A Day with Northwestern in Evanston -- 40th Anniversary Seminar Day Brings Record Crowds (2009)

Close to 500 Northwestern alumni, students, and guests attended the 40th anniversary A Day With Northwestern in Evanston seminar day on April 18, 2009. The day-long event, which showcased 13 interesting presentations by prominent alumni and distinguished faculty from each of Northwestern’s undergraduate and professional schools, featured keynote speakers Steven G. Calabresi and Stephen Kinzer.

Calabresi, a noted legal scholar and the George C. Dix Professor of Constitutional Law at the School of Law, delivered the luncheon keynote address titled, "In Defense of Originalism: Interpreting the Constitution’s Original Meaning", which covered theories of interpreting the American Constitution. For the centerpiece of his lecture, Calabresi defended interpreting the Constitution's words according to their original public meaning. To do so, he explained the difference between original meaning and original intent. The audience was given the opportunity to ask questions at the end of his address and many guests stayed behind for the opportunity to meet Professor Calabresi. 

Mike Greenberg (J89), co-host of Mike & Mike in the Morning on ESPN was a big draw for students and alumni. He regaled the audience with stories from his days at Northwestern and excerpts from his book, Why My Wife Thinks I’m an Idiot.

Brian Wesbury (KSM98) spoke to a packed auditorium on “What’s Next for the Economy” and the "Prep-for-Success Track", a day-long track focused exclusively on career development, was also popular. 

The day concluded with an enlightening keynote address given by award-winning foreign correspondent, Stephen Kinzer. Kinzer’s talk, “President Obama Faces the World” explored the challenges the Obama administration faces on the global stage, and provided insightful suggestions on ways the US can engage the world in ways that reflect American values. Kinzer stayed behind after his presentation to meet with guests and sign copies of several of his books.

Various sessions from the 2009 A Day with Northwestern program will be available as podcasts beginning in June 2009, so be sure to return to the NAA web site to hear full sessions.

Don't forget to save the date for next year’s A Day with Northwestern in Evanston on Saturday, April 17, 2010. 

Click here to view photos from A Day with Northwestern 2009.


Updated April 28, 2009.