“I love my staff here, but I can walk away [from them] knowing that they're very devout people as far as doing the right thing for the kids coming in. But my students? I love these kids, and being away from them is going to be really tough. We’ve got nearly 1,700 students who work out of this office and they’re the best of the best. One of my sophomores asked me if I'd come back for graduation his senior year if he invited me. Of course, I said yes.” -Linda Reams, Boston College Admission Senior Receptionist who is retiring after nearly 50 years | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/LastingImpression

"At Boston College, I learned how to lead with conviction and compromise; how to ask the right questions; how to speak in front of a large crowd. I also learned that enjoying lunch with a stranger on a Tuesday in rural Virginia is just about the most human thing you can do. That my purpose in life is to be the girl others know they can turn to. That God is always with me, through challenge and triumph alike. As Fr. (Michael) Himes taught us, the measure of our Jesuit education is the extent to which others' lives are fuller because we had the privilege of attending BC. Learning in Chestnut Hill and serving as Undergraduate Government of Boston College (UGBC) President are among my greatest blessings. When I take my 'Final Flight' in May, it will be the start of a lifelong commitment to paying that forward." - Meghan Heckelman '25

“Housing justice is not just about units. It’s about people, about families that deserve permanence, not precarity...The work that we do is not about [the] spotlight. It is not about self. It’s about something far greater—it’s about restoring what’s been broken, healing what’s been ignored, and uplifting the dignity of those in the world who are often overlooked.” - Ashley Delgado '26, the 2025 Saint Oscar A. Romero Scholarship winner | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/AshleyDelgado

"We don’t feel like we’re giving back to the community—we feel like we’re part of the community and customers are giving back to us. But I think people recognize that we’re trying to do something different by blending business ethics with social work principles." - Aakanksha Sinha MSW’12, PhD’16, who brings the core Boston College School of Social Work values to life at her award-winning Indian restaurant, Spice Waala, in Seattle | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/ASinha Pictured with her husband and co-founder, Uttam Mukherjee

“For me Dream Big! means empowering girls through sports by building confidence, character, and grit on and off the field. It is allowing young girls to have the same opportunities that I did to learn that you can do anything you put your mind to. “I dedicated the run to every girl who ever doubted if she was fast enough, strong enough, or capable of reaching her goal. To my younger self, who once got cut from the soccer team for not running a sub 8:30 mile, and to my friends in club running who have been with me through it all.” - Margaret Kuffner ‘25, who ran the 2025 Boston Marathon and raising money for Dream Big! | READ MORE about Boston College community members who ran the Marathon: https://on.bc.edu/ReasontoRun

“Currently, I am a clinical intern at Walker's Beacon High School, a therapeutic day school. I have seen the positive impact this organization has on the youth they serve, who are exceptional young people dealing with significant mental health difficulties. The dedicated staff members, who I am lucky to call colleagues and classmates, show incredible compassion and commitment. At Beacon High School, it is evident that the students have found a place where they can safely be themselves and pursue their academic passions, such as art, creative writing, and music. I am so grateful and excited to support such an amazing organization in this way.” - Sara Litteken ‘24, MSW ‘25, who ran the 2025 Boston Marathon and raising money for Walker Therapeutic & Educational Programs | READ MORE about Boston College community members who ran the Marathon: https://on.bc.edu/ReasontoRun

“For me, running has been an integral part of my past three and a half years at Boston College. It has helped me stay active, manage stress, and explore the city of Boston. In fact, running has even become a social affair as it has fostered friendships and relationships through the sport and three half marathons. I figure there is no better way to end my time on the Heights than running right by Mile 21. Making it up Heartbreak Hill is going to be a tough challenge, but running has taught me that there’s no goal I can’t complete with some effort, consistency, and time.” - Pat Connell ‘25, who is running the 2025 Boston Marathon and raising money for the MEB Foundation | READ MORE about BC community members running the Boston Marathon: https://on.bc.edu/ReasontoRun

“The Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Foundation is more than just a charity to me; it represents hope, healing, and the possibility of a brighter future for people who, like me, have faced life-changing injuries. The foundation was created with the vision of providing others the same opportunity to recover, heal, and rebuild their lives. When I was 12, I experienced a traumatic brain injury that left me in the hospital facing a future full of uncertainty. Every day brought more unknowns, but thanks to incredible medical care and an unwavering support system, I not only regained my strength but now I’m preparing to run the Boston Marathon. “Supporting this foundation means more than just raising funds; it means supporting innovative research, specialized care, and groundbreaking treatments that allow patients to heal and move forward. Every step I take in the Marathon is a tribute to that strength and resilience, and a way for me to give back to a cause that has already given so much to people like me.” - Molly McEnroe ‘22, ‘28, Boston College Connell School of Nursing clinical instructor, who is running the 2025 Boston Marathon and raising money for the Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Foundation | READ MORE about Boston College community members running the Marathon: https://on.bc.edu/ReasontoRun

“Charity, to me, means using my ability to make a difference in the lives of others, especially those who face challenges beyond their control. Running for Brigham and Women's Hospital is a way for me to channel my passion for running into something that truly matters. It's about raising awareness and funds for groundbreaking medical care, ensuring that patients receive the best treatment, no matter their circumstances. Every mile I run is a reminder of the resilience of those facing health battles and the incredible work being done to support them. It's an honor to be part of something so meaningful.” - Kate Haines M.Ed. ‘20, MSW ‘27, who is running the 2025 Boston Marathon and raising money for Brigham and Women's Hospital | READ MORE about Boston College community members running the Boston Marathon: https://on.bc.edu/ReasontoRun

“Since my daughter was just six days old, Boston Children’s Hospital has been an essential part of her life. She has been seen over 150 times by their world-class teams across Neurology, Neuro-Ophthalmology, Ophthalmology, and more. She has undergone multiple eye surgeries, spinal taps, MRIs, and countless other procedures with courage and resilience. “The care she has received is nothing short of extraordinary. That’s why I’m running the Boston Marathon as part of the Miles for Miracles team. This opportunity to give back is the least I could do. I want to ensure that other families continue to have access to the same compassionate, cutting-edge care that has meant so much to mine.” - Joey McIntyre, Boston College Athletics Assistant Athletics Director, who is running the 2025 Boston Marathon and raising money for Boston Children’s Hospital | READ MORE about Boston College community members running the Marathon: https://on.bc.edu/ReasontoRun

“I’m running this year to support Massachusetts General Hospital, where my younger brother Patrick was treated throughout his childhood for Cystic Fibrosis. Patrick was diagnosed shortly after being born in October 2000. Though this was a devastating diagnosis for my parents, they were lucky enough to live less than 10 miles from one of the best CF clinics in the country at MGH. Some of my earliest memories include going to Patrick's doctor's appointments, getting bagel snacks, and taking home balloon friends that doctors and nurses would make out of medical gloves for us. Looking back, these doctor's appointments could have been very scary for two kids, but MGH's incredible staff took care to make sure that Patrick was comfortable, and that I was comfortable as a sibling sidekick. “My family did not take the level of care for granted. Without those years of world-class care, he would not be the strong, healthy adult (and Boston College grad!) who he is today. My desire to run and support MGH stems from deep gratitude for the institution and its employees. I cannot wait to cross the finish line on Boylston representing Run for MGH and giving back to the institution that has given so much to my family.” - Elizabeth Massman ‘20, who is running the 2025 Boston Marathon and raising money for the MGH | READ MORE about BC community members running the Boston Marathon: https://on.bc.edu/ReasontoRun

“I am dedicating this run to my late cousin Kelly Anne Gordon. Kelly was supposed to graduate from Boston College in 2014, but unfortunately died in a car crash in New York City that April. A major reason that I attended Boston College was to finish the legacy she started, as she was truly one of the best mentors I had in my life. She was a babysitter, friend, and the best cousin I could have asked for. Given that the Boston Marathon is a tradition that is strongly tied to BC and the Boston community, I thought that this would be a great way to honor her.” - Colin Gordon ‘27, who is running the 2025 Boston Marathon and raising money for Journey Forward | READ MORE about BC community members running the Marathon: https://on.bc.edu/ReasontoRun