The Boston College
Chronicle Published by the Boston College Office of University Communications MARCH 27, 2018 VOL. 25 NO. 14
Career Center to Launch Program for Freshmen
INSIDE Watts is top US 2 •BC’s hockey player
BY SEAN SMITH CHRONICLE EDITOR
•ACC Meeting of the Minds comes to campus •Photo: Samantha Power at Clough Colloquium taps St. Columbkille 3 •LSOE as laboratory school An uplifting moment from the Boston College Dance Ensemble’s show “Majesty” at Robsham Theater earlier this month. See page 8. (Photo by Yiting Chen)
Pro Bono, On the Road
•Mahoney appointed dean of undergrad admission •BC fares well in US News grad programs survey College sports 4 •Woods management program •Kuh to give talk on fostering student success first American 5 •Knirck Burns Scholar •$1 million grant to expand City Connects program •LaBrecque Lecture 25-year gala at 6 •Finney’s Symphony Hall
Professor to 7 •Gasson present lecture on April 4 •Diversity and Inclusion Summit sign-up •BC in the Media/Jobs/ Nota Bene Club exhibit a 8 •Art student showcase
BC Law students traveled far and wide across the US during spring break to serve those in need BY PHIL GLOUDEMANS STAFF WRITER
In March 2016, Eric Popp, then a first-year Boston College Law student, spent his spring break volunteering at the City Attorney’s Office in New Orleans, one of eight cities where some 60 first-year law students – “1Ls” – each donated 35 hours or more on behalf of non-profit organizations or government agencies. “This trip was not just an opportunity to serve, but a challenge to face the harsh reality yet hopeful promise of the law at work, in stark contrast to its deceitful simplicity in the classroom,” he said at the time. Today, Popp, who graduates in May and will join the Boston office of the law firm Cooley LLP, looks back fondly on the impact of his Crescent City sojourn. “I think the BC Law pro bono trips are life experiences passing for work experience. Though I’ve never been interested in working as a courtroom lawyer like the ones I worked with in New Orleans, I’ve been motivated by that trip to find small areas of my own world that I think I can make a difference in – and to approach issues thoughtfully, with an eye toward how big systems affect people’s lives every day.” The BC Law spring break service trips are an outgrowth of
the Pro Bono Program, founded by students and administrators in 2007 to shape BC Law students into lawyers who – in the University’s Jesuit tradition – are committed to public service. Participating students commit to at least 50 hours of law-related community service while at BC Law. This month, 65 BC Law students – most of them 1Ls – went
A new Career Center program to be launched next month will help first-year students coping with uncertainty about their major or potential career path to clarify their academic and professional goals – and begin taking steps toward pursuing them. Titled “Envision,” the program will debut on April 7 at Barat House on Newton Campus, featuring interactive group discussions and exercises led by student peer leaders. Collaborating with the Career Center on the daylong event are the University Academic Advising Center, Office of Pre-Health Programs, Learning to Learn program, and Montserrat Office. Career Center administrators say the purpose of Envision is to engage with students early on during their time at BC, and assist them in reflecting on key life experiences and how these may influence their choice of major and eventual career. Envision is the latest addition to a suite of career planning and discernment programs created in recent years by the Career Center with other BC offices. Envision is
the precursor to Endeavor, an intensive career exploration program for sophomores studying the liberal arts that began in 2016. Another program is Launch, through which juniors and seniors can explore their skills and values, understand hiring timelines for their fields of interest, and hear valuable job search insights and tips from recruiters and young alumni. “The idea for Envision grew out of a disconnect that seems to be prevalent among undergraduate students, between visions of what a meaningful life looks like and conceptions of a career,” says Associate Vice President for Student Affairs/ Career Center Joseph DuPont, who oversees career services at BC. “At the Career Center we regularly meet with students who seem to separate their professional aspirations from their personal sense of purpose. These students are often choosing majors and/or pursuing professional paths that may not align with personal values, interests, or skills. “This happens for all sorts of reasons. They may be uncertain about their choice of major, questioning Continued on page 4
27 Faculty Members Promoted
Navajo Nation was among the sites where BC Law students volunteered.
on a spring break program that focused on four legal topics – international human rights, immigration, Navajo Nation, and Gulf Coast recovery – and with sites in almost every region of the US. A cluster of six non-profit sites within Greater Boston was the fifth deployment area, served by a mix of first-, second-, and thirdyear law students and Master of Continued on page 5
QUOTE:
University President William P. Leahy, SJ, has announced the promotions of 27 Boston College faculty members. Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences faculty promoted to full professor were Dunwei Wang (Chemistry), Julia Mortimer (Economics), Dennis Hale (Political Science) and Boyd Coolman (Theology). Also promoted were Katherine McNeill in the Lynch School of Education; Shu-yi-Oei of BC Law School; and Thomas Stegman, SJ, who is dean of the School of Theology and Ministry. Faculty promoted to associate professor with tenure were: Laura Anne Lowery (Biology), Seth Kruckenberg (Earth and Environmental Sciences), Robert Lehman and Eric Weiskott (English), Zachary Matus (History), Ian Biringer (Mathematics), Micah Lott (Philosophy), Peter Krause (Political Science), Hao Wu (Psychology), Gustavo Morello, SJ (Sociology) and Andrew Prevot (Theology) in the Morrissey College; Tingliang Huang (Operations) in the Carroll School of Management; Holly Fontenot and Joyce Edmonds in the Connell School of Nursing; Rebecca Lowenhaupt in the Lynch School; Christina Matz-Costa in the School of Social Work; Katharine Young in BC Law; and Andrew Davis in STM. In addition, STM Associate Professors Angela Kim Harkins and Franklin T. Harkins were both granted tenure. –University Communications
“In a city known for relentless commitment to and support of professional and collegiate athletics, we believe offering an MS in sports administration at Boston College fills a gap in the region.” –Woods College of Advancing Studies graduate program director Elisabeth Hiles, page 4
T he B oston C ollege
Chronicle MARCH 27, 2018
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A ROUND
C AMPUS
THE BEST Being chosen as the best women’s college hockey player in the country is a pretty good way to wrap up your first year at the Heights – and even better when you’re the first freshman to ever attain the honor. Boston College forward Daryl Watts ’21 won the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, presented annually by the USA Hockey Foundation to the top Division I women’s college hockey player. She became the first underclass-
Daryl Watts ’21 had one of the most productive seasons in NCAA history. (Photo by John Quackenbos)
man – freshman or sophomore – to win the award in its 21-year history. Watts is Boston College’s second Patty Kazmaier Award winner. Alex Carpenter ’16 won the award after her junior season in 2014-15. “I’m so humbled and honored to be named the Patty Kazmaier Award winner,” said Watts, a Toronto native who is enrolled in the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences. “Being mentioned in the same conversation as the women and legends who’ve won this award in the past – some of whom I’ve looked up to for years – is a lot to take in. “I came to Boston College to have fun playing hockey at
the highest level, learn from great coaches and be part of a special group of teammates. I never dreamed this year could’ve gone as it did. I am so lucky to be coached by Katie [Crowley], Courtney [Kennedy] and Court [Sheary] and be on the ice with our incredible team. They push all of us to be better every day and this award is as much my teammates’ as it is mine.” “We’re thrilled for Daryl,” said Crowley, who has been the BC head coach for 11 years. “Daryl goes out on the ice every day with the goal to get better and be a great teammate. While she’ll get the attention for this award, she’ll be the first credit her teammates for the help and support she’s received from them this season to put her in this position.” Watts’ 2017-18 season was one of the most productive for any player, freshman or otherwise, in NCAA history. She was the nation’s leading scorer with 82 points, the second-highest point total ever posted by a freshman in NCAA play, and her 42 goals were tied for the most by a freshman in NCAA history. Watts’ 82 points are also the second-highest single-season point total in Boston College history. She was the 2018 Hockey East Player of the Year and the unanimous selection as the Hockey East Rookie of the Year, in addition to unanimous selections to both the conference’s All-Star First Team and All-Rookie squad. She also won Rookie of the Month honors three times and Player of the Month once from the American Hockey Coaches Association. Watts’ excellence was a major factor in the Eagles’ 30-5-3 season record, third best in program history. BC won its fifth straight Hockey East regular-season title and third straight Beanpot title, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals. –Boston College Athletics
ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS Jack Dunn SENIOR DIRECTOR OF UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS Patricia Delaney EDITOR Sean Smith
CONTRIBUTING STAFF Phil Gloudemans Ed Hayward Rosanne Pellegrini Kathleen Sullivan PHOTOGRAPHERS Gary Gilbert Peter Julian Lee Pellegrini
THOUGHT PROCESS Boston College will host the ACC Meeting of the Minds conference on April 6-8, bringing together undergraduate student researchers for one of the signature annual events of the ACC Academic Consortium, which highlights academic excellence among the 15 universities that make up the Atlantic Coast Conference. Six students from each of the ACC universities will present findings from their research and creative projects on a range of topics during speaking and poster sessions in Higgins Hall on April 7 and 8. Former US Ambassador to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization R. Nicholas Burns ’78, Hon.’02, now a professor at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, will deliver the keynote remarks during a dinner for participants on Saturday night. This is the 13th Meeting of the Minds Conference, which the ACCAC organizes as a means to emphasize the coexistence of strong academics with strong athletics. Students will present their research or creative work at the conference through an oral presentation, a poster presentation, models or exhibition, or a performance. Students will also have the chance to interact with faculty and undergraduates from across the ACC and learn more about the host university. “We are so pleased that BC is hosting the event this year,” said Vice Provost for Undergraduate Academic Affairs Akua Sarr. “We are expecting 90 undergraduate
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participants in all fields of study. This will be an exciting opportunity for students to engage with their peers in the ACC, collaborate, share ideas and experience some of the innovative work being done at our institutions.” Boston College students participating in the program and their research projects are: •Stephen Gleason ’18, “A Case for Radical Regionalism?: Re-Thinking the Rural Eastern Cape Homestead in South Africa” •Tiwalayo Eisape ’19, “Syntactic Features for Native Language Identification in Spanish and English Corpora” •Cole Tamburri ’20, “Investigating the Effects of Solar Activity on Paleoclimatological Trends and Short-Term Terrestrial Weather Patterns” •Annie Kim ’18, “An Analysis
of Ku Klux Klan Radicalization and Rhetoric During Reconstruction” •Josephine Tang ’18, “A Putative Autoregulatory Structure in Actinobacteria Responds to S15” •Echo Yiyang Zhuge ’20, “Museums and Politics in the Gulf: The Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar” The Meeting of the Minds Conference also includes plenary sessions that provide reflections on the importance of undergraduate research, highlight research methodologies by distinguished faculty from the host university and reflect on paths to graduate school and research careers. More information about this year’s conference can be found at www.bc.edu/offices/ avp/2018mm.html. –Ed Hayward
Former US Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power presented a talk, “The State of the World: Challenges and Opportunities,” on March 22 in the Heights Room of Corcoran Commons as part of the Winston Center’s Clough Colloquium. (Photo by Peter Julian)
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T he B oston C ollege
Chronicle MARCH 27, 2018
–Head of School William Gartside
A Strengthened Partnership Lynch School’s designation of St. Columbkille as laboratory school will benefit teaching and research opportunites for faculty, students The Lynch School of Education has designated Brighton’s St. Columbkille Partnership School a laboratory school, to enhance opportunities for teacher training, educational experimentation, research and professional development at the pre-K-8 school. The laboratory school designation — the only such arrangement between a university and an elementary school in the city of Boston — will increase collaboration in teaching and research
other education professionals at the Lynch School. “The Lynch School has been very pleased to partner with St. Columbkille during the past decade,” said Stanton Wortham, the Charles F. Donovan, SJ, Dean of the Lynch School of Education. “The new, deeper laboratory school relationship will allow our faculty to work more closely with its teachers, gathering data to help them pursue their mission even more effectively.”
grown significantly. BC has been an excellent partner whose educational contributions and financial commitment have transformed the school.” St. Columbkille parents say the expertise of the LSOE professors in a laboratory school relationship will further enrich the school in the support services offered to students and families. “The partnership between St. Columbkille and Boston College not only saved my alma mater, but it also made it possible for my daughter to receive an amazing education,” said current parent Kelly McGrath of Brighton. “It has enabled all of us to be part of a community dedicated to the students’ and school’s success. We are very excited about the laboratory school designation and the promise it holds for improving the educational experience of our children. We are Boston College co-established the St. Columbkille Partnership School in 2006. grateful to both St. between St Columbkille’s teachIn 2006, Boston College, the Columbkille and BC for making ers and BC faculty and students. Archdiocese of Boston, and St. all of this possible.” Research jointly designed by fac- Columbkille established the partDuring the past five academic ulty from both institutions will nership school to prevent the clo- years, more than 140 Boston Coltarget the school’s specific needs. sure of the last Catholic elemen- lege student teachers have honed “A laboratory school is akin tary school in Allston-Brighton. their teaching skills under the to a teaching hospital,” said Wil- During the past 12 years, the supervision of St. Columbkille liam Gartside, head of school school has flourished, with en- instructors, learning how best to at St. Columbkille since 2006. rollment rising from 175 to 430, serve a diverse student popula“Designating St. Columbkille as and its students – approximately tion. In return, BC provides opa laboratory school will further 50 percent black, Hispanic and portunities for the school’s teachimprove the education of our Asian – consistently performing ers to earn master’s degrees from children through increased re- well above the national average LSOE, which further enhances search and interaction with BC on all testing measures. a continuity of knowledge and faculty. It will enhance a 12-year “There have been significant practice. partnership that has transformed improvements in curriculum Gartside said that as a rethe St. Columbkille Partnership and instruction, professional de- pository for research-based and School from the brink of closure velopment, extended day pro- data-driven best practices, St. to one of the very best schools in grams, and parental and com- Columbkille will serve as a vital the Archdiocese of Boston and munity involvement since the resource for Catholic schools in the Commonwealth of Massa- partnership was launched,” said the Archdiocese of Boston and chusetts.” Gartside. “BC has developed beyond. The data generated from the strong relationships with grade“I’ve already spoken with research will ensure best practices level teams that supervise student school administrators in New in curriculum and instruction at teachers and created connections York City, Philadelphia and St. Columbkille, and provide a between volunteer organizations, Milwaukee about the benefits of knowledge base for innovation after-school programs, and sports adopting this laboratory model,” that will help facilitate education- teams. said Gartside. “We believe it is a al advances at Catholic schools “Furthermore, educational formula for success.” nationwide. It will also aid in research opportunities with the –Phil Gloudemans and Jack Dunn the preparation of teachers and Lynch School of Education have Photos by Lee Pellegrini
Mahoney Appointed as Dean of Undergraduate Admission BY JACK DUNN ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS
Director of Undergraduate Admission John Mahoney Jr. has been named dean of undergraduate admission and financial aid, Provost and Dean of Faculties David Quigley announced today. In his new role, Mahoney, who has successfully directed Undergraduate Admission for 28 years and developed a reputation as a national leader in the field, will oversee the offices of Undergraduate Admission and Financial Aid, better aligning their functions to achieve Boston College’s enrollment objectives. “John Mahoney has long provided principled and visionary leadership in Undergraduate Admission, and he and his team succeed at attracting a class of gifted and diverse students each year,” said Quigley. “I look forward to working closely with John in his new role as dean of undergraduate admission and financial aid, as we work to strengthen Boston College’s standing as one of the nation’s most selective universities.” Mahoney said he is looking forward to the two student-centered offices working more closely with families around the complex issues of competitive college admission and paying for quality higher education. “Having witnessed the tremendous expertise and dedication of these two offices, I am pleased that they will collaborate more fully,” said Mahoney. “Under this structure, I know we can further enhance the services we provide to families of Boston College students.” Mahoney says that he remains
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Gary Wayne Gilbert
“Designating St. Columbkille as a laboratory school will further improve the education of our children through increased research and interaction with BC faculty.”
John Mahoney Jr.
firmly committed to upholding the University’s policy of need-blind admissions and meeting the full demonstrated need of all accepted undergraduate students. “This policy underscores Boston College’s mission to enroll the highest quality student body, regardless of a family’s financial circumstances,” said Mahoney. “I am confident that in working with Bernie Pekala, director of financial strategies, and Mary McGranahan, director of financial aid, that we can do even more to recruit and enroll a more socioeconomically diverse student body.” This year, Boston College received approximately 31,000 applications for the 2,300 openings in the Class of 2022, a nine percent increase over last year. The acceptance rate was 27 percent. The accepted student cohort is the most academically distinguished in BC history, with a mean composite SAT score of 1448 and a mean composite ACT score of 33. This strong applicant pool follows a freshman class that was the most diverse in BC history, with an AHANA enrollment of 31 percent. Overall, the current freshman class draws from 46 states and 40 countries.
Grad Programs Strong in US News Boston College’s graduate programs showed continued strength in the US News and World Report 2019 “Best Graduate Schools” rankings released last week. The Lynch School of Education rose two points in the graduate rankings to 21st overall, the highest placement of any Jesuit or Catholic school of education. Its Student Counseling and Personnel Services program ranked ninth overall, an improvement of one place from last year’s survey. The Carroll School of Management saw significant gains in its part-time MBA program, rising 21 points to 25th overall, the highest ranking of any part-time program in the Boston area. CSOM’s Finance program was also ranked 23rd overall. BC Law placed 27th this year, and 13th in the area of Tax Law, a seven-point improvement over
last year. The Connell School of Nursing placed 32nd among graduate nursing programs, with its Nursing Anesthesia program retaining its ranking of 22nd out of 107 ranked programs. The School of Social Work maintained its position among the nation’s best social work programs, placing 11th overall. The Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences performed well in this year’s rankings of PhD programs in the Natural Sciences, with biology and physics moving up, respectively, to 112th and 71st and chemistry placing 52nd. Boston College was ranked 32nd overall among national universities in the US News survey of undergraduate institutions, released last September. –University Communications
T he B oston C ollege
Chronicle MARCH 27, 2018
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Outcomes Expert to Speak on ‘High-Impact Practices’ Educator, author, and nationally recognized scholar George Kuh will present “High-Impact Practices: What They Are and Why They Matter to Students,” a talk on the college experiences which influence student success, at 3 p.m. on April 5 in Gasson 100. Kuh is the founding director, senior scholar and co-principal investigator of the National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment as well as the Chancellor’s Professor of Higher Education Emeritus at Indiana University. He is also an adjunct research professor of education policy at the University of Illinois and serves on the National Leadership Council for the Association of American College and Universities’ “Liberal Education and America’s Promise” initiative. He has spent his career researching, writing, and speaking on student engagement, campus culture, and the institutional conditions that foster student learning. At Boston College, he will discuss how educational research
suggests that high-impact practices – such as service learning, study abroad, undergraduate research, and capstone projects – increase rates of student retention and student engagement. “The research that he has led has helped to inform the way higher education thinks about how to influence the whole student experience” said Vice President for Student Affairs Barbara Jones, who added that the Student Affairs-sponsored event “can open more conversations about how we can work together to enhance student life.” Kuh, in his role as the founding director of the widely used National Survey of Student Engagement, which studies student participation in university programs and activities, has consulted with more than 350 colleges and universities within the United States and abroad. The event is open to the University community. For more information, go to www.bc.edu/ studentaffairs. –Christine Balquist
‘Envision’ to Aid Freshmen Continued from page 1 their pre-professional track or feeling peer, familial or societal pressure to know what they want to do and who they want to become right now. “Our hope is that Envision will help students develop self-awareness around their personal career development early on so that they can begin to integrate the idea of career into their broader sense of living a meaningful life.” A valuable component of these and similar programs, according to DuPont, is the role of current undergraduates who serve as peer counselors, sounding boards and listening ears to participating students. “Their role is critical for the success of the program. Each has gone through their own career development journey and has a unique story and perspective to share. They will be able to relate to our participants on a different level and will help to foster an environment of reflection and growth.” “Envision is a great opportunity for first-year students because freshman year is the best time to explore,” says Naya Joseph, a Carroll School of Management junior who is one of Envision’s main organizers. “Sometimes in the process of exploring, first-year students may change their minds about what they want to do career-wise — and that’s okay. “I, along with the other peer career coaches and Career Center
staff, have worked hard this past semester to create a fun, engaging experience that encourages firstyear students to consider what they are good at, what they enjoy, and how that all can translate into a career.” Envision will kick off with a small group break-out session, where students will meet their Envision leaders and other participants. The students will then create and share their own “wandering maps” as a way to identify the most important facets of their life before and during BC. In the early part of the afternoon, Envision peer leaders will discuss how their own career aspirations evolved, and participants will have a short period for reflection. Students will then be invited to imagine their lives 10 years from now, and to describe their “ideal future.” Peer leaders will talk about resources and opportunities available through BC that have proved beneficial to their personal and professional development. The final phase of Envision will bring students back to their small groups to formulate a personal action plan for themselves, and the closing session will offer tips for putting the plans in motion. More information about Envision is available at www.bc.edu/ envision. Contact Sean Smith at sean.smith@bc.edu
GOOD SPORTS
The Woods College of Advancing Studies Masters in Sports Administration program is seen as ‘filling a gap’ in region BY PATRICIA DELANEY SENIOR DIRECTOR OF UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS
March Madness is in full swing, and this year one NCAA insider is not only in the thick of post-season tournament action, but also sharing his perspective on the sports industry with graduate students at Boston College. NCAA.com correspondent Andy Katz, whose career covering college basketball spans three decades and includes every Final Four since 1992, is teaching a course in sports media this semester as part of BC’s Master of Science in Sports Administration degree program, launched last fall by the Woods College of Advancing Studies. “My mission is for the students to leave the course understanding how to handle a crisis and the media,” said Katz, “and to learn how leading professionals in the space have achieved their success and deal with an evolving landscape.” Taught by scholar-practitioners and leading industry professionals, the program is designed for leaders in sports administration and athletics who are open to new ways of thinking, leading, and balancing the needs of the many stakeholders within an athletic system. “The program was created in response to high interest in our previous sports leadership certificate and a lack of similar programs at Division I, major athletic conference institutions in the Boston area,” said graduate program director Elisabeth Hiles. “In a city known for relentless commitment to and support of professional and collegiate athletics, we believe offering an MS in sports administration at Boston College fills a gap in the region.” Response to the new program has been enthusiastic, said Hiles, who reports that enrollment has exceeded expectations, drawing students from California, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio and South Carolina as well as from New England. In fact, popular demand led the Woods College to offer a summer course in advance of the program’s official launch. “Like all of the graduate programs in our portfolio, the MSSA responds to industry needs, but with a serious academic approach,” said Claudia Pouravelis, Woods College as-
sociate dean for enrollment management. “Our research showed a need for a comprehensive program to enable working professionals to address the challenges and opportunities of an increasingly sophisticated industry in
agement, he offered to teach a course. “I wanted to share my nearly 30 years of covering college sports with students who I know want to work in the industry in some form,” said Katz, who Veteran sports journalist Andy Katz is among the faculty in the Master of Science in Sports Administration program. “My mission is for the students to leave the course understanding how to handle a crisis and the media,” he says, “and to learn how leading professionals in the space have achieved their success and deal with an evolving landscape.”
rapid growth.” The 10-course curriculum, a hybrid of classroom and online coursework offered full- or parttime, covers subject areas including sports management, leadership, finance, law and compliance, marketing and communication, media and public affairs, analytics, and coaching both for performance and student-athlete development. Hiles is quick to note that the program aligns with the University’s Jesuit educational tradition, with emphasis placed on ethics and values as guiding principles in decision-making and leadership in order to cultivate the best within each individual, team, and organization. That emphasis, Hiles said, “is what sets us apart from peer schools. We are able to offer courses that look at the use of data analytics, finance, media, and law in sports not just from a professional perspective but from a moral one as well.” One of the leading industry professionals bringing timely, relevant knowledge and expertise to the program is Katz, who joined NCAA.com last fall following 18 years at ESPN.com as reporter, host, and anchor. When the current Big Ten Network reporter and former president of the US Basketball Writers Association learned that the Woods College was planning to launch a graduate program in sports man-
is team-teaching the course on sports media and public affairs with BC Assistant Athletic Director Jade Morris, who holds a master’s degree in education. The structure of the new program is well received by students seeking both professional and academic growth. “The strengths of this program are that you have the best of both worlds when it comes to professors and the material being taught,” said MSSA student Mia Nickson, who holds a bachelor’s degree from Penn State University and a master’s in organizational leadership from The George Washington University. “Most of the courses have an academic professor, which is instrumental when it comes to working on writing and communication skills, as well as another professor with actual sports industry experience. The knowledge that you receive through those two aspects together is very beneficial to the overall experience.” The Woods College MS in Sports Administration program is now enrolling for the coming summer and fall terms, as well as for spring 2019. Information is available via the MSSA program website at www.bc.edu/sportsadministration. Contact Patricia Delaney at patricia.delaney@bc.edu
T he B oston C ollege
Chronicle MARCH 27, 2018
Different Perspective Historian is first American to hold Burns Chair in Irish Studies BY SEAN SMITH CHRONICLE EDITOR
Having marked its 25th anniversary year in the fall of 2016, the Burns Library Visiting Scholar in Irish Studies program is in the midst of another landmark semester. The spring 2018 Burns Scholar, Jason Knirck, is the first American to hold the professorship. As part of his activities, Knirck is organizing a symposium at Boston College that will spotlight the work of Americaneducated historians of Ireland. A collaboration between the Boston College Center for Irish Programs and University Libraries, the Burns Scholar program brings outstanding academics, writers, journalists, librarians and other notable figures to the University to teach courses, offer public lectures, and work with the resources of the Burns Library in their ongoing research, writing, and creative endeavors. Knirck is a professor of history at Central Washington University whose research and teaching interests center on events and trends in the Irish revolutionary period of the 20th century and its aftermath – specifically the Irish Free State – as well as Ireland’s complex relationship with the British Empire. Among other topics, Knirck has studied the role of women in revolutionary Ireland, and the advent of political parties in the Irish Free State. Since arriving at BC, he has used Burns Library materials and archives for research projects on the Irish Free State era, one about economic and taxation policies, another on the development of loyal parliamentary opposition. Knirck’s appointment, and the April 7 symposium – “Is There an American School of Irish History” which takes place at Connolly House – underscore the vitality of the Burns Scholar program and of Irish Studies at BC, according to Center for Irish Programs Director James Murphy, CM, himself a former Burns Scholar. “We are delighted to have Jason Knirck with us this semester as Burns Scholar,” says Murphy. “His selection as the first American-trained and based scholar of Ireland to hold the Burns Chair is a sign that Irish Studies has come of age in the United States. One of my goals is to make Irish Studies at Boston College a home for Irish history in the US, and I feel the upcoming conference will be a major step in that direc-
tion.” “BC’s eminent reputation in Irish Studies, especially as one of few universities offering doctorates in Irish history, is well-deserved,” says Knirck, whose past research was supported by funding from Boston College Ireland. “I’ve been fortunate to meet a lot of people associated with the program and now, having the opportunity to be at the Burns Library and to teach BC students, my appreciation has deepened.” Knirck says the “American
the state as illegitimate, failed and repressive. “In post-revolution Ireland, we see a classic dilemma: How do soldiers become statesmen?” says Knirck. “After the struggle with England, and then the pro- and anti-Treaty forces, came the inevitable state-building phase – a bitter process where there were winners and losers, real and perceived. That antagonism endured for a long time, and has colored perceptions of this period.” As Knirck sees it, the Irish Free
Jason Knirck, a professor of history from Central Washington Unversity, is this semester’s Burns Visiting Scholar in Irish Studies. (Photo by Peter Julian)
School” of Irish history that has emerged in recent decades represents a different perspective than that of the scholarship in Irish academia. “If you’re American-born, it means that you’re at a certain remove from the history, because you simply grew up with different influences than someone from Ireland,” he explains. “It doesn’t mean your insight into Irish history is better, or worse, than that of an Irish-born historian – you just see things differently.” For Knirck, Irish history is not only fascinating in and of itself: It provides lenses with which to examine universal questions of how social and political systems develop, and why some succeed and others fail. The period encompassing Ireland’s 1916 Easter Rising, the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty and subsequent civil war, and the Irish Free State (which lasted from 1922-37) offers much for consideration, says Knirck. But the Irish Free State in particular has received comparatively little scrutiny, and its generally negative image has endured, he says, for several reasons – including a reluctance among scholars to challenge an Irish Republican view of
State created a stable democratic system that normalized nonviolent political opposition – this despite the fact that the post-Treaty opposition party boycotted the Irish Parliament and supported armed resistance to the new state. “Unlike the Rising and the Irish Civil War, the Irish Free State had no real dominant personalities, so there was a shadow hanging over it,” says Knirck, who will discuss this topic at an April 18 lecture at 4:30 p.m. in Burns. “But its legacy was the creation of parliamentary norms in a time that was not particularly favorable to democracies.” Knirck looks forward to the April 7 conference, which will bring together scholars at various stages of their careers, from graduate students to tenured professors and administrators. [See libguides. bc.edu/burnsscholars/americanschool] “Besides sharing research, we’ll be having a roundtable on the place of Irish history in the American academy, and of Irish historians in the US. I think there’ll be some very interesting discussions.” Contact Sean Smith at sean.smith@bc.edu
$1m Grant Will Expand City Connects Program BY PHIL GLOUDEMANS STAFF WRITER
The Boston College-based City Connects program will expand into eight additional Springfield, Mass., elementary schools, thanks to a $1 million grant from The MassMutual Foundation Inc. to the Springfield Public Schools (SPS). Underwritten by the MassMutual grant, the City Connects expansion will bring the number of SPS sites in the program to 23, and serve an additional 2,700 students, according to City Connects Executive Director Mary Walsh, a faculty member at BC’s Lynch School of Education. Founded in 2001 and now operating in more than 90 public, charter, and Catholic schools in five states, City Connects provides support for students based on their individual needs by addressing out-of-school challenges that affect student success, and leverages the services and resources of community agencies. City Connects was launched in five Springfield schools in 201112, and by 2017 was serving more than 5,000 students in 15 schools. Research revealed that after three years of implementation, there was no longer a gap in test scores between students in previously underperforming schools and students in the rest of the district. Additionally, two of Springfield’s City Connects schools advanced to Level 1, the highest ranking in the state’s Education Department accountability system; the other three schools progressed to Level 3. “We are indebted to MassMutual for their generosity and commitment to Springfield, its schools and their students,” said Walsh, who is the Daniel E. Kearns Professor of Urban Education and Innovative Leadership. “The foundation clearly under-
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stood that to close the opportunity and achievement gaps, and to improve educational outcomes, the needs of the whole child must be addressed. We look forward to this expanded partnership with the Springfield Public Schools.” More than a decade of research has demonstrated that students who are engaged with City Connects in elementary school significantly out-perform comparable peers in measures of academic achievement and life prospects, including higher statewide test scores, lower chronic absenteeism, and half the high school dropout rate. “We are very grateful for the extremely generous support the MassMutual Foundation is providing our school district to help us better serve the whole child,” said Superintendent of Springfield Public Schools Daniel Warwick. “The City Connects program has yielded measurable positive results and this funding allows us to expand a program with a proven track record to reach more students. This kind of corporate citizenry has a value that cannot be overstated and we are elated about what this means for our students and families.” “The City Connects program has already garnered great results in our schools; this investment will expand the program’s reach, bringing positive change for even more students and families,” said MassMutual Foundation President Dennis Duquette, head of MassMutual community responsibility. “Education is a key lever in achieving financial security later in life, and the MassMutual Foundation is committed to ensuring that students have access to the support system and resources needed to learn and thrive in school.” Contact Phil Gloudemans at philip.gloudemans@bc.edu
LaBrecque Lecture to Address the ‘Intersection’ of Psychiatry, Religion The 2018 LaBrecque Medical Ethics Lecture will present a discussion, “Ethical Considerations at the Intersection of Psychiatry and Religion,” on April 10 from 3-5 p.m. in the Fulton Honors Library. Panelists for the event, which is free and open to the public, are: Harvard Medical School Associate Professor of Psychiatry John R. Peteet, MD, a physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital; Gerald P. Koocher, dean of the DePaul University College of Science and Health and editor of the journal Ethics & Behavior; and Harvard University Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychology Nancy Kehoe, RSCJ, a clinical psychologist at the Cambridge Health Alliance. The lecture, which debuted in 2005, was established by a gift from the children of Alice D. and Frederick C. LaBrecque ’31 to provide a forum on medical ethics from the perspective of the Roman Catholic Church, with a special emphasis on maternal and fetal issues. –University Communications
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Busy Spring Break for Pro Bono Program Continued from page 1 Laws (LLM) candidates. They were among hundreds of other BC undergraduate and graduate students who spent spring break in service programs throughout the US and abroad. The BC Law spring break trips are proudly student-directed and self-funded – costing approximately $1,000 per participant – and reflective of the school’s commitment to serving others with recently developed legal skills. Public Interest and Pro Bono Programs Director Michelle Grossfield and Assistant Dean for Finance and Administration Meredith Ryan and her staff support the spring break volunteers with planning and logistics. The 350,000-member Navajo Nation, a 17-million-acre Native American territory occupying portions of Arizona, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico, hosted eight students, divided among the tribe’s own Department of Justice, Office of the President, and Supreme Court. Volunteer Justin Rheingold worked on the nation’s lawsuit against the Trump administration over its decision to significantly shrink Utah’s Bears Ears National Monument, which includes land that the Navajo people consider sacred.
“As a sovereign nation, the Navajo people occupy a unique place in the framework of the US, and we hope we’ll be able to serve as ambassadors for a community that has frequently been ignored, and often left out of history and legal textbooks,” said Rheingold. “Although a week is hardly long enough to make significant and lasting contributions, each of us had an experience that we will remember as we continue in our legal careers. We are so grateful to the people of the Navajo Nation and the members of the Navajo government for giving us insight into their incredible culture and legal system.” Twenty-three 1Ls were spread among five immigration-focused sites: the Florence Project in Phoenix and Florence, Ariz.; Legal Aid Services (LASO) in Oklahoma City; South Texas Pro Bono Asylum Representation Project; Chicago’s National Immigrant Justice Center; and the Safe Horizons Immigration Law Project in Brooklyn. Robyn Casper volunteered at LASO, where she drafted an immigrant visa petition under the Violence Against Women Act for a teenager who was abused by his American step-father. The group also visited a field office of the
US Citizenship and Immigration Services, conducted client intake meetings, and assisted with a case involving an undocumented immigrant seeking a victim protective order. “Working with LASO was a rewarding experience that taught me so much about the nuances of our justice system and the hard work lawyers serving low-income populations put in each day,” said Casper. “It was an amazing week and I’m so grateful for BC Law, the Pro Bono Spring Break Trip Program, and LASO for this opportunity.” The contingent of 16 law students volunteering locally was spread among Boston’s Volunteer Lawyers Project; the Boston Court Service Center; the Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) Housing Unit; the Children’s Law Center in Lynn; Newton’s Free Speech for People; and the Jewish Family and Children’s Service in Waltham. These placements were arranged by Grossfield and Career Services Assistant Kylie Nassif Blizzard. Xiaotian Ma LLM’18 volunteered at the GBLS, assisting high-poverty renters who had been issued eviction notices by their landlords: “Essentially, we conducted clinics to explain the law – including their rights and
BC Law students Emma Coffey, Robyn Casper, Becky Reindel and Michael Molstad flank Student Supervisor Allison Roso of the Legal Aid Society of Oklahoma City. (Photo courtesy Robyn Casper)
obligations as renters – and to help them prepare responses to anticipated questions once they were in court.” Twelve 1Ls traveled to New Orleans, divided among the Southeast Louisiana Legal Services, which helps more than 25,000 low-income residents deal with legal issues involving food, shelter, medical care, safety and other needs; the Innocence Project, the country’s second largest free-standing law office focused on aiding wrongfully convicted prisoners; and the City Attorney’s Office, responsible for directing and supervising the city’s legal affairs. Six other 1Ls worked at the New York City-based International Legal Foundation – whose
executive director Jennifer Smith, an international legal aid expert, is a 1998 BC Law grad – which assists countries such as Afghanistan and Nepal as they emerge from conflict or transition to public defender systems for the poor. Grossfield, noting that last year’s graduating class completed more than 20,000 pro bono hours, said, “Our strong tradition of service and the strength of our public interest offerings ensures that BC Law students are prepared and intelligent advocates, well equipped to make an immediate impact on the communities and clients they will serve.” Contact Phil Gloudemans at philip.gloudemans@bc.edu
Finney to Mark His 25 Years with Chorale at Symphony Hall A silver anniversary concert at Boston’s world-renowned Symphony Hall will celebrate the milestone tenure of Boston College Distinguished Artist-in-Residence John Finney as conductor of the University Chorale of Boston College. The April 7 event will feature the Chorale and the Boston College Symphony Orchestra, of which Finney also has long been at the helm. “Symphony Hall is one of the finest concert halls in the entire world, and I am absolutely thrilled the University Chorale and the BC Symphony Orchestra will have the opportunity to perform there,” said Finney, recognized as one of the most important musicians in the Boston area. “It is an immense honor for me to conduct these fine students in making music in this glorious hall. “The excitement among the members of the Chorale and Orchestra is tremendous,” he added. “There is a feeling among them that this will undoubtedly be one of the most exciting concerts they will ever perform.” [Read a Q&A with Finney about his 25-year milestone at
http://bit.ly/finney-silver-anniversary] “Performing at Symphony Hall will be something I never forget,” said Chorale President George Liddy ’18. “[It] is such a grand and historic space – to be able to perform in that building is an honor. I have heard from some seniors that they feel this may be the highlight of their musical careers. “It is wonderful for the entire University Chorale as well as the BCSO to show our appreciation for John and all the hard work he has given to our groups and to Boston College over the past quarter-century. I hope [the audience] hears the music as a testament to John’s abilities, and sees that he has been able to bring together members of the Boston College community for the last 25 years to make incredible sounds.” The Chorale and Orchestra will perform together for most of the concert; there also will also be selections played by the orchestra alone, including the famous “Academic Festival Overture” by Brahms. Also on the program will be Orff’s “Carmina Burana,” Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus,” Wilberg’s “Come,
John Finney is conductor of the University Chorale and Boston College Symphony Orchestra. (Photo by Yiting Chen)
Thou Fount of Every Blessing” and “Tollite Hostias” by Saint-Saëns (the Chorale’s “theme-song,” quips Finney). “I hope the audience will be as proud of our Boston College students as I am, and I hope that the audience enjoys every note of this concert,” Finney said. “We have chosen a program that features musical selections that have been great favorites of our students and audience members alike.” “As a senior, the opportunity to perform in Symphony Hall is one that is both exciting as well as
somewhat bittersweet,” said Annie Kim, who is concertmaster of the Orchestra and a Chorale member. “I have been playing with John and the BCSO for four years, and this is the culminating experience of my time. Symphony Hall is one of the most beautiful – both acoustically and visually – concert halls in the world, and to be able to perform for John’s 25th anniversary, under [his] direction, is an incredible honor.” The Symphony Hall event follows in the tradition of a concert conducted there by Finney’s prede-
cessor, C. Alexander Peloquin, on the occasion of his 25th anniversary with the Chorale. Both performing groups have a strong following, and Liddy and Kim will have special fans in the audience of the famed venue. Liddy’s parents will attend their firstever Chorale concert, and Liddy said he is thrilled they will share this “great experience.” “Without their support, I would not have been able to pursue music at Boston College and I’m forever thankful for them allowing me to perform with, and pushing me to lead, the University Chorale.” Kim said the presence of BC friend and faculty at the concert will be “extremely meaningful” to her: “My experience playing in the Orchestra and my involvement in the chamber music program have been some of the most formative experiences of my time at BC.” Concert tickets, which are general admission, will be reasonably priced, according to organizers, and must be purchased via the Symphony Hall Box Office. For information, go to choralebc.com/ schedule/john-finneys-25th-anniversary-concert. –Rosanne Pellegrini
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Gasson Prof. to Speak on Religion-Science Crossroads Some might see contradiction in the priestly vocation of Francis P. Xavier, SJ, and his scholarly work as a physicist exploring the origins of the universe. But Fr. Xavier, who is serving as Thomas I. Gasson, SJ, Professor in the Physics Department for 201718, sees faith and science as complementary. He will address the crossroads of religion and science in his upcoming public lecture on April 4 at 4 p.m. in Higgins 310. “How the universe goes about — that is the realm of science,” said Fr. Xavier. “But science cannot say why. Religion is the way I come to the answer. Ultimately, science is to know better and religion is how do you live better?” Fr. Xavier received a doctorate in physics from Boston College in 1992. He returned to campus in the summers as a visiting scientist, working closely with his doctoral advisor George Goldsmith, a BC physicist who passed away in 2009. Fr. Xavier’s book, God of the Atoms, is dedicated to Goldsmith and the BC Jesuit Community. As Gasson Professor, Fr. Xavier is conducting research and writing a book on time management. Fr. Xavier is the global vice president for academics and research at Jesuit Worldwide Learning (JWL), a Switzerlandbased collaborative dedicated to providing higher education to those on the margins, such as the poor and displaced. Fr. Xavier oversees the global English language, professional certificate and academic diploma programs in collaboration with Jesuit institutions of higher education. JWL offers services in South America, Central America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the Caribbean. His work at JWL ties in directly with his work as chair of
Lee Pellegrini
BY KATHLEEN SULLIVAN STAFF WRITER
Francis Xavier, SJ
the Task Force for Education for Marginalized and Refugees in preparation for the July meeting of the International Association of Jesuit Universities in Spain. If the Catholic Church is supposed to be a church for the poor, according to Fr. Xavier, “the question is what are we doing for the poor? Whether you are in the academic world, social word, or pastoral world, are the poor the center of your mission? Can we say our universities are the universities for the poor? Are we taking proactive efforts to locate the poor or extend education where they are? We need to be like a shepherd going in search of the lost sheep.” Prior to joining JWL, Fr. Xavier served as the founding director of Loyola-ICAM College of Engineering and Technology (LICET) in his native India from 2010-16. He also was Jesuit provincial of the Madurai Province and founding director of an interdisciplinary research institute, Loyola Institute of Frontier Energy. Funded by a gift from the Jesuit Community at Boston College, the Gasson Chair is held by a distinguished Jesuit scholar in any discipline and is the oldest endowed professorship at Boston College. Contact Kathleen Sullivan at kathleen.sullivan@bc.edu
Registration Starts April 4 for Diversity and Inclusion Summit Registration will begin April 4 for the third annual Inclusion and Diversity Summit, “One Community, Many Perspectives,” which will be held on May 23 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in Gasson 100. Open to all Boston College faculty and staff, the summit will include programs, initiatives, exhibits and research related to diversity and inclusion, with the goal of creating a vibrant and continual learning experience for all the BC community. More details about the Diversity and Inclusion Summit will be in the next Chronicle. For registration and other information, see www.bc.edu/diversity.
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BOSTON COLLEGE IN THE MEDIA Prof. Kevin Kenny (History) discussed the 19th-century Irish secret society the Molly Maguires as part of a St. Patrick’s Day exploration of Irish American culture and identity on Backstory. In a Q&A with the Chronicle of Higher Education, American Studies Director Prof. Carlo Rotella (English) discussed “Experimental Writing for Scholars,” a course with a public humanities focus for graduate and undergraduate students. Rotella noted the contributions of Associate Professors of English James Smith and Eric Weiskott. In a piece for Crux.com, Assoc. Prof. Hosffman Ospino (STM) – deeply involved in the Fifth National Encuentro for Hispanic Ministry, a two-year process designed to discern the response of the US Catholic Church to the
Hispanic and Latino presence – said the nation must harness the potential of Hispanic Catholics or risk losing the future of the US Church. BC Ireland Academic Director Mike Cronin commented on the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day in the US for Voice of America and US News & World Report. The Arizona Republic cited a report by Steven Sass of the Center for Retirement Research indicating that while a small share of today’s retirees are financially fragile, most appear able to absorb a financial shock, at least for a time, without a substantial reduction in standard of living. That might not be the case for future retirees, according to Sass. A St. Patrick’s Day essay for National Public Radio’s “That Salt”
by Peter Moloney, who teaches history and globalization courses in the Woods College of Advancing Studies, told a tale of Ireland’s Guinness stout saving the lives of eight sailors in 1917. Assoc. Prof. Christina Matz-Costa (BCSSW), offered comments to Reuters on research that shows older adults who are socially isolated may not necessarily seek medical attention more often than their more socially connected peers. Prof. James Bretzke, SJ (STM), discussed Pope Francis’ papacy five years on, in an interview with Canada’s CTV News Channel. Prof. of Macro Practice Tiziana Dearing (BCSSW) spoke about the personality matchup of President Trump and Kim Jong Un on New England Cable News’ “The Take.”
JOBS The following are among the most recent positions posted by the Department of Human Resources. For more information on employment opportunities at Boston College, see www.bc.edu/offices/hr: Case Manager, Student Organizations, Student Affairs/Residential Life Director, Church in the 21st Century Center The Boston College chapter of Alpha Sigma Nu, the honor society of Jesuit colleges and universities, held its annual induction ceremony on March 18 in St. Ignatius Church. At a reception afterwards, Associate Professor of Physics Cyril Opeil SJ, the chapter’s faculty advisor, chatted with its student leadership team: (L-R) Elizabeth Morgan ’18 (secretary), Mark Sullivan ’18 (president), Amanda Scudder ’18 (vice president) and Abigail Brown ’18 (treasurer). (Photo by Christopher Huang)
NOTA BENE Neil Wolfman, an assistant professor of the practice in the Chemistry Department, was selected as Teacher of the Year by the Boston College chapter of Alpha Sigma Nu, the honor society of Jesuit colleges and universities. Wolfman began teaching General Chemistry at BC in 2000 as a part-time faculty member after having worked in the pharmaceutical industry for 30 years, primarily researching autoimmune diseases and muscle regeneration. He holds a bachelor’s degree from New York University and a doctorate from Cornell University. In 2015, Wolfman won a Teaching Award from BC’s Phi Beta Kappa chapter.
Assistant Director of Biology Labs, Academic Affairs/Provost Campus Minister, University Mission and Ministry Animal Care Technician, Academic Affairs/Provost Assistant/Associate Director, Athletic Events and Donor Relations, University Advancement Network Technician, Information Technology Senior Philanthropic Advisor, University Advancement Development Assistant, University Advancement Broadcast Engineer, ACC Network Production Director, International Advancement, University Advancement Utility Worker, Dining & Catering/Auxiliary/Public Safety Resident Director, Student Affairs/Residential Life Senior Research Librarian/Bibliographer, Academic Affairs/ Provost Strategic Sourcing Officer, Financial/Budget
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Coming Up Next Issue:
BC ARTS FESTIVAL ’18 Preview
BY ROSANNE PELLEGRINI STAFF WRITER
Original, colorful works in a variety of two-dimensional media, by students from disciplines and schools across the University, grace the Carney Hall first floor gallery through mid-April. The BC Art Club’s Spring Student Art Show features 13 works from nine BC students with a passion for making and sharing art. The pieces on display range from photography to oil, acrylic, and digital art, and feature an eclectic mix of subjects. “We want to show that any student of any background is capable of creating beautiful art,” said Art Club President Emily Zhao ’19. “We want to make art more accessible to all of BC. We believe that art has a unique power to create a sense of community and to bring people out of their comfort zones in a constructive way. “Viewers have commented on how impressed they are by the talents of the artists, and how refreshingly unique the pieces are,” she added. Both Art Club members and the student exhibitors “are excited to be able to share art with the community-especially because most of the students are not studio art majors or minors,” said Zhao, whose work, “The Nature
of Music,” is on view. “The artists are involved in areas of study including finance, nursing, international studies, biology, and economics, with almost every class year represented, including
This academic year, the club has sponsored a ceramics night, a painting social event and an open studio night; plans are in the works for an Arts Festival social photography art project.
It seemed as if they didn’t care as long as they had a roof over their heads and friends. I wanted to show the lively nature of their existence, almost distracting the viewer from their surroundings.
(Clockwise from above left) Emily Zhao ’19, Reginald Anadio '21, Sabel Flynn ’19, and Sydney Bernal ’19 are among the artists exhibiting their works at the BC Art Club’s Spring Student Art Show, on display in Carney Hall.
Photos by Lee Pellegrini a graduate student. “Art Club members took the organization of the exhibit very seriously, intent on displaying the works in a way that did them justice. The exhibit goal is to encourage students to share their art and have the courage to pursue their art.” The seven student Art Club board members try to reach as many BC students as possible.
Chronicle invited some student artists to discuss their works: Reginald Anadio ’21 “‘Taro’ is a 3’x4’ painting depicting a scene from a port in Mirissa, Sri Lanka. ‘Lighthouse’ is an 18”x24” painting depicting the Portland Head Light. Both are acrylic paint on canvas. “When visiting the port, I was shocked to see how happy people were amidst the pollution.
This shows how individuals seem to look away from the state of our surroundings and put nature on pause while we destroy it day after day. “Art shows are a great way to make connections at BC, and an outlet for artistically inclined students.” Sydney Bernal ’19 (Art Club Vice President)
BC SCENES
“My acrylic on wood piece is titled ‘We were two fish in love and summer was full of mistakes we wouldn’t learn from.’ I wanted to paint something absurd: Two fish flee their teacup home for love. It’s [important] that Art Club provides outlets for creativity. This art show is a way to display such creativity. The show highlights the abilities of students that aren’t often celebrated, and that’s important.” Sabel Flynn ’19 “‘Hermaphrxdyte’ is oil on canvas and thread on a frame. The sculpture at the Museum of Fine Arts titled ‘Hermaphrodite’ made me think about the origins of the word: literally ‘Hermes’ plus ‘Aphrodite.’ The intersex figure was softly sculpted with the special care and beauty that defines ancient Greek sculpture. The figure I’ve painted is a portrait of many of my friends and loved ones. A celebration of gender and sex nonconformity, my painting challenges expectations on what a body ‘should’ look like. The thread on the frame spells and ‘X’ and a ‘Y,’ representing the two sex chromosomes. “I love having my art on display because it validates me and how I feel about my works.” Contact Rosanne Pellegrini at rosanne.pellegrini@bc.edu
STEPPING OUT Photos by Yiting Chen
The Boston College Dance Ensemble presented “Majesty” on March 18 in Robsham Theater. Also participating in the show were Boston College Irish Dance, Uprising, Phaymus and Synergy.