“My Catholic faith has always been an integral part of my life, but ‘God, Self, and Society’ was my first introduction to interpreting and understanding God's presence through an analytical lens. By reading pieces from the Bible, the Torah, Hindu philosophers, and Muslim thinkers, I was able to deepen my own connection with God, but also learn about God's ubiquitous and distinct presence across nations, cultures, and generations. I relished the opportunity to bolster my understanding of Catholicism, but it was just as significant to hear from people of all faith denominations in my class. It allowed me to form a perspective of religion that I will carry with me the rest of my life.” - Bradley Perlman ’28

“It was surreal. It was an out-of-body experience. I didn’t think that I was going to win, and I was surrounded by so many other amazing chefs that I was humbled to just have the experience. It means so much to represent Boston College in this competition. I work with an amazing team and to be their spokesperson through this is very humbling.” - Phyllis Kaplowitz, BC Dining Services Executive Chef who earned first place in the National Association of College & University Food Services 2026 Northeast Culinary Challenge | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/FishingforGold

“One of the greatest blessings during my time here has been to find mentors who genuinely take an interest in the students they work with. They believed in me even when I was unsure of myself. They held a mirror up and helped me see myself more wholly and clearly. They cared.” - Ryan Milligan '26, the 2026 Finnegan Award winner | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/RyanMilligan

“If you ask students why they take the class, my guess is most of them would say, ‘I want to build cool stuff’ or ‘It looked like fun,’ but the fact that we can let them have an impact while learning serious management skills is great. They also get the benefit of having this on their resumes. Many students have said, ‘I spoke about this in my job or internship interview, and everyone thought it was significant.’ For me, being able to contribute to that and be part of the aspects of the university that were so important and formative for me as an undergraduate feels like coming full circle.” - John Gallaugher ’88, Carroll School of Management at BC Professor who teaches “Physical Computing: Art, Robotics, and Tech for Good,” which challenges students to learn new technology, design, and business skills and put them to use in service of others | LEARN MORE: https://on.bc.edu/CoolStuff

“This work is very important to me, both as an endometriosis patient and as a Boston College Connell School of Nursing student. “Nursing students sit at the bedside, we hold the hands, we see what inadequate care costs a person. That knowledge is a responsibility. Take the cause that keeps you up at night and do something with it. Go to [Capitol] Hill. Write the letter. Make the call. Healthier tomorrows do not build themselves. St. Ignatius called us to ‘go forth and set the world aflame.’ So go." - Kristyn Stoia '22, '26, who advocated for greater awareness of endometriosis and adenomyosis and policy reforms related to the conditions on Capitol Hill | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/CSONAdvocacy2026

“I’ve come to recognize that my vocation has been to academic administration. I love working with the faculty and my colleagues on the administrative team. I love coming to work and asking the question: ‘How do we best educate for ministry in the Church?’ That’s been my driving force. “I usually see the students who are struggling in some way. I find meaning in helping those students, whether it is advocating for them with faculty or connecting them to University resources. And then, seeing over time how they get back on track is so fulfilling. I’m thinking of one student right now in particular: When I called out her name at a recent graduation, it was just lovely to see her walk across that stage and get her moment.” - Jen Bader who is stepping down as the Boston College Clough School of Theology and Ministry Associate Dean for Academic Affairs after 23 years at Boston College | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/JenniferBader

"This year’s convocation speaker, Fr. Greg Boyle, asked the incoming class, 'How do we obliterate once and for all the illusion that we are separate?' Nearly every opportunity I’ve had at Boston College has, in some way, obliterated that illusion, reminding me that we thrive when we are in communities of belonging, when we celebrate our interconnectedness, and when we work towards equity while serving those among us in need. In the classroom, public health courses taught me that health cannot be understood as an isolated issue but rather as something deeply shaped by the communities and systems surrounding us, making relationships and social justice inseparable from health outcomes and human flourishing. Outside of the classroom, through encounter trips like Arrupe, retreats like Kairos, and leadership roles in First Year Orientation, I’ve been privileged not only to feel the joy of community myself but also to witness people of all backgrounds share in common purpose, laughter, and love. I hope to remain grounded in these principles after graduation while working in the healthcare field and living outside of it. Celebrating the dignity and uniqueness of every person, confronting inequity, and remembering that we are far more connected than we are different. Boston College gave me an education, but more importantly, it gave me a clearer understanding of what it means to belong to one another and the responsibility we have to care for each other with compassion and love." - Mary Moran '26 Photo by Amanda Simpson '28

"Every time an earthquake occurs and the news media—or the general public—calls me up, that is a chance for me to educate people about the earthquake hazard in the region. We have a record of damaging quakes in the historic past: the 1600s, the 1700s, and only as recently as 1940. But almost no one living here today remembers a damaging earthquake. They occur infrequently enough that people think they don’t happen here. But they do. Even when there is a small quake, that’s a chance to reinforce that we have an earthquake hazard and we need to take it seriously and we need to build our buildings accordingly—not as strong as California, but we can have good strong shaking here too." - John Ebel, a geophysicist specializing in seismology and Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences who is retiring after 45 years at Boston College | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/QA_JEbel

“My favorite moment of my Boston College Athletics career thus far would have to be winning the 400 at ACCs this year. I hadn’t competed in track in two years due to soccer and injury, so to win at home with all my family and friends there is something I will never forget. Being the first in BC history to do it; running and getting clobbered by my teammates in celebration after the race—it was my favorite moment not just because I won but because everyone there made it so memorable.” - Sydney Segalla ’26, a dual sport athlete playing for Boston College Women's Soccer and running track, who ended the indoor season with six school records (200, 300, 400, 500, 4x400, and DMR relay)

“My dad's been working for so long, so it’s great that he's back in the classroom. He loves to learn new things, and he obviously loves the M.S. in Data Science program. Every now and then I'll come home and see him doing homework, and it's weird—I never thought I'd be doing homework with my dad. I grew up with him helping me do homework, but now it's fun, we're kind of both going through the grind together.” - Daniel Schorr ’26, pictured with his father, James Schorr ’92, who will both earn degrees at Commencement on Monday | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/SchorrGraduation

"The Carroll Scholars program started off as a class I was in as a freshman taught by Drew Barksdale. It was about finding belonging and easing the transition from high school to Boston College. I maintained contact with Drew, and when I told him I was staying to do my master's, he said the program is growing and asked if I would help. "It’s been an amazing experience to help grow and develop a program that provides so many resources and support for students. The Carroll Scholars Program is designed to build a robust community within the Carroll School of Management at BC for students who are first-generation and/or low-income, allowing them the chance to foster community between students with similar backgrounds and experiences. Being able to help nurture and support this learning community has easily been one of the most impactful and important experiences I have been a part of; I'm grateful to be a small part in helping it grow every day." - William Sweet '24, MA '26, Carroll Scholars Graduate Assistant Photo by Amanda Simpson '28

“Maybe [a student] has been playing music at a high level since first grade, while the person next to them began much later on, with slower but steady progress. You must understand and appreciate where both are and what they can do. The great joy for me has been seeing the growth in all my students and in their love of music and how their individual talents and abilities blend. “When you’re a teacher, you find that your students teach you more than you teach them. For that, I’m very grateful.” - Sebastian Bonaiuto, longtime BC bands director who is retiring at the end of the academic year | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/SebastianBonaiuto