By Ian Thomsen
Northeastern University’s highest student and faculty achievers across its 13 global campuses were celebrated Wednesday at the 15th annual Academic Honors Convocation.
Excellence in scholarship, research, teaching and advancing the university’s mission earned members of the Northeastern community their place on the stage at Blackman Auditorium in Ell Hall on the Boston campus.
“When we look at all your achievements and all that you have done, we are extremely excited about the future of this university, the future of this nation and indeed the future of this world,” Joseph E. Aoun, president of Northeastern, told the audience. “We cannot afford to be pessimistic when we see the enormous talent in this community. Our future is in your hands, and I want to thank you.”
Joining the honored undergraduate students, graduate students and professors in the lively hall were family, colleagues and friends. Music was provided from the stage by the Northeastern Wind Ensemble.
“Over the past year, you — our honorees — have achieved new heights in scholarship, research, teaching and innovation to embody Northeastern’s core values of interdisciplinary collaboration, infusing experience and entrepreneurial thinking into everything you do and developing solutions with global impact,” said David Madigan, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. “From research laboratories to art studios, from classrooms to field work across our global network and around the world, you have pushed the limits of what is possible, challenging yourselves, inspiring your peers and truly elevating our university community.”
Aoun led the audience in applauding the efforts of Madigan as provost for the past five years. Madigan will be stepping down in June while remaining at Northeastern as a professor in Khoury College of Computer Sciences.
Faculty Awards
Ranking among the top honorees Wednesday was Matthew Miller, a professor of health sciences and epidemiology who received the University Distinguished Professor Award — the highest honor the university can bestow upon a faculty member.
Miller is a leading expert in injury and violence prevention, with a focus on firearm violence and suicide. His research also encompasses pharmacoepidemiology and the ethical considerations within clinical trials. His contributions include teaching research methods at Northeastern.
Additionally, Miller was recognized for his election to the National Academy of Medicine.
Albert-László Barabási, Robert Gray Dodge Professor of Network Science and University Distinguished Professor, was honored for his election to the National Academy of Sciences. Barabási conducts research that challenges the traditional view of complex networks as random graphs. His current work explores network robustness, error tolerance and dynamics, with a focus on applying network theory to biological systems.
