Evan Wolfson delivers his Commencement speech

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

It never gets old, does it? Hundreds of graduates participated in 91Porn’s Commencement ceremony on May 9. Whether you missed it or were there and want to relive the magic, we’ve got all the videos, stories and photos you need. 

Around the Commons       

‘A more perfect union’

One of the nation’s leaders of the same-sex marriage movement, Commencement speaker Evan Wolfson (top photo) encouraged graduates to embrace individual differences, acknowledge societal flaws and work together to build a better future for all. “The story of America, our country, is that despite its flaws and imperfections, its falling short of its promise, we the people can form a more perfect union,” Wolfson said. Northeastern in recognition of his achievements.

Check out more from Commencement and related events:

  • of Wolfson’s Commencement address
  • of student speaker Nina Page's Commencement address
  • from Commencement
  • slideshow from Commencement
  • from the Academic Honors ceremony
  • from the Graduate Honors ceremony

And there’s more!

  • Thomas J. Tobin, coordinator of learning technologies in the Center for Teaching and Learning, will speak at the  on May 17-19 at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia. The title of Tobin’s keynote is “Reach Everyone and Teach Everyone with Universal Design for Learning.”
  • Interim Director of El Centro Maria Luna-Duarte on the Student ACCESS Bill with Professor Roberto G. Gonzales of the Harvard University Graduate School of Education and three other colleagues from Chicago.
  • The Chicago Chamber Music Festival at Northeastern is for the July 30-Aug. 6 immersion program for talented pre-collegiate musicians.
  • On May 11, Northeastern hosted an Alumni Advocacy Day in Springfield. Members of the University's administration and Alumni Advocacy Committee met with key appropriations and higher education lawmakers as well as NEIU alumni serving in the general assembly to discuss the importance of adequate funding for our FY16 and FY17 budgets.

In the media

Never stop learning

At age 84, Jerry Pollard became the oldest person to earn a first bachelor’s degree from Northeastern since at least 1961. “When I retired, I thought, ‘I don't have any hobbies. What am I going to do?’ So I decided to go back to school,” Pollard told the . “I thought an education never hurts. It's about time.” The story resonated in Chicago, and was quickly covered by , and , all of which sent cameras to film Pollard receiving his diploma at Commencement.

The Mash finale

Kimya Barden, assistant professor of Educational Inquiry and Curriculum Studies, was the last faculty member of the academic year to be  with The Mash, the Chicago Tribune’s weekly publication for teens. Barden answered questions about test anxiety, studying in groups versus studying alone and making friends in college.

Also in the media ...

  •  and the reported on Evan Wolfson’s Commencement speech.
  • cited Political Science department chair Jeffrey Hill in a story about Hillary Clinton's potential running mate.
  • hosted Gerontology program coordinator Lisa Hollis-Sawyer for a podcast about women and positive aging.
  • Ensemble Español made Crain's Chicago Business' list twice!

To do

A Chicago debut

Brazil’s Quinta Essentia Recorder Quartet will make their on May 20 as part of the Jewel Box Series. Quinta Essentia is one of the leading chamber music ensembles in Brazil and one of the few groups highlighting the recorder in different musical realms.

Mark your calendar!

  • Vocal Showcase, 7:30 p.m. May 17, Recital Hall

#FollowFriday

On the big screen

Whether you weren’t at Commencement or you want to relive the experience, check out the #NEIUgrad images that !

Do you have a story tip? Let the public relations office know!

Mike Hines, Director of Public Relations, m-hines@neiu.edu, (773) 442-4240