Watch this: Huskie.

Did you catch it? I just published a typo and I’m proud of it. I support the oddities and irregularities of NIU. Husky is so overrated; Huskie is where it’s at. Proper spelling is so mainstream, anyway.

Regardless of your stance on the proper spelling of Huskie, one thing is certain: the “ie” is ours to protect.

Even a brief look at Northern’s history will show you just how unique it is.

This is the only university that would build an entire football stadium with a typo emblazoned on it in giant block lettering. This is the university whose president works in a castle, where police drive decked-out Prii, and where students celebrate decapitated statues while protesting for the return of a goose.

This is the university that can come back from a 20-point shutout at halftime to win a conference game, the university that employs a Hugo Award-winning librarian who works near a fallout shelter/law school. NIU is full of odd stories and bizarre facts, and each makes this school that much more special.

Going into my second year here, I realized I was faced with a choice: I could either try and make my college experience match what my peers were having at other universities or I could dive in and forge my own path through Huskie Country.

Every school offers its student something unique. Whether it’s U of I’s colorful traditions, U of Chicago’s Ivy League status or DePaul’s basketball successes. I’ve found, however, that NIU offers its students a little bit of everything, and that’s what makes us great.

Former President Abraham Lincoln once said he wanted his portrait to include his wart and all. I find that to be a great way to view NIU: It may not be perfect, but it’s perfect for me.

No school will ever match your expectations to the letter, nor will any school be just like the brochures made it out to be. Even Harvard has its fair share of issues, and NIU is no different.

However, I can assure you that NIU provides just as many opportunities and fosters just as much creativity as any university. Every school has both blemishes and beauties throughout its history; until you learn to appreciate Northern for its warts and all, you’ll never know what it really means to be a Huskie.

Take a chance and explore all that NIU has to offer. You can be a Husky at any number of universities all across America, but NIU is the only place where you can be a Huskie.

To some, it may just be an odd typo, but to me, that typo means the ability to set my own standards and to make college exactly what I want it be. So to those of you who want a great college experience, I ask you to drop the “y.”

I wouldn’t trade Altgeld Hall for any ivory tower, and you’ll never be able to pry the “ie” out of my paws.