MAY 13, 2021 VOL. 28 NO. 15
PUBLISHED BY THE BOSTON COLLEGE OFFICE OF UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS
University Updates Commencement Plans Class of 2020 celebration event scheduled for fall Following recent changes to Massachusetts’ COVID-related restrictions, Boston College has updated its plans for the 2021 Commencement Exercises, and also set a fall date for a celebration for the Class of 2020. The University announced last week that undergraduates will be able to invite two guests to the Baccalaureate Mass on May 23, the main Commencement ceremony on May 24 in Alumni Stadium, and the school diploma ceremonies taking place that day across campus. Graduate students can invite one guest to the Baccalaureate Mass and their schoolspecific ceremony on May 23, and to the main ceremony on May 24. Boston College Law School will hold its Commencement Exercises on May 28 in Conte Forum; information and updates are available at bc.edu/law. At the time of the April 13 Commencement announcement, the state’s
INSIDE 2 Around Campus
BC stage production honored by Kennedy Center; Alumni Association, Career Center start job and internship campaign.
4-5 Seniors to Remember
Class of 2021 grads-to-be look back on their years at the Heights.
6 World of Talk
Undergraduates take the lead in University’s new Global Conversations initiative.
COVID-19 regulations limited attendance for events in stadiums to 12 percent of capacity. To meet this directive, the University said only graduates, trustees, senior administrators, honorary degree recipients, and faculty marshals would be able to attend the ceremony. The University submitted a revised plan for Commencement after Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker announced on April 27 that the state would raise the capacity allowed at stadiums to 25 percent. The plan was approved on May 5 by the Boston Public Health Commission and the Boston Licensing Board. In accordance with state and local regulations, all attendees must wear face coverings at indoor and outdoor events, and adhere to physical distancing requirements. All guests will be required to register and complete a health attestation via the BC Check App, which they will receive
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Members of the Golden Eagles Dance Team were aloft during their performance at the Boston College Arts Festival, which took place April 29-May 1 with both in-person and virtual events and activities. photo by lee pellegrini
Speaking and Listening BC’s Courageous Conversations program promotes civil dialogues on racial justice BY SEAN SMITH CHRONICLE EDITOR
For almost two years, small groups of Boston College students, faculty, administrators, and staff have regularly held conversations about issues of racial justice. Lasting usually about 90 minutes apiece, the conversations are civil, generally friendly, participants say, though not without awkwardness or tension given the subject matter. Nobody argues that his or her view is the correct one, or that someone else’s is the wrong one. Nobody tries to insist he or she has a perfect solution to the problems under discussion. And one of the most important objectives of the conversations is that those involved truly listen—
and listen to understand rather than just to respond—even though it may be uncomfortable to hear what’s being said. Both speaking and listening takes a certain amount of fortitude, participants say, hence the name of this ongoing dialogue: Courageous Conversations Toward Racial Justice. The BC program—a partnership between the Office of the Provost, Office for Institutional Diversity, Boston College Forum on Racial Justice in America, and Environmental Studies Program—is based on a protocol for interracial dialogue developed by author, consultant, and strategist Glenn E. Singleton and used as a model in various settings, from educational institutions to businesses to community groups.
With a concise format and set of guidelines to follow, each “CC@BC” meeting—whether in person or, as has been the case during the pandemic, over Zoom—is constructed as a thoughtful exploration of a specific topic or theme: racial justice and COVID-19, the sensationalism of Black pain, the 2020 election, mass incarceration and racial inequality, and artistic achievements of BIPOC, among others. “Courageous Conversations has taught me the importance of patience and listening,” said Gia Mitcham ’23, a communication major and marketing minor from Floral Park, NY. “I know that for myself and other students of color, it can be mentally taxing to consistently hear and talk about
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I’m pleased that the University has been able to increase its Yellow Ribbon funding for these two programs. It further underscores Boston College’s commitment to enhancing its status as a veteran-friendly institution and recognizes the contributions of those who have served our nation so courageously. – executive vice president michael lochhead, page 3
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May 13, 2021
Around Campus
BC’s ‘Spoon River Revival’ Earns Recognition from the Kennedy Center For his innovative spring production “Spoon River Revival”—which capped a year of unprecedented challenge in the presentation of live theater, albeit for virtual audiences—Associate Professor of the Practice and Theatre Department Chair Luke Jorgensen (right) has won the Outstanding Creative Ensemble Award from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF). Pandemic restrictions influenced Jorgensen’s decision to adapt and direct Edgar Lee Masters’ Spoon River Anthology. The style of presentation—a collage of monologues—lent itself to safe distancing on stage. “Spoon River Revival” was presented in one act with live bluegrass music. “When COVID canceled our ability to do a full musical we needed to either give up or get creative; we got creative,” said Jorgensen, who also won the KCACTF honor in 2008 for his BC production of “Metamorphoses.” “This award means a great deal to me, as it recognizes this tremendous group of Boston College students who were careful, thoughtful, and relentless
A scene from the Theatre Department’s spring production of “Spoon River Revival,” an adaptation of Edgar Lee Masters’ Spoon River Anthology. photos by lee pellegrini
in their approach to making a show during a pandemic. “We took so many precautions—masks, rubber gloves, temperature checks, disinfectants—that it seemed at times that we were producing a medical drama! I am truly fortunate to have been able to lead
Career Ctr., Alumni Assoc. Team Up for Eagle’s Flight Eagle’s Flight, a job and internship campaign launched by the Career Center and Alumni Association, is bringing more career opportunities to Boston College students and recent graduates through BC’s extensive alumni network. The challenging job market triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic prompted BC to call on its alumni to share jobs, internships, or short-term projects, or to volunteer to mentor a student on the job application process. In the first two days of the campaign, which began May 4, 60 alumni reached out with opportunities in organizations such as Amazon, Chubb Insurance, New England Cancer Specialists, McKinney Advertising, and the Dish Network. The Career Center will facilitate connections between these alumni and BC students primarily through Eagle Exchange, an online mentoring platform that links BC students with alumni and currently connects more than 13,000 Eagles. ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS
Jack Dunn SENIOR DIRECTOR FOR UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS
“We’re very pleased with the response to date, but we’re not surprised,” said Associate Vice President of Career Services Joseph Du Pont. “BC’s culture of giving back to others, including our students, is so strong. We turned to our alumni when our students needed help and are so grateful for their generosity.” “The Boston College global alumni network has always been gracious in extending professional and career-related opportunities to current students and our most recent graduates in a variety of ways,” said Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations Leah DeCosta Spencer. “We’re thrilled to introduce Eagle’s Flight as a holistic campaign and call to action for all alumni to come together and support our most recent graduates at a time when it’s most needed.” For more information, see bc.edu/eaglesflight. —Christine Balquist
CONTRIBUTING STAFF
Sean Smith
Snapshot Hello, Mudder
Chronicle
PHOTOGRAPHER
www.bc.edu/bcnews chronicle@bc.edu
Lee Pellegrini
PHOTO BY LEE PELLEGRINI
Cancelled last year, Boston College’s annual Modstock celebration returned on May 6 in a scaled-down version, as students gathered in the Mods parking lot for the “Mudstock” volleyball tournament.
Christine Balquist Phil Gloudemans Ed Hayward Rosanne Pellegrini Kathleen Sullivan
Patricia Delaney EDITOR
this experience with these wonderful students,” he added. Four cast members also were honored by KCACTF for excellence in acting: Olivia Sheridan ’22, Nick Rossi ’24, Grant Whitney ’23, and Ezekial Coleman ’24 were chosen to participate in the Irene
Ryan Acting Scholarship competition. The award provides recognition, honor, and financial assistance to outstanding student performers for the further pursuit of education. The Outstanding Creative Ensemble Award came as no surprise to Jabob Kelleher ’21, who served as stage manager. “Perhaps more so than any cast I have worked with over the last four years, the cast of ‘Spoon River’ truly worked in unison. With Luke’s guidance, they managed to take these separate pieces and weave them into a cogent story. For me, the most striking part of ‘Spoon River’ is the way it parallels real life. This group of 14 characters couldn’t be more different, yet they are united by their connection to Spoon River and the love, hate, laughs, and other experiences they shared. “In many ways, that is how we theater students see ourselves. We, too, are people with vastly different histories who have vastly different experiences, but we remain connected and united through our connection to BC theater.” KCACTF is a national theater program which involves 18,000 students annually from United State colleges and universities. Jorgensen will receive the award at next year’s festival. —Rosanne Pellegrini
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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Keller to Lead Woods Sports New Initiative Will Expand Financial Support for Veterans Administration Program BY KATHLEEN SULLIVAN STAFF WRITER
BY PATRICIA DELANEY SENIOR DIRECTOR OF UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS
Educator and collegiate athletics professional Patty Raube Keller joins the Woods College of Advancing Studies this month as program director of its Master of Sports Administration degree program. Keller brings to the role extensive experience in both college and high school athletics, having worked at every level of the NCAA in compliance and internal operations. She comes to Boston College following five years as a faculty member in the sports administration program at the University of Cincinnati, where she was responsible for teaching key undergraduate and graduate courses in the areas of sports management, NCAA compliance, and athletic and physical education administration, among others. During her UC tenure, she created more than a dozen new bachelor’s- and master’s-level courses, as well as established a minor in coaching. At Woods College, she will oversee a graduate program in sports administration that addresses the challenges and opportunities of an industry in rapid growth. Designed to propose new thinking and broaden leadership competencies for those in sports management as well as administrators and coaches, the master’s degree program focuses on balancing the needs of the many stakeholders within the world of sports. “Patty has expertise in sports administration, experience in building programs, and a diverse network,” said Woods College Associate Dean for Graduate Programs Tristan Johnson. “We were looking for an innovative and networked leader who could build on the growth we were seeing in the MSSA program; Patty stood out among numerous applicants due to her skill in taking on growth initiatives, as well as her level of critical thought. We’re very pleased to have her join us.” “I am excited to lead the BC MSSA program into its next phase of development,” said Keller. “The program will seek to be a national leader by equipping students to seek solutions—as analysts, educators, and leaders—that ethically address the sports industry’s most pressing issues and prepare for the challenges of the future.” In addition, she said, the program will emphasize professional development and networking to assist students in career development. “I want our students to be able to hit the ground running when they graduate with their master’s in sports administration. We want our graduates to be sought after for positions in the industry, thanks to their real-world, ethics-based education.” A four-time winner of the University of Cincinnati Golden Apple Award, presented annually by students to faculty members demonstrating excellence in teaching and
“The program will seek to be a national leader by equipping students to seek solutions—as analysts, educators, and leaders—that ethically address the sports industry’s most pressing issues and prepare for the challenges of the future.” –Patty Raube Keller
student-faculty relations, Keller developed strong relationships with many industry partners during her UC tenure, including the NCAA, the National Junior College Athletic Association, SAY Soccer, the Western & Southern Tennis Tournament, Cincinnati Reds, Cincinnati Bengals, and the Greater Cincinnati YMCA. She also maintained a broad partnership with UC Athletics, as a member of its faculty committee, a co-chair of its annual observance of National Girls & Women in Sports Day, and a collaborator on several other projects. Prior to UC, Keller was assistant athletic director for compliance and student services at the University of Mary in North Dakota, where she also served as program director for the school’s physical education and health academic program and created their online master’s program in athletic administration and coaching. She also worked at Rowan University, Rutgers University, and Campbell University. Keller holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education and sports medicine from Greensboro College, a master’s degree in education with a concentration in counseling and administration from Campbell University, and a doctorate in education leadership from Rowan University. A former college student-athlete in soccer and lacrosse, Keller began her career as a physical education teacher, athletic trainer, and soccer coach at Grimsley High School in Greensboro, NC.
The University has launched a pilot program to expand the financial support for veterans enrolled in Boston College Law School and the Carroll School of Management full-time M.B.A. program. The Yellow Ribbon Program is a Veterans Affairs program that helps eligible veterans with tuition costs beyond what the Post-9/11 GI Bill covers. Boston College has participated in the Yellow Ribbon Program since its inception in 2008. Under the Yellow Ribbon Program, all financial aid Boston College provides is fully matched by the VA. Starting this fall, Boston College will increase its Yellow Ribbon funding for qualifying veterans enrolled in BC Law and the full-time M.B.A. program. With the addition of the match from the VA, the full-tuition costs for these students will be covered, according to Bernard Pekala, director of student financial strategies and enrollment. He said the hope is that the additional funding not only helps current students
who are veterans, but may incentivize prospective veteran students to apply to these programs. Associate Director for Student Accounts and Cash Management Linda Malenfant serves as the veterans certifying official at the University. She currently works with 96 undergraduates and graduate and professional students who are making use of veterans benefits to attend BC. About one in three of these students are enrolled in the Carroll School’s graduate program. “I’m pleased that the University has been able to increase its Yellow Ribbon funding for these two programs,” said Executive Vice President and Acting Vice President for Student Affairs Michael Lochhead, who is a U.S. Army veteran. “It further underscores Boston College’s commitment to enhancing its status as a veteran-friendly institution and recognizes the contributions of those who have served our nation so courageously.” For information on veterans education benefits and eligibility requirements, go to the Boston College Veterans website at bc.edu/veterans or contact Malenfant at linda.malenfant@bc.edu.
Commencement Update Continued from page 1
through the advanced registration process. New York Times columnist and commentator David Brooks will address the Class of 2021 at the main Commencement ceremony, and receive an honorary degree. Other honorary degree recipients are: 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.
For more information, go to bc.edu/ commencement. The University also announced that it will hold a celebration for the Class of 2020 during the weekend of October 1517. The festivities will feature a “game day experience” at the BC-North Carolina State football game on October 16, while the next day will be highlighted by a Baccalaureate Mass and a degree recognition ceremony that will be followed by a celebratory luncheon. Plans for the event remain subject to change should the University “be required to adhere to restrictions placed on large gatherings,” the announcement noted. —University Communications
As the semester wound down and final exams drew near, students hit the books (and laptops) in Gargan Hall last Friday. photo by lee pellegrini
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SENIORS TO REMEMBER
Connell School of Nursing Hometown: Lexington, Mass. Notable Achievements/Activities: 2020 Ever to Excel–Paul Chebator and Mer Zovoko Award winner; Appalachia Volunteers (three years); leader, Kairos and Connell School SCRUBS retreats; member, Sigma Theta Tau international honor society of nursing, BC chapter; volunteer, Brigham and Women’s Hospital NICU. Post-Graduation Plans: She will take the licensure exam (NCLEX) this summer and wants to work as an ICU/critical care nurse in a Boston-area hospital.
Carroll School of Management Hometown: Worcester, Mass. Major: Marketing; concentration in marketing and management leadership Notable Activities/Achievements: Founder of New Generation Digital Marketing Agency; Early College Program mentor, Worcester State University; PULSE volunteer at Action for Boston Community Development; facility supervisor, Margot Connell Recreation Center; participant in case competitions organized by the Real Estate Club and the Corcoran Center for Real Estate and Urban Action. Post-Graduation Plans: Area manager, Amazon. com, Syracuse, NY; MBA or graduate studies.
What was it like to be sworn in as a U.S. citizen? It was emotional. Becoming an American citizen is not easy; it is a privilege. I look back at my journey and I think “This is crazy.” I am so happy for everything I’ve accomplished and coming to Boston College, now graduating. There are a lot of blessings. God has opened the door for me. Everything is up to God. What about your BC experience has changed you the most? My participation in PULSE had a big impact on my life. It serves a lot of low-income and underrepresented residents. Coming from a poor country like Guatemala, I can relate. I can see the pain. I like to help people. It is hard not to have the things you want because the circumstances you go through limit your opportunities. As human beings, to be able to survive, we need to help each other. If you succeed in something, you have to help someone else along the way. That is the way I carry myself in life now. I feel like I got that from PULSE. It feels good to help people. It has made me think about my life in terms of helping others. Tell us about the company you created. New Generation Digital Marketing Agency is a side hustle that I started when I went home to Worcester because of the pandemic. I started a company focused on social media marketing for small businesses, like restaurants. I help promote businesses on Instagram and Facebook with graphics and postings. I worked with Worcester State University as a social media consultant/manager for a COVID-19 project called Protegete Latino Encontra del Coronavirus. I developed ideas, and created and released content on social media to create a program that releases information about COVID that reaches underserved communities. I promoted it and got it to a certain level. The program is still going on right now.
Members of the Class of 2021 reflect on their BC experiences
Cara Hughes
Augustin P. Rac
A Michael & Susan Dell Foundation Dell Scholar, Rac began his journey to a Boston College degree in 2013, when the 17-year-old left his hometown in Guatemala for the United States in a small group of about a dozen migrants. Near the U.S.-Mexico border, Rac was found by immigration authorities and placed in a detention center. He was later sent to live with a foster family in Worcester, who helped him to finish his high school degree. In addition to working part-time, launching his own business, and working with community organizations as an undergraduate, Rac completed the requirements for citizenship and became a U.S. citizen last November.
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What will you miss most about Boston College? I will miss my friends and the beautiful Boston College campus. I am a social person and I like hanging out with my friends. I feel like we were all able to be authentic with each other. Everybody is going to different places now. But we will be able to see each other in the future. You have experiences that shape you as a person, you learn from different people. They learn from you, you learn from them. It is a learning community here. The distance—physical, intellectual, spiritual—that you’ve traveled these past eight years seems remarkable. How do you look at that journey? It has been a crazy journey. But I am here. I am alive. That is what I am grateful for. I believe God has guided me and protected me and because of Him, I am here right now. We will see what He has in store for me in the future. —Ed Hayward photos by lee pellegrini
Service has been a significant part of Hughes’ identity at BC, whether doing hands-on work at housing sites in Kentucky, South Carolina, and Virginia as an Appa Volunteer or guiding classmates through retreats offered by the Connell School of Nursing or Campus Ministry. The daughter of a Connell School graduate, Hughes has always wanted to do something that helped people—and nursing, she says, is helping people in their most vulnerable moments.
What has it been like to be a nursing student during a pandemic? I worked as a nursing assistant over the summer [at North Shore Medical Center] on a COVID floor. I always got comments like “I don’t understand how do you do this” or “How is this not so depressing for you?” But what I always come back to is the lives of my patients and how lucky I am to be able to serve them in these most vulnerable moments. When I think of that, “depressing” is the last word I would use to describe it. It’s a lot more hopeful than everyone initially thinks. What was your most memorable moment during your time at BC? One of my most memorable moments would be when I led the Kairos retreat. Kairos helped me understand that my retreatants were just
Lizzy Congiusta
Lynch School of Education and Human Development Hometown: Latham, NY Majors: Applied psychology and human development; neuroscience Notable Activities/Achievements: Dean’s List, First Honors; Psi Chi Honor Society; undergraduate research assistant (URA) for two years; volunteer at East Boston Neighborhood Health Center’s Emergency Department and Pumphret House, a medical foster home; played on women’s club ice hockey team and served as its athletic health safety officer; volunteer for the Campus School Creative Kids program and BC’s Special Olympics chapter; interned virtually at Atrius Behavioral Health Services, and “shadowed” a pediatric neurologist at the Albany Medical Center. Post-Graduation Plans: Pursuing a doctorate in clinical psychology at Long Island University, a step toward working with children with disabilities and/or trauma in clinical and therapeutic roles.
An elite hockey player with a deep interest in neuroscience and working with children with disabilities, Congiusta dived into an environmental and social justice research project with the same enthusiasm and discipline required by high-level athletics and academics, and scored some impressive but sobering results.
Who has had the greatest influence on you during your time at BC? Kelly Hughes in Campus Ministry has been one of my biggest supporters. She
has been a mentor, a leader, a teacher, and a friend. From helping me navigate roommate drama to discussing vocational callings to talking about Boston’s best restaurants, Kelly has been an incredible conversation partner who truly exemplifies what a Jesuit education is meant to be. As a URA, you focused on the harmful post-consumer effects of decomposing textile waste on humans. How did a Lynch School student become involved in this research? The project was done in partnership with Make Fashion Clean, a nonprofit based in Ghana, Africa, that works to provide employment opportunities for people with disabilities, as well as mothers of children with disabilities. I love the company’s mission and their work employing local
as influential on me and they taught me about God’s presence in our lives. That was something I didn’t expect. Kairos does an amazing and very intentional job of shining a light on the importance of each person. It is always nice to be reminded that you are loved and appreciated across this campus. That retreat and formation are etched in my brain forever. What’s been the Boston College difference for you? BC does such a good job with the whole balance in their curriculum, where I was able to get a great nursing education but also supplement it with a lot of classes surrounding Jesuit ideals. BC has always highlighted that your personal story is what defines you and that it’s of infinite value. Everyone has a different story and all it requires is for you to give that listening ear and be present to them. Learning how to uplift these stories so that everyone on campus feels loved and recognized is something that I don’t think any other school could have done the way BC did. —Kathleen Sullivan artisans who are impacted by disability to empower them and give them necessary resources through social interaction and finances. It’s something that I am super passionate about. I want to work with kids with disabilities and mental health challenges in my future career, so doing research for an organization that is also committed to that mission seemed like a really useful, and interesting connection. How has BC made a difference in your life? BC’s commitment to forming men and women for others has guided my education throughout my four years and allowed me to grow and change in ways I had never imagined. I had opportunities to work and volunteer with kids with disabilities which allowed me to find my calling. I was able to work extensively on a research project that has real-world implications for environmental racism and social justice. I met the most wonderful people who now know me right to my core. All of this was possible through surrounding myself with men and women committed to making the world a better place for everyone. I’m incredibly grateful that I was surrounded by people who believed in me, challenged me, and made my time at BC everything I could have asked for and more. —Phil Gloudemans
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Read the full interviews at bit.ly/seniors-to-remember-2021 Shakalah Thompson
Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences Hometown: Miami Gardens, Fla. Major: Sociology, medical humanities minor; pre-law program Notable Activities/Achievements: Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship winner; cofounder, SHOfA (STEM and Health Outreach for AHANA); selected for BC Global Health Perspectives program in Ecuador (not held due to pandemic); Learning to Learn Dominican Republic Service Learning and Immersion Program; Bowman AHANA and Intercultural Center (BAIC) Magis Civil Rights immersion trip; BAIC Bowman Advocate; Courage to Know teacher’s assistant; Caribbean Culture Club co-president; Mendel Society mentee. Post-Graduation Plans: Law school, following a gap year. A native of Jamaica, Thompson describes her Boston College experience as transformative: Her years at the Heights have released aspects of herself that allowed her to reach her full potential. Her extracurricular and academic pursuits have unlocked new levels of depth, compassion, strength, confidence, and leadership qualities—reflected in her selection last year for the Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship, which honors superior academic achievement, extracurricular leadership, community service, and involvement with the African American community and African American issues. She has made great strides in learning to be fearless, unrelenting, and unapologetic about going after her dreams.
How have your studies here prepared you for the future? My academic experiences have taught me the importance of following my genuine interests and keeping an open mind in regards to my true purpose. Starting off as a sociology major on a pre-med track made
me privy to the socioeconomic issues that impact health care outcomes for marginalized groups, which can also be traced back to academic disparities. This realization gave me the inspiration to co-found my organization, which subsequently unveiled my passions for advocacy and pushed me towards a pre-law path instead. What will you miss most about BC? I will miss all of the genuine people I have grown close to. I know that we will still remain close and that they will always be dear to me, but not being in close proximity to the loved ones I have here will be difficult. What advice would you give to incoming BC students? Always be genuine to yourself. It takes time and self-reflection to understand what that completely means, but once you do and as you do, never variate from being your authentic self, unapologetically. It’s always the right thing to do, even when external factors attempt to make you think otherwise. —Rosanne Pellegrini
Riley Odams
Woods College of Advancing Studies Hometown: Wrentham, Mass. Major: Criminal and social justice Notable Activities/Achievements: Graduated with a 4.0 GPA; received a Mission Excellence Award from Mission Essential, LLC and a Certificate of Appreciation from the Department of Defense for working to prevent high casualty attacks while deployed in Afghanistan. Post-Graduation Plans: Will attend law school. Odams took a non-traditional path to college, joining the Army National Guard out of high school and working as an intelligence analyst for the government before enrolling at the Woods College in 2018, where he discovered a passion for the law.
What was your path to Woods like? After the military, it was difficult to make the transition to college. I ended up having a bunch of jobs: working as a line cook, delivering linens to restaurants. I went to community college and was planning on going down the law enforcement road, but then I got hired at a counterintelligence agency and ended up going to Afghanistan twice. When I got back, I really wanted to keep going to school, so I applied to Woods on a whim and it ended up being the best thing that ever happened to me. How has BC made a difference in your
life? My classes at BC taught me to think, not just about the subject matter, but how to tackle problems and ultimately look inside myself to find answers on my own. As a non-traditional student, a lot of times you don’t feel like you have the same type of potential as other students. Woods helped me shrug that off and say, “No, I can do anything I want to do as long as I work hard enough.” Who have been the most influential people you’ve known at BC? The person who comes to mind first and foremost is Judge James Menno. He’s the one who showed me the beauty of the law and said, “If you want to go to law school,
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Monica Sanchez
Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences Hometown: Elizabeth, NJ Majors: Political science and history Notable Activities/Achievements: Oscar Romero Scholarship winner; Organization of Latin American Affairs (OLAA) co-president; Learning to Learn Dominican Republic Service Learning and Immersion Program; Compass mentorship program; El Principio Mentorship Program mentor for first-year Latinx students; orientation leader and ambassador for the Thea Bowman AHANA and Intercultural Center; interned at Catholic Extension Latin American Sisters Program in the Woods College of Advancing Studies; Pilates instructor, Campus Recreation. Post-Graduation Plans: Will attend law school. Sanchez was born in Colombia and moved to New Jersey with her mother when she was eight. A first-generation college student who has relished opportunities for intellectual and spiritual formation, she has channeled the pride she feels for her heritage into a means for helping others—her engagement with and service to both the BC and wider Hispanic/ Latinx community earning her the University’s Saint Oscar A. Romero Scholarship last year.
Why BC? Nobody in my family had gone to college, so I had no advice about where I should look. But my mother worked as a babysitter, and she noticed what colleges her bosses had graduated from, so I applied to some of those schools. I didn’t know anything about BC, or Boston, or Massachusetts, because I’d never been there. A friend of mine had visited Boston once, though, and she said I should apply to BC. I was interested in seeing this other school, but my friend convinced me to come with her for AHANA Weekend at BC. The first speech I heard that weekend was by Juan Concepcion [1996 alumnus, co-chair of the AHANA Alumni Advisory Council]. He said how, when he came to BC, there were so few students of color, and he wondered what he was doing there. But he knew that comdo it. There’s nothing standing in your way.” I also took two classes with [Assistant Professor of the Practice] Joshua Snyder in the Theology Department and I had no idea what to expect, but not only were both of them really interesting, he ended up becoming one of the best mentors I ever had. As a veteran, how do you think your experience differed from that of a traditional student? Sometimes the path’s a little uncertain when you leave the military. A lot of veterans get out and want to immediately jump into the workforce, and that can be limiting because you start thinking you don’t have time, or don’t need, a degree. In my opinion, the liberal arts is a really valuable thing to have for your own enrichment. The military sets you up for success, but then you need to make that jump and get into education. The hardest part is starting. How do you plan to use your law degree in the future? I’m going in with an open mind and keeping my options open but I’m really interested in things like rule of law. Having seen Afghanistan, and what it’s like when rule of law doesn’t exist, it’s something pretty close to my heart. I would like to be part of the criminal justice process, but I’m not sure exactly in what capacity. Time will tell. —Alix Hackett
ing here was important to future generations, because if students of color didn’t try to make it at BC then nothing would change. After hearing that, I literally called my mom and said, “I’m coming here.” What’s guided you in your choice of extracurricular and service activities? At BC, I wanted to stay connected with my roots. I was ready to start my own club, until I found out about OLAA and decided to join it. The thing is, the AHANA community at BC is so small, if you do one mentorship program you develop an interest for another mentorship program. And you look up to the mentors you meet: “OK, this person is successful and has done so much for the community; what have they done that I can also get involved in?” Then you see that, for instance, they went on the Dominican Republic service trip, so I got involved in that. After being a mentee in the Compass program, I became a mentor. I got so much out of OLAA, I decided to get involved in the leadership, and I became co-president. I wanted to give back to the programs that made a difference for me. What do you see happening after graduation? I definitely want to go to law school, and I’ve been accepted at BC Law. As for what aspect of law I want to study, that’s up in the air. As an immigrant, immigration law is always something of interest to me, and an option I’ll look into. But when I did my junior year abroad in Spain, I had the opportunity to study intellectual property law. I really enjoyed that, especially being able to learn property law from the Spanish perspective; you get a sense of how much power the United States has in the area of intellectual property. So that’s another possibility. You’re going to be the first member of your family to graduate from college. What does that mean to you? I’m very proud of graduating college, and it’s a huge accomplishment—my mom literally came to the U.S. for this reason. But I feel that, especially at BC, you develop this ambition; you want more. So in some ways, I haven’t been able to enjoy thinking about graduation yet, because I know that law school is coming next, and that’s been the main goal. The other day, I was at a panel for students from a high school very similar to mine—kids who immigrated to the U.S. and barely spoke English—and I’m telling them “You can do this! You can do this!” And I’m thinking to myself, “Wow, I’ve had this amazing opportunity, I need to be enjoying what I’m doing.” But I’m sure once we start doing class photos and other end-of-year activities, I’ll get into the spirit. —Sean Smith
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May 13, 2021
Speaking to the World BC’s student-led Global Conversations program connects undergraduates with peers abroad for discussions on COVID, racial justice, globalization, and other meaty topics BY PHIL GLOUDEMANS STAFF WRITER
The pandemic prevented international travel for Boston College students this academic year, but the University’s Global Conversations program served as their personal, interactive bridge to undergraduates worldwide, and the vitally important issues and concerns they share. Launched last fall, the student-driven initiative connects small groups of four to eight BC students via videoconference with a similar number of peers at universities around the world for hour-long conversations about relevant and critically important topics under six overarching themes: the COVID-19 pandemic; racial justice and decolonization; protests and social change; environmental justice; globalization and global cultures; and migrants and refugees. “You don’t have to be the most knowledgeable person or the most socially active person; you just come in willing to listen to how other people have experienced the world and share your own knowledge,” said Tonie Chase ’21, the protests and social change theme leader. “It’s a really casual and chill space to talk about the issues that really matter.” “I’m really proud of our student leaders, who have invested so much time and energy in this project to make it successful this year,” said International Studies Program Director Erik Owens, an associate professor of the practice in theology who serves as the Global Conversations faculty leader. “They have hosted nearly 40 of these informal conversations with peers in Asia, South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, most in English but some in Spanish,
Mandarin, and French as well. “We’ve worked hard to institutionalize the project in ways that will help it become a permanent, student-led program at BC. We’re grateful for the support of so many faculty, deans, and students, and particularly BC’s Office of Global Engagement.” To join a conversation, an individual or a small group simply clicks on a link at the Global Conversations website [bc. edu/global-conversations], picks the topic desired, and a BC conversation leader then coordinates the videoconference with the BC participants and the students at the foreign university. In early March, Emi Tsukada ’23 led a discussion on the impact of the pandemic with students from the Health Awareness Club at St. Joseph University (USJ) in Beirut. “We shared how we are adapting to online learning and talked about this new way of life. We also shared the small joys we try to find in everyday life, such as waking up early to see the sunrise. We all talked about places we would love to travel to and I was definitely convinced by the USJ students to put Beirut at the top of my list.” Soon after, BC participants and students from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC) in Santiago, led by Wenwei (Mary) Su ’22, the migrants and refugees theme leader, discussed the similarities and differences between the current migration conditions at the United States southern border and the northern Chilean boundary, including the grave challenges and human rights violations that refugees face in both regions. Subsequent BC-PUC sessions—led by Jack Engelmann ’22 and Laura Bianchi ’23, respectively—touched on the rise of
Global Conversations program members (back row, L-R) Brianna Stonick ’21, Claire Guarini ’22, Mary Su ’22, Emi Tsukada ’23, and Inés Philippi ’23; (front, L-R) Tonie Chase ’21, Laura Bianchi ’23, Mar Garcia ’23, and Mariana Ferreira ’21 holding laptop with image of Zeyad Anwar ’23. photo by lee pellegrini
the extreme right and its impact on immigration policies in both countries, and the effects and implications of the exchange of art between global cultures, ranging from literature and poetry to paintings and sculptures. A discussion on the ethics of humanitarian aid guided by Diksha Thach ’21 was planned to take place before the semester ends. “Something that I think is a pretty common sentiment among the project’s conversation leaders is just how exceptional the conversations have really proven to be in providing a sense of connection,” said Bianchi, the globalization and global cultures theme leader. “There were five of us— from Spain, Ecuador, and Vietnam—and we shared very personal accounts of how art influenced our lives and what it meant to us. It truly felt that I had gained four new friends from across the globe.” Another session with students from the University of Insubria in Italy concerned
race, police brutality, and microaggressions, led by Brianna Stonick ’21, who plans to host another on the legacies of colonization and Black identity formation with Groupe Scolaire les Lauréats in the west African country of Burkina Faso. “At first I was intimidated, but it’s been a really unique learning and leadership opportunity,” said Stonick, the racial justice and decolonization theme leader. “I’m not sure why it took me and the whole world until now—until COVID—to realize that the technology we’ve been using for years can actually connect us, from our couches and desks, to people all across the globe.” Other conversations in the works include topics ranging from anti-Asian discrimination with a group of Beijing students, three environmental justice-focused dialogues with undergraduates from Milan’s Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, and a return visit with students from Beirut’s USJ to share immigrant experiences.
New IAJS App Offers Virtual Ignatian Pilgrimage The Institute for Advanced Jesuit Studies has released Journey with Ignatius, a free app that guides users through a 12-week virtual Ignatian pilgrimage to find God in all things. App users virtually follow in the footsteps of Saint Ignatius of Loyola from his years as a young page in Arevalo, Spain, to his final days as Superior General of the Society of Jesus in Rome. The app offers readings from Ignatius’ writings and insights from selected Jesuit sources, and opportunities to grow in Ignatian spirituality—all while joining a community of prayer. Journey with Ignatius is available on iOS and Android and was developed by the IAJS, in collaboration with the Church in the 21st Century Center and the Roche Center for Catholic Education at the Lynch School of Education and Human Development. “The pandemic has afforded us the opportunity to be creative with how we pro-
mote the resources of the Institute,” said IAJS Director Casey Beaumier, S.J., who also serves as a vice president and University secretary at BC. “I’m delighted with the app and I am hopeful that we can help people continue to develop their interior lives through participation in this virtual pilgrimage.” Journey with Ignatius includes weekly content based on 12 themes and locations, daily content for suggested prayer and spiritual reading, and virtual guestbooks and a prayer wall to contribute to the community of prayer and spiritual engagement. Though the pilgrimage can be done individually, the IAJS staff suggest users participate with a small group of friends, parishioners, or school community members to have a more enriching experience. After the institute released a beta version of the app last fall, approximately 6,000 people from more than 50 countries used it to make a virtual pilgrimage. Connor
Sullivan, who graduated from the Carroll School of Management in 2020, designed the initial build. “We had some really positive feedback from early users of the app,” said IAJS Assistant Director A. Taiga Guterres, who noted that developers have since added upgrades and additional features to the app, such as audio examens from several BC faculty and staff and reflections from Jesuit high school and Cristo Rey students from around the world. Pilgrims also can collect virtual relics promoting all things Jesuit and track their steps during their journey with Ignatius. In addition to Fr. Beaumier and Guterres, members of the Boston College community featured in the app are: Cristiano Casalini and Matthew Schweitzer (Institute for Advanced Jesuit Studies); Karen Kiefer and Patrick Goncalves (Church in the 21st Century Center); Melodie Wyttenbach and Denise Morris
(Roche Center for Catholic Education); Tomeu Estelrich (Center for Ignatian Spirituality); Sr. Barbara Quinn, RCSJ and Maura Colleary (School of Theology and Ministry), and Jessie Graf (Office of Residential Life). Guterres added that there has been interest from the Jesuit Curia in Rome and the Spanish Province of the Society about possible future collaborations for the Ignatian Year. The app follows on the heels of successful IAJS virtual retreats, including “Manresa: Spiritual Exercises for our Times” and the “12 Weeks in Manresa: Spiritual Exercises for our Times,” which together drew some 2,000 participants. To learn more about the Journey with Ignatius app or to download it, go to the Institute for Advanced Jesuit Studies home page at bc.edu/iajs. —University Communications
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May 13, 2021
Carroll School Selects First Ignatian Fellow
The Carroll School of Management has named James E. Joseph, dean of the Madden School of Business and doctoral candidate at Le Moyne College, as its inaugural Ignatian Global Carroll School Fellow. The one-year fellowship was established to help further connect the Carroll School to the global network of Jesuit business teachers/scholars and institutions. The Madden School of Business develops reflective individuals with an innovative spirit, who will fulfill their potential as leaders, both locally and globally, embodying the Jesuit values of integrity, compassion, and service to others. Students are empowered and encouraged to explore and, having found what they are passionate about, to excel in their chosen fields. The members of the faculty challenge and enable students to attain their full potential through experiential involvement, ongoing scholarship, and up-to-date methodology.
As president and CEO of Oneida Ltd., Joseph led the company’s successful turnaround and subsequent sale to Monomoy Capital Partners. “At the time I remember asking myself, ‘What if I dedicate the remainder of my professional life to my alma mater [Le Moyne] as well as the global Jesuit community by advancing the belief that business can and must have a positive impact on society?’” Joseph recalled. Joseph’s doctoral dissertation will explore collaboration within the Jesuit business school worldwide network. “As a successful businessman and leader, the co-founder of both the Global Jesuit Case Series and the IgnitEd platform, and co-chair of the Inspirational Paradigm Selection Committee, Jim Joseph is a natural choice as our inaugural Ignatian Global Carroll School Fellow,” said Andy Boynton, the Carroll School’s John and Linda Powers Family Dean. —University Communications
OBITUARY
Psychologist Donnah Canavan, 79 A funeral Mass was celebrated on May 3 in St. Ignatius Church for Associate Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience Donnah Canavan, a longtime faculty member whose writing and teaching centered around her concept of “social energy.” Dr. Canavan, 79, died on April 28. Dr. Canavan, who began her 51st year on the Boston College faculty last fall (she also taught in the Woods College of Advancing Studies), focused much of her research on social and personality psychology, in particular interpersonal relations and well-being. One of her major interests involved what she called social energy: the dynamic that arises from shared emotions and experiences among people who aren’t necessarily acquainted with one another. Dr. Canavan saw the 2013 “Boston Strong” ethos as a prime example of social energy. As the city sought to overcome the horror and trauma of the Boston Marathon bombings, this expression of resilience was adopted by individuals and organizations alike—including the Boston Red Sox, who would go on to win the World Series in the fall. Speaking with CBS Boston after the Sox clinched the championship, Dr. Canavan— who had previously cited the public interest in the birth of Britain’s Prince George as another example of social energy—described the emotional ripple effect of social energy: “You know that everyone is feeling the same way you are feeling. It does something to validate your perception as a human, to know that another human being—independent of you—sees and feels the same way you do. You feel closer, more energetic, more purposeful.” Social energy can span emotional extremes, she added. The social energy that initially arose from the bombings may have had negative foundations, “but Boston Strong emerged from that.” The Sox found
BC in the Media Boston College faculty provided insights on aspects of President Biden’s recent address to Congress: Interviewed by America magazine, Prof. Kristin Heyer (Theology) discussed whether Biden was preaching Catholic social teaching in his speech; Woods College Associate Dean and M.S. in Applied Economics program director Aleksandar Tomic told Forbes magazine that Biden’s address plan presents a mixed bag for business leaders. Morality clauses and similar requirements are in the news as companies wrestle with how much they can police employees’ behavior outside of the workplace, said Assoc. Prof. Dean Hashimoto (Law) in an interview with Deseret News. Speaking with The New York Times, Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi, a visiting instructor in the Islamic Civilization and Societies Program, said the paintings of Egyptian artist, feminist, and political dissident Inji Efflatoun, created during her imprisonment, are “a window into a world that had been hidden from sight.” Assoc. Prof. David Hopkins (Political Science) spoke with The Boston Herald in the wake of a visit by Vice President Kamala Harris to New Hampshire that fueled speculation about a possible 2024 presidential bid. In the Chemical & Engineering News podcast “Stereo Chemistry,” Global Public
Nota Bene
photo by peter julian
in Boston Strong a perfect watchword to animate their efforts to rebound from a dismal 2012 season. Colleagues recalled Dr. Canavan’s generous and kind spirit, which Professor James Russell encountered when he first arrived at the department—she invited him to coffee and told him she looked forward to working with him, and would buy him loaves of bread from a local bakery she supported. A native of Cambridge, Dr. Canavan received a bachelor’s degree from Emmanuel College and a doctorate from Columbia University. She completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of CaliforniaLos Angeles and earned a clinical psychologist license following a fellowship at McLean Hospital in Belmont. She is survived by her brother Peter. Memorial donations may be made in Dr. Canavan’s name to the Angell Memorial Animal Medical Center, 350 So. Huntington Ave., Boston, Mass. 02130. —University Communications For the full obituary, go to bit.ly/donnahcanavan-obit
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Dennis Shirley, Duganne Faculty Fellow and professor in the Lynch School of Education and Human Development, was accepted as a fellow into the Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA). Founded in 1754, the RSA is a London-based organization committed to finding practical solutions to social challenges. Past RSA fellows have included Charles Dickens, Benjamin Franklin, Stephen Hawking, Nelson Mandela, Karl Marx, and Adam Smith. There have been nearly 28,000 fellows since 1754, elected from 80 countries. O’Neill Library Manager of Instructional Services Kwasi Sarkodie-Mensah contributed a chapter, “Using FaithBased Methods to Combat Workplace Bullying in Africa,” to the book Reimagining Faith and Management: The Impact of Faith in the Workplace. Lynch School of Education and Human Development Associate Professor David Scanlon was recently named editor of Learning Disabilities Research & Practice, the flagship journal of the Council for Exceptional Children Division for Learning Disabilities. CEC is the world’s largest professional association for research, scholarship, and practice in special education. Scanlon’s first issue as editor will be published next January.
Health Program Director Philip Landrigan, M.D., talked about children’s exposures to neurotoxic elements in food. He also spoke with WJLA News about the need for regulation to prevent contaminants in prenatal vitamins. While the timing of its publication is a coincidence, Seelig Professor of Philosophy Richard Kearney’s new book Touch addresses a subject that is especially topical during a worldwide pandemic and its social isolation. He discussed Touch in an interview with WGBH News. Despite a wave of public statements by corporations opposing legislation that would make it harder for people to vote, election reform advocates doubt U.S. capitalism is really coming to the rescue of American democracy. Assoc. Prof. Michael Serazio (Communication) weighed in on the topic for the U.K.’s Guardian. The term “Washington Consensus” arose 30 years ago to describe the principles of free-market capitalism that the IMF, World Bank, and U.S. executive branch urged developing-country governments to embrace in exchange for debt relief. Is it still relevant? Prof. Sarah Babb (Sociology) co-authored an op-ed on the subject for WashingtonPost.com. More employers than expected have opted out of the state’s paid leave system. Will the program suffer as a result? Prof. Christopher Baum (Economics) was among experts offering analysis to WGBH News.
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 Research Economist, Center for Retirement Research Research Scientist, RPCA Administrative Assistant, School of Social Work Assistant Director, Financial Aid Director, Financial Aid Assistant Director, Strategic Sourcing Assistant Director, Athletics Stewardship Systems Integrator/Developer Senior Fiscal & Grant Administrator Dining Management Intern Assistant Director, Annual Giving Senior Associate Director, Creative Services Research Associate, Center for Retirement Research
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May 13, 2021
‘CC@BC’ Responds to a Hunger for Dialogue Continued from page 1
racism and colorism and discrimination— but education isn’t easy. And education and understanding are key to making significant change, even if it can be an unfair burden.” Organizers emphasize that the CC@ BC series aims to complement, not overshadow, other dialogues and initiatives on campus pertaining to racial justice. A key outcome, they note, is that each participant considers his or her individual role in addressing the challenges outlined during the session—an invitation not to change the world, just his or her small part of it. “The work of anti-racism is initially internal, and that’s what we keep the focus on,” said Vice Provost for Undergraduate Academic Affairs Akua Sarr. “Yes, it’s important to think and talk about institutionwide solutions, but that’s not the point of this group. The idea is to do that internal work and say, ‘I’m on the hiring committee for my department. Maybe now I’ll think about hiring differently.’ Or ‘I’m teaching this course, and I realize I don’t include very many authors of color, and I should change that.’ Or ‘My neighbors are Black, and I’ve never spoken with them.’ Or ‘We never talk about race at the dinner table; I should start having these kinds of discussions with my kids.’ You are the change.” History Professor Conevery Bolton Valencius said CC@BC responds to a hunger among many people in the BC community to talk about race, not simply as a reaction to current events but as an ongoing dialogue—and to the desire among
students of color to have their white peers face up to the challenge of having those conversations. “I’ve heard from many white students that they want to have those conversations, but feel they don’t have the vocabulary, and they’re afraid of saying something ‘wrong.’ What we need is to engage with each other and to have a space in which we can say, ‘Let’s talk about this really challenging stuff.’” A meeting begins with group facilitators outlining the topic or theme for the evening (approximately two dozen faculty, staff, graduate, and undergraduate students receive training as facilitators). A facilitator introduces an “artifact,” such as a video clip, sound recording, or excerpt from a book or article, that serves as a starting point for the conversation. Participants then break into small groups for an indepth discussion, typically with specific framing questions that encourage members to personally engage the subject, such as “Where do we fit into this situation? What can we do to rectify it?” Each small group is co-led by one person of color and one white person, including faculty, staff, and students. The full group reconvenes to share impressions and observations, and facilitators suggest resources for further exploration and ask all to consider what kind of individual actions might make a difference in addressing issues related to that evening’s topic. “The CC model is not a teach-in or a workshop,” said Tara Pisani Gareau, an associate professor of the practice in the
Courageous Conversations co-organizers Akua Sarr (left) and Conevery Bolton Valencius. “The work of anti-racism is initially internal, and that’s what we keep the focus on,” says Sarr. “What we need is to engage with each other and to have a space in which we can say, ‘Let’s talk about this really challenging stuff,’” says Valencius. photos by peter julian
Kudzai Kapurura ’23: “People will walk away with these challenges and these heart-to-heart moments, and hopefully will think about racial justice in ways they might not have before.” Nicholas Youngberg ’22: “There’s no pressure to say something revolutionary, or to be afraid that you might say something ‘wrong.’ If someone corrects you, you don’t take it personally; you’re there to learn.”
Earth and Environmental Sciences Department, among those in the BC community whose grassroots efforts for campus discussions on race led to establishment of the CC program. “It’s about coming together on equal ground, and whether you’re an administrator, a faculty member, or a student doesn’t matter—there’s no hierarchy. Everyone is on a first-name basis.” There is a discipline involved in Courageous Conversations, participants note. Guidelines ask you to “disagree with ideas, not people,” not to “shame, blame, or attack,” and to respect confidentiality. One of the biggest challenges to the CC concept is to stay focused on the planned topic, and not simply react viscerally to troubling events on campus or elsewhere. Facilitators, however, may acknowledge these at the outset of the meeting or incorporate them into the discussion, if feasible; a facilitator at the March 31 session noted the start of the Derek Chauvin trial, which he said was likely to revive painful or traumatic narratives for Black people. Salem, Ore., native Kudzai Kapurura ’23, who majors in economics with minors in French and African and African Diaspora Studies, came to BC experienced in community initiatives on race—including one through her state’s board of education—and was intrigued when she saw CC being offered as a placement through BC’s PULSE program. She was not without qualms. As a Black female, she has often found it “exhausting” to continually describe for others the negative impact of racism on her. Moreover, as Sarr notes, Black people in interracial forums can feel as if it is their burden to “teach” and represent the wider Black community, instead of being viewed as individuals with their own unique stories and needs. But Kapurura has enjoyed being part of the program. “I’m realizing how important conversations are. People will walk away with these challenges and these heart-to-
heart moments, and hopefully will think about racial justice in ways they might not have before. There’s something positive in the air and in the spirit.” Sadie Blanco ’21, a Santa Ana, Calif., native majoring in history with an International Studies minor, said that before Courageous Conversations she had felt “unsuccessful and exhausted in attempts to create effective and productive change on topics of racial justice. Now, we have the strength of people from all over BC and even outside of BC who want to talk about important issues that affect Black lives and communities in the U.S. I feel motivated and ready to continue racial justice advocacy and work when I leave BC.” “The tone of Courageous Conversations isn’t centered around outrage,” said Nicholas Youngberg, a junior economics major from Austin, Tex., with minors in marketing and philosophy. “Outrage in the face of racial injustice is understandable, but sometimes it’s so overwhelming that it stifles dialogue. Courageous Conversations really is a conversation—there’s no pressure to say something revolutionary, or to be afraid that you might say something ‘wrong.’ If someone corrects you, you don’t take it personally; you’re there to learn.” Youngberg and Kapurura—both of whom, along with Blanco, are CC facilitators—also applaud the presence of BC faculty and administrators in the discussions. “It makes me feel heard and feel safe to know that someone like [Associate Vice President for Student Engagement and Formation] Tom Mogan is there,” said Kapurura. “There is certainly more work to be done, but it’s a step in the right direction to see and hear administrators at Courageous Conversations. They set the tone for how students perceive BC’s commitment to racial justice.” For more about the Courageous Conversations Toward Racial Justice series, go to bc.edu/content/bc-web/sites/courageousconversations.html.