Welcome to this week’s Tune In Tuesday: Northwestern Wildcats edition!

As much as I love my alma mater (South Carolina), I’m in grad school now, and I’ve found another school to love, too. Since my mom got her master’s at NU, I’ve always been a fan of their teams, but I’m a little more invested now. This week marks the completion of my first month at the Medill School of Journalism, Media, & Integrated Marketing Communications. The university just celebrated its 161st birthday on Saturday. It’s Tuesday. All three are causes for celebration (we’re closer to the weekend!), and thus, this playlist.

Sit back, relax, enjoy enjoy the following musical stylings, inspired by the home of the Wildcats (and the smartest kids in the Big Ten).

1. Purple Haze – Jimi Hendrix Experience

http://youtu.be/-rV-CmsdSAg

Was there any other option for the first song on the list? The student body wanted to change the team’s name to the Purple Haze in the 70′s, but it never happened. Currently, the school’s co-ed a capella group is called the Purple Haze.

2. All I Do Is Win – DJ Khaled

When the ‘Cats went 5-0 to start the football season in 2010, the Wildside student section put “All I do is win” on the back of their t-shirts. The winning streak didn’t last, but I wish I had been a student then because I can’t even tell y’all how badly I wanted one of those shirts.

3. White and Purple (Northwestern Remix) - Chet Haze

Um. This is by Tom Hanks’ son, who is a student at Northwestern. Just listen to the song…because I don’t know what else to say.

4. Purple Rain – Prince

http://youtu.be/KAUuqy09mOs

Why is this song on the list? It has “Purple” in the title. Besides “Purple People Eater”, I don’t know too many others that do. Side note: I have yet to see any purple rain (or snow) on campus so far.

5. So Close – Jon McLaughlin

March Madness and Northwestern: so close, yet so far. The Wildcats have never made it to the tourney, and each year, hope is renewed with the thought that at long last, it may be their year. After starting out 7-0 this season, NU is currently 12-8 0verall and only 2-6 in the Big Ten. They need to start putting games in the win column if they’re finally going to go dancing this year.

6. Lake Shore Drive – Aliotta, Haynes, and Jeremiah

On the couple of occasions where I missed my train from downtown and had to take a cab to school, we took Lake Shore Drive to get out to Evanston. It’s the best (and most scenic) way to get there, and like the lyrics say, “there ain’t no road just like it, anywhere I’ve found.”

7. We Are The Champions – Queen

While other teams have struggled, the women’s lacrosse team at Northwestern has dominated, winning the national championship five straight times, from 2005-09, and again last season. I’ve never watched lacrosse in my life, but I may just have to go check out a game or two.

8. We’re All In This Together – High School Musical

Okay, even I’m judging myself a little for this one, but hear me out. After a month as a grad student at Medill, my classmates and I have bonded like I never would have imagined. When I think of Northwestern, I think of the family aspect that I felt from orientation day forward. My fellow students and I might be struggling at times, but we’re all in it together.

9. You’re Gonna Miss This – Trace Adkins

Time feels like it’s flying by, and since my program is only a year long, it kind of is. Northwestern’s campus is beautiful, and I can’t wait to see what it looks like in the spring when everything’s blooming. I try to take in as much as I can each day, whether it’s walking by the lake or under The Arch, attending campus events, or just hanging out with my friends. I think it’s getting a little dusty in here…

10. Go U Northwestern! – School Fight Song

Last but certainly not least. I think this one’s pretty self-explanatory.