Four Decades of Dialogue.
One Unforgettable Night.
MSC 40th Anniversary Celebration: Reflections & Highlights
Voices from the Celebration
As we gathered to honor the 40-year legacy of the Northwestern University Master of Science in Communication program, we were reminded again and again of the power of dialogue- how it builds connection, fosters collaborative leadership, and prepares us to meet the moment.
The reflections below come from those who’ve helped shape MSC over the decades. Together, their words form a mosaic of what the program stands for: rigor, relevance, and the lifelong pursuit of purposeful communication.
Legacy Video Premiere:
A tribute to the voices, values, and vision that define the MSC program.
Watch the Full Video:
Reflections from the Stage
Spoken tributes that captured the essence of our community and mission.
Theme: Dialogue as a Bridge Between Past and Future
As the opening speaker, Hariman framed the night with gratitude for co-founders Irv Rein and Paul Arntson and reflected on how MSC has continually evolved to prepare communicators for a complex, shifting world.
Theme: Steadfast and Ahead of the Curve
Dean Johnson saluted MSC’s pioneering spirit—its early recognition of communication as both scholarship and applied leadership—and praised its role in redefining professional education across disciplines.
Theme: Legacy Built on Leadership, Looking Ahead with Purpose
As both alumna and director, Adams honored past leadership, recognized the faculty and staff who make MSC thrive today, and unveiled the MSC Abroad to Florence—offering a global lens for the future of leadership to current students and alumni.
Theme: The Power of Community
Representing the alumni voice, Alem expressed gratitude to the 40th planning committee, acknowledged past and emerging MSC AA leaders, and introduced keynote speaker Jason DeSanto with warmth and pride.
Theme: Communicating with Conviction and Courage
DeSanto delivered a stirring keynote that challenged the audience to rise above noise and distraction by leading with ethical presence, persuasive skill, and deep humanity.
Theme: Carrying the Legacy Forward
As the voice behind the evening’s legacy video and an MSC alumnus himself, Rowley offered a heartfelt message of gratitude to the entire MSC community—past, present, and future. His narration reminded us that this milestone is not just about looking back, but about how each of us continues the program’s mission in our daily lives.
Travel through time with MSC.
From napkin sketches in the early 1980s to global leadership in the 2020s, this interactive visual timeline walks through the milestones, innovations, and people that have shaped the MSC program for over 40 years.
Explore the full timeline PDF from the 40th Anniversary Celebration.
Closing Reflection
From the rooftop welcome at Five & Dime to the final song at Norris, this weekend reminded us that the MSC program isn’t just a degree—it’s a community built on substance, connection, and care.
As we look to the next chapter, we carry with us the voices of those who spoke, served, taught, and gathered—and we continue the dialogue they helped sustain for forty years.
Thank you for being part of this legacy. And thank you for ensuring the future of the Northwestern University Master of Science in Communication program.