Northeastern honors top graduate students

President Aoun tells Laurel and Scroll 100 inductees that Northeastern put them “in the driver’s seat” in a world with artificial intelligence.

Emma Olivia Albert, right, receives a bright red stole from Ava Magoon of the Alumni Relations department during the Laurel and Scroll induction ceremony held in the East Village building on Northeastern’s Boston campus. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

William Richardsson is on track to be a double Husky, earning his undergraduate degree and, in just a few days, his graduate degree from Northeastern.

As a commuter student for two of his five years at the university, Richardsson said he lived both off and on the Boston campus. On Wednesday, he was one of 100 inducted into the 2026 Laurel and Scroll 100, and the honor, he said, makes him feel like a permanent member of the community.

“To be recognized by the university means a ton to me,” said Richardsson, who will soon graduate with his master’s degree after participating in the PlusOne in Finance program. “It means I’m part of the community even though I don’t live in the community.”

The Laurel and Scroll 100 honors outstanding graduate and professional students for achievements aligning with the university’s mission, ideals, values and academic plan. Northeastern also has an undergraduate honor society known as the Huntington 100, and the two are collectively known as Northeastern University Societies of Distinction.

An induction luncheon for Laurel and Scroll 100 honorees was held on Northeastern’s Boston campus on Wednesday.

President Joseph E. Aoun kicked off the ceremony by congratulating the inductees, joking that he would not have made it through the rigorous nomination and selection process.

On a more serious note, he told the inductees that their Northeastern experience put them “in the driver’s seat” of a world dominated by artificial intelligence.

“You have an edge because you have practiced, you have seen how to shape AI and, moving forward, the opportunity is for you to shape it,” Aoun said. “You are going to shape the future of society worldwide and we need that. We are in your hands.”

Ceremonial candles were lit to represent Northeastern principles of excellence, distinctiveness and innovation as well as the university’s motto of Lux, Veritas, Virtus – light, truth and courage.

“From this day forward, each cohort of students will be an incredible testament to the high ambition and achievement found in the Northeastern student body,” said Lori Jacques, associate vice president for alumni relations and annual giving, at the ceremony.

President Aoun speaks into a microphone at the front of an audience. Behind him, a screen says Northeastern University Laurel and Scroll 100. — 04/15/26 – BOSTON MA. – Scenes during the Laurel & Scroll Induction Ceremony held in East Village 17th floor event space on April 15, 2026. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

Stacks of red sashes, embroidered with the Northeastern seal and the text Laurel and Scroll 100. — 04/15/26 – BOSTON MA. – Scenes during the Laurel & Scroll Induction Ceremony held in East Village 17th floor event space on April 15, 2026. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

Jacques said membership in Laurel and Scroll 100 was a unique accomplishment and responsibility.

“Bestowed upon you is the privilege and responsibility to continue to uphold and pursue the goals upon which Northeastern University and the society were founded,” Jacques said. “Today we welcome you into our ranks and honor your membership.”

This year’s inductees represented the diversity in course of study, participation in campus and community activities and learning opportunities available across Northeastern.

Attendees at Laurel and Scroll greet each other excitedly. — 04/15/26 – BOSTON MA. – Scenes during the Laurel & Scroll Induction Ceremony held in East Village 17th floor event space on April 15, 2026. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

A man takes a selfie with President Aoun. — 04/15/26 – BOSTON MA. – Scenes during the Laurel & Scroll Induction Ceremony held in East Village 17th floor event space on April 15, 2026. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

Among them was Jenish Suril Kothari, who was drawn to Northeastern’s master’s in computer science program for its co-op opportunities and the strong student community and network in Boston.

He has taken advantage of both, he said, completing co-ops at Adobe and Dell and starting an Amazon Web Services Cloud Club that grew from 10 members in January this year to 400 members as of this month.

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“Northeastern has supported me in all that,” said Kothari, who is starting a job at the software company Adobe in June.

Sage Humphries, another inductee, has a full-time job with the Boston Ballet, a position she managed along with coursework for a master’s degree in organizational leadership.

“I was inspired to get this degree because I want to represent future leadership in my chosen field,” Humphries said. “I think the best leaders are active in [their chosen] fields.”

Humphries said she appreciates that classwork at Northeastern is actively applied and challenged in real-world situations.

The ceremony culminated in the signing of the membership book. One by one, students lined up to sign the book, then received their bright red stole, pin, and certificate.

The inductees then recited the membership pledge.

“I have a lot of gratitude because it took a lot of sweat and tears to get here,” said Alexia Chiriac, who completed the PlusOne Master’s in Criminology and Criminal Justice program after earning her bachelor’s degree in international affairs and criminal justice at the university.

“It’s a good end to my chapter at Northeastern,” Chiriac said.