Bernie Gordon, H’07, wanted to make one thing clear: that the high-tech, glowing archway between the Egan Research Center and the Snell Engineering building wasn’t his idea.

But, he said, he’d be beyond grateful if the arch, erected as a tribute to his generous leadership and service to Northeastern, inspires students to pursue successful careers as engineers.

The idea for the archway — named the Bernard M. Gordon Tribute to Engineering Leadership — emerged from the “thought that it would be nice to have something on the campus here that could convey to the students that it’s possible to make a living without going to New York to be a financial guy or being a basketball player,” Gordon said.

“A little monument to engineers who did at least as well as some of those people who went down to New York might be inspiring to some of those students who want to become famous in a hurry,” he added.

Gordon, an engineer, inventor, entrepreneur and philanthropist, is considered to be the “father of the high-speed, analog-to-digital conversion.” He is the benefactor of Northeastern’s Gordon Engineering Leadership Program, which enables students to earn a master of science in an engineering discipline of their choice, such as mechanical engineering, energy systems or engineering management, and a graduate certificate in engineering leadership.

“We learn the difference between management and leadership,” said Spiros Mantzavinos, a juniorelectrical engineering major and a candidate for the Gordon Fellowship. “You manage a project, but you lead people.”

Northeastern President Joseph E. Aoun praised Gordon for his legacy of leadership in the engineering field.

“Bernie believes that you cannot create leaders, but what you can do is give people who have leadership potential the opportunity to blossom and be great,” Aoun said. “Today we are honoring some of the leaders that both Bernie and we consider to be transformational at all levels.

“Frankly,” he added, “that’s how our nation remains competitive and in a leadership position worldwide.”