The Independence Way

A roundup of 71 North updates

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71 NORTH
July 01, 2025

The Independence Way

While campus enjoys a quieter pace this summer, our university community remains busy with ongoing research, faculty achievements, and exciting developments across all departments.

☀️ Summer is in full swing at 71 North! Whether you're in the studio or soaking up some sunshine, we hope you're staying inspired and cool. Big things are ahead—stay tuned!
See you at 71 North!

"Innovation is seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought." Dr. Albert Szent-Györgyi

HuskieVerse Featured Experience

Pollinator Park

Experience and reflect on the impact of pollinators in the near and far future.

Pollinator Park is a crossover between a zoo, a theme park, an interactive museum, and a crystal ball: fun, educational, and emotionally engaging.

There are multiple opportunities to explore virtual reality each week.

Visit the HuskieVerse booking page to reserve your spot.

Europe 2050 – Following a cascade of ecological crises, our world has been deprived of healthy ecosystems and wealthy flora. Amidst this dystopian landscape lies a lavish green beacon of hope: Dr. Beatrice Kukac’s Pollinator Park -a futuristic farm, a safe haven for pollinating insects and an eye-opener for its visitors.

An experience based on real science.

This Week at 71 North

Please note, our hours have changed for the summer. We are open Tuesday through Thursday 8:00am-4:30pm

Tuesday:

11:30-12:30 PM: 71 North OPs meeting

2:00 - 3:00 PM: LEAP from Project to Product Management • Meetup.

Lean & Agile Community of Practice

This Community is designed for anyone looking to enhance their understanding of Lean and Agile principles and best practices, from project managers and software developers to business leaders and consultants.

calendar.niu.edu/event/lean_agile_community_of_practice

Wednesday:

8:00am- 4:30 PM: Open Studio hours

Thursday:

1:00 PM: 71 North weekly wrap-up

Friday -Monday

71 North is closed, Happy 4th of July!

Looking Ahead:

🎆 Happy Fourth of July! 🇺🇸

As we approach Independence Day, we wish our entire university community a joyful and safe Fourth of July! This national holiday is a time to celebrate freedom, reflect on our shared values, and enjoy time with friends and family.

Whether you're watching fireworks, attending a local parade, or simply relaxing, we hope you take a well-deserved break and make the most of the summer holiday.

Please note: University offices will be closed on Thursday, July 4, in observance of the holiday.

Happy Fourth from all of us at 71 North!!

Looking Back:

On May 6th, I had the exciting opportunity to pitch The College App at the Big Idea Pitch Contest organized by Innovation DuPage at College of DuPage. Out of 50+ applications, only 8 finalists were selected to present — and I was honored to be one of them. The competition featured a diverse range of impressive ideas from both high school students and undergrads, giving me a realistic glimpse into the entrepreneurial landscape and the level of innovation among my peers.

I prepared my pitch with incredible support from 71 North Partnership Studio, where Federico Bassetti and Becca Husar played a key role in helping me refine and strengthen my presentation. Their guidance made a huge difference in my confidence and delivery.

Looking ahead, I’m excited to be pitching again — this time at DePaul Pitch Madness on July 15th!

Thanks,

Nikhil Doddaga

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