“[The medal ceremony] was surreal. In the moment, there's a lot of thoughts going through your mind. You're standing by the rest of your teammates and you're getting a gold medal put around your neck, you're trying to find your family in the stands, all the people that helped get you here, and then you get to watch your flag be raised and sing the national anthem. There's really nothing like it. And the beauty of a team sport is that you get to celebrate it with 23 of your best friends. It makes it all the more special.” - Megan Keller ’19, former Boston College Women’s Hockey player who scored the gold-medal goal for Team USA at the Winter Olympics | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/MKeller

"As a person of color, I know the estate-planning myth that only white wealthy families from affluent communities engage with these kinds of services. Even now, I’m thinking about my parents—we’re all immigrants. My parents were able to purchase a home by the grace of God, a home they love. And I want to make sure that that home is passed down from generation to generation because that’s what they want. Unfortunately, even my parents—or a lot of people from my church—don’t really take the initiative to get an estate planning attorney. Wealth is not just the dollar amount in your bank account; it’s your property. So I’m grateful these kinds of state resources are being developed because they are so important. I can’t emphasize this enough: not enough low-income people of color are aware of how accessible estate planning services actually are." - Darla Pascal JD ’27, one of the first Boston College Law School students to get involved with the Homeownership Estate Planning Project (HEPP) serving the Boston area | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/DPascal_BCLM

“It’s been very gratifying to see people make use of the archives, whether for a publication or other project, or just out of personal interest. I worked with so many wonderful people over the years from a variety of backgrounds. The word ‘archive’ can mean many things, but the current definition is ‘that which will endure’; I think this certainly applies to the Irish Music Archives—we have built something that will be of lasting value.” - Beth Sweeney, who retired after 37 years at Boston College, the last 27 as the University Libraries’ inaugural Irish music librarian | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/BethSweeney

“'From my heart to yours' is the motto of Heartfelt Harmonies Charity, which reflects both my story and why I knew I would find a home at Boston College. "When I was 15, I was diagnosed with ACM, a rare, life-threatening form of cardiomyopathy. One moment I was a normal teenager, and the next I was learning that my heart could stop without warning. I ended up needing an implanted defibrillator (ICD) to stay alive. It was terrifying, but I was also incredibly lucky. I had health insurance, highly trained doctors, and access to the technology that gave me a second chance. So many people don’t. "That reality is what led me to create Heartfelt Harmonies, a charity dedicated to health equity through AED donations, training, and awareness. I work with organizations that serve families and youth in low-income communities, where access to lifesaving equipment is often limited. Sudden cardiac arrest doesn’t discriminate, but access to survival does. "When I came to BC, I saw the same commitment to others reflected in its mission to be 'Men and Women for Others.' It confirmed what I already believed: service, compassion, and justice should be at the center of everything we do. BC has given me a community that understands why this work matters. And now, from my heart to yours, I’m still working to make sure more people get that chance too." - Kiersten Rock-Torcivia '27, founder of Heartfelt Harmonies Charity Photo by Amanda Simpson '27

"[Mattapan residents] gave so much to me. I do this to continue their legacy. You hear about jobs where you go in, make your money, leave, and don't do anything else. That is not what this is for me. This is what I was meant to do." - Shavel'le Olivier '14, executive director of Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition | READ MORE in Carroll School of Management at BC's Carroll Capital: https://on.bc.edu/CarrollCapital_3_2025

“To me, Black History Month is about recognition, remembering, counter-storytelling, progress, faith, and social change. While working in public education, I saw so many students, teachers, and leaders committed to understanding how the history of Black folks in this country can inform our ongoing struggles for progress, freedom, and social change. At the same time, there were moments of deep frustration and sadness as others used Black History Month to share negative attitudes towards Black folks, social justice, and civil rights. I hope and pray that I can contribute to more of the positive discussions and activities and help reduce the harmful rhetoric that impacts our children.” - Cedrick-Michael Simmons Ph.D.’23, a visiting assistant professor of sociology at Nazareth University and CEO of Nerds for Justice, LLC

“My understanding of Black History Month has become a lot more timeless. As a child, I remember being in school and learning about Black historical figures like Dr. Martin King, Jr. or Ella Fitzgerald, who I wrote a report about in fifth grade, and thinking of Black history as something that was a bit removed from my life. But as I've gotten older, I've realized it’s not just a time to reflect on the past—it's a beautiful opportunity to reflect on the ongoing history that's being made by my peers, who remain committed to building these communities and fighting for justice.” - Nnenna Okorie ’26 #BlackHistoryMonth Photo by Amanda Simpson '28

"I want students to understand that housing law is central to justice, not peripheral. It is often treated as technical or secondary, but it shapes everything: opportunity, wealth, even democracy. Housing affordability is now a national crisis. Addressing it requires an expansive set of legal skills (including litigation, real estate transactions, tax, land use, and local government) and an interdisciplinary mindset. Lawyers need to work with architects, engineers, environmental scientists, and community organizers. "I also want students in general, and students of color in particular, to understand that justice is not only achieved through constitutional or criminal law. Transactional and property law can also serve as powerful tools for achieving equity and reparative justice. You can make a living as a real estate lawyer and still serve your community. Ultimately, I want future lawyers to see housing as a site of imagination: a place where law can literally build the world we want to live in." - Lisa Alexander, Boston College Law School whose work sits at the intersection of housing, equity, and imagination | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/KnockKnock

“When I was younger, Black History Month felt like a school unit focused on learning names, dates, and a few well-known figures before moving on. As I’ve gotten older, it’s become much more personal: I pay closer attention to my family’s lessons, their sacrifices, and the ways Black culture has shaped who I am. I think about ancestors, survival, creativity, and how Black people have consistently created beauty despite efforts by the outside world to restrict us. Instead of something limited to February, Black History Month has become a reminder to be intentional about understanding the past and pushing for real respect and change in the future.” - Anthony “AD” Delgado ’26 #BlackHistoryMonth Photo by Amanda Simpson '28

"Serving at the John M Barry Boys & Girls Club of Newton has been such a rewarding part of my time at Boston College. By helping create a space where kids feel safe to share their talents, build confidence, and push themselves to grow, Boston College's PULSE program has shown me the real impact of service beyond the classroom. In the game room, I have the opportunity to foster community, leadership, and healthy competition through daily activities and mentorship. Each week, I continued to build meaningful relationships that promote personal growth, teamwork, and a sense of belonging in a positive and inclusive environment." - Brock Tuminello '28

“It’s a simple procedure and wasn't painful at all. I just kind of sat there, so it was crazy for me to realize, ‘Oh, wow, I am saving someone's life. This is going to be what cures cancer for someone.’ It was so easy that it really didn't set in. They say that 50 percent of people who get matched don’t go through with the donation, which is a crazy statistic to me. I hope that if I talk about my experience, people will think ‘Why wouldn’t I do that? It’s pretty easy and won’t be that much of a burden.’” - Thomas Gregory ’26 (right), the eighth Boston College student to save the life of a stranger by donating stem cells through the Project Life Movement | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/ThomasGregory

“I wish people knew how unique an opportunity and a community this is. When you come to a place like Messina, you have a family, even if you don’t know everyone. People genuinely care about you. They want to see you succeed. Messina is about people, connections, personal relationships, and joy. Everyone here has a passion for helping students, and you see that every day.” - Jaaliyah Rodriguez, a second-year Messina College student in the health sciences program | READ MORE about the Messina-Boston College Connell School of Nursing partnership: https://on.bc.edu/CSON_BridgetoOpp