This Was 2021

by Xristopher Anderton

December 22, 2021

by Hannah Moore

by Addison Dlott

by Hillary Chabot

by Ian Thomsen

The Northeastern community expanded its horizons at every level in 2021. Our global network of campuses buzzed with activity as students excelled in the classroom, on co-op and in the community. Our researchers made groundbreaking discoveries as we forged new partnerships that will expand opportunities for students worldwide. We navigated the pandemic safely, restoring in-person connections and coming together for two Commencements, while maintaining a focus on science-driven COVID-19 requirements. Let’s take a moment to celebrate our achievements in 2021, while looking forward to new success in 2022.

Northeastern buzzed with activity …

Students move onto Northeastern’s Boston campus this spring, citing COVID-19 testing, vaccines as paramount

Northeastern University announces Fall 2021 plan

Now ‘fully present,’ students encouraged to embrace new opportunities at Convocation 2021

Game on! Club sports and intramurals get underway on the Boston campus

Record number of undergraduate students apply to Northeastern for fall 2021

In-person campus tours have been ‘hard to find.’ But not at Northeastern.

In-person classes restore a sense of normalcy for these Northeastern students

Wellness Week at Northeastern brings activities to help you relax, recharge

Why this engineering professor starts class with a meditation

With new space added, here’s where to find the best places to study on Northeastern’s campuses

Cooper the campus pup is growing up

… and we kept our community safe.

Northeastern to require COVID-19 vaccinations for faculty, staff this fall

Northeastern processes its one millionth coronavirus nasal swab test

How Northeastern is prepared to track Delta and other COVID-19 variants on campus quickly

Fully in-person, Northeastern keeps COVID-19 under control

COVID or flu? How Northeastern is testing for both at the same time.

Northeastern’s COVID-19 testing center is ready to identify the omicron variant

Northeastern requires booster vaccine shots for students, faculty, staff in the US

We expanded our global network.

Northeastern University and Mills College finalize historic merger

Northeastern’s move into new London campus marks another global milestone

Northeastern partners with global platform for entrepreneurship to launch the Roux Institute Techstars Accelerator

Our experts helped us understand the world …

Concrete clues may hold the key to understanding the Surfside building collapse

When will the COVID-19 pandemic end? It depends on what people do as coronavirus restrictions ease.

He predicted the widespread COVID-19 pandemic early on. Now he’s been knighted by the Italian government.

Should I mix and match my COVID-19 booster shot?

… and our faculty made groundbreaking discoveries.

Could this treatment prevent chronic Lyme disease?

How to keep cool without turning on the A/C

Manure makes drinking water? An unlikely solution to a global crisis

Northeastern University designated Innovation Zone by Federal Communications Commission

Students with autism get a new tool for independence: A smartwatch

COVID-19 can affect the blood. Its spike protein may be the culprit.

Inhalable COVID-19 vaccine could expand the reach of COVID-19 vaccines around the world

We invested in our communities.

For 8-year-old with kidney disease, hockey helps heal

Soul food, southern comfort, and coffee coming to Northeastern at The Underground

Roux Institute teams up with Techstars to help incubate startups in Maine

‘We were lucky’: How two Northeastern coaches rescued a driver from the Charles River

This Northeastern student is putting in overtime administering COVID-19 vaccines

Fresh Truck: A mobile market bringing healthy food to communities who need it the most

Pushing teens out of their comfort zone energizes cadets at Youth Police Academy

We celebrated not one, but two Commencements.

The Class of 2021, having walked the walk, gears up for Commencement

Northeastern celebrates 2021 undergraduate Commencement at Fenway Park

Mortarboards, masks, and baseball mitts mark Northeastern Commencement 2021

The Phantom of Fenway

President Aoun and Chef Ming Tsai are ready for Commencement 2020. Are you?

With ‘20/20 vision,’ Northeastern’s Class of 2020 celebrates graduation and looks to the future

Watch the highlights of Northeastern’s 2021 Commencement weekend

Our Huskies won … a lot.

Northeastern wins NCAA Frozen Four semifinal in OT and will play for Huskies’ first national championship

Here’s how Northeastern rower Madison Mailey won an Olympic gold medal

‘A lot of heart and willpower’

The Huskies are CAA baseball champions. Next up for Northeastern: the NCAA tournament.

Bill Coen’s long journey to the top of Northeastern basketball

Northeastern’s new athletic director is Jim Madigan, a Huskies hockey legend

How a life coach changed the game for the men’s soccer team

Our students excelled in the classroom, on co-op, and around the world.

New Black, queer Husky Ambassadors’ chair honored to be ‘trailblazer,’ in leadership role

This bioengineering co-op gets hands-on with Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine

An innovative cosmetics idea turned her into an entrepreneur ahead of schedule

More than a fitness group, CHAARG is about women empowering women

These students have inspiring stories to share at Commencement

The COVID-19 outbreak in India hit hard in his native Bangalore. So he built a hospital there.

Their co-op contributed to advancing new research on Alzheimer’s and brain health

Outside of the binary: Northeastern’s transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming community

From underdog goaltender to possible NCAA hockey champion: How Aerin Frankel emerged

These athletes pursue championships while on co-op

We explored the world through film …

How Recreo brings beans from Nicaragua and brews coffee with a purpose

Boston Microgreens: How to sprout a business with a hyperlocal urban farm

How termites deal with disease provides insights in the era of COVID-19

A sweet solution to plastic pollution

Robotic arm Bob ROS paints Van Gogh | Narrative

Physical therapy—but socially distanced

How can we reduce river pollution? Floating wetlands.

… and photography.

2021 was a year of inspiration, perseverance, and growth, and News@Northeastern’s award-winning photographers worked tirelessly to capture it all—including new achievements for Northeastern, life during the COVID-19 pandemic, and cutting-edge research. Have another look back before moving on to 2022.