By Jenna Duncan, News Staff
This year, President Joseph Aoun has encouraged members of the community to celebrate Northeastern’s centennial anniversary of co-op, and he also led initiatives to make the university more global. All of this tied into the theme of this years commencement, global leaders despite the economy.
President Aoun gave the first of three addresses, discussing changes in society, such as the increased popularity of text messaging, and relating the changes to Northeastern, where he said graduates would be the “geniuses of this revolutionary age.”
“Many of you have come to me and said how valuable your co-op and experiential learning opportunities have been,” he said. “The truth is, you are about to learn how vital these experiences really are. This is because you are graduating in a time of unprecedented change around the world, a time of true revolutions.”
The focus then shifted to more global experiences when graduate and student speaker Michael Paradiso, an international business major, took the podium. In his speech, he reflected on his time in China and Brazil and stories he had heard from his peers.
“We all have these stories, these stories have all changed our experiences,” he said. “We have been inspired here at Northeastern, and now it is our turn to be the inspiration to the next generation.”
The commencement address was given by Kenneth Chenault, chairman and chief executive officer of American Express Company, who began by saying he dreamed of being in TD Garden, but had pictured himself in a Celtics jersey.
Chenault dove into the university’s history, talking about when the school was founded in 1898 compared to now. He said this showed that in 100 years huge advancements can happen that once seemed unimaginable.
He encouraged graduates to face challenges such as the tough economy, head on.
“You must confront the challenges, because you don’t just leave Northeastern with memories, you leave with a mission,” he said. “It’s to take what you learn here, and because this is Northeastern, take what you experienced here and apply it. You have the opportunity to do that, but you also … have an obligation to lead. An obligation to be leaders and to help shape society and shape the future.”
There were three honorary degree recipients, including Chenault, Vartan C. Gregorian, president of the Carnegie Corporation of New York, and Victoria Reggie Kennedy, wife of the late Senator Ted Kennedy and an activist for at-risk youth, the homeless, women and against gun violence.
