Boston College Chronicle

The Boston College

Chronicle Published by the Boston College Office of News & Public Affairs may 9, 2013 Vol. 21 no. 17

•Hats off for BCPD and Eagles baseball, page 2

University Joins Innovative Online Education Initiative

Lee Pellegrini

INSIDE

By Jack Dunn Director of News & Public Affairs

•Cindi Bigelow speaks at alumni event, page 2 •Photo: Zach Braff enlivens Baldwin Awards, page 2 •Gasson Quad will get a new look, page 3 •Senator Cowan to speak at Law Commencement, page 3 •BC rolls out Commencement app, page 4 •University a leader in energy conservation, page 4 •Bridgeman, Connolly earn honors, page 5 •Grace wins Dr. Donald Brown Award, page 5 •Seniors to Remember, pages 6-7

•Sesquicentennial Q&A with Setti Warren, page 8 •Photos: “Gladiator Day,” page 9 •eTeaching Day set for May 15, page 9 •BC and PIC, page 10 •Presidential Scholars promote social justice, page 10 •Photos: Arts Festival 2013, page 12

Staff and students from the Campus School joined “The Last 5,” a walk organized by Boston College students last Friday to honor victims of the April 15 Boston Marathon bombings.

Going the Extra Mile(s)

BC support for marathon victims staying strong The Boston College community continued to show its support for victims of last month’s Boston Marathon bombings, in the form of a student-led walk around the Chestnut Hill Reservoir, and a tee shirt and point drive organized by the BC Bookstore and BC Dining Services.

Associate Vice President for Auxiliary Services Patricia Bando said Tuesday that some 2,000 “Boston Strong Mile 21” tee shirts have been sold via the BC Bookstore website [www.bc.edu/bookstore] in support of the One Fund Boston, which was created to assist victims of the marathon bombings.

“We felt that it was a good way to assist those affected through a partnership with BC Bookstore and Champion athletic apparel to design and sell a tee shirt that reflects our pride and resolve as a community,” said Bando.

In addition, Bando said Dining Services worked with BC students to organize a point drive on April 29 that enabled students to donate food dollars from their meal plans to the One Fund Boston.

She estimated that the combined donation of the BC Bookstore and Dining Services to

One Fund Boston would exceed $22,500.

Last Friday, more than 500 people turned out for “The Last 5,” a walk around the Chestnut Hill Reservoir organized by BC sophomores Danielle Cole and Michael Padulsky. The pair, both of whom ran in the Boston Marathon but were denied the opportunity to finish because of the bombings, came up with the idea of a walk to enable supporters to complete the journey — “Last 5” meaning the remaining five miles to the marathon finish line — on behalf of all those who could not.

Given the overwhelming response to their idea, Boston Police asked them on April 17 to pursue other options so as not to overburden officers and emergency responders who had worked nonstop since the bombings occurred.

The students opted for a vigil on April 19, which had to be cancelled in light of the lockdown, before focusing on the reservoir walk, which Boston and BC Police endorsed.

Working with Student Affairs and the Undergraduate Government of Boston College, Cole and Padulsky designed blue and yellow Continued on page 8

QUOTE:

Boston College has joined six other leading teaching and research universities in forming Semester Online, the first education consortium to offer for-credit online courses to academically qualified undergraduate students.

Beginning this fall, Semester Online will offer courses through a consortium of top-ranked universities that includes Boston College, Brandeis University, Emory University, Northwestern University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Notre Dame, and Washington University in St. Louis.

In partnership with 2U, the nation’s leading online education provider, the courses will feature live class sessions with leading professors, self-paced course materials, and a strong social network that will allow students to collaborate and establish personal relationships with peers online and with the host institution’s teaching staff.

Boston College will provide two academic courses when the program is launched this fall: How to Rule the

World, taught by Behrakis Professor of Hellenic Political Studies Robert Bartlett; and Vietnam: America’s War at Home and Abroad, taught

by Associate Professor of History Seth Jacobs.

“Boston College is pleased to partner with Semester Online in offering this first-of-its-kind service to qualified students who desire to take online courses with some of the best professors at seven of the nation’s leading universities,” said Provost and Dean of Faculties Cutberto Garza. “It is an exciting opportunity to explore this consortial approach to online undergraduate education and share our teaching excellence with a wider audience in partnership with peer schools and the nation’s leader in online education.”

“By making for-credit online undergraduate coursework a reality for these top schools, Semester Online represents an important milestone for undergraduate education, one that will influence the wider adoption of for-credit online learning across all of higher education,” said Chip Paucek, co-founder and CEO of 2U. “Semester Online demonstrates 2U’s mission to help Continued on page 4

Provost Garza to Step Down

By Jack Dunn Director of News & Public Affairs

Provost and Dean of Faculties Cutberto Garza has announced that he will step down from his position on June 30 after eight years of service. Garza will take a year-long study leave as he transitions to his new role as University Professor starting in September of 2014.

During his tenure, Garza strengthened Boston College’s faculty, enhanced the University’s research capability and boosted its academic reputation. He also helped to establish effective assessment procedures that led to increased efficiencies in academic

Cutberto Garza

areas.

“Serving as Boston College’s chief academic officer since 2005 has been a personal privilege,” said Garza. “I have learned much and enjoyed working with faculty, adContinued on page 8

“We take a big-picture view of innovation and match faculty with the technologies that best suit their needs. It’s not just about the widget or what the technology does, but about how we can innovate with it.”

— Executive Director for Academic Technology Rita Owens, page 9

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Chronicle may 9, 2013

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A special tip of the cap with the University of Miami.

Each officer was presented with a BC baseball cap, and Lieutenant John King was introduced to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Behind him, the rest of the BCPD officers looked on, all donning their new Eagles caps.

“It was really cool that Lieutenant King threw out the first pitch,” Gambino explained.

“And then our boys each walked out and shook their hands and thanked them. It was really just a simple way for us to say thank you.”

They never asked for any acknowledgment, but it was clear that the officers of the BCPD were excited to be part of the ceremony, no matter how mod-

est it may have been. While some officers reported back to the station for business as usual, others stayed for a couple innings of the game.

“It was a special opportunity to show our appreciation to a group of people like BCPD who don’t really get the recognition they deserve unless a situation like this happens,” said freshman pitcher Jeff Burke. “It was a simple thing we could do, but it was great to have the opportunity to thank them for keeping us safe.”

—Michael Maloney Look for the BCPD-BC baseball exchange in the video “Boston College Remembers the Boston Marathon” on the BC YouTube channel [youtube.com/BostonCollege]

Members of the Boston College Police Department and baseball team exchanged caps at a pregame ceremony. (Photo by Lee Pellegrini)

offered lunchtime tips on how effective communication can be the key to getting a new job, and how to balance eating and talking during a luncheon interview.

BC Career Center Associate Director Lou Gaglini spoke on “The Art of Compensation Negotiation – Creating a Win/ Win.” Alumni participants also included keynote speaker Transition Solutions Vice President and General Manager Donna Sullivan ’85 and Great Heights Coaching founder Kim Meninger ’97. Other presenters included Reebok International Senior Director of Human Resources Lisa Cronan, Bay State Milling Vice President for Human Resources Valerie Hawkes, Suffolk Construction Chief People Officer Weber Torres and Transition Solutions Technology Director Barry Simpson and Senior Consultant Elizabeth Hayes.

—Rosanne Pellegrini

monitors seismic activity around the globe.

The April 26 gathering at the observatory announced the creation of the James W. Skehan, SJ, Graduate Research Awards for students in the department and at the Weston Observatory.

To date, the fund has grown to approximately $40,000.

Those who wish to contribute to the fund can contact Marilyn Bibeau at the Weston Observatory via email at marilyn.bibeau@ bc.edu.

—Ed Hayward The Boston College

Chronicle

Director of NEWS & Public Affairs

Jack Dunn Deputy Director of NEWS & Public AFFAIRS

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Patricia Delaney

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and-A session with Bigelow and a networking reception.

During Bigelow’s keynote session, “Advice from a CEO: Profile for Success,” she shared her insights on how to successfully navigate the job market and work your way up the ladder within your current position.

Founded in 1945 by her grandmother and headquartered in Fairfield, Ct., Bigelow Tea remains a family owned business and employs 330 people across three manufacturing facilities.

Bigelow joined the company in 1984 and spent her first 20 years in virtually all areas before she assumed the presidency in 2005.

Her diverse background and experience are credited for much of the company’s recent success.

In a presentation titled “Eat Your Lunch, Not Your Words,” BC Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations John Feudo ’82, author of I’d Rather Eat Live Spiders: A Definitive Guide to Becoming a Successful Speaker,

Colleagues and friends of Professor Emeritus James W. Skehan, SJ, helped him celebrate his 90th birthday at the Weston Observatory, where they announced the creation of a fund in his name to support graduate student research.

In 1958, Fr. Skehan founded the Department of Geology, a precursor to today’s Earth and Environmental Sciences Department, and in 1973 he launched the Weston Observatory.

Fr. Skehan is a renowned geologist whose research has focused on the history of the Avalon terrane, the geological micro-continent stretching from Long Island to Belgium upon which Boston lies. From 1973 to 1993, he directed the observatory, which

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Cindi Bigelow ’82, president and CEO of Bigelow Tea, capped a daylong career conference on “Leveraging Today’s Job Market,” held May 2 in Gasson Hall.

Speaking informally with moderator Christine Caswell ’89, BC Communication Department director of undergraduate studies, Bigelow described preferred characteristics of prospective employees and the keys to earning recognition and promotion within her organization. She also discussed her own career journey from her Boston College student days to her current role as head of Bigelow Tea, the national market leader of specialty teas.

Sponsored by the Alumni Association, the event drew 90 attendees – mostly alumni – who seek a job transition, a change in career fields or re-entry in the job market.

The program included information sessions, a panel discussion with corporate decisionmakers, a presentation and Q-

Fr. Skehan fund launched

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Bigelow talk highlights alumni job forum

TV and movie star Zach Braff was on hand last Saturday for the Baldwin Awards ceremony at Robsham Theater. Braff (with seniors Lindsey James and Morgan Fry Pasic, above) helped honor achievements in film-making by Boston College students. (Photo by Christopher Huang)

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The Boston College Police Department wasn’t looking for any credit.

In the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombings, BCPD did their job to make sure runners, spectators and students alike were all completely safe. And just four days later, when the entire city went on lockdown while the suspect was on the loose in Watertown, the men and women of the BCPD worked tirelessly to keep the campus safe for the thousands who call BC home.

During the lockdown, the BC baseball team was on a road trip against Wake Forest, and head coach Mike Gambino was watching the news unfold from his Winston-Salem, NC, hotel room.

“We heard about how they kept the dorms on lockdown, the campus closed, and didn’t let people on the campus,” Gambino said. “We just kept hearing those stories through the day and the next day and we knew we wanted to do something for BCPD.” Gambino immediately called Assistant Athletics Director of Operations Matt Conway, and they worked on the details to hold a small pregame ceremony for the department in an upcoming game.

Recently, on a beautiful Friday afternoon, the entire Boston College police force was invited on the field for the national anthem prior to BC’s matchup

Sean Smith Contributing Staff

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

Photo opp: Class of 2013 The Sesquicentennial class of 2013 has been invited to take a class photo before the annual Class Toast on May 16. The offices of Marketing Communications and Student Programs are coordinating the photo shoot and ask students to gather on the Higgins Stairs at 3 p.m. The photo will be taken rain or shine.

The picture will appear in the Annual Report and online, and may also run in other publications, including Boston College Magazine.

—Melissa Beecher

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.

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Chronicle may 9, 2013

Cowan to Speak at May 24 BC Law Commencement

Architectural rendering of the new Gasson Quad (looking toward Fulton and Lyons halls) as it will appear after this summer’s reconstruction project. Work will begin after Commencement.

New Look Coming for Gasson Quad Work on St. Mary’s, Merkert, Conte also to take place this summer

By Sean Smith Chronicle Editor

The Gasson Quad will undergo a major reconstruction this summer, a project that will include regrading, landscaping and other changes.

The summer’s campus construction also will see the St. Mary’s Hall renovations continue, the first phase of some key safety upgrades in several residence hall areas, and improvements to Merkert Chemistry Center and installation of an air conditioning system in Conte Forum.

The Quad project will entail replacing the present network of paths and its central hub with a diagonal north-to-south walkway, and leveling the area’s grade to provide improved pedestrian traffic flow and provide better outdoor function space. Most of the trees now standing will be removed to provide for a central open space, and replaced with flowering trees and seat walls around the perimeter. The large linden in the southern corner in front of Lyons Hall will be retained.

In addition, the stretch of roadway between Gasson Hall and the Quad will be converted into a pedestrian way, although it will still be accessible to emergency and utility vehicles.

Vice President for Facilities Management Daniel Bourque said the Gasson Quad project, which will begin May 21 — the day after Commencement — and is expected to be complete in late August, is part of a larger initiative to create an integrated combination of architecture and green space in the Middle Campus area. Last summer, the Plaza at O’Neill Library underwent a similar transformation that included landscaping and the construction of a new pedestrian

walkway leading to the Quad, while the opening of Stokes Hall in January provided another link.

“Once the Quad is redone, you will have a continuous path from the front of O’Neill to Stokes, creating a more unified campus,” said Bourque. “It will serve a practical purpose, obviously, but will also be a visual delight. As with the Plaza, the Quad will have more usable and attractive space for relaxation and recreation, or for public events.”

Bourque said the Quad will be closed to pedestrian traffic during the project, but efforts will be made to ensure access to Lyons and Fulton halls. He added that the ledge removal and other excavation work will create considerable noise.

“We are working with the departments and offices most affected to minimize disruptions,” said Bourque.

Another notable summer project will involve fire alarm and sprinkler system upgrades in Rubenstein Hall and the Mods, beginning what Bourque said will be “a major investment” in improving life safety-related infrastructure throughout campus residence halls.

Conte Forum will be a more comfortable environment when Facilities Management completes installation of a chiller and dehumidifier on the Conte roof, among other improvements, this summer. Bourque said the improved system will provide air conditioning to the main forum area, lobby, main concourse and Power Gym, and offer more comfort during large-scale events such as Pops on the Heights and First Year Convocation.

Also in the next few months, three teaching labs in the Merkert Chemistry Center will receive upgrades, including increased seating capacity, improved sightlines and updated equipment,

Bourque said.

Meanwhile, the two-year St. Mary’s project that began in January is “proceeding very well,” said Bourque. Installation of the building’s new cast stones and roofing is just beginning and will continue throughout the summer. Demolition and abatement is largely complete in the building’s interior, and the process of laying out plumbing and mechanical systems for the top three floors is under way, he said.

St. Mary’s will once again house the Boston College Jesuit community when it reopens as expected in December 2014, and its south wing will be the new location for the Communication and Computer Science departments and the Woods College of Advancing Studies in early 2015.

Construction-related updates on campus traffic and parking will be posted on BCInfo [www. bc.edu/bcinfo].

Contact Sean Smith at sean.smith@bc.edu

US Sen. William “Mo” Cowan (D-Mass.), former chief of staff for Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, will speak at this year’s Boston College Law School Commencement, which will be held in Conte Forum on May 24 at 10:30 a.m.

Cowan was appointed to the US Senate by Gov. Patrick on Feb. 1, filling the vacancy caused by the resignation of John F. Kerry JD’76, who was named US Secretary of State by President Barack Obama.

He is a member of the Senate Agriculture, Commerce, and Small Business committees.

In 2009, Cowan joined the Patrick administration as chief legal counsel, advising the governor on legal and policy issues, judicial selection, legislation and all legal issues concerning the governor and the Office of the Governor. Gov. Patrick appointed him to serve as his chief of staff in December of 2010.

For the 12 years prior to his entering government, Cowan practiced civil litigation as an associate, and later as a partner, in the Boston office of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, PC. He represented a diverse array of commercial clients in matters involving corporate governance, financial mismanagement and malfeasance and money laundering investigations, as well as clients at trial on cases involving environmental releases and remediation, patent disputes and consumer protection claims.

From 1994-97, he was a litigation associate with Peabody and Arnold. Cowan also served for six months as a special assistant district attorney in the Office of the Middlesex County District Attorney during 2000.

Among other honors, Cowan has been cited as an “Outstanding Young Leader” by the Boston

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US Sen. William “Mo” Cowan (D-Mass.)

Jaycees, a “Corporate Citizen of the Month” by the Boston Bar Journal, and a “Top 40 Business Leader Under 40” by the Boston Business Journal.

His community work includes serving on the Corporation for Northeastern University, as director and officer for Project STEP Inc., and as a trustee for the Discovering Justice Foundation and The Chestnut Hill School.

“I’m very pleased that Senator Cowan has agreed to address our graduates this year,” said BC Law Dean Vincent Rougeau. “He has had a remarkable career as a litigator, has shown great leadership in serving as special district attorney and Gov. Patrick’s chief legal counsel and chief of staff, and was an excellent choice to fill the vacancy in the US Senate. I think he is an inspiring example for our students, and I’m looking forward to hearing what he has to say to the class of 2013.”

More information on the Boston College Law School Commencement is available at www. bc.edu/lawcommencement.

—Law School Marketing and Communications Director Nathaniel Kenyon

A TASTE FOR CELEBRATION—In honor of the University’s Sesquicentennial, Boston College celebrated Founders Day on April 30 by serving cake in Corcoran, McElroy and Stuart dining commons. (Photo by Lee Pellegrini)

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BC Cited as a Leader in Energy Conservation

By Patricia Delaney Deputy Director of News & Public Affairs

The University has received a strong endorsement for its ongoing campaign to trim campus energy use from Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP), which will recognize Boston College as a Northeast Business Leader for Energy Efficiency at the organization’s summit gathering in June.

Nominated for the recognition by NSTAR, Boston College is being honored for its successful efforts to achieve energy savings through investment in cost efficient measures, comprehensive changes in major energy systems, continued improvements in energy performance through management level support and operational practices, and demonstrated leadership to advance energy efficiency and promote its benefits within the University community.

So far, BC’s efforts have resulted in annual energy savings of more than 4 million kilowatt hours, and cost savings of $650,000 plus additional incentives from NSTAR. “We are extremely pleased to be recognized by Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships,” said Director of Engineering and Energy Management Terence Leahy. “As we celebrate the Sesquicentennial anniversary of BC’s founding, all of the energy conservation projects that are being performed on existing buildings, as well as the efforts to install energy efficient products in new construction, show we are determined to enter the next chapter of the University’s history with energy efficiency at the forefront.”

The multiple conservation measures implemented on campus include more than 1.4 million square feet in lighting upgrades since 2010, as well as improvements to walk-in cooler and freezer controls, which now give Dining Services the capability to receive alerts about any warming issues. This energy conservation measure will save the University more than 28,000 kWh, in addition to the saving that comes from turning off fans when they are not needed.

Campus lighting upgrades performed in 2012, which included motion sensing, daylight harvesting, and ballasts replacements, have saved more than 800,000 kWh. The University also has taken advantage of incentives for new construction projects, result-

ing in another 700,000 kWh in energy savings, and implemented a submeter system that allows administrators to diagnose high energy use areas and establish baseline consumption for energy conservation measures.

In addition, some of the important, but less noticeable measures rolled out include the replacement of 700 residence refrigerators with new Energy Star models and the distribution of 7,000 12.5 Watt LED bulbs to students.

“Support for energy efficiency can be found in all areas of campus,” said Leahy. “Students, staff, faculty and administrators have all contributed to the successful implementation of multiple energy conservation projects. With the current level of commitment we are certain to see a continued success.”

Leahy also credits NSTAR, which in 2011 entered into a cooperative agreement with BC to target energy efficiency opportunities on campus, for its role in advancing BC’s conservation campaign.

“Our memorandum of understanding with NSTAR has really opened our eyes to new energy conservation measures and new vendors. We meet regularly with NSTAR to review our savings progress and discuss new measures,” said Leahy, who cited in particular the support of NSTAR Senior Vice President of Corporate and Customer Relations Joe Nolan and his team members, Tracy McDevitt, Pam Pandolfi and John Kibbee, who he says have demonstrated a significant commitment to improving BC’s overall efficiency.

Boston College will be honored with 11 other organizations at NEEP’s June summit, which, as the premier regional forum on energy efficiency in the Northeast, brings together leaders from public policy, business, energy efficiency solutions, and consumer and environmental advocacy.

“NEEP is proud to recognize Boston College for its success and commitment to energy efficiency,” said NEEP Executive Director Sue Coakley. “BC provides an excellent example of how energy efficient measures can improve a company’s bottom line, contribute to economic growth and reduce environmental impact.”

More information about the Northeast Business Leaders for Energy Efficiency Program can be found at www.neep.org.

Contact Patricia Delaney at patricia.delaney@bc.edu

Commencement App Arrives, Just in Time

By Melissa Beecher Staff Writer

Commencement day questions?

There’s an app for that.

Information Technology Systems Web Technology Group has designed and produced the Boston College 2013 Commencement app [www.bc.edu/2013] to help parents and grads navigate through the annual event, which this year takes place on May 20. From parking and diploma ceremonies to seating maps of Alumni Stadium and locations of complimentary water stands or places to buy flowers, the app is packed with helpful information.

For the past year, ITS Web Support Manager Scott Olivieri and his team have worked with Commencement organizers from various departments to create the best user experience for campus visitors. Any smartphone user can enter the URL in his or her web browser and the complete website is downloaded to the phone. Once downloaded, the site can be accessed locally in its entirety — even if a user loses a Wi-Fi connection.

“Commencement is a special day not only for the graduates, but also their families who have invested so much in the education of their student, but may not be as familiar with the campus,” said Olivieri. “This is a new technology and a new approach to help visitors navigate the campus.”

Vice President and University Secretary Terrence Devino, SJ, said access to this type of technology has

become an expectation.

“In this day and age, every student is comfortable with technology.

Apps are their world and we wanted to make sure Commencement was an optimal experience for students and their families,” said Fr. Devino.

“From a practical standpoint, this is a great way to directly communicate with the thousands of people who will be joining us on the Boston College campus for Commencement.”

The app allows organizers to provide notifications to users – if rain changes the location of a ceremony, for example, users will see a notification icon appear in the upper right corner of the app with updated information. The ability to notify the public of changes instantly was of particular interest to Transportation and Parking Manager P.J. Cappadona, who is keenly aware of the challenges Commencement traffic can place on the community.

“The app will provide better access to information for transportation-related matters, specifically related to satellite parking, shuttles, golf carts and all of the planning detail related to each. The opportunity to provide updates, should something change, is helpful to us,” said Cappadona.

“I love the links to driving directions, parking information and shuttle bus locators most,” he said.

“Each is now available in a format that people tend to reach for when they need information – right on

their phone. They do not have to try and find a program or a piece of paper while trying to navigate the streets of Brighton or the Mass Pike.”

Executive Director of Student Services Louise Lonabocker shared in the excitement surrounding the launch of the Commencement app.

“Scott and his extraordinary team have managed to capture everything students and guests may need to know to plan and attend commencement including maps, parking locations, FAQs, and a listing of events for the weekend. You can even find the exact location of flower vendors or ATM machines,” said Lonabocker. “And best of all? It works on any device.”

In addition, the app provides information about Senior Week, cap and gown rentals, Commencement speakers, the history of BC’s Commencement and moving information.

The technical team of designers included James O’Neill, Ramiro Oliva, Pravab Rana, Kul Thapa and Peter Salvitti. In creating the campus maps, ITS utilized support support from Facilities Management administrators Lynn Berkeley and Mark Lewis. Constantin Andronache, who works in research services, also provided formatting support.

“We’re all just really excited for the community to get this in their hands and start using this app,” said Olivieri.

Contact Melissa Beecher at melissa.beecher@bc.edu

Online Education Venture to Begin in Fall Continued from page 1 great schools go online and provide high-quality learning experiences for credit, empowering students to continue their education as they follow their ambitions anywhere.”

Beginning this fall, Semester Online will be available to academically qualified students attending consortium schools and other schools across the country and throughout the world. The regular tuition consortium students pay to their home institutions will cover the cost of taking a class offered through Semester Online during the academic year. Students from external institutions will pay a fee for each course. Unlike the limitless enrollments of so-called Massive Open Online Courses, known as MOOCs, Semester Online courses will be capped, with individual sections limited to no more than approximately 20 students.

Through the online platform created by 2U, classes will com-

bine live and online elements and encourage students to collaborate through virtual classrooms and working groups. Students will be able to learn online through lectures, demonstrations and exercises and will collaborate with peers through online small group sections.

Semester Online will begin accepting applications from students to enroll in the inaugural semester this fall. Students who are currently enrolled in a four-year, regionally accredited institution and are in good academic standing are eligible to apply. In addition to those being offered by BC, fall 2013 semester online courses include: Emory University—Drugs and Behavior; Baseball and American Culture; History of Religions in America Northwestern University—Integrated Marketing Communications University of North Carolina

at Chapel Hill—Financial Accounting and Reporting; Leading and Managing: An Introduction to Organizational Behavior University of Notre Dame— Shakespeare and Film; The Rise of Christianity Washington University in St. Louis—Environmental and Energy Policies “The two courses we are offering this fall are popular courses offered by two of Boston College’s most respected and imaginative professors,” said Garza. “Students who sign on through Semester Online will enjoy the rigorous learning experience and the opportunity to learn from two dynamic educators who are outstanding scholars in their respective fields.”

Additional Information about Semester Online courses and the application process is available at www.semesteronline.org.

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Chronicle may 9, 2013

By Sean Smith Chronicle Editor

Mathematics Professor Martin Bridgeman has been awarded a Simons Fellowship to help support his research in moduli spaces.

Bridgeman will use the fellowship to extend his semester sabbatical to a full-year sabbatical, attend math institutes in Providence and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and work with various collaborators. He is the second Boston College Mathematics faculty member to win a Simons Fellowship in the past year: Professor G. Robert Meyerhoff received the award in 2012 for his work on hyperbolic 3-manifolds.

Established by the Simons Foundation — a New York City-based private institution that sponsors programs to advance the frontiers of research in mathematics and science — the fellowships are awarded based on an applicant’s scientific accomplishment in the five-year period preceding the application and on the potential scientific impact of the leave period.

“I am deeply honored to be included among the list of awardees,” said Bridgeman, a faculty member since 1999. “I have always admired the mathematical

Lee Pellegrini

Simons Fellowship for Math’s Bridgeman

Martin Bridgeman

work of [foundation chairman] Professor James Simons, who made important contributions to the field of geometry — specifically the development of ChernSimons theory, a cornerstone of modern math and physics — during his early math career.”

Bridgeman’s research is concerned with the interaction between the relation of the topological and structural properties of space with its geometry and shape. This involves the study of moduli spaces, which he described as “the space of shapes of a given space.”

Said Bridgeman, “In a recent paper with my collaborators, we define a geometry on this space, a shape on the space of shapes, whose study will take up much of the sabbatical.”

Another branch of research, he said, is the study of identities on moduli spaces. “An identity is defined as an equation satisfied by a space, like how x^2 + y^2 = r^2 on a circle. In a recent paper, I discovered an identity on moduli space that generalizes some classical identities going back some 200 years. I will continue to work on this with my collaborators during the year.”

Mathematics Chair Professor Solomon Friedberg hailed Bridgeman’s achievement, which adds to a recent surge of good news for the department: Sloan Research Fellowships to Assistant Professors Joshua E. Greene and David Treumann, a National Science Foundation Career Award to Assistant Professor Elisenda Grigsby and election as Fellow of the American Mathematical Society for Professor Avner Ash. “These milestones indicate that scholarship in mathematics at BC is of nationally recognized significance, and that both junior and senior faculty in our department are competing successfully at the very highest levels,” said Friedberg. “I offer my sincere congratulations to Martin for his Simons Fellowship, as well as to my other colleagues who are being recognized for their outstanding scholarship.”

Sullivan Artist-in-Residence Seamus Connolly, director of the University’s Irish Studies music programs, will receive the Ellis Island Medal of Honor from the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations (NECO) this Saturday in recognition of his distinguished career as one of the world’s most respected master Irish musicians.

The Ellis Island Medals of Honor annually pay tribute to the ancestry groups that comprise America’s unique cultural mosaic.

The medals are presented on Ellis Island to American citizens for their outstanding contributions to their communities, their nation and the world. Past Ellis Island Medal of Honor recipients include six Presidents of the United States, Nobel Prize winners, athletes, and leaders of industry, artists and others whose work has made a lasting impact on humanity.

Actress Mia Farrow, recording artist Dionne Warwick, Surgeon General Regina M. Benjamin, MD, and US Rep. Peter King (R-NY) will join Connolly as this year’s honorees.

A Boston College faculty member since 1990, Connolly — who immigrated to the US from his

Lee Pellegrini

Connolly to Receive Medal of Honor

Seamus Connolly

native Killaloe in County Clare in 1976 — has cultivated a decadeslong list of accomplishments, having won numerous competitions and received various awards and other tributes. His achievements include a record 10 All-Ireland fiddle championships, selection

by Irish America magazine as one of the top 100 Irish Americans, “Traditional Musician of the Year” honors from the Irish Echo, and induction into the worldwide Irish cultural organization Comhaltas Ceoltoírí Éireann’s Hall of Fame.

At BC, Connolly founded and directed the Gaelic Roots Summer

School and Arts Festival and its successor, the Gaelic Roots Music, Song, Dance, Concert and Lecture Series — renowned for bringing some of the most notable traditional musicians to campus for concerts, workshops and other public events. In addition to his contributions as fiddle player, organizer and scholar, Connolly has helped promote Irish music as a teacher and mentor to untold numbers of budding musicians, at BC and elsewhere.

“I am honored and humbled by this award, especially when I see the list of previous recipients,” said Connolly. “Through the years, I have had the kind assistance and support of so many dear friends, in the US, Ireland and many other places. I accept this honor on behalf of all the great musicians, singers and dancers I’ve known, and from whom I’ve learned so much.”

Fittingly, Connolly has been asked to perform at this Saturday’s Ellis Island Medals of Honor awards ceremony. He plans to play two traditional Irish tunes, “The Shores of America” and “First Night in America.”

—Sean Smith

Lee Pellegrini

5

Q&A

Donald Brown Award Winner Rayana Grace

Rayana Grace ’13, a sociology major with a minor in African and African Diaspora Studies from New Bedford, was recently announced as this year’s recipient of the Dr. Donald Brown Award, which honors a senior for extraordinary contributions to Boston College, and particularly the AHANA community, in the areas of leadership, service, and academic development.

A Thea Bowman Scholar, Grace has been a member of the Cape Verdean Student Association and Voices of Imani gospel choir her four years at BC, and active in the Black Student Forum, AHANA Leadership Council, Dialogues on Race, Black History Month Planning Committee and the Ella Baker Freshman Mentorship Program, among others. Her activities outside BC have included co-organizing a retreat for black Catholic youth in New England and interning at Community Change Inc., an anti-racism non-profit in Boston.

Last week, Grace — who plans to pursue graduate studies and a career in public policy — discussed her various experiences and activities at BC, and what she’ll remember most about the Heights.

(The full interview is available at www. bc.edu/chronicle) What were your first impressions of BC as a freshman? How have these impressions changed during your four years?

When I first came to BC I was very intimidated. Like the rest of my peers, I was used to being at the top of my class. As a freshman in a 300-person chemistry lecture hall, I was overwhelmed and started doubting my own abilities to succeed in the classroom. Through the years I’ve realized that while people may seem like they have it all together and may know everything, they have the same questions I do. I am completely confident in all of my classes and I am willing to participate and ask for help whenever I need it.

You’ve been part of the Cape Verdean Student Association for your whole time at BC. Talk a little about your Cape Verdean heritage and what it means to you, and the role CVSA has played in your four years at BC. CVSA has definitely shaped my experience at BC. I gained mentors through the upperclassmen that helped guide me for my first two years. As the AHANA Caucus representative, I was introduced to many students whom I might not have met otherwise and was able to participate

in different organizations’ events, such as the Southeast Asian Student Association and Philippine Society of Boston College culture shows. Serving as president and co-president, I developed leadership skills, time management, event planning, and how to interact with faculty and administration. CVSA was undoubtedly one of my favorite parts of being at BC. You’ve been doing a research project on the impact of gun and gang violence on Cape Verdean youth — talk about that experience.

I am a student in the Community Research Program, a class that allows students to pick a topic concerning a group of color and work on a research study that brings about policy implications. What interested me in the topic was just personal experience from living back home in New Bedford and seeing the impact that homicides were having on the friends and family members of those who were killed. There is not much research on Cape Verdeans or New Bedford and I think that this is an imperative issue that needs to be addressed with public policy.

Who have been some of the most important people for you at BC? Three upperclasswomen that mentored me as a freshman were Patricia Baptiste, Titciana Barros, and Catherine Duarte. They definitely helped me navigate through my first years and lead by example for me to see what it meant to be a student leader at BC. As women of color, more specifically Cape Verde women, I looked up to them.

[Assistant Director of Student Programs] Karl Bell, [Assistant Dean of Students] Paulette Durrett, [AHANA Student Programs Director] Ines Maturana-Sendoya, [Sociology faculty member] Betsy Leondar-Wright, the entire African and African Diaspora Studies Department, and [African and African Diaspora Studies faculty member] Chauncey McGlathery have all been crucial to my formation as a student.

Also, Joao — our custodian in Stayer Hall — always gives me a daily Portuguese lesson and is always willing to help when I need him. And lastly, my roommates and best friends are who have made my BC experience what it is and what I will miss the most after graduation.

—Sean Smith Full interview at www.bc.edu/chronicle

T he B oston C ollege

Chronicle may 9, 2013

6

SENIORS TO REMEMBER

Taylour Kumpf

Hometown: Columbus, Neb. Major: English, minor in Environmental Studies Notable activities: Editor-in-chief of The Heights; campus tour guide for Undergraduate Admission; College of Arts and Sciences Honors Program; member of research group that helped launch BC’s first-ever Sustainable Living-Learning Community.

Post-graduation plans: Pursue a career in publishing in New York City.

Overview: A talented writer and editor and respected voice among students, this former editor-in-chief of The Heights, whose commitment often exceeded 50 hours per week, managed more than 200 students and helped the paper win two coveted ACP Pacemaker Awards for excellence in college journalism. She also won (along with David Cote ’14) the Christopher A. Georges Award for Excellence in Student Journalism from the Neiman Foundation, while also finding time to serve as a volunteer tour guide for Undergraduate Admission.

How have your activities influenced your four years at Boston College?

The years I spent writing and working as an editor for The Heights completely defined my Boston College career. I could never have predicted when I first stepped foot on this campus just how important The Heights would come to be, but the experience has truly been a blessing.

The people I’ve met, the friendships I’ve made, and the large family I’ve become a part of can’t be matched.

Moreover, The Heights has provided me with a unique perspective on campus life and the BC community at large. In reporting on the issues that have shaped this University and interacting with administrators and student leaders, I feel I have come to know this place quite well – it’s a place committed to its students, it’s a place dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge – both in and out of the classroom – and it’s a place I will forever call home.

Which faculty members had the greatest effect on your personal development?

Mary Joe Hughes in the A&S Honors Program had a great effect on me. Her passion for education is incredibly inspiring, and her believing in me helped me to recognize my own self-worth. I will never forget, on the last day of class my sophomore year, when she brought in a big bag of composted dirt from her garden and dumped it in the middle of the table.

She told us we all had to go out now and cultivate our own gardens. Maybe it’s the fact that I did landscaping for three summers throughout high school, but this spoke to me in ways I cannot fully express in words.

I also had the opportunity to take two classes with [Professor] Carlo Rotella in English, and one, Magazine Writing, was far and away the most practical class I took at BC; the other, The City in Literature and Film, left me wanting to ask him for his movie recommendations.

I also had the great fortune of taking Religious Quest with [Theology Associate Professor] John McDargh.

Conversations with six members of the Class of 2013 who exemplify what’s best about Boston College

Photos by Caitlin Cunningham

Lisa Piccirillo

—By Jack Dunn

Hometown: Greenwood, Me. Major: Mathematics Notable activities: Recipient of a 2013 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship; Undergraduate Research Fellow, teaching assistant, grader and tutor for Mathematics Department; co-founder and director, BCTalks; co-founder and vice president, Education for Students by Students (ESS); co-founder and director, BC Splash; presenter at Undergraduate Research Symposium; Member of Pi Mu Epsilon.

Post-graduation plans: Piccirillo will pursue a doctorate in pure mathematics at the University of Texas at Austin. She plans on a career as a research professor.

Overview: Lisa Piccirillo has made a name for herself in the University’s Mathematics Department, becoming the first undergraduate math major to earn a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship in at least the last two decades. She has participated in, and delivered talks or made presentations at, at a number of prestigious outside programs and conferences, including the Women and Mathematics program at the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton; the NSF’s Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) at Cornell University; the Young Mathematicians Conference at The Ohio State University; and the Joint Math Meetings – the world’s largest math conference. She has co-authored a paper titled “On Unit Triangle and Square Tilings” (publication forthcoming). Seeing a lack of opportunities for undergraduates to share their

Hometown: Bayonne, NJ Major: Psychology, pre-med Notable activities: Tutor, 4Boston program; translator for non-Spanishspeaking doctors; director of social justice, Residence Hall Association; director, Multicultural Leadership Experience; varsity sports cheerleader; member, Organization of Latin American Affairs (OLAA); Dean’s List every semester; winner, 2012 Archbishop Oscar A. Romero Scholarship.

Post-graduation Plans: A two-year commitment to Teach for America, followed by medical school.

Overview: Soares exemplifies success in making it out of what he calls “a rough life.” Born into limited resources, Soares says his hard-working immigrant parents are an inspiration. His efforts to lead school-wide programs for awareness of different social injustices were rewarded last year when he received the prestigious Archbishop Oscar A. Romero Scholarship, recognizing a BC junior who best personifies the ideals and values of Archbishop Romero, an activist

for the poor. This first-generation college student conducts clinical research on lymphoma in mice and plans on becoming a doctor in the Latino community.

Talk about some of the work you did with the Residence Hall Association and the Multicultural Leadership Experience.

I made an effort to create campuswide programs and panel discussions each semester focusing on social issues such as racial discrimination, sexual orientation, sexual identity, and educational issues like educational reform, teacher status, and the achievement gap. I truly want to continue this work as I go into my future endeavors.

Who has had the most profound influence during your time at Boston College?

I would say my professors, definitely. [Associate Professor] John McDargh in the Theology Department: His class opened my eyes to having an open mind and living a better way of life. Professor David McFadden in the Chemistry Department: He’s just been a great influence — just pushing me to keep going, do better,

When I think of what it means to attend a Jesuit, Catholic institution, I think of Professor McDargh. He cares so deeply about his students and inspires not only religious, but also personal and intellectual growth. He has been an important spiritual guide in my life, and the lessons he taught me will not soon be forgotten.

How has Boston College made a difference in your life?

I took a giant leap of faith when I decided to attend Boston College four years ago. Coming from a small town in Nebraska where people rarely leave, I was reminded repeatedly of the risk I was taking. But what my time at Boston College has taught me that dreaming big and taking risks are worth it. Even if you fail, you learn something in the process. My Boston College education has made me a more complete person – one who is sure of her convictions and ready for the next big leap.

What will you miss most about BC? In this setting, at this moment, I feel as if anything is possible. I know who I am, I know who my friends are, and as I begin the next leg of the race, I will miss that assured feeling. I will miss the people who make BC so special to me – not only my Heights family, but everyone on this campus, because we are all connected. Each person ­– every faculty member, every student ­– plays a role in creating a challenging academic setting while, at the same time, nurturing the development of the person you’re meant to be.

Rui Soares

research, academic projects and other intellectual pursuits with peers, she helped found BCTalks, a TEDTalksinspired lecture series by undergraduates for undergraduates held once a semester. Piccirillo also co-founded BC Splash, which has hosted more than 1,000 high school students for one-day courses taught by BC undergraduates.

Have you always known you wanted a career in abstract math?

I have always been interested in math, but for a long time it was sort of an anticipatory interest. I liked things like trig and calculus in their own right — these are subjects where the bulk of the work is in performing routines such as taking a derivative, but I also thought or hoped that there might be something more to math than performing operations. Turns out there is, and I discovered this explicitly in Intro to Abstract Math with [Professor] Ben Howard. That was really exciting, and that course re-

and step it up. Also, [Adjunct Assistant Professor] Joseph Burdo in the Biology Department: He’s been a really great guy. He’s one of the youngest professors so I really connect with him a lot on different issues.

How do you think your activities influenced your four years at BC? Without my activities, I don’t think I would be the person that I am today – so ready to go, ready to conquer life, having the skills and tools to really achieve anything. It’s added to the confidence level that I have – 100 percent. I’ve been through it all, and

ally solidified my intentions to study math in the long term.

What has been a favorite experience during your time at BC? One of my favorite experiences was getting to know the BC student body through the lens of Splash. We often interact with our peers in a strictly social setting, which is fun, but can limit the extent to which we know someone. People don’t love it when I talk about math at parties (for some reason), and this is true more generally. Chemistry or political science may be a huge part of your friend’s interests or identity but if you hang out with them exclusively on the weekends you may never know.

In the Splash course catalog, people’s passions and interests come into the spotlight. I felt like I met the student body all over again, and that they were even cooler the second time around.

Who have been some of your most influential professors?

The entire Math Department has been great. BC has a lot of examples of brilliant mathematicians who are also fantastic teachers and cool people. [Assistant Professor] Eli Grigsby has been especially supportive and inspiring, [Assistant Professor] Josh Greene as well. It’s great to work with people who embody a lot of the characteristics and goals that you have for yourself; they remind you that it’s all possible.

What will you miss most about BC? I have met really incredible people here. I will miss them enormously.

—By Kathleen Sullivan I’m ready to tackle anything.

What do you think you’ll miss the most about Boston College?

Definitely my roommates. I’ve had four years with them, and they’re my best friends: Michael Lopes, Sam Broadhurst, Justin Latona, Anthony Cusano, John Doherty and Matt Pare.

These guys I’ve experienced everything with, all the ups and down of school.

It’s been such a great road with these guys. I’m also going to miss my other campus friends and seeing familiar faces. Not being able to see like a hundred kids that you know a day, it’s going to be very difficult and very different.

What advice would you give to incoming freshmen?

Just get involved. Seriously. There’s so many clubs and organizations at BC you can really be a part of. You don’t have to do 20 clubs, but find the right thing because it’s going to make your four years much more fulfilling. It goes by really fast. Don’t let anybody tell you “no” to achieving some of the things you want to achieve in college.

Keep an open mind and keep the drive.

—By Sean Hennessey

T he B oston C ollege

Chronicle may 9, 2013

Sandra Dickson

Hometown: Newark, NJ Major: Nursing Notable activities: 2012 Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship winner; Undergraduate Research Fellow; senior leader and sophomore point guard, 48 Hours; assistant director of Volunteers Corps, AHANA Leadership Council; co-chair, Black History Month Committee; KILN (Keys to Inclusive Leadership in Nursing) Scholar; research assistant, outreach coordinator, Office of AHANA Student Programs; member of Alpha Chi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International.

Post-graduation plans: Dickson will join the New Graduate Nurse Residency Program at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. She plans to eventually become a nurse practitioner.

Overview: As an Undergraduate Research Fellow, Dickson worked with Connell School of Nursing Assistant Professor Allyssa Harris on a women’s health project and co-presented, with Harris, the research at the National Black Nurses Association’s conference in Orlando. Dickson has worked for three years in the Office of AHANA Student Programs and has been a dedicated member of UGBC’s AHANA Leadership Council. Last year, she led fundraising and logistical efforts for ALC’s annual service trip to Mississippi, where she and other student volunteers served as teaching assistants and tutors, coordinated afterschool activities at a community center and talked to high school students. This year she conducted her community health clinical in Haiti, part of a team of nurses providing care to hundreds of patients a day at

Pat Mullane

Hometown: Wallingford, Conn.

Major: Economics Notable activities: Captain of the 2012-2013 men’s ice hockey team; volunteer tutor and mentor at St. Columbkille Partnership School in Brighton.

Post-graduation plans: Signed to play professional hockey this fall for the Chicago Blackhawks American Hockey League affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs.

Overview: As captain of the 2012 men’s ice hockey team, Pat Mullane led the most celebrated class in BC sports history, winning two national championships, three Hockey East championships and four Beanpot titles in four years. Respected throughout the NCAA for his intelligence, poise and maturity, he also distinguished himself as a volunteer at the St. Columbkille Partnership School in Brighton, where he tutored and mentored students on a weekly basis throughout his four years.

How have your activities influenced your years at Boston College?

I am so fortunate to have been a student at Boston College and to have played hockey for coach Jerry York. Wearing the maroon and gold is the greatest honor any collegiate athlete could ever ask for. I also loved my academic experience at BC, from the classes to the ac-

mobile medical clinics.

How did your PULSE field placement affect you?

Freshman year I took PULSE with [Adjunct Assistant Professor of Philosophy] Mary Troxell. My placement was at Samaritans, working the hotline. It was such an amazing learning experience. When I thought about marginalized populations, I had always thought about the poor. Here the marginalized had mental health issues, and it didn’t matter if you were young or old or rich or poor. The callers were in crisis and my job was to listen.

I really learned the power of listening. It helped me later be a better nurse in my clinical settings. It also made me realize I was so privileged because at the end of the day, I had roommates I could talk to. That experience really set the tone for my four years at BC. Talk about your experience as a team leader for the Office of First Year Experience’s 48 Hours retreat for freshmen.

As a senior leader, I gave a talk about friends and relationships. I came cessibility of professors outside of the classroom. There are so many people at Boston College who are here to help students. They helped to shape me as a student and an athlete into a well-rounded person.

I also really enjoyed my experience as a tutor and mentor at St. Columbkille School. I was paired these last four years with a little boy named Justin. This year, he was accepted into seventh grade at Roxbury Latin. It was one of the most rewarding things for me watching him progress, knowing that I had a small impact on his life that will help him to one day get to the point where he can be as fortunate as I am.

Which faculty members and mentors had the greatest effect on your personal development?

[Associate Professor] Fabio Ghironi in Economics and [parttime faculty member] Andrea Defusco in English were two of my favorite professors. Professor Ghironi truly cared about what his students thought and wanted to be sure they learned and understood the material. Professor Defusco loved her subject and her students, and was so willing to help anyone who needed it.

In addition, Jerry York has affected me in so many ways. To learn from him and watch how he conducts himself and treats other

[to the US] from Ghana when I was nine years old and in the fourth grade.

I talked about how I found my way out of being bullied through academics.

Who have been some of your most influential professors or staff members?

Everyone at the Office of AHANA Student Programs has been so supportive. I took [Sociology Associate Professor] Shawn McGuffey’s Race, Class and Gender class and I learned so much. [Undergraduate Admission Associate Director] Howard Singer has help me and been so supportive of me. Allyssa Harris has been more than just a professor and advisor. She has been a mother figure to me, pushing me to challenge myself. [CSON Associate Dean] Cathy Read has been phenomenal. She has definitely made a difference in my life.

How has BC made a difference in your life?

I think differently now than I did before I came to BC. My perspective has evolved and matured. I view the world in a different light. I can more easily see the other side of things.

Where I come from [Ghana], we believe that “it takes a village to raise a child,” and BC has played a role. I look at health care through a social justice lens. BC has added to the values my family had already taught me.

What will you miss most about BC? My mentors. All the opportunities that are here to volunteer or to have day-to-day encounters where I have real conversations with people about things like women’s issues or race. I will miss the school pride. When I tell people I go to BC, or they see me wearing a BC t-shirt, I always hear something positive. That feels good.

—By Kathleen Sullivan

people was invaluable. He remains a wonderful role model for me, and represents the type of person I aspire to be. When he eventually retires, he will be remembered more for the person that he is rather than his 930-plus wins.

[Campus Ministry Director] Fr. Tony Penna was also a huge part of my Boston College experience.

What he brings in terms of advice and support to this community is unmatched. He is a remarkable person and priest who is so easy to talk to. He is truly a wonderful resource for Boston College.

How has Boston College made a difference in your life?

When I was growing up, I al-

John “Marty” Long

Hometown: Marietta, Ga. Majors: Management, with a concentration in finance, and Hispanic Studies.

Notable activities: Presidential Scholar; co-captain, men’s swimming and diving team; recordsetting diver; All-Atlantic Coast Conference Academic Honor Roll three times; recipient, James J. Kane Academic Award; winner of the 2009-10 Athletic Director’s Award for Academic Achievement; recipient of the ACC’s WeaverJames-Corrigan graduate studies scholarship.

Post-graduation plans: Consultant at Deloitte LLP. Overview: While shouldering the academic load of a double major and logging long hours at practice, Long still found time during the last two years to serve as a Big Brother at the West End House Boys and Girls Club in Allston. As part of the Presidential Scholars Program, he spent one summer volunteering and teaching in a juvenile detention facility. After sophomore year, he held a marketing internship in Buenos Aires.

Last summer, when visa problems scuttled a corporate internship, he taught English to children from one of the poorest sections of Sao Paolo, Brazil.

What word would you use to sum up your four years at BC? Conversation. I feel like my time at BC, with the experiences I’ve had inside of class and outside of class, has been a series of conversations. What I take away from Boston College is that I’m better at having them. I’m better at listenways had an affinity for Boston College. When I came here as a student I learned why it is so special. In addition to the great education and the chance to play hockey for BC, it has opened so many doors for me and allowed me to meet so many exceptional people. BC gives you the foundation that you need to be successful.

Whatever field you want to go into, whatever you want to do, there are people here to help you to achieve your goal.

What will you miss most about BC? I will miss the family-oriented community and the culture. It is the best four years of your life for a reason. I will obviously miss hockey and my teammates and friends, but the community, the classes and being a college student here is what I will miss most.

Of what are you most proud?

My mother often tells me how proud she is of me. I want her to know how proud I am of her. My father died when I was eight years old, and what my mother has done for me and my sister personally, athletically and financially is just unbelievable. She sacrificed and put everything on the backburner for us. I don’t think I will ever be able to repay her for what she has given me.

—By Jack Dunn

7

ing. I’m better at understanding that there are 1,000 ways to look at the same issue. It’s important to have compassion and to be willing to hear another person’s side.

Which professors had the biggest impact on your academic work?

My top three would be Professor of Romance Languages and Literatures Elizabeth Rhodes, who is a faculty member in the Hispanic Studies program; Founders Professor of Theology James Keenan, SJ, who is the director of the Presidential Scholars Program and my professor for the class Ethical Issues of HIV/AIDS; and Carroll School of Management Adjunct Associate Professor of Finance Michael Barry, who has been a finance professor of mine, but who I also count as a friend and as someone who has become a mentor to me.

What did the Presidential Scholars Program do for you?

The program really gives you the opportunity to dream big.

In the context of your summers, you’re given the possibility of doing things that might otherwise be impossible. It really sets in you this attitude that whatever you can dream, they’re here to stand by you and support you and, as long as it makes sense for who you are and what path you want to take, they support you along the way.

Which experience has made the biggest difference for you at BC? One of my proudest accomplishments has been being named one of the captains of the swimming and diving team. I had wanted to study abroad as a junior, but as a sophomore I made a decision to forgo that opportunity with the prospect that I would be eligible to become a captain during my senior year. I think that taught me that if you stick with something and see it through, if you’re loyal and honest, people will respect you and you’ll be a leader in ways you didn’t necessarily expect.

What will you miss the most about BC? I’ll miss having so many of my dear friends so close. But they will always be there. People who matter, they will always be in your life.

Friends who matter will always be there. But I just won’t see as many of them as much.

—By Ed Hayward

T he B oston C ollege

Chronicle may 9, 2013

Marathon

Continued from page 1 tee shirts that read “BC Strong: We Decide When Our Marathon Ends,” which were sold for $5. All proceeds went to support funds established for BC graduate students Liza Cherney and Brittany Loring, and 2005 BC alumnus Patrick Downes and his wife, Jessica, all of whom were injured in the bombings.

Cole and Padulsky welcomed the participants at the walk’s starting point in the Mods parking lot, then led the group around the reservoir. Interviewed later, Cole said she and her co-organizer had wondered if the event’s start time — 10 a.m. — and its two-plus weeks proximity to the bombings would lessen interest.

“When we saw the crowd that came out I can honestly say that I was overwhelmed and enthusiastic about the turnout,” she said. “I was pleasantly surprised at all of the unfamiliar faces I saw, representing all of the support within the BC community. It was an incredible feeling being able to gather such a large group of people in support of one cause.”

While there were many uplifting moments for Cole at “The Last 5,” one in particular made an impression. Just before she and Padulsky started their welcome to the walkers, they were greeted by staff from the Boston College Campus School — which serves children with multiple disabilities — who told the two organizers they and several students from the school wanted to join the walk.

“To be able to walk in solidar-

Lee Pellegrini

8

Celebrating THE

Sesquicentennial

(Above) Organizers Danielle Cole ’15 and Michael Padulsky ’15 lead “The Last 5” participants to the Chestnut Hill Reservoir last Friday. “When we saw the crowd that came out I can honestly say that I was overwhelmed and enthusiastic about the turnout,” Cole said. “It was an incredible feeling being able to gather such a large group of people in support of one cause.” ity with the very kids we as BC students had run the marathon for — to raise funds for the Campus School — was an incredible privilege and brought things full circle.”

[See a video about “The Last 5” on the Boston College YouTube channel at youtube.com/ BostonCollege] Reflecting on the recent tragedy, Cole said the bombings would likely shape people’s perceptions about the Boston Marathon for years to come — but not in a negative light.

“I think it will instead shape those perceptions in realizing the importance of why we run. We

run because that means accepting the challenge. We run because that means refusing to be fearful.

I know without a doubt that next year, for Boston and the BC community, more runners will be running the Boston Marathon than ever before; and this is because we, as a community of BC students and as a Boston community, have realized that our physical safety is never guaranteed us.

“This leaves us with two options: to make decisions and act out of fear, or to make decisions and act out of a boldness that comes from choosing to love instead of choosing to fear.”

—Jack Dunn and Sean Smith

Garza to Join the Faculty in 2014-15 Continued from page 1 ministrative colleagues, students and alumni to sustain BC’s remarkable trajectory. I look forward to working in my new role in support of the same goal.”

University President William P. Leahy, SJ, thanked Garza for his years of dedicated service and for his role in advancing the academic mission of Boston College.

“During his years as provost and dean of faculties, Bert helped to recruit some of our best young faculty, strengthen our student advisement system and improve our faculty tenure process,” said Fr. Leahy.

“External research funding also increased under his watch, as the University’s reputation for research excellence improved across all disciplines. Boston College has benefitted from his wisdom and experience, and I look forward to his continued contribution as University Professor.”

“During his tenure, Bert has

been a tireless advocate for academic programs at Boston College,” said Executive Vice President Patrick Keating. “Our undergraduate, graduate and professional programs have improved across all of the University’s colleges and schools, as evidenced by the national rankings, the quality of the student body, and the reputation and productivity of our faculty.”

Since joining Boston College, Garza has maintained his commitment to public service and his scholarly interests. While provost, Garza served as a member or chair of technical advisory groups for the National Academies of Science, the World Health Organization, World Food Program and other national and international organizations. He was a key organizer of three international symposia on topics related to nutrition and health, and was recognized for his research and

public service with the American Society for Nutrition’s Conrad A. Elvehjem Award for Public Service in Nutrition in 2008 and the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Samuel J. Fomon Nutrition Award in 2011. He co-authored and/or co-edited 45 articles, monographs, and technical reports with an international group of colleagues.

Last month, he was one of 10 scientists named as fellows of the American Society for Nutrition, the highest award given by that society.

Fr. Leahy has named Joseph F. Quinn, professor of economics and the former dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, as Interim Provost, effective July 1.

A national search for BC’s next provost and dean of faculties will begin immediately.

Contact Jack Dunn at jack.dunn@bc.edu

Newton Mayor Setti Warren ’93 has always been a natural leader. He was a four-time class president at Newton North High School, and as a junior, asked to help bring racial and ethnic harmony to the school after a clash between rival groups. A history major at Boston College, Warren became the second African-American to be elected president of the Undergraduate Government of Boston College (UGBC) in the school’s history.

Since graduation, Warren has had an impeccable career in the government and public sector: special assistant in the White House Office of Cabinet Affairs for President Clinton; New England director of FEMA; deputy state director for US Sen. John F. Kerry (DMass.); and naval intelligence officer in Iraq.

While serving in the Iraq war zone, Warren announced his candidacy for mayor of Newton. He returned home and was elected to the city’s top post on Nov. 3, 2009.

Recently, he took a few moments out of his busy schedule to share his memories of ERSPECTIVES Boston College with Chronicle correspondent Reid Oslin. The full interview is available at www.bc.edu/chronicle.

What was BC like for you in the early 1990s?

I loved every part of Boston College. It was an exciting time to be on the campus. I loved the faculty. I was very much involved in student government when I was there. I learned so much in that experience. The population of Boston College was changing through the AHANA program and other student programs. So, getting involved in student government and playing a leadership role was an extraordinary experience for me.

How would you lead a student body that was from all different backgrounds? You would be leading a student body that would be coming together to make decisions that benefit an entire community.

These are things that I learned through UGBC. It was an incredible experience. BC provided me with a great foundation for my future and my career in government and public service.

You mentioned the faculty. Does any teacher stand out in your memory?

One person who I clearly recall was one of my toughest professors, [Professor of Political Science] Donald Hafner. He made a huge impression on me. He taught a course in international politics and was really able to bring the world, and what was happening internationally, right into the classroom. He was one of my toughest professors, but he challenged us to think about what was going on beyond our own borders and how it related to what was happening within our borders. He was terrific. He had real-world experience, as a member of the Carter Administration, as I recall.

What was your on-campus experience like in those days?

I remember a lot of school spirit in those days. A lot of the sports teams were great — wasn’t Glenn Foley the quarterback then? But you could tell that the University was in the midst of a great transition back then, too. You could feel the transformation on the campus and you could feel it in the student body. There was diversity within the student body and lots of discussion about what was happening in the politics of the day, and how they were woven into events on campus.

It was an exciting time and I learned a lot. I helped to put on many lectures and forums on campus with different viewpoints.

What part of your Boston College experience stays with you today?

I bleed maroon and gold. Service to others is a tradition at Boston College that I really learned through my college years and through my service in student government. This had a huge impact on me and it continues. When I think about why I am here and what my mission is, I think of those values that I learned back at Boston College. They will always be a part of what I do. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to go to school there and really become a part of the Boston College family. I just love the place — what else can I say?

P

on the Heights

Read the full interview at www.bc.edu/chronicle

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Chronicle may 9, 2013

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Making a ‘Spectacle’ Out of a Learning Experience Students of Michael Mordine, a visiting assistant professor in the Classical Studies Department, recently staged a “Gladiator Day” on Bapst Lawn. The event was part of Mordine’s Ancient Athletics course, which examines the role and nature of sports, health and exercise in ancient civilizations, such as the Olympics in Greece and gladiatorial combat in Rome.

In this class project, students had to portray a character from Roman “spectacles” — a gladiator, an emperor or other leading official, a soldier, or even an animal — complete with an historically accurate back story and mock-up of era-appropriate garb. Mordine and the students voted on which characters were most convincing.

Carroll School of Management senior Kevin Zeckser chose to be vaunted gladiator “Decimus Maximus Meridius.” He explained that the name “Decimus” (Latin for “10th”) was derived from the Ancient Rome military custom that called for slaughtering a 10th of the opposing force. In Decimus’ case, said Zeckser, he would “take a 10th of his foe: an ear, a finger.

“That,” he said, “was what made him such a great gladiator.”

Another CSOM senior, Jamesin Seidel, concocted a lionesque look in her portrayal of Roman Emperor Commodus, whose reign was marked by “megalomania, power, and physical prowess through a lifestyle of cruel practices and excess,” she said.

“His extravagance was exemplified in his excessive, very costly gladiator displays and performances that involved slaughtering hundreds of animals and torturing slaves,” Seidel explained. “He had an intense, fanatic passion for combat and, when inside the arena, he attempted to create an image as a living god to the Roman people.

Commodus dressed himself as Hercules, a God famous for his strength and courage. He wore wear a lion’s mane draped over his head and down his back and carried a bat representing the bat that killed the Nemean lion.”

“Gladiator Day” also included a brief interval for restrained arena-style combat (students signed liability waivers if they wanted to participate).

“The idea is to give the students a different context in which to think about issues that are very much a part of our society today,” says Mordine. “We talk about athletic values, competition, cheating, gender and class, among other things, and I try to get them to view these in connection with their own lives.”

Adds Mordine, “I love teaching this class. The students are always very enthusiastic and imaginative, especially when it comes to their projects for Gladiator Day.” Text and photos by Sean Smith

Students in Michael Mordine’s Ancient Athletics class in character for “Gladiator Day”: (Clockwise from above), L-R, David Lavoie, Mike Cappuccio and Pat Callahan; Robert Raimundo; Francisco Venta; Kevin Zeckser; and Jamesin Seidel.

May 15 eTeaching Day Puts Spotlight on MediaKron Platform

By Ed Hayward Staff Writer

The University’s annual eTeaching Day and Teaching with New Media Awards ceremony take place next Wednesday, May 15, highlighting innovative teaching practices and the MediaKron digital instruction platform developed by the Office of Instructional Design and eTeaching Services (IDeS).

Gardner Campbell, director of professional development and innovative initiatives at Virginia Tech, will present the keynote address “From Memex to YouTube: Cognition, Learning and the Internet,” according to Executive Director for Academic Technology Rita Owens.

The eTeaching Day program reflects the emphasis on finding innovative applications for

a number of well-established eteaching tools, including offthe-shelf products as well as the University’s proprietary MediaKron technology. A web-based application developed by a team of faculty and designers at IDeS, MediaKron lets faculty build customized sites using a range of tools – such as maps and timelines – to organize and present images, video, audio and text.

“Our emphasis is on innovation,” said Owens. “The proliferation of new technologies in the field of higher education allows our office and faculty to do a lot of new and exciting things. But it’s not just about MediaKron.

We take a big-picture view of innovation and match faculty with the technologies that best suit their needs. It’s not just about the widget or what the technology does, but about how we can

innovate with it.”

Sessions will highlight The MediaKron Project, which opened up the University’s proprietary platform to faculty at six outside universities to expand the reach of the technology.

At BC, there are nearly 40 active MediaKron projects developed by faculty for courses ranging from biology to theology.

Last year, BC selected faculty from Boston University, Bucknell University, Clark University, Dartmouth College, Providence College and Worcester Polytechnic Institute to use the platform.

“Our partners from other institutions will all be here presenting on their projects and showing just how flexible this tool is and how it can be applied to almost any discipline,” Owens said.

“MediaKron was developed with a primary emphasis on the digital

humanities, so it will be exciting to see projects from a course in civil engineering at Bucknell and one from WPI focused on teaching biology.”

The annual Teaching with New Media (TWIN) Awards ceremony recognizes BC faculty members for outstanding uses of technology to enhance learning.

Through an online submission form, students have the opportunity to rate their instructors on categories such as innovation and effectiveness.

A committee of students, faculty, and IDeS staff selected the 2013 TWIN Award winners: Adjunct Associate Professor of Economics Paul Cichello, Assistant Professor of Communication Seung-A Jin, Adjunct Associate Professor of English Joseph Nugent, Clinical Associate Professor of Nursing Colleen

Simonelli and Adjunct Lecturer in Operations Management Gregory Stoller.

Owens said this year’s recipients and their projects reflect a growing emphasis on facultystudent collaboration to create online archives and presentations focused on course topics.

“It’s really about student collaboration using these tools,” said Owens. “We can now work with students to curate digital information and they can curate their own material. This is changing scholarship, the student contribution to scholarship and the traditional ways in which we teach students.”

For more information or to register for eTeaching Day events, see www.bc.edu/eteachingday.

Contact Ed Hayward at ed.hayward@bc.edu

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“[The PIC program] can be a life-changing experience for a student, providing a pathway to college and the work world, and a fulfilling experience for participating offices, by doing what Boston College does best — helping students to succeed.”

—Director of Government Relations Jeanne Levesque

BC-Private Industry Council Collaboration a ‘Win-Win’ University administrators praise program that gives high schoolers job, college experience

By Rosanne Pellegrini Staff Writer

The summer months are fast approaching, and while area teenagers face another tight job market, some 30 Boston youths are looking forward to employment at Boston College.

For more than three decades, Boston College has collaborated with the Boston Private Industry Council (PIC) to provide local high schoolers with both a glimpse into University life and valuable, real-world job experience.

Through PIC’s Job Collaborative Program, each summer 25-30 students from 14 Boston public high schools are hired to work in a range of campus areas.

The initiative links their educational achievement and good attendance with these employment opportunities.

Funded by the President’s Office and administered by the Department of Human Resources, the program — which this year runs July 8 through mid-August — is considered a win-win

by BC organizers. In turn, it is lauded by University community members who have supervised student workers.

Director of Government Relations Jeanne Levesque says the Office of Governmental and Community Affairs is a longtime and satisfied PIC participant since the program’s inception.

“We have had a very positive experience with our students.

Some go on to attend Boston College or other area colleges — in some cases being the first in their family to obtain a college degree,” she said.

As a supervisor, she has enjoyed the opportunity to mentor and work with a number of exceptional, motivated students, she added.

“The PIC program is about so much more than summer employment,” said Levesque. “It can be a life-changing experience for a student, providing a pathway to college and the work world, and a fulfilling experience for participating offices, by doing what Boston College does best — helping students to succeed.”

Beyond providing administrative and clerical support, students are exposed to the important work of the University office or department in which they are assigned, and attend educational workshops on such topics as college admission and computer skills. They are required to be punctual, demonstrate strong communication skills and have both a positive attitude and neat appearance.

Other 2013 PIC participants include AHANA Student Programs, Athletics and Athletics Facilities, Bureau of Conferences, the BC Bookstore, University Advancement, Human Resources, Information Technology Services, Learning to Learn, Lynch School of Education, and the offices of Residential Life and Transportation and Parking.

“I’ve had the pleasure of being involved in the interview process, training and working directly with the PIC student in our office for the past six years,” said Catherine Jamieson, Bureau of Conferences Office and Events assistant. “They’re given a full overview of the office and are fully trained. Both BOC and the students greatly benefit from this program.

“The students gain valuable work experience,” she continued.

“Many come from difficult home situations and working at Boston College for the summer is a dream job for them. It’s our pleasure to host a PIC student each summer and to get to know these promising teenagers.”

Levesque notes that the program exposes the students to college and familiarizes them with a world they will hopefully soon enter. “I would highly recommend that other campus offices or departments participate and host a student this summer.”

According to organizers, some summer placements are still available. For more information, contact KimDuyen Ngo (kim. ngo@bc.edu, ext.2-3336) or Emmanuel Johnson (emmanuel. johnson@bc.edu, ext.2-3544).

Contact Rosanne Pellegrini at rosanne.pellegrini@bc.edu

Social Justice and Leadership Presidential Scholars take the initiative for both in their sophomore year

By Sean Smith Chronicle Editor

They are hallmarks of Boston College’s Presidential Scholars Program (PSP): intellectual challenges; learning through experience as well as in the classroom; and as a result, the development of leadership skills.

A recent addition to the program’s offerings gives Presidential Scholars the opportunity to not only learn about social justice issues in the Greater Boston area, but to share their findings with the University community — and in doing so, administrators say, perhaps spark wider awareness.

Created three years ago, the Social Justice Committee, comprised of the PSP sophomore class, selects a topic or issue with a social justice dimension that all Presidential Scholars focus on during the academic year — adult education was the choice for 2012-13; last year’s was immigration, and prisoners and gang violence the first year.

There are two distinguishing features to the Social Justice Committee initiative: The students must plan and organize campus events that spotlight the topic and, most importantly, forge a local connection by involving people in the Greater Boston area who can lend their insight and experience.

As part of their examination of immigration issues, the Social Justice Committee sponsored a panel discussion featuring BC employees who had immigrated to the US. In the inaugural year study of prisoners and gang violence, students invited Boston Mayor Thomas Menino to speak at one event, and at another hosted police officers and former gang leaders and prisoners.

“The themes are specifically local,” said Founders Professor in Theology James Keenan, SJ, the program’s director. “There is a strong international-global component to the Presidential Scholars Program, which helps students cultivate an appreciation for the individual’s role in fostering social justice. What this initiative does is to direct that attention to matters of social justice in our immediate environment — the Boston area.”

A valuable stepping-stone for students to the Social Justice Committee, says Fr. Keenan, is their post-freshman year involvement in the PULSE program, which requires participants to reflect on — and seek wider lessons from — the service work they perform at local agencies, organizations and other sites. The rising sophomores live together in Shaw House, where they discuss their experiences and, ultimately, decide which social is-

The Presidential Scholars Program’s Social Justice Committee organized a benefit concert earlier this semester in Gasson Hall for the Educational Development Group, whose program director Frances Laroche spoke at the event.

(Photos courtesy of Presidential Scholars Program)

sue to concentrate on in the coming year.

For Social Justice Committee member Patty Owens ’15, her volunteer stint as a tutor at Suffolk County House of Corrections was a revelation in many ways, especially when she worked with an inmate who was her age, but with vastly different life experiences than her.

“He’d dropped out of high school after sophomore year, and had a child to support,” said Owens. “He was resistant at first to the work we were doing, but at the end, he was reading poetry — Keats, Poe — and enjoying it, and taking pride in what he had accomplished.

“The progress he made was certainly very encouraging, but there was no escaping the reality that this was a small move forward. We, as students, didn’t have the power to truly effect change in his life. He needed the kind of ongoing and comprehensive support that an adult education program provides.

“The more I and the other Presidential Scholars talked, the stronger we felt that adult education is really a social justice issue: For so many people, it can fill the gap between potential and accomplishment. And there are so many groups fighting to help empower people through education — including areas like ESL, microfinance or women’s health, for example — that we knew there was so much we could do in Boston.”

Said Daniel Cattolica ’15, another Social Justice Committee member, “We found in our placements — at Suffolk, food pantries, homeless shelters and ESL classes — that adult education is one of the most defining issues among people we met. It might be someone who didn’t finish high school,

but it also might be a skilled doctor who needs English to integrate into American society.

“The concern about adult ed is not only about whether there are enough programs, it’s also about the efficacy of the programs that are in existence: Do they have the resources to succeed, and are they equipping adults with the skills that will help them?”

To help create more awareness within the BC community of adult education’s importance, the Social Justice Committee organized a benefit concert with BC student performers to support the Educational Development Group — which provides ESL classes to local immigrants — and, last month, a panel discussion that included Lynch School of Education Professor David Scanlan; Lynch School graduate assistant and former ESL instructor Christine Montecillo; Sarah Antonelli ’14, the 4Boston leader at the Charlestown Adult Education placement; and Suffolk House of Corrections Director of Education James Dizio.

Perhaps the most important lesson he’s learned, said Cattolica, is the need to marshal one’s concern for social justice reasonably and judiciously.

“It’s often natural to feel like you want to be involved in a lot of causes or projects. But there are a lot of issues out there, and you simply can’t do them all. You have to be engaged at a deep level to be effective, and you have to know what things you can do that will help bring about the change you want to see happen.

“I think that is really what leadership is about.”

Contact Sean Smith at sean.smith@bc.edu

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NOTA BENE The New England region of the Ignatian Volunteer Corps (IVC) presented its highest honor, the Madonna Della Strada Award, to Fred Enman, SJ, chaplain and special assistant to the associate dean for Student Services at Boston College Law School. Fr. Enman founded and currently serves as executive director of Matthew 25, a nonprofit organization that rehabilitates abandoned houses in Worcester and Boston, creating affordable rental housing for low-income people. The Madonna Della Strada Award recognizes those who embody the Jesuit tradition of direct service to the poor and of working and educating for a more just society.

Boston College Libraries recently announced the winners of Fourth Annual Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Mapping Contest. Awards were based on map quality, use of GIS as a research tool and originality. Special consideration was given to topics depicting social implications of the research such as environmental issues.

Due to the strong response, prizes were awarded this year to both undergraduate and graduate students.

First place ($100 Amazon gift card): Austin Nijhuis, graduate student in earth and environmental sciences: “Predicting Coastal Dead Zone Size: a Statistical Approach Using GIS.” Andrew Ireland ’14, biology: “Population Pressures on Tiger Habitat in India.”

Second place ($50 Amazon gift card): Brendan Hildum, graduate student in earth and environmental sciences: “Arsenic Speciation and Groundwater Chemistry Near and Within a Landfill Leachate Plume in Central Massachusetts.”

Licia Tomasi, international student in earth and environmental sciences: “Wind Power in Massachusetts: Conservation and Energy Production.”

Third place ($25 Amazon gift card): Federico Mantovanelli, graduate student in economics: “The Protestant Legacy. Missions and Literacy in India.”

Kyra Prats ’13, earth and environmental sciences: “Relationships Among Hydrogeomorphology, Wetland Distribution, and Water Levels in Estuarine Environments.”

Presidential Scholar Amanda Loewy ’15, a member of the Boston College equestrian team, has been selected for the Interscholastic Horse Show Association (IHSA) National All-Academic Award. The IHSA promotes competition for riders of all skill levels, who compete individually and as teams at regional, zone, and national levels. Candidates for the award must have a GPA of 3.8 or above, and ride in at least two IHSA horse shows during the academic year.

Kuong Ly ’08 is one of 30 winners of Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans, which are awarded annually to the most accomplished and promising immigrants and children of immigrants in American graduate education. Ly, born in a refugee camp to Cambodian parents who fled the mass killings in their country, went on to earn Truman and Marshall scholarships. Currently enrolled at the University of California-Los Angeles Law School, Ly plans on a career in public interest and critical race law.

Newsmakers Sports Illustrated writer Pete Thamel offered a heartwarming, inspirational portrait of the special relationship shared by the Athletics Association, especially the BC men’s basketball team, and Sports Information Director Dick Kelley, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2011. Kelley also has been named The Heights’ 2013 Person of the Year for his inspirational service and courage.

Prof. Robert Bloom (Law) was interviewed by WCVB-TV Ch.5 News about the effect of the judge’s rejection of the immunity defense in the Whitey Bulger case.

Prof. Elizabeth Graver (English) discussed her latest novel, The End of the Point — which weaves decades of history into a story set in a fictional Massachusetts community on Cape Cod — on WBUR’s “Here and Now.” Bloomberg News and BusinessWeek.com reported on last month’s 25th anniversary Wall Street Council Tribute Dinner, which raised a record $2.7 million in support of the Presidential Scholars Program.

Vatican II calls Catholics to a renewed realization of the primacy of Christ, wrote Assoc. Prof. Professor Rev. Robert Imbelli (Theology) in an essay for America Magazine.

Members of the Boston College Ignatian Society recently paid a visit to the Campion Center in Weston, where they chatted with several Jesuit residents.

US News & World Report cited research by Weston Observatory Director John Ebel — who presented his preliminary findings at the Seismological Society of America’s annual meeting — that an increase in seismic activity in the North Atlantic suggests that New England is most at risk of suffering the effects of a tsunami in the near future.

BC BRIEFING Honors/Appointments Monan Professor of Higher Education Philip Altbach has been selected as the 2013 recipient of the Marita Houlihan Award for Distinguished Contributions to the Field of International Education from NAFSA: Association of International Educators. Altbach,

obituary

Carol Lynn Mandle, 65; Taught at Connell School

Retired Connell School of Nursing faculty member Carol Lynn Mandle died on April 11.

She was 65.

Dr. Mandle joined Boston College in 1978 as an instructor in the Connell School and rose to the rank of associate professor.

She retired in 2006 due to illness.

Dr. Mandle was the co-author of Health Promotion Throughout the Life Span, which earned an American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year Award in 2002. The eighth edition of this influential textbook will be published later this year.

CSON Professor and Nurse Theorist Sister Callista Roy, CSJ, recalled her longtime colleague and friend as “a dedicated teacher who gave tirelessly to her students. In addition to teaching masters’ students in her clinical field of Adult Health Nursing, Dr. Mandle successfully directed seven PhD dissertations in the CSON between 1993 and 2005.

Her work on mind and body connections and interventions

made her a sought-after advisor and her influence was felt throughout the nursing profession.”

“What I remember most about Carol was her kind spirit and total dedication to the wellbeing and quality of life for her patients. This was further illustrated in her involvement with the Mind Body Institute at Beth Israel,” said retired CSON faculty member Sandra Mott, a nurse scientist and consultant at Boston Children’s Hospital.

“We lost Carol twice, when illness cut short her career and again when we heard of her recent death,” added Sister Roy. “We are saddened that Carol died too young, but we trust that our loving God holds her in peace.”

Dr. Mandle is survived by her husband Robert and her children Jonathan and Elizabeth.

Her son David predeceased her. Donations in Dr. Mandle’s memory can be made to Peace First [www.peacefirst.org].

—Kathleen Sullivan

who is retiring at the end of the academic year, will be honored at the association’s Annual Conference and Expo later this month in St. Louis.

Time and a Half The Lonergan Institute hosted the conference “Thinking and Critical Realism” April 26 and 27, with a series of presentations and panel discussions taking place in Stokes Hall. Boston College faculty members taking part in the conference included Lonergan Institute Director Prof. Patrick Byrne (Philosophy), Prof. Audrey Friedman (LSOE) and Freshman Writing Program Director Paula Mathieu.

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, Office of the Provost and Dean Of Faculties 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 Head Librarian, Social Work Library Manager, Human Resources Service Center Associate Director, Diversity and Inclusion, Office of Institutional Diversity Senior Associate Director, Development, BC Law Advancement Technology Manager, Office of Residential Life Research Economist, Center for Retirement Research

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BC SCENES

ARTISTIC LICENSE

Masti during one of the Arts Festival “Dance Showcase” events. (Photo

by Caitlin Cunningham)

A performance by students in Monan Professor of Theatre Arts John Bell’s puppet class class on Stokes Lawn. (Photo by Lee Pellegrini)

Alumni Achievement in Arts Award winner Robert Polito ’73, right, chats with English Professor Carlo Rotella at “Inside the BC Studio.”

(Photo by Caitlin Cunningham)

The 15th annual Boston College Arts Festival, which took place April 25-27, included presentation of the BC Arts Council Arts Achievement Awards for 2012-13.

Robert Polito ’73, a distinguished fiction writer, poet, biographer and critic known primarily for his work in the film noir and crime fiction genres, received the Alumni Award for Distinguished Achievement.

Associate Professor of Fine Arts Sheila Gallagher, a multi-media artist whose many forms of work explore different modes of representation, was honored with the Faculty Award.

The 2013 Student Awards were given to: Victoria Sponsel ’13 (communication and theatre arts); Katlyn Prentice ’14 (communication and film studies); Harrison Kent ’13 (English and economics); Christopher Chung ’13 (biology and studio art); Jonathan Mott ’14 (music); and Emma Lott ’14 (art history and French).

Nathan Jones ’13 received the Jeffery Howe Art History Award.

For more on the Arts Festival, see www.bc.edu/artsfestival.

Young Arts Festival visitors enjoy activities on Stokes Lawn with the help of a couple festival volunteers (Photo

by Lee Pellegrini)

Fuego del Corazon, above, and Phaymus Dance Entertainment, below, at the “Dance Showcase” (Photos by Caitlin Cunningham)