Celebration of the Century
All-day gala will close the centennial year
Northeastern will be digging down to some its deepest
roots-cars and baseball-next month when it celebrates its 100th anniversary.
On October 3, 1898, the first classes were held at what would become
Northeastern, and 100 years to the day later, the university is planning
an all-day bash billed as the finale to the centennial celebration, complete
with a car show, a baseball cardsigning session, a commemorative postcard,
and concerts.
The goal of the Saturday party, which is dubbed "Celebration of
a Century," is to entice the entire community to the campus to celebrate,
says Suzanne Leidel, director of the office of conference and events planning.
The present-day Northeastern has few educational ties with automobiles,
except for maybe a primer on how difficult it is to park in the city, but
100 years ago the school offered classes in driving and car repair. A fleet
of classic cars will pull onto campus to commemorate the Automobile School,
which opened in 1903 and closed in 1926.
The first World Series was held at the old Huntington Baseball Grounds-what
is now the corner of Huntington Avenue and Forsyth Street. On October 3,
Cabot Gym-which runs along left field of the old diamond-will host a baseball
card show in celebration. Organizers are also hoping to bring in several
baseball players to sign autographs.
Another nod to N.U.'s past will be a ceremony at Kerr Hall, which will
be entered into the National Registry of Historic Places-Northeastern's
first such listing. The U.S. Post Office will release a postcard honoring
the building's addition to the rolls. First-day issues will be available
at Kerr's Fenway site from a special USPS van.
A series of concerts will also take place throughout the day, in tents
set up in campus parking lots. One tent will hold blues and jazz performers,
another local club acts, a third student groups, Leidel says. Food vendors,
games, and street performers will be scattered around campus. On Saturday
night, folk artists Tom Rush and Jon Sebastian will close the gala by performing
in Blackman Auditorium. For more information on any event, call 617-373-1998.
- Jason Lefferts, AS'94
CALENDAR
ART
ARTcetra '98, a patron party to benefit the AIDS Action Committee, September
11, AAMARP galleries, 76 Atherton Street, Jamaica Plain, TBA. 373-3139.
MUSIC
Nineteenth John Coltrane Memorial Concert, October 2122, Blackman
Auditorium, 7:30 p.m. both nights. $15-$25. 373-2247.
A Tribute to Gershwin featuring jazz vocalist Marlena Shaw, October
30, Blackman Auditorium, 7:30 p.m. $10, $7.50, and $5. 373-2247.
THEATER
Sweeney Todd, November 1214 and 1921, Studio Theater, 8 p.m.
Directed by Del Lewis. $10, $8. 373-2247.
LECTURES
African-American Institute Stormy Monday Lecture Series, every Monday,
415 Classroom Building, 11:45 a.m. 373-3148.
Gloria Naylor, author of The Women of Brewster Place, November 5, Blackman
Auditorium, 7:30 p.m. $10, $7.50, and $5. 373-2247.
Ford Hall Forum Lecture series, October 11 and November 8, Egan Research
Center. 373-5800.
CONFERENCES
Conference on Suicide Prevention, October 16, Egan Center. 373-3173.
International Conference on Hate Crimes, November 67, Raytheon
Amphitheater, Egan Center. 373-3983.
National Law EnforcementCriminal Justice Expo, sponsored by the
College of Criminal Justice, November 1718, Hynes Convention Center.
Open to the public. 1-800-243-9774.
ETC.
Fall Commencement Ceremonies, September 17, Matthews Arena, 7 p.m.
Freshman Convocation, September 23, Matthews Arena, 9 a.m. 373-3639.
Rededication Ceremony for Spiritual Life Center (formerly Bacon Memorial
Chapel), October 19, noon, Curry Center and 204 Ell Building. 373-2728.
ALUMNI EVENTS
Call alumni relations, 617-373-3186, or e-mail <alumni@nunet.neu.edu>.
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