Grads to Celebrate

In this season of celebration, we’re honoring our soon-to-be undergraduate and graduate alumni and commemorating their time at the University. Here, they share their thoughts on the essence of being a Wildcat and their most important Northwestern experiences. 

“I am grateful to be part of a network of Wildcats who learn from, support and inspire each other during our school years and beyond. I have also enjoyed adding more purple to my wardrobe!  

“When I was in the planning and applying stages of my journey to physical therapy school, I wasn’t sure where I would end up, but I dreamed of interning at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, working with veterans and exploring the emerging field of pelvic health. Through my clinical rotations as a student at Northwestern University Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences, I got to do all three.  Now my challenge is deciding where to start in my career because I loved all three experiences.”

— Kayla Matthews, Feinberg School of Medicine  

“A Wildcat is being a part of a community of dedicated, skilled individuals and pursuing your passions alongside these incredible peers. Even after I graduate, I hope to be able to gain motivation through this community that I know I will always be a part of.

“During senior year I was an active member of six clubs, and a general attendee for many, many more. My fondest memories come from my time in NU Nights, a student-run, late-night event programming org. The small but tight-knit group made me feel closer to the Northwestern community through hosting events. I learned a lot being a part of all of my clubs, which is something I wouldn't have expected coming into college.”

— Miya Jia, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences    

“Being a Wildcat means bleeding purple, cheering on the 'Cats, and kickin' butt while doing it. I’ll always remember going to football games, running my first-ever 10K to support NU at the Big Ten 10K, and getting to study public health abroad in South Africa.”

— Nancy Le, School of Education & Social Policy 

“Being a Wildcat means having the opportunity to grow as a student and person as well as learn about your passions all while being surrounded by a support system filled with role models of all kinds. Each professor, mentor, adviser, and the most incredible friends of all ages I have been able to learn from and connect with have made my Northwestern experience unforgettable. I am grateful for the inspiring, close-knit NU community and know this community will continue to play a positive role in my life as I start my next chapter.”

— Julia Aronson, School of Education and Social Policy 

“Wildcats are like SESP’s candy bowl — always here for you whenever you need a boost. We promote community care to carry each other through the challenges we face. From leading goofy games to facilitating deep dialogues about identity [as a peer adviser], mentoring incoming Wildcats through their college transition has been a very fulfilling experience.”

— Henry Lang, School of Education & Social Policy 

“The experience that stands out is getting the chance to explore the world beyond Evanston — from San Francisco to Washington, D.C., to London to Japan — and making my best friends along the way.”

— Emma Kumer, Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications      

“Each Northwestern student is incredibly different, but as a community, we help one another in our individual journeys. Being a Wildcat is about the unwavering collaboration and support you both receive and give to those around you. 

“Northwestern fosters such an incredible sense of community. I have always felt immense support and love from those around me. I am so grateful to have been able to call Northwestern my home for the past four years and to have been a part of a community that pushes me to be the best version of myself.” 

— Mia Nevarez, School of Communication 

“Being a Wildcat to me means being fiercely proud of yourself and your diversity, both in identity and passions. I love that Northwestern prides itself not only on multiple prestigious disciplines, from music to scientific research to athletics to 'whole-brain engineering.' Being a Wildcat means remaining true to yourself while recognizing the differences of others.”

— Jessie Bolger, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences      

“I never knew how much the Global Engagement Studies Institute would mean to me. Every time I think about the experience and how much I grew, I am filled with a renewed purpose to do whatever I can in my power to leave this world better than how I found it.” 

— Muhammad Muneeb Ur Rehman, Northwestern in Qatar 

“Being a Wildcat to me means having people all around the world to help out with anything you might need, from finding a job to making new friends in a new city.     

“Being able to go to London with Medill to report on Brexit the week after the UK left the EU stands out from my experience at Northwestern.”

— Carolina Gonzalez, Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications     

“The picture above is a collage of some of my experiences: singing for Michael Fabiano, world famous tenor; being chosen to sing with Alan Pierson and Steve Reich as a sophomore with a full orchestra; working with composer David T. Little on his new and incredible opera, Dog Days; singing with Dr. Nally and his group, the Crossing; being supported through Catalyzer to raise money to be the first student group on campus to bring an outside professional group to do a musical residency with our group, the Renaissance Singers; performing Eric Whitacre's choral pieces with Eric Whitacre conducting. These are just a FEW of the bigger opportunities I have had through the Bienen School. The people I have worked with — colleagues and professionals — are connections that will last for a lifetime and have helped me to find myself, discover my passion and create an unprecedented future for myself. I have a lot of pride in my school.”

— Olivia Prendergast, Bienen School of Music  

“Learn from each other. Network for bigger impact!”

— Wendy Chan, Kellogg School of Management 

“I’ll remember traveling and meeting journalists from around the world, which gave me a behind-the-scenes look at the logistics and challenges in journalism.

“I also love singing our fight song.”

— Natalie Shilati, Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications

“With the goal of returning home to Cali, Colombia, to run for office, meeting and sharing a cup of Starbucks coffee at Norris with then-candidate Claudia López ’19 PhD (now the mayor of Bogotá, Colombia) confirmed that returning to the country that raised me in order to contribute to a post-conflict society is my calling in life.”

— Hernando Sevilla-Garcia, School of Education and Social Policy 

“Being a Wildcat means I have more wonderful friends and more sufficient experiences, which will be encouraging for the rest of my life. I'm sure all the effort in studying and working was worthwhile. As a Wildcat, I'm ambitious and enthusiastic and never give up. I'm so proud!”

— Bing Xiao, Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications            

“To me, being a Wildcat means seeing the sunrise on the lakefill during morning cross country practice and seeing the sunset during a football game at Ryan Field (or from Main Library, depends on the weekend). It means working hard and working to be the best version of myself — and encouraging my teammates and peers to do so along the way. 

“I am so thankful to have been able to run on Northwestern's cross-country team. I'll always remember the good workouts and races, but perhaps moreso, I won't forget the toughest and muddiest races, the windy intervals on the lakefill, and all the chem lab reports and quizzes I did late after practice. These were the times when I was really tested, and in these moments, I developed some of my strongest friendships. Thanks, NU! It's been quite the ride.”

— Aubrey Roberts, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences