Erin Kelley4/14/2011

Northeastern University honors 100 most influential seniors

As her last days as a husky linger, fourth-year senior Asha Cesar experiences intermittent

flashbacks of walking on campus, attending classes and experiencing notable events from the

four years that have led her to her college graduation.

Among the Northeastern University students who were recently named one of the “100

Most Influential Seniors” stand not only the inspirational leaders, such as Cesar, in the Resident

Student Association and other student organizations, but the underdog too; a student who has

gone through the motions like anyone else, not seeking a reward.

“I feel very fortunate for my experiences at Northeastern,” said Cesar. “A lot of my

friends from back home aren’t as lucky.”

Beginning in 2007, “The 100 Most Influential Seniors” award has consistently gained

popularity each year. Sponsored by the Office for Student Affairs, the award is meant to honor

those rock star seniors who immersed themselves in Northeastern University organizations,

community service, study abroad programs and much more.

This year, the office received 200 nominations, the highest influx since the program

began.

“It’s so much easier now because people know about the program,” said Emily

Hardman, director of student programming and communications. “What’s gotten harder is trying

to get the final list.”

Even though an official nomination announcement was not sent out until the beginning of

the spring semester, this year faculty began e-mailing the office at the start of the fall semester.

Hardman credits the award’s popularity to better communication practices, including e-mails,

announcements and word of mouth.

“This year we tried to bring the deans into it,” said Hardman. “It was a nice trickle down

effect.”

Since Northeastern is a five-year school, stronger relationships can form between faculty,

staff and students than may be seen at other universities. Stronger relationships enable

nominators, which include faculty, staff as well as students, to learn more than the nominee’s

grade point average, but more importantly, their true interests and talents

“When students are here four, five or six years we [the university] really get to know that

group of them,” said Hardman. “We had one student who was nominated by six people...she is

just a star.”

There is no formal application process for the award; nominators are simply asked to

write up a paragraph or two about the student’s involvement at Northeastern University. Grade

point average is taken into consideration, but is not a large factor.

“It was tricky [this year] because everyone is so deserving,” said Hardman. “Over all we

looked the academic plan to see how that matched up to student experiences.

The Office for Student Affairs notified the senior recipients via e-mail earlier this month,

which was followed by a celebration at Northeastern University President Auon’s brownstone in

Beacon Hill. Students were invited to mingle amongst one another, as well as alumni who had

also been honored with the award in years past.

At the event, senior communications major Asha Cesar was able to network with alumni

and fulfill something she had always wanted to do.

“It was pretty awesome...secretly I’ve always wanted to see the president’s house,” said

Cesar. “It was also cool to see what everyone was doing after graduation.”

Nominated by faculty from the Latino student center, Cesar credits her success to them.

Fearful of not being able to afford tuition after freshman year, Cesar had filled out an application

to a state school near her home in New York. After seeing the application, faculty from the

center knew she had potential to stay at Northeastern and awarded her with scholarship to help

her with tuition.

Today, Cesar not only celebrates her honor as one of the most influential seniors, but also

her acceptance into several graduate programs across the country. Her final decision has landed

her a spot in the public health masters program at George Washington University.

“[I’m] nervous about this transition phase, but excited to embrace it,” said Cesar.

Cesar’s resume has the potential to make your head spin. During her time at Northeastern

University, she gained a world view by traveling with three dialogue programs, to Egypt, Brazil

and Kenya. She also holds an e-board position in Peace through Play, a Northeastern based

organization that offers college students an opportunity to empower youth in Boston’s

neighborhoods.

As a resident assistant, Cesar was able to teach her residents, as well as learn from them.

The fact that Northeastern is so diverse really helped me.

“I loved being involved in student organizations being able to meet new people,” said

Cesar.

Northeastern University’s manager of co-op connections, Sonya Cottam, nominated three

students for the award this spring. While working closely with students who are searching for or

on co-op outside of Boston, Cottam has an opportunity to get to know students on a personal

level.

“Sometimes you have a student you hear about, but there are so many other students on

this campus,” said Cottam. “I think that's what’s great about this honor.”

For co-op connections to run smoothly, Cottam relies on several students who are

working outside of Boston to help plan and coordinate events for co-op students in their

respective cities. With the help of her “co-op connectors” Cottam is able to do her job well.

“It’s a really nice honor to be recognized for being influential and contributing to

campus life,” said Cottam. “It’s a nice pat on the back, job well done.”

Fifth-year industrial engineering major Sean Naegeli was anxious to see if he made the

cut for the honor this year, since many of his upperclassmen mentors had received the award. A

New York native, Naegeli jumped into student involvement his freshman year. Naegeli became

vice president of finance for the resident student association his during middler year, and held the

president seat the following year.

“My last year I wanted to focus my plans on graduation,” said Naegeli.

Naegeli will certainly be busy following graduation in May. After shifting back and forth

on the decision to apply for a full time job post graduation, Naegeli decided to put his time and

efforts towards the start-up company, Apifia, he founded with a friend in September 2010. Apifia

specializes in mobile applications that improve everyday life.

“I’m hoping by the middle of the summer I’ll know if business is taking off and see if it’s

something I can commit to,” said Naegeli.

Aside from the resident student association, Naegeli also helped push the Northeastern

University club tennis team in the right direction. In his year as president, 200 students tried out,

a roster that needed to be cut down to 30 players. The team also went on to compete in two

national tournaments in New York and South Carolina that year.

As for grad school plans, both where and for what are still questions for Naegeli. In terms

of advice for future undergrads, he recommends taking advantage of their time here.

“Get involved, whether small or large...use that time because it goes quick,” said Naegeli.

“Before you know it you’re at the reception for 100 most influential seniors.”

Similar to his peers who received the award, communications and elementary education

major Long Wu was a true husky during his five years at Northeastern, involved with the Asian

American center, the resident student association and was one of the founding fathers of the Beta

Theta Pi fraternity. Wu says his involvement was not for winning awards, but becoming a

resource for other students, no matter what organization.

“I put my name out there and I put myself out there in a way that I didn’t seek

recognition,” Wu said.

Five years ago, Wu arrived at Northeastern University with aspirations of becoming a

high school teacher, but that changed after his involvement with his residents and other students

in the resident student association. He knew higher education is where he belonged.

“Someone told me ‘you can do this for a living’ and I said ‘no way,’” Wu said.

This led Wu to apply to one of the best programs in the country for student affairs and

higher education at Colorado State University. As one of the 20 students accepted out of 275

applications, the Brooklyn native plans to uproot once again and move to Colorado.

Wu cites Northeastern’s many opportunities to make an impact beyond campus grounds

one of his favorite aspects of the university. He participated in several community service days

for the Roxbury neighborhood, and spent his final co-op at the Patrick Lyndon Pilot School in

West Roxbury.

“For me, it was going through the five years and doing what I like to do,” Wu said.

Emily Hardman- 617-373-5720

Asha Cesar- 631-870-9907

Sonya Cottam- 617-373-7492

Sean Naegeli- 914-844-1127

Long Wu- 646-431-7925