"For me, Black History Month is about reminding all Americans about the stories that generally were not told as a part of the American story despite their being an integral part of who we are as a society and a nation. It is about my mother finding out at 13 that the name on her birth certificate was not the name her parents gave her because the white nurse in the 'colored ward' of the hospital in which she was born believed that Black people did not have the right to name their own babies. Black History Month reminds us that this happened. In America. For a very long time." - Vincent Rougeau, Boston College Law School Dean

“What I love most about my job is helping others. I love being a resource for student-athletes and staff, being there to bounce ideas around, just supporting and serving others. To be recognized by Women Leaders in College Sports was so humbling; I’m still kind of speechless about it. It’s an organization that is so well known, and so respected, for promoting women in a field that is dominated by men. There are so many amazing women administrators in this country and they push us, make space for us, and create opportunities for us.” - Jocelyn Gates, Boston College Athletics Senior Associate Athletics Director and Senior Woman Administrator, was named NCAA Division I FBS Nike Administrator of the Year in October 2020 | Read more: https://bit.ly/Gates_NikeAOTY

"I met a lot of outstanding musicians at Boston College, and I had the pleasure of becoming friends with many of them through a number of the clubs I was a part of or interacted with. Not only was my time in the BC music scene fulfilling, but it was also extremely inspiring. I had so many wonderful experiences - playing in five bands, singing with The Common Tones of Boston College, jamming at Jammin’ Toast or in the Popular Styles Ensemble, and more - but what made them so special were the people I was able to make music with. Being a part of (and eventually running) clubs like the BC Music Guild and Jammin’ Toast all four years of my college experience allowed me to meet and mentor some outstanding individuals who really encouraged me to make good music, and have fun while doing so. While there are a number of proud achievements in my BC music career, I’m particularly glad that I have been able to be a resource for many younger musicians, musically and personally, who now run or will run the clubs that made my BC experience. These are the people who, to this day, have encouraged me to write and record my own music so that I can one day release it, and I am very grateful for their support." - Alex Eicher '20

"One of the many things that makes Boston College an inspiring, joyful place to teach is its commitment to our students - and to those beyond - as full people, as people for and with others. "In some sense, the very name for this account is the essence of the mission here: How do we live and flourish as (selfless) humans of Boston College? If this year has taught me anything, it's that we still need more than screens for that experience - and after we get through the pandemic, God willing, I hope we're living in and through them much less." - Mike Serazio, Associate Professor of Communication

“I’m an Art History major who conducted research for credit in the Corcoran Center for Real Estate and Urban Action, a McGillycuddy-Logue study abroad fellow who never actually got to go abroad, and a semi-technologically-challenged individual who just finished a seven-month remote internship for House of Hope, an elementary school in Palestine. That’s what I love about Boston College - no matter who you are, what you’re scared of, or what you think you can accomplish, everyone at BC functions to equip you with the tools you need to positively impact your community. The Jesuit ideal of Magis, or working to provide the greatest good for the greatest amount of people, transcends every barrier that might stand in your way." - Peyton Wilson '22

“I can only imagine that for many college students, Wall Street feels like an unapproachable and unfriendly place if you don’t fit a certain mold - whether as a woman, person of color, LGBTQ+ person, or otherwise. If I can be even a small part of dispelling that notion by showing the progress that Wall Street has made in diversity and inclusion over the past several years, then I can be part of helping recruit a more diverse next generation of BC talent to my field of work.“ - Alexander Tingle '14, who was named Business Insider's Top 25 Rising Stars of Wall Street | Read: https://bit.ly/3mMng3c

“This project has been in the making for a very, very long time. I intended for it to be a short story, but after I started writing, I just couldn't stop. I remember a lot of people would tell me either the idea was too crazy or that I was too young to be writing, so there were points where I wasn’t as motivated to continue. But on the flip side, there were people who I would occasionally ask to read small excerpts of my writing and they would tell me, ‘I really enjoyed this,’ or ‘I really enjoyed the style and how you write,’ and those were the moments that kept me going.” - Louise Faitar ’23, a neuroscience major, who self-published her first book, "The Evanescence of Fog," this summer | Read More: http://on.bc.edu/FantasyWorld

"All credits go to my students, I am just like a cheerleader encouraging them to perform at the highest possible level. It’s not about being the best of all but to strive to be the best version of yourself. "When things are going superbly, do not be selfish, think about your community, think globally. When things have been difficult, do not lament on the past, reflect on it, grow from it. Focus on the future, the dream is always possible." - Dr. Ben Fofana, Professor of Biology

"2020 has been a particularly challenging year for a lot of us. We know people are worried about their jobs, their health, and their loved ones, and probably will continue to worry as Christmas approaches. That's what motivated us to launch Santa Trees Boston. "We wanted to do something that would inject a little fun and bring a sense of normalcy to people in our community. We deliver and set up the Christmas trees so that people can celebrate as they usually do without having to put themselves at risk in crowded tree lots and the Santa suits are really just to make them smile or laugh. The best is when we deliver to a house with young kids; it's worth lugging those trees around just to see them light up when Santa walks into the room." - Robert Harrington '18 and Dan Brett '18, founders of Santa Trees Boston | Read more in MassLive: https://bit.ly/TwoSantas_MassLive

"As my undergraduate career at Boston College is coming to an end, I would just like to say thank you to all of the individuals who have helped me along the way. Whether it was the friends I made through the Options Through Education program, the brothers I gained from SC: Boston College's All Male Step Team, or the family and mentors I have because of offices like Boston College First Year Experience and the Center of Student Formation, I would just like to say thank you for taking the chance on a young kid from South Central Los Angeles. I hope that in my lifetime I can pay it forward to all those who have helped me get to this point, and to the angels who watch over me." - Rob Martinez '21

"As a kid from a small, rural town, I am grateful that the education I received and experiences I had at Boston College that reinforced the importance of seeking justice, upholding the rule of law, protecting the marginalized, and being humans for others. In my own small way, I try to put these values into action. That is why the pro bono legal work I do centers on protecting the rights of transgender people and immigrants, reducing gun violence, and supporting small businesses. It is also why I am proud to serve as co-chair, with Laura DelloStritto '13, of Boston College Alumni's new LGBTQ+ Alumni Council." - Matthew Putori '06

"If you were to wander into Gasson 305 (or Zoom, for the time being) at 9 p.m. on a Tuesday night, you may be surprised to find a group of students enthusiastically debating current affairs from the perspective of different UN member states. In Boston College Model United Nations, I’ve gotten to know an incredible community of passionate, globally-minded students through experiences ranging from lively debates in Gasson, to trips to conferences in Montreal and Washington D.C. Simultaneously, I’ve had the opportunity to expand my worldview and critically examine my perspective on how the world works. Being apart of BCMUN has truly been one of the highlights of my time at BC thus far, and I would highly encourage anyone with an interest in international politics and global affairs to join us on Tuesday nights." - Peyton Olszowka '22, Model United Nations E-Board Member