
By Armani Johnson
Northwestern is my home
The place where I found my self
Friends and family
We all are one
NWC, where I found my faith
Where I found my God
Telling me that he is not done
He has more in store
NWC, where my professors care
Not just looking to get paid
Those that my peers admire
Those with great personality
The staff encourage
And help
They pray along
My journey
NWC, where snow hits the ground
To stay
And shows the pure
Elegance that I haven’t seen at home
The thick white bluff shows the cleanse
God has put in me
Months ago I hated NWC
Ignore my signs, I was lost
But now I’m found, NWC is where I want to be
NWC is mine, I am Northwestern.
Coming to a 4-year college was something no one in my family has never done. So, this fall I was to first to achieve this milestone. 12 hours away from my doorstep in Iowa. I didn’t even know Iowa was a state until this fall! But, I found myself far away from home and things not going as I planned, so I began to feel like a failure and I wanted to transfer. But as time has passed, Northwestern continued to welcome me more and more each day. It’s like a big family here and since I’m more than 1000 miles away from my own family, I need family anywhere I can get it – who doesn’t, right?
As I started to believe more in God and reread Jeremiah 29:11 every day, I began to love Northwestern. It became my home and now that I’m here I don’t ever want to leave. NWC has grown my faith in God through the Christian atmosphere; events like chapel, Ngage, and NED talks have strengthened my knowledge about God and shown me that He has a lot in store for me and for this world. While I was writing this poem, the words reminded me of everything I love about Northwestern. Whether it was God showing up in my life, my professor investing in me, my peers being so nice and genuine, the NWC staff who only encourages you to go beyond your comfort zones, or even the snow that everyone hates.
It was only a few months ago that I wanted to transfer because I thought I was out of my element and that I didn’t belong. I used to be ashamed to affiliate myself with NWC, but now I love it! I felt lost, but now I’m found. This is where I want to spend my 4 years. This is my home, this place we call Northwestern.