Northeastern University Celebrates 125 Years of History
Northeastern University’s past, present, and future got here together on Tuesday as students explored 125 years of history through augmented reality activations as a part of Founders Day and the university’s a hundred and twenty fifth birthday celebration. The activations, created in partnership with Hoverlay, served as a portal to iconic parts of Northeastern history, from its time as an automotive school to its place in Major League Baseball history.
A Journey Through Time
By scanning a QR code displayed on a series of red, black, and white obelisks throughout the Boston campus, students, faculty, and staff could interact with iconic MLB pitcher Cy Young, hear the Northeastern Evening Institute’s automotive school promoting jingle, and revisit the university’s athletic triumphs. The experience allowed students to attach with the university’s wealthy history and feel a way of pride and belonging.
Exploring the Automotive School
An activation at Krentzman Quad provided a window into the university’s history as an automotive school on the turn of the Twentieth century. In 1903, during America’s automotive revolution, the Northeastern Evening Institute launched courses in automotive engineering, repair, and sales, in addition to upholstery restoration and driving lessons for aspiring chauffeurs. With state-of-the-art equipment, Northeastern saw 2,000 graduates come through its automotive school annually, including many ladies. Passersby could take photos with a restored antique automotive or step as much as view the AR activation through a display evoking an early Twentieth-century camera.
Reliving Baseball History
The activation at Churchill Quad brought the primary modern World Series back to life through historic photographs and documents. Previously a circus lot certain by rail yards, the Huntington Avenue Baseball Grounds, now Churchill Quad, played host to the 1903 World Series between the Boston Americans – now the Red Sox – and Pittsburgh Pirates. The Americans, led by pitcher and future Hall of Famer Cy Young, won the series five games to 3. By standing in a single particular spot, the activation put 2023 viewers within the place where 1903 viewers would have been in the event that they were watching the sport behind home plate.
Connecting Past, Present, and Future
A 3rd AR activation along the pathway leading from Centennial Common to West Village Quad brought together 125 years of campus life, from a recreation of Punter’s Pub to iconic athletic victories. An exhibition spanning the ISEC pedestrian bridge charted Northeastern’s journey from 1899 to the current, literally and metaphorically. Leading from the older parts of campus to newer additions like ISEC and the brand latest EXP constructing, the activation and exhibition connected Northeastern’s past, present, and future.
Student Reactions
For John O’Connell, a freshman mechanical engineering and physics student, the experience was a glimpse right into a slice of Northeastern history he had never heard of before. "It’s pretty cool, especially because my mom went here, and she or he’s said it wasn’t what it’s now – it’s just kept recovering and higher," O’Connell said. Jhumi Jain, a regulatory affairs graduate student, said learning more in regards to the history of Northeastern helped her feel like she was greater than only one student and a part of a centuries-spanning community. "I feel happy with being a part of the legacy that Northeastern has," Jain said.
Conclusion
The a hundred and twenty fifth birthday celebration was a novel opportunity for college students, faculty, and staff to attach with Northeastern’s wealthy history and feel a way of pride and belonging. The augmented reality activations brought the university’s past to life, allowing students to explore and interact with iconic moments in Northeastern’s history. As the university looks to the long run, it’s clear that its legacy will proceed to encourage and shape the experiences of its students for generations to return.
