Local Alumni Flocked to A Day with Northwestern in Evanston
On April 19, 2008, Northwestern alumni, students, and friends attended the 39th annual seminar, A Day with Northwestern in Evanston. An estimated 400 people enjoyed the day-long event, which showcased 13 fascinating presentations by prominent alumni and distinguished faculty from each of Northwestern’s undergraduate and professional schools.
Richard Longworth, author and Senior Fellow at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, delivered the luncheon keynote address Caught in the Middle: America’s Heartland in the Age of Globalism—titled after his most recent book. The address focused on Longworth’s exploration of globalism’s daily impact on Midwest farmers, small business owners, educators, and politicians. In addition to describing his travels and research findings, Longworth proposed a few approaches to “save” the Midwest, including multi-state alliances that could lobby for government support and increased funding for state universities and community colleges. A question and answer session followed.
Attendees who were thinking “green” participated in the popular “Eco Track” portion of the seminar. Dr. Michael Wasielewski, Professor of Chemistry and Director of the Argonne-Northwestern Solar Energy Research Center spoke about solar energy conversion; John Huston, wilderness and Arctic explorer, wowed the crowd with is plans for a 2009 unsupported ski trip to the North Pole; and students from the NUSolar Team laid out their own plans for the North American Solar Challenge. Other tracks included relevant and compelling presentations from the areas of nanoscience, athletics, and economics.
Podcasts from the 2008 A Day with Northwestern sessions will be available beginning in June. Please check the NAA Web site for updates.
Don’t miss the 2009 A Day With Northwestern in Evanston. Be sure to save the date for Saturday, April 18, 2009.
