Joseph D. Feaster, Jr. LA'72, L'75
On why he chose to attend Northeastern:
“When I was applying to schools in 1966, I had indicated that I wanted to study law. I was a high school student at the time…there was an organization called the National Scholarship Fund for Negro Students and Northeastern was beginning its College of Criminal Justice.”
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On the University environment during the late 1960s:
“1967-’68 were quite tumultuous times on campuses across the country. We had the Vietnam War, we had the Civil Rights Movement…it was quite an interesting time and a tumultuous time on campuses, including at Northeastern.”
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Joseph Feaster in the 1972 Cauldron yearbook.
On how the Northeastern campus has evolved since the late 1960s:
“Northeastern has created an oasis in the middle of a city, and so the development has been extraordinary…It is inviting to the community as opposed to a barrier around it.”
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On Northeastern’s relationship with the community:
“Northeastern has embraced the community and the community has embraced Northeastern…Its students, particularly because of the cooperative education program, were always out in the communities doing positive things, trying to help.”
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Joseph Feaster graduated from Northeastern's School of Law, receiving his Juris Doctor degree in 1975.
On the University’s growth in recent years:
“We have to get on the global stage. International students are coming here. There are students coming here from all around the country; we’ve expanded…”
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On becoming a member of the Frank Palmer Speare Society:
“I would say it’s not the amount that you give, it’s the consistent giving and if we can expand the number of persons who give, that helps the base entirely.”
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On his academic life as an undergraduate student:
“The academic life at Northeastern has always been vibrant. Co-op has always been an extraordinary component of the education here at Northeastern.”
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On social life during his time at Northeastern:
“As a freshman you had to be on campus. There was no 'ifs, ands or buts' about that…The girls had to be home at eleven o’clock during the week and one o’clock on the weekend…and if they were late they were punished by the school.”
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This interview is available in its entirety in the Northeastern University Archives. Photos: Heratch Ekmekjian and University Libraries and Special Collections Department.
Biography
Joseph D. Feaster arrived at Northeastern University in 1967 to attend the newly-created College of Criminal Justice, graduating with a degree in Political Science in 1972. He subsequently received his Juris Doctor from the School of Law in 1975.