Faculty and staff volunteers convene to build future of philanthropy at Northeastern

The summit was an opportunity to recognize our campaign champions, over 100 faculty and staff volunteers across the university system who are motivated to help build a culture of philanthropy.

Headshot of Cyrus Moulton
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Diane Macgillivray and Alan McKim talking and smiling at a fireside chat.
Diane MacGillivray and Alan McKim speak during a fireside chat at the Campaign Champions event in the EXP research complex. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

Northeastern University held a Global Campaign Champion Summit this month to honor and thank the faculty and staff leaders of its Experience Powered by Northeastern campaign.

The campaign launched in 2022 with a goal of raising philanthropic support for Northeastern’s academic plan, Experience Unleashed. 

The campaign’s six fundraising priorities — student opportunities, faculty excellence, research, diverse and inclusive communities, entrepreneurship, and global exploration — are designed to continue building on the university’s strengths while launching it into the future.

Diane MacGillivray sitting next to Alan McKim, smiling.
10/02/24 – BOSTON MA. – Diane MacGillivray and Alan McKim speak during a fireside chat during the Campaign Champions event in the EXP building on Oct. 02, 2024. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University
President Aoun standing next to some people at a fireside chat, smiling and laughing.
10/02/24 – BOSTON MA. – President Joseph E. Aoun mingles during the Campaign Champions event in the EXP building on Oct. 02, 2024. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University
Richard D'Amore speaking into a microphone at a fireside chat.
10/02/24 – BOSTON MA. – Richard D’Amore speaks during the Campaign Champions event in the EXP building on Oct. 02, 2024. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University
10/02/24 – BOSTON MA. – President Joseph E. Aoun mingles during the Campaign Champions event in the EXP building on Oct. 02, 2024. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University
President Joseph E. Aoun helped celebrate the Experience campaign champions at an event at the EXP research complex. Photos by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

The summit was also an opportunity to recognize Northeastern’s campaign champions, over 100 faculty and staff volunteers across the university system who are motivated to help build a culture of philanthropy. 

From that group, seven members were introduced as new campaign co-chairs.

They include: Dominik Beckers, Becca Berkey, Gbemi Disu, Daniel Medwed, Anthony Rini, Corliss Thompson and honorary co-chair Jim Madigan.

  • • Beckers is director of strategic partnerships at Northeastern’s Vancouver campus, where he is building relationships with local industry and community partners, while providing students’ experiential learning opportunities.
  • • Berkey is the director of Northeastern’s Honors Program and a part-time lecturer in human services in the College of Social Sciences and Humanities on the Boston campus. 
  • • Disu, a vice president for global network expansion, is based at Northeastern’s new Miami campus.
  • • Medwed is a distinguished professor of law and criminal justice at Northeastern University School of Law.
  • • Rini is the university’s chief operating officer.
  • • Thompson is associate dean of the Graduate School of Education.
  • • Madigan, the university’s director of athletics, is a Northeastern graduate who has served for more than 30 years in various capacities, including men’s hockey coach.

The focus of Global Campaign Champion Summit on Oct. 1 was to bring together, in person, this cohort of faculty and staff leaders, who represent eight global campuses and included eight Northeastern parents and 21 Northeastern graduates from more than 13 university divisions.

Together, they participated in a day of collaboration, partnership and goal-setting to help amplify the mission of the Experience campaign and support a brighter and bolder future for Northeastern.

Courtesy photo

Those who attended were energized to come together after a year in this volunteer role. Through workshops, presentations and networking sessions, they discussed opportunities to build a culture of philanthropy across the faculty and staff community, shared impact stories and best practices, and expanded their Northeastern network through new connections. 

The day included a morning session led by the campaign champion co-chairs; a panel of Northeastern student leaders; remarks from special guests including trustees Todd Manganaro, Alan McKim and Rich D’Amore, Senior Vice President for University Advancement Diane Nishigaya MacGillivray and President Joseph E. Aoun. 

“What you give back to the university, it’s so appreciative,” McKim told the campaign champions. “It’s not one person, it’s not a small group, it takes a village. It’s all of us.”

The event closed with a celebratory reception for faculty and staff supporters of the Experience campaign.

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