"There’s a purple post-it note in my desk drawer with two sentences on it: “Our education is not for ourselves, it is for others. It is our first and foremost duty, not to ourselves, but to those around us.' A professor I had freshman year addressed us with those words on the first day of class, and ever since, they have represented what a Boston College education truly means to me. Both inside and out of the classroom, BC has given me the education and the experiences to transform that idea I immediately jotted down on paper into something so natural, ingrained, and expected of myself. I see my education now as being for all the people I may interact with one day. It is for the communities around me and all those to come. That purple post-it note sits carefully on the left side of my top drawer, and it will forever." - Sahithi Thumuluri '25

"While at Boston College, there have been many people both inside and outside the classroom who have helped me gain my footing as a college student, and beyond. I wanted to thank the Boston College History Department as a whole. From my bosses at the front desk, who were always flexible and willing to offer advice, to the graduate students who were willing to have tangential conversations about random history, and finally to professors whose recommendations about research and graduate school propelled me into the next stage of my career. Thank you!" - Brendan Mahoney '25 Photo: Yating Wang '24

“As college is a space for discovery and exploration, connecting deeper with my culture has been important. As a Chicano, with Indigenous roots, it is important for me to show the importance of my culture. While at Boston College, I have had the opportunity to showcase my cultural heritage through the use of media in Communication classes and beyond. Working on these projects has allowed me to also stand in solidarity with others to showcase the importance of all cultures. Most recently, I have worked with 'SlayedByAsho' [a student who braids hair] and F.I.S.T.S. to capture the group's first Hair Show! The use of art has allowed me to bring up challenging topics and spark dialogue regarding culture, race, colorism, poverty, queerness, and much more.” - Jonah Martinez '24

"When my mom received her [Alzheimer’s Disease] diagnosis in 2011, I decided I needed to go public. I needed to speak about this disease that no one wanted to talk about. I needed to let people know that it was okay to talk about it, because if we do not talk about it, we are never going to find a cure. "At Boston College, you are taught to roll up your sleeves, get involved, and try to make an impact. Alzheimer’s was not something I wanted to get involved with, but our Jesuit education taught us that when you need to jump in, you jump in. And for me, Alzheimer’s is something that just needs to be fixed, and I do believe that it is within our reach to do so." - Michaela “Mikey” Hoag ’86, P’14, a BC trustee who lost both her parents to Alzheimer’s and has become one of the country’s leading fundraisers for a cure | READ: bc.edu/bc-web/sites/social/s24/mikeyhoag-bcm

“I have five undergraduates in the lab now. It is exciting to see them make discoveries and know that one day someone is going to be using that to heal an eye, or a kidney, or a liver. We don’t do that in the lab, but we can make fundamental discoveries that will go on to benefit humankind.” - Vicki Losick, assistant biology professor who studies the crucial role polyploid cells play in the healing of wounds | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/polyploidy

“It has meant the world to me to connect with the Miller family, and it’s an honor to represent the legacy, spirit, passion, and love that Eddie Miller brought to the Heights. His example of overcoming adversity, and his legendary dedication to his community inspires me day in and day out as I walk through the BC campus. I truly appreciate the Miller family’s generosity more than words can convey.” - Paul McLaughlin '27, the first recipient of the Edward D. and Patricia K. Miller Scholarship | READ MORE: bc.edu/bc-web/sites/social/s24/paulmclaughlin

“'Kantika' is both very close to home in that it’s inspired by my family history, and quite far afield in that I had to learn a huge amount about far-flung places and the past. The recognition it has gotten through these prizes is thrilling to me, both because I devoted years to this project and because it tells the story of a vanishing language and culture and a woman—my grandmother, Rebecca—who never had the opportunity to share her story with the world.” - Elizabeth Graver, English Professor and author whose critically acclaimed novel was one of The New York Times 10 best historical fiction novels of 2023 and a Jewish Book Council National Award winner | READ MORE: http://bc.edu/bc-web/sites/social/s24/kantika

"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