"The Homecoming Court gives me an opportunity to take my Boston College school spirit and spread it among the student body. Throughout my time at BC, I have grown more than I could have hoped, reflected more than I could have imagined, been encouraged by friends and faculty alike to try new things, and been supported when I needed it the most. It is truly an honor to be able to be a part of the court and share that love with the student body." - Jordan Nakash '24, one of the members of the 2023 Homecoming Court | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/Homecoming2023

"It's such a positive experience for students to work on something that isn't just a paper that only one person reads but that actually contributes to public knowledge and is out there and available, with their name on it. They can put it on their resume and I've had students tell me in the past that it's been something they've been able to talk about in job interviews—it's really meaningful and helpful to them.” - Marilynn Johnson, a Boston College History Department Professor who launched Global Boston, a digital research project covering the history of immigrant-owned restaurants in early 20th century Boston | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/ATasteofHistory

"One of the weirder things my sister and I did when we were little was playing 'tour guide,' showing imaginary college tour groups around our house and backyard. Fast forward just a few years, and I am the Tours Coordinator for the Boston College Admission's Student Admission Program. I match 100 tour guides (including my sister!) with the tens of thousands of yearly Boston College visitors. While tour guides do not have to lead imaginary groups around campus, they do have to imagine what guests want to listen to for an hour. BC tours are completely unscripted." - Fran Hodgens '24

“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