Northwestern’s Wildcat Welcome programming guides freshmen and transfer students through their first week in a new environment. Learning the ins and outs of campus and preparing for a new academic year often presents a packed, overwhelming schedule. 

This year, new students weren’t alone in navigating NU for the first time. University President Michael Schill joined in, making some of his introductory appearances as leader of the NU community.

Schill, named the University’s 17th president in August, led students, parents and faculty through traditions like Convocation and March Through the Arch while trying to integrate himself into the University.

Schill’s involvement on campus hasn’t died down since Wildcat Welcome. He’s been spotted actively interacting with the community, walking his dog on campus and eating lunch with students at Allison dining hall with students last Wednesday.

Some freshmen said they appreciated Schill’s honesty during his orientation speeches, when he admitted he still has a lot to learn about the University culture. 

“His speech (at Convocation) essentially said, ‘I’m learning the ropes with you,’ and there was a communal aspect to it all,” Medill freshman Jonas Blum said. “He actually did a really good job incorporating us in.”

Blum said he appreciated Schill’s solidarity in adjusting to a new living situation, friends and campus during the first few days at NU. 

Schill also tried his hand at relatability not just with students, but with parents and families of freshman and transfer students. 

During the President’s Welcome speech, Schill said he shares the daunting feeling of navigating brand-new buildings, courses and connections.

“As your child goes off to dinner tonight with new friends in a new setting, you might understandably be a bit nervous,” Schill said in the speech. “You might be worried about them being the new kid in the school. Trust me, I can relate.” 

But through every tradition, Schill prioritized getting to know individual members of his new community. During March Through the Arch, Schill could be seen high-fiving and taking selfies with new students and families.

As Schill stood at the top of Deering Meadow, populated with hundreds of community members, he briefly addressed new students with a tone of encouragement for their time at the University.

“March Through the Arch symbolizes your entry into the life of Northwestern and a fellowship of scholars,” he said. “Every one of you belongs here. This is a precious opportunity, and I hope you will seize it to the fullest.”

Toward the end of Wildcat Welcome, Schill addressed freshman and transfer students as the keynote speaker at Convocation. 

He maintained his tone of support, saying new students now belong to a “vast, global network of people who care for and bring out the best in each other.”

“The next few years should be among the most consequential and memorable ones in your lives,” Schill said. “Every professor at this University wants you to succeed, every administrator, every staff member — that’s why we’re here.” 

McCormick freshman Zeeshan Razzaq said Schill had a challenging task in entering the presidency. Quickly taking charge after University President-elect Rebecca Blank stepped down for health reasons and tackling uncertain issues like the pandemic on campus makes the job difficult, Razzaq said.

However, Razzaq said he was impressed that Schill fully committed to being part of the Wildcat Welcome experience despite stepping into the presidency weeks before. 

“Despite the rigmarole that he’s in, I particularly thought the speech (at Convocation) was very well done,” Razzaq said. “Highlights of the speech were mostly in his relatability, and he shared his experience as a first-generation college student, so I really appreciated that.” 

Email: [email protected] 

Twitter: @charlottehrlich

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