As the 2003-2004 academic year comes to a close and the joyous occasion of Commencement is upon us, we should take a moment to pause and celebrate our accomplishments. Here are some of the fantastic developments of which we, as a university, are particularly proud.
* Our applications for Fall 2004 have increased by 12 percent since last year, with more than 24,000 high school graduates vying for 2,800 openings. The geographic range from which we attract applicants continues to grow.
* Several faculty members have been recognized for remarkable contributions to their fields. The Carnegie Foundation for the advancement of Teaching and the Council for advancement and Support of Education named Professor Patricia Mabrouk Massachusetts Professor of the Year, and Professor Joseph Ayers’ Robo-Lobster was named one of Time Magazine’s “Innovations of the Year” for 2003.
* We announced a five year, $75 million Academic Investment Plan to enhance the quality of academic programs in three key areas: undergraduate education, nationally significant research, enhanced graduate and professional programs and expanding our faculty with 100 tenured or tenure track professors.
* Our West Village Residence halls won the 2004 American Institute of Architects Honor Award, the profession’s highest recognition and Massachusetts Horticultural Society awarded Northeastern a gold medal for the transformation of our campus.
* Two major building projects are nearing completion: a beautiful 16-story residential tower on Huntington Avenue which includes a new home for the College of Computer and Information Science and a related residential building that will add 532 beds to our housing stock. Also, we opened the Badger ‘ Rosen SquashBusters Center on Columbus Avenue, a top-notch facility that features squash courts and a fitness center.
* Several athletic teams turned in stellar performances, including a fifth straight league championship by swimming and diving, a third straight league championship by field hockey and a league championship by women’s indoor track. Chanda Gunn was awarded the 2004 College Hockey Humanitarian Award, which is presented annually to college hockey’s finest citizen. Also our baseball team played the Boston Red Sox at a Spring Training exhibition game before a crowd of 6,942 and our new mascot, Paws, a younger, fiercer canine, made its debut at the Homecoming football game.
All this said, it has been a difficult and emotional year for the Northeastern community. Through much of what has happened, we have become a closer-knit university, and we know that we can find support in each other in times of need and work together to face our challenges and address those difficult questions. In all my years in higher education, I must say that Northeastern is one of the best universities in the country. I am honored to lead an institution of this nature. The recognition received by Northeastern’s students, faculty, and staff is a testament to the caliber, motivation and drive cultivated here at the university.
There is so much to be proud of this year, and I would like to extend special words of appreciation to the members of the Northeastern community:
To the graduating class of 2004, I say thank you, congratulations and best wishes on your next endeavors. It has been a wonderful five years learning and growing with you and you will be greatly missed.
To the returning students, I look forward to the experiences and challenges that the upcoming year will bring.
To the faculty and staff of the university, I thank you for making Northeastern such a strong and vibrant institution.
— Dr. Richard Freeland is the President of Northeastern University.
