December 22, 2021

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Wildcats,    

As we enter the holiday season and the final days of the 2021 calendar year, we are presented with an opportunity to reflect. My family and I are incredibly appreciative of how the Northwestern community welcomed and embraced us during our transition to Evanston. This place is special. We have some of the best student-athletes, coaches and staff members in the country that are committed to making the University, its alumni, fans and supporters proud. Before we look ahead to what we want to accomplish in the new year and beyond, I wanted to highlight a handful of our most recent amazing accomplishments:

• We witnessed our field hockey program bring home its first ever national championship
• Our incredible student-athletes, with guidance from a dedicated academic services and student development staff, posted one of the highest NCAA Graduation Success Rates in the nation
• The incredible generosity of the Wildcat Family in support of our student-athletes and programs has set us on a transformative path that has built a solid foundation to further raise the bar for Northwestern Athletics.

As 2021 draws to a close, let me say, THANK YOU, for your unwavering support of Northwestern Athletics. Your passion for this University and our 19 varsity programs is unparalleled.

On behalf of Northwestern Athletics and Recreation, have a safe, happy and healthy holiday season and we can't wait to create more memorable moments with you in 2022!

Go 'Cats!

Positively,

Dr. Derrick Gragg
Combe Family Vice President for Athletics and Recreation
Northwestern University