Discover the Top 7 Fun Facts About Northwestern University: Hidden Gems, Unique Traditions, and More!

1. Campus Size: 182 Football Fields

If you've ever dreamt of running through an endless sea of football fields – don't worry, that isn't a Tom Brady-inspired fever dream! Northwestern University has got you covered: Spanning an area equal to 182 football fields, the university's Evanston campus is divided into three parts – North Campus, South Campus, and the Lakefill – ensuring everyone gets a hefty serving of the good ole "gridiron galore."
Source => admissionsight.com

2. Honorary Degree: Merv Griffin

Step right up folks, and spin the wheel of TV triv-pardy, because it's time to buy a vowel straight from the hallowed halls of Northwestern University: The legendary Merv Griffin, creator of Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune, received an honorary degree from Northwestern in 1998, celebrating his incredible legacy in television game shows and talk show hosting that spanned over 20 years.
Source => liveabout.com

Did you know Chicago's founding father, Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, was a French-African explorer who transformed the city into the thriving metropolis it is today? Dive into the fascinating history of where the Chicago River meets Lake Michigan. 🌊🏙️

=> Fun Facts about Chicago

3. Famous Alumni: Comedians, Actors, and Royalty

What do a comedic mobster boss, a witty late-night talk show host, Ross Geller, and a charming Duchess have in common? They're all part of Northwestern University's alumni "Hall of Fame": With stars like Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Seth Meyers, David Schwimmer, and even Meghan Markle on the roster, it's no surprise that this prestigious university proudly touts its notable alumni. Meghan, known today as the Duchess of Sussex with a flair for humanitarian work, once wore the double major hat in theater and international relations, and even pledged her allegiance to Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority.
Source => people.com

4. Moon Landing: John C. Houbolt's Rendezvous Strategy

Houston, we have a Northwestern solution: John C. Houbolt, an innovative Northwestern University alumnus, single-handedly redesigned the lunar playbook for the Apollo 11 mission, creating the perfect touchdown dance for humanity's first moonwalk with his game-changing lunar-orbit rendezvous strategy.
Source => airandspace.si.edu

5. Charles Gaines: Conservation, Writing, and Outdoors

While Northwestern University didn't invent the reel deal, they certainly produced the reel expert: Charles Gaines is a renowned American writer and outdoorsman who walked away from those hallowed halls armed with the skills to pen his way through fly fishing, upland bird hunting, and mountaineering. The serious reveal: Having graduated from Northwestern, Gaines garnered fame for his various fiction and non-fiction works, as well as his dedication to the conservation movement and the stewardship of North American Atlantic Salmon fisheries, serving on the board of directors for the Atlantic Salmon Federation - but alas, paintball remains an invention uncredited to Northwestern.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

6. 3D-Printed Ovaries: Mice Motherhood

If mice could throw baby showers, Northwestern University would be up to its floppy ears in gift registries: Researchers at the esteemed institution created bioprosthetic ovaries using 3D printing technology, enabling infertile mice to experience the joys of motherhood - ovulation, healthy birth of pups, and a fully-functioning milk bar for the little ones. This scientific stroke of genius marks a major milestone in the quest to restore fertility and hormone production in women affected by cancer treatments or those with increased risk of infertility and hormone-based developmental issues, ushering in a new era of soft tissue regenerative medicine.
Source => news.northwestern.edu

7. Mathematician: Nash's Nobel Prize

Did you hear about the mathematician who played games so well, he won a Nobel Prize? No, it's not a joke setup: John Forbes Nash Jr. honed his mathematical prowess at Northwestern University, earning bachelor's and master's degrees before going on to develop the Nash equilibrium and Nash bargaining solution – both cornerstone concepts in game theory – which bagged him the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics in 1994.
Source => en.wikipedia.org