Joseph E. Aoun
President, Northeastern University
Joseph E. Aoun, an internationally known scholar in linguistics, became Northeastern University's seventh president in August 2006.
Dr. Aoun came to Northeastern from the University of Southern California (USC), where he served as dean of the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences for six years, and was the inaugural holder of the Anna H. Bing Dean's Chair.
In the first six months of his presidency, Dr. Aoun articulated a vision for the University based upon several unique strengths, including its signature cooperative and experiential education programs; its success in areas of interdisciplinary research and scholarship; its multifaceted partnerships with Boston; and its rapid transformation in the last decade into a university with stronger global impact and reach.
To build on this momentum, Dr. Aoun initiated a University-wide academic planning process that focused on Northeastern's excellence and distinctiveness in four key areas of endeavor: experiential learning, fundamental and translational research, urban and global outreach, and creative, aesthetic, and ethical pursuits. The Academic Planning Initiative culminated in a new Academic Plan, which was adopted by the Board of Trustees on June 8, 2007.
Dr. Aoun will be a catalyst for change at Northeastern, by uniting faculty, students, the governing boards, alumni, and friends, to develop a shared vision for the future. A key element of this future vision is to challenge the institution to seek opportunities for scholarship across the traditional boundaries of academic disciplines. This interdisciplinary approach will become a hallmark of Northeastern.
The president's proven ability to build productive relationships will also play an important role in the University's plans. He brings great energy and enthusiasm to the opportunity for strengthening Northeastern's connections to the community, the city, and the region.
Prior to becoming dean at USC College, Dr. Aoun served as vice dean and dean of faculty, College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, and as head of the academic senate. He joined USC as a member of the Department of Linguistics faculty in 1982.
Dr. Aoun received his PhD in linguistics and philosophy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1981; his Diploma of Advanced Studies in General and Theoretical Linguistics (Diplome d'Etudes Approfondies de Linguistique Generale et Theorique) from the University of Paris VIII (France) in 1977; and Masters in Oriental Languages and Literature from Saint Joseph University (Beirut, Lebanon) in 1975.
The president received an honoris causa degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, from Hebrew Union College in Los Angeles, California, on May 14, 2007.
Educational Summary
• Masters Oriental Languages and Literature, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon, 01/1975
• Diploma of Advanced Study General and Theoretical Linguistics, University of Paris VIII, Paris, France, 01/1977
• Ph.D. Linguistics and Philosophy, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 01/1981
Selected Publications
Epithets in Natural Languages and Linguistics Theory, Kluwer Academic Press, 2000
Resumption and Last Resort, in D.E.L.T.A., Journal of the Brazilian Association of Linguistics Society of America, 2000
The Syntax of Scope, (J. Aoun, A. Li), The MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass., 1993
Generalized Binding: The Syntax and LF of WH-Interrogatives, Foris Publications, Dordrecht, 1986
Professional Memberships
Generative Linguistics of the Old World (GLOW)
Linguistics Society of America
Honors and Awards
Endowed Chair, Anna H. Bing Dean's Chair in the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences,
USC Associates Award For Creativity In Research And Scholarship, 1997
USC Phi Kappa Phi Faculty Recognition Award, Award for The Syntax of Scope (wih A. Li), 1993
USC Phi Kappa Phi Faculty Recognition Award, Award for A Grammar of Anaphora, 1988
Editorships of Major Journals
Cambridge University Press
Natural Language and Linguistic Theory
Oxford University Press
The Linguistic Inquiry, Member of Editorial Board
The Linguistic Review
Office of the President
Northeastern University
Columbus Place, Suite 620
360 Huntington Ave.
Boston, MA 02115
president@neu.edu
617.373.5015 (fax)