Wednesday, September 17, 2025
TENURE OF TURMOIL
By NINETH KANIESKI KOSO daily senior staffer @ninethkk
Less than two months before the start of the 2022-2023 school year, the Board of Trustees announced Michael Schill as Northwestern’s 17th president. In an introductory interview with e Daily, Schill highlighted three areas of focus for his tenure: research, diversity and innovation.
Yet at the end of his abruptly cut-short term, the University’s research is facing a $790 million federal funding freeze. NU websites have been scrubbed of terms relating to diversity, and novel cost containment strategies have taken
a toll on the University’s budgets, including eliminating more than 400 existing sta positions and reducing the permanent administrative and academic budgets.
“ ere’s no one way, but I want to be accessible,” Schill said in an August 2022 interview with e Daily. “I want students to know that what I want, and what I aspire to, is that students don’t think I am an isolated leader. What I want to do is make them know that I’m there, and I’m there for them.”
Schill’s presidency began under the Biden administration’s comparatively hands-o approach to higher education. More recently, however, the second Trump administration has aimed to directly in uence university policies.
And as federal scrutiny of higher education grew, Schill himself faced increasing a ention on a national stage.
A President’s March to the Arch
Before Schill came to NU, he served as president of the University of Oregon from 2015 to 2022. Previously, he also served as the dean of the University of Chicago Law School and of the University of California, Los Angeles’ School of Law.
In July 2022, former Presidentelect Rebecca Blank stepped down from her role due to a cancer diagnosis. Exactly one month later, Schill was announced as her replacement, giving him mere
e week prior, the city reported an arrest by DHS
By ASHLEY DONG
In response to the city’s Sept. 8 statement stating federal immigration agents would soon be present in Evanston, co-founders Savanna Essig-Fox and Emily Miller (Weinberg ’11) and member Lisa Leicht swi ly organized a demonstration. The event became even
more relevant a er Department of Homeland Security agents arrested an individual near the intersection of Church Street
weeks to complete a rigorous, o en months-long transition process and assume the role Sept. 12, 2022.
In the 2022 interview with e Daily, Schill said he remained grounded in his friendship with Blank as he looked to NU’s future.
“I think that the best way I can honor Becky is to be a great president,” Schill said.
Schill was o cially inaugurated in June 2023, following Blank’s death months prior.
Revamping Ryan Field
Early in Schill’s presidency, NU announced plans to renovate Ryan Field following a $480 million donation from Patrick Ryan (Kellogg ’59) and Shirley Ryan
(Weinberg ’61) to the University in September 2021, which included funds for the renovation.
While Schill did not facilitate the investment, he supported it, describing the old stadium as “worse than” others he had visited during his time as Oregon’s president.
Yet, the stadium renovations sparked heated pushback from both the NU community and Evanston.
University faculty worried that the project would run over its $800 million budget, incurring debt. At the time, Schill assured that there were other options to help complete the renovation in the event of budget concerns.
By ASHLEY WEI the daily northwestern
“We’re working deeply with the community,” Schill said at the time. “We’ve already started talking about that, trying to make Ryan feel like a win-win.”
A er months of debate dominating town-gown relations, City
» See SCHILL , page 8
Beyond NU’s campus, residents of Evanston’s 7th Ward, where Ryan Field is located, raised concerns about potential increases in noise, light pollution and parking congestion in the area. In response, University o cials hired a tra c engineering rm to look at potential congestion issues and noted that the project would generate around 2,900 new jobs during the rebuild and more than $10 million in direct fees to Evanston.
ufactured
Illustration by Siri Reddy
Comprehensive plan stalls, new hearing set for Oct.
By MARISA GUERRA ECHEVERRIA daily senior staffer @marisa_g_ech
After over a month of silence surrounding Envision Evanston 2045, City Council reconvened for a special meeting Monday night — the fifth meeting in a summer-long mission to deliberate final additions to the city’s in-progress comprehensive plan.
A little over halfway through the over five-hour endeavor, the council found itself only two items into the 91-item agenda.
The councilmembers were resigned to schedule yet another meeting, extending the public hearing to Oct. 20 as a tentative end to the editing process. They will vote on adopting the plan in a subsequent meeting, Mayor Daniel Biss said.
“That goal is reasonable,” Biss said. “I think it’s consistent, again, with the pace that we were working at tonight. It’s what we owe the community, again, given the urgency of these issues.”
The Monday night meeting was initially scheduled for Aug. 18, but was canceled due to Ald. Parielle Davis’ (7th) medical leave. The delay exceeded the 90-day limit to vote on the Land Use Commission’s recommendation from May 21 requiring a new public hearing and council review.
Councilmembers evaluated 51 edits to the comprehensive plan, over half of the items on the meeting’s docket. However, deliberations were punctuated with echoes of residential concerns over “by-right” housing language and confusion over agenda items.
The plan’s policy goals “to preserve and increase Evanston’s diverse housing choices,” last discussed at the Aug. 4 meeting, were also up for further discussion and a final vote at the start of the session.
Ald. Jonathan Nieuwsma (4th) proposed an amendment in favor of small-scale, multi-unit housing development by-right in all residential districts and higher-density housing in mixed-use and downtown districts. By-right designation in zoning allows for development without special permits or review.
Nieuwsma added that he wants to expand the types of housing permitted in single-family R1 and R2 zoning districts.
“Now I’m not saying everything that’s R1 can then be used for a 20-story high-rise of 150 units. That would be silly,” Nieuwsma said. “Everything has to be done with a high degree of common sense of scale, a sense of the neighborhood.”
Nieuwsma’s amended proposal was narrowly adopted 5-4, with Davis and Alds. Clare Kelly (1st), Tom Suffredin (6th) and Matt Rodgers (8th) dissenting.
Ald. Bobby Burns (5th) then successfully added conditional language to Nieuwsma’s proposal, grounding major zoning reforms in research and requiring evidence-based evaluations of zoning overhauls. Attempts made by Kelly to eliminate
“by-right” from the proposal failed.
The stark division in the vote drew ire from Kelly, who called 5-4 votes “unhealthy” and said the decision should require a stronger consensus.
“It’s really important that we’re not divided fourfive on all these, really. We’re talking about a 20-year plan,” Kelly said. “I don’t know if we’re doing the work we should be doing.”
Throughout the rest of the meeting, the council plowed through remaining agenda items — mostly suggestions penned by Kelly, Rodgers and Nieuwsma — largely in unanimous agreement.
Revisions from the meeting included an additional pledge to explore plans for a city-operated
bus service to connect shopping, employment, transit and civic areas to locations currently underserved by local transit routes. The council also added city environmental goals, like ambitions for a mandatory compost program, and introduced goals for ensuring fiscal sustainability for planning and policy.
While Biss said after the meeting that councilmembers can continue to make motions for new agenda items on Oct. 20, he says it would not be “best practice.”
“It would be deeply uncool,” Nieuwsma affirmed. m.guerra-echeverria@dailynorthwestern.com
Daily file photo by Shun Graves
Monday night’s meeting was the fifth in a summer-long process to edit and approve the comprehensive plan.
Students, unions react to resignation
By CAYLA LABGOLD-CARROLL and SIDDARTH SIVARAMAN daily senior staffers @caylalc / @sidvaraman
When former Northwestern President Michael Schill suddenly resigned on Sept. 4, NU students returning to campus were faced with uncertainty about the year ahead.
e news came as a surprise, Weinberg senior Carter Sampson said, especially since it came just two weeks before classes began.
As a family ambassador already on campus to prepare for Wildcat Welcome — an event where the University President usually gives several speeches — Sampson said he felt uncertain about the sudden resignation.
“It’s awkward, because it’s like, what does this mean for us now?” Sampson said.
Soon a er Schill announced his resignation, NU announced former University President Henry Bienen as NU’s interim president while the University searches for new leadership. Bienen previously served as University President from 1995 to 2009. Sampson said he believes the Board of Trustees’ selection of Bienen was due to his experience dealing with controversy and student activism during his presidency.
In 1995, 17 students started a hunger strike to pressure the University into starting an Asian American Studies Program. Four years later, the department was established.
“He was the president during the hunger strikes for the Asian American Studies Program, and he survived that controversy,” Sampson said.
Schill’s resignation comes a er a short presidential term wrought with challenges. In his rst year, the University made national headlines when news broke of a hazing scandal in the football program.
In May 2024, Schill testi ed in front of the House Commi ee on Education and Workforce, focusing on negotiations surrounding NU’s proPalestine encampment. NU has also been navigating a $790 million cut in federal research funding since April.
SESP freshman Elena Newsom said she thought his resignation was upse ing, though not surprising, due to the con icts during his presidency.
“I thought it was unfortunate. He was supporting what he believes Northwestern represents, which I think is wonderful,” Newsom said. “Being the face of Northwestern is a big ask, and I think he did a wonderful job of representing the desires of the Northwestern community.”
Multiple students also speculated that Schill’s resignation was due to federal pressure.
NU Graduate Workers president and third-year anthropology Ph.D. candidate Mounica Sreesai said she was worried about the motivation behind Schill’s resignation and what it would mean for NU’s future.
e union had disputes with University administration over several policies during Schill’s tenure, Sreesai said, but NUGW could concentrate those grievances on Schill. With the University facing pressure from the federal government, administrators could use the lack of a clear gurehead as an excuse to defer authority, she said.
“We’re bracing ourselves for worse times ahead, just given the political climate in the U.S. right now,” Sreesai said.
Sreesai characterized NUGW’s relationship with Schill during his tenure as a “typical boss-versusworkers” struggle, including when the union negotiated with administrators for a contract in 2024.
e NU Postdoctoral Union is set to begin its bargaining process on a contract for the rst time a er postdoctoral researchers and research
associates voted to form the organization in August. Union member and postdoctoral researcher Valentina Olivera Pasilio wrote in an email to e Daily that the union was looking forward to bargaining with the new administration in good faith.
“We unionized because we want Northwestern to be the best educational and research institution possible,” Olivera-Pasilio wrote. “We are condent that we will agree on a fair contract a er bargaining.”
Sreesai said she hopes collaborations with other unions, faculty and undergraduate students will increase in the face of rising scrutiny on higher education.
“Ideally, we would hope from any administration that there is a strong stance against what’s wrong, and not capitulating, right?” she said. “ at is what’s going to give con dence and strength for people to also ght back.”
For Newsom, one of the core elements of universities is having their own beliefs, which don’t have to align with the federal government’s.
“I think it’s very unfortunate and not at all constitutional to hold a school to the politics that a certain political person or certain political administration may want, as opposed to those of what the people that it a ects may desire,” Newsom said.
c.labgold-carroll@dailynorthwestern.com s.sivaraman@dailynorthwestern.com
The Daily Northwestern www.dailynorthwestern.com
Editor in Chief Emily Lichty eic@dailynorthwestern.com
General Manager Stacia Campbell stacia@dailynorthwestern.com
Holly and John Madigan Newsroom Phone | 847.491.3222 Campus desk campus@dailynorthwestern.com City desk city@dailynorthwestern.com
Sports desk sports@dailynorthwestern.com
Ad Office | 847.491.7206 spc-compshop@northwestern.edu
THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN is printed each Wednesday during the academic year, except vacation periods, the two weeks preceding them and once during August, by Students Publishing Co., Inc. of Northwestern University, 1999 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208. All news is published 24/7 online at Dailynorthwestern.com.
First copy of THE DAILY is free, additional copies are 50 cents. All material published herein, except advertising or where indicated otherwise, is Copyright 2025 THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN and protected under the “work made for hire” and “periodical publication” clauses of copyright law.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN, 1999 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208. Subscriptions are $100 for the academic year. THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN is not responsible for more than one incorrect ad insertion.
Illustration by Siri Reddy
NU Graduate Workers Mounica Sreesai said she was worried about the motivation behind Schill’s resignation and what it would mean for NU’s future.
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in Evanston
By SIDDARTH SIVARAMAN
daily senior staffer @sidvaraman
Organizations across Evanston will commemorate Hispanic and Latino contributions to America throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. From tasting tapas to cra ing tin art, there are myriad opportunities across the city to celebrate and learn about Hispanic American history. All of the events below are free to a end, except for the St. John XXIII Parish’s OktoberFiesta and the Cantaré concert.
Collective Heritage Festival on Wednesday, Sept. 17
In this session of Evanston Public Library’s monthly Teen Scene, middle to high school-aged students will enjoy elote, play games and learn to make Mexican tin art. e event will be hosted at the library’s Robert Crown Branch Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Fiesta Familiar Hispana on Saturday, Sept. 20
Latinos en Evanston North Shore will host a free, family-friendly esta at the YWCA Evanston/North Shore this upcoming Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. e festival will feature karaoke, a piñata, live music and a potluck of cultural snacks.
Fiesta España on Saturday, Sept. 20
Adults aged 60 or older can learn about the Fallas festival of Valencia, Spain, which celebrates the start of spring with large sculptures and bon res in a session of EPL’s OAsis series. e event, which will also feature tapas, will take place on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the main library branch’s Falcon Room.
Our Stories in Evanston on ursday, Sept. 25 is community conversation, moderated by nonpro t community group Evanston Latinos, will give local Hispanic and Latino families the chance to share their experiences of living in the city. e discussion will be conducted in English
celebrates the contributions,
with Spanish translation on ursday, Sept. 25 at 6:30 p.m. at the Evanston History Center. Mexican pan dulce and co ee will be served.
Una Fiesta Hispana on ursday, Sept. 25
Evanston Pride will celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month and the start of LGBTQ+ History Month in October with an evening in Fountain Square ursday, Sept. 25 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. An all-female mariachi band and a DJ will perform while a endees browse a market featuring handmade cra s from Latino and LGBTQ+ artists.
OktoberFiesta on Saturday, Sept. 27
Local brews and tequila will be o ered at a block party that blends German and Mexican culture at St. John XXIII Parish’s St. Mary Church campus on Saturday, Sept. 27 from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Families can enjoy Mexican, German and American cuisine along with outdoor games and live music. Admission is $5 per person and free for children under 5 years old.
Cantaré concert on Sunday, Sept. 28 Chicago a cappella will present new works by
Mexican composers in concerts across the Chicago area throughout National Hispanic Heritage Month. e group will perform in Evanston’s Nichols Concert Hall at 1490 Chicago Ave. on Sunday, Sept. 28 at 3 p.m. is year’s tour will commemorate a decade of the ensemble’s ¡Cantaré! Chicago program, which regularly commissions choral pieces from Mexican composers for performances by local students. A endees can purchase $10 student tickets or pay-what-you-can tickets set at a minimum price of $20.
s.sivaraman@dailynorthwestern.com
Daily file photo by Micah Sandy
A Hispanic Heritage Month display at EPL from 2023. The observance is a yearly celebration that acknowledges and
history and culture of Hispanic Americans.
on Sunday.
A&Earts &
NU alums take home the gold at 77th Emmy Awards
CLARA MARTINEZ @claramart1nez7
The ceremony was held at the Peacock
Bargatze opened the Emmys with a nod to “Saturday Night Live,” recreating a satirical skit
Stephen Colbert (Communication ’86) took the
“While I have your attention, is anyone hiring?” he said, holding up a black-and-white headshot of his younger self.
Colbert handed off the first award of the actor in a comedy series for “The Studio,” which led the night with the most
span the entire ceremony: for every second that an award winner went over the
“Some of you go over a little, some go under. Do the right thing,” he told the crowd.
By TROIS FRANCOISE ONO
Classes are almost back in session, leaves are changing color and professors are already emailing about rst week assignments. e energy
allotted speech time of 45 seconds, $1,000 would be deducted from his donation to the Boys & Girls Club of America with a starting pot of $100,000. If the speech was under time, he would add money back.
without deducting from a chil-
The gimmick may have given Bargatze some structure for his monologue, but it quickly unwound the success formula for an award ceremony. Without space to breathe — or at least, without deducting from a children’s charity in front of 7.4 million viewers — heartfelt and unscripted moments disappeared.
Northwestern alums found success across multiple categories. Apple TV+’s drama series “Severance” swept with 27 nominations and boasts a cast with two NU connections.
“Severance” star Britt Lower (Communication ’08) took home the award for best lead actress in a drama series. This win was the Illinois-native’s first-ever Emmy nomination.
“I share this work with my heroic cast and crew whose work catalyzes mine,” she said.
Lower’s co-star, Communication sophomore Sarah Bock, is currently enrolled at NU. On the red carpet, Bock told People magazine that she was on campus just a couple of days before the ceremony to move into her dorm.
Former Bienen and McCormick students also received nods. Zach Robinson (Bienen ’12) was nominated for outstanding music composition for a series for “Cobra Kai,” which was his second nomination after securing a
win in 2023. Additionthe
ally, Jason Crystal (McCormick ’06) received a nomination for his work at SNL for outstanding sound mixing for a variety series or special. Emcees undoubtedly drive the show, but Bargatze’s gag to place a money ticker over the screen every time a cast or crew member went over felt like a pull for attention. The show ambled and lulled as winners pared down their speeches to a list of
After all of that, Bargatze announced that he would donate $250,000, and CBS would give an additional $100,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of America. Nonetheless, the Emmy’s 77th night of gilded glamor and quips seemed to prove one thing: If award shows are going to survive the decline of cable television and dwindling attention spans, they need to get more creative than a rigged charity stunt.
claramartinez2028@u.northwestern.edu
Back-to-School playlist: 7 songs to kickstart Fall Quarter
of Fall Quarter can be equal parts exciting and overwhelming. To help you through the next 10 weeks, e Daily has curated a playlist of productive and positive songs to kickstart the academic year. Whether you’re camped out in Main Library, hustling down Sheridan or taking a stroll through the city, music can empower you to soak in the best parts of autumn.
“Autumn Leaves” by Chet Baker
A very ing song as the name might suggest, “Autumn Leaves” is one of the great timeless classics of our time. With features from Steve Gadd and Paul Desmond, this song is bound to keep you on your toes, grooving with the autumn ow. is version of the jazz standard pairs perfectly with a quiet library corner or a stroll through the crisp air.
“Life Is” by Jessica Pra
e song’s percussion intro builds up to introduce the so guitar Pra is known for. Layered vocals are sparse and intimate. Pra ’s voice is gentle enough to calm nerves, but its texture keeps you listening closely. Her optimistic tone is sure to maintain high spirits in hard times. e mantra to go with the ow is what life is about, despite the hardcomings we may face.
“Vibin’” by Jai Paul
Electronic producer Jai Paul’s track “Vibin’” was
le un nished a er he o cially released his leaked album, but it is nonetheless catchy and charming. e track’s digital distortion and hazy vocals fade in and out like a memory, creating a dreamlike vibe that bridges summer and fall. e track hums with energy without overwhelming you, ideal for those mid-a ernoon slumps.
“Warmpop” by George Clanton Clanton’s dreamy synth-pop is bright yet
bi ersweet. It’s a wash of sound that feels like a serotonin boost, but also a goodbye to summer break. is tune is the perfect song for a transitionary period. Put it on when you need a mental reset between assignments.
“Jennah’s Interlude” by Blue Iverson Blue Iverson, a side project of experimental artist Dean Blunt, blends warm, jazzy instrumentation with a sample of e Isley Brothers’ “Let Me Down Easy.” e result is a track that balances steady rhythm with so , airy vocals — a ing soundtrack for staying calm through a busy fall quarter. Although brief, the song leaves a lasting impression, wrapping listeners in a serene mood.
“I Guess” by Lizzy McAlpine
In “I Guess,” McAlpine’s confessional songwriting is front and center. Her so harmonies and gentle guitar are perfect for evenings spent catching up on work or taking a walk along the Lake ll a er a busy day.
“You Deserve is” by Men I Trust
With their signature smooth grooves, Men I Trust o ers a warm and low-key closer to this playlist. As the title may suggest, the song is a reminder to slow down and take care of yourself as the quarter ramps up. It’s the kind of track you can leave on repeat while nishing up your last assignment of the night.
troisono2028@u.northwestern.edu
Illustrations by Siri Reddy
By CLARA MARTINEZ daily senior staffer @claramart1nez7
e release of “ e Long Walk,” a dystopian horror movie that came out in theaters on Sept. 12, was perfectly timed. It seems like there’s no be er month than September to really dive into the horror genre — although the scariest scenes from “ e Long Walk” are not the gory moments, but those that depict the violent control of a totalitarian regime.
e lm is adapted from Stephen King’s novel, which was published in 1979 under the name Richard Bachman, a pseudonym King used early in his career.
e book is set in an alternate future of the U.S. where 100 boys are selected by lo ery to walk for as long as it takes to outlast all of their competitors. e champion is rewarded with enormous wealth or anything they may wish for. But, fall below a pace of four miles per hour, and the supervising militants will shoot until the competitor drops dead.
e movie scales back slightly, drawing 50 boys to compete — one from each state — and also pares down the backstory of the protagonist.
Actor Cooper Ho man stars as Raymond Garraty or Number 47 — a young man from Maine intent on winning to make a point about the government’s su ocating grip on commoners.
Unlike horror lms like “Friday the 13th” or “Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” the characters do not
turn on each other. ey urge each other to keep walking, o en dragging their stumbling competitor along until they collapse.
Competing in his home state, Garraty is the only character who has family appear on the sidelines during the walk, building his emotional stress as well as physical stress to keep up his pace.
Yet, “ e Long Walk” falls short in creating a rounded character that the audience is inclined to root for. Each death only somewhat strikes a chord because viewers are exposed to each character’s vulnerabilities with just a couple lines each, which are blink-and-you’ll-miss-it details that are not given space to breathe.
e gaps in Garraty’s character are evident to fans of the book; his devotion to his girlfriend is a key motivation for Garraty in the novel, but her character ceases to exist in the movie.
e only emotional depth carrying the lm is the friendships created between the nal few boys. Each shot propels the viewer with a constant drive forward, augmented by the tracking camera shots that move with the characters.
e movie heightens the boys’ anger toward the militants, also strengthened by the friendships that form between them. e enemy isn’t the physical toll of the walk or the stamina of one’s competitors; it’s the unnerving ease in which the militants kill the contestants and the glee expressed by government o cials as the competition dwindles.
roughout the movie, shots of eerily idyllic farm life break up the constant movement of the contestants. Onlookers have the stillness of statues; the quiet serenity on their faces is far more
disturbing than any violent slasher ick.
Before King had made a name for himself among horror fans with books like “It” and “Cujo” depicting fear and graphic death, he wrote “ e Long Walk” as a psychological thriller that builds anxiety as we become more familiar with the stakes for Garraty.
King was an executive producer for the lm, which gave me peace of mind that the movie would
do justice to the book. Aside from lacking emotional complexity, the lm’s last scene brings clarity to the novel’s vague ending, a smart move to cater be er to lm audiences. With a clear winner, the lm version of “ e Long Walk” is an enduring story of a horri c competition that seems just a li le too real.
claramartinez2028@u.northwestern.edu
Conan Gray employs ‘poigant emotion’ in latest live concert
By SYDNEY GAW daily senior staffer
Singer-songwriter Conan Gray performed for a packed crowd at the Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre for “ e Wishbone Pajama Show” tour on Sunday.
The musician achieved a spectacular feat of musical range, visual storytelling and strong emotionality at his Tinley Park tour stop. “The Wishbone Pajama Show” is Gray’s sixth concert tour, which commemorates his latest studio album “Wishbone.” In an interview with the Today Show, Gray said the album centers around themes of heartbreak, hopeless romanticism and grief, inspired by the tradition of breaking a wishbone.
A er a thrilling opening performance by alt-pop musician Hemlocke Springs, Gray took to the stage on a bicycle. In the wake of thunderous applause,
the pop artist launched into the rst act, titled “a wishbone never breaks even.”
His opening song, “My World,” established him as a bold stage presence, unafraid to embrace his identity and brand. Gray belted out older hits like “Bourgeoisieses” and “Wish You Were Sober,” raising the energy of the crowd.
Gray then transitioned to the second act, “i got the short end of the stick,” easing the audience into a so er exploration of nostalgia and yearning. Between acts, the crew transformed the rst act’s prairie-inspired set into a whimsical bedroom scene amid giant clouds and twinkling stars.
Staying true to the show’s aesthetic, Gray changed into a bedazzled striped pajama set and took up his guitar. As he sang the lyrics “ ere’s wishbones and clovers and numbers from heaven / Shapes in the stars to invent our connection” from the track “Eleven Eleven,” audience members raised their ashlights to sing along.
In Act 3, “i took the long way to realization,” Gray re-emerged from under the stage wearing a Shakespeare-inspired costume to perform “Romeo.” He also performed his breakout song “Heather.”
Halfway through the act, the artist selected an audience member to choose a surprise song from his discography. A er a fan was chosen, he then performed their request of “Sunset Tower,” demonstrating his strong connection with his supporters. He managed to capture the raw vulnerability of his recorded tracks while intensifying his emotions live on stage.
Gray’s ability to follow through on the mounting vulnerability of his show spoke to the thoughtfulness of the set list and continuity across acts. Although the show ew through its four parts, starting promptly at 9 p.m. with li le idle time, Gray still prioritized audience engagement.
One of the performance’s greatest strengths was
its cohesive theme. A combination of sailor chic and pajama party, “ e Wishbone Pajama Show” was the embodiment of whimsy. e theme also made it easy for audience members to dress up, as many showed up in out ts ranging from striped pajamas and sailor hats to hand-embroidered wishbone-themed clothing. e show’s nal act included performances of hits “Maniac” and “Vodka Cranberry.” Gray fed o the crowd’s energy, hi ing strong high notes while bounding across the stage. A er a brief break, Gray returned for an encore in his most stunning costume, a bedazzled captain’s uniform, to perform “Memories” and “Caramel.”
Overall, Gray’s vision for “The Wishbone Pajama Show” materialized beautifully — a vision of powerful storytelling, poignant emotion and the magic of a wishbone breaking.
s.gaw@dailynorthwestern.com
In ‘TASTE,’ NCT’s Haechan offers a ‘flavorful’ solo debut
By NAVYA SINGH daily senior staffer @navyasingh332
If there was one K-pop idol that was born to be a star, it would be boy band NCT’s Haechan. Across his work in the band, he has long captivated fans with his charismatic stage presence, unique vocal texture and smooth dance style. As a part of NCT, made of 25 members, Haechan is part of the subunits NCT 127 and NCT Dream. e megagroup is best known for the tracks “Kick It” by NCT 127 and “B F” by NCT Dream. Now, he’s venturing o into the music industry
on his own. With over 11 songs that pay homage to R&B, his solo debut album “TASTE” shows his artistry in full force.
e opening track “Camera Lights” sets the stage for a timeless and polished album. It drips with class, gliding on a chugging groove that resolves on a satisfying chord progression.
e lead single “CRZY” feels like a Justin Timberlake-inspired a air. Warped strings in the introduction are suddenly cut o by a frenetic guitar. It’s a fast-paced, energetic ride complete with killer choreography. His “crazy” persona is seen in the song’s music video as he vandalizes a museum artwork to get someone’s a ention.
Next, “ADRENALINE” ups the energy even
more with its electronic instrumental. e song unfolds like the high and a ermath of an adrenaline rush, living up to its title.
My favorite o the album is the fourth track “Love Beyond.” Haechan’s voice traverses over a brassy instrumental, showcasing a variety of tones in just three minutes. It’s an unusual, but engaging journey.
e high simmers down for “Roll With Me” as instrumentals turn more mellow. It’s the kind of song that comes on the radio, something that you’d absentmindedly hum along to without knowing. But this doesn’t mean it’s dull. e song has a lush atmosphere with its rhythmic melodies and injections of harmony.
“Intermission,” as its title indicates, is a transition song. A brief interlude consisting of ethereal vocals and strings gives way to Haechan narrating over a skeletal bass, saying “he’s not leaving until he kills them all” before jumping into the next song “Talented.”
As the title indicates, “Talented” is an ode to Haechan’s stellar performance capabilities. While the idol is known for his high notes, this track shows o his lower range as well. His raspy tone over a rough guitar is a magnetic combination that gets your head nodding.
“WYN?”, an acronym for “what’s your name,” is a dance-pop number featuring rapper HAON.
arts & entertainment
Editor Maya Wong
Assistant Editors
Clare Kirwan
Clara Martinez
e punchy chorus is immediately memorable. HAON’s verse adds extra swagger, building on the song’s thrill before the album shi s into a slower gear.
“Should Be,” a piano ballad, mourns a past relationship. Haechan belts an exquisite bridge and modulation, charging the song with drama.
“Grey Rain” sustains the slow energy of the prior track. Haechan’s singing is front and center over a stripped-back, acoustic guitar instrumental. His voice embodies the plaintive quality of the lyrics, a solemn re ection on the loneliness of fame. e ending song “Outro (Back In e Studio)” shows Haechan’s determination to keep making music. e typical sounds of a recording studio play, from the lyric sheets rustling to Haechan clearing his throat and warming up. e piano from “Camera Lights” sounds, allowing the listener to rewind to the start of the album and play it all over again.
If one were to describe “TASTE” with a foodrelated adjective, it would be avorful. e album is simultaneously spicy, sweet and silky-smooth, yet it’s still just a taste of what’s yet to come. Whether as a soloist or part of NCT, I have full con dence that Haechan will keep delivering hit a er hit.
n.singh@dailynorthwestern.com
Illustration by Siri Reddy
“TASTE” by NCT’s Haechan is a burst of flavors, simultaneously spicy, sweet and silky-smooth.
Illustration by Siri Reddy
Forty-six years later, “The Hunger Games” director Francis Lawrence released a film adaptation of Stephen King’s psychological thriller novel “The Long Walk.”
Council finally approved the rebuild of Ryan Field in a controversial vote in November 2023, to the chagrin of many community members.
In June 2024, NU formally broke ground at the construction site. The stadium is set to open for the 2026 football season.
Diversity and Division
In 2022, with the future of affirmative action in college admissions before the Supreme Court, Schill penned an op-ed in the Chicago Tribune on Oct. 27. The president argued “diversity is a fundamental interest in American higher education” and advocated for the inclusion of race information as “a legitimate consideration” in applications.
The following May, Schill sent an email to the NU community where he wrote that the University planned to work hard “within the law” to protect diversity, adding that the admissions process takes diversity of experiences, circumstances and backgrounds into consideration.
“Northwestern’s commitment to student diversity will remain no matter what the Supreme Court decides,” Schill wrote in the email. “We are dedicated to supporting and improving the experience of all students, and diversity is a critical component of a wellrounded education.”
On June 29, 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that affirmative action admission policies are unconstitutional. In a statement released to the University community, Schill wrote he was “deeply disappointed” by the Court’s decision, but reaffirmed the University’s commitment to diversity in admissions.
Clashes surrounding the role of policies directed toward diversity in higher education resurfaced following Trump’s second inauguration in January 2025. During his first week in office, the president issued an executive order aiming to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion policies in federally funded programs. That order was followed by a letter to universities from the Education Department, which threatened potential noncompliance with federal funding loss.
Following the demands, the University removed mentions of DEI efforts on NU’s schools websites and other support sites. Additionally, a dozen NU staff members’ titles have been changed to exclude DEI-related terms.
However, some affinity institutions on campus, like the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center and Women’s Center, have continued to operate, even with their scrubbed websites.
“We are committed to ensuring that students, faculty and staff enjoy a community that is welcoming to all,” a University spokesperson wrote to The Daily in April.
Football Hazing Scandal
Less than a year into Schill’s tenure, the University was confronted with allegations of hazing and racism within its football program. Following an initial suspension, the University fired former football coach Pat Fitzgerald in July 2023, two days after a Daily report detailed the allegations.
Yet, after letting Fitzgerald go, Schill and the University faced both criticism and evolving legal threats.
Some former NU football players filed lawsuits against Fitzgerald and NU, alleging that the University and coach were negligent in preventing and intervening in hazing within the football program. The players settled with the University in April 2025.
On Oct. 6, 2023, Fitzgerald filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against NU and Schill, seeking more than $130 million in compensatory damages. In August 2025, Fitzgerald and the University settled the lawsuit.
The terms of both settlements have not been disclosed.
Encampment and Appeasement
On April 25, 2024, students and faculty erected tents on Deering Meadow, forming an encampment as an act of pro-Palestinian protest. The encampment lasted for five days before an agreement was reached between encampment organizers and University administrators.
The agreement included terms about the removal of the encampment, disclosure of NU’s holdings and additional support for Jewish, Muslim and Middle Eastern and North African students.
“I am proud of our community for achieving what has been a challenge across the country: A sustainable, de-escalated path forward that prioritizes safety, including our Jewish community,” Schill’s notes for a post-encampment meeting with the NU’s Board of Trustees read, which were released in a report by the House Committee on Education and Workforce on Oct. 31, 2024.
Yet, Schill came under fire for his decision to negotiate with encampment protestors by some Jewish organizations and Republican politicians, and ultimately was called to testify before the Education Committee on May 23, 2024.
At the hearing, committee members grilled Schill on his decision to negotiate with the encampment organizers, the alleged rise in antisemitism on NU’s campus and the University’s relationship with Qatar and the Qatar Foundation through NU-Qatar.
NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY
Northwestern University prohibits discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ethnicity, caste, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, marital status, age, disability, citizenship status, veteran status, genetic information, reproductive health decision making, height, weight, or any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance or any other classification protected by law in the matters of admissions, employment, housing or services or in the educational programs or activities it operates, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended in 2008; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; and any other federal, state, or local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation.
The University has designated the Associate Vice President for Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance to coordinate the University’s compliance with federal and state civil rights laws regarding protected characteristics, including Title IX and those other laws and regulations references above.
Individuals who feel that they have been discriminated against on the basis of any of these protected characteristics should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance (OCR), by mail at 1800 Sherman Ave., Suite 4500, Evanston, IL 60201, by email at OCR@northwestern.edu, or by phone (847) 467-6765.
More information about reporting to the University is available at: www.northwestern.edu/report
While Schill attempted to perform a balancing act between the dueling groups, it ultimately ended only with dissatisfaction among both Washington Republicans and pro-Palestinian student activists.
In multiple reports released during the following year, Republicans voiced concern over Schill’s decisions and leadership through the encampment.
“At best, President Schill’s testimony lacked candor and is unbecoming of a university president,” read a U.S. House of Representatives Staff Report on Antisemitism released in January 2025. “At worst, Schill’s testimony was false and met the criteria of a federal crime.”
Reforms and Regulations
Ahead of the 2024-2025 school year, the University announced updates to NU’s demonstration policy and Student Code of Conduct, alongside a new display and solicitation policy.
The updated demonstration policy bars overnight protests and prohibits demonstrations at The Rock before 3 p.m. along with protests with amplified sound before 5 p.m. The policy was criticized by student activists and faculty, who raised concerns over free speech protections.
On Sept. 27, Schill and Provost Kathleen Hagerty announced that the University will limit official statements on “public or geopolitical matters except those related to the operation of the University” in a message to the NU community.
The decision came almost two months after the President’s Advisory Committee on Free Expression and Institutional Speech, convened by Schill in February 2024, submitted a report summarizing its examination of the University’s free speech policies.
The move toward institutional neutrality breaks from Schill’s past history of issuing statements on political matters, including a message that condemned violence related to the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 12, 2023.
“That is the view of Mike Schill, citizen, Jew and human being,” Schill wrote in the message. “I didn’t give up those parts of me when I assumed the presidency of Northwestern.”
Freeze in Funding
On April 8, the Trump administration froze $790 million in federal funding for NU. The Department of Health and Human Services confirmed the freeze was due to federal antisemitism investigations into the University, specifically from the Education and Justice Departments.
In the wake of the freeze, more than 100 research projects received stop-work orders from the Defense Department, a dozen grants from the National
Institutes of Health were cut and hundreds of National Science Foundation grants were cancelled.
In the aftermath, NU closed multiple research centers, froze new hiring, canceled some summer research programs and restricted summer financial aid. The University continued to fund research impacted by stop-work orders and NIH cuts, at a cost of roughly $40 million a month.
Cost-cutting measures continued into the summer as the University eliminated more than 400 staff positions, initiated a hiring freeze and permanently reduced administrative and academic budgets.
According to a piece by the Wall Street Journal, as of July, the University is reportedly in talks with the Trump administration over a potential settlement, but as of September, The New York Times reports that the talks have slowed.
“The Board remains actively focused on regaining access to the federal research funding that has been committed to the University but unavailable for nearly six months,” a University spokesperson wrote in a statement to The Daily on Sept. 16.
Departures and Parting Pleas
On Sept. 4, Schill announced his sudden resignation in an email to the NU community. He has not identified a reason for his departure.
“From the very beginning of my tenure, Northwestern faced serious and often painful challenges,” Schill wrote in the email. “In the face of those challenges and the hard, but necessary choices that were before us, I was always guided by enduring values of our University.”
A month before he announced his resignation, Schill sat for a closed-door transcribed interview with the Education committee.
On the same day Schill announced his departure, the committee released the interview’s transcript, which mirrored much of Schill’s testimony from May 2024.
NU announced former President Henry Bienen as interim president on Sept. 9. Bienen was the University’s president from 1995 to 2009 and began his second tenure on Sept. 16.
In one of his last appearances as president of NU, Schill spoke to parents of new students during Wildcat Welcome on Sept. 9.
“I want to urge each and every one of you to fight for Northwestern,” Schill said to new parents. “Fight for science over quackery, fight for truth over lies, and fight for the right of our faculty to write and teach — free from government oversight and restriction.”
n.kanieskikoso@dailynorthwestern.com
Schill earned $1.6 million in first year, tax filings show
By ISAIAH STEINBERG daily senior staffer @isaiahstei27
University President Michael Schill earned
$1,683,023 in total compensation in 2023, according to tax returns filed this year by Northwestern.
As stated in NU’s Form 990 filings, Schill, who recently announced his resignation, earned $405,139 in 2022. He began his presidency in September of that year.
The Daily analyzed public tax records from NU and other top 10 universities to compare the salaries of top administrators. All data excludes deferred compensation.
Schill’s compensation is in line with other presidents of top universities. Out of the top 10 private universities’ presidents on U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best National University Rankings, Schill earned the seventh highest amount.
Of those 10 presidents, each earned more than $1 million, except Stanford University’s Richard Saller, who earned $825,853. Johns Hopkins University President Ron Daniels made the most, at $3,651,658, in 2022.
The Internal Revenue Service’s public database and the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer do not contain 2025 Form 990 filings for Johns Hopkins and the California Institute of Technology, at the time of publication. The Daily obtained Caltech’s filings from its communications office. Johns Hopkins did not
provide its filings by the time of publication.
Schill’s compensation also aligns with that of other presidents’ in their first partial or full year, such as Saller ($825,853), Harvard University’s former President Claudine Gay ($1,362,955) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Sally Kornbluth ($1,804,308).
The IRS requires nonprofit organizations to report the compensation of certain officers, directors, individual trustees, key employees and highest-compensated employees each year. The 37 employees listed on NU’s 990 filing earned a total of about $40.1 million — about 2.4% of the $1.68 billion paid to its more than 27,000 employees in 2023.
In 2022, the 35 employees listed on NU’s 990 filing earned a total of $43.5 million.
Some administrators, professors earn big
On Sept. 4, Schill, announced his resignation amid federal pressure to take additional measures to fight antisemitism. Five days later, the Board of Trustees announced that former University President Henry S. Bienen will assume the role of interim president Sept. 16.
Before his resignation, Schill was on track to match his predecessor, former University President Morton Schapiro. In 2010, Schapiro’s first full year as president, he earned about $1.76 million in total compensation, adjusting for inflation. Schapiro, however, raked in about $4.90 million in 2022, which made him one of the highest paid university presidents in the country.
Despite his September 2022 departure, Schapiro earned about $1.88 million as president emeritus in 2023.
Excluding Schapiro, five other NU employees outearned Schill in 2023: former football coach Pat Fitzgerald ($4,172,736), who was fired in July 2023; men’s basketball coach Chris Collins ($3,831,525); VP and Chief Investment Officer Amy Falls ($2,897,665); Kellogg Professor Mohanbir Sawhney ($2,393,280); and Managing Director of Absolute Return Peter Belytschko ($1,702,218).
Sawhney, NU’s highest-paid professor in 2023, is a prominent author and consultant who directs NU’s Center for Research in Technology & Innovation.
The second-highest-paid professor was chemistry Prof. Chad Mirkin, who earned approximately $1.46 million in 2023. Mirkin is a renowned nanoscientist who holds more than 400 patents, according to his website.
The University did not respond to multiple requests for comment regarding the criteria for determining administrator salaries and whether the University would adjust salaries amid ongoing financial woes.
Several employees of NU-affiliated organizations also had salaries that eclipsed Schill’s.
Northwestern Medicine’s Dean Harrison, who chairs the board of directors, earned $6,115,400 in 2023. NU Medicine President and CEO Howard Chrisman earned $4,996,700, while Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute Executive Director Patrick McCarthy took home $2,943,463.
Meanwhile, Thomas Shanley, president and CEO
of the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, earned $2,532,881, and Shirley Ryan AbilityLab President and CEO Peggy Kirk earned $4,269,126, in 2023.
Changing tides
While NU faces unprecedented financial challenges this year, in 2023, the University’s financial position remained steady. The endowment ebbed from $14.1 billion to $13.7 billion in fiscal year 2023 — a mere blip in a fund that has more than doubled since 2010 and increased to $14.3 billion by August 2024, according to NU’s most recent annual endowment report.
The University’s operating budget was more than $3 billion in 2023, ending with a small surplus of just $8.6 million. The margin bounced back in 2024, as NU closed the year $54.6 million in the green.
At a January meeting of NU’s Faculty Senate, some faculty members expressed concern with their salaries, which, according to a Daily analysis, are competitive among Association of American Universities member institutions but have recently lagged behind inflation.
During the 2023-24 academic year, NU paid faculty members an average of $201,900 across all ranks — ranking ninth among AAU member universities.
In January, NU Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Amanda Distel cited the University’s goal to avoid a budget deficit in response to faculty concerns. i.steinberg@dailynorthwestern.com
New trees revive old tradition
By CATE BOUVET daily senior staffer
For years, a tall tree loomed over The Rock.
Once an extension of the free speech practiced on its neighboring monolith, the tree’s purpose shifted, becoming a tribute to students who died during their time at Northwestern.
This summer, five years after the initial living memorial was uprooted, NU facilities planted three new trees where it once stood.
The tradition of honoring students who died began in 2017 after Mohammed Ramzan fell off a nineperson shell during a NU men’s crew practice. Over time more names were added to the tree.
Some of these students’ names – Chuyuan “Chu” Qiu, Ananya Agrawal, Kenzie Krogh, Jordan Hankins, Ramzan – were painted vertically up the tree’s trunk. The old tree was removed in 2020 for “safety reasons,” and its trunk is now held in storage.
For Katharine Cusick (SESP ’18), who was Qiu’s Peer Adviser, the tree was an important symbol of remembrance and community support. She said seeing the tree helped her cope with the loss of Qiu, who died in a biking accident on Sheridan Road in 2016.
Another memorial to Qiu was placed on the intersection where Qiu died, according to Cusick, but was removed due to the construction of the bike lane on Sheridan Road.
“I and some of her friends were feeling like, ‘I am not done with my mourning, grieving process,’ and I think the tree was a beautiful way to show that the community hadn’t forgotten,” Cusick said.
Cusick said the emails from the University announcing students’ deaths felt impersonal, and The Rock was an intimate and artistic way for the community to express their grief.
Former Daily staffer Allie Goulding (Medill ’20) hung origami cranes made from printed emails from the University about student and administrator deaths from the branches of the original tree as a part of a project for Art 390-0: Memory and the Monument.
“Walking past the names always made me smile,” Cusick said.
catebouvet2028@u.northwestern.edu
Editor in Chief Emily Lichty
Managing
Sarah
Hannah
Ducks Dan and Dave: Alternative Fight
The Daily Northwestern
By Games Editor
Miguel Tsang
— for me and my family, for immigrant communities, for marginalized communities, for everyone,” Miller said.
Their “Keep ICE Out of Evanston” protest took place Monday afternoon at Fountain Square.
Pink Poster Club first announced the protest Thursday and drew a crowd of over 100 attendees. Mayor Daniel Biss described the turnout as “remarkable” considering the four-day notice.
“We need to be very clear about something, which is that, in spite of all that we are doing, this moment is a nightmare,” Biss said. “No external organization, whether it’s a city council or a court or a Congress, is going to save us. We are going to have to rise up as people from across this country as a massive, massive movement of resistance to save ourselves.”
Alds. Jonathan Nieuwsma (4th), Juan Geracaris (9th) and Shawn Iles (3rd) were also in attendance. Bushra Amiwala (Kellogg ’25), a candidate for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District, carried a sign that read “Immigrants are more American than ICE.”
She said it felt “liberating” to attend the protest, describing the ability to protest as a privilege.
“I am hyper aware that for someone who looks like me, with brown skin and visibly Muslim, it isn’t necessarily always safe for me to show up in every form of protest against ICE,” Amiwala said.
Jacqueline Mendoza, part of an Evanston rapid response team, said she’s been reliving
FACULTY
that was pretty easy to see,” Hurd said. “The faculty could understand that the government was trying to create difficult circumstances for university presidents, and that gave even more sympathy for Schill.”
Schill’s three-year term as president required navigating through several challenges. In May 2024, Schill testified in front of the House Committee on Education and Workforce on negotiations surrounding NU’s pro-Palestine encampment. NU has also been navigating a $790 million cut in federal research funding since April. For Hurd, Schill was committed to upholding
experiences she had growing up in Tennessee, where she watched raids and detentions hurt several people around her.
Now, she said, it’s been nice to see Evanston residents showing up to push for change.
“For me, to be an Evanstonian is to choose unity over division, to choose action over silence,” Mendoza said.
Although started by Evanston residents, Pink Poster Club’s reach has expanded through social media. The club now has members plastering its signature pink posters across the country, spanning from California to Texas to New York, Miller said.
Its events are also reaching people of all ages. Chicago resident Ron Cox, a member of Lake Street Church and Indivisible Evanston, said he enjoyed seeing all the young people in attendance. One in particular caught his eye.
“This little guy — not even two years old — had a sign that said, ‘F–k ICE,’” Cox said.
Both Essig-Fox and Miller — and many other attendees — brought their children to the protest.
Many Pink Poster Club members are parents, Miller said.
“It’s really just a group of moms who decided to do something to make their community and their country better,” Miller said. “We’re doing it because we believe in the purpose of it.”
Pink Poster Club has similar events planned for the near future, including a No Kings Family Rally on Oct. 5 and Chicago’s second National No Kings Rally on Oct. 18.
a.dong@dailynorthwestern.com
f.horrall@dailynorthwestern.com
the basic functions of the university: teaching students and doing research. Hurd said he hopes the next president will continue to prioritize students and research.
On Sept. 9, NU announced Henry Bienen as the interim president as the University hunts for new leadership. Bienen previously served as president from 1995 to 2009.
Philosophy Prof. Mark Alznauer said bringing Bienen back as the interim president reassured him and other faculty members as a recognizable figure with prior experience.
“It helped make people feel like at least there’s somebody who knows the institution and has the institution’s best interests at heart, who is at least standing as president now,” Alznauer said.
Among faculty, expectations are high for the next president in order to uphold the University’s academic functions amid the overwhelming threat of restoring the funding.
Feinberg Prof. Melissa Simon said she hopes faculty members who have a vested interest in the next president’s decisions on research funding will have input in the selection.
“The huge factor right now is, will the interim president and the Board of Trustees really include faculty voices from across all the schools, and not just hand select people — faculty and staff that they know will say yes, will be head nodders,” Simon said. “We need a balance of diversity of thought on this.”
As a faculty member at NU’s Chicago campus,
Simon said she feels even more removed from the process.
Simon advocates for the University to avoid striking a deal with the Trump administration, warning that the government might cut funding again later.
However, Simon said opinions are mixed among faculty about how to restore funding, making the next president’s strategic approach that much more important.
“I really hope that the people on our Board of Trustees do not sell out Northwestern and lose sight of why Northwestern is Northwestern to begin with,” Simon said.
ashleywei2028@u.northwestern.edu
Ashley Dong/The Daily Northwestern
SPORTS
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Andrew Little Daily Senior Staffer
Initial Prediction: 6-6 (3-6 Big Ten)
Updated Prediction: 5-7 (3-6 Big Ten)
Key Question: Can the offense find a rhythm against UCLA and Louisiana-Monroe?
A 1-2 start to the year is not cause for panic, given tough matchups with College Football Playoff contenders Tulane and Oregon, but the results have not been pretty. Expectations were high for SMU graduate transfer quarterback Preston Stone, but he has struggled to start the year.
Stone is one of four quarterbacks in the country to throw six or more interceptions so far. Turnovers are killing drives and forcing NU’s defense into back-breaking situations. Running backs Joseph Himon II and Caleb Komolafe have shown promise in the backfield, but the ’Cats need Stone and the receivers to find consistency for the offense to function at its best.
NU has to take advantage of its upcoming home stretch after a bye week. UCLA fired its coach after a disastrous 0-3 start and could start to see players bolt for the transfer portal as soon as this week. The ’Cats need to make a statement on both sides of the ball against the Bruins with a chance for the defense to shut down a Big Ten opponent.
The ’Cats’ Oct. 4 matchup with Louisiana-Monroe is an opportunity for Stone and the offense to really get rolling and put up points to excite the home crowd. A road trip to No. 2 Penn State the following week is a big challenge, but after that, the ’Cats return home against rival Purdue. If NU can garner momentum before facing the Boilermakers, it will go a long way in pushing it into bowl contention.
Alex Boyko
Daily Senior Staffer
Previous Prediction: 5-7 (3-6 Big Ten)
Current Prediction: 4-8 (2-7 Big Ten)
Can the offense give itself a chance to succeed?
Questionable QB play drops expectations
The defense has proven to be a respectable unit, holding both Tulane and Oregon to season-low scores, but it hasn’t been able to stop opponents in their tracks.
NU has tallied just three sacks and forced two turnovers through three games. Both stats are among the bottom three in the Big Ten.
For the ’Cats to stay in games into the fourth quarter and put itself in a position to win, the offense needs to play at or above average. To this point, it hasn’t been able to keep up. NU has scored a combined three points in the first three quarters of its matchups against FBS opponents and lost both games by 20 points.
Simply put, the offense has struggled to get out of its own way. Even with a getright game against Western Illinois under its belt, NU holds a turnover margin of minus-two per game, tied for the worst among Power Four teams.
The last time the ’Cats had a negative turnover margin over the course of a season and won at least five games was 2010.
FIELD HOCKEY
Taking care of the football should be Stone’s first priority. His second should be finding a rhythm in the passing game.
Out wide, another name has yet to emerge besides junior wide receiver Griffin Wilde, who has more yards than the rest of the room combined. As of now, Stone’s leading receiver behind him is the other team with 78 return yards on interceptions.
There have been flashes of hope, but stringing good plays together has been a consistent issue through three games. Just when things seem to click, the team backs itself into a corner with turnovers or forces the offense to tee off from behind the sticks.
Even with the loss of graduate student running back Cam Porter due to a season-ending injury, the ground game has been a bright spot. If the passing attack can find its groove, the rest of the team is set up to play complementary football right away.
Kamran Nia Daily Senior Staffer
Initial Prediction: 5-7 (3-6 Big Ten)
Updated Prediction: 5-7 (3-6 Big Ten)
Can Stone turn around his play moving forward or will the ’Cats remain stagnant on offense?
Entering the season with promise following Stone’s arrival, NU has gotten off to a mediocre 1-2 start, including losses to Tulane and then-No. 4 Oregon.
Stone, who has thrown for 541 yards this season, is tied for the second-most interceptions in college football with six. Outside of Wilde, who has amassed 213 yards, no pass catcher has surpassed 100 yards yet.
The ’Cats failed to find offensive momentum against Oregon and Tulane, combining for 17 points in those two contests. Against the Ducks, they couldn’t score until the fourth quarter, at which point they already trailed by 31 points.
To make matters worse, Porter was ruled out for the season following NU’s Week 2 matchup with Western Illinois.
Coach David Braun’s squad has more
NU beats Louisville, Miami (Ohio), remains undefeated
By JONAH MCCLURE daily senior staffer
Entering play this weekend, No. 1 Northwestern already flexed an impressive start to its season: an undefeated record, the top spot in the National Coaches Poll and zero goals allowed through four games.
All without playing a match at home.
Though the Wildcats (6-0, 0-0 Big Ten) beat Louisville 2-1 (OT) and No. 20 Miami (Ohio) 5-1 to continue their undefeated season, the games showed that things aren’t always going to come easy for the defending national champions.
On Friday, NU faced off against Louisville, the host for this weekend’s field hockey festivities. The ’Cats were without junior forward Ashley Sessa when they took on the Cardinals (3-3, 0-0 ACC), as she was suspended for the game after being shown a red card during last Sunday’s win over then-No. 8 Boston College. Despite Sessa’s absence, NU still got on the attack early, outshooting Louisville 4-0 in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, with the match still scoreless, NU did something it hadn’t done all season: concede a goal. Less than three minutes into the quarter, first-year goalkeeper Juliana Boon made two saves in quick succession but was sprawled on the ground, unable to retreat to the goal. Louisville forward Gigi Edwards was able to sneak past Boon and knock the ball in for the score. Boon, last week’s Big Ten and NFHCA Defensive Player of the Week, allowed the first goal of her young career.
In the second and third quarters combined, the ’Cats took six penalty corners and attempted 12 shots but were unable to find the equalizing goal.
As time dwindled, NU had yet another opportunity to tie the match. Junior forward Olivia Bent-Cole sent the ball toward the goal, where graduate student forward Grace Schulze was waiting to tap the ball into the net. Louisville requested the referees review the goal, where the officials saw Bent-Cole standing on the stick of her defender, which allowed her to make the pass to Schulze
without interruption. The goal was called off, and play continued with the ’Cats still trailing 1-0.
With less than three minutes to play in the contest, NU finally drew level. Redshirt-junior forward Aerin Krys possessed the ball on the far side of the goal. She sent a pass toward the middle of the field, where junior forward Piper Borz tapped a shot past the Cardinal goalkeeper, tying the game at 1-1.
Attempts from both squads to take the lead were stifled, and the match headed into overtime.
Two and a half minutes into the extra period, with both teams looking for sudden victory, graduate student midfielder Maddie Zimmer ran down the backline towards the goal. She sent an outlet pass to Bent-Cole, whose shot bounced off the post, landing behind the Louisville goalkeeper. Graduate student forward Grace Schulze stepped up and knocked the ball into the goal, nabbing the narrow 2-1 victory for NU.
Schulze’s goal was her fifth in as many games this season.
In the second game of the weekend, Sessa returned to the field as the ’Cats took on Miami (Ohio). She made an almost immediate impact, assisting Bent-Cole on a goal less than three minutes into the contest before adding a goal of her own just a few minutes later.
In the second quarter, the Redhawks (3-2, 0-0 MAC) tallied a goal of their own, bringing the deficit to just one score.
Heading into the second half, NU still led 2-1 but would soon add to its lead. In the middle of the third quarter, Junior defender Ilse Tromp found the back of the net to extend the lead.
The ’Cats kept their feet on the gas in the fourth quarter, as both Tromp and Sessa scored their second goals of the match. The NU defense held strong and coach Tracey Fuchs’ squad claimed its sixth victory of the season by a score of 5-1.
After her one-game suspension, Sessa finished the game with two goals and two assists, tying her career-high six points. Tromp finished with two goals for the third time in her career.
The ’Cats travel to Delaware on Friday, looking to remain undefeated in their final weekend of consecutive road games. The game is set to start at 3 p.m.
manageable contests coming up, against UCLA (0-3,0-0 Big Ten) and LouisianaMonroe (1-1, 0-0 Sun Belt). Still, the bulk of their Big Ten schedule provides little relief, including meetings with No. 2 Penn State and No. 21 Michigan. It could be a tough road ahead for the ’Cats, who will likely need to win five more matches to qualify for a bowl game.
Anna Watson
Daily Senior Staffer
Initial Prediction: 4-8 (2-7 Big Ten)
Updated Prediction: 3-9 (1-8 Big Ten)
Can Stone work through a shaky start to the season?
If you just look at NU’s 1-2 record through this point in the season, there is not much cause for concern; Tulane and Oregon are both contenders to make the College Football Playoff, and the ’Cats easily took care of business against Western Illinois.
Stone’s play, though, is alarming. Through three games, Stone has thrown six interceptions, a figure tied for second most in the nation. Four fumbles on top of the picks make for a NU that hasn’t found its rhythm.
If one thing can turn the offense around, it’s the run game, even with the loss of Porter to injury. Both Komolafe and Himon have proved effective on the ground and will be relied on heavily as the season progresses.
This bye-week will be useful for the offense to get back on track and settle down Stone. The ’Cats have extra time to prepare for a winless UCLA squad that relieved coach DeShaun Foster of his duties Sunday.
NU should handily defeat LouisianaMonroe in early October, but the rest of the Big Ten slate will not do it any favors. The ’Cats will have to face four more currently ranked opponents throughout the rest of the season.
The three conference foes NU should have circled on its calendar are against UCLA, Purdue and Minnesota. Even then, winning two of those three matchups seems like a difficult task given the current state of the offense.
VOLLEYBALL
’Cats roll past 3 New York foes
By SIDDARTH SIVARAMAN daily senior staffer @sidvaraman
Northwestern steamrolled a trio of upstate New York schools in a weekend road trip, dominating the Buffalo Classic against Buffalo, Niagara and Cornell.
Buffalo (3-4, 0-0 Mid-American) was the only opponent to take NU to five sets, but the Wildcats (9-1, 0-0 Big Ten) prevailed 28-26, 14-25, 25-11, 20-25, 15-13. The Bulls alternated set victories with the ’Cats through the first four and jumped out to a 9-6 lead in the pivotal fifth. A cross-court kill from freshman outside hitter Bella Bullington at 9-7 turned the tide, helping NU win the set 15-13.
Facing a Saturday doubleheader against Niagara (0-8, 0-0 Metro Atlantic) and Cornell (4-3, 0-0 Ivy League) to close out the Buffalo Classic, NU barely broke a sweat.
Even with second-year coach Tim Nollan resting his top two kill leaders, graduate student Ayah Elnady and senior outside hitter Rylen Reid, NU still swept Niagara 25-12, 25-23, 25-19.
The duo returned in the afternoon to deliver a combined 22 kills in a 25-22, 22-25, 25-16, 25-17 victory over Cornell. Bullington, Elnady and Reid ran up the score to 24-17 in the fourth set, and a rare set attack from senior setter Lauren Carter floated over the middle block to seal the win, marking Carter’s ninth kill of her 60-match career. The three matches against weaker opponents gave Nollan the opportunity to test his depth, as many second-string Wildcats saw extended court time while starters rested.
Bullington continued her campaign to break into Nollan’s top lineup with a career-high 18 kills against Cornell and a team-leading 17 kills against Buffalo. Senior outside hitter Kathryn Randorf featured in three sets for the second time this season against Niagara, scoring a team-leading and season-high nine kills.
NU will face another test this weekend as they host the Northwestern Invitational at Welsh-Ryan Arena. The ’Cats will clash with St. Thomas (6-3, 0-0 Summit League) Friday evening before taking on Campbell (7-2, 0-0 Coastal Athletic) Saturday afternoon. s.sivaraman@dailynorthwestern.com
Kamran Nia/The Daily Northwestern