“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

“When I think about what I learned at Boston College, it was really relationship-building and thinking, ‘How can I help people?’ I remember being so connected to the Jesuit philosophy and all of those principles of being a person for others, and it’s stayed with me through the last 20 years. I think the reason our business pivoted so fast is because we knew that we wanted to be the helpers in this situation. If you can look back at a pandemic and be like, ‘You were one of the helpers,’ then you’re going to feel really good about what you're doing every day.” - Torry Katsiroubas Stamm ’03, president and fourth-generation owner of Katsiroubas Bros | Read more: https://on.bc.edu/ThinkingOutsidetheBox

"During my time at Boston College, I have been challenged, academically and otherwise. I have been challenged to think deeper, be a better advocate and amplify the unheard voices, to better love myself, and to better love others. BC is far from perfect. But I have tried to use my time here to challenge myself, other members of the BC community, and especially the BC administration to be better, because I know we can be - which is why I ran for Undergraduate Government of Boston College (UGBC). As a senior, I am very sad to be leaving BC, but I know that my experience here will continue to challenge me to make a difference in the world. But two of my biggest takeaways from BC are 1) Challenge yourself (within reason!). Challenge yourself to grow, meet new people, take new classes, take time for yourself, and challenge yourself to do what makes YOU happy. And 2) Learn to love in action. It’s laughing with a friend, sharing a smile with a stranger, learning to love yourself, uplifting marginalized voices, fighting for what’s right, and seeing the good in others, especially when they can’t see it for themselves. Loving in action will challenge you and everyone around you to be and do better every day. And together if we love in action, we can change the world." - Tiffany Brooks '21

"In 4Boston, we talk about examining our responsibilities in resisting and transforming the injustices we encounter in our world. This year, for me - as for many - has been one of great challenge and change. My husband and I eagerly look forward to welcoming our first child into the world. In this season, there have been days of deep pain, both spiritual and physical. There have also been glorious moments of ease and joy. For us, preparing our hearts and our home for a child amidst the tumult of this past year has been a reminder that the work of building a more peaceful and just world begins with transformation in our own lives, as we've contemplated anew the contours of our daily habits. What systems am I implicitly and explicitly supporting? What relationships am I nourishing? Am I working to heal the wounds of our world for my child, and for all children?" - Carly Anderson, Boston College Campus Ministry Minister and 4Boston Program Director

“Auditioning for a dance team without any experience was one of the best things I've done in college, because it’s a natural stress reliever. I can be struggling with tests, but the second I go to practice it's like, whoa, I don't need to think about that anymore, I'm just here to have fun. I feel like the dance community here on campus is so strong, we can get through anything. Right now, yes, we're 10 feet apart during practices, but we're still going.” - Eric Meza-Ubeda ’22, a member of the AEROdynamiK Dance Crew | Watch AeroK's collaboration with the BC Marching Band: https://youtu.be/xyIqFdLVvrY