Northeastern honors veterans in 2025 Veterans Day Ceremony

The annual ceremony highlighted the resources the university provides its student veterans as well as the benefits those who’ve served bring to the classroom.

by Erin Kayata

November 11, 2025

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Patrick LaRoche began his career in the United States Marines Corps stationed in California with the 3rd Battalion. Here, he trained with militaries across the South Pacific and spent hot summers working in the Mojave Desert.

But these days, LaRoche can be found in a classroom at Northeastern University, working toward his bachelor’s degree in business administration.

LaRoche is one of around 700 student veterans currently studying at Northeastern and one of the many the university honored at its Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 11.

“It’s comforting to be in a campus community that takes the time to celebrate veterans,” said LaRoche, treasurer of Northeastern’s Student Veterans Organization, in his welcoming address at Tuesday’s ceremony at the Raytheon Amphitheater. “People often ask why I enlisted, and while there were several practical reasons, they all paled in comparison to the reasons I felt as I served. I woke up every day and went to work because of the men and women I served with. Veterans Day gives me the opportunity to celebrate them and the countless others who have lived those same experiences here at Northeastern.”

Standing at a podium next to a red, white, and blue flowered wreath that was later laid at the university’s veteran memorial, LaRoche helped lead the observances, which featured remarks from retired U.S. Navy Capt. and assistant teaching professor in security and intelligence studies Dave Hagen.

Hagen, alongside keynote speaker and U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Jennifer S. Couture, reflected on the value Northeastern’s veterans bring to the classroom as well as how the university helps serve this community in return.

“My education at Northeastern has directly and positively impacted my service as a leader,” said Couture, who graduated from Northeastern with her doctorate in organizational leadership studies earlier this year. 

Couture described coming to Northeastern to improve her understanding of leadership practice and organizational culture, building upon her 25-year career by undergoing academic research under the guidance of mentors. Her professors helped guide her, answering her questions even when she was “speaking military,” she said, as laughter rippled through the audience listening to her keynote address.

“My colleagues patiently shared their perspectives and experiences and provided me with invaluable feedback on my work,” she added. “There is no doubt that I am a better leader, mentor and officer and person today because I chose Northeastern University.”

Similarly, LaRoche said that Northeastern’s resources, particularly the Dolce Center for the Advancement of Veterans and Servicemembers (CAVS), made his transition to academia smooth. Whether it’s mixers with potential employees or connecting him with fellow veterans, LaRoche said the Dolce Center made it more manageable to return to the classroom in his early twenties.

“CAVS is a catalyst that makes life here easier and is a space where vets can come together,” LaRoche said after the ceremony. “CAVS has helped me relearn what it means to be a student. I wouldn’t change the sense of community I have here.”

Andy McCarty, a Northeastern graduate and founding director of the Dolce Center, also spoke at the ceremony, acknowledging the 250th birthday of the Marines, Navy and Army as well as the tenth anniversary of the Dolce Center’s founding.

“A decade is certainly a milestone to be proud of,” he said in his address. “CAVS was an idea and it found enormous levels of support at Northeastern from the top down.” 

McCarty added that among its other resources, the Dolce Center launched a new peer mentorship program this year.

In addition to remarks from Northeastern veterans, the ceremony included a call to order from the color guard of Northeastern’s Liberty Battalion Army ROTC and Northeastern’s premier a cappella group, The Nor’Easters, serenaded guests with a medley of Armed Forces anthems. Veterans in the audience were invited to stand when the song from their branch was sung. 

Neal F. Finnegan, Northeastern graduate and chair emeritus of the Board of Trustees, presented the annual Joseph H. Hefflon Yellow Ribbon Award to FourBlock, a nonprofit advancing career readiness for veterans. The award, named after a 1915 Northeastern Law grad who died supporting U.S. Army troops in France in World War I, honors those who are not part of the military but serve in other ways. 

Many in the standing-room-only audience said they came to honor the university’s veterans who make valuable contributions to the community.

“I have the privilege and honor to work with veterans,” said Michele Rosenthal, associate director of student experience in the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs and Graduate Co-op Success for CSSH. “Every time I come to the ceremony, I’m so moved. I worked closely with McCarty for many, many years and CAVS is incredibly supportive for our veterans and those in service. Anything I can do to provide support is important.”

Similarly, Ted Landsmark, distinguished professor of public policy and urban affairs and the director of the Kitty and Michael Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy, said he wants to show support for those who’ve served, for both the work they’ve done for the country and in the classroom. 

“(There’s a) level of collegiality and commitment to service they show,” he said of student veterans. “They can be great mentors and guides. They bring strong values to the campus community.”