The Boston College
USPS MAILING ADDRESS
Chronicle Published by the Boston College Office of News & Public Affairs
INSIDE:
news 3 Summer round-up
4
8
Update on campus construction
“Literary Life” at the McMullen September 9, 2010-vol. 19 no. 1
Convocation Presents Visions of BC’s Past and Future By Sean Smith Chronicle Editor
While the future of Boston College’s academic programs and buildings comprised a significant part of yesterday’s University Convocation, an upcoming celebration of BC’s past also took center stage. Speaking before administrators, faculty and staff at Robsham Theater, University President William P. Leahy, SJ, formally announced plans to commemorate Boston College’s 150th anniversary, which will take place in 2013. “This will be a cause for celebration, reflection and planning,” said Fr. Leahy, who added that the approaching sesquicentennial provided a context in which to think about “how Boston College has evolved, and how we must respond to current challenges and opportunities according to the vision, beliefs, and values that have animated and guided our University since its beginning.” Executive Vice President Pat-
rick Keating and Provost and Dean of Faculties Cutberto Garza also spoke at the event. Keating discussed current University administrative and financial developments, as well as campus construction projects — highlighted by a computer-generated “tour” of the Stokes Hall academic and classroom building that is to be constructed on Middle Campus — while Garza examined several initiatives relating to intellectual, societal and faith aspects of the University’s mission. In addition to announcing the Sesquicentennial Celebration [see separate story], Fr. Leahy mused on the University’s beginnings as a single building on Harrison Avenue in Boston’s South End, and its progress throughout the years. BC got off to a less-than-auspicious start, Fr. Leahy noted: Having promoted the school to Boston’s Catholic community and expecting “an army of students” to enroll, the University’s first dean, Robert Fulton, SJ, was dismayed to see only 22 show up. “’Many
came gratuitously,’” said Fr. Leahy, quoting from Fr. Fulton’s account of the day, “’and only one or two had talent.’” But the vision of Fr. Fulton and other formative figures in BC’s first years, such as John McElroy, SJ, John Bapst, SJ, and benefactor Andrew Carney, proved to be durable, Fr. Leahy said. “Their deep sense of mission motivated them to respond to the challenges and opportunities of their time,” said Fr. Leahy. Over time, BC “began to change in size, structure, and scope in response to different circumstances and aspirations in the Roman Catholic population, higher education, and American society,” while retaining its commitment to Catholic values and teaching. As BC approaches its 150-year mark, the vision and sense of mission in BC’s founders and guiding spirits is needed more than ever, said Fr. Leahy, as is the Jesuit, Catholic, liberal arts education BC offers. To continue as “effective stew-
ards” of its educational, formational and faith mission, said Fr. Leahy, BC must ensure its programs and budgets “reflect strategic priorities and are managed as efficiently as possible.” Recruiting strong faculty and — in particular with increased financial aid — talented students must be a foremost concern, he said. BC also must safeguard its “special, caring community” and expand efforts to
deepen the understanding of BC’s Jesuit, Catholic dimensions. Fr. Leahy called for the University community to use the 150th anniversary observance as an opportunity to “remember the vision, sacrifice, and tenacity that gave root and life to the university we know and love, and to rededicate ourselves to being wise, effective stewards of the mission and Continued on page 6
University Announces 150th Anniversary Plans By Jack Dunn Director of News & Public Affairs
Lee Pellegrini
To formally recognize the University’s 150th anniversary and its extraordinary transformation from a local school for the sons of Irish immigrants to one of the nation’s premier institutions of higher learning, Boston College will host a Sesquicentennial Celebration from May of 2012 through the fall of 2013, University President William P. Leahy, SJ, announced this week. To oversee the effort, Fr. Leahy has appointed a Sesquicentennial Steering Committee to outline plans to commemorate the anniversary. The committee has begun organizing the celebration around the University’s motto “Ever to Excel,” with specific em-
phasis on the University’s excellence in scholarship, student and alumni formation and in bridging the gap between faith and culture. Major events proposed for the Sesquicentennial Celebration include a convocation of national and international Catholic college and university presidents to address the critical issues facing American Catholic higher education; a Founder’s Day celebration scheduled for April of 2013; a Sesquicentennial Speakers Series featuring leading dignitaries; the unveiling of historical markers throughout campus; an outdoor Mass at Fenway Park for students and graduates of Boston College and Boston College High School; and a series of school-specific and student-sponsored events that will Continued on page 6
BC Achieves Its Highest US News Ranking Ever Mark Herzlich has received plenty of attention from the media, and elsewhere, about his battle against cancer.
Completing the Comeback
After bout with Ewing’s sarcoma, Mark Herzlich returns to the gridiron By Reid Oslin Staff Writer
Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich scored a victory far greater than any number posted on the Alumni Stadium scoreboard last Saturday when he successfully returned to the football field after conquering a year-long battle with cancer. Herzlich, an All-America player who was named the outstanding defensive player in the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2008, was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma – a rare form of bone cancer – in the spring of
2009 and underwent intensive chemotherapy treatments to halt the disease. Earlier this year, the Wayne, Pa., native had surgery to place a titanium rod in the center of his left femur to give it more support and enable him to attempt to resume his gridiron career. Throughout the long and painful period of cancer recovery, Herzlich never gave up his goal of returning to football – and his courageous battle became an inspiration to legions of people around the world who share in the fight against the disease.
“Ever since it was diagnosed, we knew that I wasn’t going to play last season,” Herzlich explained prior to last Saturday’s season opening game against Weber State. “So we – my family and my supporters – targeted Sept. 4. I always thought that once I got to this point I could say, ‘I’m back and doing what I love to do.’ I can’t believe that it is happening. “Just being out there practicing football again feels so natural,” Herzlich said. “It was like everything was coming back together. “After the first day of practice I Continued on page 5
Boston College rose to 31st among national universities in the 2011 US News & World Report survey, its highest ranking to date. The University, which moved up three positions in the ranking, was bolstered by a strong assessment from high school guidance counselors, which placed BC 22nd overall, as well as improvements in selectivity and average alumni giving rate. Boston College also placed 43rd in the “Great Schools, Great Prices” ranking, reflecting the University’s commitment to need-blind admissions and to meeting the full demonstrated need of all of its accepted students. In addition, BC’s Carroll School of Management improved to 23rd from 25th in the “Best Business Schools” survey. Provost and Dean of Faculties Cutberto Garza said he was pleased with the 2011 US News rankings
and the positive way in which Boston College continues to be viewed among national universities. “The new rankings should bolster our efforts to help prospective students and their families discover Boston College’s commitment to the development of our students’ intellectual abilities in the service of a better world,” said Garza. In addition to the US News rankings, Boston College placed 27th in Forbes magazine’s annual list of “America’s Best Colleges” released this summer. US News rankings of all colleges and universities can be accessed online at www.usnews.com. The Forbes rankings are at www.forbes. com/2010/08/01/best-colleges-university-ratings-rankings-opinionsbest-colleges-10-intro_slide.html. —Office of News & Public Affairs