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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
Ethan Rodriguez

Ethan Rodriguez, Photo Editor

Ethan Rodriguez is a sophomore from the greater St. Charles area majoring in mechanical engineering. He started his career at the Northern Star in the fall 2024 semester. Outside of the news cycle, he enjoys photographing nature and the night sky.

All content by Ethan Rodriguez
Participants of the Recycled Boat Race Emmeline Sovinski (left) and Kendall Wills smile and make the huskie hand sign on Sept. 30 during the Recycled Boat Race at the East Lagoon. The Recycled Boat Race was held as a part of NIU’s 118th Homecoming Week. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

Gallery: Students boat across East Lagoon in recycled boats

By Ethan Rodriguez, Photo Editor
October 10, 2025
The entrance to the Egyptian Theatre displays the sign marking the showing of "Hoof." The Egyptian Theatre is showing a series of horror films to celebrate the month of October. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

[Photo] A month of frightening films at the Egyptian Theatre

By Brynn Krug, Managing Editor
October 8, 2025
A sign marks the entrance to the Engineering Building. NIU CellTech is a new engineering club that invites engineering students to take part in design and engineering design competitions against other colleges. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

[Photo] NIU CellTech provides enriching opportunities with competitive twist

By Alex Lockwood, Lifestyle Writer
October 6, 2025
J.C. La Barbera, a senior mechatronics engineering major (from left); Erin Uhrine, a senior early education with special ed with ELS major; Jocelyn Campos Diaz, a senior physical education major; and Ghaika Vera, a senior finance major, make Huskie hand signs as they ride in the bed of a white pickup truck on Thursday during the parade section of the NIU Homecoming Block Party in downtown DeKalb. La Barbera, Uhrine, Diaz and Inara Perryman, a junior political science major, were all declared the winners of the NIU 118th Homecoming Court. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

Gallery: NIU celebrates 118th Homecoming with block party and parade

By Ethan Rodriguez, Photo Editor
October 5, 2025
Participants of the Recycled Boat Race Kendall Wills (left) and Emmeline Sovinski paddle along the East Lagoon in their boat on Tuesday during the Recycled Boat Race. The Recycled Boat Race was held by the Campus Activities Board and challenged students to create a boat using only cardboard and other recyclable materials. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

[Photo] Recycled Boat Race swims with community

By Brynn Krug, Managing Editor
September 30, 2025
A package of Tylenol 8 hour extended-release tablets sits on a table. Opinion Columnist Lucy Atkinson believes the Trump administration's claim that Tylenol causes autism is a scary case of misinformation. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

[Photo] Opinion: Trump’s Tylenol statement spreads disinformation

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist
September 30, 2025
The track at the NIU Track and Field & Soccer Complex sits on a clear day. An NIU student running club, started last year, is looking for new members with a passion for fitness and a love for running. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

[Photo] Student-led running club returns to NIU

By Kaileia O, News Reporter
September 29, 2025
DeKalb Back Alley Market attendees browse through the vendors set up inside the Egyptian Theatre on Saturday. Several vendors were set up inside the First Floor of the Egyptian Theatre to create additional space for the DeKalb Back Alley Market. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

Gallery: Back Alley Market brings local vendors to DeKalb community

By Ethan Rodriguez, Photo Editor
September 29, 2025
A flyer for the first lecture of the Rebuilding Democracy Lecture Series hangs on a wall. The Rebuilding Democracy Lecture Series featured award-winning journalist and NPR host Steve Inskeep on Sept. 23. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

[Photo] Award-winning journalist Steve Inskeep reflects on state of democracy

By Brea Walters, News Reporter
September 25, 2025
The sign for the NIU forensics meeting room hangs on the room's window. NIU forensics, founded in 1928, brings together students interested in public speaking and debate at NIU. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

[Photo] NIU Forensics helps students find their voice

By Alyssa Welch, News Reporter
September 24, 2025
AsianAmericanWelcomeNight2025-4

[Photo] Asian American Resource Center hosts Asian American welcome night

By Kaileia O, News Reporter
September 24, 2025
Several litho stones and pencils sit in a large glass display case at the “60 Years of NIU Printmaking” exhibit in Altgeld Hall. Litho stones were used between 1850 to 1920 for commercial printing and were replaced with zinc due to being much cheaper and lighter. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

Gallery: NIU showcases 60 years of its printmaking program

By Ethan Rodriguez, Photo Editor
September 19, 2025
A periodic table with picture representations of each element and a safety diamond hang on the wall next to Room 201 in Faraday Hall. Opinion Columnist Lucy Atkinson believes the scientific method can be learned by all and be applied to every day life. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

[Photo] Opinion: Everyone should learn from the scientific method

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist
September 17, 2025
A row of garden beds on the west side of Founders Memorial Library grows a variety of plants. The first Sustainability at NIU event was held Tuesday at the Founders Memorial Library. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

[Photo] NIU hosts first fall sustainability event

By Nihya Walker, News Reporter
September 15, 2025
A group of Illinois Vintage Fest attendees rummage through the discounted clothing bin at one of the vendors. Some vendors offered discounted prices to attendees due to the rain that occurred during the set up of the event on Saturday. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

Gallery: Illinois Vintage Fest stops at NIU

By Ethan Rodriguez, Photo Editor
September 15, 2025
Employees with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County teach students about species diversity and conservation at STEMFest on Sept. 28, 2024. STEMFest 2025 will be held on Saturday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. and will showcase over 100 exhibits and displays. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

[Photo] Weekly Writeup: Homecoming contests, STEM celebrations and creative innovations

By Jonathan Shelby, Lifestyle Writer
September 14, 2025
A 2000s Sony camcorder plays live footage of Illinois Vintage Fest attendees on a CRT TV at the NH Camera booth. NH Camera is a Chicago based small business founded in 2015 that specializes in selling older cameras. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

[Photo] Vintage Fest turns NIU into retro wonderland

By Cheryl Seguin, Lifestyle Writer
September 14, 2025
The NIU "League of Legends" varsity team practices the game on Oct. 16 in the Esports Arena. A "Call of Duty" team will be added in the coming months to the Huskie Gaming Club. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

[Photo] Huskie Gaming Club forms competitive ‘Call of Duty’ team

By Alex Lockwood, Lifestyle Writer
September 10, 2025
A red NIU sign is pictured in the MLK Commons. Total NIU enrollment rose 4.3% in the 2025 fall semester, with a 22% increase in new freshmen. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

[Photo] NIU enrollment grows by 4.3%; freshman class sees 22% increase

By Austin Lamb and Diego Martinez
September 9, 2025
Signs point to the Office of the Bursar in Room 235 of Swen Parson Hall. The Office of the Bursar processes payments and refunds for students. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

[Photo] NIU brings back fee for online tuition payment, students express concern

By Diego Martinez, News Reporter
September 9, 2025
Altgeld Hall sits surrounded by trees and other foliage. “A Legacy of Excellence: 60 Years of Printmaking at NIU” opened on Aug. 27 alongside the “Legacies on Display: The Forbidden and Venerated Arts of Burma” in Altgeld Hall. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

[Photo] A visual timeline: Exhibit explores 60 years of printmaking at NIU

By Cayden Wells, Lifestyle Writer
September 8, 2025
NIU freshman Amelie Ojeda (left) and NIU graduate runner Sarah Maggio (right) dash toward the first hill of the course near the 2 kilometer mark. Maggio placed 7th with a time of 18:42.20 at the 5K Huskie Invitational on Friday. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

Gallery: Huskie Invitational leads to NIU cross country’s first top 5 finish

By Ethan Rodriguez, Photo Editor
September 7, 2025
NIU cross country freshman runners Claire Hemilia (left) and Amelie Ojeda (right) run at the beginning of the 5K Huskie Invitational on Friday at the NIU North 40 Course. Ojeda was the first Huskie to finish the race, claiming fourth place with a time of 18:39.52. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

[Photo] Ojeda cracks top-5 at Huskie Classic

By Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter
September 6, 2025
A shadow is cast on Altgeld during a sunset at the end of a fall day. There are many things that the fall season offers for students to participate in as the weather changes. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

[Photo] Column: Things to look forward to this fall

By Rachael Swinson, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
September 3, 2025
An NIU student stands during a Palestine protest on April 23 holding a Palestinian flag and a sign that says "Democrats fund the genocide of Palestinians.” Opinion Columnist Alyssa Aarvig argues that supporting Palestine isn't inherently anti-Semitic. (Northern Star File Photo)

[Photo] Opinion: Palestinian Support is not Inherently antisemitic

By Alyssa Aarvig, Opinion Columnist
September 1, 2025
DeKalb Farmer’s Market attendees browse through a variety of products such as honey, breads and donuts. The DeKalb Farmer’s Market was held at 210 E. Locust St. between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

[Photo] DeKalb Farmers Market celebrates 30th season

By Cheryl Seguin, Lifestyle Writer
August 28, 2025
An Adventure Staff employee prepares a kayak for students as other kayakers line up to leave the East Lagoon. Attendees had to line up for several minutes in order to get a turn in the kayaks. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

Gallery: The best of Week of Welcome

By Totus Tuus Keely and Ethan Rodriguez
August 28, 2025
The top stock trackers for both the United States and European stock markets are displayed on a computer. Stock trackers such as the Dow Jones Industrial Average is a way for day traders to determine the health of the stock market. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

[Photo] Opinion: Owning a business shouldn’t be daunting

By Rachael Swinson, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
August 27, 2025
Senator Eddie Guerrero (from left), Senator Paul Samsonek and Chairperson Bino Rosales sit at a table on October 27, 2024, during a Student Government Association meeting in the Holmes Student Center Sky Room. SGA will have its first meeting on Aug. 29. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

[Photo] SGA plans to cut bureaucracy, increase student connections this year

By Joseph Ndu, News Reporter
August 27, 2025
A herd of bison graze within an enclosure along the Yellowstone River near Gardiner, Montana. Assistant Opinion Editor Emily Beebe argues that hunting animals as trophies should be illegal. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

[Photo] Opinion: Trophy hunting should be illegal

By Emily Beebe, Assistant Opinion Editor
August 27, 2025
A pair of counterfeit Labubus hang from a backpack. Labubu refers to a line of blind box plush keychains called “The Monsters,” created by Hong Kong illustrator Kasing Lung and produced by the toy company Pop Mart. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

[Photo] Spotting a fake Labubu

By Sofia Didenko, Lifestyle Editor
August 26, 2025
A row of Roma tomatoes begin to ripe in the Anderson Market Garden on the east side of Anderson Hall. The produce grown from the Anderson Market Garden is either bought by the Campus Dining Service to be served to students or gets used somewhere else on campus. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

[Photo] Edible Campus provides local, sustainable food for all students

By Mariestrella Corral, Assistant News Editor
August 26, 2025
Bus 10 sits in front of the Holmes Student Center bus stop with its new paint scheme similar to the “Warbonnet” paint scheme of the Atchison, Topeka and Sante Fe Railway. Only two buses of the entire DeKalb bus fleet have received the new paint scheme. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

[Photo] City of DeKalb revamps 2 public transit buses

By Mariestrella Corral, Assistant News Editor
August 26, 2025
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