Jay Towns ’22
What have you been up to since graduation?
Since graduating, I’ve been doing what I’ve always done: too many things at once. I work as a creative at FCB Chicago, writing ads that run on national TV and sometimes even get produced the way I imagined them. On the side, I run a photography business that I started on campus, consult startups on their branding, and still find time for acting here and there. This year, I was named to the 2025 ADCOLOR Futures cohort, recognizing rising leaders in creativity and culture. I owe this honor to my two cats, who consistently inspire me via their innovative treat-begging techniques.
Who made an impact on your life at Northwestern?
Truly too many to count. That being said, I’m especially thankful for the peers and professors who pushed me to ask good questions and pursue my interests. These values gave me the confidence to pursue a multi-hyphenate career today.
Honorable mentions, in no particular order: Ben Yost, Billy Siegenfeld, Claire Stevens, David Catlin, the late Dawn Mora, School of Communication Dean E. Patrick Johnson, Emily Landreth, Emily Pate-Somé, Emily Zhang, Fanish Bekele from Allison Dining Hall, Hannah Lindvall, Heather Aranyi, Justin Barbin, Liam Oh, Lucy London, Melissa Foster, Nolan Robinson, Roderick Hawkins, Sean Su, Shraman Ghosh, Gamma Phi Beta Sorority, ReFusionShaka, TBD, The Bix Improv, The Rock Show, The Undertones A Cappella, Waa-2, whoever made Marriage Pact.
What does success look like to you?
They say, ‘Success is getting what you want out of life.’ The question is: what do you really want? So far, my answer has been to create from my experience and share it with the world in the form of stories, businesses, and communities. To me, success is protecting my curiosity to keep asking that question and having the courage to find my own answer.