Welcome from President
Welcome to Northwestern University Circle!
I am writing these words on a beautiful, crisp, clear sunny day – the first day that feels like fall. My guess is that all of us who are so closely tied to Northwestern University and the academic world feel a sense of anticipation and enthusiasm at this time of year. The Evanston Campus looks great (and the Chicago campus will when all the renovations are completed). The weather is cooler, students and faculty are back in town, there is a home game tomorrow and classes start next week. The academic year is off and running.
My sense of anticipation and enthusiasm for the new academic year is due in large part to University Circle. The Program Committee has put together a wonderful schedule. Our speakers provide insights into some interesting and timely topics – as good University lectures should. The Committee has carefully arranged times and places, hoping that no matter what your calendar looks like this year, you will be able to attend at least a few of these events. We look forward to welcoming you to these programs.
True to our mission, we also have plenty of opportunities to provide service to the University and to the other organizations we traditionally support. We encourage everyone to pick a project: the School of Continuing Studies scholarship program, the Block Museum volunteers, Northwestern University Settlement House activities, Noble Street Charter School visits or any of the special projects we work on for Children’s Hospital and The Rehabilitation Institute. Your participation is most welcome.
More than anything else, though, University Circle is a circle of friendships – long friendships that have connected some of us for decades – and new friendships made every time we get together for programs, projects or our wide array of special interest groups. Won’t you please join us? No program or activity that strikes your fancy? We welcome new ideas!
Melissa Leasia
