Around Campus A New Look for Homecoming

Boston College expanded this year’s annual Homecoming event to a weeklong celebration of the University’s spirit and mission, with a variety of athletic events, alumni activities, and residential and social experiences for students from October 3-8.

“Homecoming provides an opportunity for our students to celebrate being part of the BC community,” said Vice President for Student Affairs Shawna Cooper Whitehead, in announcing Homecoming Week. “We are excited to partner around campus to expand and enhance this tradition into a weeklong series including spirit days, fun competitions, and support for our student-athletes. Throughout the week of events and activities, students, faculty, staff, and alumni will actively engage in fostering a sense of community and pride for BC.”

Among the week’s activities were theme days that included “Maroon and Gold Day,” “Twin Day,” “Class Year Day,” “Throwback Thursday,” and “Residence Hall Pride Day”; a Homecoming Dance at the Sheraton Boston; a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resource Fair; the annual Red Bandanna Game—this year featuring BC-Clemson— which honors the memory of 9/11 hero Welles Crowther ’99; and an all-ages Homecoming tailgate on The Plaza at O’Neill Library.

This year also introduced a Homecoming Court of 10 seniors who embody the mission, spirit, and values of Boston College:

•Wellington Arkins (Highland Park,

Ill.), biology major. Serving as a Pride Peer Mentor and house manager for the Office of Student Involvement.

•Mabel Bassi (Huntington, NY), neuroscience major and transfer student. Has attended various Kairos retreats—will be codirecting one this year—and been active in Campus Ministry.

•Brian Gardner (Foxborough, Mass.), double major in management and psychology. Co-founded Boston College for Effective Altruism and now serves as the organization’s treasurer; works in the Student Admission Program and as Admitted Eagle Day coordinator, and is a council member for the Christian Life Community.

•Ishaan Kaushal (Saugus, Mass.), criminal justice major with a concentration in theology and business. Resident assistant in Vanderslice Hall and student ambassador for the McMullen Museum of Art; external representative for the South East Asian Student Association and a Kairos retreat leader for Campus Ministry.

•Madeleine McGrath (Glenview, Ill.), political science major. Serves as panels coordinator for the Student Admission Program, Kairos leader for Campus Ministry, and chair for the Campus School Committee.

•Taylor Morales (Irvine, Calif.), English and film studies major with concentration in creative writing. Serves as a social fellow and video intern in the Office of University Communications; directed a documentary in British Columbia through the Jacques