"This year’s convocation speaker, Fr. Greg Boyle, asked the incoming class, 'How do we obliterate once and for all the illusion that we are separate?' Nearly every opportunity I’ve had at Boston College has, in some way, obliterated that illusion, reminding me that we thrive when we are in communities of belonging, when we celebrate our interconnectedness, and when we work towards equity while serving those among us in need. In the classroom, public health courses taught me that health cannot be understood as an isolated issue but rather as something deeply shaped by the communities and systems surrounding us, making relationships and social justice inseparable from health outcomes and human flourishing. Outside of the classroom, through encounter trips like Arrupe, retreats like Kairos, and leadership roles in First Year Orientation, I’ve been privileged not only to feel the joy of community myself but also to witness people of all backgrounds share in common purpose, laughter, and love. I hope to remain grounded in these principles after graduation while working in the healthcare field and living outside of it. Celebrating the dignity and uniqueness of every person, confronting inequity, and remembering that we are far more connected than we are different. Boston College gave me an education, but more importantly, it gave me a clearer understanding of what it means to belong to one another and the responsibility we have to care for each other with compassion and love." - Mary Moran '26 Photo by Amanda Simpson '28

"Every time an earthquake occurs and the news media—or the general public—calls me up, that is a chance for me to educate people about the earthquake hazard in the region. We have a record of damaging quakes in the historic past: the 1600s, the 1700s, and only as recently as 1940. But almost no one living here today remembers a damaging earthquake. They occur infrequently enough that people think they don’t happen here. But they do. Even when there is a small quake, that’s a chance to reinforce that we have an earthquake hazard and we need to take it seriously and we need to build our buildings accordingly—not as strong as California, but we can have good strong shaking here too." - John Ebel, a geophysicist specializing in seismology and Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences who is retiring after 45 years at Boston College | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/QA_JEbel

“My favorite moment of my Boston College Athletics career thus far would have to be winning the 400 at ACCs this year. I hadn’t competed in track in two years due to soccer and injury, so to win at home with all my family and friends there is something I will never forget. Being the first in BC history to do it; running and getting clobbered by my teammates in celebration after the race—it was my favorite moment not just because I won but because everyone there made it so memorable.” - Sydney Segalla ’26, a dual sport athlete playing for Boston College Women's Soccer and running track, who ended the indoor season with six school records (200, 300, 400, 500, 4x400, and DMR relay)

“My dad's been working for so long, so it’s great that he's back in the classroom. He loves to learn new things, and he obviously loves the M.S. in Data Science program. Every now and then I'll come home and see him doing homework, and it's weird—I never thought I'd be doing homework with my dad. I grew up with him helping me do homework, but now it's fun, we're kind of both going through the grind together.” - Daniel Schorr ’26, pictured with his father, James Schorr ’92, who will both earn degrees at Commencement on Monday | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/SchorrGraduation

"The Carroll Scholars program started off as a class I was in as a freshman taught by Drew Barksdale. It was about finding belonging and easing the transition from high school to Boston College. I maintained contact with Drew, and when I told him I was staying to do my master's, he said the program is growing and asked if I would help. "It’s been an amazing experience to help grow and develop a program that provides so many resources and support for students. The Carroll Scholars Program is designed to build a robust community within the Carroll School of Management at BC for students who are first-generation and/or low-income, allowing them the chance to foster community between students with similar backgrounds and experiences. Being able to help nurture and support this learning community has easily been one of the most impactful and important experiences I have been a part of; I'm grateful to be a small part in helping it grow every day." - William Sweet '24, MA '26, Carroll Scholars Graduate Assistant Photo by Amanda Simpson '28

“Maybe [a student] has been playing music at a high level since first grade, while the person next to them began much later on, with slower but steady progress. You must understand and appreciate where both are and what they can do. The great joy for me has been seeing the growth in all my students and in their love of music and how their individual talents and abilities blend. “When you’re a teacher, you find that your students teach you more than you teach them. For that, I’m very grateful.” - Sebastian Bonaiuto, longtime BC bands director who is retiring at the end of the academic year | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/SebastianBonaiuto

“[The orientation leader] role instilled in me a love for helping other students and building community on campus. Having felt a version of struggle that some students express, I ran for president primarily because I want to use my final year at BC to give back to other students, helping them find that sense of belonging to not only push past their struggles but also find a true love for Boston College.” - Jonah Renz '27, (right) the 2026-27 UGBC President “Success in this role to me means making every member love being a part of this organization. That love will show through in their initiatives and be apparent to the students who benefit from them. I want to look back at this upcoming year with full confidence in the next generation of student leaders to grow and spread love through the work that UGBC does.” - Addie Weiss '27 (left), 2026-27 UGBC Vice President READ MORE about the incoming Undergraduate Government of Boston College (UGBC) leadership team: https://on.bc.edu/UGBC2026

"One of the main key takeaways from my time at Boston College School of Social Work, thanks to Professor Rocio Calvo, is that I need to embrace my strengths and be relentless about the change I desire to see in myself, my community, and generations to come. Professor Calvo and the Latinx Leadership Initiative helped me strengthen my advocacy and leadership skills. Professor Calvo has served as a powerful mentor. She inspired me to boldly maximize my capacity to have a profound impact in my current job, as well as throughout my sphere of influence." - Niurka De Jesus MSW '16, who is now on the BCSSW Alumni Board | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/Niurka DeJesus

“What drew me to the scholarship was the life and witness of St. Oscar Romero. We are workers, not master builders, ministers not messiahs, we are the prophets of the future not our own. His life reminds us that faith is not only something we believe but something that we live through—how we stand with others, especially those whose voices are often unheard. So much of my experience at Boston College has been shaped by that same call to be a person for others, a Jesuit value that closely parallels Romero’s example. For me, that call has been building community, advocating for others, and creating spaces for people, especially Latino students, who feel unsupported. “I’ve tried to give back to the community that welcomed me. I care deeply about the communities that I’m a part of. When I first came to BC, I was very shy. But I made a point of being intentional about building relationships and meeting others while staying true to who I am. If I can now be that same familiar face for other students, someone they feel comfortable coming to with questions, guidance, or simply support, then I feel that I’ve succeeded.” - Janely Cruz Fuentes '27, the 2026 Saint Oscar Romero Scholarship recipient | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/JCFuentes

"For me, Franciscan Children's is more than a hospital; it is a place dedicated to breaking down barriers and creating opportunities so children with disabilities can participate fully in life, including through sports. This past summer, I had the privilege of volunteering with Franciscan Children’s and the New Balance Adaptive Track and Field program. It was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. I witnessed the incredible resilience of the patients, the quiet strength of their caretakers, and the profound impact that even small moments of encouragement can bring. I learned that patience is not just about waiting; it is about showing up, fully present, with empathy and understanding. Running for Franciscan allows me to carry those lessons with me, mile after mile, while giving back to the children and families who inspired them." - Maria Alejandra Jove ’27 | Learn about more Eagles who ran the Boston Marathon for charity: on.bc.edu/BostonMarathon2026

"Supporting the Progeria Research Foundation means turning hope into progress. Progeria is rare, but the children and families facing it deserve the same urgency and attention as any other disease. Every donation helps fund research, supports families, and moves us closer to treatments—and ultimately a cure. I’m dedicating my run to every child living with Progeria and to their families who show incredible strength every day. I’m also running for the researchers and caregivers who refuse to give up and for everyone in the PRF community working to bring a cure within reach. "One of my best Mile 21 memories is from when I was living at 2k, right where the course hits Mile 21. I remember standing out there cheering, and when my running club president came by, we high-fived as he passed me. It was such a small moment, but it captured everything I love about Boston Marathon day: community, energy, and people pushing each other forward." - Bo Di Chen ’26 | Learn about more Eagles who ran the marathon for charity: on.bc.edu/BostonMarathon2026

"In 2007, I was diagnosed with aplastic anemia, a rare bone marrow failure disorder. Thanks to treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, I was able to return to Boston College to complete my junior year. Unfortunately, I relapsed and developed a secondary marrow failure disorder shortly after completing graduate school. My only option was a bone marrow transplant, which I received on March 23, 2011. I am now the Associate Director of Workforce Communications at Dana-Farber, where I have the privilege of sharing the stories that make this organization so special: the research advances, the patient successes, the innovative new programs, our extraordinary staff, and so much more. There aren't words to convey the impact Dana-Farber has had on my life. Thanks to their outstanding care and research, I've enjoyed 15 beautiful years. In 2026, I'm running the Boston Marathon (for the third time) in celebration of the 15th anniversary of my bone marrow transplant." - Mary Taber McCarthy ’08 | Learn about more Eagles who ran the marathon for charity: on.bc.edu/BostonMarathon2026