Reunion and Alumni/ae Weekend 2023

Honoring Nonnie Burnes

On Friday, October 20, the Northeastern community honored the life and impact of the Honorable Nonnie Burnes ’77/’78, a trailblazer, role model and leader who passed way in 2021. The evening included recorded remarks by former Governor Deval Patrick, who appointed Burnes as Massachusetts’ commissioner of insurance in 2007.

TOP LEFT: Richard Burnes, husband of Nonnie Burnes, spoke about their life together and Nonnie’s impact in the private and public realms. Prior to Nonnie’s death, the couple established The Burnes Center for Social Change at Northeastern. BOTTOM LEFT: LEFT: The Honorable Carol Ball ’76 sported a gift from Northeastern Law that spoke for itself. RIGHT: Professor Beth Simone Noveck (second from left), director of The Burnes Center for Social Change, moderated a panel about Burnes’ impact on the Northeastern community and world. Panelists included Elyse Cherry ’83 (far left), Michelle Fujii ’24 (third from right) and the Honorable Carol Ball ’76 (second from right). Here, they are joined by Richard Burnes (third from left) and Dean James Hackney (far right).

A Night to Remember

On Saturday night, October 21, our reunion classes came together on the 17th floor of Northeastern’s stunning East Village, which boasts spectacular views of Boston in all directions. Excitement was in the air as friends from days gone by caught up and made plans for further connections.

LEFT: Betty Francisco ’98, CEO of Boston Impact Initiative, delivered the keynote speech at the Saturday night reception. TOP RIGHT: The class of 1993. BOTTOM LEFT: Governor Maura Healey ’98 (center) was all smiles while she celebrated her reunion with classmates and friends.

Conversations With

The Saturday morning program included “Conversations With …,” featuring eight graduates who are at the top of their game in cutting-edge fields.

Jeanne Baker ’73 (left)
Veteran ACLU leader
In conversation with
Professor Emeritus Michael Meltsner

The Honorable Stuart Rice ’78 (left)
Judge, Los Angeles County Superior Court
In conversation with Professor Hemanth Gundavaram

Elyse Cherry ’83 (left)
CEO, BlueHub Capital
In conversation with
Professor Katherine Kraschel

Pam Wilmot ’88 (left)
Vice President, State Operations, Common Cause
In conversation with
Professor Jeremy Paul

Sunu Chandy ’98 (left)
Senior Advisor, Democracy Forward; Author, My Dear Comrades
In conversation with Professor Karl Klare

Rana Alexander ’03 (left)
Executive Director, Standpoint
In conversation with
Professor Hayat Bearat

Dana Sussman ’08 (left)
Deputy Executive Director, Pregnancy Justice
In conversation with
Professor Margaret Burnham

Tram Nguyen ’13 (left)
Massachusetts State Representative, 18th Essex District
In conversation with
Professor Margaret Woo

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Spotlight

  • Northeastern Law’s Center for Public Interest Advocacy and Collaboration (CPIAC) has been awarded a $2.5 million Impact Engine Grant from Northeastern University to expand its Cradle-to- Prison Pipeline Project (C2P Project) over the next four years.

  • Professor Patricia Williams has penned her sixth book. Anna Deavere Smith says, “With The Miracle of the Black Leg, Williams opens another treasure chest of breathtaking historical and contemporary detail.”

  • Northeastern Law’s Community Business Clinic provides students with transactional experience while simultaneously meeting the needs of underserved entrepreneurs and start-ups.