Northeastern’s Portland campus celebrates new graduates
The graduate students represented 10 U.S. states, two Canadian provinces, and 25 countries from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, and ranged from ages 23 to 58.
PORTLAND, Maine — Brian Whitney said he was originally brought in for “a few days” to “steady the ship” at the Maine Technology Institute.
Twelve years later, Whitney remains president of MTI, which provides support to businesses in Maine, and considers it one of the best decisions he ever made. He told Northeastern University’s Portland campus graduates to embrace the unexpected.
“Don’t be afraid to deviate from your intended path to pursue a more emergent opportunity if it presents itself,” Whitney said at a commencement ceremony on Friday, June 12.
He then offered three ways to remain centered and impactful as a new opportunity changes plans.
“Be accountable, prioritize people you value most, and practice gratitude,” the commencement speaker said.
Three-hundred and fifty students graduated with advanced degrees from the Roux Institute on Northeastern’s Portland, Maine, campus. The institute – a tech talent and innovation hub for Maine and beyond, which drives innovation at the intersection of tech, data, and the life sciences – held its ceremony at Portland City Hall’s Merrill Auditorium. Students represented 10 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces, 25 countries from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, and ranged from ages 23 to 58, said Chris Mallett, chief administrative officer at the Roux Institute at Northeastern’s Portland campus. It was the fifth and largest class to graduate from the Portland campus, he added.
The ceremony reflected the global impact of Northeastern and its graduates, as well as the university’s commitment to local entrepreneurship, lifelong experiential learning and community.
Whitney noted that 70% or more of Roux graduates remain in Maine, and that the campus has incubated 160 startup companies in the state that have raised more than $200 million in investment capital.
“Wherever we go next, whether we remain in Maine or carry this experience elsewhere, we leave prepared,” said Miranda Shinn, the student commencement speaker who graduated with a master’s degree in project management. “Prepared not because we have guarantees, but because we have resilience. Prepared because Maine has shaped us to value steady work, strong communities and principled leadership.”
Photos by Flatlander Photography for Northeastern University
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Graduates crossed the stage with excitement, cheers from family and friends in the audience resounded as the graduates hugged administrators and professors, and gave broad smiles for photographs.
“You have done it,” said Mike Pollastri, senior vice provost at the Roux. “You have realized the goals that brought you to Northeastern, and you’re well prepared for the next exciting phases of your lives.”
Indeed, after the caps fell to the ground during the traditional class photo on the steps of Portland City Hall, graduates were excited for the future.
Ade Agboluaje said that the experiential learning and industry support for internships had prepared him well for the future after earning his master’s degree in project management.
He said he would recommend the program “to everybody.”
Graduate Angela Gray, age 50, said she felt tremendous satisfaction after earning her degree. Gray said she quit her corporate job to return to school for a master’s degree in project management.
“I’m putting myself in a better position to do what I want to do,” she said.
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