“I want people to try to be kind to others. Nothing is ever exactly how we want it to be in life, and I think the least we can do as humans is try to promote each other and uplift each other. That's our job. I don't think I've done anything special. I've tried to uplift people and I would hope that other people will be inspired to try to do the same thing.” - Gordon Wayne ’23, who walked 550 miles from Virginia to BC to combat homelessness in the U.S | Read more: http://on.bc.edu/GordonWayne

"Our son, Jack, has Williams syndrome. A while back, we chose a blue lobster to represent our fundraising efforts because blue lobsters and individuals with Williams syndrome both have slight genetic differences that make them rare and ‘cool.’ My friend knew a family that recently caught two blue lobsters and arranged for us to meet them. Blue lobsters are such an amazing color, so getting to see them up close was a treat. The family let Jack cozy right up next to the rare crustaceans! He was curious and touched their shells but realized quickly that they weren't cuddly creatures and decided to just sit with them instead." - Sally McReynolds '04, who is married to classmate Sean McReynolds '04

"I'm a strong believer that passion and compassion work hand-in-hand. My father gave up his career as an esteemed lawyer in Colombia for our family, and my mother works two jobs to put three of us through college. I've always valued helping others and being a giving person, and a Jesuit education that encourages being men and women for and with others was exactly what I needed to discern my passion for criminal justice and legal advocacy. My compassion for underprivileged and underrepresented individuals led me to a double major in political science and applied psychology. I hope to become a criminal lawyer, representing the wrongfully convicted and advocating for a more just criminal system. I want to encourage others to consider their passion and their sense of compassion as strengths, not weaknesses. I used to think they made me seem too emotional or too subjective, but they’ve shaped me and my past, and will help me achieve my goals." - Jennifer Lozano '23

"At Boston College, I teach Perspectives and philosophy courses on climate change, technology, and work. In addition, I host the podcast "Wisdom at Work: Philosophy Beyond the Ivory Tower," which features interviews with people who studied philosophy and went on to successful careers in business, government, and pretty much everything else. I want young people to know the truth - that they don't have to choose one major for themselves, like philosophy or history, and one for their parents - and to give them a map for how to navigate professional life after school." - David Storey, Philosophy Department Boston College Professor

"When I first heard about Boston College and Boston College Law School's 3+3 program, I had no idea what I was getting myself into, I just knew I was excited. Flash forward and I have learned so many lessons and was afforded incredible opportunities. The courthouse is where I spent my 1L summer. It is where I was able to watch and learn what it meant to be a litigator and solidified where I wanted my career to go. There have been too many experiences and lessons to list, but the biggest lesson I learned and the biggest piece of advice I have is this: You have to learn to take time to do the other things in your life that are important to you. Cuddle with your dog, do the hobby that you love, or just to walk outside on a gorgeous day. Work, success, and achievements are important, but finding that balance is critical." - Emma Coffey '18, Law '20

“I immigrated from London, and experienced many challenges. Nevertheless, my parents were very supportive, and always reiterated the importance of education. I started from a humble beginning and recognized how strong my family's faith and foundation was, which contributed to my developmental growth. I cherish the opportunities that I have been given thus far. They have deeply humbled my experiences at Boston College. I don't take anything for granted; I appreciate the small things in life. And my faith plays an integral part in my life. My role as the Director of the Montserrat Coalition has allowed me to connect with the students holistically. Students have been vulnerable and entrusted me with their personal experiences, which I don't take for granted. I appreciate that very much. However, transparency has enabled me to serve the students at a level that respects, honors, and values them. It's important for me, knowing that the students are thriving at Boston College, this is inspiring and gives me joy. I've committed my time at Boston College to empower the students to become future leaders. My goal is to continue to eliminate the perceived barriers, so they can pursue their spiritual, social, and intellectual development. Being a proud double Eagle and a BC mom continues to empower and inspire me on my journey serving the Montserrat community. I know my labor is not in vain. And remember what I always say, 'If you are working on something that you really care about, you don't need to be pushed to do it!'” - Yvonne McBarnett '05 '09, P'16,'23, a.k.a. Ms. Smiley, Director of the Montserrat Coalition

“This is not how I expected this summer to go. I envisioned this job being very hands-on and very in-person, so once we got the notification that we'd be virtual, I was like, ‘Oh no!’ But with these one-on-ones that we've been doing, it's been great to actually be able to interact with prospective students virtually. And it's almost like the experience is more tailored to them, which I think they enjoy, especially at a time when there are no real answers as to what the next year will bring. Additionally, what also surprised me is how close our staff has become. We do little Zoom hangouts on the weekends and group texts all day long. It's nice to know you have a team with you, even though we're all over the country.” - Mary Kenny ’22, one of 18 Boston College Admission student employees leading virtual conversations and panels with prospective BC students | Read More: https://on.bc.edu/COVIDAdmission

“I had been doing improv in high school and enjoyed it, but I always thought, ‘I'm going to college. I'm probably going to work in advertising or public relations and that's how my creativity will take form.’ I think it was being on My Mother's Fleabag, being part of this grand tradition that included Amy Poehler and Cameron Esposito, that allowed my love of improv to blossom. The caliber and seriousness with which we held ourselves created this feeling in me that this is a real skill, my performances with these people are special, this is not a hobby. Fleabag helped me realize that I could make a life of this.” - Lou Wilson ’14 | Read More: https://on.bc.edu/LouWilson

"When Czar asked if I would be a part of Parsippany College Connect, it was an easy yes! PCC is an interactive website that we designed to help the graduating class of 2020 from the two high schools in our town. The information is provided completely by the recent high school graduates that want to volunteer their advice. It has been a really great experience for me because I get to give back to the town that I grew up in and reconnect with old teachers along the way. I am really grateful to come from such an amazing town that is so willing to help each other. In my eyes, this process has exemplified the meaning of 'Men and Women for Others.'" - Rebecca Klausner ’21, co-founder of Parsippany College Connect | Read More: https://on.bc.edu/PCC

"I applied to 21 different universities. I applied to Boston College because I had friends who went here and I thought, ‘What's one more university?’ I remember I had been receiving a string of rejections. I was sitting in my car after work and I got an email from Boston College. I opened it, clicked into the pdf, and it started with ‘I am delighted to...’ and I was just so happy. I called my dad and said, ‘We’re going to Boston!’ My friend showed me around, showed me her friends, showed me what made BC special. I even went to the annual ALC Showdown, which really sold the college to me. And from that, what I got was that BC students are a type of people. Everyone was community-oriented. Everyone was willing to have conversations. Everyone was willing to be a friend and willing to give you a chance.” - Bijoy Shah ’22 is one of the 18 students in Boston College Admission's program leading virtual conversations and panels with prospective students | Read More: https://on.bc.edu/COVIDAdmission

“I have been a teacher for 40 years and for the first 24 of those years, I taught only graduate programs. When I came to Boston College in 2004, I had never taught undergraduates, so there was a bit of anxiety about how I would fare with younger students. To my delight, the experience of teaching undergrads has been the single most enjoyable aspect of my time on the Heights. The intelligence, cheerfulness, good-heartedness, and energy of BC students has made me proud to be part of this wonderful University. I consider myself very fortunate to spend the remaining years of my teaching ministry in the company of people I enjoy and admire.” - Fr. Kenneth R. Himes, O.F.M., Boston College Theology Department Professor

“I’m the son of two immigrant parents. My mother came here from Italy and my father came here from Cape Verde. Since I was little, they have been telling me and my brothers the same thing: If you see something you want, you’ve got to go get it. There is no excuse. If you really love something, you stick with that, you get better at it. You work on your craft and make it a profession. Don’t waste time…You want to get the most out of life. That’s exactly what I’m doing. I went to my dream school and graduated from my dream school…and filmmaking will be my career.” - Brandon Brito ’20, who won the Boston College Art, Art History, and Film Department’s Screenwriting Award and whose senior thesis was the documentary short “Kicking on Rocks: Football in Cabo Verde,” which has been selected for the Cape Verdean American Film Festival | Read More: https://on.bc.edu/MorethanaGame