“I became a nurse and a clinician-researcher to improve the lives of children. My aim is to develop effective strategies to help children successfully complete tuberculosis treatment in order to reduce morbidity and improve lung function and quality of life during and after treatment. I’m excited to incorporate environmental aspects into this project as the intersection of the environment and human health is present now more than ever.” - Brittney van de Water ’09, M.S. ’10, Boston College Connell School of Nursing Assistant Professor who is conducting research in South Africa, where she spent a semester abroad as a junior at BC | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/BrittanyvandeWater

“Two years ago, we began building CycleService, and now, more than 200 kids are pedaling on bikes we provided with one team even completing a cross-country biking ride. The Jesuit value of service in action is what initially drew me to Boston College. I didn't anticipate that my involvement in service would look like this, but I'm grateful for how this story has unfolded. It's instilled in us the belief that there are no limits to what we can achieve. This message of resilience is what we aim to pass on to the next generation, inspiring them to face challenges head-on.” - Lucas Beyer '24, founder of CycleService

"Ultimately, I want all Black youth to feel happy. I want them to have access to resources that help them get to a place of peace. My more direct goal is to understand what depression looks like for Black youth and think about what kind of services we can build to provide support." - Ed-Dee G. Williams, an assistant Boston College School of Social Work professor who is developing a virtual training program to prepare Black youth with autism to discuss depression with their teachers and caregivers | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/EdDeeWilliams

"Throughout my 27-year career at Boston College, I have been blessed to work with some of the brightest and most gifted students possible. Working with them has been an absolute pleasure and is still the greatest joy of my career. I also work with the most dedicated staff. Boston College Media Technology Services strives to provide the best services possible to allow faculty and students to use technology to their best advantage in the teaching and learning process. MTS touches so many facets of the BC community and I am so proud of the many ways that we contribute to the culture and community of BC. I look forward to continuing our work as technology needs continue to increase and expand." - Darren Herlihy, Director of Media Technology Services

“My mom and I came to America from Korea with only two bags. I remember our apartment was totally empty, we didn't even have toilet paper, and thinking, ‘What am I going to do?’ But now years later we’re running a business that serves our community, and we’re in a new chapter in our relationship. It was always a mother-daughter relationship, but now we’re working business partners. I can’t imagine doing it with anyone else, honestly.” - Annie Park ’13, who with her mother are the founders of Sarah's Handmade Ice Cream in Maryland, which is opening its third location next year | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/AnniePark

"I am fortunate to work every day with students who are passionate about theatre and creativity. It is fulfilling to help my students develop their skills in the areas of stage management, audio, projection, and lighting, and then see them go out in the world to work in the field and make a difference. I am also privileged to be able to collaborate creatively with my very talented colleagues as we produce events and productions for the Boston College community. It is inspiring to work with people who strive to produce quality work and live their values in creating a positive work environment." - George Cooke, a Technical Supervisor at Robsham Theater Arts Center for more than 20 years

“I've lived in three different places in Germany this year. I took two months of language school, did a semester of university, trained with one of Germany's synchronized skating teams, and then started as a marketing intern with a French cosmetics company. I've been speaking German the whole time, which has been a big accomplishment. I had a good foundation when I arrived but I was nowhere near fluent, so it’s been rewarding to get to a point where I can show my personality in the language a bit more. I think I've gained a lot of self-confidence this year. I still make mistakes but I’ve gotten over being embarrassed and just let it slide.” - Pauline Flanagan ’22, one of 75 Americans invited to study and work in Germany for one year as part of the CIEE Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program (CBYX) | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/PaulineFlanagan

"This picture captures more than just a nursing student at Boston College. I stand in this picture as a testimony of my resilience, perseverance, and hope in the midst of all my circumstances, and above all, my faith in God to be where I am today. I would not be here pictured in BC Nursing scrubs on BC's campus successfully wrapping up year two of Boston College Connell School of Nursing if it wasn't for my high school mentors, the OTE program, BC's financial aid, my incredible supporters and mentors like Danielle Date, Joana Maynard, Fr. Michael, CSON's professors and faculty, and most of all my family. The strength, motivation, empowerment, and love that encompasses the new me, resonates through every fiber of my being. My will and my faith remain strong, and I am confident they will continue to drive me to new and unimaginable heights. "What started as wanting to take advantage of education to uproot my family and myself, has now become something I have deeply immersed myself in and in which blessings have overflowed. My goal is to keep on pushing my limits and passing my horizons all while helping others as I climb, spreading love, inspiring others with my story and faith, and following God's will. I have not lost sight of how far God has brought me. He has planted me in places and given me blessings I never imagined myself to be in. Thank you God, thank you to my family, and thank you BC. This is only a snippet of my story. I am not sure what lies ahead, but I stand grounded in my resilience, my hope, my love, and my faith in God." - Julie Canuto-Depina '25 Photo by Jaiden Nicholson '25

"The [East Africa] region is the fastest-growing in Africa. Everywhere you look, there are opportunities to provide goods and services that tangibly improve people’s lives, from sustainable agriculture and e-commerce networks to the resources we need to build batteries and electric vehicles." - Alexander Storm Howe '10, founder of Africa Insight Advisors | READ MORE in Boston College Magazine: https://on.bc.edu/BCM_Howe

"I had never been involved with campus activities when I was an undergrad, and am more interested in a career in study abroad and international higher education than student affairs. The assistant director reached out and requested an interview with me and flash forward to the end of the year and I am constantly in awe of the Campus Activities Board (CAB) students who put so much work into creating a sense of community and engagement at Boston College. My favorite part is definitely getting to build relationships with the students. I love my weekly one-on-ones with the student leaders to just hear about their lives and ideas and support them as they bring these events to life. The students and staff in the Boston College Office of Student Involvement really eased my transition to BC and helped me find a sense of community here." - Kathryn Wright, CAB Graduate Advisor who is pursuing an international higher education masters

"We call ourselves products of philanthropy. The Bronx has one of the largest nonprofit communities in the country, and like many of our neighbors, we were molded by these organizations throughout our childhood, living in affordable housing, receiving food assistance, and getting healthcare from a local nonprofit hospital. When thinking about how to give back to the Bronx, we asked ourselves, what are some of the struggles our parents faced? One was that our family had to go to many nonprofits to get help." - Desmon Lewis ’05 (at left), who with his twin brother Derrick Lewis ’06 established The Bronx Community Foundation | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/BronxCommFoundation

"Having conducted hundreds upon hundreds of concerts over my career, I have experienced firsthand how music has the power to inspire both performers and listeners. Music can move you to tears; music can get your heart racing with exhilaration; music can soothe and console; music can heal. Music can enhance and magnify a poet’s text in ways that reach directly into hearts and souls of performers and listeners alike...It is particularly fitting for me that my last concerts include(d) the 'Ode to Joy,' because my entire time at Boston College has been filled with joy!" - John Finney, Director of The University Chorale of Boston College and conductor of the Boston College Symphony Orchestra who has retired after three decades on the Heights | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/JohnFinney