Dear Members of the Northeastern Community:

Northeastern’s success is built on a collective commitment to excellence that pervades every corner or our unique, diverse and growing community. Thanks to you, we have achieved the extraordinary.

Over the past weeks, from Academic Honors Convocation to our Commencement ceremonies and student life awards, we have gathered to recognize the outstanding achievements of our faculty, students, alumni, and friends. As we close the celebratory season, I invite you to join me at our annual Year-End Celebration, when we will again convene as One Northeastern to honor our staff whose diligence and innovative, creative efforts inspire us all.

I am happy to share this year’s winners. Each winner exemplifies the commitment and effort necessary to sustain this momentum toward our shared goals.

Outstanding Innovation Awards

Benjamin Bertsch and Adam Fischer were chosen in recognition of their documentary short film, Murder in Mobile. Created for Northeastern’s “Tribute to the Dream” event honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., this important film helped shed light on a forgotten hate crime and highlighted the outstanding work of Northeastern’s Civil Rights and Restorative Justice Project.

Nick Avery, David Fraizer, Mike Glover, Tim Leshan, Cassandra McKenzie, and John Tobin were selected thanks to their impressive work as an interdisciplinary team to re-imagine the Carter Playground. Their work resulted in a beautiful public space with top-tier athletic facilities, enjoyed by the Northeastern and Boston communities alike. To achieve this goal, they forged a unique partnership amongst city, state and federal agencies.

Outstanding Service Awards

Lindsey Sudbury and Clair Waterbury are being recognized for their leadership in building online undergraduate courses that promote our shared vision for students to learn anytime, anywhere with anyone. Lindsey and Clair created a model for other colleges to follow that supports personalization and global mobility.

Jeff Wormuth was chosen for his expertise in project management and the impact he has made on some of the most important and prevalent business processes at the university. Jeff works every day to promote operational efficiency and institutional effectiveness, qualities that we look for in every member of our community.

Please join me in congratulating this year’s award winners. I look forward to celebrating with you all at our gathering later today.

Sincerely,

Joseph E. Aoun
President