, and David Schwimmer. I’ve heard some people say we’re a cross between Duke and Brown in that sense.

There’s also great cultural diversity, which means A LOT of cultural shows going on all the time. The clubs Alianza, South Asian, Korean, Thai, Filipino, Taiwanese, Chinese each puts up its OWN show (some of the clubs multiple shows throughout the year). There’s a lot of African American programming, ALWAYS a lot of theater productions (including famous ones like Waa-Mu and the Dolphin Show), and a heckuva lot of DANCE shows. I doubt you would find as much diversity in terms of cultural programming at a smaller college or one far removed from a metropolitan area.

As far as important buildings, I would say University Hall since it’s been standing pretty much ever since the founding of the University. “The Rock” is a famous landmark and “guarding the rock” is a famous campus tradition where clubs who want to advertise their events take turns painting it. It starts with camping out at night to claim the territory and guarding it for the rest of the day, passing out flyers/holding fundraising for people walking by (it’s in a really busy location by University Hall and by The Arch). I have to say I don’t identify with this tradition much. What I like better is painting the huge rocks by the lake…it’s very colorful down there as a result.

There’s also NU Day at Wrigley Field (private section cordoned off for us, and students throw the first pitch/sing the anthem though tickets are limited). Dance Marathon is pretty big, and it raises nearly a million every year (we haven’t hit a million just yet though getting there) for a designated charity. Dillo Day is another huge event. It’s essentially a day of debauchery with famous musicians coming to play. It’s to celebrate the end of the schoolyear and comes right before finals (right before Reading Week for Weinbergers). We’re starting a new tradition with Northwestern football playing in Wrigley Field to showcase the team to the rest of the city and the nation, making our sports fanship more inclusive in the process.