By Freddie Zamora

The second annual Northeastern University Co-op Partners Dinner, held in the Ritz Carlton Ballroom Thursday night, was a time to acknowledge cooperative education and its importance to Northeastern and to recognize the relationship between the university and co-op employers.

“It’s been a dream of mine to celebrate and showcase the relationship between Northeastern and our co-op partners. The employer and the college both benefit from co-op,” said President Richard Freeland.

Dignitaries of the Northeastern administration, co-op employers and students receiving awards attended the two-hour gala.

Thomas Moloney, the senior executive vice president and chief officer of John Hancock Financial Services, one of Northeastern’s longest-standing co-op employers, said employers, as well as students, receive an edge by participating in NU’s nationally ranked co-op program.

“We’ve had a relationship with Northeastern for 30 years. It’s an invaluable partnership between John Hancock and Northeastern. It’s a real benefit for employers to find high caliber students to be productive. As long as there is an opportunity for [Northeastern and John Hancock] to benefit, our relationship with Northeastern will continue,” Moloney said.

Emily Kei, a junior business major, worked at John Hancock and expressed the usefulness it delivered.

“I walked into college with no idea of what I wanted to do. Co-op directed me on what to do, to the right direction. It builds your resume. Don’t rush graduation. Enjoy [the classroom and workplace environment]. I was told by human resources that when I graduate, I’ll be able to have top picks at Hancock,” Kei said.

Attending her first co-op celebration, newly appointed Vice President of Cooperative Education Lynn Lyford applauded the event and the significance of co-op at Northeastern.

“[Tonight’s event] is absolutely important to recognize the support Northeastern receives from companies. It is great to participate in, to celebrate the partnership between Northeastern, the companies and all people who are a part of co-op,” Lyford said.

Boston Public Schools, General Electric Company, John Hancock Financial Services, Inc. and Kennedy Brothers Physical Therapy all received awards.

During his speech, Freeland expressed the importance of co-op at Northeastern and his determination to make it even better.

Junior computer science major Fitzgerald David and ’03 elementary education alumna Joanna Principe presented the first award to Michael Contompasis, the chief operating officer of Boston Public Schools.

“This is a gratifying experience. Boston Public Schools have had some troubles, but we’re getting better. Northeastern has stuck by us, being most important,” Contompasis said.

After his speech, Freeland said that “we value our partnership” with Boston Public Schools.

The second award was presented to General Electric by co-op student and engineering major Jennifer Prugnarola. Mark Vachon, the chief financial operator, and ’82 Northeastern alumnus, accepted the award on behalf of GE.

“Northeastern is a great partnership and has a great advantage over other universities [through co-op]. We’d like to say thank you to Northeastern, and congratulations on your incredible transformation. We have 740 [Northeastern] alumni working in GE today,” Vachon said.

Kei presented the third award to Moloney to show her appreciation for John Hancock.

“It is a win-win situation by smart students adding value [to John Hancock],” Moloney said in his speech about John Hancock’s 30-year relationship with Northeastern.

The fourth award of the night was handed to Kennedy Brothers Physical Therapy. Accepting were the co-founders and co-directors John and Richard Kennedy, both Northeastern graduates, by junior physical therapy majors Kara Therrien and Michael Sebastian.

In Richard Kennedy’s speech, he emphasized how invaluable co-op is and the range of partnerships Northeastern has, as well as the range of opportunity co-op allows.

The fifth and final award of the night was the newly created Camp Dresser ‘ McKee Award, handed to co-op coordinator Mary Kane along with a check for $1,000.

“Tonight’s event has showcased the power of cooperative education. It only works between Northeastern and partners who share goals,” Kane said.

The night’s closing remarks came from Neal Finnegan, the chair of Northeastern’s Board of Trustees.

“Northeastern offers real experience, and we can’t do that without our co-op partners. Co-op is the heart of the mission to Northeastern,” Finnegan said.