TGS Hangouts are a chance to get together through fun events and shared experiences. Spanning a variety of social opportunities, TGS Hangouts seek to foster connection and well-being.
Hosted regularly throughout the academic year, TGS Hangouts ensures there’s always something on the calendar to help build community, relax, and enjoy your time at Northwestern.
Below is our calendar of upcoming TGS Hangouts, as well as past programming. Please email tgs-events@northwestern.edu with any questions.
Upcoming Programming
Preview the upcoming calendar of events. Details forthcoming.
October: HallowEVE Happy Hour
November: Food Truck
December: Snack Time
January: Service Project
Past Programming
Click the tabs below to view past TGS Hangouts.
- Spring Happy Hour
- Mindfulness Moment
- Cardz 4 Kidz Service Project
- Movie Night: Wizard of Oz
- Churros y Chocolate Food Truck
Spring Happy Hour
Thursday, May 22, 2025 from 5:30–7:30 PM at Timothy O'Toole's Pub (622 N. Fairbanks Court) in Chicago
The TGS Spring Happy Hour at Timothy O'Toole's Pub Chicago was an opportunity for all TGS students and an additional guest of their choice to enjoy a fun-filled evening of drinks, laughter, and good vibes as part of our TGS Hangouts event series. This event was 21+ and each attendee received 1 free drink ticket and free food.
This event was co-hosted by The Graduate School (TGS), Chicago Graduate Student Association (CGSA), Alliance for Chicago Minority Students (ACMS), and Graduate International Student Association (G-ISA).
Mindfulness Moment
Monday, February 10, 2025 from 3:30–4:30 PM in Simpson Querrey Conference Room 2-200 (303 E. Superior Street) on the Chicago campus
TGS invited Associate Director of Spiritual Wellness & Contemplative Practice Eric Budzynski to lead this special February TGS Hangout.
Eric jointly serves Northwestern's Religious & Spiritual Life (RSL), the Center for Awareness, Response and Education (CARE), and Health Promotion and Wellness (HPaW). He is also a certified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Teacher (MBSR). Eric led a presentation on the importance of mindfulness, offering practical techniques to help you cultivate a mindfulness practice in your daily life. This event was an opportunity to connect, reflect, and prioritize your well-being.
The first 25 people to arrive received a heart-shaped stress ball, and all attendees were entered into a raffle for some wellness-themed prizes. Refreshments were provided.
Cardz 4 Kidz Service Project
- Evanston: Wednesday, January 29, 2025 from 4:00–6:00 PM in The Graduate School Conference Room at Rebecca Crown Center (633 Clark Street, North Tower, 1st Floor)
- Chicago: Thursday, January 30, 2025 from 3:00–5:00 PM in The Graduate School Conference Room at Abbott Hall (710 N. Lake Shore Drive, 3rd Floor)
We got to spread some joy by making handmade cards at our January TGS Hangout! Students joined us in creating colorful, heartfelt messages for Cardz For Kidz, a non-profit bringing smiles to hospitalized and traumatized children worldwide. Let’s craft together and make a difference, one card at a time! Refreshments were provided.
Movie Night: Wizard of Oz
Thursday, December 12, 2024 at 5:00 PM in the Peggy Dow Helmerich Auditorium in Annie Swift May Hall on the Evanston campus.
We enjoyed a magical movie night screening of The Wizard of Oz and a pre-film sing-along featuring "popular" songs from Wicked. Attendees were invited to dress as your favorite Wicked or Oz-themed character for a chance to win our costume raffle! TGS graduate student and postdoc parents were also welcome to bring their families!
This film is licensed by Swank Motion Pictures Inc.
Churros y Chocolate Food Truck
Tuesday, November 19, 2024 from 1:00–3:00 PM at the Block Museum Plaza (Arts Circle Drive) on the Evanston campus.TGS students were able to enjoy a free churro and a hot chocolate on us! Students had to present this flyer on your phone to participate. First come, first served. Limit one order per person, while supplies last.
Suggest a TGS Hangout!
Let us know what types of gatherings you would be most interested in by filling out the one-question suggestion form below:
TGS HANGOUTS SUGGESTION FORM
