This is not the first time I have felt compelled to share with others my thoughts on Northeastern, nor will it be my last. I get great satisfaction from sharing with others why Northeastern is so special to me and to so many of my friends. In fact, there is nothing I enjoy more than helping a student who is applying to college and educating her on one of the best universities out there. It just so happens to be my alma mater. Not long ago, my girlfriend, Lauren, a graduate of Columbia University, accompanied me to Northeastern for a full day of activities: sight seeing around campus and, of course, the usual reminiscing about classes, campus life and co-ops. What I did not know then was Lauren would end up saying something that would forever change the way I thought about Northeastern. “Many people respect Columbia, but I respect Northeastern and envy your college experience. It is really amazing what you and your friends were able to accomplish here,” Lauren said with a smile and a look of admiration. After giving some thought to what she had said, I knew that she was right. My friends and I did accomplish a lot at NU. In fact, from my own personal experience we accomplished a lot more than most students who attended other universities. After all, it is the experience that makes NU so special. Lauren and I continued our conversation and both of us came to the conclusion that the quality and richness of the “Northeastern Experience” is embedded in Northeastern’s unique “action” oriented culture. In addition to world class faculty and cutting edge research, NU has a unique and special culture that strongly reinforces serious academic pursuits by encouraging and, at times, demanding students take on challenging real world experiences, which are in essence life-altering events. It was in this culture of taking “action” that led me and many of my closest friends there to venture on paths of great self-discovery. Northeastern students are doers, as well as thinkers. It is in my opinion that this culture of gaining knowledge and then taking “action” is one of NU’s greatest strengths, because it encourages and ultimately leads so many students there to take FULL advantage of the many challenging opportunities for self-discovery and professional development. My friends and I were always looking for new experiences, to expand on what we already learned, so that we could continue to be challenged. As a direct result of this culture, I believe Northeastern is second to no one in producing students and graduates who are willing and capable of becoming great leaders. After all, they have plenty of practice leading by example. In addition, the ways in which a student can choose to take action are virtually limitless at Northeastern. For example, a student studying biology may “take action” by joining a biology club on campus, assisting a professor with her research, tutoring, volunteering, doing biomedical research for Mass General Hospital or pharmaceutical research at a company located in Europe. The opportunities for students to get involved, to learn, and to make a difference are limitless. The numerous self-discovery/learning experiences I received at Northeastern changed my life forever. Whether I was on campus, exploring Boston, on co-op (Paris, London, New York, Oregon) or studying abroad in London, I was exposed to diverse people, places and complex situations that I had never experienced before. In addition, the opportunity to work at The White House during an election year was a reward in its own right; a chance to be a part of something special, to be a part of history. Even today, there is not a day that goes by that I don’t feel grateful to Northeastern, for what I was able to do and experience while I was a student there. So, my advice to you is, “take action” and make the most of your college experience by taking advantage of all the opportunities Northeastern offers you.

— Michael Turgeon is a graduate of the class of ’96 with a B.A. in marketing.