Letter to the editor: We need to show NIU and DeKalb some love

November 27, 2011

 

In fall of 2007, when I first came to NIU, I was greeted with tornado sirens, nonstop rain, and cancelled welcome events. Since the alarms were going off, we were forced to be huddle down in the basement of the dorms-parents and all. I made eye contact with my roommate whom had I met just hours before and moved over in her direction. That night, we had a blast getting to know floormates and bonding faster than usual which I credit entirely to the storm. And that’s been my analogy for my time here ever since.

In the years following, I’ve heard a lot of DeKalb bashing and, in the beginning, I was guilty of it too. Coming back from long weekends at home to see the empty skyline with only the towers poking out, it would make me cringe. Another week of classes. Five more days until I can go home.

I thought very highly of where I came from and didn’t want a new place yet to call home. But after the shooting happened in February of 2008, I started to see the community of Northern Illinois University. The way that people came together and the way that the entire area extending throughout the state was impacted shed a new light on DeKalb. Our university is so significant to Illinois; I started to see where I was from as a part of a much larger whole.

Since then, there have been more incidents of tragedy and my relationship with DeKalb has kept evolving. Unfortunately, I know that these things happen everywhere. But for me, some of my best life experiences have happened here as well. I’ve met people from around the world and grown as a person more than I could have imagined. I’ve gotten involved with nonprofit programs and seen how generous people can be. I saw some amazing bands at the House Cafe and Otto’s. I’ve had some of my greatest meals, and as a “foodie”, like those who know me would say, this is enough for me to be content. But, I’m more than fine with being a resident of Dekalb. In fact, I love Dekalb.

I think to write this as I’m stuck in a Starbucks waiting for a random downfall of snow in November to subside. Lots of people have joined me inside to keep warm. It reminds me of that first weekend and how far DeKalb and I have come. Next semester, I’ll be entering in my senior year as a Family Social Services major and soon my time with DeKalb will be over. But for now, I want to enjoy all the things I’ve come to love about my new home. As I leave for class and am finally forced to brace the wind, I inhale the cold air, let it steep in my lungs, and exhale at the thought that this will always be the place I’m proudest to be from.

 

Courtney Simpson

Junior, family nutrition consumer sciences major