Northeastern University Spring 2012 : Page 18P O V NORTHEASTERN RANKS NUMBER 9 ENTREPRENEURSHIP runs deep at Northeast-ern, stemming from a culture of innovation that embraces experiential learning and celebrates collaboration. The Princeton Review and Entrepreneur maga-zine have again included Northeastern’s College of Business Administra-tion on their list of “Top 25 U.S. undergraduate entrepreneurship colleges A CULTURE of AHA! PIONEERING ANOTHER DIMENSION Neil Wadhawan, BA’04 For Neil Wadhawan, 3-D is more than just an entertain-ment fad; it’s an essential tool. As cofounder (during his last co-op) and vice president of sales and market-ing at the interactive learning and marketing company Heartwood, Wadhawan establishes customer bases for Heartwood’s comprehensive, video game-style applications. These applications—all in vivid 3-D— teach clients, such as the U.S. Army, how to build, operate, and maintain heavy machinery. The virtual approach is not only immersive and effi cient, but also reduces cost and eliminates the need for in-person training. And it’s catapulted Heartwood to success; last year, the company was recognized in Inc. ’s 500 | 5000 List of America’s Fastest Growing Companies. Oh, and it topped $2 million in sales. Promises Wadhawan, “We only have more to come.” and universities.” This year, Northeastern placed among the top ten—rank-ing ninth among 2,000 schools nationwide. The universities were rated on the quality of their academic programs; the experience of the faculty and students; and the breadth of entre-preneurship programs outside class, such as clubs, competitions, and mentoring programs. 25 Top Schools for ENTREPRENEURSHIP Also receiving inter-national recognition was Northeastern’s student-run Entrepreneurs Club, which was classifi ed sixth out of twenty in the world by FledgeWing, an online network that provides student entrepreneurs with the tools to build and launch innovative companies. INNOVATION PROFESSIONAL Martin McDonough, MBA’94 If you’ve looked at a beverage bottle or a Boston bus shelter lately, you’ve seen Martin McDonough’s stamp. The high-tech MBA grad began his career path at the plastics-packaging company FLEXcon, where he helped commercialize thirty-two products in two years, including the polypropylene “no-label look”—now the market standard for water, soda, and shampoo bottles. He then set his sights on the city of Boston. As president of the U.S. division of Wall Decaux Inc., he implemented the nation’s fi rst coordinated street-furni-ture program. McDonough now focuses on effi ciency break-throughs at Tecogen, a manufacturer of combined heat and power products that reduce energy costs and carbon emissions. It’s an arena that keeps the innovation professional jazzed. “There’s great potential to apply new technology to sustainability initiatives,” says McDonough. “I’m excited to be at the forefront.” 25,000 STUDENTS LATER, RAY ROBINSON TO RETIRE WHEN HE MARKED HIS fi ftieth year of teaching, Ray Robinson, H’06, chief marshal of Northeastern’s Commencement cere-mony, was already well beyond the usual retire-ment age. Now, six years later, at the age of eighty-four, the revered profes-sor of history will end his illustrious career in June. In this remarkable span, Robinson estimates he’s taught more than 25,000 students. He is the longest-serving professor ever to teach at Northeastern. “Students never have to look very far to fi nd Ray Robinson. He’s inter-ested in them as people, has a sympathetic ear to their problems, and is always available. He is a mentor and a model—in every regard, an extraordinary teacher,” says William Fowler, Distinguished Professor of History, who fi rst met Robinson as a student himself and later suc-ceeded him as department chair. The reason he stayed so long? Robinson just plain loves teaching. “I never walked into a class unprepared. I always did fresh preparation to keep up to date and make class as interesting as possible.” 18 Northeastern Magazine Spring 2012 Publication List Using a screen reader? Click Here |
