The Boston College
Chronicle Published by the Boston College Office of News & Public Affairs september 22, 2011 VOL. 20 no. 2
Day of Festivities Puts Spotlight on Social Work
•High marks for Dining Services, page 2
By Sean Smith Chronicle Editor
•Faculty/Staff art show, page 2 •Good start for ‘HEALTHY YOU,’ page 3 •’Got Green’ energy update, page 3 •Peter Ireland on the economy, page 5 •One Jesuit’s milestone, page 5
•C21 announces fall schedule, page 6 •BC Bookmarks, page 6 •LSOE revamps advising, page 6 •Affiliates candidates sought, page 7 •Fall 2011 Humanities Series, page 8
•Pops on the Heights preview, page 8
40 Years Later, ‘Mama Hannah’ Bids Farewell
By Jack Dunn Director of News & Public Affairs
Louise Hannah made friends with students and colleagues alike By Reid Oslin Staff Writer
In her 40 years of service to the University, Louise Hannah helped to process tens of thousands of applications for undergraduate admission – all done while winning the hearts and friendships of generations of Boston College students and fellow employees along the way. Affectionately known as “Mama Hannah” to her student charges, Hannah retired in August as supervisor of support services for the Office of Undergraduate Admission. She is one of the “heroes” of the
Victoria Reggie Kennedy gave the keynote speech at the Graduate School of Social Work 75th Anniversary celebration last week.
difficult days, we saw the power of social workers to make a difference, to do good for the world.” Kennedy’s talk — which included a Q&A with audience members — was the climax to a day that saw the GSSW commemorate 75 years of illustrious social work teaching and research while also presenting a vision for the future, of both the school and the profession. Participants and guests at the celebration attested to the emergence of the GSSW as a widely acclaimed international hub of scholarship on Continued on page 4
University Holds Steady in 2011 US News Rankings
Lee Pellegrini
•’Healthapalooza’ to hit Heights, page 5
Boston College paid tribute to 1999 alumnus and 9/11 hero Welles Crowther at the Eagles’ home football game Sept. 17 as 6,000 fans sported the former BC lacrosse player’s trademark red bandanna in tribute to his selfless actions, which saved many lives in the south tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Crowther’s family members were guests of honor at the game and received a prolonged standing ovation from the crowd following a ceremony in his memory. (Photo by John Quackenbos)
Social workers are an indispensable source of aid and comfort, as they showed in the wake of one of America’s greatest catastrophes — the 9/11 terrorist attacks — said Victoria Reggie Kennedy in her keynote address for the Graduate School of Social Work’s 75th anniversary celebration on Sept. 14. Kennedy, the widow of US Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, told a near-capacity Robsham Theater audience how her late husband, after hearing a 9/11 widow describe her plight in trying to get assistance, declared, “We need social workers — now!” With the aid of social workers, Kennedy explained, Senator Kennedy and others were able to “put together a lifeline” for people who had lost family members in the attacks, enabling them to find financial and other kinds of needed support. “The worst event in our history spontaneously brought out our best,” she said, “and in those
Rose Lincoln
INSIDE
GSSW 75th Anniversary
TRIBUTE TO A HERO
Undergraduate Admission Support Services Supervisor Louise Hannah retired in August.
University, says Director John L. Mahoney Jr. “With the colleagues she supervised, she led through example when she could and through coaching and encouragement when she needed to,” Mahoney told several Continued on page 4
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Boston College placed 31st among national universities in the US News & World Report survey for 2012, retaining its ranking from last year. The University was bolstered by an improved showing in faculty resources, a strong assessment from high school guidance counselors, who placed BC at 26th overall, and improvements in the average alumni giving rate. Boston College also improved to 39th in the “Great Schools Great Prices” ranking, reflecting the University’s commitment to need-blind admissions and to
meeting the full demonstrated need of all of its accepted students. In addition, BC’s Carroll School of Management was ranked 24th in the “Best Business Schools” survey. Provost and Dean of Faculties Cutberto Garza said he was pleased with the 2012 US News rankings and the positive way in which Boston College continues to be viewed among top national universities. “The rankings reflect the benefits of our strategic investment in teaching, research and student formation, all of which contribute to our students’ intellectual and personal development,” said Garza. Commenting on the Carroll Continued on page 3
“The political fiasco over raising the debt ceiling, which was mainly politics, led to a great deal of hesitation on the part of businesses and their hiring decisions and may have been the reason in and of itself there was virtually no new job creation in the month of August.” —Peter Ireland (page 5)