A university is a network of people—each with different skills, passions, and goals—tethered at the center by a single institution to which they dedicate years of their lives. UChicago has created a community of Pulitzer Prize winners, Hallowed Grounds pool fanatics, Nobel laureates, Mansueto regulars, MacArthur Fellows, Sidechat addicts, and everything in between. However, there is a special group of people tied to UChicago: the fictional characters across various media forms who are credited with having attended this university.
Below is an imagination of what each of these characters’ undergraduate careers might have looked like if they went to the University in 2026, including their major, dorm, favorite Core class, and favorite spot on campus. There is a brief synopsis of each character, followed by the majors and classes which are based on their academic fields of interest and professional accomplishments. Dorms were assigned based on each character’s social tendencies and vibe. The favorite spot on campus is attached to their academic inclinations, as well as places that match the energy of the character. Personalities, hobbies, styles of clothing, and careers all contribute to an idea of the perfect spot on campus for each of them. Elements like majors, freshman dorms, and Core classes will hopefully connect current students to some of their favorite on screen peers.
Indiana Jones
Henry “Indiana” Jones is a professor of archaeology and history at Marshall College. Beloved by his students, his expertise is never questioned. His ability to command a classroom seems clearly shaped by an undergraduate curriculum based on the Socratic method. This confidence extends outside the classroom. Jones is best known for his moonlighting as a professional adventurer and artifact collector. He travels the world, relying on bravery and determination to recover human culture.
Majors: Archaeology, History
Dorm: Burton-Judson Courts
Favorite Core class: Introduction to African Civilization
Favorite spot on campus: Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures Museum (ISAC)
Kitty Pryde
Katherine “Kitty” Pryde is the youngest member of the X-Men and possesses the ability to phase through solid matter by shifting her atoms through those of other objects. She is often the tech-savvy genius of the group, deploying creative problem-solving skills and incredible hacking abilities to gather information, infiltrate systems, and showcase her intellectual approach to fighting.
Majors: Astrophysics, Computer Science
Dorm: Campus North Residential Commons
Favorite core class: Honors Mechanics; Honors Electricity and Magnetism
Favorite spot on campus: Crerar Library
Harry and Sally
When Harry Met Sally, a romantic comedy, famously opens on the Harper quad after its two protagonists have graduated, ready to embark on life after college. A shared ride to New York begins with contempt but eventually sparks a friendship. Spanning more than 10 years, the movie culminates in their declaration of love. Sally Albright ultimately makes a career as a journalist writing for The News in New York City, while Harry Burns becomes a political analyst. Harry and Sally are beloved for their witty banter and philosophical debates about the bounds of love and friendship—intellects clearly shaped by a university which fosters passionate conversation. It is easy to imagine the two arguing over the Nicomachean Ethics in a sosc classroom.
Sally’s major: English Language and Literature
Harry’s majors: Political Science, Philosophy
Sally’s dorm: Burton-Judson Courts
Harry’s dorm: Snell-Hitchcock Hall
Sally’s favorite core class: Media Aesthetics: Image, Text, Sound
Harry’s favorite core class: Classics of Social and Political Thought
Sally’s favorite spot on campus: Grounds of Being: The Divinity School Coffee Shop
Harry’s favorite spot on campus: Hutchinson Commons
Mark Watney
The Martian, a sci-fi novel by Andy Weir, follows Mark Watney, an astronaut abandoned on Mars. When his crew is caught in a storm and forced into an emergency evacuation, Watney is caught in the winds and presumed dead. From the moment he awakes on Mars, Watney is tasked with survival. He relies on his brilliant ingenuity to communicate with NASA and his world class botanical skills to grow food. He keeps himself entertained by listening to ’70s music, keeping video logs, and sustaining an amusing internal monologue that never fades despite his nightmare situation. Watney is a clear champion of a well-rounded education, where science, creativity, and resilience meet.
Major: Molecular Engineering, Environmental Science
Dorm: International House
Favorite Core class: Exploring the Organic Chemistry of Medicinal Plants: From Field to Laboratory
Favorite spot on campus: Botany Pond
Daniel Jackson
Stargate SG-1 is a science fiction TV series that follows a secret U.S. Air Force team called SG-1 as they travel through an ancient alien portal called Stargate, which allows them to explore thousands of planets and encounter alien races. Daniel Jackson uses his vast knowledge of languages to act as the group translator and his understanding of mythologies and religions to interpret alien civilizations. He assumes the role of the pacifist, aiming to resolve conflict through mutual understanding rather than battle—a sharp contrast to the rest of the military.
Majors: Linguistics, Archaeology, Religious Studies
Dorm: Renee Granville-Grossman Residential Commons
Favorite Core class: Language and the Human
Favorite spot on campus: UChicago Language Center
Drix
By combining live action and animation, Osmosis Jones tells the story of a white blood cell police officer and a pill for treating a cold who team up to protect their host from a deadly virus. Drix, the cold pill, was developed at UChicago, a fact that he uses to highlight his superior pharmaceutical abilities. He is the ultimate personification of a dutiful pill: focused, responsible, and anxious to get the job done. He is also the perfect representation of the care and detail demanded of UChicago students in everything they do.
Major: Biological Sciences
Dorm: Woodlawn Residential Commons
Favorite Core class: Molecular Biology of the Cell
Favorite spot on campus: Regenstein Library
Richard Kimble
Richard Kimble is a surgeon who trained at UChicago Medicine. One day, his wife is murdered—and he is framed for the job. The doctor then assumes the role the film’s title states, The Fugitive and spends his days outrunning law enforcement. Motivated by his love for his wife, Kimble never gives up in his search for justice. He survives thanks to his problem-solving abilities and his calm, strategic nature, never letting his emotions overtake him.
Majors: Biological Chemistry, Human Rights
Dorm: Campus North Residential Commons
Favorite Core class: Forensic Biology: “Who done it?”
Favorite spot on campus: Panera in the Medical Center
Sarah Harding
Sarah Harding is a young scientist specializing in animal behavior with a strong interest in field research. Because of her background, she is comfortable observing and learning from the dinosaurs in The Lost World: Jurassic Park. Her fascination with the creatures stretches beyond a mere hunger for innovation. She is compassionate and believes all animals should be observed and cared for, rather than exploited for human gain. Harding’s brilliance and bravery make her quick on her feet, and her dedication to the protection of animals proves that strength and compassion are not mutually exclusive.
Majors: Geophysical Sciences, Biology
Dorm: Max Palevsky Residential Commons
Favorite Core class: Earth History
Favorite spot on campus: Culver Hall
Jack McCoy
Jack McCoy, a prosecutor on the show Law and Order is ferociously driven and overpowering in the courtroom. His demand for justice is strong, though he often employs questionable tactics to produce the results he wants. His character embodies the distinction between the law’s outcome and the process required to get there, reflecting that there is often a disconnect between the two. Still, McCoy’s knowledge of the legal system is undeniable, and his ability to extract information makes him a fierce competitor.
Majors: Law, Letters, and Society; Psychology
Dorm: Snell-Hitchcock Hall
Favorite Core class: Democracy: Equality, Liberty, and the Dilemmas of Self Government
Favorite spot on campus: ISAC Research Archives Library
