Northwestern’s presidential search appears to be picking up.

The university’s presidential committee released its presidential position profile Thursday, after months of collecting input from different members of the campus community.

At first glance, there are 21 qualities, spanning priorities, opportunities and experiences, that the committee expects of the next president. They are all fairly standard — the list includes improving the university’s research fundraising and maintaining a relationship with the board of trustees. 

“The University requires a president who understands this ambition deeply — an individual capable of upholding our values, exercising sound judgment in complex moments, and providing steady, forward-looking leadership as Northwestern enters its next chapter,”  said Steve Cahillane, the search committee’s chair.

The search started in December, three months after former University President Michael Schill announced his resignation. 

According to our conversation with incoming Provost Erik Luijten, a new president could be named in the spring or early summer.

The committee now moves forward with reviewing and identifying candidates for the empty post. The board of trustees will then have the final say.

Northwestern alum Yohan Eskrick-Parkinson (’22) represented Team Canada in the 4-man bobsleigh event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. 

Eskrick-Parkinson was a stand-out member of Northwestern’s swimming and diving program from 2018-2022. During his time at the university, Eskrick-Parkinson broke program records in both 1-meter and 3-meter diving. 

After competing as an elite diver for years, he hopped in the bobsled after a weights coach suggested he try it, according to a Northwestern Athletics news release. About a year after making his bobsledding debut, Eskrick-Parkinson made Team Canada’s 4-man team as a breakman. 

Unfortunately, Eskrick-Parkinson’s team did not see the podium in Milan — the team finished in 20th place. 

He was the only Northwestern alum to compete at the Olympics this year. In comparison, 13 athletes with ties to Northwestern competed at the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

We’ll have to wait another two years for the 2028 Summer Olympics to grow Northwestern’s Olympic medal count. 

A man suspected of posting antisemitic graffiti on Northwestern’s campus has been arrested, a university spokesperson confirmed to The Daily Northwestern last week.

The man was identified as Shahid Hussain, who has no prior affiliation with Northwestern. Hussain was taken into custody on Feb. 12, the spokesperson said.

He has been charged with hate crime, trespassing and criminal damage to property over $500. Hussain appeared in court on Feb. 14 and was thereafter ordered to remain in custody.

His next court date is scheduled for March 13.

The hate symbols discovered on campus, which resembled a swastika, were first posted on the anonymous user platform Fizz on Feb. 2. The university launched an investigation and immediately removed the symbols.

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