By Alec DavisThe Daily Northwestern

Back straight. Elbow steady. Focus. Relax. Deep breath. Follow through. Clink. Splash. Fizz. As I hold my follow-through, arm arched poetically, my eyes focused on the metallic cap slowly floating to the bottom of a beer-filled pint glass, I can’t help but think of that clever Northwestern ad campaign, because truly right now, I am Northwestern.

Maybe that wasn’t the intention of the creators of that campaign. Actually, I’m pretty sure it wasn’t, because as a general presentation of the school it must be completely P.C. and inoffensive, but as inspirational as possible. I don’t fault them for it; they work with tough constraints. But regardless of what those witty captions say to draw the interest of the top high school students in the world, the truth is that I am not Northwestern because I am a straight-A pre-med who is active in church and volunteer activities, or because I’m an econ major with a six-figure Wall Street job lined up after college. I just might be those things (not even close), but that doesn’t make me Northwestern. That makes me a student at any other so-called “elite” school.

I am Northwestern because I voted for Dickie Humps. I am Northwestern because I was on the field after we beat Ohio State in overtime. I am Northwestern because I would gladly spend any free evening playing Caps. I am Northwestern because I’ve painted The Rock. I am Northwestern because I’ve seen the sheer magnitude of Dance Marathon. I am Northwestern because I’ve jumped through every hoop this school has ever asked me to. I am Northwestern because I wear purple to sporting events and think it’s OK.

My chances of changing these little commercials are about as good as our men’s basketball team’s chances of winning the Big Ten. Ha. Sure, it’s somewhat of a shame that many of those who desire so badly to become part of our society don’t even truly understand what that society really is. I, for one, didn’t have a clue what I was getting into. But here I am today, writing an article about how I enjoy life here at NU and how I feel that it is unique.

To those students who are just joining this community – as freshmen or transfers – I hope you will soon learn everything about what this school is. I know the school tries to prepare you for life here with orientation talks and other fun activities during New Student Week. But three years later, I can’t think of a useful bit of information I took away from those days of speeches, videos and group activities.

There’s really only one way to learn, and that’s by living. You can hope to gain perspective on this school by flipping through NU pamphlets and looking at pretty pictures of students, faculty and the campus. But when you’re running down Foster Street naked after getting skunked in Caps, I think you’ll finally get the picture.