PUBLISHED BY THE BOSTON COLLEGE OFFICE OF UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS
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Around Campus
Strong-willed
Arts Festival
New UGBC president and VP talk about taking office.
An April 12 event celebrated the BC Strong Scholarship winners.
This year’s edition will combine virtual and in-person events.
APRIL 22, 2021 VOL. 28 NO. 14
PUBLISHED BY THE BOSTON COLLEGE OFFICE OF UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS
COMMENCEMENT 2021
Commentator, Author Brooks to Address Graduates BY OFFICE OF UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS STAFF
David Brooks, a journalist, author, and cultural and political commentator who has shared his analysis and opinions as a columnist for The New York Times and through other national media outlets, will address the Boston College Class of 2021 at the University’s 144th Commencement Exercises on May 24. University President William P. Leahy, S.J., will present Brooks with an honorary degree at the ceremony, which will take place at 10 a.m. in Alumni Stadium, rain or shine. Due to COVID-19 health and capacity regulations, attendance will
Snapshot
Springing into view Cherry blossoms were out in force around campus earlier this month—although a Nor’easter last Friday put a temporary crimp in the arrival of spring weather, bringing chilly temperatures and even a brief period of wet snow. PHOTOS BY LEE PELLEGRINI
be limited to graduates, trustees, senior administrators, honorary degree recipients, and faculty marshals. The event will be livestreamed via on.bc.edu/Commencement2021. [Complete logistical information is available at the Commencement 2021 website, bc.edu/commencement.] In addition, the University will present honorary degrees to: Lyndia Downie, president and executive director of the Pine Street Inn; former BC football player Sean Guthrie ’01, M.Ed.’14, head of middle school at The Fessenden School in West Newton, Mass.; Christine Montenegro McGrath ’87, vice president and chief of global impact, sustainability, and well-being for Mondelēz International; and former
University Vice President for Human Resources and Senior Advisor to the President Leo V. Sullivan, M.Ed. ’80, P ’89 and ’90.
BC Law Commencement May 28 see page 4
Some 4,500 Boston College students are receiving undergraduate and graduate degrees this year. More on the 2021 honorary degree recipients: David Brooks David Brooks has held the coveted position of op-ed columnist for The New York Times for almost 20 years and is a
David Brooks
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Two BC Students Win Truman Scholarships BY ED HAYWARD AND SEAN SMITH OFFICE OF UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS
Boston College juniors Max German and Jenna Mu have been named recipients of Harry S. Truman Scholarships, a prestigious national award that supports undergraduates who are committed to public service leadership. German and Mu are among the 62 new Truman Scholars selected from 845 candidates nominated by 328 colleges and universities—a record number of applicants for the 46-year-old program. The scholarship supports the graduate education and personal development of standout undergraduates who display leadership potential, intellectual ability, and a strong
record of public service. BC, with 21 Truman Scholars since 1981, is among the fewer than 80 colleges and universities to have achieved the status of Truman Honor Institutions, chosen for their encouragement of outstanding young people to pursue careers in public services, effective promotion of the Truman program on their campuses, and sustained success in helping their students win Truman Scholarships. A native of Shrewsbury, Mass., German is a political science major who transferred to BC in 2019. His interest in public service has been cultivated through a diversity of experiences and influences such as winning election to town government;
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The spirit of the Ethics Bowl encourages respectful deliberation over some of the most controversial issues of our time. Instead of encouraging an ‘us versus them mentality,’ it promotes productive conversations about controversial issues. – angela mccarthy ’21, page 6
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April 22, 2021
Around Campus
BC Student Government Leadership Team Getting Set to Take Office Their first day in office isn’t until May 2, but their work has already begun, according to the new heads of the Undergraduate Government of Boston College. Both juniors in the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences, President Jack Bracher and Vice President Gianna Russi—who won last month’s UGBC election—say their administration is centered around student voices. The duo plans to work toward change that directly addresses student concerns, and to facilitate dialogue, collaborate with student groups to amplify and support their initiatives, and create coalitions to attain results. “We will work tirelessly alongside our peers and other student leaders to ensure [student concerns] are addressed and tangible solutions are discussed with the administration,” Russi said. “We will continue to work ‘For Eagles, With Eagles’ as president and vice president of UGBC, and we will act as a mouthpiece for students.” She cites the recent creation of the Environmental Sustainability Division
Incoming UGBC President Jack Bracher and Vice President Gianna Russi. The past year, he says, has “highlighted the importance of community in our daily lives.” photo by peter julian
within UGBC as an example: “We plan to use this division as a vehicle to centralize advocacy and foster a space for students from all parts of campus to come together in their work.” Bracher said he and his vice president “are looking forward to working with students and administrators to ensure effective communication between the administration and the student body in preparation for next year, both from a safety and community standpoint. “The present circumstances have highlighted the importance of community in our daily lives. Feelings of isolation are not uncommon when students attend class in a Zoom room as opposed to a classroom. Faculty, staff, administrators, and students have worked incredibly hard over the past year to ensure that we have the opportunity to be on campus this academic year.” Bracher—son of Courage to Know Director Elizabeth Bracher—is a graduate of Boston College High School. “When I came to BC, I unknowingly joined student government not realizing a program I applied to was a division of UGBC,” said the
political science and Perspectives major, who is minoring in ancient civilizations. “I’ve since had the privilege to serve in different capacities across multiple divisions. UGBC for me became defined by the relationships I formed with students and faculty. It is an incredible honor to bring these relationships to the work that Gianna and I will take on in the highest office of UGBC.” Bracher serves on the executive board of BC’s Ignatian Society and participated in the Jamaica Magis and Bowman Advocates programs. Russi, a double major in political science and history, also has been active in various UGBC roles, including as a Class of 2022 student assembly representative and as secretary; her activities include the Student Admission Program and the BC Alzheimer’s Buddies campus chapter. “Jack and I share a common vision, and we hope students feel like they have solid advocates by their side.” —Rosanne Pellegrini
BC Scenes Great outdoors
PHOTOS BY JUSTIN KNIGHT (BELOW) AND FRANK CURRAN
The first part of April brought to campus some comfortable weather for outdoor activity and leisure. (Left) On April 8, Boston College Dining Services introduced the new campus restaurant “BC After Dark.” On April 10, the College Activities Board and BC Music Guild organized Quadstock on the Plaza at O’Neill Library, featuring performances by student acts such as The Sleepwalkers (above) and Photo Negative (right).
ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS
Jack Dunn SENIOR DIRECTOR FOR UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS
CONTRIBUTING STAFF
Christine Balquist Phil Gloudemans Ed Hayward Rosanne Pellegrini Kathleen Sullivan
Chronicle
PHOTOGRAPHERS
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Patricia Delaney EDITOR
Sean Smith
Lee Pellegrini Peter Julian
The Boston College Chronicle (USPS 009491), the internal newspaper for faculty and staff, is published biweekly from September to May by Boston College, with editorial offices at the Office of University Communications, 3 Lake Street, Brighton, MA 02135 (617)552-3350. Distributed free to faculty and staff offices and other locations on campus. Periodicals postage paid at Boston, MA and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: send address changes to The Boston College Chronicle, Office of University Communications, 3 Lake Street, Brighton, MA 02135. A flipbook edition of Chronicle is available via e-mail. Send requests to chronicle@bc.edu.
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April 22, 2021
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Event Celebrates BC Strong Scholarship Program BY KATHLEEN SULLIVAN STAFF WRITER
The Boston College Strong Scholarship recipients—and the awareness and support for disabilities and accessibility issues that the scholarship program has cultivated— were celebrated at an April 12 virtual event hosted by Boston Marathon bombing survivors Patrick Downes ’05, his wife Jessica Kensky, and the BC Strong Scholarship Committee. The evening featured a panel discussion with BC Strong Scholars Cathryn K. Cheevers ’23, Ansel-Ikaei Kufta ’24, Jack Manning ’20, and Conor V. McCormick ’22. The BC Strong Scholarship, which supports BC students who have overcome adversity, was established by a group of Downes’ friends from the Class of 2005— Kevin Collins, Elizabeth Stowe Fennell, Michael Hundgen, and Grace Simmons Zunic—as a way to honor Downes and Kensky. “April is the anniversary of the bombing and having [April] be when we celebrate this scholarship and this group of people has made it a really positive and special time for us,” said Kensky. “You are extraordinary human beings,” Downes said of the scholars. “It gives us energy to realize that there are wonderful people like all of you out there doing great work in the world and are being loving men and women for others.” During the discussion, moderated by Vice Provost for Enrollment Management John Mahoney, the undergraduates recalled their initial reactions to being notified about the scholarship and reflected on the past year on campus, while Manning gave an update on his life since he graduated as the inaugural BC Strong Scholarship recipient. “The University has made great strides,”
Cathryn Cheevers ’23 and Ansel-Ikaei Kufta ’24 are the latest recipients of the Boston College Strong Scholarships. photos by lee pellegrini
said Manning, a Carroll School of Management alumnus who is working in pension analytics. “The best advice I can give is for people at BC to keep listening to students like Conor and Cate as well as Ansel and anyone else who becomes part of this great [BC Strong] community. Clearly they have great ideas and that’s the best way to make [BC] more inclusive for everyone.” “I feel so honored to have been awarded this scholarship,” said Cheevers of North Andover, Mass., who is living with cystic fibrosis. “It made me feel so welcomed. I knew my disability wasn’t going to stop me from being at BC. I knew people here were very accepting and ready to support me through my journey.” Kufta, a Holyoke, Mass., resident who has ocular albinism and is legally blind, described the call he got last spring from Mahoney telling him he was awarded the scholarship.
“I was grateful,” said Kufta, who has a double major in economics and mathematics, citing Assistant Professor of the Practice of Mathematics Jamison Wolf as his favorite teacher. “It was comforting to know there were people out there ready to support my academic journey.” McCormick, who uses a wheelchair due to an accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down, said he appreciated the outreach and accommodations he has received from his professors throughout his three years on campus. “I think in just about every course I have, the professor pulls me aside after the first or second class and says ‘If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to let me know.’ They are there to support me and want to help me succeed as a student, and that’s incredibly meaningful. “That’s extended beyond academics. Two or three times in the winter, I’ve been stuck in the snow or had trouble getting
through doorways, and a faculty member has stopped and offered me a hand. “The BC community is something that is very special in this world. It’s something I haven’t found anywhere else. It just blows me away.” After graduation, McCormick, a theology major and biology minor from West Springfield, Mass., plans to attend law school—hopefully BC Law, he said. Cheevers, a biology major with minors in management and leadership and medical humanities, said one of her favorite classes has been Molecules and Cells, taught by Director of Laboratories Douglas Warner. She has an internship at Biogen this summer and plans on a career in biotech or pharmaceuticals. Cheevers is the daughter of 1990 BC graduates Kimberly and Robert Cheevers. McCormick and Cheevers have been very involved in the UGBC’s Council for Students with Disabilities, raising awareness of disability issues and working with the University on making the campus more accessible. McCormick noted that in addition to improving physical accessibility, he wants to be sure disability language and disability issues are represented in the University’s diversity and inclusion education modules. Kufta said it is important that conversations about accommodating disabilities go beyond physical accessibility and address other issues such as vision impairment. Ahead of the panel discussion, Capital Projects Senior Designer Mark Lewis gave a presentation of the accessibility features of three campus projects: Harrington Athletics Village, Pine Tree Preserve, and the science building currently under construction. For information on supporting the BC Strong Scholarship and other details, go to www.bc.edu/bc-web/offices/alumni/sites/ boston-college-strong-scholarship.html.
BC and New Balance Strike Historic 10-Year Agreement Boston College Athletics has entered a historic, 10-year agreement with Boston-based New Balance Athletics to become the Official Footwear and Apparel Provider for the Eagles. The deal will begin on June 1. The largest financial footwear and apparel agreement in Boston College athletics history gives New Balance the right to provide uniforms, apparel, and footwear for 30 of BC’s 31 varsity sports. The partnership will also include the opportunity for Boston College student-athletes to be part of an annual internship program at New Balance. “This partnership will be an absolute game-changer for Boston College athletics and our student-athletes,” said William V. Campbell Director of Athletics Pat Kraft. “This is not just a historic deal in terms of the financial value and amount of apparel for our department. The opportunities for our student-athletes to assist in product design and development of the footwear and apparel they will actually wear and compete in will be transformational.” As New Balance looks to continue its growth with New Balance Basketball, a key
element in this partnership focuses on the innovation and investment in the men’s and women’s basketball programs. New Balance will work closely with both programs to aid in design and product enhancements and is dedicated to their success both on and off the court. “This progressive collaboration joins two world-class Boston-based teams with strong synergies at our core and enables a broad spectrum of initiatives that will drive innovation, performance and creativity,” said Ray Hilvert, vice president of global team sports at New Balance. “Boston College Athletics is known for its historic commitment to excellence and we look forward to working with Pat Kraft, Fr. Leahy [University President William P. Leahy, S.J.], and the entire Boston College team to build a strong and dynamic relationship that benefits studentathletes and our shared communities.” The partnership will grant several BC teams access to the new state-of-the-art TRACK@New Balance that is currently under construction. The new sports complex at Boston Landing will feature a 200-meter
hydraulically banked track, seating for more than 5,000 spectators, and facilities for training, events, and recovery. Officially licensed Boston College apparel will be available online this summer on BCEagles.com and New Balance.com in addition to both New Balance Boston retail locations and the Boston College Bookstore. Boston College cited its longstanding appreciation for New Balance’s history and corporate mission as factors in its decision to seek the agreement. Since 1972, when the company was purchased by Jim Davis, New Balance has grown from six employees manufacturing 30 pairs of shoes per day in a single location to a global brand with more than 7,000 associates worldwide and global annual sales of $3.3 billion in 2020. Headquartered in Boston, New Balance owns and operates four factories in New England and one in the United Kingdom, and New Balance Foundation—established by Jim and Anne Davis in 1981—has donated more than $110 million in total grants to non-profit organizations to develop highimpact, long-term, sustainable initiatives that
enrich the lives of children, their families, and their communities. “This agreement is a great fit for Boston College,” said Kraft. “New Balance is a Brighton neighbor that shares our values. Like BC, it rose from humble beginnings and has grown into an international powerhouse that remains committed to integrity and corporate responsibility. We look forward to this successful partnership and how we can join together to further strengthen our community.” The Davises, both of whom hold honorary degrees from Boston College, are the parents of Kassia Davis, a 2010 BC graduate who is a member of the University’s Board of Regents. New Balance Foundation was one of the first philanthropic supporters of City Connects, an evidence-based Boston College program that delivers whole-child student supports and addresses the non-academic barriers to learning in under resourced K-12 schools. New Balance Foundation has donated $6.2mm to City Connects. —University Communications
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April 22, 2021
COMMENCEMENT 2021
University to Present Five with Honorary Degrees Continued from page 1
regular commentator on “The PBS Newshour,” NPR’s “All Things Considered,” and NBC’s “Meet the Press.” His career began as a police reporter for Chicago’s City News Bureau and has included various roles at The Washington Times, The Wall Street Journal—where he served as an international correspondent, book reviews editor, op-ed editor, and for a while, movie critic—The Atlantic, Newsweek, and The Weekly Standard. Described by a Times colleague as a conservative who understands liberals, Brooks has become one of the most high-profile commentators of our time, his trenchant analysis of politics, international news, economics, and social issues read or heard by millions. In 2004, Brooks created the Sidney Hook Awards—named for the philosopher, activist, and author—to honor the year’s best political and cultural journalism, which he announces every December in his Times column. The Canadian-born Brooks has published four books, including The Road to Character, a No. 1 New York Times bestseller, and most recently The Second Mountain: The Quest for a Moral Life. In his writings and lectures, he has advanced the idea of striking a balance between the two selves within us: the self that seeks “resume virtues”—achieving wealth, fame, and status—and the self that is dedicated to “eulogy virtues,” those that exist at the core of our being: kindness, bravery, honesty, focusing on what kind of relationships we have formed. A graduate of the University of Chicago, Brooks teaches at Yale University, and is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Lyndia Downie A staunch believer in treating others with dignity and compassion, Lyndia Downie has dedicated her 36-year career to uplifting men and women experiencing homelessness across the Commonwealth. As president and executive director of the Pine Street Inn since 2000, Downie has spearheaded the expansion of permanent supportive housing in Boston for individuals moving out of homelessness. Under her leadership, the Pine Street Inn is now the largest provider of such housing in New England, while also serving thousands of guests every day through its emergency shelters, street outreach, and job training programs. A graduate of the University of Vermont, Downie first encountered the Pine Street Inn while reading a roommate’s copy of Boston College Magazine. A year later, in 1984, she applied for a job as an administrative assistant, and went on to hold positions at nearly every level of the organization, from heading the operations of the men’s shelter to overseeing public affairs and development. Over the years, she also fostered the Pine Street Inn’s partnership with Boston College’s PULSE Program for Service Learning, providing formative volunteer experiences for hundreds of undergraduates.
dent for the Latino Center of Excellence, where she significantly increased the company’s investment and growth in the Latino market. McGrath graduated from Boston College with degrees in philosophy and accounting and was a member of the Carroll School of Management’s Honors Program.
Clockwise from top left: Honorary degree recipients Lyndia Downie, Sean Guthrie, Leo Sullivan, Christine Montenegro McGrath. photo of sullivan by gary wayne gilbert
Today, Downie’s expertise and achievements surrounding the complex topic of homelessness have made her a sought-after speaker and policy advisor and led to many prestigious awards, such as being named one of the top 100 women leaders in Massachusetts in 2019 and 2020 by The Commonwealth Institute and The Boston Globe. Sean Guthrie An outstanding athlete whose abilities brought him to the National Football League, Sean Guthrie now pursues and promotes excellence in the field of education. Since 2019, Guthrie has served as the head of middle school at The Fessenden School, leading programs for 109 boys in grades five and six. Now in his 15th year as an educator, he has held teaching and leadership positions in both urban public and private schools. In either setting, his decisions have been driven by the same goal: to create positive change for students through education. While at BC, where he earned a degree in accounting, the Miami native was an accomplished defensive end for the Eagles, a natural leader who was named a team captain. Following graduation, Guthrie played in the NFL for the New York Giants, Indianapolis Colts, and Washington Redskins. Following the end of his playing career, Guthrie settled in Boston to pursue a new career, teaching mathematics in schools in Boston and Cambridge. He returned to BC as a Donovan Urban Teaching Fellow and earned a master’s degree in education in 2014. In 2016, he was selected as a
principal fellow at BC’s Lynch Leadership Academy, where he worked with the Curley K-8 School in Boston. Prior to joining Fessenden, Guthrie was principal of the Young Achievers Science and Math Pilot School in Boston’s Mattapan neighborhood. Christine Montenegro McGrath Christine Montenegro McGrath serves as vice president and chief of global impact, sustainability, and well-being for Mondelēz International, one of the largest snack companies in the world with a portfolio of iconic food brands such as Oreo, Cadbury, and Trident gum. In her role, McGrath is tasked with addressing challenges of deforestation and climate change, obesity, and gender inequality. One of her signature initiatives, Cocoa Life, a $400-million program launched in 2012, aims to increase the sustainability of the cocoa farming industry and cocoa supply chain through better farming practices, community development, and women’s empowerment. McGrath also promotes company goals to reduce the amount of packaging in its products, make all of its packaging recyclable by 2025, and address dietary well-being through increased portion control options and information on packaging. Named one of the 50 Most Powerful Latinas in Business in 2017 and 2018 by Fortune Magazine, McGrath was selected as a leader of the company’s inaugural Global Diversity and Inclusion Council. Prior to joining Mondelēz International, McGrath served for more than 20 years at Kraft Foods in roles including vice presi-
Leo V. Sullivan Before assuming his current role in 2014 as a senior advisor to University President William P. Leahy. S.J., Leo Sullivan was responsible for Human Resources operations at Boston College. He served as human resources director from 1968 until his appointment as vice president for human resources in 1989. Under his helm, Human Resources grew from a two-person office responsible for 800 employees to a 50-person division serving a workforce of more than 3,400 employees. A popular and highly respected administrator, Sullivan is known for his personal connection to BC employees and profound influence on the life and culture of the University. Upon his departure from the division of Human Resources, Sullivan was praised by Fr. Leahy for providing “pastoral care, wisdom, and sensitivity throughout his decades of service.” Sullivan was instrumental in recruiting and hiring key senior administrators and helped shape the Boston College workplace of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. A nationally recognized leader in human resources management, he is credited for creating programs that both enhanced BC’s professional environment and responded to the changing workplace. He oversaw the establishment of the Office of Affirmative Action in 1971, the Children’s Center in 1988, and the Office for Institutional Diversity in 2005. A graduate of Northeastern University, Sullivan earned a master of education degree from Boston College in 1980 and also is the parent of two BC graduates.
Law School Commencement Is May 28 The Boston College Law School will hold an in-person Commencement ceremony on May 28, at 10:30 a.m. in Conte Forum. Attendance at the Law School ceremony will be limited to Class of 2021 graduates, along with full-time faculty and staff. While no guests will be allowed at the event, the ceremony will be livestreamed for family, friends, and those BC Law community members who are unable to attend in person. For more information, see the BC Law website [bc.edu/law].
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April 22, 2021
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Truman Winners Show Dedication to Service Continued from page 1
organizing voter registration drives in several Massachusetts cities; involvement with College Democrats of Boston College; participation in BC’s Prison Arts Outreach Program; working as an undergraduate research assistant, and taking a course on Shakespeare’s depiction of politics. German’s career direction also has been shaped by a personal challenge: alcoholism, which he describes as a “family disease” that affected his upbringing and, at one point, left him as an unemployed college drop-out attending a 12-step program with people old enough to be his grandparents. “The paradox of recovery is that to keep what you have, you have it give it away,” he said. “This experience is a new lens to view life for me. Service is how I have fused this code into working towards change in my community. Living with the disease of alcoholism is an inflection point where I deepen the understanding and use that connection as common ground to the adversity of others.
Max German: “The paradox of recovery is that to keep what you have, you have it give it away. This experience is a new lens to view life for me. Service is how I have fused this code into working towards change in my community.” photo by lee pellegrini
“So, while I am gratified at being chosen as a Truman Scholar, I keep in mind how many people have helped me to be able to achieve this milestone: my family, my friends, my girlfriend. I want to apply that collective, humanist mindset in helping make things better for whatever community I am part of.” For German, his successful 2019 bid to win election as a Shrewsbury Town Meeting member, and immersion in the workings of local government, demonstrate public service’s capacity to build character. He had to show an ability to engage with voters on the most basic of issues, “to find out what makes them tick,” and gain their trust—even if some held social and political viewpoints different from his. As an elected official, he had to grasp the merits of short-term sacrifice for long-term gain— such as when he helped craft, and fought
for, a proposal aimed at preserving the integrity of Shrewsbury’s historical structures, only to later agree to scuttle the plan so it could be incorporated into a larger community preservation act. This grassroots/community focus was at the heart of German’s role in organizing the “Check the Box” voter registration drive, a pilot program for the Massachusetts Democratic Party, as an intern. Targeting cities and precincts with the lowest voter turnout, German put the emphasis on having volunteers work in their own communities “so that neighbors would knock on neighbors’ doors and register them to vote.” While the effort did not yield as many new registered voters as hoped, it had a positive impact in empowering community members to engage and bring change to their own neighborhoods, and “creating a new pool of activists that are connected and present,” he said. “‘Check the Box’ is a model for groundup leadership that is critical to expanding access and ensuring sustainable results into the future of political organizing.” German points to his enrollment at BC as yet another critical decision. Feeling confident enough to return and complete his studies at the community college he had been attending, German decided he wanted to continue his education. BC, with its emphasis on service and strong academics, greatly appealed to him: “I was able to broaden my horizons and further explore some of the big themes around public service.” Associate Professor of Political Science Nasser Behnegar, who had German as a student in his Shakespeare’s Politics class, attests to the intellectual component in German’s formation. “What Max began to see from Shakespeare’s history plays in particular is that the motives of political figures are often shrouded in secrecy—a shroud that we can tear slowly, but surely, if one attends carefully to what they say and what they do and do not do. He learned that to make a sound political judgment one must understand the political situation, which in turn requires meticulous observation. I think his encounter with Shakespeare made him into a sharper observer of human action and a more precise thinker and writer.” German, who will graduate in December, plans to do a year of service through the AmeriCorps Vista program, then pursue a law degree as a means to break what he terms “systemic and structural barriers in our society that foster inequalities of all types.” Upon graduating from law school, he hopes to work for the American Civil Liberties Union, specifically in its criminal law reform division. A member of the Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program, global public health major and pre-dental student from Omaha, Neb., Mu has distinguished herself at Boston College through her academic achievement and leadership roles as co-founder of the campus chapter of Partners in Health,
and as a research fellow with the Global Observatory on Pollution and Health. She launched “Boston College Brushes,” an initiative to reduce dental waste on campus, is an outreach coordinator for the Boston College Pre-Dental Society, and a member of Boston College EcoPledge and the Alpha Sigma Nu Honor Society. Kenji Hayao, associate professor of political science and the University’s Truman faculty representative, praised the unique perspective Mu brings to her focus on public health. “Jenna focuses on public health but from a somewhat different perspective than most others in the field,” Hayao wrote in a nomination letter to the foundation.
Jenna Mu: “[At BC] I have been able to combine my interest in service with my interests in dentistry, global health, and environmental justice. The Truman Scholarship has confirmed that I am able to pursue all of these fields simultaneously and make a positive difference in the lives of others.”
“First, she believes that one must look at public health in more holistic terms, to go beyond simply the narrower medical concerns, to understand, for example, the impact of the environment on health. Second, she looks at public health through the perspective of dental health, which is often overlooked as a public health issue, both at home and abroad.” Mu said she was honored to receive the scholarship, which will advance her goals of obtaining advanced degrees in dental medicine and public health in order to pursue a career that combines clinical practice and public policy-making, with an emphasis on underserved populations. “I am grateful to be named a Truman Scholar,” said Mu. “One of the main reasons I came to Boston College was its emphasis on service and nurturing students to be people for others. BC is a university that emphasizes service and I have been able to combine my interest in service with my interests in dentistry, global health, and environmental justice. The Truman Scholarship has confirmed that I am able to pursue all of these fields simultaneously and make a positive difference in the lives
of others.” Mu, who hopes to use her Truman Scholarship to pursue an internship at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services following her 2022 graduation, said her career goals are to provide essential dental care to communities in need and to address disparities in access to dental services within the U.S. and abroad. In addition to improving dental public health policy, she would like to improve the environmental sustainability of dental practices and materials. Mu credits BC faculty for guiding her in her academic pursuits and nurturing her professional interests. Besides Hayao, she cited Professor of Biology Philip Landrigan, M.D., director of the Global Observatory on Pollution and Health; Vice Provost for Global Engagement James F. Keenan, S.J.; Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program Director Kathleen Bailey; and Assistant Professor of the Practice of Biology Jeffrey DaCosta. In addition to conducting research that has resulted in co-authorship of a report in a peer-reviewed journal, outside of Boston College Mu has worked as a research assistant at Creighton University School of Medicine and Harvard School of Dental Medicine, where she co-authored two policy briefs on the environmental impacts of dentistry. As a volunteer, she tutored teens through Boston’s Bridge Over Troubled Waters nonprofit and has mentored students through the Nebraska-based nonprofit Completely KIDS. This summer, she will work as a research assistant with the UN Environment Programme; next summer, she will spend eight weeks in Washington, D.C., at an internship focused on public health. “Jenna has served as a Research Fellow in our Global Observatory on Pollution and Health within the program in Global Public Health,” said Landrigan. “Through this work, she developed case studies for inclusion in a major review of Human Health and Ocean Pollution. This report was released at an International Symposium on Ocean Health in Monaco last December and published at the same time in the journal Annals of Global Health. Jenna is named as an author on this publication.” In addition to her BC experience and faculty mentors, Mu credits her family with supporting her interests in science, medicine, and serving others. “My parents have inspired me to think about ways in which I can serve other people,” said Mu. “My older brother has done the same. He also attended Boston College and brought home its emphasis on cura personalis, nurturing and caring for others. They have all encouraged me to pursue my academic interests and to serve as many people as possible.” This summer, German and Mu will meet their fellow 2021 Truman Scholars during an orientation session, traditionally held at the Truman Library in Independence, Mo.
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April 22, 2021
‘Creative Solutions to Challenging Moral Dilemmas’ BC students find enjoyment, and success, in Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl competition BY PHIL GLOUDEMANS STAFF WRITER
Some Boston College undergraduates have taken their collective interest in ethical questions (Should some social media content be censored? How should personal protective equipment for COVID be apportioned among patients and medical staff?) to the competitive level. Last fall, the students participated in the regional portion of the 25th annual Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl (IEB), sponsored by the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics (APPE), an international organization focused on advancing scholarship, education, and practice in practical and professional ethics. The BC contingent placed fifth, thereby joining teams from 35 other American colleges and universities that qualified for the national competition, which was held virtually in late February. At the nationals, BC faced off against Meredith College, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, and Youngstown State University in five rounds over two days, totaling approximately 10 hours of active discussion. The University of Cincinnati won, beating finalists Stanford University, Northwestern University, and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. It was BC’s second year in the Ethics Bowl and its first trip to the finals. Boston College has a long, distinguished tradition in debate going back to its early years, but there’s an important distinction where the IEB is concerned, according to one IEB competitor. “The format of the Ethics Bowl is unique from other debate-style competitions in that teams are scored based on how well they consider the merit of all sides of an argument,” said team member Angela McCarthy ’21, president of the studentorganized Bioethics Society of Boston College. “The spirit of the Ethics Bowl encourages respectful deliberation over some of the most controversial issues of our time. Instead of encouraging an ‘us versus them mentality,’ it promotes productive conversations about controversial issues.” “I was so proud to see their preparation pay off in their performance at nationals,” said BC team coach Katie Rapier, an assistant professor of philosophy. “The students responded to their opponents and the judges with both professionalism and finesse, and a robust understanding of the material through clear explanations and compelling arguments. I was thrilled to see such a rich display of learning and skill from our students.” In advance of competition, each team receives a set of APPE-written cases that explore a variety of topics within practical and professional ethics that could range from cheating and plagiarism, dating and
Above, seniors Angela McCarthy (left) and Caroline Gillette are part of the BC Ethics Bowl team, coached by Asst. Prof. Katie Rapier (Philosophy), at right. photos by lee pellegrini
friendships, to free speech, gun control or professional principles in medicine, engineering, or law. Teams prepare an analysis of each case, and during a match, a case is randomly selected from the set, and teams have three minutes to huddle before giving a 10-minute presentation. A moderator poses questions designed to delve deeper into the case’s multiple ethical dimensions. A panel of judges then probes the teams for further justifications and evaluates their answers. Rating criteria are based on intelligibility, focus on ethically relevant considerations, avoidance of ethical irrelevance, and deliberative thoughtfulness. Teams cannot bring notes or confer with coaches. “It was clear that most of the case questions were dilemmas that doctors or policy makers were grappling with in real time as the pandemic unfolded,” said McCarthy, a biochemistry major. “Some of the most challenging cases included the ethics of quarantines, and racial profiling with mask mandates.” Senior philosophy major Caroline Gillette focused on two cases that dealt with the ethics of moderating content on social media, both offensive speech and misinformation. “The argument against censorship is built not just on the values of varied public discourse and free speech, but also the fear that ‘de-platforming’ certain speech will push people to less-mainstream websites, where they are more likely to be radicalized,” she said. “On the other side is the argument that some speech is harmful in that it promotes violence or is simply verifiably false, without good means of distinguishing fact from falsehood. These are tough issues both ethically and practically, but the urgency of addressing them is increasingly apparent.” Other BC competitors included mathematics major Gregory Bormes ’21, vice president of the Bioethics Society, biology major Sophia Chryssofos ’21, and International Studies major Isabelle Jones ’23. McCarthy noted that BC used this interdisciplinary team composition, atypical
from its peers, to its advantage. “The way that I approached problems as a biochemistry major was different from the methods that my teammates proposed as International Studies, philosophy, economics, and math majors. We found a way to integrate our different backgrounds and approaches to develop creative solutions to challenging moral dilemmas.” To help prepare for the competitions, the team consulted BC faculty members Nadia Abuelezam, Deborah Hurley, Geoffrey Sanzenbacher, and Richard Nielsen, as well as faculty experts from the University of Alabama-Birmingham and the University of Colorado at Denver. The BC team also scrimmaged against the BC Bioethics
Bowl members before the nationals. Jiin-Yu Chen, who served as BC’s director of research integrity until February before departing for the Baylor School of Medicine, coached the team in its first year and through the regional competition, then assisted in nationals preparation before turning the reins over to Rapier. “When I first met the team, I was so impressed by their intellectual curiosity and ability to translate complex ethical principles into accessible arguments,” said Rapier. “When I became their coach, I felt like my job was easy; the team systematically approached the cases and took the initiative to approach external experts when needed.”
Pinderhughes Lecture Examines Black Experiences in Classroom Developmental psychologist Sheretta Butler-Barnes, who studies the impact of racism and the use of culturally strengthbased assets on the educational and health outcomes of Black American adolescents, will present the Boston College School of Social Work’s annual Pinderhughes Diversity Lecture tomorrow, April 23, from noon-1 p.m. Butler-Barnes’ talk, “Ain’t I a Woman? Revisiting and Reclaiming African American Girls’ Racialized and Gendered Experiences within the Classroom,” will be held in virtual format. A link to RSVP is available at http://bit.ly/pinderhugheslecture-2021. An associate professor at the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis, Butler-Barnes focuses her research agenda on two areas. The Strengths-Based Assets of Black Adolescents Project explores how Black youth draw on personal and cultural assets and resources to thrive despite challenges to their identities from interpersonal experiences of racism. The Cel-
ebrating Strengths of Black Girls Project centers on advancing equity for women and girls of color. Prior to joining the Brown School faculty, Butler-Barnes was an NSF Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Michigan’s School of Education, which is affiliated with the Center for the Study of Black Youth in Context. She received a doctorate and master’s degree from Wayne State University in developmental psychology and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Michigan State University. The Pinderhughes Diversity Lecture Series, which launched in 2007, has featured doctors, anthropologists, and journalists who have reflected on topics like poverty, racism, and same-sex marriage. The series is named in honor of Elaine Pinderhughes, a professor emerita of the School of Social Work whose seminal research revealed that race, ethnicity, and power strongly influence how social workers interact with clients. —University Communications
Chronicle
April 22, 2021
Lynch Leadership Academy Preparing to Mark 10 Years BY PHIL GLOUDEMANS STAFF WRITER
Boston College’s Lynch Leadership Academy (LLA), established by a $20 million gift from Carolyn A. and Peter S. Lynch to train and support principals from Catholic, public, and charter schools, marks its first decade next month. A pioneering collaboration between the Carroll School of Management and the Lynch School of Education and Human Development, the LLA brings together principals and school leaders from Greater Boston and the state’s 26 Gateway Cities, and focuses on equity-centered and instructional leadership, and executive management as keys to school transformation. Gateway Cities are midsize urban centers such as Brockton, Lawrence, New Bedford, and Springfield that historically provided residents with a path to the American dream, but continue to face persistent socioeconomic challenges resulting from dwindling industrial jobs. LLA annually admits approximately 30 fellows based on nominations from superintendents and leaders in the Catholic, public, independent, and charter school sectors. The fellows, who range from new leaders to veteran principals from underserved communities where executive leadership skills and educational excellence make a critical difference, attend a leadership retreat, a two-week summer institute, monthly workshops, and regular sessions with leadership coaches. After the fellowship, LLA alumni are offered regular opportunities for professional development, and most importantly, are part of a vibrant community of educational leaders who collaborate and support each other to best serve their communities. To date, more than 250 fellows from some 120 schools have participated.
“The principal is the key individual who can affect everyone in the school,” said Peter Lynch ’65 H ’95, P ’01, the former vice chairman of Fidelity Management and Research Company, when the gift was announced in 2010. “Carolyn and I have always looked for ways in which we can help provide opportunities for young people to have meaningful lives. For us the essential ingredient is education, and this academy will help to improve educational leadership at public, charter and urban-centered parochial schools.” “Principals have one of the most demanding and important jobs in America,” said Carolyn Lynch H ’09 P ’01 at the same event. “My father was a lifelong educator and principal, so I know how critical it is that they receive the best training and support available.” The LLA was among the many examples of the Lynches’ generous support of educational initiatives and beneficence to BC and Boston’s urban Catholic schools. Carolyn Lynch, who with her husband co-founded the Lynch Foundation in 1988 and served as its chairman and president, died in October 2015. Speaking at the LLA’s fifth anniversary celebration, Peter Lynch—a long-time BC trustee and current trustee associate—described the couple’s funding of the academy as “the best thing we’ve ever done.” “We are incredibly grateful for the support of the Lynch Foundation and all of our partners,” said Jenne Colasacco, executive director of the Lynch Leadership Academy. “The LLA has grown from our first cohort of 20 principals to working with 235 leaders during this academic year alone through our expanded program offerings, which in turn impact over 50,000 students. We’re looking ahead to partnering with even more leaders and school communities in Massachusetts.”
OBITUARY
Economist Peter Gottschalk, 78 Retired Professor of Economics Peter Gott- Review, Journal of Political Economy, Journal schalk, an eminent labor economist who of Economic Literature, Review of Economic was among the first scholars Statistics, and Journal of Huto study the increasing inman Resources. equality in wages and inIn addition to wage and comes in the United States, income inequality in the died on March 25. He was U.S., Dr. Gottschalk also 78 and resided in Portland, focused on welfare depenOre., with his wife, Barbara. dency, earnings instability, Dr. Gottschalk joined job mobility, and policies to the BC economics faculty in increase employment and 1987 and retired from teachearnings of the disadvaning in 2010. He also taught taged. at Williams College, UniAlong with his wife, he is versity of California-Santa survived by his daughter and Cruz, Mount Holyoke Colson-in-law, Julie and David photo by gary wayne gilbert lege, and Bowdoin College. Murphy, and their children, He was the co-author of America UnLauren and Ryan. Services have been held. equal and co-editor of Uneven Tides: Rising —University Communications Inequality in America and Generating Jobs, For the full obituary, go to bit.ly/peterand published articles in many leading gottschalk-obit journals including the American Economic
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BC in the Media The push for negotiation classes for adults and gender equality in the workforce is critical but it may be starting too late, wrote Assoc. Prof. Katherine McAuliffe (Psychology), co-author of an op-ed— based on findings from her recent study— in Scientific American. Prof. Robert Bloom (Law) gave comments to the Huffington Post on the second week of testimony in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd. Global Public Health Program Director Philip Landrigan, M.D., answered listener questions about COVID vaccine eligibility and virus variants on WBUR “Radio Boston,” and discussed the effect of the virus on young people for a story in The Wall Street Journal. Will there be a fourth round of stimulus checks? Vaccinations, the economy, and politics all come into play, according to Assoc. Prof. David Hopkins (Political Science), who spoke with Money.com. BC Law School Concurrent Professor of Law and Philosophy Thomas Kohler outlined the challenges to hard-hit industries during COVID-19 and related topics in a Q&A with WalletHub. As restrictions loosen up when more people are vaccinated, the busier the economy will become, Assoc. Prof. Robert Murphy (Economics) told CBS Boston. In an op-ed for The Washington Post, Assoc. Prof. Michael Serazio (Communication) wrote on the GOP response to Major League Baseball’s decision to move the AllStar Game from Atlanta because of Geor-
gia’s controversial new voting law. Because there is no health identifier for Arab Americans, they are counted as white patients, hindering efforts to see how COVID-19 affects this population, said Asst. Prof. Nadia Abuelezam (CSON), who shared her research findings on health disparities among the Arab American community with CNN.com. Liberty Mutual Insurance Professor of Law Patricia McCoy shared insights with CNBC about a proposed rule by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that aims to prevent a wave of foreclosures this fall, when certain COVID-era protections for homeowners are set to expire. Stimulus checks and other government measures kept many borrowers from bankruptcy last year despite high unemployment, but economists worry it won’t last, noted The Wall Street Journal in a story that included comments from Asst. Prof. Jaromir Nosal (Economics).
Jobs The following are among the recent positions posted by the Department of Human Resources. For more information on employment opportunities at Boston College, see www.bc.edu/jobs. Associate Director, Career Advising & Programming Assistant Director/Educational Administrator Academic & Student Services Assistant Administrative Assistant, School of Social Work Assistant Director, Financial Aid
Nota Bene Boston College School of Social Work Dean Gautam Yadama has been named to the Grand Challenges for Social Work Leadership Board. A program of the American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare, Grand Challenges for Social Work aims to champion social progress by harnessing social work’s science and knowledge base and promoting collaborations between social work practitioners and researchers with individuals, community-based organizations, and professionals from all fields and disciplines. The 12 Grand Challenges grew out of more than 80 separate concepts and ideas offered to an AASW&SW organizing committee by social work professionals, then supported by nearly two dozen academic working papers. Joining Yadama on the board are senior administrators and faculty from academia as well as representatives from professional and policy organizations. Information about the Grand Challenges program is available at grandchallengesforsocialwork.org.
Director, Financial Aid Assistant Director, Strategic Sourcing Head Librarian, Collections Learning Designer Senior Fiscal & Grant Administrator Assistant Director, Graduate Program Operations, Carroll School of Management Assistant Director, Annual Giving Senior Associate Director, Creative Services Research Economist, Center for Retirement Research Academic Operations Administrator, Office of International Programs Associate Director, Prospect Management Assistant Director, Student Philanthropy Assistant/Associate Director, Schools & Programs Campus Minister Vice President, Student Affairs Post-doctoral Research Fellow (multiple positions)
Chronicle
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April 22, 2021
BC Arts BOSTON COLLEGE ARTS FESTIVAL
As Year Winds Down, Spotlight Shines on the Arts BY ROSANNE PELLEGRINI STAFF WRITER
Grammy and Tony award-winning music and theater producer Sean Flahaven, a 1995 Boston College graduate, will return to his alma mater next week as the special guest and alumni honoree at the University’s 23rd annual Arts Festival. The appearance of Flahaven, who will participate in special Arts Festival programming and receive an alumni arts achievement award, is among the highlights of the Arts Festival, which was held virtually last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s vibrant, three-day event— April 29 through May 1—returns with the theme “A New Wave of Creativity,” comprising some 40 in-person events and more than 30 online and recorded presentations.
Sean Flahaven
photo by kristina b. nameless
“We all need a lift for our pandemicweary lives, so get ready: The BC Arts Festival is alive and well with a fresh new look,” said BC Associate Professor of Theatre Crystal Tiala, chair of the Boston College Arts Council, which organizes the festival. “There will be plenty of opportunities to safely experience art in person at the Stokes Campus Green main tent, outdoors on O’Neill Plaza, or walking to various locations for visual art. There will also be opportunities to see creative work and performance streaming online. This will be nourishment for our souls.” The festival brings the BC community together to celebrate the arts, showcasing creative achievements and highlighting the arts on campus—including music, theater, dance, poetry, film, painting, and sculpture—and the work of students, faculty, and others. More than 600 members of the University community, including approximately 28 student groups, 19 facultyled groups, and 16 individual groups, will participate. In-person events will be open only to BC community members, with pandemic protocols in place to ensure the safety of festival participants, staff, and attendees. All events are free, but virtual tickets are required and available via the Robsham Theater Arts Center Box Office [www.
bc.edu/tickets]. The public is invited to attend online events, which include music video releases, a cappella podcasts, music ensemble livestream concerts, Zoom literary readings and artist talks, virtual art galleries and McMullen Museum of Art tours, and virtual activities for children. Alumni honoree Flahaven—whose talents also include writing, composing, orchestrating, and conducting—is chief theatricals executive of Concord Theatricals, the fifth-largest music company in the world, which provides comprehensive services to creators and producers of plays and musicals. Representing more than 10,000 plays and musicals, and many iconic and contemporary songwriters and recordings, Concord develops and produces shows for Broadway, West End, and internationally. The company won its first Tony Award in 2019 as co-producer of Best Musical “Hadestown.” Prior to his current position, Flahaven was founding worldwide chief executive officer of The Musical Company, and senior vice president of theatre and catalog development for Warner Chappell Music. He has worked with Broadway legend Stephen Sondheim for 25 years, and served as producer on more than 30 albums, 12 of which were nominated for Grammys—including the Grammy-winning, chart-topping hit “Hamilton.” He has produced or managed more than 100 shows, concerts, workshops, and readings on- and off-Broadway, and was general manager and director of music and marketing for theatrical rights worldwide, and a music editor for Music Theatre International and the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization. Flahaven—a member of the Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program while at BC—will receive the Boston College Arts Council Alumni Award for Distinguished Achievement, presented by Associate Professor of Music Jeremiah McGrann, at an awards reception on April 30 at 4 p.m. in the performance tent on Stokes Campus Green. At 12:30 p.m. the next day, Flahaven will participate in a career-related interview program with Theatre Department Chair and Associate Professor of the Practice Luke Jorgensen titled “Inside the BC Studio,” also in the tent on Stokes Campus Green. Awards recognizing artistic accomplishments and contributions also will be presented at the festival to English Professor of the Practice Christopher Boucher— author of three novels praised by prominent writers, and the editor of writer Jonathan Lethem’s nonfiction collection—and to undergraduates Angelos Bougas ’21, Tiffany Brooks ’21, Annabel Hodson-Walker ’21, Luke Martin ’21, Nana Kusi Minkah ’22, John Mohler ’21, Ethan Starr ’21, and Nova Wang ’21. Other festival highlights: •The University Wind Ensemble will present an immersive musical experience featuring works by Katahj Copley, a young
Masti will be among the student dance groups performing at the BC Arts Festival.
Black composer, and the digital storytelling of The Loop Lab, a BIPOC-led, Cambridge-based nonprofit social enterprise specializing in media arts internships and digital storytelling. Inspired by FACES’ 2019 The Race Against Racism challenge, this project is a step towards the Boston College Bands’ long-term goal of regularly performing and promoting works by BIPOC and womxn composers. (April 29 and 30, 7-8 p.m., Stokes Campus Green) •Join Climate Creatives, Inc., in an immersive online workshop. Apply art and design-based methods in micro-collaborations to make a community digital quilt that connects the BC community by exploring urgent topics. No prior experience required. (May 1, 1–2:30 p.m., registration required) •Waw Waaw BC is the newest addition to BC’s robust ensemble performance proBoston College’s Gaelic Roots Lunchtime Series—which blends real-time presentations with pre-recorded performances of traditional music—will welcome accomplished Irish fiddler Matt Cranitch (right) on April 29 from noon-1 p.m. Cranitch will focus on traditional Irish music from the Sliabh Luachra region, which encompasses parts of Kerry, Cork, and Limerick. In addition to demonstrating the distinctive sound and style of Sliabh Luachra, Cranitch will speak about one of its foremost exponents: fiddler Padraig O’Keeffe (1887–1963), who not only helped promulgate and preserve the tradition but made his mark as a composer of tunes and as a teacher. A native of Cork, Cranitch has been a member of such well-respected bands as Na Filí, Any Old Time, and Sliabh Notes, and toured and recorded with another Sliabh Luachra denizen, accordionist Jackie Daly. Cranitch is an author as well, having published The Irish Fiddle Book, and contributed to other books on Irish music.
gram, sponsored by the Music Department and African and African Diaspora Studies. Players include BC community musicians, non-musicians, students, faculty, and staff. Waw Waaw BC specializes in the West African sabar, a centuries-old drumming and dance style of the Wolof people from the Greater Senegambian Region. Its repertoire consists of dances and compositions derived from the inclusion of music styles from the different ethnic groups in the Region who constitute today’s pan-ethnic Wolof people. (May 1, 11 a.m.–11:30 p.m., the Plaza at O’Neill Library stage) For information about events, registration for online and other programming, COVID safety protocols, and other details, go to bostoncollegeartsfestival.com. Festival schedule is subject to change.
photo by con kelleher
Gaelic Roots Lunchtime Series events, hosted by the BC Irish Studies Program [bc.edu/irish] in partnership with the John J. Burns Library, are livestreamed via the Gaelic Roots Facebook page and YouTube, then archived by the Burns Library Irish Music Archives [youtube.com/BurnsLibraryIMC]. —University Communications