Spring semester is just around the corner! As students prepare for classes, recent graduate Alaa Basatneh is heading to Washington, D.C., to attend the State of the Union Address.
Around the Commons
State of the Union Address guest
Less than a month after she crossed the stage at Commencement, Alaa Basatneh is heading to Washington, D.C., as the guest of U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Illinois) to attend President Barack Obama’s final State of the Union Address on Jan. 12. “My goal is to get students inspired and motivated,” Basatneh said. “The education I got from Northeastern really prepped me for everything I’m doing. Walking down the halls of the Capitol, everyone I’m meeting and talking to, I had background knowledge, and that’s because of the professors at Northeastern.”
The Goodwin Gift Challenge has begun!
On New Year's Day, Northeastern launched the Goodwin Gift Challenge. Alumnus Daniel L. Goodwin gave $1 million to Northeastern in 2014. Now, he challenges alumni and friends to give $500,000 every year in 2016, 2017 and 2018. When those totals are met, he'll give $500,000 for each of those years.
FAFSA Completion Challenge
In response to first lady Michelle Obama’s Reach Higher campaign to encourage students to complete their education past high school, Northeastern will host four FAFSA Completion Challenge events at three of its locations around Chicago. All four events are free and open to the public. High school students, current students and returning students, as well as their families, are welcome to attend.
Diversity training for police
The entire Northeastern Police Department participated in an eight-hour Citizen Relations and Cultural Diversity training in December. The training was instrumental in further solidifying the department's commitment to diversity, professionalism and inclusivity. The main themes that were covered during the training were:
- A commitment to the fair and impartial treatment of all individuals, placing the highest emphasis on respect for fundamental human rights.
- A commitment to nurturing and protecting the individual dignity and worth of all the police come into contact with.
- A commitment to zero tolerance for racial, sexual, gender, or religious biased behavior.
- A commitment to maintaining a welcoming environment of inclusion through which communication is open to all people whose problems become our priorities to assist in resolving.
And there’s more!
- In preparation for the beginning of the spring semester, Northeastern will offer extended hours on Jan. 9 for new, current and returning students to register for classes and conduct other business.
In the media
Is Chicago affordable?
Chicago ranked 16th on a recent report of the world’s most affordable big cities for young people. While the report emphasized the importance of minimum wage, Economics Coordinator Michael Wenz told RedEye that employment also is an important factor. “What you really want is a place where young people can find jobs,” he told RedEye. “I agree strongly with the study’s goal that it’s important for cities to think about ways to attract young people to live and work there.” Wenz’s comments also were picked up by Chicagoist.
Also in the media ...
- DNAinfo Chicago reported on the upcoming season of the Northwest Chicago Film Society movie screenings on the Main Campus.
- Baseball Prospectus published a piece by Economics Coordinator Michael Wenz in which he critiques an academic article about a statistic called Wins Above Replacement.
- IARbuzz Blog featured Daniel L. Goodwin, who made a historic pledge to Northeastern in 2015.
- Illinois Campus Compact interviewed Senior Director of Academic and Community Partnerships Kris Pierre in its latest newsletter.
- DNAinfo Chicago reported that Chicago Public Schools is seeking volunteers to judge a science fair at Northeastern on Jan. 22.
- WTTW’s “Chicago Tonight” hosted Economics Professor Emeritus Edward Stuart to talk about global economics.
- PRNewswire reported that Renault-Nissan Alliance has hired technology executive Ogi Redzic (B.S. ’96 Computer Science) to lead the global car group's connected car initiative as Alliance Senior Vice President, Connected Vehicles and Mobility Services.
To do
Forum on mass incarceration
Professor Emerita Iva E. Carruthers will be the keynote speaker on Monday, Jan. 18, for a Michigan Avenue Forum on Mass Incarceration hosted by the Fourth Presbyterian Church. Carruthers, the former chair of the Department of Sociology, will be joined by fellow panelist and WBEZ reporter Natalie Moore for a conversation titled “Look Around: The Cries Will Be Heard” that will address America’s jail and prison systems.
Mark your calendar!
- Jennifer Yorke exhibition, Jan. 11-Feb. 5, Fine Arts Gallery
- Jennifer Yorke reception, 6 p.m. Jan. 15, Fine Arts Gallery
#FollowFriday
Inside The Nest
What’s going on inside construction of Northeastern’s first residence hall? Get an exclusive look via The Nest’s Snapchat account, @thenestatneiu!
Do you have a story tip? Let the public relations office know!
Mike Hines, Director of Public Relations, m-hines@neiu.edu, (773) 442-4240
