Communications Residential College (CRC)

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Communications Residential College (CRC)
Type	Residential college
Established	1981
President	Matt Baker
Enrollment	109
Location	1855 Sheridan Rd. Evanston IL 60201

The Communications Residential College (CRC) is a residential college at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Its focus is mass media, attracting students interested in film, television, radio and journalism. Informal lectures, known as firesides, presented throughout the year often feature noted journalists and filmmakers. The dorm is often called a magical place where much silliness ensues; year after year, it attracts students who are charming, outgoing, intelligent and quirky.

1 History
2 Gallery
3 Notable alumni
4 External links

[edit] History

CRC was built in 1981 as part of the $23 million South Campus project, which included the construction of 1835 Hinman and other dorms. A $2 million gift from the Sherman Fairchild Foundation of Chevy Chase, Maryland, helped provide equipment and finance other expenses for the residential college. The dorm's equipment includes its own radio station, WXRU 640 AM, as well as three movie screening rooms.

CRC has traditionally had rivalries with several other dorms on campus, notably its across-the-street neighbor, 1835 Hinman. CRC has taken it upon itself to knock Hinman down a peg with such activities as "Illumihinman," which involves shining video production lights, throwing water balloons and playing loud music - all in Hinman's direction - at midnight before the first day of spring quarter finals.

In 1987, a beloved and talented CRC resident named Will Arnold passed away in his sleep due to an arrhythmia. Will had been the dorm's equipment chair, and a fundraiser was inaugurated in his honor, with half the proceeds going to the American Heart Association and half for CRC equipment. The fundraiser is called Radiothon.

Radiothon spans two nights. Events include a date auction, drag show and a goods auction, with items and gift certificates donated by area merchants. Another event is a show called "That's Stupid." Residents encourage their dormmates to charge a certain about of money to perform a particular stunt or performance.

New freshmen first learn about the dorm's silly atmosphere when they are invited to participate in an event called Panquake. What Panquake is cannot be posted here, for it is top secret.

Dorm alumnus Jeremy Birn started his own computer-animation studio after graduation and now works for Pixar Studios. Two other CRC graduates went on to work with Jim Henson's Muppets, including Stephanie D'Abruzzo, who starred in the CRC Productions movie "The Glance" and (much) later earned a Tony nomination for the role of Kate Monster in Avenue Q.