The Boston College
Chronicle Published by the Boston College Office of News & Public Affairs september 5, 2013 VOL. 22 no. 1
UNIVERSITY CONVOCATION
INSIDE
Fr. Leahy: BC Legacy One of ‘Responding to Challenges’
•Eagle mascot tradition comes alive, page 2
By Sean Smith Chronicle Editor
•Lee hits the road, one park at a time, page 2 Freshmen moved onto campus last week, with the help of family members and “Welcome Wagon” student volunteers. (Photo by Caitlin Cunningham)
•Quad, St. Mary’s Hall projects, page 3
ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES Kenny Is Named Lynch School of Education Dean Lee Pellegrini
•Promising stats for BClean program, page 2
•Mass of the Holy Spirit, First Year Convocation, page 3 •News from the summer, page 4 •In praise of PIC, page 5
•Hillinger cited as among best law teachers, page 6
Maureen E. Kenny, interim dean of the Lynch School of Education since 2011, has been named the ninth dean of the school by University President William P. Leahy, SJ. In a letter to faculty in August, Interim Provost and Dean of Faculties Joseph Quinn praised Kenny for her effective leadership, which has enabled the Lynch School to maintain its strong rep-
Chiles Takes Post of Vice Provost for Research
Maureen E. Kenny
utation both nationally and internationally, and for the strategic planning process she has undertaken to strengthen the school in the years to come. Kenny’s appointment also won praise from Lynch School faculty Continued on page 5
Lee Pellegrini
•BC Social is launched, page 3
By Jack Dunn Director of News & Public Affairs
•Welcome Additions to the faculty, page 7
By Ed Hayward Staff Writer
•“Courbet: Mapping Realism” at McMullen, page 8
Thomas Chiles, the Michael E. and Dr. Salvatore A. DeLuca Professor of Biology, has been named vice provost for research and academic planning, Interim Provost and Dean of Faculties Joseph Quinn has announced. Chiles will be joined by Bill Nunez, who has been appointed executive director for research administration in the Research and
Boston College will close out its Sesquicentennial celebration in a position of significant academic, financial and programmatic strength, poised to build on its impressive history and legacy, said University President William P. Leahy, SJ, at yesterday’s annual University Convocation. Speaking at Robsham Theater, Fr. Leahy — along with Executive Vice President Patrick Keating and Interim Provost and Dean of Faculties Joseph Quinn — offered a portrait of a university that has continued to thrive in challenging times, and is wellpositioned to fulfill its academic and faith missions. The addition of new faculty, facilities and resources, along with ongoing progress in planning and management, the senior administrators said, has made the Sesquicentennial celebration — marked by a slate of major University events that continue this semester and end in December — a time in which to look ahead, rather than simply dwell on the past. “During the past year, we have given thanks for Boston College’s
BC to Train Math Teachers with $1.6m NSF Grant By Ed Hayward Staff Writer
Thomas Chiles
Academic Planning Office. Nunez served as the business manager for the departments of Biology and Physics. “We are delighted to welContinued on page 5
NOTICE:
mission and heritage, grown in knowledge of our roots and evolution, and considered social, political, and economic issues facing our world,” said Fr. Leahy, noting such factors as the increasing financial pressures on American higher education and families, the growth of online education, and the Catholic Church’s ongoing morale and personnel struggles. “The history of Boston College reminds us that it possible to engage and resolve difficulties and remain faithful to long-held values and beliefs,” he said. “For 150 years, Boston College has been responding to challenges and opportunities, and I am convinced that we in our day will continue doing so because of the talent, dedication, generosity, and commitment of our campus community, alumni and parents.” Fr. Leahy gave an update on several topics, including discussions between BC and the City of Boston on proposed construction permits, and efforts to find a successor to Cutberto Garza, who stepped down as provost in June — a search committee headed by Keating and Newton College Alumnae Professor and Chair of Continued on page 6
Faculty from the Lynch School of Education and the Mathematics Department have been awarded a $1.6 million National Science Foundation grant to train and support math teachers for high-need school districts in Massachusetts. The program will have two tracks, according to Lynch School Associate Professor Lillie Albert, an expert in teacher education and the principal investigator on the project, which is titled “Exemplary Mathematics Educators for High-Need Schools.”
One track will place aspiring math teachers with the Lynch School’s Donovan Scholars for an intensive one-year master’s degree program. The other track will bring teachers from Boston and Framingham schools with three to four years of experience to campus for additional professional development and to mentor the master’s candidates. Albert said the program includes a unique stipend system designed to not only help offset costs of the program, but also supplement the salaries of mathematics teachers as a potential national model to attract and retain accomplished Continued on page 6
All Boston College administrative offices will close at 4 p.m. tomorrow, Sept. 6, due to the nationally televised football game between BC and Wake Forest taking place at 8 p.m. in Alumni Stadium. To assist with the preparations for this event, and to ease potential traffic and parking congestion, the University asks that all vehicles be removed from campus as close to 4 p.m. as possible.