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Wednesday, September 23, 2026
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AROUND TOWN
U.S. citizen’s detainment by federal immigration agents sparks outcry
High 65 Low 59
Detainment sparks outcry Incident occurred Sunday at Howard & Dodge By RYAN OTTIGNON and JACK BAKER Anavi Prakash/The Daily Northwestern
Summer Hu/The Daily Northwestern
Charlotte Nagel/The Daily Northwestern
Anavi Prakash/The Daily Northwestern
Chiang welcomes new students
Class of 2030, transfers complete week-long orientation programming
By SUMMER HU
senior staffer
Northwestern President Mung Chiang emphasized a holistic college experience, telling new students that college
is a time for “not just receiving knowledge, but creating knowledge” during his first convocation speech Tuesday at Ryan Fieldhouse. With a booming voice, Chiang opened his speech by asking students how they have
New food pantry opens 5th fridge located in downtown Evanston
By MAX TURETZKY
assistant city editor
Before the city’s newest food pantry was officially unveiled Tuesday afternoon, community members had already stocked the shelves
Recycle Me
with necessities ranging from canned food to tampons. The pantry, which includes both a shelf for nonperishable items and a refrigerator, was opened by the mutual aid group Evanston Community Fridges in partnership with the Woman’s Club of Evanston. It is the fifth in a growing network of food pantries across Evanston.
» See FRIDGE, page 15
been since March Through the Arch — which he also participated in as a member of Peer Adviser Group 18. Throughout Wildcat Welcome, Chiang also participated in other events alongside the new class of 2030 and transfers.
“(College) is also about not just covering a lot in your classes, extracurriculars, clubs but also uncovering much more about ourselves and the
» See CONVOCATION, page 14
the daily northwestern
An Evanston man was hospitalized following a detainment by federal immigration agents Sunday morning, prompting an Evanston Police Department investigation and condemnation from local immigrant rights groups. Multiple Immigration and Customs Enforcement vehicles were seen near the intersection of Dodge Avenue and Howard Street around 10:00 a.m. Sunday, according to an alert from the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. EPD responded to the sighting of federal agents at the intersection, where “a U.S. citizen was briefly detained and then released,” Mayor Daniel Biss wrote in an Instagram Stories post around 6:30 p.m. Sunday. The incident prompted outcry from community activists, whose description of Sunday’s incident sharply contradicted statements from federal officials. Over the past year, Evanston has experienced increased
federal immigration enforcement, with several community members taken by federal agents. The surge began as part of ICE’s Operation Midway Blitz, a federal immigration crackdown targeting undocumented immigrants in the Chicago area first announced in September 2025. The first verified alert of federal immigration enforcement in Evanston in 2026 came on March 9. Since Aug. 31, federal agents have been reported in the city four times, according to ICIRR. In a Sunday evening news release, an EPD spokesperson wrote that officers were sent to the intersection of Dodge Avenue and Howard Street around 9:49 a.m. They found an adult male Evanston resident on the ground, who said he had injuries to his head, neck and teeth, according to the release. EPD officers then called for an ambulance. Video footage posted on social media shows two agents pushing down on and standing over the individual, who can be heard identifying himself as a U.S. citizen. Bystanders called emergency services as the agents left the scene in two SUVs, including one with red and
» See DETAINMENT, page 14
Northwestern drops two spots
University falls from 7th to 9th in U.S. News & World Report ranking
dropped one spot from 19th to 20th for Best Value Schools, calculated based on each school’s academic caliber and Northwestern fell to No. cost after need-based financial 9 in the 2027 U.S. News & aid. World Report’s National UniHowever, NU’s underversities rankings, two places graduate engineering program lower than its previous spot jumped 5 spots from No. 17 to at No. 7. No. 12, and its undergraduate NU tied with Johns Hopeconomics program remained kins University and the Uniat No. 8, tied with Columbia versity of Chicago. The UniUniversity and UPenn. versity of Pennsylvania now The University also rose holds the No. 7 spot. 19 ranks for social mobility, B:10.25" The University also placing 50th this year. The By LUCAS KUBOVCHIK
campus editor
T:10"
Daily file photo by Cayla Labgold-Carroll The University placed 26th globally, two spots lower than its place at 24th in the 2026 rankings.
category is calculated by the
» See RANKING, page 15
INSIDE: Around Town 2 |S:9.75" On Campus 3 | Arts & Entertainment 4 | Gameday 7 | Opinion 12 | Games 13 | Sports 16
2 THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
AROUND TOWN
D65 parents urge advocacy amid reductions, closures By CLAIRE COFFEY
city editor
Parents and community members gathered at the Robert Crown Community Center on Sunday to discuss the future of Evanston/Skokie School District 65. Thrive65, a newly-formed community coalition, organized the meeting to equip attendees with the information needed to navigate changes in the district. The meeting follows a Sept. 14 district announcement that approximately $20 million in reductions by fiscal year 2028 and two school closures are on the horizon. In a message to the District 65 community recapping a Board of Education meeting on Sept. 14, Interim Superintendent Eric Witherspoon wrote the district is adopting a comprehensive financial approach as opposed to a phased one moving forward. The district is striving for greater financial stability and savings in the long term. Yet, a district presentation from the board meeting stated this shift will necessitate “more significant and difficult decisions in a shorter period of time.” The board also announced a series of three community meetings from Sept. 22–24 aiming to help stakeholders “better understand our financial outlook and the path forward.” Each meeting will take place at 6 p.m. at Chute Middle School, Haven Middle School and Nichols Middle School, respectively, and provide Spanish translation and childcare for attendees. The board will propose a financial sustainability package — a final budget plan for proposed reductions — at its Oct. 13 committee meeting and take action to advance it in November. On Sunday, Thrive65 speakers told community members that painful budget cuts will be inevitable during the process. “Our goal is to bring up what is on the table and let the community weigh in,” District 65 parent and Thrive65 co-founder Lindsey White said. “You tell the board and the admin what it is that means something to you.” The meeting began with a walkthrough of the district’s financial situation led by Structural Deficit Reduction Plan Finance Committee member Kelly Farley. The discussion mirrored Thrive65’s website, which presents a similar breakdown fueled by the coalition’s independent analysis of district
Claire Coffey/The Daily Northwestern Thrive65 speakers told community members that painful budget cuts will be inevitable as the district announced plans for $20 million in reductions by fiscal year 2028.
documents and external reporting. District costs, Farley said, are currently double the annual revenue from property taxes. Not only has this mismatch persisted for years, but she added that the district’s property tax revenue growth, capped by state law at 5%, can no longer outpace its costs. “That is a significant barrier for any school district to overcome. So costs rise faster than the law lets revenue rise,” she said. “That gap compounding year over year is what makes a structural deficit.” Farley also emphasized the magnitude of the proposed $20 million in reductions. She noted Structural Deficit Reduction Plan Phase 3, which aims to reduce district spending by $16 million to $18 million by fiscal year 2030, has already resulted in the closures of Kingsley Elementary School and the Dr. Bessie Rhodes School of Global Studies. Upcoming reductions may be up to $4 million more than Phase 3, and occur over just one-third of the time. Thrive65’s presentation outlined two categories of district programming that the coalition identified to be at risk. The first was non-state-mandated programs
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such as preschool programs, extracurricular activities and field trips. The second was a catch-all of additional proposed cuts including social worker, paraprofessional and crossing guard positions. Heading into the community meetings, Farley urged attendees to determine which at-risk programs they will advocate for at the upcoming community meetings. “I think everybody in this room and out in our community needs to think about what (are) your must-haves, first and foremost,” Farley said. “When we think about what is our purpose that we come to public education for, what are your must-haves?” Terri Shepard, a former board member and leader of the NAACP Evanston/North Shore Branch’s education committee, also presented on Sunday. Beginning with the displacement of Black families during the expansion of Haven Middle School’s property in 1927, Shepard said students of color have been disproportionately harmed by historic district policies. As community members, administrators and the board weigh budget cuts that will reshape the district,
Shepard added, the community must begin thinking outside of the box. “You heard we don’t have any money, so we have to be really imaginative and come up with things that we can do to make sure that nobody leaves us out anymore,” she said. District 65 Board Vice President Chris Van Nostrand, who attended Sunday’s meeting, told The Daily that the financial sustainability package’s proposal on Oct. 13 is top of mind for board members going into this week’s community meetings. He said Thrive65’s meeting presented “helpful perspectives” from the community that will inform future budget recommendations, a sentiment echoed by board member Maria Opdycke, who was also in attendance. “The more we can be in community and come together, and discussing productive solutions, the better off we’ll be,” Opdycke said. Jordan Balousek contributed reporting. c.coffey@dailynorthwestern.com
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN
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ON CAMPUS
NU 90th in free speech ranking By NIKKI PRASAD
Editor in Chief Anavi Prakash
eic@dailynorthwestern.com
assistant campus editor
Northwestern improved its performance in the 2027 College Free Speech Rankings from the Foundation of Individual Rights and Expression, an organization that measures free speech across universities. The University received a score of 62.88 out of 111, ranking 90 out of 261 schools overall. This year, the average score across all universities was 61.36, the highest in the past seven years. Each school’s score is calculated through 12 components. Half of them are survey-based and measure student perceptions. Three assess campus policies and three are based on how the school responds to speech controversies. This year’s FIRE survey included 358 NU students. The survey-based components are Comfort Expressing Ideas, Self-Censorship, Disruptive Conduct, Administrative Support, Openness and Political Tolerance. Out of all the components ,NU scored the highest for Self-Censorship and came in 34 out of the 261 schools surveyed. The three policy statements are the Chicago Statement, which is commitment to free expression;
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NU’s score is similar to other top 10 schools. The University of Chicago ranked first with a score of 81.42.
Institutional Neutrality, which measures how well each university avoids taking positions on social
Illustration by Lucas Kubovchik This year’s survey from the Foundation of Individual Rights and Expression included 358 NU students.
and political issues unrelated to their mission; and the Spotlight Rating, which assesses written policies regarding student expression. NU received “Yellow” for its Spotlight Rating, meaning its policies are between restricting and protecting free speech. For the components regarding how schools respond to speech controversies, schools can receive bonus points for defending free speech and penalties if they restrict it. NU had one deplatforming report. NU’s score falls under the following schools’ scores: Massachusetts Institute of Technology with 63.03, Harvard University with 64.42, Yale University with 64.13, Stanford University with 65.83, Duke University with 66.76 and University of Chicago with 81.42. However, NU’s score ranks above Princeton University’s 58.13, University of Pennsylvania’s 54.42 and Johns Hopkins University’s 61.19. NU’s cumulative grade based on its score is a D. n.prasad@dailynorthwestern.com
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 2026 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.
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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
Q&A: Min Jin Lee talks new book, diaspora experience By SYDNEY GAW
senior staffer
New York Times best-selling author Min Jin Lee’s new novel, “American Hagwon” comes out later this month. The New York Foundation for the Arts Hall of Fame inductee is best known for her sophomore novel “Pachinko,” a National Book Award finalist and Dayton Literary Peace Prize runner-up. Often writing about experiences of the Korean and Asian American diaspora, Lee’s latest novel dives deeper into the complex relationship between Korean American families and education. “American Hagwon” will hit shelves Sept. 29. The novel chronicles the Koh family’s attempt to start a new life across the world amidst the 1997 Asian financial crisis, a severe economic shock for East and Southeast Asia. Parents John and Helen Koh head first to Sydney before eventually settling in Southern California, where they hope to provide each of their three children — Bo, DH and Mido — with an ideal education that will set them up for life. Spanning roughly two decades, three distinct settings and multiple points of view, “American Hagwon” is a multigenerational tale that highlights the sacrifices parents make to see their children succeed while scrutinizing how the American and Korean education systems perpetuate further inequity. The Daily spoke to Lee about her third novel during her visit to campus in March for a speaker event hosted by NU’s Korean American Students Association. This interview has been lightly edited for brevity and clarity. The Daily: How did the story come to you? Lee: It was supposed to be the third of my trilogy (about) the diaspora. And I really wanted to try to figure out what was the most important value, thematically, of all Koreans around the world. And it occurred to me after many conversations that it’s about education, and it’s a very polarizing topic. Once I figured out the organizing metaphor was hagwons, which are for-profit tutoring centers, then I knew, ‘Oh, this is my subject.’ The Daily: You’ve mentioned previously that this book felt like the book you most wanted to write as part of a personal journey in learning how to live a fulfilling life amidst these great odds. What did you learn through writing this book, and were there any surprising lessons? Lee: When I first started researching the subject, I
was really surprised that education was something that’s considered transactional rather than transformational. And then I also realized that what I really care about isn’t education — it’s really wisdom, especially at age 57. What I really care about is ‘How do I live a wise life?’ The Daily: What do you think sets “American Hagwon” apart from “Free Food for Millionaires” and “Pachinko?” Lee: I’m dealing directly with economic trauma and how, even though you are educated, even if you follow all the rules, life keeps sending shocks. How do you deal with it with grace, with resilience and with great difficulty and somehow keep your integrity? I really was interested in, ‘How can you live a life with integrity?’ Because we don’t talk about that very much. The Daily: You’ve taken such great care to portray an Asian American family that has been moving all over the place … I’m wondering if you could tell me a little bit about how your characters move through the world and what about these locations — Sydney, Seoul and Southern California — spoke to you? Lee: When people think about diaspora, they often think that the immigrant or the migrant comes from point A to point B. In my experience, almost everybody who’s actually an immigrant or a migrant in the United States, they have several stops. And that experience is really important because every time you go somewhere else, you actually absorb some other culture, and then also you give some of your culture to them. The Daily: One of the main points is that the children struggle to adjust to these different environments quickly, especially Mido. With her character specifically, what were you thinking when you were writing this young girl who … people seem to think that moving around has really impacted her learning abilities? Lee: I really wanted to focus on all these quiet Asian people. Very often, people think that if you are a quiet Asian person, you don’t have personality. You don’t have character, you don’t have a backbone. It’s insane to immediately dismiss a whole group of people, because speaking, in many Asian countries, is not considered, necessarily, a good thing. When you come to the U.S., talking is so important. I wanted to really focus on who this young person is and how she grows. How does she express herself? How is she understood by others? And also, how does she not change her essential personality? Because I think her essential personality doesn’t really change, the way she communicates changes. The Daily: (“American Hagwon”) also pushes
Photo courtesy of Min Jin Lee New York Times best-selling author Min Jin Lee’s new novel, “American Hagwon” will hit shelves Sept. 29.
back against a very prominent narrative in American media about “tiger parents” and Asian parents. What was important to you in writing their relationships, especially the parents, the education and their children? Lee: I thought the most important thing is to be truthful, because the truth of the matter is that when you talk to Asians and Asians in America and Asian Americans, there’s so many different kinds of parents. I really see the word ‘tiger parent’ as a racial epithet. I think it’s a deep insult. It makes Asian parents and Asian American parents into some sort of toxic monsters, and that just isn’t true. We have to really stop participating in (caricaturing) and stereotyping Asian children, and Asian parents, and
Asian Americans, because we’re human. The Daily: What are you most excited for readers to experience? What lessons do you want people to take away? Lee: I really want us to think about education. I want to talk about parenting. I want to talk about how hard it is to be a young person and to approach education for what it is rather than it being a way to get certification. And I think that needs to be discussed if America’s going to be a great country. It’s controversial, but if we could do that, and that this family and their trajectory can help spark that discussion, then I feel like I did some work. s.gaw@dailynorthwestern.com
ROLE MODEL concert delights despite downpour By EMERSON LEGER and ALLIE DEUTSCH
the daily northwestern
Facing a sea of rain-soaked ponchos and stamping cowboy boots, rising indie-pop star ROLE MODEL performed at the Salt Shed on his Chicago stop of “Chuck on Tour.” The “Sally, When The Wine Runs Out” singer performed his country-infused bedroom pop against a pink sky and ghostly cityscape. ROLE MODEL played a mix of songs from his newly released third album “Chuck Timely & the Hourglass” and some of his older tunes.
The opening act, Samia, was cancelled due to the weather, so ROLE MODEL kicked off the evening with “Chuck’s Mantra.” As the crowd’s hands raised to the words “I am deserving of something real/Something true, someday soon,” the song felt like a hymn. At one point, ROLE MODEL jokingly sang the chorus to “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls in reference to the band’s iconic rain performance. Aside from the golden strobe lights that pulsed in sync with his guitar, the show was notably understated. ROLE MODEL, whose real name is Tucker Pillsbury, refrained from lengthy song introductions, high notes and cluttered stages, instead relying solely on his music. Sporting a striped shirt and blue jeans
with a belt, ROLE MODEL’s presence felt relaxed and authentic. When a person in the crowd shouted “I love you Tucker,” ROLE MODEL returned the sentiment by performing “Love I You.” He danced around the stage with a sense of intimacy and shamelessness as though he was alone in his room. Later in the show, he returned to favorites from his second album, “Kansas Anymore,” with tracks like “Old Recliners” and “Some Protector.” Halfway into the latter song, he thanked the crowd for their commitment despite the poor weather and urged them to sing the next part of the song “like it was theirs.” The audience swayed to the poignant lyrics
such as “Holdin’ on from a distance/I’d never wanna intrude, no/Does he love you any different?/Am I still sounding like a fool?” The stage glowed in amber light as ROLE MODEL began his 2025 hit “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out.” The audience’s energy surged for the song’s bridge as several thousand people belted out his words. The weather did not stop the concert from bringing “Joy” to the audience. For Chicago, ROLE MODEL swept up the crowd into the enticing world of “Chuck Timely,” making sure a song wasn’t all they got. e.leger@dailynorthwestern.com a.deutsch@dailynorthwestern.com
beabadoobee new album ‘Pylon’ is not punk rock By RAINE WANG
design editor
When I think of beabadoobee’s discography, I think of cafes, book stores and first dates. “Pylon,” the singersongwriter’s fourth studio album, is far removed from that aesthetic. In her latest album, beabadoobee adopts a grungier, alt-rock sound, working with artists like Hayley Williams of Paramore, Brendan Yates of Turnstile and Chino Moreno of Deftones. beabadoobee’s attempt to depart from her usual sound is not a bad thing. However, her lack of commitment to the punk genre left the album feeling soulless and incomplete. Her sweet and airy vocal performance clashes with the rougher aesthetic beabadoobee attempts to embody throughout the album. Her lyrics communicate heartbreak and anger, but they come off as disingenuous when paired with her rather emotionless delivery. On “It’s Alright,” the chorus is layered over strong electric guitar riffs and a killer drum beat, evoking a frenetic energy. However, when beabadoobee calls for a toxic lover to “waste my time” during what should be the emotional core of the song, she employs the same delicate and inoffensive delivery used on the album’s softer love songs. Her voice continues to lack emotional depth on
tracks like “Satellite,” where she does attempt a more gravely vocal tone and experiments with scream-singing. She seems more like a child throwing a tantrum rather than a grown woman processing her grief and rage. It feels as though she is hesitant to sound “ugly” and leave her comfort zone, resulting in a half-baked attempt at punk rock that lacks the passion that defines the genre. Most of “Pylon” features this mismatch between lyrics and vocal delivery. Therein lies another problem: Every track has the same issues because every track sounds the exact same. Nearly all 14 songs on the album follow the same formula: verse one, chorus, verse two, chorus, bridge and a final chorus. As the songs progress, the instrumentals intensify, and beabadoobee leans heavier into the grunge sound — though, of course, without much actual feeling. On my first listen, “Pylon” sounded like 41 minutes of the same track played over and over again. Despite my gripes, however, the album does have redeeming qualities. The production is a highlight. Electric guitars and powerful drumbeats immerse the listener in the lovelorn angst beabadoobee sets out to capture. Tracks like “Sun Has Set,” “Estranged” and “Radio” feature fantastic guitar riffs and instrumental breaks, while “Despite That” plays with post-production distortion to create a phone call effect. There were also a few tracks in which I enjoyed
beabadoobee’s softer, younger vocal inflection. The album worked best when she leaned into the dissonance between her voice and the instrumental. “Powerlines,” for example, featured a darker and more sensual sound, and beabadoobee’s voice hauntingly contrasted with grungier instrumentals. It created an unsettling effect, similar to children singing nursery rhymes during a horror movie.
“Pylon” is not a bad album — it’s too safe to be truly good or bad. But it certainly falls flat. beabadoobee’s vocals, lyrics and creative direction are generally bland at best. “Pylon” lives up to its name: a somewhat outof-place eyesore against her discography’s otherwise enjoyable landscape.
beabadoobee wrote “Pylon” while touring and missing home
r.wang@dailynorthwestern.com
Illustration by Raine Wang
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN
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6 THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
C.A.R.E. hosts first supplies drive ahead of winter By HANNAH MEHLER
polling editor
The city’s Crisis Alternative Response Evanston team hosted its first-ever supplies drive Saturday to collect essential items ahead of the winter season. Established in 2024, C.A.R.E. aims to provide a non-police response to low-risk service calls. The program emphasizes de-escalation, connecting residents with community resources and support that address the underlying needs behind a crisis. Independent of the Evanston Police Department, C.A.R.E. responds to a variety of situations that range from soliciting complaints to city ordinance violations and other community concerns. “A lot of times our police department is handling high-crime calls. C.A.R.E.’s designed to provide a response to those local emergency calls with compassion, empathy, to provide resources and to connect others to other community partners in the community. Not every call requires a police department response,” said C.A.R.E. Director Jeron Dorsey. C.A.R.E. Crisis Responder Jordan Barnett said that in years past, crisis responders often had to purchase clothing and other necessary goods from second-hand shops to provide for those experiencing a crisis. Barnett said this work has primarily been done independently, pulling from C.A.R.E.’s allocated budget from the city. At Saturday’s drive — also the organization’s first community event — C.A.R.E. turned to the community to collect warm clothing for the approaching harsh winter weather. The organization requested storage supplies such as bags and suitcases as well as toiletries, restaurant gift cards and public transit cards. “So far we’ve been kinda doing it ourselves, but the community support has been there and we know that. An event like this allows for people to give back at a time of need,” Barnett said. C.A.R.E. will house the stock of Saturday’s donated items in their facility, where employees can grab them as calls arise or easily distribute them to passersby in need — which otherwise requires an official dispatch call and pulls from
Daily file illustration by Siri Reddy Volunteers sort donated clothing and supplies during C.A.R.E.’s first-ever supplies drive Saturday. The event collected essential items for Evanston residents ahead of the winter months.
the city’s budget. At the event, volunteers sorted donated items and assembled hygiene kits for distribution. Evanston resident Nick Riehlmann said he attended the kickoff to give back to the community and meet other Evanston residents.
“It really highlights the fact that we’re all coming together and helping each other,” Riehlmann said. Clothes and supplies collections will continue from Sept. 20 through Oct. 2. Donations can be dropped off at the
Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center, Robert Crown Community Center and the Levy Senior Center during the facilities’ regular business hours. h.mehler@dailynorthwestern.com
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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
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GAMEDAY A CHANCE AT THE CHAMPS Guest
NU
09.25
Home
IU
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8 THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
Football: NU preps for No.5 Indiana in road opener By ANDREW LITTLE
gameday editor
Northwestern opens its Big Ten slate with a date with the reigning national champions, taking on No. 5 Indiana on the road Friday at 7 p.m. The Wildcats (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten) are off to the best start of coach David Braun’s fouryear tenure, while the Hoosiers (3-0, 0-0 Big Ten) hold a 19-game win streak, the longest in the FBS. Before coach Curt Cignetti took over in 2024, Indiana had the most losses in college football history, surpassed last year by NU. The Hoosiers are 30-2 since Cignetti’s arrival, and last year, the team won the College Football Playoff national championship in his second season. The Hoosiers’ seemingly overnight transformation has reset expectations for fanbases around the country, and is something every team, including the ’Cats, wants to emulate.
Braun said Indiana’s turnaround proved “it can be done” and that his opponent’s championship standard has been apparent throughout his preparation. “The job that Curt Cignetti has done at Indiana, that staff, that group of players, I would argue it’s probably the most remarkable and impressive turnaround in college football history,” Braun said Monday at his weekly press conference. “For them to go win a national championship last year, it shows up tangibly on tape. These guys are well coached, they’re very talented.” Braun noted Indiana’s trench play, which includes four returning offensive line starters including All-American left tackle Carter Smith, as the team’s foundation. The Hoosiers also return an experienced front seven that allowed the second-fewest rushing yards in the country last season. They picked up where they left off, once again allowing 77 yards per game through three games in 2026. “It starts up front for these guys with their
offensive line and their defensive line,” Braun said. “That offensive line is a veteran group, and that’s where it starts for them offensively. The defensive line, they’re multiple, they’re talented, they’re aggressive. The numbers don’t lie in terms of what they’ve been able to do against rushing attacks these last two seasons.” In comparison, NU entered the season with three new starters on each of the offensive and defensive lines. The ’Cats will be without redshirt sophomore guard Ezomo Oratokhai on Friday, one of two returning offensive line starters, who exited Saturday’s game with a lower-body injury. Braun said NU is up to the task against its top-five opponent, and will not play timid in a “hostile environment on the road.” “You can give a long laundry list of why this is challenging,” Braun said. “You can come up with explanations or excuses, all that goes out the window.” Indiana has yet to face a Power Four opponent, outscoring North Texas, Howard and
Northwestern has outscored its first two opponents 75-25, but faces its biggest test yet Friday, travelling to Indiana for its Big Ten opener.
Western Kentucky 145-16 through three games, including consecutive shutouts. Meanwhile, the ’Cats opened their season with dominant wins against FCS No. 2 South Dakota State and Colorado, a Big 12 program. The last time NU faced Indiana — a 41-24 home loss early in 2024 — the Hoosiers were just beginning to garner national attention and had entered the top 25 rankings for the first time with Cignetti. Now, Indiana is the reigning Big Ten and national champion and has transformed into one of collewwge football’s marquee brands. Graduate student center Jackson Carsello said the ’Cats are excited for their first Big Ten matchup and are embracing the challenge of facing the defending champs on the road. “It’s gonna be a great opportunity to showcase what we’re able to do,” Carsello said. “People talk about them, but at the end of the day they have to play us. We’re going into their house.” a.little@dailynorthwestern.com
Aanya Gupta/The Daily Northwestern
Northwestern vs. indiana | Series history: 47-36-1 POINTS PER GAME
POINTS ALLOWED PER GAME
TOTAL YARDS PER GAME
PASSING YARDS PER GAME
37.5 VS 48.3
12.5 VS 5.3
460 VS 461
257 VS 240
RUSHING YARDS PER GAME
TOTAL YARDS ALLOWED PER GAME
PASSING YARDS ALLOWED PER GAME
RUSHING YARDS ALLOWED PER GAME
203 VS 221
390 VS 203.3
226.5 VS 126.3
163.5 VS 77
PENALTIES PER GAME
TURNOVER DIFFERENTIAL
PENALTY YARDS PER GAME
SACKS PER GAME
8.5 VS 3
+4 VS +2
60.5 VS 26
1.5 VS 2.3
THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
9
Football: Gameday Staff predicts rest of season By THE GAMEDAY STAFF
the daily northwestern
Northwestern said goodbye to Martin Stadium, its temporary lakefront home for two seasons, with two decisive victories to start the 2026 season. The Wildcats (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten) opened the year with a 34-18 win over FCS powerhouse South Dakota State before an unusual Week 2 bye. Returning to play Saturday, NU defeated Colorado 41-7 to improve to a 2-0 start for the first time in coach David Braun’s tenure. After the ’Cats’ hot start, The Daily’s Gameday staff made its predictions for the remainder of the season. Prediction: 8-4 (5-4 Big Ten) Key Question: Can senior quarterback Aidan Chiles carry early successes against high-level Big Ten defenses? At the helm of NU’s offense, Chiles has been spotless, throwing four touchdown passes and rushing for three more with no turnovers in the process. Coming off an explosive game against Colorado where Chiles scored five touchdowns, the question remains if this level of offensive productivity can be sustained against elite defenses. The Buffaloes’ defense was ranked No. 112 in points allowed per game last season. By contrast, Indiana’s defense, which the ’Cats face next, was ranked No. 2. The Hoosiers have two preseason All-Americans on their defense, linebacker Rolijah Hardy and defensive lineman Tyrique Tucker, who will almost certainly test offensive coordinator Chip Kelly’s unit. The season won’t get any easier for the NU as it faces Ohio State — who boasted the nation’s No. 1 defense in 2025 — in Columbus, Ohio, on Nov. 14. Looking back to his tenure at Michigan State, Chiles lost his starting role after struggling with turnover issues, throwing 14 interceptions in two seasons. In 2024, Chiles had five fumbles, four of which were lost. It is worth noting the Spartans had a weaker offensive ecosystem around Chiles, including poorer offensive line play. Under the guidance of offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and quarterbacks coach Jerry Neuheisel, Chiles’ past struggles have yet to appear, but it remains to be seen if he has put them away for good with Big Ten play looming. He will certainly have the chance to prove his offensive capabilities on Friday in Bloomington, Indiana. — Aanya Gupta, Sports Editor Prediction: 7-5 (4-5 Big Ten) Key Question: How will the trenches hold up against Big Ten competition? Big Ten football is defined by physicality at the line of scrimmage. NU has made that its calling card in recent years, but is not as experienced in the trenches in 2026. Last year’s offensive line had two NFL Draft picks, leaving big shoes to fill. Injuries to redshirt sophomore guard Ezomo Oratokhai and graduate student center Jackson Carsello, the team’s only returning starters at the position, have disrupted the new-look unit’s first two games. The depth has done a nice job of filling in their absence, and Carsello returned to the lineup Saturday, but an unproven line is not ideal if Oratokhai misses more time. Chiles has been stellar in his first two games with the ’Cats, earning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week after his performance against Colorado. Staring down a stretch of brutal defenses, starting with No. 5 Indiana on Friday, Chiles will need his offensive line as close to full strength as possible. The defense has been stout so far, allowing just two touchdowns, but the pass rush remains a wildcard. With three sacks through two games, two of which came from linebackers, the defensive line did not prove itself before conference play. Senior defensive lineman Michael Kilbane, the only returning defender who had multiple sacks for NU in 2025, missed Week 1 with an injury but
made an immediate impact against Colorado with a tackle for loss and forced fumble. Defensive coordinator Tim McGarigle and new defensive line coach Ross Kolodziej have rotated the defensive front like hockey lines so far. A deep rotation with fresh bodies consistently on the line has the potential to be very disruptive, but it remains unknown who will step up beyond Kilbane. The ’Cats’ playmakers have hit the ground running under Kelly, and their experienced linebackers and secondary have been as advertised. If the offensive and defensive lines are gelling, NU can knock off some of the difficult tests on its grueling Big Ten schedule. — Andrew Little, Gameday Editor
Carter Nishi/The Daily Northwestern
Prediction: 7-5 (4-5 Big Ten) Key Question: Can the Wildcats’ offense continue clicking in Big Ten play? NU is off to a blazing 2-0 start because it has won swing moments resoundingly. Despite giving up 390 yards per game, its bend-don’t-break defense has allowed just two touchdowns and 25 points total. Meanwhile, its offense is averaging 37.5 points and over 200 rushing yards per game. Chiles dazzled with his arm and legs, combining for seven touchdowns. Importantly, he has yet to turn the ball over, an issue that plagued him at his previous school, Michigan State. In Kelly’s new system, Chiles has given ’Cats fans reason for high expectations, as they have turned an offense that often ranked among the worst in the Power Four to a, so far, above-average group. But heading into a Big Ten gauntlet that includes matchups against five currently-ranked opponents, NU will need to overachieve to muster an eightplus-win season. Playing No. 5 Indiana on Friday will be a litmus test, and if the ’Cats keep it close in their Big Ten opener — or shock the nation — their win projection will jump. Even a 7-5 record with this schedule, though, would be a step in the right direction for the “new era” of NU Football. — Kamran Nia, Senior Staffer
Aanya Gupta/The Daily Northwestern
Prediction: 7-5 (4-5 Big Ten) Key Question: Can the defense keep up the takeaways against Big Ten offenses? NU has been known for its stout defense in the past, finishing with the No. 23 scoring defense in the country last season. This season, the ’Cats have added improved offensive efficiency to the mix, scoring 75 points in their first two games. As the offense has exploded, warts in the defensive play have shown up. NU is prone to giving up big plays on the outside, and has at moments struggled to tackle beyond the line of scrimmage. In the season opener, despite limiting South Dakota State to 18 points, the ’Cats still gave up over 430 yards of offense. The “bend, don’t break” mentality allowed NU to limit the Jackrabbits to six field goals rather than touchdowns, but the overall performance left some questions. The tackling issues were mostly mitigated by the sheer amount of takeaways the ’Cats generated against Colorado. NU forced two fumbles and picked off Buffaloes quarterback Julian Lewis twice during Saturday’s 41-7 victory. Relying on takeaways to win games will not be as easy in conference play, however. Colorado is ranked outside the top 100 among scoring offenses this season, and South Dakota State is an FCS team. A good one, but still an FCS team. Indiana has turned the ball over only once this season, although transfer quarterback Josh Hoover threw 13 interceptions in 2025 at TCU. As NU prepares to face the defending national champions and the rest of its extremely difficult schedule, takeaways will become key to winning games. — Yoni Zacks, Social Media Editor a.gupta@dailynorthwestern.com a.little@dailynorthwestern.com k.nia@dailynorthwestern.com y.zacks@dailynorthwestern.com
Aanya Gupta/The Daily Northwestern
Alex Boyko/The Daily Northwestern
10 THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
Football: Chip Kelly provides new-look offense spark By AANYA GUPTA
sports editor
Northwestern’s newly constructed $875 million football stadium is not the only fresh identity for the Wildcats (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten) in 2026. The ’Cats broke national headlines when they hired former Las Vegas Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly as their new offensive coordinator in December. Two games in, the hire is already paying dividends. For the first time since 2020, NU has started the season 2-0, and its 75 points over the first two games are its most over a two-game span since 2017. A blockbuster hire, Kelly brings college football and NFL head coaching experience with Oregon, UCLA, the Philadelphia Eagles andSan Francisco 49ers. He spent last year in the NFL as offensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders’ first 11 games. In Kelly’s most recent stint as a college coordinator, he helped lead Ohio State to a national championship in 2024. Senior wide receiver Griffin Wilde, a preseason 2026 Biletnikoff Award Watch List honoree, talked this summer about his excitement for Kelly’s arrival. “He’s unbelievable, he knows so much about the game of football,” Wilde said of Kelly at Big Ten Media Days in July. “He’s been at the highest level, he’s won a national championship at Ohio State, so what he brings to the table is unmatched,” Wilde said. Over the past decade, NU has averaged the No. 121-ranked scoring offense in the FBS, so coach David Braun’s squad was ready to shake it up. In 2020 and 2021, Kelly’s UCLA squad led the Pac-12 in scoring. Kelly’s approach with the ’Cats is reminiscent of his time at the helm of the Bruins — a run-heavy scheme with frequent doses of play action and motion to catch defenders out of position. However, following the Colorado game, Braun said Kelly does not force the team into
a set system and has adapted his scheme to NU’s strengths. “Chip, in his time at Oregon, was known for tempo,” Braun said. “Even at UCLA, it was more big personnel, but it was still tempo. And just understanding who our team is. Never once has Chip been like ‘Oh we need to tempo in and get as many yards or as many plays as we can.’ He’s like with (NU), you know, we need to at least base out of the huddle.” In a preseason press conference on Aug. 17, Kelly said that efficiency is a big goal for the rushing attack. His approach is to avoid tackles for loss and gain yards on first down, gain yardage on second down, and convert on third down to stay on the field. “Obviously, the longer the drive, the more tired the defense gets, the bigger the rush lanes get. So you got to stay away from three and out,” Kelly said. “It’s really about being efficient, especially early in the drive. Can we be really efficient and accumulate a couple first downs? Because things start to change after that.” In his first game calling plays for NU on Sept. 5 against South Dakota State, NU only went three and out twice. The ’Cats’ rush attack also showed its promise in the game, averaging 9.0 yards per play, the most by the program in a game since 2017. Notably, Kelly drew up a deceptive fourth quarter draw play resulting in a 14-yard rushing touchdown by senior quarterback Aidan Chiles that sealed the win against the Jackrabbits. Kelly called plays from the field instead of the press box, allowing for more direct communication with his quarterback. Chiles said Kelly’s coaching and adjustments made him comfortable in his first game with NU. “(Kelly) was over everything the whole night and he knew what stuff was going to look like,” Chiles said. “So I was just really excited and grateful that he was out there, especially being on the field, that was a big help.” Players have noticed Kelly’s attention to
detail and aggressive practice habits, allowing the offense to enter gamedays prepared and find immediate success. Redshirt junior offensive tackle Grant Seagren told The Daily that Kelly’s coaching is “super detailed,” resulting in a large impact on the team. “It feels like he sees the whole field at practice,” Seagren said. “It’s like, ‘What do you mean you saw the right wide receiver and the left tackle and this guy all needing to change something on the same play.’” Kelly found even more success in his second game calling plays for the ’Cats, as the offense took down Colorado 41-7. Chiles had five total touchdowns in the blowout win. Kelly engineered two 11-play drives as NU dominated time of possession 36:53 to 23:07. After the game, Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders commended Kelly for his play calling,
specifically a wheel route to graduate student running back Joseph Himon II that repeatedly beat Colorado’s secondary. Chiles spoke after the South Dakota State and Colorado games about how Kelly and quarterbacks coach Jerry Neuheisel coached him hard, allowing him to play his best late in the game. Braun said he has seen Chiles and the offense respond to Kelly’s intensity and attention to detail. “The thing that’s really neat to see is I think our guys are starting to understand that throughout the week, yes I’m getting coached hard on all the details, and there’s a certain standard and level of expectation, but it’s preparing me to be at my best on gameday,” Braun said. a.gupta@dailynorthwestern.com
Aanya Gupta/The Daily Northwestern Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly called plays from the field in Northwestern’s dominant 41-7 victory against Colorado on Saturday.
Football: NU announces extension for Coach Braun By ANDREW LITTLE
gameday editor
Coach David Braun has agreed to a new three-year extension with Northwestern, keeping him in charge of the Wildcat football program through 2031, NU announced Thursday. Since taking over the team in 2023, Braun boasts a 20-19 record and has led the ’Cats to two bowl victories. This is Braun’s first extension, as his initial contract ran through 2028. Salary figures are unknown at this time, but ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported the new contract comes with a “significant salary increase.” Braun came to Evanston in 2023 as NU’s defensive coordinator, but was quickly promoted to interim head coach after longtime
coach Pat Fitzgerald was fired that summer. The University made Braun the permanent coach after ten games in 2023, and later that year, he led the ’Cats to an 8-5 record and Las Vegas Bowl victory, the program’s best record since 2020. He was named Big Ten Coach of the Year and the inaugural Paul “Bear” Bryant Newcomer Coach of the Year nationally for NU’s success in his first season. The ’Cats are coming off a 7-6 season in 2025. Braun is the first NU coach to win two bowl games in his first three seasons. His contract extension comes shortly after NU’s triumph over South Dakota State in its first game of the 2026 season. That win improved Braun to 4-0 in home openers, the first ’Cats’ coach to achieve that feat in his first four seasons since Pappy Waldorf in the 1930s. “(Braun) is everything that we need in
a head coach,” NU Athletic Director Mark Jackson said when announcing the extension Thursday. “With our continued investments in our Football program and with the opening of New Ryan Field in just a few weeks, the future of Northwestern Football is bright with David at the helm. We look forward to having David, Kristin and their family in Evanston for the seasons ahead.” The new Ryan Field, the most expensive stadium in college football history, is also set to open on Oct. 2 when the ’Cats host Penn State. NU’s next game is against Colorado on Saturday. a.little@dailynorthwestern.com
NOrthwestern schedule 09.25 @ Indiana
10.02 vs. Penn State 10.10 vs. Ball State 10.17 @ Michigan State 10.24 vs. Rutgers 10.31 @ Oregon 11.07 vs. Iowa 11.14 @ Ohio State 11.21 @ Minesota Daily file photo by Alex Boyko Coach David Braun boasts a 20-19 record with Northwestern since taking over the Wildcat football program in 2023.
11.28 vs. Illinois
Daily file photo by Alex Boyko Coach David Braun boasts a 20-19 record with Northwestern since taking over the Wildcat football program in 2023.
Gameday Staff GAMEDAY EDITOR Andrew Little WRITERS Alex Boyko Aanya Gupta Kamran Nia Yoni Zacks Gameday is a publication of Students Publishing Co. A two-page issue is published on the Wednesday prior to Northwestern road games and a longer issue is usually published on the Wednesday prior to Northwestern home games. All material is © 2026 Students Publishing Co. Questions or comments should be sent c/o Gameday Editor Andrew Little, 1999 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN
11
Films for your back-to-school watchlist NU PRESIDENTIAL HISTORY By LYDIA PARK
assistant campus editor
By ALDEN FARROW
arts & entertainment editor
Fall is upon us, which means it’s back to school. If you’re anything like me, then nothing is more comforting than media that aligns perfectly with the current stage of your life. These are a few of my favorite films that encapsulate new school beginnings — many especially reflective of the college experience. Pitch Perfect (2012) Starting off with what I feel is the most applicable film to Northwestern students — especially those who are first-years — is the 2010s a capella classic, “Pitch Perfect.” Loosely based on NU, director of the film and NU alum Jason Moore (Communication ’93) ensures the movie hits very close to home in accuracy and humor. Not only is it timelessly funny, but the riffoffs are sensational and extremely catchy. To get accustomed to a cappella culture and prepare for entering a new environment, “Pitch Perfect” is a must-watch. Mean Girls (2004) Based in Chicago’s North Shore, this movie represents a clique system almost unimaginable for a real school, but still teaches valuable lessons nonetheless.
The University began building its Technological Institute, obtained a Chicago office building and funds for Deering Library. He also established the School of Journalism, the School of Speech, the University College and NU’s Personnel Department.
1920-1939: WALTER SCOTT Illustration by Charlotte Nagel
Whether you’re navigating friend groups or trying to find your place in school, “Mean Girls” is a great guide as to what not to do. The Breakfast Club (1985) Another classic 80s back-to-school movie also touches on the dismantling of cliques and stereotypes. This John Hughes film is an exceptional representation of teenage angst and rebellion — a must-watch for the new school year. Legally Blonde (2001) “Legally Blonde” is the perfect motivational movie when others doubt your academic ability. If you are in need of a confidence boost, ready for an academic comeback or want to prove naysayers wrong, Elle Woods is your blueprint.
Good Will Hunting (1997) This Matt Damon film provides a more poignant option for a fall film and includes outstanding performances from Damon and Robin Williams. Will Hunting is another example of an underestimated but highly gifted student, inspiring to all those about to begin classes. Dead Poets Society (1989) “Dead Poets Society” is the most depressing of the bunch, but it gives artistic voices representation through poetry. Another classic of Williams’, the film shows the impact educators have on the lives of students willing to exit their comfort zones. Whether you’re looking for a comedy or a tearjerker, these films perfectly position students to begin the school year. a.farrow@dailynorthwestern.com
During World War II, Snyder directed NU’s efforts towards supporting the U.S. military. The University hosted the Reserve Midshipman’s Training Unit, opened an Army base hospital unit in the Medical School and dedicated 80% of NU research toward national defense.
1939-1949: FRANKLYN SNYDER
Miller’s fundraising allowed NU to expand endowments directed toward student aid and facilitated the construction of 35 new buildings.
1949-197O: JAMES MILLER
Strotz continued to grow the Evanston campus with additions like Norris, the Allen Center and the PickStaiger Concert Hall. He also doubled the University’s endowment and capital improvements grew $142 million.
1970-1984: ROBERT STROTZ
Concerned with NU finances, Weber successfully addressed NU’s budgeting and overspending issues while also creating fewer tuition increases and increasing faculty salaries during his tenure.
1984-1994: ARNOLD WEBER
During Bienen’s presidency, NU was recognized for its academic and athletic success, the endowment quintupled and the number of applications greatly increased.
1995-2009: HENRY BIENEN
2009-2022 MORTON SCHAPIRO
Prioritizing affordability and inclusion, Schapiro oversaw the growth of NU’s endowment from $5.8 billion to $12.2 billion through fundraising and real estate, expanding financial aid.
Schill oversaw NU as funding surpassed a billion dollars for sponsored research. Facing criticism following the Trump administration’s funding cuts, Schill resigned.
2022-2025: MICHAEL SCHILL
To read the full timeline, scan the QR code here! lydiapark2029@u.northwestern.edu
12 THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
OPINION
Join the online conversation at www.dailynorthwestern.com
Introducing our Fall 2026 Opinion Columnists IVY FRATER
JOSIE BELFER
As a kid, my dad and I would go on “joke walks,” where we would make observations about what we saw and have conversations as we travelled. In my column, I invite you to walk with me as I discuss everything I think about as I stroll down Sheridan, stories from my childhood and maybe even crack a joke here and there.
“Table Talk” is my follow-through on my mom’s most repeated advice for college: eat at least two meals a day with friends. Adhering to her advice isn’t always easy—big group meals at college can be tough to pull off: people have busy schedules, it’s cold, different dining hall preferences, etc. That said, in my experience, gathering as many people as possible for a meal is the most effective strategy for good conversation. In “Table Talk,” I’ll take the most intriguing topic I’ve discussed over food in the past week and generously share it with my audience! Hopefully, I make you feel as if we’re all sitting around the table together.
TABLE TALK
JOKE WALK
KATAREENA ROSKA
DON’T QUOTE ME ON THIS
Are you a disappointment to your parents? A wannabe cool girl? A former Tumblr user? Chronically online? This column is for you. I write about pop culture, my most embarrassing stories and whatever wisdom a 20-year-old college student can gain in between coffee chats and Friday nights. Just please, don’t quote me on this.
DJ HARRISON
THE SCROLL PILL
The majority of you reading this spent at least a few minutes of your day scrolling. You might have come across videos in a wide variety of niches, but chances are, at least a few of you watched a video from the same trend (perhaps even the exact same video). It’s my job to interpret what these trends mean and why they’re garnering so much traction. In 2026, I see the internet as the cutting edge of intellectual thought for young people. I want my column to help all you scrollers interpret your social media feeds so you can participate in that important dialogue.
KYAS WILLIAMSON BLOCKBUSTERS
Blockbusters” analyzes movies deemed as “cult classics” and questions if those titles were given on merit or nostalgia. In my column, I’ll take apart things like plot, character, themes, cinematography, and more to rate the quality of the movie. Then, I’ll compare this rating to the overall perception of the movie to decide if audiences enjoy it based on the quality or the memories associated with watching. As someone who loves cinema, I hope my column inspires more conversations about movies, as well as highlights and appreciates the films that have shaped childhoods.
SYLVIE SLOTKIN
COMMUNAL SHOWER TALK
Back for its third and final year, Communal Shower Thoughts is The Daily’s OG vibes column. What is it about? Literally my (Sylvie’s) thoughts and unless I’m feeling particularly deep they’re 500 words or less. Come for the gossip, stay because I’m a good writer. XO!
ELIZABETH NEMEH POUR OVER
Community is not often thought of as a luxury. However, having a third space to not, by default, modify your name and identity is becoming more commonplace throughout Chicago. “Pour Over” explores locally owned coffee shops of different ethnic backgrounds through reviews and larger, cultural analysis of struggles pressing that diasporic community. I hope to bring readers a reason to take the train into Chicago- and another reason to sit with what it means to consume another culture.
ELIZA MARTIN
RECORD SCRATCH
As a radio DJ since age 15, I’ve become attuned to the music world. “Record Scratch” features my musical takes, from stances on mainstream debates and industry changes to deep dives on underground fixations. Drop the needle and see whether our opinions harmonize or drift off-key.
OLIVIA RICHARDSON FELDMAN NON-TRANSFERABLE
”Non-Transferable” begins as the story of how I almost transferred out of Northwestern last year. As a person with a myriad of intersecting identities, I struggled to believe this university could hold all of the parts of me and felt excluded from what I saw as an overwhelming monoculture. This column will explore the obstacles I encountered and the steps I take to create my belonging at institutions that were not initially meant for people like me. In hopes of making others feel less alone, “Non-Transferable” is a reflection of self-determination and what it takes to build a Northwestern experience on your own terms.
ZOE CHAO
UNDECIDED
Decisions are hard. From choosing a career path to picking out a dairy-free cheese alternative at Whole Foods, I am horrible at making decisions (even with my mother’s expert opinion). From the trivial to the existential, “Undecided” anatomizes dilemmas we all face in hopes of coming to a conclusion — or not. Undecidedness is not a buffer. It’s where we start, end and everything in-between (it’s also where I live).
The Daily Northwestern Volume 147, Issue 2
Editor in Chief Anavi Prakash
Print Managing Editors Marissa Fernandez Jonah McClure Sophie Baker Jack Baker
Multimedia Managing Editors Liam Barrett Siri Reddy Josh Singer
Creative Director Cayla Labgold-Carroll
Opinion Editor Ivy Frater
Assistant Opinion Editor Josie Belfer
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR may be sent to 1999 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208, via fax at 847-491-9905, via e-mail to opinion@dailynorthwestern.com or by dropping a letter in the box outside THE DAILY office. Letters have the following requirements: • Should be typed and double-spaced • Should include the author’s name, signature, school, class and phone number. • Should be fewer than 800 words They will be checked for authenticity and may be edited for length, clarity, style and grammar. Letters, columns and cartoons contain the opinion of the authors, not Students Publishing Co. Inc. Submissions signed by more than three people must include at least one and no more than three names designated to represent the group.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN
13
SUDOKU
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The Daily’s
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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:
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14 THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN
CONVOCATION From page 1
world around us,” Chiang said. Chiang also compared the University to an “intellectual gym,” noting how NU was a community where it is okay to have different opinions than others. Students are “supposed to sweat through disagreement, debate and dissent,” Chiang said. Kellogg Prof. Nour Kteily and Psychology Prof. Eli Finkel, who lead The Litowitz Center for Enlightened Disagreement, also emphasized the importance of disagreement and challenging discussions to “unlocking” new perspectives during their presentation later in the convocation ceremony. The center was established in 2024, following a $20 million donation from trustee Jennifer Leischner Litowitz (Weinberg ’91) and Alec Litowitz. Finkel said the Bay of Pigs Invasion in 1961 was an example of how fear of disagreement can ultimately lead to harmful outcomes — even in rooms full of the brightest people. Finkel said the “people in the room” had concerns about the invasion, but never voiced them which led to the failed military exploit. “Disagreement is not above a f law to be fixed, but a strength to be harnessed,” Finkel said. During a presentation focused on enlightened disagreement, Kteily led students, grouped in pairs, through a brief exercise where one person would take 30 seconds to explain how a bike stays upright when it’s moving. The other would listen while occasionally asking the ‘why’ behind the person’s thinking. Kteily said many struggle to summarize an explanation despite the perceived simplicity of how a bike stays upright. He added this exercise demonstrated a phenomenon called the delusion of explanatory depth, where people feel they have a better understanding of a complex topic than they actually do. “The interesting thing is this illusory overconfidence also sometimes applies to our political feelings,” Kteily said. “We often feel overly confident that we actually understand what the other side is, we’re frequently overly pessimistic about their actual beliefs.” During his speech, Chiang also emphasized
DETAINMENT From page 1
blue police lights, the footage shows. The Evanston resident was treated at St. Francis Hospital “for minor injuries,” Biss wrote in his Instagram Stories post, adding that the city “will remain vigilant about federal activities.” Another EPD officer encountered two SUVs near the intersection of Dodge Avenue and Brummel Street while responding to the incident. One person “identified himself as a federal agent conducting a fugitive investigation,” according to the EPD release. The release stated that the federal agent was wearing plain clothes and a vest with “POLICE” and federal law enforcement markings. The EPD officer noticed blood on the agent’s hand, which the agent said stemmed from injuries while trying to handcuff the individual. He told responding EPD officers that federal agents had “attempted to identify an individual who resembled a person they were seeking,” the EPD release read. The federal agent alleged the individual refused to present identification and resisted while being detained for fingerprinting, according to the release. After determining the individual in custody was not the person they were seeking and learning that he was a U.S. citizen, the individual was let go, federal agents told EPD. The release added that federal agents said they were seeking someone with a warrant out for their arrest and “addresses associated with Chicago.” According to the release, the federal agent told EPD officers that “five federal agents had been operating in the area using separate vehicles,” adding that the agents left the area after protesters assembled “because they feared they would be attacked.” The incident was part of a “targeted enforcement operation” by ICE, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security wrote in a Tuesday morning statement to The Daily. “ICE encountered an individual who resembled the target,” the spokesperson wrote. “The individual was given lawful commands but was not cooperative and refused to identify himself.” Once the individual identified himself, agents “left the scene without further
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
the importance of harnessing artificial intelligence while maintaining intellectual autonomy. Chiang said the University was going to work with AI in order to live without it through creativity, curiosity and compassion. In his first academic year at NU, Chiang will lead the University amidst a host of several uncertainties, including international students’ visas and work eligibility, artificial intelligence and federal policy in higher education. Following Chiang, Provost Erik Luijten, who assumed his role in July, assured students that it was okay to feel uncertain or undecided about their future course of study. Luijten said experimenting despite that uncertainty can be empowering.
“Here you will learn and grow, and you will be prepared to make your life in the world, even if you have no idea yet what that’s going to be,” Luijten said. Associated Student Government Co-Presidents Gauri Adarsh and John Sisco also spoke to students, assuring them they belonged at NU, it was okay to make mistakes and NU’s unique community would be there to support them. Several students felt Chiang’s message resonated with them. McCormick first-year Eddy Li said he felt Chiang’s speech was “fire.” “He knew how to appeal to a younger generation, because he included a lot of buzzwords to get us hyped,” Li said.
Some of the words included “ice cream,” which Chiang promised students would receive, as well as artificial intelligence. Li said he felt Chiang’s speech was “much less scripted” than those of his fellow speakers, allowing the student to feel more connected to him. McCormick first-year Noah Buck said he felt Chiang was more relatable to other new students in the NU community. “He’s in our same boat of being a first-year here,” Buck said. “You can tell he had that same excitement and energy that we had.” s.hu@dailynorthwestern.com
Anavi Prakash/The Daily Northwestern
incident,” the spokesperson continued. In a Monday statement, a spokesperson for activist group Sanctuary Evanston called the incident a “violent assault” and wrote the group “holds grave concern for the narrative already being spun to cover up this nightmare.” EPD’s investigation into the incident is ongoing, according to the department’s release. EPD is collecting video and photograph evidence through body camera and in-car video footage as well as from witnesses and community members. The department’s release encouraged those with information about the incident to contact the EPD. Sanctuary Evanston’s statement expressed frustration with how EPD officers handled their interactions with the federal agents. “Witnesses report police officers standing nearby in conversation as their neighbor lay injured on the street,” the group’s release
read. The group’s statement added that agents left the scene with “zero repercussions,” calling on officials to “uphold their vow to protect us.” They also urged the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and city officials to investigate the incident and “demand transparency regarding EPD’s interaction with these agents.” W hen asked about Sanctuary Evanston’s calls for action on Tuesday, an Evanston spokesperson referred to EPD’s Sunday evening news release. Both EPD and the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office did not respond to similar requests for comment about Sanctuary Evanston’s statement. EPD did not respond to additional questions about whether officers attempted to gather information about the agents’ identities. In an email last October, EPD Chief Schenita Stewart instructed officers to gather “information regarding the arrest team and
their activity” if agents remained on scene after officers’ arrival. In his Instagram Stories post, Biss wrote that Evanston residents “know what to do” in light of increased ICE activity. “Check your rapid response chats, keep your whistles at hand, and let’s protect each other,” Biss wrote. Anavi Prakash contributed reporting.
r.ottignon@dailynorthwestern.com j.baker@dailynorthwestern.com
Daily file illustratioon by Siri Reddy
THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
FRIDGE
From page 1
Wielding an oversized pair of scissors, Ald. Clare Kelly (1st) cut a ribbon to mark the grand opening of the pantry, which sits in an alleyway between the Woman’s Club and the Evanston Public Library. Dozens of volunteers from the Woman’s Club and ECF gathered to celebrate the opening. ECF organizer Adrienne Edwards said
the group grew out of the activist movement Evanston Fight for Black Lives. It opened its first community fridge at the Childcare Network of Evanston in 2021, inviting nearby residents and restaurants to donate their leftovers. Citing a policy of “non-surveillance,” Edwards said the organization does not keep track of how many people its food pantries serve. However, she estimated that between 200 and 300 people are fed each month and noted that the fridges empty out within
hours of being filled. “The idea behind the fridges is that these people need things, and these people give things,” Edwards said. “Anyone can be one or the other at any time.” The food pantries are intended for those “in a pinch,” including homeless people, the elderly and even Northwestern students, according to Woman’s Club member Barbara Keefe. Woman’s Club President Michelle Salazar said combating hunger has long been part of
15
the organization’s historical mission. “The Woman’s Club has been around since 1889,” Salazar said. “We’ve always been focused on food insecurity, so this is the next logical step.” Deborah Chernoff, who serves on the Woman’s Club’s marketing committee, said the location of the new community fridge is “critical” due to downtown Evanston’s density. The Woman’s Club has previously focused on sponsoring third-party charity organizations. Chernoff said the club’s direct sponsorship of the downtown pantry was an opportunity for members to “get our hands in” mutual aid work more directly. “It’s very much in the spirit of Evanston and very much in line with the values of the Woman’s Club, which from its very beginnings, has been devoted to philanthropy and community relations,” Chernoff said. Kelly, who represents much of the downtown area, said she hopes the pantry will make people feel “welcome” in the area, which she called the “living room for Evanston.” “This community fridge is really an expression of community and inclusivity that we all pride Evanston for,” Kelly said. “I’m just so pleased and proud of the Woman’s Club for doing this. This really makes people feel welcome.” m.turetzky@dailynorthwestern.com
Max Turetzky/The Daily Northwestern Wielding an oversized pair of scissors, Ald. Clare Kelly (1st) cut a ribbon to mark the opening of a new food pantry in Evanston.
RANKING From page 1
number of economically disadvantaged students awarded Pell Grants who enrolled and graduated from NU. Ultimately, the University placed 26th globally,
two spots lower than its place at No. 24 in the 2026 rankings. In April, U.S. News released its rankings on specialized schools. The School of Education and Social Policy rose from 6th to 2nd, tying with the University of Florida and the University of Michigan’s Marsal Family School of Education. This
is the highest U.S. News rank the school has ever received. The Pritzker School of Law also rose in its rankings to No. 9, a spot higher than its former place. The Kellogg School of Management also dropped in business graduate schools from No. 2 to No. 4, tying with Harvard University.
Topping the 2027 rankings, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology rose above Princeton University, with the schools placing No. 1 and No. 2, respectively. l.kubovchik@dailynorthwestern.com
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16 THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
SPORTS
NU alum Veronica Burton’s journey to WNBA By GABE HAWKINS
senior staffer
Jess Sancataldo (Communication ’22) vividly remembers the evening her roommate Veronica Burton (SESP ’22) was drafted by the WNBA’s Dallas Wings in April 2022. Huddled in their shared off-campus apartment on Ridge Avenue, teammates on the Northwestern women’s basketball team broke into cheers of joy when Burton’s name was called. “I remember sitting around the kitchen table, and we’re all eating food, and we’re all celebrating, and we’re all passing her Dallas hat around,” Sancataldo said. “It was just a moment of pure joy.” Burton’s teammates had strong cause for celebration. She was the seventh overall first round pick, marking the second-highest pick in NU women’s basketball history, following Minnesota Lynx forward Nia Brodie’s (SESP ’17) fifth overall selection in 2017. Burton’s record-setting run at NU made her a likely contender for the WNBA draft. During her freshman year, Burton started 31 games and led the Big Ten in steals. In later seasons, she won three consecutive Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year awards and led the NCAA in steals during her junior and senior years. An anchor of the team’s defense, she also led the Wildcats to a Big Ten conference title in the 2019-20 season, along with an appearance in the NCAA Tournament the following year. Burton recalled being overwhelmed with emotion on draft night. “It was a very special night — a lot of emotions, a lot of anticipation,” Burton said. “No matter where I went, I was just thrilled to have an opportunity to play in the WNBA.” Since the 2022 season, Burton has shifted from a bench player to a rising star in the league. During her two seasons with the Wings, she averaged 14.5 minutes per game. This season, with the Golden State Valkyries, Burton averages 28.4 minutes per game and has set WNBA records for her assists to turnovers ratio. Burton’s leadership on the Valkyries helped the team clinch two consecutive playoff berths, including one during the franchise’s inaugural season — a first in WNBA history. She also took home the Most Improved Player title last season and became an All Defensive Team member. After leading the team on a 4-0 run in late August, the league named Burton the Western Conference Player of the Week. With Burton continuing to break league records this year, the second-seed Valkyries boast the strongest defense in the WNBA, according to league tracking data, and the team is eyeing a championship in their sophomore season. The WNBA playoffs start Sunday, with the Valkyries leading ESPN’s power rankings. A Northwestern journey Long before becoming a college-basketballstar-turned-elite-playmaker in the WNBA, Burton was one of four children, hailing from an athletic family in Newton, Massachusetts, with deep ties to NU. Her father, Steve Burton (Communication ’85), now the sports director for Boston-based CBS affiliate WBZ-TV, was a quarterback on
NU’s football team. Steve Burton’s father, Ron Burton Sr. (SESP ’60), was a star running back for NU before launching a professional football career with the then-Boston Patriots. Her mother, Virginia “Ginni” Burton (Communication ’85) was a Big Ten Champion and All-American swimmer for the ’Cats. The youngest in her family, all three of Burton’s older siblings were Division I athletes, with two of them playing basketball. As a result, Burton was bound to develop her passion for the sport. “I wanted to chase the same thing that they did, and I knew I wanted to play basketball in college,” she said. Seeing her older siblings train in the early hours of the morning inspired Burton, who developed a competitive rapport with them early in life. Burton honed an athletic regimen, spending her mornings running miles or learning to dribble a basketball, according to her father. Burton’s parents fully supported her athletic journey, encouraging her to train alongside her siblings and piquing her interest in a variety of sports, including basketball and lacrosse, Steve Burton said. “When we got up in the morning and trained, she got right up along with them, and we trained before school,” Steve Burton said. “While kids were getting ready for school, she’d be taking shots in the gym at 5:30 in the morning.” As Burton developed her skills on the court, former NU women’s basketball head coach Joe McKeown took note. An early supporter of Burton, McKeown said he attended many of her high school games and encouraged her to pursue basketball at NU. McKeown said he was impressed by Burton’s deep understanding of the game and ability to harness the strengths of her teammates. “Her instincts were so good. She not only knew what her job was; she knew where everybody on the court should be, including the five players on the other team,” he said. Since the Burtons’ legacy at NU dated back decades, McKeown also wanted to ensure that she had the chance to develop independently. “I think the biggest concern in the whole recruiting process, and even when she got here, was to be herself,” McKeown said. “You can become whoever you want here. You don’t have to live in anybody’s shadow.” McKeown said he was immediately struck by Burton’s versatility and tenacity as she dove headfirst into college basketball. It took only three weeks of practice for him to realize that Burton had the raw skills necessary to become a professional athlete, he said. “If we need a bucket, she’s gonna go get your bucket. If we need a defensive stop, she’s gonna get your stop,” he said. “She plays so hard.” McKeown was also impressed by Burton’s work ethic, which her former coaches said they occasionally had to temper. Former NU women’s basketball assistant head coach Tangela Smith said coaching staff frequently threatened to lock the gym’s doors to force Burton to get some rest as an upperclassman. “She was in the gym all the time, and she would be in there all day if she could,” Smith said. Burton said NU’s reputation as an underdog in the Big Ten fueled her work ethic,
Photo courtesy of Tangela Smith Former Northwestern women’s basketball assistant head coach Tangela Smith said that Burton was the best college basketball player she’s ever coached.
adding that she “loved the idea of having to prove that we belong in this conference.” Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah (Communication ’19), an Olympian who is now a professional basketball player herself, was a senior when Burton was a freshman. She said Burton carried herself like a much older player during her freshman season and that Burton’s high basketball IQ rivaled many of the team’s upperclassmen. “She was very mature. She listened. She worked hard. She understood the game more than a lot of us veterans,” Kunaiyi-Akpanah said. Between intense practices and game days, Burton developed close relationships with her teammates. Burton said that forming connections off the court was a highlight of her NU experience, and the team’s chemistry outside of the sport helped power its success. “My Northwestern teammates are my sisters for life,” Burton said. “The time that you’re able to spend together on and off the court in college is unlike anything. You’re living together, you’re eating together, you’re going to class together. You go through the low moments and the high moments.” Introduction to the WNBA NU’s Spring Quarter 2017 was in full swing when Burton was drafted. Burton, McKeown and Smith traveled to New York for the April draft, which was held at a small venue in Manhattan’s Tribeca neighborhood. Burton’s parents and sister also traveled from Massachusetts to support her. When Burton was selected later that evening, fellow Massachusetts resident and NFL superstar Tom Brady called to congratulate her. “That was just a full circle moment for me,” Burton said. “It was a moment that I’ll never forget.” Less than a month later, Burton debuted with the Wings on May 7, 2022. Burton said NU’s “strenuous” schedule prepared her well for WNBA gameplay, but she wasn’t as familiar with the cutthroat nature of professional sports. “I think where you get a culture shock is just when it becomes your job,” Burton said. “This is kind of make or break now, and every performance is hyperanalyzed, whereas in college, my spot is guaranteed.” After two seasons, the Wings waived Burton in May 2024 — highlighting the league’s unpredictability. For Burton, adapting to this change presented a learning curve. “It can be a really brutal business,” she said. “It can be really tough because you’re comfortable in one place, and at the snap of your fingers, you can be cut.” Less than a month later, Burton signed a rest-of-season contract with the Connecticut Sun, playing around 12 minutes per game. A new beginning on the Golden State Valkyries
Photo courtesy of Jess Sancataldo Despite living in Australia, Sancataldo has kept in touch with the WNBA star.
In early December 2024, Burton’s name was called during the WNBA Expansion Draft to join the Valkyries’ inaugural roster. “I didn’t necessarily know what it meant to be part of a new franchise,” Burton said. “The more I communicated with the staff here and my future teammates at the time, I just
realized what a tremendous opportunity it was going to be.” Burton had no idea how successful the Valkyries would become, she added. As a point guard, Burton was the only player on the Valkyries to start all 44 regular season games in 2025, averaging career-highs of 11.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and six assists per game. On Aug. 19, 2025, Burton made history by becoming the first WNBA player to record 24 points and 14 assists without any turnovers. This season, she is averaging 12.0 points, 3.6 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game, contributing to the Valkyries defense, which has made them widely regarded as WNBA championship contenders. Like last year, she has not missed a single game. Burton said her faith has played a major role in her athletic journey. Before every game, she said she calls her parents and practices a devotional. She also prays with her father that no players on either team will sustain injuries on the court. “My faith is the most important thing to me,” Burton said. “It’s the reason why I’ve continued to play even through the ups and downs.” According to her teammates, Burton’s impact is felt both on and off the court. Fellow point guard Kaitlyn Chen, who also joined the Valkyries’ inaugural roster last summer, said Burton is an asset to the team. “She’s probably the best teammate you could ask for — someone who always has your back, someone who will always lift you up,” Chen said. Guard-forward Kaila Charles, who also played in the Valkyries’ inaugural season, said Burton’s versatility has helped anchor the team’s success. Charles said Burton can “do everything” on the court. She praised Burton’s ability to assess what the team needs from her at any given point of a game, calling her “very reliable.” Valkyries assistant coach Landon Tatum said Burton continues to improve with each game. Tatum added that she consistently brings her drive to team practices and shootarounds. “Every time she gets on the floor, she wants to get 1% better — whether it’s on the defensive side, whether it’s offensive side, or whether it’s just learning different nuances about different pick and rolls of the game that we’re going into,” he said. As the WNBA gains popularity, the Valkyries have boasted the league’s highest attendance for two consecutive seasons. In May, they also became the first women’s sports franchise worth $1 billion. “The resources that we have here are second to none,” Burton said. “We feel (that way) every single day that we get the chance to step foot on our practice courts, at Chase Center, wherever we are.” Ginni Burton said she is overcome with emotion every time she hears fans screaming her daughter’s name at the team’s San Francisco arena. As the Valkyries head into the playoffs, Burton’s parents are filled with pride for their daughter’s success after a difficult start to WNBA life. “There’s only one way it can get even better, and that’s if they go the whole way,” Ginni Burton said. g.hawkins@dailynorthwestern.com