"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

“We need to create spaces for ethical discussion. We need to assemble groups in hospitals—not just nurses but physicians as well—to talk about difficult cases. People need to be able to feel safe saying, ‘That was distressing.’ We need to create a community in which disagreement is normalized and everyone feels comfortable speaking up...We’re not there yet, but I’m trying very hard to get us there.” - Aimee Milliken, Boston College Connell School of Nursing Associate Professor and one of the nation’s top experts on moral distress and nursing ethics | READ MORE in Boston College Magazine: https://on.bc.edu/ChangeAgent

“I’m very passionate about highlighting intersectionality. To me, diversity and inclusion mean normalizing the idea that you can be proud of your disability, and still feel upset about the issues you face as a disabled person. To advocate for Boston College students with disabilities gives me the opportunity to take a step in the right direction in the fight for a more diverse and inclusive world.” - Heidi Yun ’24, winner of the 2023 Benigno and Corazon Aquino Scholarship | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/HeidiYun

"This is what I’ve learned from trying to build programs over the years: A storm comes before great success. I talked about that when I interviewed for this job, and it’s interesting that we are here now, kind of in the storm. And I knew it was coming. Maybe I didn’t know some of the injuries or setbacks, but when we are trying to build, we always experience some sort of storm before we get to that success. And that gives me peace, in the storm." - Earl Grant, BC Men's Basketball Head Coach who received a two-year contract extension in March | READ MORE in Boston College Magazine: https://on.bc.edu/UnderConstruction

"I come from a family of civil servants and educators. I am a fierce advocate for education because it is an enabler for financial mobility at the individual level, and a precursor to a growing economy. The fellowship and its opportunities bring my background, passion, and expertise together to give me a chance at a lifelong vocation." - Nazifa Subah '17, who is a recipient of the Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Program Fellowship | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/NazifaSubah

"I am most proud of the culture of engagement and responsibility we have fostered in the Boston College Bands. Although our students are committed to achieving artistic excellence, very few of them are majoring in music. The vast majority are pursuing careers in education, social work, business, law, medicine, etc. And yet, despite their grueling academic demands, they each devote approximately 250 hours of service to the band in a single semester. Our students make this extraordinary commitment because of their love for each other and the University. Their enthusiasm makes every rehearsal and performance enjoyable. If you've walked through lower campus on a Tuesday or Thursday evening in the fall, you've inevitably heard them preparing their literature. It's an awe-inspiring experience to be in the same space and feel that energy, and it is the honor of a lifetime to be able to work with such a dedicated and talented group of students." - David Healey, Marching Band Director who was named president of ACC Band Directors Association | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/DavidHealey

"Looking back on my own lifetime of discovery, I can affirm that God did not skimp on the good stuff. There has been plenty of butter and heavy cream, truffles and saffron, aceto balsamico, and jamón ibérico de bellota.” - Walter J. Smith, S.J., part-time Boston College School of Theology and Ministry faculty member who wrote a memoir that spans a wide-ranging global career with a culinary twist | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/FaithFoodFriendship

"When I won [Miss Massachusetts USA], that changed my whole life. I started a healthy living and body positivity movement virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic called 'The Shape Within,' and through social media live streams and virtual programming, I have sought to be a role model for teens across Massachusetts. My bubble expanded like crazy, even now. I have been to 11 cities this semester as a result of being chosen Miss Massachusetts USA again. This part of my life has taken up a severe amount of my college time, but Boston College has been so supportive about the stuff that I have done. The BC faculty are incredible." - Annika Sharma '23 | READ MORE about Annika as a Senior to Remember: https://on.bc.edu/AnnikaSharma

“I sought to become involved with some of the many campus service programs. Mentoring children from backgrounds similar to mine caught my eye and became dear to me. The resiliency of children amazes and inspires me. The opportunity to support children in attaining their goals and thriving in their life is something that I highly value. The culture of service at Boston College cannot be overstated and is, in my opinion, one of the greatest features of our school. This culture stems from one of the tenets of a Jesuit education that I admire: to develop a whole, well-rounded world citizen.” - Huel (Trey) Cox III '23, the 2023 winner of the Edward H. Finnegan, S.J. Award | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/TreyCox

"I've made the most incredible relationships of my life at Boston College — lifelong friendships and relationships. But it's the one-off people that you meet in a club, or in your class. I will miss walking through campus and seeing them and saying hello. That is such a special experience. It’s that whole concept of Aristotle's idea of friends of the good—you learn it in your intro to philosophy classes or your Perspectives class. I found so many people of the good at BC. Obviously, I'm so sad that it's over, but the overwhelming feeling I have is gratitude that I've come here. It's been awesome." - Isabella Secchiaroli '23 | READ MORE about Isabella as a Senior to Remember: https://on.bc.edu/IsabellaSecchiaroli