As the year wraps up, revisit some of the moments that made 2025 special at Northwestern. Above, a scene from Wildcat Welcome 2025. Photo by Joss Broward
As we close out 2025, Northwestern Now revisits the year with snapshots of big achievements and moments of joy, from international honors to campus productions.
This year, Wildcats became national champs and trained to become the next generation of exceptional researchers. They showcased their musical and acting talents on stage and made a difference in their community. They unveiled innovations that could change lives and offered us plenty to look forward to in the years to come. Scroll to relive a few of the moments that defined 2025.
Start with learning: In January, the annual MLK Commemoration featured keynote speaker Shermann “Dilla” Thomas. The Chicago historian discussed the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s efforts to address poor housing conditions in Chicago’s Black neighborhoods. Photo by Anthony McCray
Research for a better world: In April, Northwestern researchers unveiled the world’s smallest pacemaker. The light-activated pacemaker, which is smaller than a grain of rice, dissolves when it’s no longer needed. Photo by Stephen J. Lewis
Coming soon: June 24, 2025, marked the one-year anniversary of the groundbreaking of the new Ryan Field. Week by week, the Wildcats’ new home continues to take shape. Photo courtesy of Central Street Consortium
Caps in the air: The Class of 2025 celebrated Commencement at the United Center with speaker Steve Carell. The beloved actor brought advice, humor and even a dance break to graduates and their families and friends. Photo by Shane Collins
’Cats in the community: Northwestern resident physician Dr. Keven Stonewall and his barber, Dorrian “Dee” Whigham, host an impromptu public health center out of Whigham’s barbershop to cut through medical misinformation in their neighborhood. Photo by Kristin Samuelson
An eye on the universe: The Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT), the world’s most powerful optical telescope, entered its final design phase in June. Northwestern is a founding partner of the GMT, and University scientists will develop AI tools to enhance GMT’s abilities to search for Earth-like planets across the Milky Way, probe the universe’s most energetic explosions and explore the relationship between galaxies and black holes.
On the global stage: In October, Northwestern economic historian Joel Mokyr received the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences. “My 12-year-old grandson called to say he read the news about the prize to his 9-year-old sister during breakfast,” he said. Photo by Shane Collins
Sweet serenades: A staging of Franz Lehár’s “The Merry Widow” set in present-day Paris was one of the many musical offerings from students of the Bienen School of Music this year. Last winter, one student even got a life-changing opportunity to perform with the Chicago Symphony. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Ending on a high note: The Wirtz Center closed out 2025 with a sold-out run of “The Addams Family – A New Musical Comedy,” a kooky, creepy and heartwarming show that has Northwestern roots. Photo by Justin Barbin
