sPEAKERS
Oct 6, 2025
Julie Strauss,
Independent Lecturer, American Politics; Ph.D., Northwestern University.
Nov 3, 2025
Blair Kamin, Architect Critic, Chicago Tribune
Dec 1, 2025
Chris Jones, Theater Critic and Editorial Page Editor, Chicago Tribune.
He has written two books, Rise Up! Broadway and American Society from Angels in America to Hamilton and Bigger, Brighter, Louder: 150 Years of Chicago Theater showcasing the theatrical landscape. Click here to see more of Chris Jones bio and summaries:
Jan 12, 2026
Leslie Goddard, Ph.D., Northwestern University;
specializing in U.S. History and American Studies.
Previous speakers have included:
Bill Savage, Professor of Instructions; WCAS Advisor. Ph.D., NU.
Henry Binford, Professor Emeritus of History, NU; Ph.D.,
-Harvard University.
Rachel Cole, NU Transportation Library.
Corbin Smyth, NU Executive Director.
Madeline Crispell, University Guild Curator; George Washington University;
-Bard Graduate Center, Chicago.
Robert Coen, Professor Emeritus, Economics.
Julie Strauss, Independent Lecturer, American Politics; Ph.D., NU.
Charla Wilson, NU Libraries; Curator for the Black Experience.
Joy Yu Hoffman, Masters Degree in Music, NU.
Kay Burlingham, University Guild Board, Art Collection Manager
Madeline Crispell, University Guild Curator
--[ these two Art Experts are featured in: ]
***NEW FEATURE, VIEW VIDEO***
SCHEDULE
Oct 6, 2025
Julie Strauss,
Independent Lecturer, American Politics; Ph.D., Northwestern University.
Major Supreme Court Decisions of the 2024/2025 Term.
Nov 3, 2025
Blair Kamin, Architect Critic, Chicago Tribune
Architecture, Equity, and the Public Realm in Chicago.
Now is a good time to remind you of annual Open House Chicago on October 18 and 19, Saturday and Sunday, an annual free public festival that provides access to places of architectural, historical, and cultural significance, and highlights businesses, organizations, and creative leaders making positive impact in Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods.
Dec 1, 2025
Chris Jones, Theater Critic and Editorial Page Editor,
Chicago Tribune.
Jan 12, 2026
Leslie Goddard, Ph.D., Northwestern University;
specializing in U.S. History and American Studies.
Feb 2, 2026 -- Ken Sutherland, Andrew W. Mellon Director,
Scientific Research, Conservation and Science
The Art Institute of Chicago and Kimberley Muir
Research Conservator, The Art Institute of Chicago.
Mar 2, 2026 -- Eileen Clancy, Costume Shop Supervisor,
Northwestern University, Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts
Apr 6, 2026 -- Melissa Isaacson, Assistant Professor,
The Medill School of Journalism;
Award-Winning Sportswriter, Author, and Public Speaker.
May 4, 2026 -- Kay Burlingham, University Guild Board,
Collection Director and Madeline Crispell, University Guild Curator
The University Guild’s Annual Membership Dues are $65;
After September 15, 2025, the membership fee is: $70;
Guest Fee: $10.00
Membership is open to all in the community.
Monthly PROGRAMS
Besides our monthly scheduled speakers, on the first Monday of the month, there are University Guild Art Tours provided throughout the year. Dates and times will be presented at the monthly meetings.
Scholarship PROGRAm fund
SCHOLARSHIP DONATION FUND INFORMATION
A tax-deductible contribution to the University Guild Scholarship Fund will financially help out one or more Northwestern Students.
Please write a check payable to the University Guild indicating on the check memo line, that it is for the Scholarship Fund.
Scholarship aid to Northwestern women started in 1907.
In the 2024-25 school year The University Guild presented six $1,000 scholarships.
Please click on this link for the Scholarship Form.
art PROGRAM fund
ART DONATION FUND INFORMATION
The original charter for "University Guild" was written in 1906.
The Art Collection originated with purchases from the Columbia Exhibition in Chicago, 1893. Today, University Guild rotates its collection from secure storage to publicly viewable Display Cases.
The University Guild was formed:
to provide courses of lectures for artistic culture;
to work especially for the collection an exhibition of objects of art,
and have a suitable building for these collections, and
to promote in every way the development of art in the said University
and in the City of Evanston, Illinois.
The new Art Fund is designed to financially support the maintenance, storage, and upkeep of the Art Collection and also help fund the Guild's Art Curator for her professional assessments, evaluations, and work.
Please consider donating to the University Guild's new Art Fund and keep this mission alive.
Please click on this link for the Art Fund Form.
