When you head out on your tour or talk to a current student, you’ll often hear about “getting lost in the halls of Tech.” This is referring to the multi-mile long hallways that cover the country’s second largest low-rise building, the Technological Institute (Tech). This building houses most of our science and engineering classes, as well as a few economics and psychology courses. Something I’ve found, however, is that it’s just as interesting to wander about in the buildings that surround Tech. The hallways and wings of Tech are symmetrical, and once you see the pattern you’ll always know where to find a bathroom or a staircase. Pancoe, Silverman, Hogan, Cook, and Ryan however, are five buildings that are mysteriously connected to Tech through various bridges that retain some mystique for a little longer. Not many classes are offered in these buildings, and they instead house some of the most exciting research that NU offers. Advancements in nanoparticles, neurobiology, and medicinal chemistry have all been made within these walls. From the older Hogan to brand spanking new Silverman, the hallways are filled with labs and punny fliers advertising their work. I spent a hefty amount of time in these hallways my freshman year, as many of my classes were located in Tech. It was during one of these wanders that I began to hear rumors of a hidden Einstein Bros. Bagels that’s located within the maze of hallways. “It can’t be true!” I said to myself, “I’ve walked through those buildings a hundred times!” or “more people would know about it if it was actually true.” Well my friends, it is indeed true. Exploring the hallways of academic buildings will not often lead you to a bagel, but in this case, it most certainly does.

It may take you four days or four years (yes, I’m still learning) to memorize the paths that lead to the Pancoe Einstein’s, but when you first stumble upon the bright open room with large windows and open tables, the bagels will never taste more delicious. What’s even more fulfilling, perhaps, is the first time you lead a friend here, and help them discover this semi-secret oasis.

–Taylor Billings

photo source: Northwestern Engineering.