University Hall is coming to a post office near you in a special commemorative stamped postcard honoring Northwestern’s sesquicentennial.
The postcard, which was unveiled Saturday in a ceremony at McCormick Auditorium, depicts University Hall’s tower and reads “Northwestern University Sesquicentennial 1851-2001.” Organizers said NU was one of a few institutions selected from 5,000 applications to receive a commemorative stamped postcard.
About 125 people gathered for the event and received a program and a special first-day cancellation postmarked card to celebrate the occasion.
“This postcard is one of the many things we are doing to highlight what a great place this is,” said Monica Metzler, director of the Sesquicentennial Office, which coordinated the postcard application process.
The card was illustrated in the fall by Arnold Holeywell of Warrenton, Va.
U.S. Postal Service Great Lakes Area Vice President Danny Jackson emceed the ceremonies.
“I’m a graduate of Stanford, but I’m a Northwestern wannabe,” Jackson said. “My SAT scores weren’t high enough, but I’m gonna get a Northwestern tattoo later in the day to show all my Stanford buddies.”
Jackson said NU’s postcard is 53rd in the Postal Service’s Historic Preservation Series, which recognizes historical themes.
After Jackson’s introduction, the NU Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Color Guard presented the university’s colors, and Elena Batman, a Music graduate student, sang the national anthem.
Evanston Mayor Lorraine Morton continued Jackson’s earlier joke when she began her speech.
“Dan (Jackson) said when he wanted to get into Northwestern he didn’t have the SAT scores,” Morton said. “When I went to Northwestern, we didn’t have the SAT.”
Morton praised NU for maintaining the founders’ original vision.
“It’s fitting from 5,000 applications that this university was chosen because this university has remained faithful to the original mission of the founders,” Morton said.
Einar V. Dyhrkopp, a Postal Service Board of Governors member, said University Hall is an appropriate representation of NU’s history.
“The soaring, solid structure clearly speaks of the permanence of the university,” Dyhrkopp said. “Through it all, the tower has proudly marked the building as a place to meet and chat.”
Officials removed a purple cover to unveil the postcard to the crowd at the end of the ceremony.
Alan Cubbage, vice president for university relations, said NU plans to send cards to prospective students and as “save this date” cards.
Postal Service representatives sold the 20-cent postcards at Norris University Center on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Beginning Monday the cards will be sold in Illinois post offices and at select postal stores across the country.
“I was thinking maybe students can write ‘send money’ on the postcards and send them to their parents,” Jackson said.
Weinberg senior Hitesh Mehta said he plans to purchase and send cards.
“There are some friends and relatives that haven’t heard of Northwestern, and sending them will be good recognition for the university,” said Mehta.
