Boston College Chronicle by Boston College

The Boston College

Chronicle Published by the Boston College Office of News & Public Affairs may 23, 2013 VOL. 21 no. 18

COMMENCEMENT 2013

‘Above All, Be Yourselves,’ Kenny Urges BC Graduates Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny, speaking at Commencement on Monday. He was one of five honorary degree recipients, along with Wayne Budd, Mary Lou DeLong, Cornelia Kelley and James Woods, SJ. (Photo by Lee Pellegrini)

By Sean Smith Chronicle Editor

Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny gave the Boston College Sesquicentennial Class of 2013 an unabashed vote of confidence at Monday’s Commencement Exercises, encouraging them to put to use their talents and skills, as well as the values shaped by their family life and their time at the Heights. “Be successful, be well, be happy, and above all, be yourselves. Live long and deep and comfortably in your own skin,” said Kenny, who received a standing ovation from the nearly 4,400 graduates in Alumni Stadium. “You’ve listened long enough. Strike your note, for yourselves, for your family, for Boston Strong and the United States of America.”

Kenny — who received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree at the event — invested his speech with healthy doses of history, pop culture, science, literature, even mathematical principles, and included references ranging from Ignatius of Loyola to Albert Einstein to David Bowie.

Remarking on the University’s 150th anniversary milestone, Kenny affirmed the longstanding ties between Ireland and Boston College — created originally to educate the children of Irish immigrants — as well as America itself. “Today, the Irish story is writ

Fellowships

Another Year of Fulbright Success

By Office of News & Public Affairs Staff

The 2012-13 academic year has been a highly successful one for Boston College students seeking fellowships and scholarships. Highlighting this year’s achievements are the 22 Fulbright Scholarships awarded to BC graduating seniors, current graduate students and recent alumni to support post-baccalaureate teaching or research overseas (a 23rd, Elizabeth Sierocinski, was offered a Fulbright but elected to take a fellowship from the German Academic Exchange to fund an in-

INSIDE •GSSW HIV/AIDS forum marks 25th year, page 2 •Stokes Hall to be dedicated on June 7, page 3 •Some ‘Parting Thoughts’ from retirees, page 6

dependent project in northeastern Germany). BC Fulbright winners will travel to Turkey, the Philippines, Korea, Germany, India, Mexico and Jordan, among other destinations. A look at this year’s Fulbright Scholars and other fellowship winners, as of press time:

Christopher Bergan JD ’15 Shrewsbury, Mass.

DESTINATION: Mexico PROJECT/ACTIVITY: Work full-time at international law firm or international finance organization/bank while taking classes towards an MBA at Instituto Tecnologico Autonomo de Mexico. FUTURE PLANS: Complete degree at BC Law. QUOTE: “The Mexican Binational Business Grant will provide me with excellent professional experience abroad, so that I will have the cultural competence and contacts needed to be a successful lawyer and advocate in today’s increasingly globalized workplace.”

large across America right to Capitol Hill. The hands roughened in Irish soil were leathered in your mines, your scaffolding, your bridges, your railroads. Over the generations, our farmers-turned-laborers saw to it that their children went from the schoolhouse and the firehouse, right to the White House itself.” BC, its students and alumni, he said, are “living proof of the power of imagining” among past generations who sought a better life for themselves and their descendants. “To those generations, whether in the chaos of immigration, or the grip of a poverty that was ruthless

Mathematics Chair Chosen as New McIntyre Professor By Rosanne Pellegrini Staff Writer

Professor of Mathematics Solomon Friedberg – who during his tenure as chair of the department has overseen a period of unprecedented growth and achievement – recently Laura Ahn was appointed the James P. McFairfield, Ct. Intyre Professor of Mathematics. DESTINATION: Korea He is the third to hold the McPROJECT/ACTIVITY: English teaching Intyre Chair, established in the Colassistantship lege of Arts and Sciences by a Boston FUTURE PLANS: Pursue master’s degree in education at BC, with specialCollege benefactor to honor BC’s ization in severe disabilities. longtime senior vice president. ForCaroline Ceriello QUOTE: “I am greatly honored to have mer A&S dean and Professor of Manhasset, NY the opportunity to go to South Korea DESTINATION: Turkey English Robert Barth, SJ — who with the Fulbright Grant. Not only will PROJECT/ACTIVITY: English teaching died in 2005 — was the inaugural the award provide me with valuable professional development as a teacher assistantship holder, followed by Professor of Ecoabroad, but I hope to grow as a person FUTURE PLANS: Enroll in law school, nomics Joseph F. Quinn, who will with specialization in international through the interactions and cultural serve as interim provost and dean of commerce and relations, with focus on exchanges I make with the people of US-Turkey. faculties in June. Korea, the country of my heritage. HavFriedberg – whose areas of intering studied at the Lynch School of Edu- QUOTE: “As an International Studies major, all of my personal and academic cation, I feel confident and excited to est are number theory and repreembark on this journey and open myself experiences at BC have instilled in me sentation theory — joined the BC an intense desire to not only understand up to the invaluable experiences that others’ personal histories and cultures, faculty in 1996 and has been the will be sure to follow.” but to also explain my own. I believe recipient of numerous awards and that the ideal place to accomplish this honors. Since he became chair in objective is Turkey — a nation that Continued on page 8 2007, the Mathematics Department

NOTICE:

and ecumenical, the sense of when this success might happen was largely immaterial. What mattered was that they dared to imagine it would. “On this May morning, here on Chestnut Hill, it does.” In addition to Kenny, BC presented honorary degrees to James A. Woods, SJ ’54, founding dean and namesake for the University’s Woods College of Advancing Studies (Doctor of Humane Letters); Wayne Budd ’63, former US attorney and long-time BC trustee (Doctor of Laws); Cornelia Kelley NC’69, headmaster emerita of Boston Latin School (Doctor of Humane Letters); and Mary Lou DeLong NC’71, who served in several key administrative roles at BC (Doctor of Humane Letters). University President William P. Continued on page 4

Sol Friedberg (Photo by Lee Pellegrini)

has established a doctoral program and a new bachelor of science degree and organized a Distinguished Lecturer series, among other initiatives; its faculty have earned prestigious honors from such organizations as the Simons Foundation, Alfred Sloan Foundation, National Science Foundation and American Mathematical Society. “The Mathematics Department has been one of the University’s Continued on page 3

Members of the Boston College community are reminded that Commencement Exercises for the Law School will take place tomorrow, May 24, in Conte Forum beginning at 10:30 a.m.

T he B oston C ollege

Chronicle may 23, 2013

New outlook on Irish life

Friendship across time and distance

in the footsteps of his grandfather, whom Kim understood to be a village witch doctor of sorts. The summer visits to Sarang House continued. Kim graduated high school and moved east to attend Boston College, where he majored in human development and sociology. Hunter went through the familiar strains and stresses of puberty, shot up in height, and struggled with his studies but continued to progress in English, making for improved communication between the two. “We would have those few weeks together, and the rest of the year I’d worry about him,” says Kim. “Of course, I worried about all the other kids in the orphanage, too. But then it would be summer, and we’d be together again, and things were fine.”

Spencer Kim ’13 (with glasses) and his friend Hunter, left, during a visit to the orphanage in China where Hunter lives. Kim first met him six years ago.

Now there is uncertainty. This summer, there will be no trip to see Hunter — Kim says the orphanage’s Christian identity makes for a “complicated” relationship with the Chinese government, so the church group decided against going this year so as not to possibly exacerbate tensions. Hunter, meanwhile, is almost 16. At some point in the next few years, Kim says, Hunter — who told Kim he would like someday to be a pastor — will likely leave the orphanage to seek work or some form of vocational training. So Kim, who is planning a year in Turkey with a missionary group, hopes the summer of 2014 will see a reunion with Hunter. Contemplating the milestone of graduation and entry into adulthood, Kim looks on his relationship with Hunter as an integral part of his growth as a person. “We read and hear so many stories about children in need, and for me, Hunter and the other kids at Sarang House have put a face on those stories,” says Kim, whose career aspirations involve working with children from families in need of support. “I think, in these six summers, I have seen the value of giving, and I’ve learned that love can make a difference.” —Sean Smith

His legal name is Zhang Jei Ming, but at the orphanage in Qingdao, China, he is known as Hunter — and that is what Spencer Kim ’13 has called him since meeting him there almost six years ago. Since then, Hunter has been a part of Kim’s life, if only for a few weeks every summer when Kim has made the trek to Qingdao with a church group from his hometown of Torrance, Calif., to volunteer at Sarang House, an orphanage run by his pastor’s mother. Their time with one another, and their contact, is concentrated solely within that short period, but it’s enough for Kim to know that his relationship with Hunter is a special one — for both of them. “It is,” says Kim, “like having a little brother.” Kim can’t quite put his finger on why the two hit it off so well. Their friendship began with Kim’s attempt at introducing himself in Chinese (“Probably the worst he’s ever heard,” quips Kim); Hunter was only a little farther along in his English, for which Kim provided assistance. “He would always come to me,” recalls Kim. “There was just something there, right at the start. He had a tattered notebook and we would write and draw in it to help him with his English. I taught him games — ‘Sticks,’ thumb-wrestling, rock-paper-scissors — and we found ways to communicate.” Kim would come to find out that Hunter had been placed in the orphanage by his widowed mother because she wanted him to have a Christian upbringing; otherwise, Hunter would have likely followed

A team of Boston College-Ireland researchers has collaborated with major Irish cultural and educational institutions to produce an innovative website, Century Ireland, that chronicles Irish life during a key historical era. Launched earlier this month, Century Ireland [http://www.rte.ie/ centuryireland] will serve as a nexus of valuable information and perspective in the coming decade as Ireland commemorates a series of important events that occurred from 1912-23, the period in which the Irish Republic was founded.

Century Ireland is an historical “you are there”-style newspaper covering major news headlines of a century ago, as well as other stories — from the routine to the unusual — that offer a window onto early 20th-century Irish society. Complementing the news site is a daily blog and Twitter feed to bring information about the 19131923 period to the widest possible audience in the most easily accessible way, said BC-Ireland Academic Director Mike Cronin, project director for Century Ireland. Links on the main page provide access to video clips and other features offering expert analysis and background on the home rule controversy, IrishBritish relations of that time, and Irish life in 1913, among other topics. Hosted by the Irish broadcast service Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ), Century Ireland is a partnership between BC-Ireland and the

Twenty-five years on, it’s ‘more than a conference’ The Graduate School of Social Work’s groundbreaking National Conference on Social Work and HIV/AIDS marks its silver anniversary this year, its focus having changed in light of medical science’s progress against the disease over the past quarter-century. But as conference founder Vincent Lynch adds, the need for the forum — which takes place today through Sunday in Chicago — is as great as ever. “Now, as then, it is social workers who confront the devastating impact AIDS has on individuals and families,” said Lynch, who is director of continuing education at GSSW. “The goal of the conference has always been the same: to share experiences, practices and ideas that will enable social workers to meet the needs of their clients. This kind of exchange is vital not only for social work professionals but for those who educate and train social workers.” Lynch says the conference, in its first 25 years, has attracted more

than 10,000 registrants — many of whom have attended multiple times — and been supported by some $1 million in external funding through various public or private sources. Several books have been produced based on conference proceedings, including four edited or co-edited by Lynch. It is still the only national conference of its type, says Lynch — organized by and for AIDScare social workers. Media and public awareness of HIV/ AIDS was still relatively new when Lynch founded the conference in 1988 — it formally debuted at Boston College the following year — but his colleagues in the social work profession, including many in the Boston area, were already well aware of the challenges. “HIV/AIDS is a medical disease, but it has a psychosocial component,” explained Lynch. “For social

workers whose clients were diagnosed with AIDS during the early years of the epidemic, that meant they were dealing with the need for mental health services, family counseling, housing-related issues and other things. “But HIV/AIDS-related education then was more medically focused, so my feeling was, ‘Why, as a profession, are we not doing more about this?’ I believed we needed expertise, and a sense of what people were seeing, and a conference seemed the best way to achieve that.” Lynch gives credit to Manuel Fimbres MSW ’65, a pioneer in shaping the social work response to AIDS, for helping him plan and organize the original conference. Fimbres will join Lynch and GSSW Associate Dean Thomas Walsh on a panel discussion at this year’s event,

which is expected to draw some 500 social workers from the US and abroad and feature more than 100 presentations. “AIDS, while still a serious illness, is not the death sentence it was when the first conference was held,” said Lynch. “Far more is known about the disease, and there are more options for treatment. So, one question social workers look at is, are we getting to the point where AIDS could be treated, even managed, more as a chronic disease — like diabetes? If so, what are the implications for the social work profession, and what role should social work education play? “The National Conference on Social Work and HIV/AIDS is where the answers to these and other questions take shape. But after 25 years, it’s become more than a conference — almost a family reunion. For many people, it is their professional event of the year.” —Sean Smith

National Library of Ireland, National Archives of Ireland, National Museum of Ireland, National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin City Gallery: The Hugh Lane, Dublin City Library and Archives, University College Dublin, National University of Ireland-Galway and Dictionary of Irish Biography. Cronin explained that its purpose is to go beyond conventional, political-centered approaches to Irish history. “Much of the teaching of history has been based around the idea that independence, when it came, was inevitable and a direct product of the actions of the men who led the 1916 Easter Rising,” he said. “Century Ireland is designed to show that, in fact, nothing was inevitable: At the time nobody really knew what was going to happen next, and that whatever the political trajectory, most people were getting on with their lives. “As we will see in the news stories, they were interested in sport, fashion, shopping, the early cinema, food, motor cars, crime and gossip. Politics went on around them, and the detail of their lives was a complex mix of the social and everyday. This, of course, invites comparisons with our lives today, and our perceptions of politics.” —Sean Smith The Boston College

Chronicle

Director of NEWS & Public Affairs

Jack Dunn Deputy Director of NEWS & Public AFFAIRS

Patricia Delaney Editor

Sean Smith Contributing Staff

Melissa Beecher Ed Hayward Sean Hennessey Rosanne Pellegrini Kathleen Sullivan Michael Maloney Photographers

Gary Gilbert Lee 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 News & Public Affairs, 14 Mayflower Road, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 (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 News & Public Affairs, 14 Mayflower Road, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467. Contact Chronicle via e-mail: chronicle@bc.edu.Electronic editions of the Boston College Chronicle are available via the World Wide Web at http://www. bc.edu/chronicle.

T he B oston C ollege

Chronicle may 23, 2013

Friedberg Is McIntyre Prof.

Vice Provost for Research Larry McLaughlin with his restored 1954 Austin Healey M-100, which he and two friends entered in an Italian road rally, the Mille Miglia.

Not Spinning His Wheels

BC biochemist is a vintage car enthusiast when he’s not in the laboratory By Ed Hayward Staff Writer

Stokes Hall Dedication Set for June 7 Boston College’s new humanities building, Stokes Hall, will be formally dedicated on June 7. The event will begin at 3:45 p.m. in the building’s amphitheater, with a series of presentations from faculty including English Department Chair Professor Suzanne Matson, History Department Chair Professor Robin Fleming, Fitzgibbons Professor and Chair of Philosophy Arthur Madigan, SJ, and Associate Professor of Theology David Vanderhooft. A reception will follow in Stokes Common at 4:30 p.m., and tours of the building will be offered.

designed by the legendary David Healey, to its former glory required rebuilding its 2660cc straight-four engine, locating replacement parts in England, rebuilding the front end suspension, new wiring – accurate to the original colors of the individual wires – stripping the finish to bare metal and applying six coats of carmine red and black paint. The team received word this spring that they had met the exacting requirements of the race organizers. The focus shifted from restoration to participation, as they plotted out logistical issues ranging from where to stay to which spare parts they would need to pack in their luggage. The car was shipped to Milan just a week before the team departed with their spouses for their Mille Miglia adventure. McLaughlin said his goal was simple: to successfully cover the 1,000-mile course, regardless of the time required. And to soak up the experience of a lifetime. [UPDATE: McLaughlin reports that the team’s car was disabled by a broken axle, ending its race in Rome.]

At 6:30 p.m., the University will host a private dinner on the Campus Green at which Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award-winning author David McCullough will speak. Named after a $22 million gift from BC alumnus, trustee and businessman Patrick T. Stokes, the 183,000 square-foot building officially opened in January. Stokes was designed to foster interdisciplinary

collaboration among BC’s humanities departments and enhanced student-faculty interaction, providing 36 new state-of-the-art classrooms and 200 faculty offices for several academic departments, as well as common areas, conference rooms, a coffee shop and an outdoor garden and plaza that provide multiple meeting spaces. —Office of News & Public Affairs

Caitlin Cunningham

In the lab, biochemist Larry McLaughlin is all about unraveling the mysteries of DNA, creating new anti-virals and probing he potential of nano-scale drug therapies. In the garage, vintage car enthusiast McLaughlin is all about a 1954 Austin Healey M-100. This past week, McLaughlin, a professor of chemistry who is also vice provost for research, stepped away from the lab and into the driver’s seat of the lovingly restored coup to rumble over the ancient streets of Italy as a participant in the Mille Miglia, an historic road rally deemed “the most beautiful race in the world.” McLaughlin and two friends, tech executive Michael Perlmutter and restoration specialist Maurizio Cerasoli, took turns behind the wheel as they traveled the course from the northern city of Brescia, south to Ferrara and then Rome, then north again back to Brescia. The race, which used to be run for time but is now an untimed tour, is a celebrated event in Italy,

drawing thousands of spectators from throughout the world along the 1,000-mile – or mille miglia – route. “I look upon it as part spectacle, part race, part parade, part party,” said McLaughlin, who described the once-in-a-lifetime experience as a “bucket list” item he and his teammates are extremely fortunate to have stumbled upon. Cerasoli found the classic car disabled and disheveled. Immediately, he proposed to his friends that they restore the car and try to land a place in the famous race. Earning a coveted spot in the race required a detailed and historic restoration of the car in order to meet the stringent requirements of race organizers, who only accept vintage autos manufactured between 1927 and 1957. “The hardest thing about this race is getting into it,” said McLaughlin. “There were over 1,500 applications for 375 slots. The first thing you have to do is get in. The selection process is something of a mystery, but known to be extremely difficult.” Restoring the British sports car,

Continued from page page 1 great success stories in recent years, and Sol Friedberg’s work as chair has been instrumental in recruiting a strong cohort of junior faculty while launching a doctoral program and strengthening the undergraduate math major,” said College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Dean David Quigley. “Beyond campus, he remains a leading voice on K-12 math education in Massachusetts while he continues to produce cutting-edge scholarship in number theory,” Quigley added. “I am deeply honored to serve as McIntyre Professor of Mathematics,” said Friedberg, expressing his thanks to the University, McIntyre and the chair’s benefactor. “Mathematics has been a cornerstone of a Jesuit education since the Ratio Studiorum, and I’m very excited by the achievements in scholarship, teaching and service related to mathematics that are taking place here at Boston College, and that this chair will support. I look forward to

helping us accomplish even more in the years ahead.” Among his activities during the upcoming academic year, Friedberg will organize two conferences at the Banff International Research Station in Canada, one in interdisciplinary research involving mathematics and physics, the other bringing together mathematicians involved in math education from across North and South America. He also will serve as Distinguished Ordway Lecturer at the University of Minnesota. This summer he will teach a course for advanced graduate students in Korea; the following, he will give a mini-course at the Second US-EU Building Bridges Automorphic Forms Workshop in Bristol, England. Friedberg’s appointment was announced last month by outgoing Provost and Dean of Faculties Cutberto Garza at the American Mathematical Society’s spring meeting held at BC. Contact Rosanne Pellegrini at rosanne.pellegrini@bc.edu

Plosser, Allen to Speak at CSOM Finance Conference By Ed Hayward Staff Writer

Charles I. Plosser, the president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, and the Wharton School’s Franklin Allen will deliver the keynote addresses at the Eighth Annual Finance Conference at the Carroll School of Management on June 5 and 6. Plosser, who has led the Philadelphia Fed since 2006, is a macroeconomist well known for his research on real business cycles. Prior to joining the Fed, he was a professor, research center director and dean of the William E. Simon Graduate School of Business Administration at the University of Rochester. Allen is the Nippon Life Professor of Finance and Economics at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. His research has focused most actively on financial innovations, asset price bubbles, financial crises and the comparison of financial systems. He is the coauthor of the widely used textbook Principles of Corporate Finance. Conference organizer Associate Professor of Finance Edie Hotchkiss said Plosser brings unique insights into US monetary policy as a regional fed president and a periodic member of the Fed’s policy-making Open Market Committee. “He’s a key player in US monetary policy and we’re honored that he will be joining us for the Finance Conference,” said Hotchkiss, whose

Finance Department colleague Jun Qian also will take part in the conference. “Whether you’re a university faculty member or an executive in the private sector, his insights will offer perspective to anyone connected to the world of finance.” Allen will bring a perspective based on his expertise in global financial markets, Hotchkiss said. “This is a joining of academia and industry for conversations that might not otherwise happen,” said Hotchkiss. “It’s meant to be a great learning experience that covers a wide array of topics that fall across all asset classes for investors.” Speakers such as Prosser and Allen reflect the mission of the annual finance conference, which brings a diverse group of financial experts to campus for a wide-ranging series of discussions about the latest academic research and the issues practitioners face on a daily basis in the private sector. The conference’s strong alumni component will include Steven M. Barry ’85, chief investment officer of fundamental equity at Goldman Sachs Asset Management; Joseph Wickwire II ’86, portfolio manager at Fidelity Management & Research Co.; John E. Buehler Jr., ’69, managing partner at Energy Investors Funds; and David P. O’Connor ’86, senior managing partner at High Rise Capital Management, LLP, and Roch Hillenbrand ’72. The conference website is at http://www.bc.edu/schools/csom/ research/asset.html.

T he B oston C ollege

Chronicle may 23, 2013

COMMENCEMENT 2013

Kenny Extols the ‘Power of Imagining’ Continued from page 1 Leahy, SJ, touched on the Sesquicentennial theme in his welcoming address, as he described the foundations of the BC experience — all characteristic of the Jesuit, Catholic educational heritage to which BC has dedicated itself for 150 years: provide students with a rigorous intellectual experience; foster their religious, ethical and personal formation; and prepare them for citizenship, service and leadership. The ideal of Catholic, Jesuit education, Fr. Leahy said, was powerfully expressed in the homily given by Theology Professor Fr. Michael Himes at the Sesquicentennial Mass in Fenway Park last September that formally began the 150th anniversary celebration: “[Fr. Himes] pointed out that what unites us with God is

Injured in the Boston Marathon bombings last month, Brittany Loring, right, and Liza Cherney were on hand to receive their diplomas.

School of Management graduate students gave a standing ovation to classmates Brittany Loring, JD/ MBA, and Liza Cherney, MBA, when Associate Dean for Graduate Programs Jeff Ringuest awarded their diplomas. The women, who were both injured during the Boston Marathon bombings, led the procession of students into the ceremony. Kenny made reference to the

Baldwin joined in a post-Commencement group photo. (Photo by Lee Pellegrini)

our humanity, and what makes us more human and more like God is helping others to become more human.” This conviction proposed by Fr. Himes lies at the heart of Jesuit education, said Fr. Leahy, “which [Fr. Himes] described as a gift only fully realized when given away to others.” Fr. Leahy urged the Class of 2013 to follow the example of the many BC alumni he said “have had the most fulfilling lives” because they chose to use their education and talents in the service of society. “Be true to yourselves, complete the Jesuit education you have begun here at ‘the Heights’ by spending your lives giving it away, living and working as men and women for others,” said Fr. Leahy. Other Commencement highlights included the awarding of the Rev. Edward H. Finnegan, SJ, Memorial Award to Claire Geruson as the graduate exemplifying the spirit of BC’s motto, “Ever to Excel” [see page 5]. On the Bapst Library Lawn, meanwhile, Carroll

their future, Kenny invited the graduates to consider the past, and the significance events take on in retrospect. He noted that on this day 492 years ago, the man who would become Jesuit founder Ignatius of Loyola was wounded in battle — the incident that spurred his devotion “to the life of the spirit through The Imitation of Christ.” It had been 57 years since then-US Senator John F. Kennedy spoke to BC graduates on “the value of politics, the challenge of public service.” And 140 years ago, the patent was approved for what some view as an improbable but prized symbol of freedom: blue jeans. Kenny returned to the power-ofimagination idea in exhorting the graduates to work for the greater good, and in addressing critical human issues like pollution and global warming. Paraphrasing a line from the David Bowie song “Space Oddity,” he said, “Planet Earth is blue but there’s everything you can do.” Imagination, Kenny said, can be found in “the everyday,” reciting what a little girl once wrote about her uncle’s cousin, Albert Einstein: “In America, he works as a scientist. When he comes here, he goes on the swing.” “Graduates, buy one tomorrow. Take to the air. Because it is you, and the swing-set manufacturers, who could save the world,” said Kenny. He added, “Today, you sit beside each other, in happiness, great joy. One day, you may cross cities, time zones, oceans, to sit beside each other again, in very different circumstances. As you do, make sure to pack this old advice: That it matters less what happens to us, than how we deal with it. That, in life, we can allow our experience to strengthen us or diminish us. The choice is ours. As graduates of Boston College, I know what yours will be.”

marathon bombings — praising the “courage, dignity and compassion” of Boston and its people — as reflecting America’s propensity for “choosing strength” in pursuit and defense of liberty. It is one of many tasks that the Class of 2013 must now take up, he said, not just in the US but the world. “Today, the sun shines on you. The Fibonacci numbers all add up. Today, the future you long imagined is here. I urge you to take possession and quickly. Because to you and your generation the torch has been passed. You are young America. While we might astonish ourselves — to hunt and even find the God particle, to look to set up outposts on Mars — as humans, our needs are fragile as ever: food, water, air. Compassion, peace, College of Arts and Sciences students held the love, hope.” banners high as they entered Alumni Stadium. As they contemplated (Photo by Caitlin Cunningham)

University President William P. Leahy, SJ, with this year’s honorary degree recipients: (back row, L-R) Wayne Budd, Enda Kenny and James Woods, SJ; (front, L-R) Mary Lou DeLong and Cornelia Kelley. (Photo by Gary Gilbert)

Excerpts from the citations for this year’s honorary degree recipients; for the full version, see www.bc.edu/chronicle Wayne A. Budd An executive, lawyer, regulator, and prosecutor at senior corporate and government levels, Wayne A. Budd has distinguished himself as one of America’s leading attorneys. This Boston College alumnus is also recognized as an advisor, advocate, and mentor in support of education, civil rights, and our next generation of leaders. He is as able in the boardroom as in the courtroom, and has held leadership positions in numerous organizations, including chair of The Partnership, an initiative for the advancement of professionals of color in Greater Boston This 1963 graduate remains deeply committed to his alma mater, where he has served as a University Trustee or Trustee Associate for the past 23 years. He is known for his balanced judgment and willingness to assist Boston College in a range of matters, including campus life, relations with local and state government, and mentoring students. Mary Lou DeLong A Newton College of the Sacred Heart graduate and an esteemed member of our University family, Mary Lou DeLong has served Boston College in critical roles for nearly four decades. Among her many accomplishments was strengthening Boston College’s outreach to alumni, parents, and friends, and building support for various institutional initiatives. Recognized for distinguished service by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, she is a founding member of the University’s Council for Women, now in its 10th year. In 2008 she became the first woman to serve as University Secretary, overseeing such high profile events as Commencement and our Sesquicentennial Celebration. Cornelia Kelley Sumus primi – we are first – is the motto of Boston Latin School, a phrase that describes not only the nation’s first public school, but also the appointment of Cornelia Kelley as the first female headmaster of this renowned institution. During her tenure, she promoted academic rigor, enhanced alumni support, and oversaw unprecedented growth and construction, including a new wing devoted to the visual and performing arts, a media center recognized as the most advanced school library in the country, and the incorporation of modern technology into every classroom. During her years as an administrator, she was guided by an often-quoted educational philosophy: “Always ask what is in the best interest of young people.” Enda Kenny Two years ago, Enda Kenny — a climber of hills and mountains, including Mount Kilimanjaro — ascended yet another peak in his nearly four decades of public service when he became Prime Minister, or Taoiseach, of Ireland. A County Mayo native and one-time primary school teacher, he came to public life following the death of his father, a parliamentary secretary in the government. At 24 years of age, he won a seat in the Dáil. He gained experience in a multitude of governmental areas — youth affairs, sport, western development, education, arts and heritage — and eventually became minister for tourism and trade, a tenure that saw significant growth in travel to Ireland and in its international trade position. He understands that politics and government service, like mountain climbing, require stamina and perseverance. Since becoming prime minister, he has had to deal with Ireland’s daunting fiscal crisis as well as various political and social challenges. In doing so, he has been guided by his political principles and desire to work for the greater good. James A. Woods, SJ To a man of superlatives — renowned on “the Heights” for his jovial nature and such signature salutations as “excellent,” “super,” and “couldn’t be better” — we pay tribute now to a superlative career as Jesuit priest, educator, mentor, colleague, and friend. Founding dean of the Woods College of Advancing Studies, Fr. James Woods of the Society of Jesus headed a school that not only bears his name, but also reflects his vision and vocation, and continues his commitment to the education of first-generation students and adult learners. He worked tirelessly for more than four decades to help make Jesuit, Catholic education at Boston College available to nontraditional students. Thousands benefited from his personal and academic guidance as he conveyed to prospective students and eventual graduates his confidence and conviction that they could succeed in higher education and achieve their professional goals and life dreams.

T he B oston C ollege

Chronicle may 23, 2013

Finnegan Award

Lynch School of Education Senior Gets Top Commencement Honor By Kathleen Sullivan Staff Writer

During Monday’s Commencement Exercises, Lynch School of Education graduating senior Claire Geruson was presented with the 2013 Rev. Edward H. Finnegan, SJ, Memorial Award — Boston College’s most prestigious graduation honor, given to the student who best exemplifies the spirit of BC’s motto, “Ever to Excel.” Geruson, a Jenkintown, Pa., native who majored in elementary education and theology, devoted her four years at Boston College to the values of justice and community, which were instilled in her at a young age. Since she was a second-grader, Geruson has been involved in the ministry of St. Francis Inn in Philadelphia, which provides meals, companionship, food baskets, toiletries and other necessities for the poor and hungry. Once in high school, Geruson’s outreach to St. Francis expanded to include twoweek stays at the inn over the summer. The inn also combats another issue often found hand-in-hand with poverty: loneliness. “There is not a divide between those serving and those being served,” said Geruson. “I have great relationships not only with the other volunteers and people who work at St. Francis, but also with the guests. It is one of my favorite places in the world.” Geruson brought her commitment to St. Francis Inn to Boston College: During her sophomore year, she organized and led a spring

Finnegan Award winner Claire Geruson, second from left, with the other award finalists: (L-R) Corey Streitwieser, Sandra Dickson and John “Marty” Long. (Photo by Caitlin Cunningham)

break service trip there with eight BC students. Geruson’s sense of justice extends to her focus on the education and socialization of children with special needs. She was greatly influenced by the experience of growing up with her cousin, Erik, who was born with cerebral palsy and is blind and nonverbal. Back in Pennsylvania, she has worked as a home health aide for several children with special needs and volunteered as a swim coach for Special Olympics. At the BC Campus School, she has been a reading buddy for students with severe special needs. Many of her student teaching experiences involved pupils with special needs. Geruson worked with an autistic student at the Baker School in Brookline, was a teacher’s aide in a classroom with students with severe special needs at the Kennedy Day School in Brighton, and adapted lesson plans for English Language Learners and stu-

dents with special needs at the Jackson Mann School in Allston. At the Haley Pilot School in Roslindale, she created an interactive workshop involving Braille and American Sign Language to increase the student body’s understanding of students with special needs. In her letter nominating Geruson, LSOE Assistant Dean Audrey Friedman wrote: “Her infectious smile, spiritual nature, and genuine compassion immediately assure others that she has come to help, to give selflessly, and to make an ostensible difference in their lives.” Geruson has fostered a sense of community on the BC campus. She was a four-year member of Campus Ministry’s Cura, a faith-sharing community of students focused on prayer and personal faith development. During her sophomore and junior years, Geruson was a Cura leader, running retreats and serving as a peer counselor, and this year helped to oversee the program as a

member of the Cura council. She also has served as a sacristan, lector and Eucharistic minister at campus liturgies. In addition, she was as a co-facilitator and leader for the Spectrum Weekend, a retreat for GLBTQ students. Earlier this year, Geruson co-led Campus Ministry’s two-week Arrupe Immersion trip to El Salvador. The participants visited San Salvador and the rural community of El Ocotillo and learned about issues affecting people in the region, such as trade, post-war transition, human rights, health and education. El Salvador also was the destination for Geruson’s semester abroad during her junior year. Under the aegis of the Casa de la Solidaridad, she completed coursework and conducted volunteer service in a community kitchen and school. Geruson was honored by the University with the 2012 Welles Remy Crowther Award in recognition of her selfless sacrifice and determination in serving the needs of others. Asked what she will miss about Boston College, Geruson said, “The people. I will miss my friends, my teachers. I will miss everyone at Campus Ministry — they have been mentors to me. [Campus Minister] Fr. Don MacMillan, SJ, is the best priest I’ve ever met — no, the best adult. His advice has helped me so much.” Geruson has joined the Sisters of Saint Joseph Mission Corps and this fall will begin a one-year volunteer commitment as a special education teacher at St. Anthony School in Camden, NJ.

Other 2013 Finnegan Award finalists: •Corey Streitwieser, West Haven, Ct., classics: excelled at advanced level Greek and Latin courses, though he had taken neither language before BC; Undergraduate Research Fellow, assisting Classics Assistant Professor Kendra Eshleman with preparations for her book; published two articles in undergraduate research journal Elements; received two Advanced Study Grants for intensive Latin and Sanskrit language acquisition and for the study of Plato; gave presentations for BC Talks, BC Splash and the Undergraduate Research Symposiums; tutor at the Connors Family Learning Center. •John “Marty” Long, Marietta, Ga., finance and Hispanic Studies: Presidential Scholar; winningest male diver in BC history; received BC’s 2012 Athletic Leadership Award and ACC Weaver-James-Corrigan Postgraduate Scholarship; involved in Big Brother Big Sister Foundation of Boston, making weekly visits to his “little brother”; traveled last summer to Brazil, where he taught English to children from low-income families. •Sandra Dickson, Newark, NJ, nursing: 2012 Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship winner; Undergraduate Research Fellow for Connell School Assistant Professor Allyssa Harris, with whom she co-presented at the annual meeting of National Black Nurses Association; member of AHANA Leadership Council and 48 Hours program; works as a clinical care assistant at Boston Children’s Hospital; selected last summer as a Hausman Fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital. Contact Kathleen Sullivan at kathleen.sullivan@bc.edu

Two for the Books: New Releases from BC Law’s Garcia and Plater By Melissa Beecher Staff Writer

Two recent Boston College Law School faculty books offer expertise and perspective on the often highly charged topics of international economics and environmental law. In Global Justice and International Economic Law: Three Takes, Professor Frank Garcia, known for his work in international economic law, social justice and globalization, proposes a radically new way to evaluate, construct and manage international trade. Garcia focuses on differing approaches to global justice: Rawlsian liberalism, communitarianism, and consent theory. “The approach to this research is to take a step back,” he explains. “Each of these ideas work already in theoretical voices on different aspects of the problem — but what if we put

Frank Garcia: “Globalization has changed the world to become interconnected and that world is evolving, not just institutionally, but from person to person.” (Photos by Suzanne Camarata)

them together and see what they would say to one another?” As for the skeptic who questions if global justice can be achieved, Garcia says: “I’d tell

them to look out the window. I’d ask them to consider how interconnected the world has become. Globalization has changed the world to become interconnected and that world is evolving, not just institutionally, but from person to person.” More than 30 years after arguing one of the nation’s most significant environmental law cases in front of the US Supreme Court, Professor Zygmunt Plater chronicles the story that defined his legal career. In The Snail Darter and the Dam: How Pork-Barrel Politics Endangered a Little Fish and Killed a River, Plater leads an unlikely crusade with humble family farmers, environmentalists and law students to save a doomed community along the Little Tennessee River from land developers. Hanging their case on the endangered fish, the snail darter, the group won their case — only to have an act of Congress push a dam

halted a huge Tennessee Valley hydroelectric dam,” says Plater. “Until now I was never able to turn that perception around. This is a story about family farmers. It is also a complicated story on pork barrel politics, how congressional offices work, and the power of the media – and the catastrophic consequences of what happens when the press misses a story. “It is complicated, but at the heart of it is a story is the farmers. If I had been able to get this story out then, that river would still be flowing,” said Plater.

Zygmunt Plater: “A complicated story on pork barrel politics, how congressional offices work, the power of the media – and the catastrophic consequences of what happens when the press misses a story.”

project through, killing the river and eliminating a community. “The whole story has been mischaracterized as extreme liberals and a silly little fish which

To read more about these books, see www.bc.edu/chronicle. News about faculty publications is available on the Boston College Books Blog [bcbookshelf.wordpress.com]. Contact Melissa Beecher at melissa.beecher@bc.edu

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Chronicle may 23, 2013

University President William P. Leahy, SJ, will host his annual dinner to honor retiring and 25-year employees on May 30 in the Yawkey Center Murray Room. The 2013 Community Service Award winner also will be recognized at this event. Retiring administrators, faculty and staff are: Charles Ahern, Philip Altbach, Norman Araujo, Eugenia Barges, Margie Battaglia, Jean Beattie, Rosemarie Bodenheimer, Matilda Bruckner, Dwayne Carpenter, Michael Clarke, Mary Lou DeLong, Barbara Devlin, Donald Dietrich, Patricia Dolan, Michael Driscoll, Christoph Eykman, Josephine Faccenda, Neil Grossbard, Margaret Harrington, Charles Hefling, John Christopher Hepburn, Fred Hinckley, Sidney Holloway, June Horowitz, Mary Joe Hughes, Demetrius Iatridis, Fr. Robert Imbelli, Pamela Jerskey, William Keaney and Susan Keleher. Also retiring are: Margaret Kenney, Kevin Kersten, SJ, Suzanne Kleiner, Rena Lamparski, Patricia Lacy, Roberta Manning, Hassell McClellan, David McKenna, Cathleen Meade, Edilberto Montes, Thomas Mooney, Joseph Pedulla, Dia Philippides, Richard Range, Marrilyn Reid, Lillian Reisman, Ned Rosen, Maria Sannella (also a 25-year employee), Lawrence Scott, Paul Spagnoli, Robert Starratt and Richard Young. Employees marking their 25th year at Boston College are: William Mills, Jonas Barciauskas, Mark Conner, Elizabeth Dority, Peter Gottschalk, Barbara Krakowsky, Kathleen Williams, James Wolfreys, Carole Hughes, Craig Silverio, Cyrus O’Neil, Kenneth Campbell, Edmund Greene, Adeane Bregman, Edmond Kelly, Joyce Wentland, Maureen Kenny, John Page, Robert Carpenter, Andrea Frank, Peter Keating, Shirley Gee, Sandra Tuttle, James Lacroix, Carl Mascioli, Victor Valdez, Blanca Rodriguez, Donald Weber, Armando Rivas, Benjamin Veliz, Catiana Wong and Victoria Crittenden. Other 25-year employees are: Ourida Mostefai, William Stevenson, Michael Graf, Richard Spinello, T. Frank Kennedy, SJ, John Darr, Alston Conley, Ingrid Hillinger, Stephen Pope, Renato Mirollo, Robert Signorile, Suzanne Matson, Miguel Pacheco, Duart Furtado, Joao Lopes, James Greene, Jesus Flores, Angelo Carini, Frederick Glynn, John Coleman, Manuel Da Costa, Antonio Jorge, Steven McClurg, Max Caze, Carmine Buonopane, Norma St. Martin, Donna Lee O’Brien, Joan CrowleyHoran, Paul Muller, Christian Black and Eileen Sullivan.

By Patricia Delaney Deputy Director of News & Public Affairs

Lee Pellegrini

Schervish Earns Career Award Professor of Sociology Paul G. Schervish, director of the Center on Wealth and Philanthropy (CWP), will be honored with the 2013 Distinguished Career Award presented by the Altruism, Morality, and Social Solidarity Section of the American Sociological Association. The award, given annually to an individual who has made significant and sustained contributions to the field, will be presented at the association’s annual meeting in New York City in August. One of the nation’s leading scholars at the forefront of philanthropic studies, Schervish has spent more than 30 years in research and teaching related to wealth and philanthropy, specifically on the patterns and dynamics of donor motivation and behavior, and is widely credited with helping to shape the direction of the field. “Paul Schervish’s work is outstanding in every respect,” said Vincent Jeffries, chair of the award committee. “He has been highly productive throughout his scholarly career, writing extensively on topics such as giving, volunteering, philanthropy, wealth, economic morality, and caring. He has made significant contributions to methodology,

the acquiring of knowledge, policy, and theoretical development in these areas. His work is comprehensive, original, and important.” “I am honored to receive this award, even though I am but one of many who have brought the field of research on wealth, philanthropy and spiritual life to where it is today,” Schervish said. “Our leading question at the outset of our work at the center has remained central for three decades: how do the personal and financial resources of individuals become mobilized by their purposes and aspirations to unite love of God, love of neighbor, and love of self? “Combining statistical, interview, survey, and spiritual analyses, we have enjoyed the discovery, communication, and application of knowledge, the desire and dream of every scholar.” The full version of this story is at www.bc.edu/chronicle.

PARTING THOUGHTS: Retiring faculty, staff bid BC farewell Rev. Robert Imbelli Associate Professor of Theology Years at BC: 27 years Activities/Service: director, Institute of Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry; member, Church in the 21st Century Center Steering Committee; editor, Handing on the Faith: the Church’s Mission and Challenge and C21 Resources spring 2013 issue, “Exploring the Catholic Intellectual Tradition.” What He’ll Miss: “I shall certainly miss the intellectual energy of the students, both undergraduate and graduate, who challenge teachers to excellence. They inspired me to strive each year for a more adequate and meaningful presentation of the subject matter, to find more effective ways of communicating what is at stake in the issue under discussion.”

What’s Changed at BC: “One would be the growth of BC’s national reputation and the associated development of the quality of the student population. We always had some excellent students, but now there are many more of them. The student body has greater academic depth. The other would be the obvious, and extraordinary, development of the campus itself. When I started at BC, the site of O’Neill Library and its plaza was the main faculty parking lot. I have really enjoyed the atmosphere in Stokes Hall this semester, and I envy my colleagues who will get to enjoy it for years to come.”

Sidney Holloway Associate Director, Office for Institutional Diversity Years at BC: 17 (also served as financial aid assistant from 197176 and graduate assistant in Lynch School of Education from 1982-84) Activities/Service: coordinator, University Affiliates Program; Nicaragua immersion trip; Private Industry Council; diversity initiatives in Dining Services, Lynch School of Education and Student Affairs. What He’ll Miss: “Throughout the growth and changes at BC, one thing we’ve maintained is the ‘family’ nature of the University. For me, BC is at its best when there is a personal crisis — the loss of a loved one, a medical crisis. The support you receive from the University community enables you to focus on what is

Paul Spagnoli Associate Professor of History Years at BC: 40 full-time, three parttime Activities/Service: chairman, director of undergraduate studies, History Department; University Task Force on the Core Curriculum; faculty athletics representative and chair of the Athletics Advisory Board.

Two Share Aquino Prize Juniors Matthew Alonzosana and Wei Kuang “Lucilla” Pan are the first co-winners of the Benigno and Corazon Aquino Scholarship, presented annually to students who represent the highest ideals and aspirations of Boston College and the Asian American community. First created in 1995 as the Asian American Scholarship, the award was renamed for the Aquinos in 2010. The Aquino Scholarship provides $15,000 or more toward senior year tuition. Alonzosana, who recently assumed the office of the Undergraduate Government of Boston College vice president, is a Presidential Scholar from Elkridge, Md., with a double major in biology and economics. He served as co-president of the Asian Caucus executive board this academic year and is a member of the Philippine Society of Boston College and The BC Rhetorical Skills Society.

Caitlin Cunningham

Retirees, 25-Year Employees Dinner

In 2011, Alonzosana received an Advanced Study Grant from BC and became the youngest person ever to hold the position of Visiting Research Associate at the Ateneo de Manila. He presented his research on the Philippine health care system at the ACC Undergraduate Research Symposium last year. This past summer he studied Mandarin and Chinese health policy on a Boren Scholarship in Beijing. A native of Newton, Pan will be co-president for the Asian Caucus next year after having served this past year as secretary and historian — in the latter role, she began

truly important.”

Margaret (Peggy) Harrington Assistant to the Vice President and University Secretary Years at BC: 29 What She Learned: “Over 29 years, I have had four assignments: with Dr. James P. McIntyre for two Photos by Lee Pellegrini years; Paul LeComte, former vice president for University Relations, for six years; Mary Lou DeLong, former vice president and University secretary, for 20 years; and Terrence Devino, SJ for the past five months. Working with Mary Lou provided me with a unique perspective from which to view the complex workings of the University, interacting with the staff of virtually every division and department, as well as contact with trustees, alumni, parents, and volunteers. “My time at BC has involved two capital fundraising campaigns, The Council for Women of Boston College, Commencement and most recently the Sesquicentennial Celebration. My first Commencement was in 2006. I was truly amazed at the countless logistics that help to maintain both the dignity of the event and the hospitality extended by BC to the thousands of guests. Most recently, the Sesquicentennial Mass was another masterpiece that was a testament to both BC’s Jesuit, Catholic identity and its strong bond with the people of Boston.” More “Parting Thoughts” at www.bc.edu/chronicle writing a comprehensive history of the Aquino Scholarship at BC. She restarted ASIAM, the campus Asian American literary magazine, and is editor of Dianoia, BC’s undergraduate philosophy journal. Last summer, Pan used an Advanced Study Grant to study German, in preparation for future doctoral studies in philosophy. Through the 4Boston program, Pan has volunteered at the St. Francis House homeless shelter in Boston, and tutored in reading and mathematics at the Kumon Center in Coolidge Corner. Other finalists for the scholarship were: Andy Hu, a history and economics major from Cliffside, NJ; Ji Young “Grace” Lee, an International Studies major from Alpharetta, Ga.; and Annie Mok, an elementary education and human development major in the Lynch School of Education. —Sean Smith More about Alonzosana and Pan at www.bc.edu/chronicle

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Chronicle may 23, 2013

The TransCultural Exchange, a non-profit organization founded and directed by Fine Arts Department part-time faculty member Mary Sherman ’80, has been awarded a $25,000 National Endowment for the Arts grant. The Boston-based organization’s mission is to foster a greater understanding of world cultures through artist exchanges, large-scale global projects and educational programming, notably biennial “Conferences on International Opportunities in the Arts.” “We are very honored to receive this funding,” Sherman said. “Our conferences are targeted specifically to practicing artists with the aim of ensuring that American artists continue to have a presence around the globe.” The NEA “Art Works” grant will be used to upgrade the organization’s website and raise awareness

Christopher Huang

NEA Grant Boosts Sherman’s Non-Profit

about its conferences. The events promote American art and artistic exchanges worldwide, convening hundreds of artists, residency directors, curators, critics, grant makers, funders and gallerists – professionals who support engagement with international peers. Sherman notes that more than half of the conference attendees cite tangible outcomes from their participation, such as exhibits abroad,

invitations to residency programs or successful grant applications. An artist and curator, Sherman has received numerous grants and awards. Her works, which push the definition of painting into the realm of space and sound, have been exhibited both nationally and internationally. “The National Endowment for the Arts is proud to support exciting and diverse arts projects that will take place throughout the United States,” NEA Acting Chair Joan Shigekawa of the Art Works grants, which support exemplary projects in artistic disciplines and fields. “[They] contribute to vibrant communities and memorable opportunities for the public to engage with the arts.” For information on the TransCultural Exchange, and the speakers and schedule for the upcoming October conference, see www.trnasculturalexchange.org. —Office of News & Public Affairs

Manning Is Awarded Udall Scholarship Lee Pellegrini

A prestigious Udall Scholarship has been awarded to Boston College junior Joseph Manning, whose passion for the environment spurs him to be a spokesperson for his generation, many of whom are concerned about the harsh realities of climate change. Awarded to students who have demonstrated a commitment to environmental careers, each scholarship provides up to $5,000 for junior or senior year. Manning was among 50 students from 43 colleges and universities selected as 2013 Udall Scholars. Last fall, Manning represented the Sierra Club for the fourth year at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 18th annual Conference of the Parties in Doha, Qatar. A Presidential Scholar from Ovideo, Fla., he chairs the executive committee of the Sierra Student Coalition (SSC). His SSC role earned him an invitation as a sophomore to hear President Obama speak at the White House about energy policy. “I cannot imagine a candidate more qualified than Joseph for the Udall fellowship,” said Environmental Studies Program Director Noah Snyder, associate professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences. “He has a strong dedication to environmental issues, evidenced by his extensive work for the Sierra Student Coalition and participation in several United Nations conferences on climate change. “He has also shown leadership in the UGBC Senate on sustainability issues,” said Snyder. “I am truly humbled to be named a Udall Scholar,” said Manning, a political science major and

environmental studies minor. “This is a huge honor for me and I’m incredibly grateful. Past Udall winners that I know have been some of the most amazing advocates for environmental protection, they’ve

been mentors of mine, and I’m surprised and honored to be counted among them. “BC has been incredibly supportive of my endeavors. In 2011 I was awarded an Advanced Study Grant to conduct research in Nova Scotia on the public perception of renewable energy development. The Presidential Scholars Program has given me the opportunity to travel and study in Nicaragua and the Galapagos Islands.” This summer he will work on renewable energy development in Belfast, Northern Ireland, with the Department of Enterprise, Investment and Trade. —Rosanne Pellegrini [The full version of this story is at http://bit.ly/13zAbJj]

Susan Michalczyk Wins PBK Teaching Award Susan Michalczyk, assistant director of the College of Arts and Sciences Honors Program, has been chosen for the 2013 Teaching Award from the Boston College chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the most prestigious academic honorary society in the United States. PBK members nominate an outstanding teacher who has positively influenced their experience at BC; winners are selected for the award based on the cumulative nominations from students over multiple years. An adjunct associate professor in A&S Honors, Michalczyk earned her bachelor’s and

master’s degrees from BC in 1976 and 1977, respectively, and a doctorate from Harvard University in 1986. She taught Italian and literature at Harvard before returning to BC in 1992. A student nominating Michalczyk for the award wrote: “I deeply appreciate everything that Dr. Michalczyk has done for me in the past three years, but I also admire and respect her for the devotion to her profession as well as to her family.” To find out more about the Boston College Phi Beta Kappa chapter, including this year’s initiates, see http://bit. ly/10qZziV.

University President William P. Leahy, SJ, recently accepted the Boston College Club’s annual gift to the University from club president Jack Joyce ’61. Also present were club general manager Meredith Waites, left, and co-founder Jack MacKinnon ’62. During the past 15 years, the BC Club has given a total of $5 million — including $420,000 this year — for inner-city scholarships. (Photo by Lee Pellegrini)

Newsmakers Writing in an opinion piece for The Tablet, Assoc. Prof. Rev. Kenneth Himes, OFM, outlined reasons for the US and Britain to take a cautious approach in decided whether to intervene in the Syrian conflict, despite is evidence that government forces in Syria have used chemical weapons. Prof. Ray Madoff (Law) discussed with National Public Radio’s “Here and Now,” the New York Times and BBC Mundo the controversy over the difficulty in finding a burial location for Boston Marathon bombing suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev.

Jewish Culture’” in The Jewish Daily Forward.

Honors/Appointments Part-time faculty member Raymond Helmick, SJ (Theology), was co-recipient of the Andover Newton Theological School’s Rabbi Murray I. Rothman Award for outstanding interreligious leadership. The school cited his work in international conflict resolution, and his service with organizations such as the Centre for Human Rights and Responsibilities, the Interreligious Center for Public Life, the Conflict Analysis Center and the Centre of Concern for Human Dignity, which he co-founded.

BC BRIEFING

Sleep deprivation is a significant hidden factor in lowering the achievement of school pupils, according to a study by Boston College’s TIMSS & PIRLS International Study Center, directed by Lynch School of Education researchers Ina V.S. Mullis and Michael O. Martin. The study was noted by the BCC, the UK Daily Mail and Malta Independent. Prof. Robert Bloom (Law) was interviewed by WCVB-TV News about the effect of the judge’s rejection of the immunity defense in the Whitey Bulger case. Assoc. Prof. Gerald Kane (CSOM) offered comments to the Washington Post on YouTube’s announcement of a monthly subscription fee for some of the videos on its site. Brennan Professor of Education Andy Hargreaves addressed the financial and educational impact of teacher absenteeism, and its relationship to job satisfaction or stress, in an interview with WBZ-TV News. Assoc. Prof. Robert Murphy (Economics) gave his analysis to the Boston Globe concerning recent national employment figures.

Publications Prof. Maxim D. Shrayer (Slavic and Eastern Languages) published an interview with Gennady Katsov in Russkii zhurnal and “Vladimir Nabokov’s Son Says Famous Father ‘Was Close to

Time and a Half Prof. Maxim D. Shrayer (Slavic and Eastern Languages) presented “Ilya Selvinsky, Witness to the Shoah” at the University of Amsterdam, the Royal Dutch Institute for the Holocaust and Genocide, and the Shoah Memorial in Paris.

JOBS The following are among the most recent positions posted by the Department of Human Resources. For more information on employment opportunities at Boston College, see www.bc.edu/offices/hr: Administrative Assistant, Dean’s Office, College of Arts and Sciences Staff Psychologist, University Counseling Assistant Manager, Dining Services Associate Director, Annual Capital Projects, Facilities Management Grant Proposal and Contracts Administrator, Office of Sponsored Programs Administrative Assistant, Boston College Law School Advancement Senior Information Security Analyst, Information Technology Associate Director, Diversity and Inclusion, Office of Institutional Diversity

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many strive to categorize using absolute terms without an appreciation for the intertwined cultural factors that shape its people and leaders. The Fulbright scholarship in Turkey would grant me invaluable insight into crosscultural communication.”

Lee Pellegrini

Fellowships

QUOTE: “Poetry is my academic passion, I love India and its culture, and I want to help Indian students learn English, as knowledge of the language is an incredible asset for jobs and further education in that country. This grant fulfills all of those things by allowing me the opportunity to make a difference in what I see as a tremendously important cause in a country I love, while also conducting research on how creative writing is taught in Indian schools.”

Zachary Crosser Toledo, Ohio

DESTINATION: Philippines PROJECT/ACTIVITY: Examine the socioeconomic implications of sari-sari stores (small neighborhood stores offering single units of goods at low prices to low-income customers) in urban Philippine neighborhoods. FUTURE PLANS: Pursue master’s degree in international development; career aspiration to work with international populations on projects to improve conditions in developing countries. QUOTE: “I am grateful for the opportunities I have been afforded at BC and for the help of mentors here and in Manila. With their support, I look forward to continuing my studies in economics and interacting with the Filipino people.”

Matthew J. DeMaio West Hartford, Ct.

DESTINATION: Jordan PROJECT/ACTIVITY: English teaching assistantship FUTURE PLANS: Pursue a doctorate in Middle Eastern Studies and enter academia. QUOTE: “My Fulbright to Jordan is really a culmination of all of my experiences at BC. I was lucky enough to receive two advanced study grants to the occupied Palestinian territories while at BC, which I used to study Arabic and teach English. I will be building on these experiences this upcoming year in Jordan by working as an English teaching assistant and strengthening my Arabic skills for future graduate study.”

Kathryn C. Duerr Bethel Park, Pa.

DESTINATION: Germany PROJECT/ACTIVITY: English teaching assistantship FUTURE PLANS: Pursue a law degree with a specialization in international economic and business law.

Adizah A. Eghan San Jose, Calif.

DESTINATION: India PROJECT/ACTIVITY: English teaching assistantship FUTURE PLANS: Graduate studies in public policy. QUOTE: “I cannot wait to learn from my students and hopefully inspire them inside and outside of the classroom. Furthermore, I look forward to traveling around India and embracing different aspects of Indian culture.”

Nicholas Franco ’11 Dover, NY

DESTINATION: El Salvador PROJECT/ACTIVITY: Studying microfinance and rural electrification programs to understand the economic linkages between access to finance and electricity. FUTURE PLANS: Pursue a doctorate in economics in sustainable economic development. QUOTE: “As an aspiring development economist, the best way to learn about these issues is to go to the source. I am looking forward to the opportunity

Kevin Savage Springfield, Ill.

FUTURE PLANS: Teaching QUOTE: “The Fulbright teaching assistantship grant is not only an incredible opportunity for me to learn and connect, but also to serve others, something that my time at Boston College taught me to value. As a Hispanic Studies major and a bilingual educator with Teach For America, I’ve seen how language learning unites people and strengthens communities, and I’m excited to be a part of that in Brazil.”

DESTINATION: Mexico PROJECT/ACTIVITY: Conduct a case study of a community health worker program, assessing their impact on the local constructs on chronic disease, systematically analyzing patients’ perceptions of their own illness and care. FUTURE PLANS: Pursue a master’s degree in public health and attend medical school with the intention of concentrating in primary care. QUOTE: “The Fulbright grant will give me a great introduction to research in both public health and anthropology. The grant will supplement my studies on community health workers during an Advanced Study Grant in 2011, as well as in my senior thesis. It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect my work and studies in global health during my time at BC with first-hand experiences in the field.”

Christine Movius Derwood, Md.

Colleen Sinnott Mattapoisett, Mass.

This year’s Boston College fellowship winners include: (front row, L-R) Sarah Messer, Maria Asdourian, Christine Movius, Maggie O’Neill, Sarah Gallagher, Sarah Slater, Corey Streitwieser and Jaclyn Lee; (back row, L-R) Daniel Ottaunick, Adizah Eghan, Brian Stamm, Narinthon Luangrath and Zachary Crosser. to understand firsthand how electrification and microfinance programs are changing the lives of some of the region’s poorest families. I cannot thank Boston College enough for the opportunities and the mentors it has provided me with to help me get where I am.”

Sarah Gallagher Westport, Ct.

DESTINATION: Germany PROJECT/ACTIVITY: English teaching assistantship FUTURE PLANS: Eventually work for the State Department as a foreign service officer; work to improve US relations with the world. QUOTE: “The Fulbright Scholarship will be an incredible experience to engage with the world and to foster an understanding of American culture abroad. I am thrilled to represent Boston College overseas and to embark on a new and exciting chapter in my life.”

Claire Kairys ’12 Arlington, Va.

DESTINATION: Indonesia PROJECT/ACTIVITY: English teaching assistantship; also plans to learn Bahasa Indonesian. FUTURE PLANS: Pursue graduate work in either international relations or public policy, with the intention of teaching at the university level. Also plans to continue language training in Bahasa Indonesian and to begin French courses. Long-term, hopes to live abroad and continue her personal and professional development.

Jaclyn Lee Peabody, Mass.

DESTINATION: Malaysia PROJECT/ACTIVITY: English teaching assistantship

Rockwell Ludden Yarmouth, Mass.

DESTINATION: Germany PROJECT/ACTIVITY: English teaching assistantship FUTURE PLANS: Teaching and graduate school QUOTE: “Boston College espouses the Jesuit ideal that we be ‘men and women for others.’ I stand fully behind this ideal, and the Fulbright will allow me to improve my own language and teaching skills, but also give me the greater opportunity to help others improve theirs.”

Christine McClary ’11 Hinsdale, Ill.

DESTINATION: Brazil PROJECT/ACTIVITY: English teaching assistantship

DESTINATION: Malaysia PROJECT/ACTIVITY: English teaching assistantship FUTURE PLANS: Pursue master of fine arts degree in acting. QUOTE: “This Fulbright grant serves as a wonderful opportunity to use my unique combination of academic interests in environmental science and the performing arts. I hope to use skits, improvisational games, and puppetry as supplementary yet fun methods for teaching not only English, but also about environmental issues.”

Maggie O’Neill Wayne, Pa.

DESTINATION: Germany PROJECT/ACTIVITY: English teaching assistantship FUTURE PLANS: Work as education policymaker. QUOTE: “I’m excited to have the opportunity to take part in the Fulbright program because it’s the perfect culmination of my four years at BC. Not only will I be able to apply what I’ve learned through my International Studies and German curricula, but I’ve also been placed in Fulbright’s Teaching Diversity program and will be working primarily with students from minority backgrounds. BC’s emphasis on the education of the whole person has inspired me to take on this challenge and I am looking forward to continuing my education through linguistic and cultural immersion in Germany next year.”

Dan Ottaunick Ringwood, NJ

DESTINATION: India PROJECT/ACTIVITY: English teaching assistantship; also will research how creative writing is taught in Indian schools. FUTURE PLANS: Enroll in a graduate English program and pursue a doctorate in American poetry, with plans of becoming an English teacher. Will also continue studying Hindi, using his knowledge of the language as the basis for studying Indian poetry.

DESTINATION: Ecuador PROJECT/ACTIVITY: Build on a public health survey conducted in Ecuador in 2004-2005 and examine cultural attitudes regarding sexual health and reproductive education in Ecuadorian high schools. FUTURE PLANS: Attend medical school and specialize in reconstructive surgery. May also pursue a master’s degree in public or global health. QUOTE: “I will have the opportunity to continue my work in health education, specifically focusing on reproductive health. In a country currently battling high levels of teen pregnancy with a variety of social programs, this research has the potential to make a significant difference. As I continue on to medical school the following year, I know that my time in Ecuador will impact how I view my role as a physician. I hope to someday practice medicine as a clinician, but public health, especially health education and healthcare economics, will always be a fundamental part of my career.”

Sarah Slater Jacksonville, Fla.

DESTINATION: Brazil PROJECT/ACTIVITY: English teaching assistantship FUTURE PLANS: Earn a master’s degree in public administration or development practice and begin a career in sustainable development consulting. QUOTE: “Fulbright is the perfect culmination of studies at BC and work experiences, which have centered around Latin American affairs and language studies. I’m hoping to use the grant to further my knowledge in these areas and develop my language skills.”

Brian Stamm Erie, Pa.

DESTINATION: Germany PROJECT/ACTIVITY: A study centered at the Institute for Clinical Radiology, Ludwig-Maximilians University will use neuroimaging and neuropsychology tests to evaluate the potential pres-

ence of chronic traumatic brain injuries in professional soccer players. FUTURE PLANS: Attend medical school with a focus on neuroscience. QUOTE: “My eyes for a Fulbright began developing subconsciously during my BC study abroad experience in Paris during the summer after my sophomore year. The Fulbright will allow me to return to another prominent European city, Munich, this coming fall to conduct research on German soccer players’ brains and the potential negative effects of headers. This experience will unify my desire to further explore a major foreign culture and to simultaneously further my research credentials.”

Corey Streitwieser New Haven, Ct.

DESTINATION: Spain PROJECT/ACTIVITY: English teaching assistantship FUTURE PLANS: Attend graduate school in Classical Studies. Earn a PhD in classics, focusing research on Plato and his theory of mathematics. QUOTE: “My goal is to help my students appreciate that learning a language is more than just arranging words according to grammatical rules. By using my background in ancient languages to demonstrate the intertwined linguistic histories of Spanish and English, I hope to encourage my students to think outside of the old platitudes about fluency, to determine how English fits into their lives, and further how they, as English learners, will fit into the future of the English language.”

Kelsey Swift La Jolla, Calif.

DESTINATION: Mexico PROJECT/ACTIVITY: English teaching assistantship FUTURE PLANS: Teach at a community college or university and research immigrant education. QUOTE: “I am looking forward to giving my students the tools to become thoughtful community leaders and successful participants in the global forum. Drawing on my experience as an English teacher and tutor, I hope to introduce my students to the English language and American culture through fiction and poetry.”

Biology graduate student Jennifer Campbell has been awarded a summer fellowship and $20,000 research award by the Mount Sinai Institute for NeuroAIDS Disparities in New York City. After completing the five-week fellowship this summer, Campbell, who works in the lab of Professor Ken Williams, will use the research grant to examine the potential connections between HIV infection in high-risk populations and new findings that have linked chronic immune activation to debilitating brain and heart damage. Other Boston College fellowship winners include Joseph Manning ’14, who earned a Udall Scholarship [see story on page 7]; Goldwater Scholar Maria Asdourian ’15 [see http://bit. ly/18GgEJn]; and Narintohn Luangrath ’14, awarded a Truman Scholarship [http://bit.ly/18GgAcA]. In addition, senior Lisa Piccirillo, graduate students Ashley Biernesser and Nathan Nesbitt, and Psychology Department researchers James Dungan, Lily Tsoi and Halle Zucker received National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships [http://bit. ly/13VlI9F].