History of Northeastern University in Timeline

Northeastern University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1898 by the Boston YMCA as an all-male institute, it was later incorporated as Northeastern College in 1916 and achieved university status in 1922. The university is known for its cooperative education program, integrating classroom study with professional experience.

1903: Establishment of Automobile Engineering School

In 1903, the first Automobile Engineering School in the country was established, marking an early focus on specialized technical education.

1904: Establishment of Polytechnic School

In 1904, a Polytechnic School was established, expanding the range of technical programs offered by the institution.

1907: Establishment of School of Commerce and Finance

In 1907, a School of Commerce and Finance was established, adding business-related programs to the curriculum.

1909: Launch of Cooperative Education Program

In 1909, Northeastern University launched one of the world's largest and oldest cooperative education (co-op) programs. To graduate, all students must meet the co-op requirement through employment or study abroad. Many students complete at least one co-op placement, alternating academic study with professional employment.

1909: Beginning of Day Classes

In 1909, Northeastern began offering day classes, expanding access to education for a broader range of students.

1909: Co-operative Engineering Courses Begin

In 1909, the Polytechnic School began offering co-operative engineering courses to eight students, integrating classroom learning with practical work experience.

1910: Matthews Arena Opens

In 1910, Matthews Arena (originally known as the Boston Arena) opened. It is the world's oldest surviving indoor ice hockey arena.

1913: New YMCA Building on Huntington Avenue

In 1913, a new YMCA building was constructed on Huntington Avenue after a fire, marking an important facility upgrade for the institute's activities.

March 1916: Incorporation Bill Passed

In March 1916, after significant debate and investigation, the bill to incorporate the institute as Northeastern College was passed by the Massachusetts Legislature.

1916: Incorporation as Northeastern College

In 1916, the institute was officially incorporated as Northeastern College, marking a significant step in its evolution.

March 30, 1917: Inauguration of Frank Palmer Speare

On March 30, 1917, veteran educator Frank Palmer Speare was inaugurated as the first president of the newly incorporated Northeastern College, marking a new era for the institution.

1920: Degree-Granting Authority for Co-operative School of Engineering

In 1920, the Co-operative School of Engineering, later known as the College of Engineering, was first authorized to grant degrees in civil, chemical, electrical, and mechanical engineering.

1921: Baseball Team Founded

In 1921, the baseball team was founded.

1922: Gaining University Status

In 1922, Northeastern College achieved university status, signifying its growth and expanded academic offerings.

March 1923: General Degree-Granting Power Secured

In March 1923, Northeastern University secured general (A.B. and B.S.) degree-granting power from the Legislature, with the exception of medical and dental degrees, further expanding its academic capabilities.

February 1927: Siberian Husky Chosen as Mascot

In February 1927, a pup was selected from Leonhard Seppala's kennel in Poland Springs, Maine, as the Siberian Husky mascot for Northeastern.

March 4, 1927: King Husky I Arrives at Northeastern

On March 4, 1927, King Husky I, the first live mascot, arrived at Northeastern, and classes were canceled for a campus celebration.

1932: "All Hail, Northeastern" Composed

In 1932, the university fight song, "All Hail, Northeastern," was composed by Charles A. Pethybridge.

June 14, 1934: Description of Campus Design

On June 14, 1934, the Boston Evening Transcript described the campus design as "modernistic classical", reflecting the architectural style of the time.

1935: Addition of the College of Liberal Arts

In 1935, the College of Liberal Arts was added to Northeastern University, broadening the range of academic disciplines offered.

October 1938: Completion of Richards Hall

In October 1938, Richards Hall, which housed classrooms, laboratories, and administrative offices, was the first building to be completed on Northeastern's campus. Its design influenced the 1944 master plan.

October 1938: Construction of Richards Hall Begins

In October 1938, construction began on Richards Hall, the first building constructed on Northeastern's campus. It was designed by alumnus Herman Voss.

1940: Carl Ell Becomes President

In 1940, Carl Ell became the president of Northeastern University.

1944: 1944 Master Plan

In 1944, the university developed a master plan characterized by a mix of Beaux-Arts and Bauhaus architectural styles, featuring stripped-down classicism and open courtyards resembling those of MIT.

1947: Ell Hall Completed

In 1947, Ell Hall, one of the oldest buildings on campus, was completed. It houses administrative offices, classrooms, art display space, an auditorium and the Northeastern Bookstore.

1948: Separation from the YMCA

In 1948, Northeastern University completely separated itself from the YMCA, marking a significant step in its evolution as an independent institution.

1949: Harvey Krentzman Alumnus

In 1949, Harvey Krentzman, a businessman, became an alumnus of Northeastern University. The Krentzman Quadrangle was later named in his honor.

1952: Dodge Hall Completed

In 1952, Dodge Hall was completed and named for Robert Gray Dodge.

1953: Dodge Hall Becomes the Main Library

In 1953, Dodge Hall's basement became the university's main library, until Snell Library opened.

1953: Creation of the College of Education

In 1953, Northeastern University created the College of Education, expanding its academic offerings.

1954: Cabot Physical Education Center Opens

In 1954, the Cabot Physical Education Center opened.

1956: George J. Matthews Graduate

In 1956, George J. Matthews, who later helped fund a major renovation of Matthews Arena, graduated from Northeastern.

1959: Carl Ell Leaves Office

In 1959, Carl Ell left office after having expanded the campus and making cooperative education an integral part of the university-wide curriculum.

1959: Carl Ell Steps Down as President

In 1959, Carl Ell, who had expanded the university, stepped down as president, marking the end of an era characterized by local identity and technical focus.

1959: Student Demographics at Start of Expansion

In 1959, at the beginning of the expansion period, the Northeastern student body was primarily composed of white males from New England, with a focus on business and engineering.

1960: Matthews Arena Hosts Frozen Four

In 1960, Matthews Arena hosted the Frozen Four.

1960: Establishment of University College

In 1960, Northeastern University established University College (now called the College of Professional Studies), to expand continuing education offerings.

1961: Roger Marino Alumnus

In 1961, Roger Marino, who later co-founded EMC Corporation, became an alumnus.

1961: Purchase of United Drug Company Complex

In 1961, under President Asa Knowles, Northeastern University purchased a 7-acre industrial complex from the United Drug Company to build athletic facilities. Some buildings were demolished, while others were repurposed into Lake Hall, Holmes Hall, Nightingale Hall, and Meserve Hall.

1963: NU Libraries Receive Federal Depository Designation

In 1963, the Northeastern University Libraries received federal depository designation.

1964: Creation of Colleges of Pharmacy and Nursing

In 1964, Northeastern University created the Colleges of Pharmacy and Nursing, which later merged into the Bouvé College of Health Sciences, enhancing its focus on health-related disciplines.

1967: Creation of the College of Criminal Justice

In 1967, Northeastern University established the College of Criminal Justice, further diversifying its academic programs.

1974: Increase in Foreign Students

By 1974–75, the number of foreign students at Northeastern had increased to 960, up from 170 in the 1950s and 1960s.

1974: Student Demographics in 1974-75

In 1974-75, women accounted for 33 percent of the nearly 14,000 undergraduates students, while 5 percent were black. Over 900 students came from different foreign countries.

1975: Student Demographics at End of Expansion

By 1975, Northeastern's student population had become more diverse, with women accounting for 33 percent and black students for 5 percent of the undergraduates. Over 900 students came from different foreign countries.

1975: Growth of Black Student Organizations

By 1975, black student-led organizations at Northeastern included the Afro-photo Society, Student Grill, Health Careers Club, The Onyx (a black student newspaper), Muhindi Literary Guild, the Outing Club, Black Engineering Society, and the Omicron chapter of Iota Phi Theta.

1975: Asa S. Knowles' Presidency Ends

In 1975, the presidency of Asa S. Knowles ended. Under his leadership since 1959, the university broadened undergraduate and graduate offerings, modernized its administrative and faculty structures, and expanded its colleges.

1982: Major Renovation of Matthews Arena

In 1982, Matthews Arena underwent a major renovation, funded in part by George J. Matthews and his wife Hope M. Matthews.

1982: Creation of the Khoury College of Computer Sciences

In 1982, Northeastern University created the Khoury College of Computer Sciences, the first college in the United States dedicated to the field of computer science.

1988: Friedman Diamond Named

In 1988, the baseball diamond at Parsons Field was named Friedman Diamond.

1989: Kenneth G. Ryder's Retirement

In 1989, Kenneth G. Ryder retired as president, after which the university adopted a more thoughtful approach to change.

1990: First Class with More Live-On Campus Students

In 1990, Northeastern graduated its first class with more live-on campus students than commuter students, marking a shift in the university's culture.

1990: Snell Library Opens

In 1990, Snell Library opened at a cost of $35 million. It is home to the Northeastern University Archives and Special Collections department.

1991: Trustee Report on Financial Crisis

In 1991, a trustee committee report described the situation as "life threatening to Northeastern," warning of a $17 million budget gap with no funding mechanisms to cover it, highlighting a period of significant financial challenges.

1995: Improvement of SAT scores

Between 1995 and 2007, Northeastern saw an improvement in SAT exam scores by more than 200 points, as well as increased retention rates and doubled applications.

1996: Richard M. Freeland Becomes President

In 1996, Richard M. Freeland became the President of Northeastern University. He then decided to focus on recruiting the type of students who were already graduating as the school's prime demographic and on improving academics.

1996: Marino Recreation Center Opens

In the Fall of 1996, the Marino Recreation Center, named after Roger Marino, opened as an indoor fitness center.

1998: Centennial Common Created

In 1998, Centennial Common was created to mark the 100th anniversary of Northeastern University. The lawn borders several key buildings and serves as a gathering spot for students.

1998: Admissions Target Set

In 1998, President Freeland set an admissions target of 2,800 freshmen per year, aiming for adequate tuition income without compromising education quality.

2001: Davenport Commons Opens

In 2001, Davenport Commons opened, providing housing for students and allowing families to purchase condos or townhouses.

2002: NSF Engineering Research Center Designation

In 2002, Northeastern's Center for Subsurface Sensing and Imaging Systems (CenSSIS) was designated as an NSF Engineering Research Center, recognizing its contributions to research and innovation.

2002: Football team wins Atlantic 10 Conference championship

In 2002, the Northeastern Huskies football program won the Atlantic 10 Conference championship.

2004: Gold Medal Awarded by Massachusetts Horticultural Society

In 2004, Northeastern University was awarded the gold medal by the Massachusetts Horticultural Society for its Dedham Campus, recognizing its horticultural excellence.

2004: Launch of Academic Investment Plan

In 2004, Northeastern launched a five-year, $75 million Academic Investment Plan focused on undergraduate education, core graduate programs, and research centers.

2004: NSF Nanotechnology Research Center Selection

In 2004, Northeastern was selected by the National Science Foundation as one of six institutions to serve as a center for research in nanotechnology, further establishing its role in cutting-edge scientific advancements.

2005: Cracking Top 100 U.S. News & World Report Rankings

By 2005, Northeastern had cracked the top 100 of the U.S. News & World Report's rankings of America's best universities, marking the completion of its transformation goal.

2005: Inaugural Underwear Run held

In 2005, Northeastern University held the first Underwear Run, an event during the fall midterm season where students run around campus in their underwear. The NUPD supervises the run.

2005: Live Mascot Tradition Resumes

In 2005, Northeastern University resumed the live mascot tradition, with the current live mascot named Moses.

2005: Women's rugby finishes third in the nation; men's rugby wins largest annual tournament

In 2005, the Northeastern women's rugby team finished third in the nation in Division II. In the same year, the men's rugby team won the largest annual tournament in the United States.

2005: Northeastern Teams Compete in CAA

Since 2005, 14 of 18 Northeastern varsity sports teams primarily compete in NCAA Division I's Colonial Athletic Association (CAA).

August 15, 2006: Joseph E. Aoun Becomes President

On August 15, 2006, Joseph E. Aoun, a former dean at the University of Southern California, succeeded Richard M. Freeland as President of Northeastern University.

2006: Proposal for New Residence Hall

During the summer of 2006, Northeastern proposed a new residence hall at the corner of Tremont Street and Ruggles Street.

2006: Number of International Student Applicants in 2006

In 2006, Northeastern received 1,128 applications from international students, showing a significant increase over the following decade.

February 2007: Construction Begins on New Residence Hall

In late February 2007, construction began on the new residence hall at the corner of Tremont Street and Ruggles Street.

2007: Improvement of SAT scores

Between 1995 and 2007, Northeastern saw an improvement in SAT exam scores by more than 200 points, as well as increased retention rates and doubled applications.

2007: Northeastern Club Baseball team wins first of three straight New England Club Baseball Association championships

From 2007 to 2009, the Northeastern Club Baseball team began a winning streak, securing the first of three consecutive New England Club Baseball Association championships.

2007: Boston Zoning Code Amendment

In 2007, a Boston zoning code amendment was enacted, paving the way for sustainable building practices at Northeastern University.

2007: External Research Funding in FY 2007

In Fiscal Year 2007, Northeastern University's annual external research funding exceeded $78 million, supporting research opportunities for undergraduate students through various programs like the Center for Experiential Education and Provost's Office research grants.

2008: Reader's Digest Survey Ranking in 2008

A 2008 Reader's Digest survey ranked Northeastern University as the second safest school in the United States, following Johns Hopkins University in Maryland.

2008: Northeastern Club Field Hockey and Women's Basketball teams win National Championships

During the 2008-09 academic year, the Northeastern Club Field Hockey and Women's Basketball teams both won their respective National Championships.

2008: Shepard Fairey's "Hope" Poster

In 2008, Shepard Fairey created the "Hope" poster for Barack Obama, later commissioned for Northeastern's Public Art Initiative in 2014.

2008: West Village Building F Receives Award

In 2008, West Village Building F was recognized in the American Institute of Architects New England 2008 Merit Awards for Design Excellence.

2008: Rowing team places fourth in Intercollegiate Rowing Association Grand Finals

In 2008, the Northeastern Rowing team competed in the Intercollegiate Rowing Association Grand Finals, securing fourth place. They finished behind University of Wisconsin–Madison, University of Washington, and University of California, Berkeley, but ahead of Brown University, Princeton University, University of Pennsylvania, and Harvard University.

2008: Increase in International Students Since 2008

Since 2008, the number of international students at Northeastern has steadily increased by about 1,000 students every year, contributing to a diverse student body.

November 20, 2009: Northeastern eliminates its football program

On November 20, 2009, Northeastern University's board of trustees voted to eliminate the 74-year-old football program due to sparse attendance, losing seasons, and the cost of renovating Parsons Field. President Joseph Aoun stated that the decision would allow the university to focus on existing athletic programs.

2009: Northeastern Club Baseball team wins third straight New England Club Baseball Association championship

From 2007 to 2009, the Northeastern Club Baseball team won three straight New England Club Baseball Association championships.

2009: Conclusion of Academic Investment Plan

In 2009, the five-year, $75 million Academic Investment Plan concluded, having concentrated on undergraduate education, core graduate professional programs, and centers of research excellence.

2009: Research Funding in FY 2009-10

In Fiscal Years 2009-10, Northeastern's research funding neared $82 million, highlighting the university's commitment to research and development initiatives.

2009: International Village Opens

In the spring of 2009, the complex was named International Village and opened later that summer. It consists of three interconnected residential towers, an office tower, administration building, and a gym.

May 25, 2010: Club baseball team wins National Club Baseball Association Division II World Series

On May 25, 2010, the club baseball team of Northeastern University defeated Penn State to win the National Club Baseball Association Division II World Series and the national championship.

2010: LEED Gold Certification for International Village and Dockser Hall

In 2010, International Village residence hall was certified as a LEED Gold building in accordance with a 2007 Boston zoning code amendment. Dockser Hall achieved LEED Gold certification upon completion of its renovation.

2010: Improvement in ranking of US News and World Report

In 2010, Northeastern University ranked in the US News and World Report and had an improvement in the ranking by 27 positions since 2010–11.

2010: Grant for Homeland Security Research Facility

In 2010, Northeastern University received a $12 million grant from an alum for a Homeland security research facility. It was named the George J. Kostas Research Institute for Homeland Security after its chief benefactor.

2010: Princeton Review Ranking as a 'Green College'

In 2010, the Princeton Review rated Northeastern as one of the top 15 "Green Colleges" in the nation, recognizing its commitment to environmental sustainability.

October 2011: Northeastern Opens Campus in Charlotte

In October 2011, Northeastern University opened a full-service remote network campus in Charlotte, North Carolina.

2011: Kostas Research Institute Opens

In 2011, the George J. Kostas Research Institute for Homeland Security opened in Burlington, MA, including the STReSS Laboratory.

2011: College Sustainability Report Card Grade

In 2011, the Sustainable Endowments Institute's College Sustainability Report Card gave Northeastern University a grade of "A−" for its environmental sustainability efforts and programs.

2012: D'Amore-McKim Donation to Business School

In 2012, Richard D'Amore and Alan McKim's $60 million donation to the university's business school inspired the Empower campaign.

January 2013: Northeastern Opens Campus in Seattle

In January 2013, Northeastern University opened a full-service remote network campus in Seattle.

May 2013: Launch of the Empower Campaign

In May 2013, Northeastern launched the Empower Campaign to support students, faculty, education, and research, with a goal of raising $1 billion by 2017.

2013: Improvement in ranking of US News and World Report

In 2013, Northeastern University ranked in the US News and World Report and had an improvement in the ranking by 7 positions in 2014.

2013: The Nor'easters Win ICCA Title

In 2013, The Nor'easters, one of Northeastern's a cappella groups, won the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) title.

February 21, 2014: Groundbreaking Ceremony for ISEC

On February 21, 2014, Northeastern held the groundbreaking ceremony for the Interdisciplinary Science & Engineering Complex (ISEC) on Columbus Avenue.

2014: College Prowler Rating in 2014

In 2014, College Prowler gave Northeastern University an "A+" rating for the quality of classes, professors, and overall academic environment.

2014: Launch of Public Art Initiative

In 2014, Northeastern University officially launched a Public Art Initiative to place murals and other art around the Boston campus, commissioning artists like Jef Aérosol, Daniel Anguilu, El Mac, and Shepard Fairey. Shepard Fairey is known for his 2008 Barack Obama "Hope" poster.

2014: Northeastern Ranks 42nd in U.S. News & World Report

In 2014, Northeastern University ranked 42nd in the U.S. News & World Report's best colleges and universities rankings, a 7-position jump from 2013 to 2014.

2014: GreenMetric World University Ranking

In 2014, Northeastern University was ranked first in the GreenMetric World University ranking for sustainability, a position it also held in 2011.

January 2015: East Village Opens

In January 2015, East Village, Northeastern's newest dorm building, opened, housing freshmen and upperclassmen in the University Honors Program.

March 2015: Northeastern Opens Campus in San Jose

In March 2015, Northeastern University opened a full-service remote network campus in San Jose, California.

2015: Empower Campaign Goal Raised

In 2015, the goal of the Empower campaign was raised to $1.25 billion, reflecting the campaign's success and increased philanthropic support.

June 2016: Library Staff Adopts Open-Access Policy

In June 2016, the Snell Library staff adopted an open-access policy to make its members' professional research publicly accessible online.

2016: LEED Silver Rating for East Village

In 2016, East Village at Northeastern University received a LEED Silver rating, further demonstrating the university's commitment to sustainable building practices.

2016: Northeastern Opens Campus in Toronto

In 2016, Northeastern University opened a full-service remote network campus in Toronto.

2016: International Student Applications in 2016

In 2016, Northeastern received 9,500 applications from international students, a significant increase from 1,128 in 2006, reflecting the university's growing global appeal.

October 2017: Empower Campaign Final Total Revealed

In October 2017, Northeastern revealed that the Empower campaign had raised a final total of $1.4 billion from over 100,000 individuals and 3,800 organizations from 110 countries.

2017: Job Offers from Co-op Employers

As of 2017, 50% of Northeastern students receive a job offer from a previous co-op employer, highlighting the success and impact of the university's cooperative education program.

2017: Introduction of SAIL App in Honors Program

In 2017, Northeastern's John Martinson Honors Program introduced the Student Assessed Integrated Learning (SAIL) app, which was later retired, and a one-credit Honors Discovery course to explore Northeastern and its key outcomes for honors students.

2017: The Nor'easters Win ICCA Title

In 2017, The Nor'easters, one of Northeastern's a cappella groups, won the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) title.

2017: Completion of ISEC

In 2017, the Interdisciplinary Science & Engineering Complex (ISEC) was completed, providing research and educational space for multiple colleges.

2017: Northeastern Ranked Fourth for Hosting International Students

In the Power of International Education's 2017 Open Doors report, Northeastern was ranked as the fourth-highest institution in the United States for hosting international students, highlighting its diverse student body.

2018: Drop in Acceptance Rate Due to Record Applications

In 2018, Northeastern experienced a record number of applications, leading to an eight-percentage-point drop in the acceptance rate compared to the previous year. Northeastern was also one of the top ten most applied-to colleges in 2018.

2018: Enrollment Statistics for Class of 2022

In 2018, for the Class of 2022, Northeastern received 62,272 applications, accepted 12,042 (19%), and enrolled 2,746 students. Enrolled freshmen had SAT scores of 670-750 for reading/writing and 690-790 for math, with ACT composite scores ranging from 32-34.

2018: LEED Gold Rating for ISEC

In 2018, the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex (ISEC) was rated LEED Gold, marking another milestone in Northeastern's dedication to environmentally friendly infrastructure.

2018: Northeastern Acquires New College of the Humanities

In late 2018, Northeastern announced the acquisition of the New College of the Humanities, a private London-based college.

2018: Club Taekwondo team places 1st overall in Division II

In the 2018-19 season, the Northeastern Club Taekwondo team placed 1st overall in Division II for the Eastern Collegiate Taekwondo Conference.

2019: Lightview Launched

In 2019, Lightview was launched, Boston's first developer-led, equity-financed student housing project built and financed by American Campus Communities exclusively for Northeastern students.

2019: Purchase of New College of the Humanities

In 2019, Northeastern University expanded its global presence by purchasing the New College of the Humanities, establishing an additional campus in London, England.

2019: Northeastern Opens Campus in Vancouver

In 2019, Northeastern University opened a full-service remote network campus in Vancouver, British Columbia.

2019: Campus Designated as Arboretum

In 2019, Northeastern University's campus was officially designated as an arboretum by ArbNet, making it the only campus in Boston to receive this recognition.

2019: Northeastern defeats Boston College to win the Beanpot

In 2019, Northeastern defeated Boston College with a score of 4–2 to win the Beanpot.

2019: Pitch, Please! Competes at ICCA Finals

In 2019, Pitch, Please!, one of Northeastern's a cappella groups, competed at the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) finals.

January 2020: Northeastern Announces Roux Institute

In January 2020, Northeastern announced that it was opening the Roux Institute in Portland, Maine, focused on artificial intelligence and machine learning.

2020: Northeastern wins Beanpot for the third year in a row

In 2020, Northeastern beat Boston University with a score of 5–4 in overtime to win the Beanpot for the third consecutive year.

2020: Underwear Run officially canceled due to COVID-19

In 2020, the Underwear Run was officially canceled due to concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020: Undergraduate Acceptance Rate in 2020

In 2020, the undergraduate acceptance rate was 18.1%. For the class of 2024, Northeastern received 64,459 applications, with 13,199 students accepted.

2021: Northeastern University Academic Offerings and Faculty Size in 2021

In 2021, Northeastern University offered 329 undergraduate majors, including 199 combined majors, and had 3,028 faculty members. The university emphasizes a liberal arts education integrated with experiential learning, including co-op programs, research, service learning, and global experiences, placing nearly 10,000 students annually in professional positions.

2021: Unofficial Underwear Run held despite official cancellation

In 2021, despite the official cancellation due to COVID-19 concerns, students unofficially organized and held the Underwear Run.

2021: Antisemitic Vandalism at Hillel

In 2021, the Hillel at Northeastern University experienced an act of antisemitic vandalism when a mezuzah was torn down. This occurred after Hillel invited reformed neo-Nazi TM Garret, a human rights advocate, leading to condemnation from the university president. A security video captured the incident, but the perpetrator was not apprehended.

2021: U.S. News & World Report Ranking in 2021

In the 2021 edition of U.S. News & World Report, Northeastern University was ranked 49th in its annual ranking of national universities.

July 1, 2022: Mills College Renamed to Mills College at Northeastern University

On July 1, 2022, Mills College in Oakland, California, was renamed to Mills College at Northeastern University through a merger.

September 12, 2022: Incident at Experiential Technologies Lab

On September 12, 2022, police investigated an incident at Northeastern University's Experiential Technologies lab involving a pressurized case explosion and a note criticizing the school's relationship with VR developers. Jason Duhaime, a university employee, was injured but later found to have concocted the event as a hoax. He was charged and fired.

2022: Application and Enrollment Statistics for Class of 2022

For the Class of 2022, Northeastern received 62,272 applications, accepted 12,042 (19%), and enrolled 2,746 students, illustrating the selectivity of the university.

2022: Northeastern loses in Beanpot finals to Boston University

In 2022, Northeastern lost in the Beanpot finals to Boston University.

2023: Opening of EXP Research Facility

In 2023, Northeastern University opened EXP, a large research facility to support work in autonomous vehicles, drones, and humanoid robots, featuring a 15,000-square-foot makers space for students.

2023: Undergraduate Acceptance Rate in 2023

In 2023, Northeastern University's undergraduate acceptance rate was 5.6%. This was due to 5,389 students being admitted from a record-large pool of 96,327 applicants. This sharp drop was an attempt to fix an over enrollment issue.

2023: Northeastern wins Beanpot in shootout against Harvard

In 2023, Northeastern won the Beanpot in a shootout against Harvard.

May 2024: Marymount Manhattan College Merger Announcement

In May 2024, Northeastern University announced a merger with Marymount Manhattan College, planning to rename it Northeastern University-New York City. The finalization of this merger is subject to regulatory approval, which could take up to two years.

May 29, 2024: Northeastern and Marymount Manhattan College Announce Merger

On May 29, 2024, Northeastern and Marymount Manhattan College in New York City announced a merger that will create Northeastern University – New York City.

June 14, 2024: Release of Third Institutional Master Plan

On June 14, 2024, Northeastern University released its third institutional master plan. It proposed the demolition and replacement of Matthews Arena, the Cabot Center, and several residential and academic buildings.

October 2024: Student Government Association Legislation on "Rooted"

In October 2024, the Northeastern University Student Government Association passed legislation to have Cicely Carew's art piece "Rooted", which had been protested by students, removed or relocated from the Krentzman Quadrangle.

2024: Opening of EXP Research Facility

In 2024, Northeastern University's EXP, a large research facility created to support work in autonomous vehicles, drones, and humanoid robots, opened for the 2023–2024 school year.

2024: Class of 2024 Application Statistics

In 2024, Northeastern received 64,459 applications, with 13,199 students accepted for the class of 2024, indicating a competitive admission process.

2024: Northeastern wins Beanpot against Boston University in overtime

In 2024, Northeastern won the Beanpot against Boston University in a 4–3 overtime victory.

2024: Demolition of White Hall

In 2024, White Hall has been demolished pursuant to the 2024 master plan.

2024: John Martinson Donation to Honors Program

In 2024, venture capitalist John Martinson donated $5 million to Northeastern's reimagined honors program. The program includes specialized work, advanced seminars, independent research, and exclusive first-year housing in Living-Learning Communities.

January 2025: Demolition of White Hall

As of January 2025, White Hall had been demolished pursuant to the 2024 master plan, marking a step in the university's campus development and renovation.