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.
T he B oston C ollege
Chronicle september 5, 2013
2
A ROUND T AKING
THE LONG
C LEANING UP N ICE
R OAD Photos courtesy of Benjamin Lee
Benjamin Lee, at right, and, above, on the road in New Hampshire.
This summer, Benjamin Lee ’08, MBA ’13 bid farewell to his BC colleagues at the division of Student Services — where he had worked as a financial aid counselor since 2010 — as well as to many of his personal possessions, to embark on a quest to motorcycle across the US and hike all 59 national parks. Lee has created a website, www.59parks.com, to provide news and updates on his odyssey, and to share insights and thoughts about his experiences along the way. (“Stop waiting for life to happen and start living,” the website’s introduction reads. “This is me living: taking my motorcycle cross-country to visit all fifty-nine US National Parks. Come with me.”) The website includes a GPS tracker that tracks his location. Lee also has a Twitter account [@59parks] and a Facebook page [facebook.com/59parks]. As of last week, Lee had al-
ready visited Acadia National Park in Maine and was continuing on the first leg of his trip, which would take him from Boston to Los Angeles. Lee spent the last part of August journeying across Pennsylvania, en route to Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio. He reports “an overwhelming response of interest” to his project, driven to a great extent by social media. “I stayed with a BC family in Philadelphia,” he wrote in an e-mail. “Their daughter is an incoming freshman this year, and she heard about my story through the BC Facebook page, so they contacted me and offered to put me up for a night.” —Sean Smith
A After a 47-year hiatus, Boston College football is welcoming the return of a live eagle mascot at all of its home football games for the 2013 season. BC renewed its partnership with Zoo New England and teamed up with the World Bird Sanctuary to bring the nine-year-old male bald eagle to Alumni Stadium, starting with last Saturday’s home opener. The eagle will be available for viewing and photos at the FanFest pregame ceremony in the Flynn Recreation Complex. Fans can learn about the eagle through an educational session and will then be given the chance to take pictures with the new mascot in a meet-and-greet. The decision to bring back an
Boston College Law School placed seventh on US News & World Report’s list of “10 Law Degrees with the Biggest Return on Investment,” which ranked the schools on the basis of salaryto-debt ratio. BC, with a ratio of 1.361, was ranked after University of California-Berkeley and in front of Penn, Rutgers University-Newark and the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Topping the list was University of Texas-Austin, followed by North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Brigham Young, Stanford and Yale. In an introduction to the list, US News education reporter Devon Haynie wrote that data provided by 194 ranked law schools from the past three years showed median starting private sector salaries for lawyers while average debt loads for law school grads are rising. In addition, BC Law was third on the list of “Best Value” private law schools compiled by the National Jurist. BC was ranked behind Brigham Young University and Baylor University School of Law, and ahead of Boston University School of Law and Chicago-Kent College of Law. Others on the list included Emory (8th), Notre Dame (12th), Quinnipiac (13th), Stanford (17th), Villanova (19th) and Washington and Lee (20th). The Best Value rankings look at tuition, debt, and cost of living and compare these numbers with percent employed and bar pass rates, according to the article. —Office of News & Public Affairs
TRADITION TAKES WING
eagle to Alumni Stadium is part of an initiative to increase the focus on gameday traditions, said Director of Athletics Brad Bates. “It is time that we bring back some of our old traditions and create new ones. We are fortunate to have a majestic and imposing mascot and showcasing an eagle in ways that are inspiring and educational will provide an exceptional opportunity for our fans while connecting with our history.” A contest to name the new mascot is being run this month through social media [facebook.com/BostonCollegeAthletics]. The winning name will be announced on Parents’ Weekend during the football game against Florida State on Sept. 28. “We are excited to partner with
Director of NEWS & Public Affairs Jack Dunn Deputy Director of NEWS & Public AFFAIRS Patricia Delaney Editor Sean Smith
C AMPUS
Contributing Staff Melissa Beecher Ed Hayward Sean Hennessey Rosanne Pellegrini Kathleen Sullivan Michael Maloney Photographers Gary Gilbert Lee Pellegrini
Boston College to bring an eagle back to the games. Not only is this a fantastic opportunity to revive a tradition at BC, it is also an opportunity to share the wonders of wildlife with people. The bald eagle, in particular, is a prime example of what people can do in bringing back a species from the brink of extinction when a concerted effort is made,” said Zoo New England President and CEO John Linehan. BC last had a live eagle mascot from 1961-1966 named “Margo” after a student-run naming contest. For more on the Boston College Eagle see http://www.bc.edu/libraries/ about/exhibits/burnsvirtual/eagle/3. html —Boston College Athletics
The Boston College
Chronicle www.bc.edu/chronicle chronicle@bc.edu
Organizers of the University’s BClean program, which collects students’ unwanted household, clothing and food-related items for donation to area environmental and charity organizations, say the three-year-old initiative is showing good results. According to a recent report, 6,231 various large and small items were collected through BClean during the movingout period in May, along with 10,950 pounds of clothing, 1,760 pounds of food and 133 appliances (mainly refrigerators and microwave ovens). In 2011, the program collected 2,702 large and small items, 14,200 pounds of clothes and 1,100 pounds of food. BClean is a collaboration between the offices of Residential Life and Transportation and Parking, the Boston College Police and Facilities Services, in partnership with Waste Management — Boston College’s waste and recycling contractor — Household Goods Recycling of Massachusetts, St. Vincent de Paul and the More Than Books recycling organization. The latter three organizations provide
volunteers, staff and vehicles to transport collected materials. While BC has had similar residence hall clean-up initiatives for some years, BClean was created to increase student accountability for cleaning their living spaces and improve an already successful donation program, said Sustainability Program Director Robert Pion. Key facets of BClean include Residential Life staff interaction with students, communication of clear and concise expectations for moving out, a marketing and awareness program on the importance of recycling and a $500 fine per person for failure to follow clean-up procedures. “BClean increases awareness that others may benefit from the unwanted items while promoting the idea of being responsible stewards of the Earth by redirecting materials from landfills,” he said. “Not only are the logistics of the moving process made more efficient, but students are also able to further their pursuit of the Jesuit mission as ‘men and women for others.’” —Office of News & Public Affairs
The Office of International Programs Study Abroad Fair will take place Sept. 18 at 6 p.m. in Conte Forum, offering students an overview of the many study-abroad opportunities available — including semester-long, full-year and short-term/summer programs. OIP representatives and students returned from study-abroad experiences will be on hand to chat at the fair’s “International Café” section. More than 1,500 students attended last year’s event. See www.bc.edu/international for more information.
A GAIN BC’s yet-to-benamed eagle made the acquaintance of fans before last Saturday’s football game at Alumni Stadium. (Photo by John Quakenbos)
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.
A flipbook edition of Chronicle is available via e-mail. Send requests to chronicle@bc.edu.
T he B oston C ollege
Chronicle september 5, 2013
New ‘BC Social’ Site Will Aid Social Media Efforts
Construction Update
A New Look for the Quad New and returning members of the Boston College community strolled through a refurbished Gasson Quad last week, following the completion of a summerlong makeover of the area between Gasson, Lyons, Fulton and Devlin Halls. The renovation — among the more high-profile of recent and ongoing campus construction projects — entailed replacing the Quad’s network of paths and its central hub with a diagonal northto-south walkway, and leveling the area’s grade to provide improved pedestrian traffic flow and better outdoor function space. The new Quad features a central open space, with flowering trees and seat walls around the perimeter. Vice President for Facilities Management Daniel Bourque praised Quad project workers for dealing with with a tight construction site, and the unexpected location and elevation of existing utilities in the construction zone, in their efforts to finish in time for the academic year. “Sometimes you simply run into issues you don’t expect, such as finding utility duct banks or drainage systems not where they were thought to be,” explained Bourque. “But the team was able to work around it — such as by changing some of the grades — and everyone
Under construction all summer, the new-look Gasson Quad opened to pedestrian traffic last week. (Photo by Lee Pellegrini)
did a great job. And the result is a very attractive, and more usable, open space.” Meanwhile, the St. Mary’s Hall renovation project made good progress over the summer and remains on schedule for reopening in December of 2014, said Bourque. Work continues on the roofing, he said, and about 3,800 of approximately 13,800 stones have been installed on the exterior of the building; rough mechanical, plumbing, electrical work and framing continues on the interior. This fall will see the completion of the roof tiles and the installation of the new windows. St. Mary’s, which houses the Boston College Jesuit community, will also be the new location for the Communication and Computer Science departments and the Woods College of Advancing Studies. Other construction projects of note: •A $3 million renovation to general chemistry and analytic chemistry teaching labs in the Merkert Center, including additional tech-
nology and seating, and improved sightlines. •New lounges in Williams and Rubenstein residence halls; Rubenstein also received corridor lighting and fire safety upgrades. •Installation of a chiller and dehumidifier on the Conte Forum roof, which will provide air conditioning to the main forum area, lobby, main concourse and Power Gym. •New furniture and reconfiguration for the McElroy Commons lobby. The row of vending machines that lined the lobby’s wall are now located in the adjacent corridor, said Bourque: “The idea was to give the lobby more of a welcoming impression, and have it be more of a space for relaxation and conversation.” In addition, the installation of a statue of St. Thomas More on Newton Campus is planned for early in the fall semester, Bourque said. The foundation for the statue, and a surrounding plaza, has been largely completed outside the campus’ Law Library building.
Mass of Holy Spirit, First Year Convocation on Sept. 12 of thousands of people in his native Pittsburgh. The program has become a national model and is beBoston College’s traditional ing replicated throughout the coun“opening ceremonies” for the try. Strickland is the recipient of a academic year will take place on MacArthur Genius Grant, the Goi Thursday, Sept. 12, beginning at Peace Award and other honors. noon with the Mass of Over the sumthe Holy Spirit on the mer, each member of Plaza at O’Neill Library the Class of 2017 was (rain location: Conte given a copy of Make Forum), and the annuthe Impossible Possible al First Year Academic and a reading guide Convocation at 7 p.m. that makes connections in Conte Forum. Both between Strickland’s events are open to the passion and vision and University community. the Jesuit ideals of vocaBill Strickland The featured speaker tional discernment and at First Year Academic Convoca- the magis. tion will be Manchester Bidwell Immediately prior to Strickland’s Corporation President and CEO address, the freshman class will travel Bill Strickland, author (with Vince from Linden Lane to Conte Forum Rause) of Make the Impossible Pos- in the First Flight Procession, mirsible: One Man’s Crusade to Inspire roring the same walk the students Others to Dream Bigger and Achieve will take on their graduation day in the Extraordinary. Strickland’s job May of 2017. The first-year students training center and community arts will be sent off on First Flight with program have transformed the lives a blessing and a call to take up the By Kathleen Sullivan Staff Writer
This week, Boston College launched BC Social [www.bc.edu/ social], a fully integrated convergence site that brings together the best social media from across the University. Commonly known as a “mashup page,” BC Social aims to highlight posts, videos, tweets and pins from multiple divisions and departments. Managed by the Boston College Office of News & Public Affairs and developed and designed by the BC Information Technology Services
ly launched The BC Beat [www. bc.edu/offices/dsa/social], a social aggregator that culls the best of its 12 departments. Also designed and developed by the ITS Web Technology Group, the site offers a student-centric focus of social media on campus. “We are always seeking ways to improve the channels, to provide a better experience for our audiences, and we believe that this convergence site will make it much easier for users to learn about and locate BC’s social offerings,” said News & Public Affairs Deputy Director and Social Media
Web Technology Group, the site is the first of its kind at BC, publishing multiple users’ updates from Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest. Visitors can navigate through a social media directory, see active social media campaigns and discover featured members of BC’s Social Media Council. The site boasts a fully responsive design and all content can be viewed on desktops, tablets and all smartphones. “BC Social offers real-time updates through the BC Social Stream, while providing a comprehensive look at all social media activity at Boston College,” said Director of News & Public Affairs Jack Dunn. “It offers students, faculty, parents and prospective students a single point for interaction with the University’s official channels.” BC Social is just the latest social media achievement for Boston College. Over the summer, the University was recognized 16th in the nation — fifth among mid-sized schools — on Enterasys’ Top 100 Best and Most Collaborative US Colleges [http://bit. ly/100rankings]. Nitogram named BC’s Instagram account number one in the country and Future Index recognized the Boston College Social Media Council among five most innovative practices in the industry. In addition to BC Social, the Division of Student Affairs recent-
Council Co-Chair Patricia Delaney. “Social media can be overwhelming and intimidating for those unfamiliar with how to use the platforms,” said University Social Media Manager and Social Media Council Co-Chair Melissa Beecher. “It can also be difficult for a department or institution to distinguish itself and be heard above the noise and constant stream of information. The goal of BC Social is to assist both of those audiences to find a meaningful way to engage with Boston College. “Boston College has found great success in engaging with our internal and external community. We hope this is yet another resource for them,” said Beecher. The site also aims to help social media practitioners across campus, linking to the University’s social media guidelines, hashtag guide and blog [bostoncollegesocialmedia.com]. “We understand that many people across campus are using social media, in addition to all their other responsibilities. We hope that this page can offer them support and guidance when starting or maintaining an account on behalf of BC,” said Beecher. The site design was completed by Web Support Manager Scott Olivieri, Senior Web Interface Designer Kul Thapa and Web Interface Designer Mikal Morello. For more on BC Social, see www. bc.edu/social or email social@bc.edu
By NEWS & PUBLIC AFFAIRS STAFF
By Sean Smith Chronicle Editor
words of Jesuit founder Saint Ignatius of Loyola to “go set the world aflame.” Earlier in the day, the Mass of the Holy Spirit will be celebrated by University President William P. Leahy, SJ. The Mass, a traditional opening of the school year at Jesuit institutions dating back to the Middle Ages, is open to members of the University community of all faiths. Noon classes are canceled. Students, faculty and staff will participate as greeters, lectors and Eucharistic ministers. Members of the BC Jesuit community and other priests at BC will concelebrate the Mass. Associate Professor of Physics Cyril Opeil, SJ, will be the homilist. Music will be provided by the Liturgy Arts Group. The Mass of the Holy Spirit is organized by the Office of Campus Ministry and First Year Academic Convocation is organized by the Office of First Year Experience, both of which are in the Division of University Mission and Ministry.
3
Ebel Hands Weston Observatory Baton to Kafka The 2013-14 academic year sees a change in leadership in one of Boston College’s most distinguished scientific facilities, with Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences John Ebel stepping down as director of the University’s Weston Observatory after 20 years and assuming the post of Earth and Environmental Sciences chairman. Associate Professor Alan Kafka is the new director of the observatory, which monitors seismological activity throughout New England and beyond. Ebel replaces Associate Professor Gail Kineke as chair of a department navigating the next phase of its development. The department has approximately 16 faculty members and has seen the number of E&ES majors nearly double to between 70 to 80 students annually. “I think the department is at a real exciting point in its evolution,” said Ebel. “We’ve gotten involved in environmental studies and environmental geoscience in a big way. We have some very good young faculty on the geology side of the department who are coming on board. The University is allowing us to grow a bit, which is great.” —Ed Hayward
T he B oston C ollege
Chronicle september 5, 2013
4
While You Were Away... BOSTON COLLEGE NEWS FROM THE SUMMER of 2013
Moore, Feudo Appointments Seen As Bolstering Campaign Joy Moore, former director of stewardship and donor relations in University Development, has been appointed associate vice president for alumni relations, Senior Vice President for University Advancement James Husson announced. A 1981 alumna who received an honorary degree at the 2010 Commencement Exercises for her work with the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, Moore succeeded John Feudo ’82, who after seven years in the alumni relations post has joined University Development as senior development officer. Husson said the leadership transition would strengthen the University’s $1.5 billion “Light the World” campaign, which earlier this year crossed the $1 bil-
lion threshold. A major facet of the campaign’s success, he said, is “providing compelling opportunities for alumni to deepen their engagement with their alma mater.” Moore worked in the University’s development operation shortly after graduating and followed that with positions at the University of San Francisco and University of California at Berkeley. After stints as interim head of school at The Archer School for Girls in Los Angeles and Dana Hall School in Wellesley, she served for four years as interim and then deputy head of the South Africa-based Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, launched by the famed television personality and executive in January 2007. —Office of News & Public Affairs Photos by Lee Pellegrini
BC Makes Connections in Chile
Boston College firmed ties with the educational, faith and philanthropic communities in Chile this summer, as a result of a visit of University representatives led by President William P. Leahy, SJ. Fr. Leahy, along with three senior administrators, three academic deans and three senior faculty members, went to Chile to sign an agreement that will support faculty exchanges and collaborations between BC and the Catholic University of Chile, the top-ranked university in Spanish-speaking Latin America. The partnership will formally begin with a contingent of faculty from Catholic University arriving at BC in December for a stay of about two months. The BC delegation also visited the Jesuit university of Chile, Universidad Alberto Hurtado, where Fr. Leahy met with a group of BC students participating in a BC summer course, Through the Eyes of Service: Social Justice in Chile. “It was a very rich set of conversations with our colleagues,” said College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Dean David Quigley, who was among the BC representatives. “The Catholic University is one of the best higher education institutions in Latin America, and we look forward to
building a relationship with them.” Graduate School of Social Work Dean Alberto Godenzi described the visit as “very encouraging and uplifting,” and said the range of disciplines represented by the BC visitors — including social work, law and the humanities — offers a glimpse of how wide-ranging its links with the university could be. “You have two Catholic universities that are dedicated to their missions, and with a strong legacy of academics, scholarship and service,” he said. “This is a wonderful strategic opportunity for Boston College to go beyond the traditional faculty and student exchange model, and foster some unique collaborations.” In addition, BC representatives went to El Techo Para Chile (A Roof for Chile), a widely acclaimed nonprofit that seeks to overcome poverty through community development, political advocacy and fostering social awareness and action. Its chairman of the board, Crisitian del Campo, SJ, holds degrees from the Carroll Graduate School of Management and the School of Theology and Ministry. A group of Chileans working to strengthen civil society through philanthropic efforts also met with the BC delegation. —Sean Smith
Writer and editor Maura Johnston, a key figure in the transition of music and popular culture journalism to the Digital Age, has been appointed as the Institute for the Liberal Arts’ first Journalism Fellow. Johnston — a founding editor of Gawker Media’s music blog Idolator and former Village Voice music editor who earlier this year launched Maura Magazine — will be a member of the ILA’s seminar on academia
and public life, visit journalism and writing classes, and teach two undergraduate courses of her own: Journalism and New Media in the fall, and Writing About Popular Music in the spring. A contributor to Rolling Stone,
The Awl, Newsday and Spin, Johnston has discussed music and popular culture on National Public Radio, WNYC, WBUR and CBC Radio, among others, and has taught the course Writing about Popular Music at New York University’s Clive Davis Institute Of Recorded Music since 2010. For more about the Institute for the Liberal Arts, see http://www. bc.edu/centers/ila. —Sean Smith
Associate Professor of History Martin A. Summers has been named as a Fellow at the National Humanities Center for the 201314 academic year, joining 35 other distinguished scholars from institutions across the United States, Canada, France and Russia. Chosen from more than 400 applicants, NHC fellows work on individual research projects and have the opportunity to share ideas in seminars, lectures, and conferences at the center, located in the Research Triangle Park of North Carolina. Summers, who has a joint appointment in the African and African Diaspora Studies Program, is the first recipient of the center’s newly established Ruth W. and A. Morris Williams Jr. Fellowship for his research project, “Race, Madness, and the State: A History of Saint Elizabeths Hospital and Washington, DC’s African American Community, 1855-1987.” He is the third Boston College faculty member to be selected as an NHC Fellow, along with English Professor Kevin J. Ohi (2004-05) and Professor of Theology Rev. James Weiss (1986-87).
immigrated to the US from Ireland in 1976 — has cultivated a decades-long list of accomplishments that include a record 10 All-Ireland fiddle championships, selection by Irish America magazine as one of the top 100 Irish Americans, and “Traditional Musician of the Year” honors from the Irish Echo. He founded and directed BC’s highly acclaimed Gaelic Roots Summer School and Festival and now coordinates a Gaelic Roots series of free concerts and lectures by visiting artists throughout the academic year. Connolly and the other fellowship winners will be honored in Washington, DC, Sept. 25 and 27.
Languages — Epstein focuses his research on Russian poetry of the late 20th century through the present, with particular interest in Saint Petersburg’s Underground. Epstein describes this artistic and literary movement — exemplified by such figures as Joseph Brodsky, Yelena Shvarts, Viktor Krivulin, and Arkady Dragomoshchenko — as a fascinating universe of personalities and styles that was a key facet in Russia’s transition from late- to post-Soviet society. Among Epstein’s publications are the essay “My Petersburg” for a magazine commemorating the city’s 300th anniversary, and articles for The Literary Review, New Arcadia Review, Slavic Review and Slavic and Eastern European Journal. His honors include a grant from Artslink/NEA for editorial contributions to the volume Closing the Millennium: Russian Poetry at the End of the Century. —Sean Smith
Sullivan Artist-in-Residence Seamus Connolly, director of Boston College’s Irish music programs, was chosen as a National Heritage Fellow by the National Endowment for the Arts — the nation’s highest honor in the folk and traditional arts. NEA National Heritage Fellowships recognize folk and traditional artists for their artistic excellence and efforts to conserve America’s culture for future generations. The fellowships include an award of $25,000. A Boston College faculty member since 1990, Connolly — who
Thomas Epstein, an adjunct associate professor in the College of Arts and Sciences Honors Program, has been awarded a Council for International Exchange of Scholars Fulbright fellowship. He will spend next semester in Saint Petersburg, teaching English at Smolny College and continuing his research on the city’s legendary Soviet-era “Underground” arts movement. A member of the A&S Honors faculty since 1998 — he also has an appointment in Slavic and Eastern
Photos by Lee Pellegrini and Sean Smith
SCIENCES@BC
Recent activities of Boston College science faculty An international team of researchers led by Associate Professor of Physics Vidya Madhavan and Assistant Professor Stephen Wilson reported in the journal Science’s online Science Express that their experiments have revealed unique properties of materials known as topological crystalline insulators. Link: bit.ly/195v3Ob Chemistry Department Chairman Amir Hoveyda and Professor of Chemistry Marc Snapper reported in Nature Chemistry that they used a new, computationally inspired strategy to produce a more efficient chemical reaction from a highly-valued catalyst their team has been developing since 2006. Link: bit.ly/15EXO4n. Vanderslice Professor of Chemistry Larry Scott and colleagues from Nagoya University in Japan reported in Nature Chemistry that they had synthesized the first example of a new form of carbon consisting of multiple identical pieces of “grossly warped graphene.” Link: bit.ly/1dtHOqE. Professor of Physics David Broido and colleagues reported in Physical Review Letters that cubic boron arsenide could deliver extraordinarily high thermal conductivity – on par with the industry standard set by costly diamond. Link: bit.ly/14eiT28. Associate Professor of Physics Willie Padilla reported in Optics Express that his lab used a laser beam to send a detailed set of instructions that create a coded aperture, enabling a new method that may help tame terahertz waves in order to create new imaging technology. Link: bit.ly/15qgbG2
T he B oston C ollege
Chronicle september 5, 2013
Kenny to Head Lynch School
(Left) Lornex Rono talked about her experiences at Boston College this past summer through the Boston Private Industry Council Job Collaborative Program, as Human Resources Employment Specialist Emmanuel Johnson looked on. (Right) Learning to Learn Administrative Assistant Paula Grealish gave a hug to Lory Cadeau during the Aug. 23 reception for the program participants. (Photos by Caitlin Cunningham)
As the new academic year drew closer, Boston College honored area high school students who worked on campus this summer as part of the University’s collaboration with the Boston Private Industry Council (PIC). The 23 students attended a closing ceremony Aug. 23 in the Yawkey Center Murray Room to cap their participation in PIC’s Job Collaborative Program, which provides real-world job experience and an insight into college life. After a welcome by Human Resources Senior Assistant KimDuyen Ngo and Employment Specialist Emmanuel Johnson — BC coordinators for the program — students took turns speaking about their time at BC. They expressed appreciation for the opportunity to develop job skills and to learn about workplace routines and decorum; the students also praised their supervisors for making them feel welcome and valued. “If I had a ‘Boss of the Year Award,’” said Ralph Karnuah, looking at AHANA Student Programs Administrative Assistant Rosaleah Brown, “I would give it to her.” Supervisors also had the chance to offer their perspectives, and lauded the student workers’ industriousness and enthusiasm for learning. In addition, PIC School-to-Career and Employer Engagement Director Josh Bruno was on hand to give thanks to BC for its more than three decades of support. —Sean Smith
BC Adopts Print Management Program By Sean Smith Chronicle Editor
Boston College has established a university-wide print management program to promote cost-effectiveness, efficiency and consistency in BC publications. A major facet of the program is that offices and departments must choose from a list of approved suppliers to produce print publications paid for with University funds. Leaders of the initiative, the result of a yearlong review of print purchasing procedures and suppliers by a University committee, say the program will improve the buying position of BC and preserve the University brand. It may also, they add, encourage adoption of alternatives to traditional print as a means of communication, at a time when the University spends more than $3.5 million a year on printing and related costs. With the increasing popularity of e-mail, social media and other non-print applications for business as well as private use, Boston College and other academic institutions need to reconsider their current practices, according to Procurement Services Director Paul McGowan, a co-leader of the print management committee. “People often tend to do things because they’ve always been done that way,” said McGowan. “This print management program provides the opportunity to get us thinking if there are other ways, by asking ourselves some basic questions: Do I really need to have the
project printed? What is the return on my investment in this project? And who is that needs to see this project?” In the course of its study, the print management committee found BC used more than 150 print suppliers for publications. This created inefficiencies and inconsistencies in costs and products, said McGowan and other committee members, running counter to University efforts to fashion a graphic identity in all its materials. The committee came up with a set of criteria — such as cost, range and scale of services and adherence to BC graphic standards — with which to vet suppliers, and over the past year gradually pared the number in the University database to 15. There were few complaints voiced from the University community, noted McGowan, who adds that exceptions can be requested for project needs that cannot be met by the approved printers. “We’ve seen a great willingness to embrace the idea of approved printers,” he said. “Most of the firms we deal with have all the capabilities BC offices and departments need. The suppliers we work with now are really partners in the process, and understand the bigger picture. For example, once they saw the value of our direct-to-mill paper program, they began to work with that supplier — they see the advantages in the partnership.” Associate Director of Procurement Jerri Cole, who co-leads the committee with McGowan and Office of Marketing Communi-
cations Senior Associate Director Kristen Patterson, says the print management initiative also encourages offices and departments to examine the distributive end of their print projects. “One of the common complaints we heard during our study was from people who would receive two or three copies of the same newsletter or brochure, or a publication for which they had no use,” she explained. “Since enacting the print management program, we’ve already seen improvements. Using alternatives to print, or simply checking your mailing list, cuts down the number of duplicate or unwanted publications that are received.” McGowan and Cole expressed appreciation to fellow print management committee members Sheila Frazier, Colleen Chase, Jamie DiLoreto, Marybeth Cheverie, Susan Hynes, Linda Riley, Cecilia McClary, Diana Parziale, Christine Hunt and Al Travaglini. They also lauded the backing from Executive Vice President Patrick Keating, Vice President for Planning and Assessment Kelli Armstrong and Associate Vice President of Finance John Burke. “We appreciate the leadership shown by various individuals and groups across BC in their willingness to make the changes necessary and work collaboratively with the suppliers,” said McGowan. Information on the University Print Management Program is available at www.bc.edu/printmanagement
Continued from page 1 who have worked closely with her since her arrival as assistant professor in 1988. “During her time as interim dean, Maureen has displayed thoughtful stewardship and insightful leadership for the Lynch School,” said Lynch School Professor of Education Law and Public Policy Diana Pullin, who served as dean from 1987-1994. “She is a strong scholar with a deep understanding of the challenges facing educators and psychologists. We are in very good hands as we move forward.” Kenny, who was named full professor in the Lynch School in 2005, had also served as the school’s associate dean prior to her appointment as interim dean. In addition, she served as dissertation liaison, chair of the Department of Counseling, Developmental and Educational Psychology, and program director for MA and PhD programs in Counseling. Her research interests include relational factors as contributors to school engagement and career development among urban high school youth,
5
and preventive interventions for promoting healthy academic, social and physical development among urban elementary school children. “I am very proud to assume the position of dean in the Lynch School, and I look forward to advancing the strategic priorities identified by the faculty, staff, and administration over the past year,” said Kenny. “We will continue our foci on preparing reflective professionals in education, applied psychology, and research who are leaders and agents of social change in their fields and in producing innovative and collaborative research that is grounded in social justice and informs educational and social policy and practice.” A graduate of Brown University, Kenny holds a MEd from Columbia University and a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania. The Lynch School of Education is ranked 19th in the United States by US News & World Report. Contact Jack Dunn at jack.dunn@bc.edu
Chiles Is New VP for Research Continued from page 1 come Thomas Chiles and Bill Nunez to the Provost’s Office,” Quinn said. “In addition to overseeing the University’s current research portfolio, Tom will be working with our colleagues to develop a strategic vision to advance research throughout the University, a starting point for discussion with our next provost. Bill will work with the offices of sponsored programs, research integrity and compliance protections. Together they will build on the foundation established by their predecessors.” Chiles is a highly regarded researcher whose study of lymphocyte metabolism and cancer biology is funded by the National Cancer Institute and private foundations. Together with Ferris Professor of Physics Mike Naughton, Chiles is also developing novel materials for detecting infectious diseases which plague developing nations, a project funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease. In addition to his teaching and research, Chiles has played a significant role in a series of University initiatives. He was part of a group of academic leaders that undertook the Core Renewal project, which is focused on revitalizing BC’s core undergraduate curriculum. Chiles also plays a pivotal role as a member of the governing board for BC’s Insti-
tute for the Liberal Arts. In his new post, Chiles will be responsible for establishing a strategic, University-wide approach to research, as well as coordinating the administrative units of research integrity and compliance, technology transfer and licensing, and sponsored programs. “I’m excited about undertaking this new role,” said Chiles, who has taught at BC for 21 years. “The main goal is to identify a real strategic vision for research on this campus. It’s a vision that would encompass not only the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities, but our professional and graduate schools as well.” Chiles replaces Professor of Chemistry Larry McLaughlin, who held the post for nearly three years. Previous faculty tapped to direct University research efforts were Naughton and Rourke Professor of Physics Kevin Bedell. “I look forward to expanding upon what has been working well,” said Chiles. “We want to continue to build these programs so they position Boston College on a national and international stage. We want programs that are the equal of this great University and we’re on track to take our accomplishments to the next level.” Contact Ed Hayward at ed.hayward@bc.edu
T he B oston C ollege
Chronicle september 5, 2013
NSF Grant Continued from page 1 mathematicians and math majors as classroom teachers. The 16 participants will be eligible for stipends of $10,000 a year for up to five years so long as they maintain their commitment to teaching in school districts with a high need for qualified math teachers, Albert said. “What we’re trying to do differently is support teachers not only during that phase where they are preparing to become teachers, but also once they enter the profession and as they establish themselves early in their careers,” said Albert, who is joined on the grant by co-principal investigators James P. McIntyre Professor of Mathematics Solomon Friedberg and Associate Professor of Mathematics ChiKeung Cheung. Albert said mentoring is a central theme of the new project. “We have a program that is called Mathematicians in the Classroom where experienced mathematicians – they may be retired master teachers or university faculty – will serve as mentors to these teachers,” said Albert. “The participants will also have a mentor who is a practicing teacher, someone who has been in the field for several years.
I think that’s a unique component that provides another strong support element.” In addition to classes, professional development, stipends and mentoring, the project includes a partnership with the non-profit group Math for America Boston, the Education Development Center and colleagues at Boston University in an effort to create a network that supports math teachers in Greater Boston. “These partnerships are important as we continue our work to build a cohort of outstanding mathematics teachers who can not only excel in the classroom, but also serve as leaders for other teachers,” said Friedberg. “The organizations we’re working with have given a lot of thought to the ongoing development of math teachers and we’ll be working with them to support these teachers.” Friedberg said the grant advances a rich partnership between Mathematics and the Lynch School, which has teamed up on the Teachers for a New Era initiative and also developed an annual mathematics seminar that brings teachers, professors and school administrators to campus to examine current issues in the discipline. Contact Ed Hayward at ed.hayward@bc.edu
BC Sees Prospective Partnership in Math with Chinese University
Boston College was one of nine US universities to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Mathematical Sciences Center and Department of Mathematical Sciences at Tsinghua University in China, a move that could foster faculty and student exchanges and other cooperative ventures. Mathematics faculty members characterize the prospective partnership between BC and Tsinghua as mutually beneficial for two institutions looking to strengthen the visibility and scope of their mathematics programs. McIntyre Professor and Chair of Mathematics Solomon Friedberg noted the other eight US universities — among 33 worldwide — invited to sign the memorandum are prominent names in mathematics: California-Berkeley, Chicago, Columbia, Duke, Harvard, Northwestern, Stanford and UCLA. “BC is in good company here,” he said. “The other potential benefit of the Tsinghua partnership is the possibility for collaborations with faculty from the partner institutions worldwide. We look forward to seeing how this unfolds.” —Sean Smith
Convocation Continued from page 1 Theology Catherine Cornille has been formed, he said, with the goal of identifying candidates by early 2014. He also touched on the core curriculum review process — discussed in greater detail by Quinn during his remarks — and praised the work of the Core Renewal Committee led by College of Arts and Sciences Dean David Quigley, Institute for the Liberal Arts Director Mary Crane and Carroll School of Management Dean Andy Boynton. Turning to the University’s “Light the World” campaign, Fr. Leahy pointed to several highlights — $1.085 billion raised of the $1.5 billion goal, $225 mil-
An Instinct for Teaching Book of 26 top law teachers includes BC Law’s Ingrid Hillinger By Sean Smith Chronicle Editor
Law School Professor Ingrid Hillinger is a 37-year teaching veteran, and — according to a recently published book — one of the best in her profession. But, believe it or not, she still gets nervous in front of a classroom. “Terrifying,” she quips, describing the experience. Nor does Hillinger rely on a systemic, ordered methodology in her work. “I teach by instinct,” she explains. “I love to teach, but I have no plan. In my whole life, I’ve only planned one thing: one of my three children. I feel lucky to have a job I love so much — it just couldn’t be better.” Hillinger was among 26 law teachers profiled in What the Best Law Teachers Do, which is based on a four-year study of law educators who have a significant, positive and long-term effect on their students. The book — authored by Gonzaga School of Law Professor Gerry Hess, University of New Hampshire School of Law Professor Sophie Sparrow and Michael Hunter Schwartz, dean and professor of law at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law — explores the qualities that make these select professors stand out from their peers, such as their class preparations and teaching methods, and how they relate to students, provide assistance and assess their learning. A 25-year member of the BC Law faculty who teaches a variety of commercial law/bankruptcy
lion of which has gone to fund best thing that’s been said about student aid and $48 million to Stokes is, it looks like it’s always 20 new full-time faculty posi- been there,” he said. tions — as evidence of the strides [See page 3 for an update on BC has made in fundraising since construction.] earlier campaigns. Elsewhere, Keating said the “But we need University was to do even better continuing its “The history of Boston to provide funds pattern of “modfor strategic prior- College reminds us that est growth, manities and to com- it possible to engage and aged costs and plete our ‘Light careful investresolve difficulties and the World’ camments,” and paign before the remain faithful to long- lauded employend of 2015-16 ees for their role academic year,” held values and beliefs.” in helping adhe said. —William P. Leahy, SJ dress health care Keating spoke and energy costs about recent and in particular. He predicted the ongoing construction, includ- trend to continue, underscoring ing the opening earlier this year the need for fundraising as well as of Stokes Hall, which he said the demand for financial aid, cost was a symbol of BC’s dedication control and savings and academic to the humanities. “Perhaps the and capital investments.
Photo courtesy BC Law School
6
“You don’t need to be brilliant to be effective. You need to be clear. If a student doesn’t get it, then it’s been a waste of time.” —Ingrid Hillinger
courses, Hillinger is described as an inspiring role model for her students, one who carefully prepares them to practice law, devotes herself to helping them grow personally and professionally, and continues to mentor former students long after graduation. Researching their book, the authors visited BC Law to observe Hillinger’s lectures and conduct lengthy interviews with her, BC Law Dean Vincent Rougeau, her colleagues, as well as students and alumni. The authors said they felt moved, inspired and excited to change their own teaching methodology based on what they observed and heard. “You don’t need to be brilliant to be effective,” says Hillinger, who won a BC Distinguished Teaching Award in 2002. “You need to be clear. If a student doesn’t get it, then it’s been a waste of time. I think the nicest Keating highlighted three programs of growing importance across the University — compliance, data security and emergency management — and thanked the some 400 people at BC for “their excellent and critical work [that helps to] protect the University, protect people and protect property.” Quinn, who received sustained applause from the audience during his introduction, noted the arrival of 49 new fulltime faculty this year, 26 of them women, and of a freshman class that — as is the case most every year — is academically stronger than any before it. He also spoke about the core renewal initiative, which following discussions during the 201213 academic year with faculty, students, administrators and oth-
thing you can say about me is that I care about the students. If you care, they care back.” Hillinger says she lets students know what they’re in for at the outset: “On the first day, I’ll say something like, ‘All the rumors you’ve heard are true: This is BC Law’s hair-and-weight-loss class, and I eat a bowl of code provisions for breakfast.’ Yes, I’m hard and demanding, but I try to make things fun, too — a little role-playing, or just saying something nobody expects.” Laptops are banned from Hillinger’s classroom. “They interfere with the conversations going on. I made that decision after a lot of thought — and the students thanked me.” But what happens between the classes is important, too: For example, Hillinger invites her first-year students, in groups of six, to “high tea” in her office. “It’s the best thing I’ve done,” she says. “We have these very intense classes, and then they come up here for a couple of hours. It’s magical — they get to know me and I get to know them. Even students who don’t have any intention of going into commercial law still like the opportunity to just sit and talk.” Law School Assistant Director of Student Services Tiffany Gabrielson JD’10 readily endorses her former teacher. “She wants students to be better people, not just better lawyers. Ingrid is not afraid to tell people they’re wrong; that’s something you have to be used to if you want to learn to be a lawyer. Students know she can be exacting, but it’s because she cares.” Contact Sean Smith at sean.smith@bc.edu
ers in the University community had produced a proposal that focused on communities of inquiry for first-year students, “emphasizing interdisciplinary teaching around perennial questions as well as pressing contemporary policy issues.” Quinn said work would continue on the proposal this academic year, with the goal of designing and developing a limited number of freshmen courses to test new approaches to the core, which would be offered in 201415. “The proposal’s philosophy, which I applaud, is to move forward thoughtfully and deliberately — a process of continual innovation.” Contact Sean Smith at sean.smith@bc.edu
T he B oston C ollege
Chronicle september 5, 2013
7
WELCOME ADDITIONS Assistant Professor of Sociology Kimberly Hoang spent two years as a postdoctoral fellow at Rice University after receiving her doctorate from the University of California-Berkeley. Her dissertation, “New Economics of Sex and Intimacy in Vietnam,” earned the American Sociological Association’s Best Dissertation Award. Hoang, who holds a master’s degree from Stanford University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of California-Santa Barbara, focuses on immigration, Asia and Southeast Asia, political economy, and gender and sexuality studies. Hoang is teaching Qualitative Research Methods through the Sociology Department and a senior seminar on Globalization and International Migration through the International Studies Program. Assistant Professor of Biology Laura Lowery’s fields of interest include cytoskeletal dynamics during cell migration, axon outgrowth and the development of the nervous system. Her research attempts to uncover the causes of cellular abnormalities in the early stages of nervous system development, which have been associated with disorders such as autism and schizophrenia. The Lowery Lab uses high-resolution live imaging and computational analysis in an effort to learn more about how a particular protein may influence key processes in early neural development. Lowery received her doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and was a post-doctoral researcher in cellular biology at Harvard Medical School. Lowery has co-authored reports that have appeared in journals including Molecular Cell Biology, the Journal of Visualized Experiments and Developmental Biology. Associate Professor of Operations Management Deishin Lee comes to the Carroll School of Management after a nearly 10-year teaching career at Harvard University. Lee’s research interests include sustainable operations management, supply chain management, operations strategy and environmental regulation. An award-winning instructor, Lee has published articles in Manufacturing & Service, Operations Management, Management Science, Production and Operations Management and Information Systems Research. Lee holds a master’s degree from MIT and a doctorate from Stanford University, and held various engineering and managerial positions during a seven-year stint at Motorola Inc. An ethnomusicologist, Assistant Professor of Music Ann Lucas specializes in music history of the Persian-speaking Near East. Her research focuses on the history of music in Iran and the relationship between cultural upheaval and musical change over epochs, as well as ethnographic fieldwork on Arab music and dance. Prior to joining BC, she was a postdoctoral researcher at Harvard University’s Center for Middle Eastern Studies, after an American Council of Learned Societies New Faculty Fellowship at Brandeis University. An avid performer of Persian and Arabic music, Lucas uses different versions of the nay, a Middle Eastern reed flute. She received master’s and doctoral degrees in ethnomusicology from UCLA, and a bachelor of music degree in piano performance from Kansas State University. A former faculty member at MIT and Harvard, Assistant Professor of Economics Michael Grubb researches bill-shock regulation, in particular within the context of cellular phone service. His areas of interest are behavioral industrial organization, industrial organization and applied microeconomic theory. Among his various fellowships and honors, Grubb was awarded the Claire and Ralph Landau Prize for his article “Selling to Overconfident Consumers,” published in the American Economic Review. Grubb earned his PhD from Stanford and holds a master’s degree in economic philosophy from Oxford University. —Ed Hayward, Sean Hennessey, Rosanne Pellegrini and Kathleen Sullivan Photos by Lee Pellegrini “Welcome Additions,” an occasional feature, profiles new faculty members at Boston College.
Newsmakers As the Obama administration considered its response to the deaths of Syrian citizens after a chemical weapons attack, Asst. Prof. Peter Krause (Political Science), appearing on the New England Cable News “Morning Show,” cited three reasons why the US might not want to get involved in Syria. Krause’s Political Science colleague Assoc. Prof. Jonathan Laurence, writing in Spiegel Online International, said Germany’s urging of caution in response to French calls for the use of force in Syria is a sign that the country is quietly asserting itself and fleshing out its foreign policy. Another Political Science faculty member, Prof. David Deese, spoke with Fox News Boston about potential US intervention in the Syrian conflict.
BC BRIEFING The trial and conviction of James “Whitey” Bulger holds many lessons, wrote Adj. Prof. Margaret McLean (CSOM) wrote in the Patriot Ledger: The government must come up with a better system to ensure that the next Whitey Bulger is not allowed another free reign of terror, she said, and the truth should never be manipulated and covered up in the interests of justice. The Washington Post “WonkBlog” highlighted a paper co-authored by Professors Tayfun Sönmez and Utku Ünver (Economics) that addresses the fair division problem commonly referred to as the “housemates problem” or the “room assignment-rent division problem.”
ON TOPIC
Compiled by Sean Hennessey “Limited intervention is rarely successful. It’s kind of like the Goldilocks analogy. Get involved too hot and finish the war, that works out well. If you kind of stay out of it, that works pretty well. But limited intervention often prolongs the conflict more but doesn’t actually end it.”
—Asst. Prof. Peter Krause (Political Science), on the prospects of US intervention in Syria “I’d never seen anything as massive as that; the level of energy and excitement was powerful. We certainly didn’t think it would be as legendary as it was. It was just an unbelievable experience and to be shoulder to shoulder with so many people in such a peaceful yet purposeful event is just hard to describe. It was clearly one of those most powerful experiences I have ever had in my lifetime.”
—Nelson Professor of Psychology and Education Anderson Franklin, who witnessed the Martin Luther King Jr. “I have a dream” speech at the 1963 March on Washington. Keenan, SJ, published the following: “Vatican II and Theological Ethics,” Theological Studies; “Developing HIV/ AIDS Discourse in Africa and Advancing the Argument for Universal Health Care,” AIDS: Thirty Years Down the Line: Faith Based Reflections about the Epidemic in Africa; “Catholic Theological Ethics in the World Today,” Moral Theology in India Today; and “A Summons to Promote Professional Ethics in the Academy,” Journal of the Society of Christian Ethics. Associate University Librarian for Special Collections Bridget J. Burke published “The “Any Typist” Myth: Gender and Skill in the Printing Trades,” in Labor: Studies in WorkingClass History of the Americas.
Honors/Appointments Asst. Prof. Holly Fontenot (CSON), an alumna of Mercer University, will be inducted into the university’s Hall of Honor in October.
Publications “Memory of Forgotten War,” a Founders Professor in Theology James
documentary on Korean-American
NOTA BENE Economics Department faculty members Professor Utku Ünver and Assistant Professor S Anukriti recently received prestigious professional honors. Ünver, who joined Boston College in 2008, has been granted a Special Award in Science by the Turkish Scientific and Technological Research Council, which recognizes Turkish scientists who have significantly contributed to science by their work abroad. Ünver was the sole recipient of the award in the Social Sciences category, cited for his work on economic design, matching models and kidney exchange schemes, many of which have involved collaboration with colleague Professor Tayfun Sönmez and recent Nobel Prize recipient Alvin Roth. Anukriti, one of three new members of the Economics faculty for 2013-14, won a prize from the Econometric Society for authoring one of the two best papers in applied economics by young researchers. She presented her paper, “The Fertility-Sex Ratio Trade-off: Unintended Consequences of Financial Incentives,” at BC this past spring. Anukriti earned her doctoral degree from Columbia University earlier this year. —Office of News & Public Affairs
survivors of the Korean War coproduced by Prof. Emeritus Ramsay Liem (Psychology), received the Excellence in Short Documentary Filmmaking Award at the New York Asian American International Film Festival. Prof. Maxim D. Shrayer (Slavic and Eastern Languages) presented “Nabokov, Translation, Inspiration” and read from and discussed the recently published Russian translation of his book Waiting for America at the Nabokov Readings/Nabokovskie chteniia conference — for which he serves as chair of the organizing committee — held in St. Petersburg. Shrayer also spoke at Moscow’s Biblio-Globus Bookstore and St. Petersburg’s Bukvoed Bookstore at Vosstaniia Square, and was a guest of Sergei Medvedev’s talk show “Archeology” on radio FINAM-FM.
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, Music Department Library Assistant, O’Neill Library Administrative Assistant, Annual Giving, Development Office University Controller Administrative Assistant, Center for Catholic Education Research Technician, Biology Department Technology Manager, Residential Life Financial Aid Associate, Student Services Staff Assistant for Summer Housing, Residential Life Director, Dining Services Head Librarian, Graduate School of Social Work Weekend Emergency Response Clinician, University Counseling
T he B oston C ollege
Chronicle september 5, 2013
8
LOOKING AHEAD
McMullen Traces Career of Pioneering Realist By Rosanne Pellegrini Staff Writer
The travels of one of France’s most prolific, innovative painters — and his influence on foreign artists — are explored in an exclusive exhibition about realist movement leader Gustave Courbet, now on display at the McMullen Museum of Art. “Courbet: Mapping Realism,” which runs through Dec. 8, showcases the works of this pioneer of modernism and one of the most unconventional painters of his time, who rejected both academic art and romantic idealism in favor of realist depictions of society and fresh, natural landscapes. The McMullen display expands upon the just-completed exhibition “Gustave Courbet and Belgium” at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium in Brussels, which examined Belgium’s role in Courbet’s development and the positive response by Belgian artists and collectors to the bold social commentary in his work. Comprised of 49 works, “Courbet: Mapping Realism” includes additional paintings by Courbet in American collections to tell the story of his reception here. Exceptional works by Courbet’s American contemporaries, including Elizabeth Boott Duveneck, Martin Johnson Heade, Winslow Homer, William Morris Hunt, Eastman Johnson and John La Farge, reveal the role he played in shaping American painting.
“Château de Chillon,” one of the works by Gustave Courbet currently on display at the McMullen Museum of Art.
“The McMullen Museum is pleased to be collaborating again with the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium to bring a groundbreaking exhibition that ‘maps’ the reception and influence in both Belgium and America of one of France’s most prolific and innovative artists of the 19th century,” said McMullen Museum Director and Professor of Art History Nancy Netzer. “The exhibition provides an opportunity to see many outstanding paintings never before on public display this side of the Atlantic.” Organized by the McMullen Museum and the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, “Courbet: Mapping Realism” is curated by Professor of Art History Jeffery Howe and Dominique Marechal, curator of 19th-century art at the Royal Museums. The exhibition is underwritten by Boston College, the Patrons of the McMullen Museum, and the Newton College
classes of 1968 and 1973. Born in the city of Ornans, Courbet (1819-77) was known as a free spirit and frequent traveler, and found particular success in Belgium, where he played a pivotal role in the Belgian realist movement. “This exhibit provides a unique opportunity to see Courbet’s art in the context of both Belgian realism and art from New England of the same era,” said Howe. “Using the metaphor of a map, we can trace the impact of Courbet’s pivotal transformation of European art and parallels in American art. The rich collections of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium confirm Courbet’s importance in European art, and the generous loans from museums and outstanding private collections in New England and New York offer new insights into the development of realism in America.” “The [Belgian] exhibition not
only sheds new light on the six paintings by Courbet conserved in the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, but also on the role played by this major figure of modernity in the development of Belgium’s realist movement from the 1850s to 1870s,” noted Marechal. A volume of essays by American and Belgian scholars accompanies the exhibition. Along with Howe — who edited the volume — and Marechal, contributors include Fine Arts Professor Claude Cernuschi and Adjunct Associate Professor Katherine Nahum and Jean-Philippe Huys, a researcher at the Centre international pour l’Étude du XIXe siècle in Brussels. In addition, two free public lectures in November at the McMullen Museum will complement the Courbet exhibition: by Dr. Petra ten-Doesschate Chu, a world authority on Courbet who has translated his correspondence and written numerous books on him (Nov. 7); and by Elliot Bostwick Davis, John Moors Cabot Chair of the Art of the Americas Department at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, who will speak on the collection and legacy of her great-grandmother, Louisine Havemeyer, an early and prolific Courbet collector (Nov. 14). Both events run from 5-7 p.m. For more information on the exhibition, docent tours, and the McMullen Museum, see www. bc.edu/artmuseum. Contact Rosanne Pellegrini at rosanne.pellegrini@bc.edu
50-Year Cheer for Bread and Puppet Theater Sept. 14 The Theatre Department will host a daylong symposium and performance on Sept. 14 in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the renowned Bread and Puppet Theater, the foremost populist, political theater in the US. “Fifty Years Bread and Puppet: Cheap Art and Political Theater” features scholarly presentations on the aesthetics and politics of Bread and Puppet, panel discussions on the company’s legacy and influence, and screenings of archival film footage from its performances. Bread and Puppet founder Peter Schumann will give the keynote address in the form of one of his famous “Fiddle Lectures”: a semi-improvised mix of performance and polemic. The celebration will culminate in an evening performance by Bread and Puppet of “The Fifty Years Cabaret,” followed by a public interview with Schumann. “Peter Schumann’s Bread and Puppet Theater has been one of the most unusual American theater companies of the 20th century and now the 21st century,” said John Bell, eminent puppet theater scholar, who is co-organizing the symposium — a continuation and capstone of his residency as the 2012-13 J. Donald Monan, SJ, Professor of Theatre Arts — with Theatre Department Chair and Associate Professor Scott T. Cummings. “It was the first contemporary theater in the United States to define puppetry as an art form particularly capable of addressing the most pressing issues of the day in deeply moving performances that could reach audiences of all ages..” Registration for the full day’s events is $25. Online registration is at www.bc.edu/BP50. —Rosanne Pellegrini
NEW YEAR, NEW FACES
BC SCENES
After moving in last week, Boston College’s Class of 2017 had a chance to explore their new surroundings through various events and activities, including: a welcome from Interim Provost and Dean of Faculties Joseph Quinn (below); a picnic and carnival on the Campus Green (below left); and the new McMullen Museum of Art exhibition, “Courbet: Mapping Realism,” with an introduction by Professor of Fine Arts Jeffery Howe. Read more about the Courbet exhibition above.
Photos by Lee Pellegrini