Purple Reign

Northwestern purple turned royal Monday night when Northwestern University in Qatar was officially opened at a ceremony in Doha attended by leaders of the University, the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development and Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned.

The students, faculty, staff and guests who attended the event, sponsored by the Qatar Foundation, entered the building through a replica of the iconic arch that marks the entrance to Northwestern’s Evanston campus. Inside, the room was bathed in purple light while purple banners with the new “Northwestern University in Qatar” logo decorated the walls.

“A campus here expands Northwestern’s global visibility and gives us a presence in a vital part of the world,” said Northwestern President Henry S. Bienen. “Last August we began an important chapter in the story of NU-Q when we welcomed our first class of students. This evening we celebrate that milestone, in hopes of celebrating many more achievements in the coming year as our programs here evolve and grow.”

The ceremony included videotaped interviews with NU-Q students, who voiced passionately their excitement at being part of the program and “becoming a Wildcat.” In addition, students from the Musical Theater program performed songs after dinner while other students from the Bienen School of Music performed music beforehand. The NU-Q students, who are enrolled in Northwestern’s School of Communication and Medill School of Journalism, attended the event.

Also speaking at the event were Abdulla Bin Ali Al-Thani, vice president of education for the Qatar Foundation, William Osborn, chair of Northwestern’s Board of Trustees, John Margolis, dean of NU-Q, Barbara O’Keefe, dean of Communications, and John Lavine, dean of Medill.

On Tuesday, NU-Q students in the two schools will make presentations to the visitors from the U.S. Stay tuned!