famous truant ferris bueller and girlfriend sloan peterson are old enough to be their parents. whitney houston has always, always loved you, not me, but you. >> whitney houston is going to be known as "whitney who?" >> reporter: and arnold palmer to these kids isn't an iconic golf champ but a refreshing beverage. and some striking societal changes, too. there's always been at least two women on the supreme court and freshmen have never known a russia that has an official communist party. how quickly times they are a changing. >> i think by the time lady gaga started showing up on classic rock radio she'll probably be on the list. >> reporter: no matter what professors throw at student this 'year, this year, forrest gump is all around to remind them -- >> life is like a box of chocolates. >> reporter: so run, students, run. the world is your oyster and you can find it on your iphone. kevin tibbles, nbc news, chicago. >> as richard engel showed us tonight. the world is changing as we speak, thousands of miles away. that's our broadcast for this tuesday night. thank you for being