"Boston College taught me that I am an artist. My Boston College Art, Art History, and Film Department major, work with the Arts Council, one-credit Boston College Theatre Department classes, and senior year spent in the ceramics studio showed me that I cannot embody 'Ever to Excel' if I abandon my individuality or creativity. The 26th Annual Arts Festival is the culmination of my artistic journey on the Heights. 'The Book of Us' theme means the world to me, as I've fought hard to maintain my sense of self when on campus. At the festival, I'll be exhibiting my artwork, including a giant dragon puppet for 'She Kills Monsters,' the big ads posted around campus, and my face painting skills. Everyone should feel welcome to express themselves on campus, and through the arts, I've gained the bravery to dress and make myself up however I want. To me, 'Ever to Excel' means having the courage to achieve your own goals." - Sidney Amar '24, Director of Marketing for the Arts Council/Arts Festival | More on BC Arts Fest: bc.edu/artsfestival Photo by Yating Wang '24

"I came to Boston College to pursue a Ph.D. in philosophy and have found that the most impactful part of my time here hasn't been taking classes but, instead, teaching Philosophy of the Person. Many of the skills like forming a classroom community, addressing my teaching to where the students are in the room, and adjusting my approach when I find that something isn't working, seemed at first to be subsidiary to the content of the class but these 'secondary' skills have affected how I think about philosophy and why it is worth studying in a primary way. I appreciate the opportunity that BC's commitment to educating students in the history of philosophy has allowed and have been impressed by the wit and commitment of the 60-plus students I've taught at BC thus far!" - Clay Snell Ph.D. '29 and Philosophy Department Boston College Teaching Assistant Photo: Yating Wang '24

"I feel so incredibly lucky to go to a school where I am constantly surrounded by creative, kind, and passionate students. I've had the amazing opportunity to meet people in both the sciences and the arts at Boston College. I like to think that I've spent the majority of my college experience doing STEM by day and theatre by night, both of which have connected me with some of the most amazing faculty, classes, and friends this university has to offer. As an underclassman, I was encouraged by upperclassmen to get more involved in both communities, which was incredibly formative to my college experience. As a senior, I can only hope to pass it forward and do the same for others." - Chloe Frabotta '24

"I enjoy the fact that I am constantly learning in my role, both through research and teaching. I like having the opportunity to work on a variety of different projects, which exposes me to new topics and methods. Teaching also helps me understand things on a deeper level and make novel connections." - Indrani Saran, Boston College School of Social Work Assistant Professor who is evaluating a Boston program to identify families at risk of homelessness | READ MORE: bc.edu/bc-web/sites/social/s24/indranisaran.html

“The BEF is important to me because I went to school in Brookline and the educators had a very significant impact on where I am now. Running to raise money for them is my way of giving back, saying thank you, and hopefully allowing teachers to continue meaningfully impacting the next generation of Brookline students.” - James Redding ‘27 running, who is the Boston Marathon and raising money for the Brookline Education Foundation | Read more about members of the BC community running the 2024 Boston Marathon: bc.edu/bc-web/sites/social/s24/bostonmarathon2024.html

"I am dedicating my run to all the amazing people at Boston College! I am so grateful to this school for the wonderful friends, opportunities, and growth I have experienced during the last four years. I never could have imagined training for a marathon when I first got to BC, much less fundraising for an amazing charity. I credit my friends, professors, faculty, and staff for empowering me to take risks and aim to achieve great things. I am so grateful, proud, and excited to pass through BC at Mile 21." - Ella Weaver ‘24, who is running the Boston Marathon and raising money for the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation | Read more about members of the BC community running the 2024 Boston Marathon: bc.edu/bc-web/sites/social/s24/bostonmarathon2024.html

"The MGH Pediatric Cancer Team means so much to me. My son Flynn was diagnosed with cancer a few days after his high school graduation. He was treated for two years at MGH and lost his courageous battle with cancer in April 2021. I run to honor Flynn and to raise funds for research and programs for pediatric cancer patients. Flynn had a wonderful, generous spirit, and I know in my heart that he would want to help other kids with cancer. This inspiration carries me through." - Betsy Flynn Sullivan ‘85, who is running the Boston Marathon and raising money for the Mass General Cancer Center | Read more about members of the BC community running the 2024 Boston Marathon: bc.edu/bc-web/sites/social/s24/bostonmarathon2024.html

“Being able to run for the Boston Public Library is very special. As a college student, I understand the importance of giving everyone access to educational resources. I also enjoy being able to give back to the Boston community and support a location that I and many other Boston College students love.” - Hailey Pataki ‘26, who is running the Boston Marathon and raising money for the Boston Public Library | Read more about members of the BC community running the 2024 Boston Marathon: bc.edu/bc-web/sites/social/s24/bostonmarathon2024.html

“My mom is 100 percent my inspiration for running to support Dana Farber. She fought [cancer] courageously for three years with the help of her medical team. They were so supportive throughout the entire process. Watching someone battle cancer with everything they have, especially someone as close to me, was incredibly inspiring and I felt like I needed to do something to give back. As much as I wish my mom could be there to watch me cross the finish line, I know that she will be watching over me the entire race. I hope that through the fundraising efforts, the team and I can give the gift of more time to people who are in a similar position as my family unfortunately was.” - Owen Anastas ‘25, running the Boston Marathon and raising money for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute | Read more about members of the BC community running the 2024 Boston Marathon: bc.edu/bc-web/sites/social/s24/bostonmarathon2024.html

"I wrote something down recently, which I don’t usually do. It was, 'I have nothing left to prove, but I have a lot more to give.' Let’s go with that." - Jack Connors '63, a Hill Holliday founder and the creator of Camp Harbor View, on a personal motto | READ the Boston Magazine profile: https://bit.ly/JackConnors_BM Photo from article: Ken Richardson

"Don't let it define you, it's a part of who you are, but it's not who you are. Who you are is so much bigger...That might be somebody's seven-second impression of you: you have a disability; but there's so much more to you than that. There's so much more to all of us. We all have a story and our story is longer than seven seconds." - Matt Malley '24, men's basketball senior manager who suffered a stroke at birth giving him limited use of his right hand | WATCH MORE on WBZ / CBS News Boston: brnw.ch/MattMalley_WBZ

"The science on different energy models and sustainability is robust, but the obstacles to implementing it are often cultural, legal, and political. There is so much to be gained by speaking about climate change and displacement across disciplines and national boundaries. In our working group, I've gotten to see how scientists are framing and dealing with these issues that I’ve been paying attention to for decades as an attorney, and how they are utilizing science as a response. I have been heartened by how eager everyone is to engage with other disciplines and different ideas, including knowledge from indigenous communities and other communities that are most affected by climate change." - Katharine G. Young, Chair of Boston College's interdisciplinary Climate Change & Migration working group and Boston College Law School Associate Dean | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/KatharineYoung