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Ceremonies were also held on the Oakland and London campuses. In addition, NU.in students in the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ireland, Greece, Italy, Northern Ireland, Portugal, Scotland and Spain tuned in.
Before lots and lots of confetti rained down on incoming Northeastern University students, they were welcomed with nuggets of wisdom, words of encouragement, and dance and musical acts as convocation kicked off the 2024-2025 academic year Tuesday at Matthews Arena on the Boston campus.
“The world is going to define your life and your experience, and you are coming to a university that is extremely engaged in the world, that is not living in a tower,” President Joseph E. Aoun told nearly 5,000 students. “Go explore the whole world, through co-ops, through dialogues, through studies overseas — in order to change the world, you need to understand there is nothing better than that.”
Convocation marks the beginning of the academic year, and ceremonies were held on Northeastern’s Boston, Oakland and London campuses. In addition, NU.in students in the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ireland, Greece, Italy, Northern Ireland, Portugal, Scotland and Spain tuned in to the festivities.
The ceremonies offered a mix of words of welcome, sage advice and spectacular performances.
“Today marks the start of your journey at one of the world’s leading research institutions, a place committed to groundbreaking innovation, academic excellence and global experience,” Mary Ludden, senior vice president for global network and strategic initiatives, told students in Boston.
“No matter where you are across a global network, a few things will always remain constant: you will learn from esteemed faculty, receive unwavering support from our dedicated staff and build connections with your accomplished peers and inspiring mentors. Welcome to your next chapter and a whole new world of opportunities.”
Deans of each of the university’s colleges introduced themselves and psyched up students by highlighting university values and strengths.
“You can say that engineering is about solving problems, but no problem in this world is strictly about engineering,” Gregory Abowd, dean of the College of Engineering, said after leading Boston students in an “N-U” chant.
“So, let’s hear it if you want to work across disciplines to solve the challenges of today!” Abowd continued as students responded with applause.
Other deans stressed “the art and science of creativity,” opportunities for combined majors, to “discover something unexpected,” “create social change,” be “the innovators of tomorrow,” and more.
Current students offered advice as well.
“As you embark on this new journey and find your own communities, lead with empathy as a conscious practice, be cognizant of context and cultivate space to learn,” said student Christina Anurum-Anyanwu.
Cassidy Donoghue, executive vice president of the Student Government Association, and Matthew Coughlin, SGA president, both urged students to “dive in” to everything Northeastern has to offer.
“Here at Northeastern, there’s a universe of opportunities that is more advanced than anything you can fully explore, and one where every single opportunity that feels familiar is complemented by thousands that feel entirely new,” Coughlin said before lighting the ceremonial torch.
Aoun emphasized one of those opportunities: Northeastern’s global network.
“Each one of you is going to have a global experience,” Aoun continued. “But when you explore the world, do it with humility. Do it with respect. Understand what people need, what they are striving for. And then see how you can help from this system.”
And as student dance and singing groups took the stage for a confetti-filled finale, the audience celebrated being part of that global experience.
“It was good,” student Lucia Greenberg said of convocation. “I didn’t know what to expect, I thought it was just going to be a long speech.”
Meanwhile, those at London’s convocation heard from a host of faculty and student leaders, as well as graduates, before a ceremonial torch was lit.
Chancellor Ken Henderson welcomed 1,000 new Huskies to their time studying in “one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world.”
“London is the ideal place to transform academic concepts into tangible experiences, making your learning unique and truly unforgettable,” Henderson said at the music venue Indigo at the O2 in North Greenwich. “Your adventure here will be remarkable.”
Calypso Newman took to the stage to explain how she has been supported by Northeastern even after completing her art history degree in 2021 as she worked to build up her own art and technology agency, Rock Badger. The firm is currently based at Northeastern’s London startup hub.
“As you begin your courses, I urge you to embrace all the exciting opportunities, friendships and chances that come hand in hand with your degree,” she said.
“And most importantly, enjoy what I hope will be a wonderful and long-lasting relationship with Northeastern University.”
Arfa Yalamanchill, a freshman enrolled to study computer science, said he viewed the chance to study in the British capital as a “great opportunity.”
“I’m really liking London so far,” said the North Carolina native. “The weather has been a bit iffy but the food is good and the people have been so friendly.”
Gabby Shafman, who moved from St. Louis to start her Northeastern tenure studying criminology and criminal justice, said, “I wanted to come here to make friends and experience things I don’t think I would be able to anywhere else.”
Oakland campus ‘part of a vibrant community’
Meanwhile in Oakland, David Madigan, Northeastern’s provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, welcomed students to a campus that is “part of a vibrant community, one that is deeply embedded in the heart of the Bay Area.”
Madigan noted that the Bay Area is known worldwide for its spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship.
“You are stepping into a place where ideas truly come to life,” he told the gathered crowd on Holmgren Meadow.
Through both academic programs and by engaging in the region’s opportunities, Madigan said, students will be immersed in the creative strategies that drive Bay Area startups. He specifically called out Northeastern’s longstanding co-op program, where students alternate between semesters of academic study and full-time work experiences.
“It is truly the definitive Northeastern experience,” he said. “I urge you to make co-op your own — whether here at one of the more than 250 employer partners in the Bay Area, or at any of the other thousands of partners around the world.”
Daniel Sachs, dean of the Oakland campus, highlighted the special location of the Oakland campus.
“Like the city itself, our community embodies the Bay Area spirit,” he said. “We’re surrounded by tech giants, startups, and social enterprises shaping the future, offering unparalleled opportunities for experiential learning, real-world problem-solving, and professional networks that will impact your future.”
He noted the central role that AI will play in students’ lives and emphasized that their experiences at Northeastern will prepare them to learn and work with AI-based technologies.
The Oakland campus’ unique combination of interdisciplinary studies, real-world experiences and access to world-class AI experts will support students in diverse fields of study.
He also urged students to enjoy their time at Northeastern.
“Try a course unrelated to your major,” he said. “This is the time to take an uncharted path and try something new.”