The Rebecca Crown Center clock tower glowed blue Tuesday night in honor of the annual Light it Up Blue event, a day of campus activities promoting autism awareness organized by Autism Speaks U NU.
The name for the national Autism Speaks Light it Up Blue event comes from its campaign to cast notable landmarks, such as the Willis Tower, in blue light to raise awareness for autism. Northwestern’s most notable color changing landmark, the Crown Center clock tower, was first lit up blue last year.
“It was a lot of work last year with Facilities Management,” said Weinberg junior Jonathan Slack, current member and former co-president of Autism Speaks. “We had to order new gels for all the lights. It was about a five month process.”
This year, the process was made easier by recent clock tower upgrades that allow the color of the light to be changed remotely. The ease in securing the clock tower allowed the group to expand their offerings.
“Not everyone gets to see the clock tower, but we have blue desserts in every dining hall and someone who can start a conversation,” Slack said.
Autism Speaks also used blue chalking on paths and classroom chalkboards, as well as a campuswide lollipop giveaway to give students more opportunities to start conversations, conversations Slack sees as essential.
“It’s a way to start up this month on the right foot by getting people to think about something they don’t think about every day,” Slack said.
Slack, whose sister has autism, cites recent statistics by the Centers for Disease Control that show an increased prevalence of autism as the primary reason for the Light it Up Blue event.
“The number keeps creeping up,” Slack said. “Chances are that you’ll know someone with autism in your lifetime.”