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The Andy Fund

In Memory of Andy Prior

The American Sign Language & Interpreting Education Program honors and remembers Andrew M. Prior, ASL–English Interpreting degree graduate from Northeastern University. Sadly, Andy, who graduated in May 2010, was killed by a hit-and-run drunk driver in November 2010. He was 23 years old.

We will never forget the wonderful person that Andy Prior was, and what a phenomenal presence he was in the Deaf, interpreting, and Northeastern communities.

Andy The Husky

In memory of Andy, a Husky statue sits in the American Sign Language & Interpreting Education Program office in Meserve Hall. On the statue, there is a plaque that reads:

“Andy the Husky”
in memory of Andy Prior
2010 ASL Program Alum
Dec. 11 1986 – Nov. 14, 2010

The Andy Fund was established in memory of Andy Prior. Since Andy’s passing, the program has received an overwhelming number of kind donations from Andy’s friends and family all over the country. To date, almost $10,000 has been donated, a compelling testament to just how many hearts he touched throughout his life.

Beginning with the graduating class of 2012, The Andy Fund has paid the fee for recent Northeastern graduates to take the written portion of the National Certification Exam offered by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. This two-part exam is a requirement for those seeking to become certified ASL Interpreters.

Thanks to your selfless contribution, it is now possible for Andy’s peers and future students to take this portion of the exam free of charge, greatly reducing the barrier for motivated novice ASL interpreters to enter the profession. Our hope is that this annual program will preserve within these communities the energetic and kind spirit that Andy possessed.

Andy’s loss was truly tragic. However, we believe that by growing The Andy Fund and developing programs that help support all of our alumni, Andy will have an impact on the field and will continue to live on through those programs and through the good work of his fellow alums.

“Work an Hour for Andy”

In order to sustain The Andy Fund, we have initiated a “Work an Hour for Andy” campaign. Every year on the anniversary of Andy’s passing, November 14, we ask that Northeastern alumni and those interested in supporting the Program donate at least the equivalent of one hour’s income. All donations are tax-deductible.

How to Donate

Donate via Check

Checks can be made payable to “The Andy Fund” and sent to the ASL & Interpreting Education Program office at:
The Andy Fund
American Sign Language & Interpreting Education Program
405 Meserve Hall
Northeastern University
Boston, MA 02115-5000

Donate Online

You can donate via the Northeastern University College of Social Sciences and Humanities website:

  1. Click here.
  2. Type in “American Sign Language” in the “Search Funds” search bar
  3. Fill in the donation amount and click “Next”
  4. Fill out your personal/payment information, and your contribution will be sent to The Andy Fund.

Donate Your Donation with Company Matching!

If your company participates in the Matching Gift Program, be sure to check out their policies on matching gifts. With the Matching Gift Program, you can double your donation without having to donate any extra money!

For more information on making a gift to the American Sign Language & Interpreting Education Program, contact Carol Giusti-Cahalane, Senior Development Officer, at c.giusticahalane@neu.edu or 617.373.4792.