SPEC I A L T R I B U T E : P RE S IDE N T KE ME Z A RE TIRE S
Summer 2017
n
Vol. 16 Issue 2
BC High Bids Farewell A look back on a 35-year career as teacher, principal, and president
Printed with recycled materials.
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e f le cti o n s
A GREAT PRESIDENT, A GREAT LEADER, A GREAT MAN By Steve Hughes ’73, P’98
STEVE HUGHES ’73, P’98
Steve Hughes ’73, P’98 has been a member of the BC High community for more than four decades. Steve began his career in the classroom teaching history for 22 years. He had the good fortune to coach football with the legendary Jim Cotter ’55, and led the athletic program as director, before serving as Vice Principal for Student Affairs. For the last 15 years, he has been Principal. In 2001, Steve created the McElroy Scholars Program, recently renamed the Madden Scholars in memory of the late Mary Madden.The two-year program was initially established for 17 freshmen who had been accepted to BC High, but who might be considered at risk of failing or leaving BC High. The program focuses on academic and personal development through a mentoring and tutoring structure that has fostered a 90% retention rate for enrolled students. Steve earned his BA in history from University of Massachusetts, Boston and his Master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Boston College.
WHEN BILL KEMEZA ANNOUNCED HE WOULD BE RETIRING in the spring of 2017, a number of thoughts went through my head; surprise wasn’t one of them. Bill had spent much of his long career in education as an administrator at BC High, the last fifteen years as President, a much longer tenure than any of his predecessors. Leading can be both exhilarating and exhausting work. The exact day of his announcement was news, but the reality of his decision was not. Bill assured me he was ready to move on to the next chapter of his life. Though not a surprise, the reality of his announcement caused me to reflect on his tenure and on his accomplishments as President. Perhaps Bill’s most important accomplishment, in terms of the school’s fiscal health, has been the increase in the school’s endowment. Under Bill’s leadership, the school’s endowment rose from $14 million dollars to nearly $72 million dollars. Given the fiscal realities of today, nothing is more critical to the long term health of the school. This accomplishment alone is enough for recognition and celebration, but for Bill it was just a start. He has accomplished so much more. Bill’s leadership has been one of construction – building structures and community. During his tenure, every classroom on campus has been renovated including new infrastructure for technology, new lighting and new windows. But Bill didn’t just renovate classrooms, he restructured the rooms to support new and effective teaching methods. He built Harkness classrooms and a Makerspace lab to encourage innovative teaching and learning. He reimagined library spaces for cooperative learning. In these past fifteen years, two new buildings have been added to the campus. McQuillan Hall houses our science wing as well as the Hajjar Dining Hall and the Hunter-Fahey Commons. The former Dever Gym and auditorium was transformed into the Bulger Performing Arts Center. Cadigan Hall houses a basketball court, three art studios, and voice and instrumental music rooms. Not only did this construction improve spaces for our teachers and coaches, Cadigan Hall also houses a large lecture hall and a spacious atrium area creating aesthetic space for the community to gather. Bill also oversaw the expansion of the BC High student body with the addition of seventh and eighth grades, our Arrupe Division. For these new students Bill directed the renovation of Walsh Hall. The athletic fields, once nothing but acres of dust, dirt, rocks and broken glass were replaced by field turf. And it was during Bill’s tenure that the Cornelius J. Keohane ’51 Track was replaced and expanded. It was Bill who established the partnership with both the University of Massachusetts and the Yawkey Foundation in order to build a new baseball complex. The complex, named after Reverend J. Donald Monan, SJ of Boston College, comes complete with two NCAA regulation baseball fields, one of which is built to the exact specifications to Fenway Park. During his time, Bill oversaw the physical transformation of the campus while ensuring that the school had the resources to recruit and retain the finest of faculties. Any one of these accomplishments would be a career for most administrators, but to accomplish such growth in improving academic, athletic, artistic student experiences is worthy of our gratitude. As impressive as all this is, it is not what makes Bill a great president. What has made Bill a great president is this: Bill has a finely calibrated moral compass and he has the courage to follow it. His moral compass has been shaped by years of reading, reflecting, observing, and from being both empathetic and from practicing kindness. He has thought long and hard about the moral and ethical issues of the day. He knows what his values and beliefs are and he knows what they look like in our lived lives. Bill has the courage to allow his moral compass to guide his daily life. That is what has made him a great President, a great leader and a great man. It has been such a blessing to have worked so closely with him for more than three decades and it is why his absence will leave such a void when he is no longer a part of our daily lives.
BC High Today
in this issue
Published by: Office for Institutional Advancement Boston College High School 150 Morrissey Boulevard Boston, MA 02125 617-474-5030 • Fax: 617-474-5035 www.bchigh.edu
Summer 2017 • Vol. 16 Issue 2 William Kemeza, President OFFICE FOR INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT Interim Vice President for Institutional Advancement Colleen Carter ccarter@bchigh.edu Associate Director of Communications William L. Burke ’52, P’86, GP’17 burke@bchigh.edu Director of Alumni Relations Matthew J. Curran ’89, P’22 curran@bchigh.edu Advancement Systems Manager Kimberly Duong duong@bchigh.edu Director of Major Gifts and Strategic Partnerships Tara Esfahanian P’21 tesfahanian@bchigh.edu Director of Parent Programs Kim Jennings P’21 kjennings@bchigh.edu
6
Director of Individual Gifts and Estate Planning Daniel Kenslea, Jr. ’71 dkenslea@bchigh.edu Director of Development Staci McDonnell P’19, ’22 smcdonnell@bchigh.edu
SPECIAL FEATURE
Bill Kemeza Retires
Operations Assistant Ellen M. McKenzie mckenzie@bchigh.edu
Bill looks back on his presidency and almost 35 years at BC High. by Brendan Hughes ’98
Internship Coordinator Kristine Smith Kristine.smith@bchigh.edu
departments Arrupe City Project | Team Mauna Loa | Co-curricular Offerings
16 Grand Reunion 18 Athletics in the News
Basketball Accolades | Spring Sports Summary | Joe McCabe Retires
Director of Marketing & Communications Editor, BC High Today Jennifer Tegan P‘17 jtegan@bchigh.edu
John R. Carroll ‘86 Reverend Brian Conley, SJ, Chair Paul Donato ’95
Copy Editors Bill Burke ’52, Leslie LaRocca
Martin J. Dunn, DMD ’53 John F. Ferraro ‘73 Margaret M. Florentine
25 2017 St. Ignatius Awards
Timothy S. O’Donnell, Esq. ’83
Joseph Dunford, Jr. ’73, James Lane ’83, James McInnis ’53
Kelly A. Verrochi P’15, Vice-Chair
26 The Scene
J. Barry Driscoll ‘48, GP’06,’18,’18,’22
28 In Memoriam
Photography LifeTouch Photography Tom Kates Photography
Paul F. McManus, Jr. ‘74, Secretary
24 Faculty & Staff Notes
J. Frank Keohane, Esq. ‘53, GP’12,’14
Design Mary-Lynne Bohn, Accent Design, Inc. Printing Mass Printing, Inc.
William Kemeza, Ex-Officio
20 Alumni News Notes
Gregory E. Bulger ‘68
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
2 On the Boulevard
Development Assistant Suzann Sweeney sweeney@bchigh.edu
If you would like to send a letter to the editor or update your information, please send the information to the address listed above, or e-mail alumni@bchigh.edu.
BC High Today 1
the arrupe city project
Do Utopian Cities Really Exist? The Arrupe City Project is more than just an assignment–it’s an interdisciplinary approach among the seventh grade social studies, science, and English class curriculums to study a vast array of topics from population growth to lifestyle inequities. Students learn best when they connect what they learn to the world and to themselves. Instead of simply reading about energy, pollution, and transportation challenges, the boys create cities to make personal connections to the global problems that people face. Throughout the year, students met with alumni and parent architects, designers, city planners, and developers who showed them real life examples of city planning. They worked in small groups to plan all aspects of city life, studied the principles of Smart Growth, best transportation systems, and looked at real cities that have successful plans; cities with mixed use developments, places for pedestrians and cyclists, green spaces, and urban farming.
solutions, and problem solving skills, they can help ensure that their cities do not devolve into dystopias.
The final stage of the City Project included an exciting day-long presentation series to parents, teachers, and peers. After months of research, planning, and building, students presented in groups and explained the wonders, innovations, and challenges of their cities. The groups also realized that a true utopian city is unattainable; however, through effective planning, innovative
At the end of the day, the Arrupe City Project gives our boys the opportunity to learn 21st century skills such as collaboration, problem solving, creative thinking, public speaking, and technology. They are passionate about their cities and presentations; and although presentation day can fill them with anxiety and nerves, they leave with a great sense of accomplishment and pride in their creations.
All Arrupe City Projects photographed together.
N THE BOULEVARD
modeling digital citizenship
How Tweet It Is The Arrupe Division celebrates the collaboration, creativity, and multi-disciplinary approach to educating seventh and eighth graders. So when a team of teachers wanted to incorporate Twitter to enhance the learning atmosphere across the team, some fun things happened. Social media has the power to push the bounds of education and help students connect with the world around them. Faculty members Eric Mendoza, Heather Guiney, and Michael Chapman, who make up Team Mauna Loa, created a Twitter page to represent a team of students drawn from their Arrupe science, English, and social studies classes. They originally started Tweeting pictures of what was happening in the classroom and sharing information about lessons with both students and parents. Faculty continued to add relevant links to articles and asked students to Tweet using a team Twitter Google spreadsheet. During the year, Team Mauna Loa shared mini-lessons on the proper use of social media, discussed the long lasting effects of one’s digital footprint, and modeled the use of Twitter as a learning tool. Eventually, parents joined the virtual classroom by creating their own Twitter pages to reply, Retweet, and like team posts. By using Twitter to connect to the world beyond Walsh Hall team members heard from many talented people and organiza
2 BC High Today
tions that related to their work. From the Innocence Project and Civic Mirror to authors of young adult literature, students have had the opportunity to reach out, question, and apply the ideas that were covered in class. Students experienced a greater connection to their coursework when a writer Retweeted Follow @Team_MaunaLoa on Twitter and experience for yourself how social media can benefit the learning their work, or when experience! a programming organization liked the results of the code a student had written. Furthermore, they’ve learned that Twitter can be a voice on which their platforms can be heard; most recently, some of the eighth grade students used Twitter to promote their social justice initiatives and causes producing more awareness and engagement. The results are in, Team Mauna Loa found Twitter to be an exciting and encouraging learning enhancement, and hope to continue to explore social media in the classroom next year.
co-curricular offerings
Expanding Horizons Outside the Classroom On any given afternoon, BC High’s corridors are filled with the
sounds of hip-hop music, drumsticks whacking trash barrels, and video game villains dying. Anyone walking through the halls could hear guest speakers talking about finance, budding lawyers preparing opening statements, and students offering eulogies for Julius Caesar. These are the sounds of some of the seventy cocurricular clubs of BC High. While BC High’s students are rightly praised for their academic acumen, artistic achievement, and athletic prowess, their work in co-curricular activities also merits celebration. The students provide the leadership and energy to make Morrissey Boulevard a vibrant place both before and after school. According to Sachin Meier ’18, “the excellent clubs, from Robotics, to Model UN, to, yes, TRICS [which teaches students to juggle, among other things], all make BC High the very diverse community it is. Everyone should be able to find a club they like.” Despite the range of activities, all are rooted in the school’s mission to form young men of competence, conscience, and compassion. Clubs with long histories, like the Black-Latino Student Union, and newer groups, like the Green Eagles, call students to engage in the issues facing our neighborhood, country, and the planet. Whether students are building a catapult or writing an article for The Eagle, they are learning about collaboration, problem-solving, and leadership. The co-curricular activities are essential to extending learning beyond traditional subjects. According to Anthony Cosentino ’18, “Cura personalis, a central tenet of Jesuit education, is probably the most accurate linkage between the various co-curricular offerings at BC High and the school mission. Educating the whole person means going beyond the classroom, a duty BC High works hard to carry out.” While our vibrant co-curricular offerings appeal to a range of
BC High’s first fencing tournament held in Cadigan gym.
interests, students often come up with new ideas. This year ten new clubs formed, all based on student proposals and done in conjunction with dedicated, talented moderators. Though it is only three years old, the Fencing Club has grown to now include more than twenty students. The swordsmen meet once a week to practice their lunges and parries. Pierce Winters ’18 said, “There is a certain elegance to fencing which I find exceedingly invigorating. You feel refined when you are fencing.” The fencers learn more than just the basics of the sport, according to Chris Keith ’19 and Colman Gillis ’19, who noted that they are developing leadership skills in teaching the younger students while also learning the history of the sport. Perhaps most importantly, club members highlighted the fact that the club is fun, a quality that was clearly on display when they hosted their first meet this spring. No matter what the outcome of the individual bouts, all of the students come away winners, as is the case with all of our co-curricular offerings.
A winning season for Team FRC3958. For the first time in BC High Robotics team history, a “blue banner” was awarded for a victory in the finals at the Greater Boston District Event. Points earned at this event propelled the team, Schrödinger’s Cat, up to #11 in New England of 190 teams.
BC High Today 3
2017 Commencement Exercises | BY DANIEL SCRIVENER ’18 | As written for the school newspaper, THE EAGLE
O
n May 21, 2017, the courts of McNeice Pavilion acquired new meaning for a group of 303 students who had first entered the arena four years ago for freshman convocation. This place became the site of unprecedented change in their lives, and as they processed through a sea of folding chairs and smiling parents, they
received an affirmation of their tremendous accomplishments. Past and future were celebrated simultaneously in a display of confidence and hope for the new graduates. The 153rd Commencement Exercises of BC High demonstrated the capabilities and values of the denizens of our school and served as a reminder of our purpose as an institution.
to deliver a welcome address. In Colin’s salutatory, he indicated his fondness toward the many memories he and his classmates have forged at BC High, recounting ordinary and profound experiences alike to provide context for our school’s unique atmosphere. At the same time, he made sure to remember the struggles of his classmates and the successes that allowed them to thrive.
BC High Rector Reverend Brian Conley, SJ began the eventful day with an invocation. Shortly afterward, Academic Vice Principal, Charlie Drane presented President of the Student Council, Colin Carroll ’17,
Colin was followed by President William Kemeza, who expressed his deepest gratitude for having spent the better part of his life as a member of the BC High community. He went on to offer his tribute to the special members of the class of 1967 with a broad perspective, demonstrating the enduring Jesuit mission from Ignatius’ years to the present day. In his words, Bill thanked the Jubilarians for making the world a better place and that Ignatius showed us the work is never finished. “Sons of Ignatius, the world needs you still….We are very grateful to have you home with us, and your alma mater delights in the men you have become.” Directing attention once more to the class of 2017, Drane introduced the Commencement speaker, Patrick Downes ’01. Identifying himself as an unconventional graduate speaker, Downes began with a lighthearted recollection of his days as the official 3rd base coach. Though seemingly a typical student at BC High, Downes demonstrated the profound impact that BC High had on his life and elaborated on a sense of
4 BC High Today
“You’re only as strong as the person next to you, and we are only as strong as the people behind us and in front of us.” – Patrick Downes ’01
companionship that aided him in his future. He spoke of his harrowing experience at the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon as well as the support following that event, thanking all those who sent him and his wife letters of appreciation from JUG. Downes’ primary message to the graduates was that regardless of their professional aspirations and accomplishments, they should embrace the central messages of BC High regarding the formation of character. Nicholas Sommer ’17 delivered the senior address. With a sense of pride, Nicholas described the positive changes his class has brought to BC High, from athletics to competitions to open dialogue. Sommer spoke of his service immersion experience in a disadvantaged elementary school in Louisiana. During his time with underserved children, he indicated that “Our duty was not to do but to be, and we were expected to take what we learned and live it out in own lives.” Through his reflection on the ministry of presence, Sommer concluded that an important aspect of a BC High education is being available to others and having concern for all people promotes personal growth and provides invaluable tools for understanding life. Dr. Matthew Finnegan and Dr. Marina Rozenberg contributed to the success of the event by directing performances of the BC High Concert Band and Concert Choir.
Top: Student council president Colin Caroll ’17, President Bill Kemeza, and student speaker Nicholas Sommer ’17. Bottom: The final hand shake with Principal Hughes.
BC High Today 5
Bill Kemeza looks back on his presidency and almost 35 years at BC High
6 BC High Today
SPECIAL TRIBUTE: BILL KEMEZA RETIRES
| BY BRENDAN HUGHES ’98 |
B
ill Kemeza sits at the round conference table in his third-floor office, his gaze fixed on McQuillan and McElroy halls, two brick buildings that almost melt into one another, and onward toward the Boston skyline as it reflects the low autumn sun in bursts of golds and grays and blues. The scene is poignant, maybe a little valedictory, but that’s not how Bill feels. His eyes are blue, bright, and searching, his beard and hair prophet-white, his smile easy as always. Now, in his final months as BC High’s longest serving and many argue greatest president, he looks like a numinous mash-up of John Muir and Saint Jerome by way of South Philly. You can’t walk the campus without seeing all that’s been accomplished under his leadership. The new and renovated buildings, the opening of the Arrupe Division, the racial, ethnic, and socio-economic diversity of the student body to say nothing of their accomplishments in classrooms, on the athletic fields, and in the world, but it’s also something you can feel, something that’s both old and new. Under Bill’s leadership, BC High today is perhaps the most Jesuit of Jesuit schools, imbuing both academic and community life with Ignatian values: that thirst to marry knowledge of the self and of the world, to be men for others, to see God in all things.
Here’s my confession: I’ve known Bill Kemeza almost all my life and I love him too much to even approach objectivity or evenhandedness about his thirty-four year tenure as teacher, principal, and president of BC High. When I was ten years old, he and my father and a few other BC High faculty members took me on the first of many hiking trips, first up Mount Washington and later to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, the top of Sierra Nevada, and over the Continental Divide. When I came to BC High in 1994, he was my principal, and I was there on a winter day two years later when the news came down that Father Joseph Fahey, SJ ’53, then the school’s president and with whom Kemeza had a respectful but contentious relationship, had declined to renew Bill’s contract. That afternoon, as a light snow fell onto the fields along Morrissey Boulevard, a group of students gathered in front of McElroy and carved the words FREE KEMEZA into the snow until Bill himself, brown suit, no overcoat, emerged from the front doors, smiling, raised one arm and waved to us. You half expected a helicopter to land on the lawn and whisk him away, but of course that didn’t happen. He stayed, he taught, he became principal (again), and then president. He made the school a better place. He wasn’t just respected. He wasn’t just liked. He was beloved. By all of us. No one would have blamed Bill if he had left BC High during that winter of 1996 – in fact, it was something he gave serious thought to. But if he had, the school and all of us who love it would have been poorer. Poorer because we’d have lacked his searching vision, his marrow-deep love for the institution and its mission, poorer because we might not have had the buildings or the students or the faculty we have today, and most importantly, poorer because we’d have lacked his moral courage and servant leadership through the school’s darkest days: the clergy abuse crisis of the early 2000s.
Bill is a native of Philadelphia and attended Temple University hoping to become an architect. His ambition changed while he was studying architecture in Europe. The beauty and complexity of the cathedrals inspired him to find out what prompted people to build them. “I wanted to find out more about what motivated people to spend so much of their lives and their wealth in building those cathedrals.” (The Eagle, November, 1987) As a result, his interest in theology grew so he decided to attend Andover-Newton Theological School where he received a master’s degree in theology. Before coming to BC High, he worked in the Teacher Corps and taught religious education and history at Pope John XXIII Central High School in Everett.
History teacher Jack Travers and Principal Steve Hughes check in with Bill at the start of a school day.
BC High Today 7
This article takes a comprehensive look at the phases of Bill’s career as teacher, principal, and president, master builder, moral compass, and spiritual searcher – in his own words, accompanied by those who worked closely with him and knew him best. BH: What was BC High like when you arrived in the early 1980s? BK: When I started teaching at BC High in 1982, I didn’t expect to stay. My wife, Maureen, went from the master of divinity program to a doctoral program and I couldn’t see beyond more than a couple of years. But I fell in love with BC High and decided to stay on. The school community had a lot of vitality. Jesuits made up about half the faculty then, and it was pretty freewheeling, much less structured than I had expected. It was partly because we had very smart students who made the classroom full of energy, edgier and sometimes confrontational, but all in positive ways. My fellow colleagues both Jesuits and lay teachers, were people of extraordinary talent and character, and others were just real characters. There were some remarkably good teachers and real spiritual seekers. And sometimes being seekers was their better quality because they weren’t really great classroom teachers. But regardless, you knew students were willing to tolerate their sometimes drone-like presentations in class because they were models and scholars and people who loved their area of study. It’s easy for me to say there were these mythical people and how important they were to me and to the school, but I would imagine every generation sees those figures, and so many who are still here, people like religious education teachers Paul Logan ’68, Peter Skipper, Served as head of the religious education department
1982 Started as a teacher in the religious education department
1983-87
John McHugh, science teacher Tony Toto ’66 and Principal Steve Hughes ’73. They are amazing. BH: How would you describe yourself as a young teacher? BK: I was never a fantastic teacher. I’d had a lot of experience before coming to BC High, but throughout my career I have been as interested in theology as much as I have been interested in education. I think early on I was a fine teacher. Some students really liked me. But I was not one of the great teachers like Mary Madden or Bill Collins, for example. Those were people who understood what they were doing and what they were trying to get from the students. BH: Within a year or so of arriving at BC High, you had become Religion Department chair and along with your colleagues really overhauled the curriculum. What motivated those changes and once you became department chair did you see yourself continuing into administration? BK: Early on I was more strident about how academically rigorous these classes should become, and when I became department chair, I pushed really hard. Religion used to only be offered two or three days in the six day cycle. I felt it had very little legitimacy with students or even with faculty. Each class had 150 students per lecture and it wasn’t weighted the same way, so why would someone take it seriously?
Became principal of BC High
1987 Named academic vice principal
1990
Began a second term as Principal
1996 Finished first term of principal in June; returned to teaching religion and served as diversity director for one year (until 1997)
2000
2001
Named acting president of BC High by the Board of Trustees; he was also Principal and served in both roles for over a year
Those who carry God in their hearts bear Heaven
8 BC High Today
SPECIAL TRIBUTE: BILL KEMEZA RETIRES
I wanted religious education to become more academic, but in retrospect, I’m not sure that was a smart idea. I’m not sure we should be driven by grades. I understand if you don’t give grades, people are going to say why take it seriously. I think theology or religion classes should be a reflection of the experiences in everyday life, whether on retreat or taking part in community service. During this time, I wasn’t thinking about administration. I enjoyed being department chair and was invited to some of the first serious discussions about what would become The Bill returns to the religious education department (L-R): Peter Skipper, Paul Logan, William Kemeza, Fr. Hosie, Fr. Monestime, Fr. Daniel Lewis, Michael Graduate at Graduation. This Fletcher and Sharon Bilodeau (1998). helped me think about how I would like to see the school develop. In hindsight, maybe that goes back to who were having difficulties at school had serious challenges my interest in urban planning, because it helped me think about in their lives with which they were dealing. Sometimes there structure and how things are done, about how things fit together, were learning differences, sometimes huge issues at home, about design. I really found that to be enticing and something I sometimes issues of self identity. It was amazing that in that wanted to do more of. So, within three or four years, there was context they could pay attention to high school classwork. an opening as vice principal, and nobody would have thought of To understand it was really eye opening. That’s what I me as vice principal, but I applied and I remember when it was remember most of all. Understanding the broader context of announced that I was being appointed, people were stunned! I our student’s lives was one of the greatest gifts I experienced served as Academic Vice Principal under Larry Blake, and when as an administrator. Larry finished up his term, I became interim principal, applied to BH: You served as principal until 1996 and then returned be principal, and served in that role until 1996. to the classroom. I remember that transition—I think I was BH: What was different or challenging about administration? a sophomore or junior—and to me, it seemed very dramatic and a little painful, and I think a lot of students felt that BK: It was also a real privilege for me, and I think coaches way at the time. What was that transition and return to the probably experience this, but it was the first time I’d understood classroom like for you? the full context of students’ lives, particularly students who weren’t doing well or who were dealing with issues either at BK: [The late BC High president] Fr. Fahey and I both home or with learning. I was amazed at how many students wanted what was best for the school. And I think we had
2002 Appointed as 28th President, becoming first lay president
Dedicated Hunter-Fahey Commons
Arrupe Division opens
2005
2007
Former “A” building renamed McQuillan Hall
International Colloquium on Jesuit Secondary Education at BC High
2008
2012
Dedicated the $51 million Gregory E. Bulger ’68 raised during Performing Arts the Renaissance Center Campaign
$77 million raised during the 150th Anniversary Campaign
2013
2016
Cadigan Hall Opened
2017 Bill retires
Dedication of Lawrence H. Hyde ’42 Center for Global Education
n with them wherever they go – Ignatius Loyola
BC High Today 9
Arrupe Division students in the newly dedicated Bulger Performing Arts Center.
At the same time, my son had a health crisis that required surgery and long recovery. It was one of the most traumatic experiences of our lives, and I remember talking to Fr. Fahey about it at the time and telling him I wanted to go back to the classroom full time, I’ll teach, I’ll run a club, and I need to help my son. I can’t do anything else. So that’s what I did. BH: Skip forward several years and you come back as principal a second time. What’s different? BK: I never should have come back as principal, that’s the first thing. I knew very early on that it was a mistake. I didn’t feel comfortable. I thought, they need fresh ideas, a new person. Things were fine, but it wasn’t the right thing to do. I’m thinking, what am I going to do, and then [former BC High President] Charlie Kelley leaves and the board asks me to step in as interim president. BH: Did you want to be president? BK: [Bill laughs.] No, I didn’t want to be president, but what I also didn’t want was someone who didn’t know the school coming in and filling the role. Let me and the rest of the administration run this out for the next couple months, I thought, then the board can find their president, and I honestly I was not thinking of myself as president because I had no experience in fundraising.
some similar ideas about the school, about wanting it to be a really academically excellent school particularly. I’ve never been great at taking orders, and his model was never really collaborative. So there was always tension and we tried hard to work it out.
Surprisingly, the board said OK. I was relieved. I thought I would do this for a few months then it would be a good opportunity for me to exit, to go somewhere else. The new president is going to want a new principal. They were looking for a Jesuit. I had no problem with that. The board did a search and they come back and say they can’t find anybody, and they ask me if I can stay on. And that’s when the abuse crisis hits. BH: The clergy abuse crisis probably ranks among the darkest periods in BC High’s – and the Catholic Church’s – history. Talk a little about your experience through that as a relatively new interim president.
BK: It was extraordinarily dark. One of our fundamental disagreements was on the long-term direction of the school. My thought was and has been that we The stories about abuse in the archdiocese had started to come needed to focus on enrollment – on attracting a diverse student out in the papers. Boston Globe reporter and BC High alumnus body with the potential for high achievement from all over Greater Boston. Joe was thinking, maybe rightly, that there are long term issues that the [of the clergy abuse crisis] Bill school should face but right now I’m worried about and I shared the belief in the importance of transparency, of next year’s budget. So after all these years of trying relaying any information to police, of working with our victims, to make it work, he said I’m not going to renew you as principal, and he was right to do that, because it hiring an independent arbitrator to review cases, and providing had become a dysfunctional relationship.
“From the beginning
I knew I could come back to teach, so I had a sabbatical and did some graduate work at Boston College and the Principal’s Center at Harvard. During that time, I was recruited at some other schools and I got pretty close to leaving, but I wasn’t happy with them. So I came back.
counseling and support. Bill handled each case. He sat in on every session with victims...It took its toll on him, as it did for all of us. It was painful for me, and especially painful for Bill because he’s such a good human being. I admire Bill for his compassion and for his unwavering support for the victims.” – Jack Dunn ’79, P’16
10 BC High Today
SPECIAL TRIBUTE: BILL KEMEZA RETIRES
“Fundraising is an essential part of any school president’s job, and Bill was uniquely successful in that respect. What Bill does well is build relationships. Fundraising is about relationships. He had the innate ability to build these relationships with alumni, with parents, with friends of the school – relationships that often became deep friendships. Through those dinners, lunches, conversations, he quietly, unassumingly worked with those individuals, figured out what motivated them why they wanted to be involved, found projects and initiatives in how to inspire them.” – Michele Daly, former senior vice president for institutional advancement
Walter “Robby” Robinson ’63 was the lead on the story. One day, Robinson calls me and says the Spotlight Team wants to come over and look at the yearbooks. I said, “This isn’t a social call, is it?” He said “No.” When he came over, I called together some of the board members and said, I don’t know what is going to be published, but this is going to get really difficult. We have got to do this the right way.
We said, look, and Jack Dunn ’79, P’16 was with me and was really instrumental in our response. We can’t possibly change what happened, so let’s deal with it honestly and directly. We had the news conference. A reporter asked me a question, “Have you talked to any of the victims?” I had only talked to one, but I knew that I was going to talk to all of them before we finished. We set up a hotline, hired an independent child advocate and invited alumni to call in and tell us what happened to them. I spent many nights taking calls on the hotline, calls from people of all generations telling their stories. It was very tough. We wanted to help the victims start the healing process, so we set up mediation with the victims as we began to get their names. We would meet and listen to their stories, and I apologized on behalf of the school. The room often was in tears, even the lawyers. The stories were awful. It was a terrible, dark time. BH: And for much of this time, you were still designated Interim President. What convinced you to stick with it and eventually take on the position in full? BK: I didn’t want to give up. In fact, some people would say, you ought to resign. And I thought, “boy, would I love to walk away, but I can’t.” I felt enormous responsibility to the victims. I know that I experienced symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. I would come back from meeting victims or lawyers and walk into the school and see what was going on here. Thinking about the future is what kept me going through it. I knew there was more to do, but it was a tough time to get through all that. Early on when I became president, one of the first people I contacted was Jack Maguire ’55 who ran a firm called Maguire Associates, which does enrollment consulting in higher and secondary education, among other things. When Fr. Fahey was president and I was principal, I badgered Joe about enrollment. My concern about enrollment was we were not only losing students, but the quality of the incoming classes was diminishing. We were becoming less diverse. We were becoming
BC High Today 11
aid. But to do that he had to cut every dollar he could to make sure the school was affordable, and as a result people didn’t find us to be an attractive school. We knew the facilities were not making it. The technology was backwards. There wasn’t space for growth. So we knew we’d have to address that. We’d have to do something untraditional.
Construction of Hunter-Fahey and dining hall.
more like a South Shore regional high school than we were fulfilling this mix of talented socioeconomic and racial diversity. All that was going away. Joe was saying I’m not going to do this, I need to make sure the ship doesn’t sink. Again, he wasn’t wrong about that, but I knew we would have to position ourselves for the long term future. BH: And it was these conversations that touched off the fundraising and building efforts of your presidency. BK: Yeah. Up until then, the school was always just making it. Fr. Fahey had kept tuition low because the school didn’t have enough of an endowment to give substantial financial
In addition to bringing in Jack Maguire to help us with enrollment as well as Pat Casey, who works closely with Jack in his firm and who later joined the board, we got Frank Campanella ’53 to join the board, too. Frank was one of the people responsible for transforming Boston College into a national and international school. I said Frank, I want you to do for BC High what you did for BC. I knew that model was going to involve overhauling the facilities, borrowing money and then raising it to pay it back. His expertise was really key to making that work. Fundraising became a priority. BC High had done maybe one or two campaigns before, but the truth is they were relatively small in comparison to what was needed. We knew we needed help, so we hired first Mike Reardon ’93 and later Michele Daly, and they really transformed Institutional Advancement at BC High. And at that point, I was not a seasoned fundraiser. It was not my favorite part of the job. I told them, you’re going to have to coach me on how to ask for money, and we would actually do role playing. What I discovered is that it’s as much about building relationships with people as it is asking for money. And we’ve been successful–in our last campaign, the 150th Anniversary Campaign we raised $77 million, which far exceeded our goals. But it was not always easy.
“Bill has greatly contributed, with his visionary understanding of Jesuit education and his exceptional leadership, to the development of our potential as a global network that is truly ‘a universal body with a universal mission.’ While he will be greatly missed throughout our network, his contributions without a doubt have helped pave the way for the future of Jesuit education worldwide.” – Reverend Jose Mesa, SJ, secretariat for secondary and pre-secondary education,Society of Jesus Bill and Fr. Mesa.
To change the world, we must be good to t
12 BC High Today
SPECIAL TRIBUTE: BILL KEMEZA RETIRES
“While Bill is perhaps too humble to admit, the vision he has always had for the Jesuit network, and for BC High’s leadership role within it, makes him one of the most influential leaders our Jesuit schools have ever seen.” “We at BC High like to think that the Hyde Center for Global Education is providing some of the most transformational opportunities of a student’s life. It should never be overlooked or understated that none of it would have been possible – or even dreamed of – if it were not for Bill Kemeza. His ability and passion to look beyond what is good for one institution, and envision the potential of an entire network, is unmatched.” – Dan Carmody, executive director, Hyde Center for Global Education
BH: What accomplishment in your tenure as president are you most proud of? BK: Our ability to grow and expand the Jesuit identity of the school regardless of the number of members of the order who are here. I think we have done that, and it makes me really, really pleased. I’m very proud of our faculty and think that we have made some great hires over the last 15 years. I know people think I overdo it on this point, but I think our future is dependent on people seeing BC High as an outpost of the Jesuit international network of schools, so I’m very proud of what we’ve done with international programs here, the founding of the Hyde Center for Global Education, the International Jesuit Colloquium that was held at BC High in 2012. Those are all critically important to me. Executive Director of the Hyde Center Dan Carmody, with Larry Hyde ’42 and
There have been so many great things that I have President Bill Kemeza at the dedication of the center in 2013. been part of during my time at BC High: dedication and renovation of McQuillan Hall, building of the Bulger Performing Arts Center, opening the Arrupe BC High to the international network of Jesuit schools Division and the building of Cadigan Hall. But through all through the Jesuit Colloquium. There is Kemeza the pastoral that change and growth, it’s been about holding onto that core healer, who through a deeply held sense of moral courage and Jesuit ethos. I don’t want to sound like I’m doing a sales pitch, decency offered reconciliation for the victims of clergy abuse but it’s still the most important to me. and lent grace to the BC High community in its darkest hours. But perhaps most important of all there is Kemeza the man. His curious intellect, his servant leadership, his openness to “One energetic act is worth a thousand that are listless,” the world and all that it brings, and his restless, searching spirit Ignatius writes. “What the lazy cannot accomplish in many offer an example to the BC High community – that matters of years, the energetic usually achieve in a short time.” Bill the world and matters of the soul are not mutually exclusive; Kemeza’s time at BC High has not been short, and the school that it is possible to be both a great man and a good one. His – its students, its faculty, its alumni, and the worldwide Jesuit legacy stands not only in glass and steel and brick, but in the community of which it is a part – have been the fortunate generations of hearts and minds molded by his wisdom, care, beneficiaries of his considerable energies. There is Kemeza the and love. builder, who has transformed the BC High campus into a truly 21st century learning laboratory, and who helped to connect
k
those who cannot repay us – Pope Francis
BC High Today 13
| BY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HYDE CENTER FOR GLOBAL EDUCATION, DAN CARMODY |
Transforming the Global Community WITHOUT A DOUBT, Bill Kemeza will go down in history as one of the most outstanding President’s Jesuit education has ever seen. His accolades, accomplishments, successes and tribulations are endless. Ranging from being the most prolific fundraiser BC High has ever known, to being a dynamic visionary, Bill’s legacy is one that stretches far and wide. There is one aspect of his Presidency however, that defines and extends his unparalleled leadership like no other…his passion, vision and insistence on global education. It was in 2008, when at the time BC High was running one exchange program to China, that Bill created the Global Education Committee. The rest, as they say, is history. BC High immediately became one of the first Jesuit schools in the world to commit themselves to an extensive global experience for students, and within only a few years, the number of programs offered quadrupled in size. Thar was just beginning.
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Simultaneously, the Global Education Committee, under Bill’s leadership, recognized an opportunity that had yet to be discovered by our network of schools – a worldwide colloquium bringing together the entire network of Jesuit schools from all corners of the world. Thought by many to be a risky, not worth the hassle idea, Kemeza insisted that we are stronger as a whole than we are as individuals. His active pursuit of the Colloquium eventually secured the approval of the Jesuits in Rome. As one story went, former Father General of the Society of Jesus, Adolfo Nicolas, made his rounds one day in the Jesuit Curia, “Who is this Bill Kemeza I hear so much about?” The legacy of Kemeza had traveled fast. In 2012 almost 500 school leaders, from 60 different countries, gathered on the front lawn of 150 Morrissey Boulevard– brought together by a man who never let challenges, road bumps or hesitations stand in the way of vision…the network of Jesuit education has never been the same since.
Bill’s unwavering belief in a vision and mission beyond the walls of BC High brought our network together for the very first time. But his vision allowed for so much more than a one-time gathering: in 2014 a second gathering of school leaders took place in Spain. Fittingly, Bill delivered one of the most memorable keynote addresses of the conference. Like he did in 2012 at the Colloquium, it was only appropriate that Bill was the last man standing on stage – reading the Vision Statements prepared by both gatherings to propel the network forward; united, motivated and inspired. Also in 2014, Educate Magis – an online community aimed at connecting Jesuit and Ignatian educators around the world, was established. The idea, born and nurtured at the Colloquium in Boston, has roots leading right back to Kemeza’s leadership. Eamonn McGuiness, the founder of Educate Magis, offered these words about Bill, “We are now well into the era of globalization and I suspect (and hope) that history may say
that the worldwide Jesuit school’s network responded well to this new context. And I am thinking that your leadership at BC High and the magical and spiritual gathering in Boston in 2012 will feature prominent in that write of history.”
Back at Morrissey Boulevard, Bill’s belief in providing students with a doorway to the world propelled the effort to open the Hyde Center for Global Education in 2013. Thanks to the generosity of Lawrence H. Hyde ’42, the Hyde Center was established and endowed to ensure that BC High became an outlet to the world, and it has done just that. Under Bill’s leadership, BC High boasts one of the most robust global programs in the country, sending over 200 students abroad each year, and visiting countries such as Tanzania, India, Argentina, China, Ireland, and Ecuador. What used to be an opportunity for a select few is quickly becoming a fundamental component of a BC High education. Left: Hyde Center for Global Education trip to Rome, Italy
In 2017, education delegates from every Jesuit Province in the world will gather in Rio de Janiero to continue the wave of global momentum in our schools; a wave that is currently as strong as Bill’s guidance has been from the beginning. In 2019, the second International Colloquium is planned to take place in Japan. Count on Bill’s name being a hallmark of the gathering. It is what Bill has been known for throughout every year of his Presidency – he brought people together, he was unselfish, and he always believed in a greater good. Known around the world for his immense contributions to the Jesuit network, we have only just begun to see how Bill’s global vision for BC High will impact generations upon generations of students to come. What is clear however, is that his leadership has transformed the course of history – and for that, students around the world will always be grateful. Bill Kemeza speaking at the first International Colloquium of Jesuit Secondary Education, July 2012
BC High Today 15
Liturgical Musicians and Director Ms. Felice
GRAND REUNION 2017 This year’s Grand Reunion welcomed back the classes of 1972, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2002, 2007, and 2012 to Morrissey Boulevard to rekindle friendships and experience the BC High of today. The evening began with Mass in the Cadigan gym led by Reverend Ron Perry, SJ with music provided by the Liturgical Musicians under the direction of Ms. Margaret Felice. Following Mass, guests were able to learn more about what life is like at BC High from a current student, Cormac McAdams ’17. He spoke about his BC High education and how little the experience changed from when his dad, Jim McAdams ‘87 attended some 30 years ago. Cormac shared with the audience, “The people are the foundation of BC High. We are defined by our relationships and strong community.” He went on to express his gratitude for the many leaders in the community, “My friends, teachers, and coaches have all played such a big role in the person I have become and for that I am grateful.”
Speaker Cormac McAdams ’17 and Jim McAdams ’87, P’17
Class of 2012
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Reverend Ron Perry, SJ
NEXT YEAR THE CLASSES OF 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008, AND 2013 WILL CELEBRATE GRAND REUNION 2018 ON APRIL 7, 2018.
Top Ways to Stay Connected with BC High Download the alumni app Submit your news for class notes: alumni@bchigh.edu Join us on social media
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BC High Today 17
ATHLETICS SPRING SPORTS FINISH STRONG
IN THE NEWS BC HIGH BASKETBALL ACCOLADES ABOUND Coach Bill Loughnane P’14,’16,’22 and shooting guard Carl Pierre ’17 both finished the Eagles basketball season achieving significant milestones. Coach Loughnane became the first basketball coach in state history to win more than 200 games with two different schools, South Boston High School, and most recently BC High. Pierre ended his career scoring over 1,000 points, and averaging 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game this season. The 6-foot-4 guard has also been recognized as a member of the Boston Herald Dream Team, Catholic Conference MVP and a two-time league all-star. In the fall, Carl will attend the University of Massachusetts being the third player to commit there under Coach Loughnane.
The Eagles finished off another successful spring athletics season, highlighted by each team winning their conference. The Rugby teamed earned its third consecutive state championship with a convincing win over rival St. John’s Prep. The Baseball and Lacrosse teams also went deep into the season, with baseball reaching the semi-finals of the Super 8 Tournament, and Lacrosse making it to the state finals after a comeback win over Duxbury to clinch the Division 1 South title. Outdoor Track and Field finished their season coming in 3rd at the All-State Championship meet. Ultimate ended their season 3rd in States, and the Sailing team finished 7th in the state, and 5th in New England. Track: 3rd at All-State Championship Tennis: Division 1 South semi-finalists Rugby: State Champions Ultimate: 3rd in the State Sailing: 7th in the State, 5th in New England (No league title) Baseball: Semi-finalists, Super 8 Tournament Lacrosse: Division 1 South Champions Right: Mike Mecha ’17 and Pat Watson ’17 holding the MIAA trophy at the Eastern Massachusetts Division 1 State Meet
STUDENT ATHLETES COMMIT TO COLLEGIATE POSTS Congratulations to the following student-athletes who have committed to play at the collegiate level. Football: Connor Cady, Wesleyan University; TJ Rothmann, Williams College; Jack Stenson, Union College; Pat Watson, Williams College; Jeff Wolff, Tufts University Baseball: Eric Lopes, Holy Cross; Brendan Mignone, University of Rhode Island; Gavin Reily, Wheaton College Carl Pierre ’17
Cross-Country: Joe Stover, Washington University Rowing: Harrison Bleckley, US Naval Academy Track and Field: Mike Mecha, Tufts University; Pat Watson, Williams College (not photographed)
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RUGBY TAKES TOP HONORS FOR THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR BC High won its third consecutive state championship, securing a perfect season, with a win over rival St. John’s Prep in what was a sequel to last year’s title game. The match, played at Endicott College, began with BC High’s Griffin Gildea ’17 scoring the first two tries. St. John’s, however, stayed resilient, capitalizing on multiple BC High penalties, and scoring only a single try to close out the half, trailing BC High 25-5. Within the first 15 minutes of the second half, St. John’s came out swinging cutting the lead to 25-12. Yet, this sustained pressure only lasted for so long until BC High regained momentum when Max McCullom ’17 scored a try after St. John’s failed to reorganize after a clearance kick. From there, BC High ran away with the game closing the Prep out 60-19. “Credit to St. John’s Prep for their toughness and fighting all game,” said BC High coach Paul Carty. “We knew they were well structured and I thought our defensive lines did a good job of pressuring and taking away space. We have worked hard to implement our own structure and patterns and sharpen the
skills needed to execute our game. Ultimately, we used pattern, footwork, and passing to create space, and we then attacked that space ferociously. I could not be more proud of this team and the way they approached this season. It was a great year.”
JOE MCCABE RETIRES Joe McCabe has spent more than three decades as part of the BC High family. For the first 22 years, he was one of the most successful high school hockey coaches in Massachusetts history, his love of the game and work ethic powered the Eagles to numerous conference championships, four Super 8 Championships, and one Division 1 State Championship. In 2014, Joe was recognized by the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) with the John Mariucci Award, in honor of the legendary coach who was the driving force behind the growth of hockey in the United States. The award was given to a secondary school coach who best exemplifies the spirit, dedication, and enthusiasm of John Mariucci.
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Joe has spent the past ten years as Assistant Athletic Director working closely with Athletic Director Jon Bartlett ’87, “It is people like Joe McCabe at BC High that make this institution so special. Hard working, humble, and always willing to do extra for the student-athlete and coach, Joe has been a great role model for our community. Joe lived the mission of ‘putting team before self,’ which made him a perfect fit with BC High and our Ignatian values. I want to publicly thank him for his commitment, his service, and especially for his friendship at BC High over the years.”
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Alumni News Notes The 40s Rev. Frederick McGowan ‘42 who has been assisting at St Florence Parish in Wakefield for the past 17 years, is now residing in the Saab Residence, assisted living facility at D’Youville Center in Lowell.
Class of 1953 Annual Lunch On May 2, the class of 1953 met at BC High for their annual spring gathering. They were pleased to be joined by retiring President Bill Kemeza and Joan Hunter, wife of Paul Hunter ‘53 RIP, for the reunion. Tom Cunnally expressed his sentiment on the importance of BC High to him and his classmates. “BC High is very special to us old Eagles. The education we received at this fine Jesuit High School has stayed with us all these years.”
1947 – Celebrating 70 Years of Being an Eagle The class of 1947 gathered for their annual lunch on May 16, at Joe’s American Bar and Grill in Dedham. Members of the class that attended enjoyed themselves tremendously and their thoughts are always with class mates that are unable to attend or who have gone home to the Lord. Classmates that enjoyed lunch that day were Bob Riley, Joe Doran, Newman Flanagan, Vin Stanton, Leo O’Keefe, Rev. Henry Doherty, Jim O’Sullivan, Dave Sullivan, George Desmond, and Jack Fahey.
The 50s Medal of Honor Recipient Thomas Kelley ‘56 and his wife, Joan, published, The Siren’s Call and Second Chances: A Story of Perseverance, Service, Heroic Courage, and Love. At a recent book release event, Gavin D’Souza ‘17, Sean Larsen ‘17, Patrick Walsh ‘17, Kelvin Lubega ‘19, Colin Murphy ‘19, Ian Robertson’17, and Foxx Hart ‘20 all volunteered their time to help the Kelleys with the event.
Alfred Andrea, PhD ‘59
Students in Advanced Placement World History were eager to welcome Emeritus Professor, Alfred Andrea, PhD ‘59, from the University of Vermont, to listen and discuss the importance of studying world history. Students were enamored with his expertise and his candor and conversational style of teaching. He emphasized that throughout history humans have sought connection and interaction, and because we are humans we should care about and try to connect with each other from our history all over the world which leads to connections today. We are very grateful for Professor Andrea’s time and dedication to his profession and our school. Arthur Ross ’59 was inspired by the last BC High Today magazine to update the alumni office with what he has been doing since graduation. After graduating Boston College ’63, he received a Masters in Geology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1966. While at BC, Arthur was in ROTC and was commissioned a 2nd Lt in the U.S.Army Corps of Engineers. About two weeks before graduation he was sent to the Canal Zone to work as a geologist on a project called “The Atlantic Pacific Inter-oceanic Sea-level Canal Study Group.” After completion of active duty, he returned to New Orleans and was transferred
to Houston to work for the Humble Co. in 1976. After several transfers, Arthur ended up in Houston where he retired in 2000 and currently still lives. He married his wife, Marion, in 1966 and they have two children, and four grandchildren.
The 60s Steve Ricci ’63 is an avid sailor and recently competed in the Marion to Bermuda race. It was his first time participating in this prestigious event.
Edward Lally ’66, MD was recently recognized as a Master of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) at their Annual Scientific Meeting held in Washington, DC on November 17, 2016. This award is conferred on ACR members who have made outstanding contributions to the field of Rheumatology through scholarly achievements and/or service to their patients and profession. It is one of the highest honors that the college bestows. Dr. Lally is a Professor of Medicine and the longtime Director of the Division of Rheumatology at the Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University in Providence, RI. Unfortunately, Grover Gilmore ‘67 could not make the class of 1967 50th
The strength between Boston College and Boston College High School remains strong as shown by a recent Boston College 50th class reunion of more than 25 members of the BC High class of 1963, including Noel Shaub ‘63. The BC High guys enjoyed reminiscing about their time on the Heights and Morrissey Boulevard, stopping long enough to take a photo for the BC High Today magazine.
Bob Lynch ‘67
Class of 1952 – Celebrating 65 Years of Being an Eagle Thirty-Five members of the class of 1952, many with their wives and some with their children gathered at BCHigh on June 7 to celebrate the 65th anniversary of their graduation. The day’s festivities began with Mass in the Loyola Chapel celebrated by their classmate Bishop Jack McCormack. Retiring President Bill Kemeza praised the class with his stirring remarks after Mass. The group then headed to Cadigan Hall, the building that is named after classmate Patrick Cadigan, for a reception and wonderful lunch. Jack Leonard addressed his classmates with remembrances of their four years at BC High. A wonderful time was had by all and the group looks forward to the next lunch at Amhrein’s in October and our 70th reunion in 2022.
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reunion on May 21, because he was presiding over the graduation ceremony as Dean of the Mandel School at Case Western Reserve University. The Arrupe Division honored math teacher Bob Lynch ‘67 and his 50th reunion during an assembly.
The BC High track and field season was closely watched by members of the class of 1968. Current record holder Dick Mahoney ’68 had a keen interest in Joe Stover ’17 and his time for the 2-mile. Dick was glad that he was able to be so involved with the season and hand over the record to Joe and his time of 9:25.4. .
Dr. Brian Gilfeather ‘76 joins Western State Hospital’s psychiatric team, bringing years of health care experience to Washington’s largest state-operated psychiatric hospital. Brian is a graduate of Harvard University and earned his medical degree at Boston University School of Medicine, and was hired to lead the hospital’s East Campus and Habilitative Mental Health. Rev. Joseph O’Neil, M.S. ‘76 has been appointed Provincial Treasurer of the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette headquartered in Hartford, CT. Prior to this assignment, Fr. Joe was the pastor of the Good Shepherd Parish in Orlando, Florida.
Alumni Day of Service Boston College High School held its Alumni Day of Service on April 27. The “Companions in Service” day was designed to provide an opportunity for BC High alumni to give back to the local community while strengthening ties with fellow graduates.
The 80s
Alumni sorted, counted and packed food at the Greater Boston Food Bank, outfitted in their new maroon and gold “Companions in Service” t-shirts, the group processed more than 5,000 pounds of food.
The 70s David Saint ‘71 is celebrating his 20th season as Artistic Director of George Street Playhouse. In that time, he has directed 33 Mainstage productions, most recently Buyer & Cellar, Outside Mullingar, Clever Little Lies ( New York debut in 2015), Good People, Twelve Angry Men, God of Carnage, Creating Claire & Sylvia. Many new awardwinning works have begun their life here during his tenure, such as The Toxic Avenger, Proof, The Spitfire Grill, Clever Little Lies, and It Shoulda Been You, which moved to Broadway in 2015. He also has directed on Broadway, off-Broadway and regionally at many other venues on premieres by many well known writers. He is the recipient of the Alan Schneider Award, Helen Hayes Award, L.A. Drama Critics Award, and several Drama-Logue Awards.
General Joseph Dunford, Jr. ‘73 ran the 2017 Boston Marathon in just under 5 hours this past April. Dunford wore a Team Kelly shirt to honor Marine 1st Lt. Robert Kelly, the son of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2010.
Service to others is one of the joys and responsibilities that come with a BC High education. Each year, 35,000 hours of community service is performed by current BC High students and the Alumni Day of Service helps further BC High’s longstanding tradition of serving our neighbors.
Graduation was a family affair this year for the Bulgers. Pictured here are Patrick Bulger ‘82, P’17,’21 with his son, Patrick ‘17, grandfather, The Honorable Willam Bulger ‘52, P’79,’80,’82, GP’14,’16,’17,’17,’19,’21,’21 and, nephew, William Webb ‘17. Bob Nadeau ‘82 was named Acting Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, at its Washington D.C. headquarters. Bob has been with FEMA for over eight years, and is in charge of the outreach and engagement with the Nation’s state, local, tribal and territorial government leaders. Bob lives in Annapolis, MD with his wife Lisa.
Institutional Client Group (ICG), leading the strategic direction and growth of the institutional business for clients in North America, Canada, and Latin America.
Religious education teacher Chris Hayes ‘85, P’17 will proudly share the role of alumni with his son, Declan Hayes ‘17, who graduated on May 21, 2017.
Richard Marnell ’84 is the Senior Vice President of Marketing at Viking River Cruises. At the South by South West (SXSW) Interactive event hosted by nFusion, Richard and Viking Cruises won the 2017 Cojones Award for delivering meaningful customer experiences across marketing channels. Richard and his team actively use data-driven insights to connect with the unique interests of potential travelers. By developing engaging content including videos, digital ads and customer-generated social media, he delivers relevant messages in the appropriate media.
Mike Sullivan ‘86, P‘12, won his second straight Stanley Cup title as head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games over the Nashville Predators, becoming the first American-born head coach to win the Cup multiple times. Varsity Hockey Coach John Flaherty ‘88 reached the 100 win milestone this past season with the Eagles. John will begin his seventh season as head coach in 2017.
Dennis Lehane ‘83 author of novels, Shutter Island, Gone Baby Gone, and Mystic River, among others, recently gave the 2017 Commencement address at Emerson College. Dennis called upon the grads to go out and change the world, as he referenced issues of our time such as racism and climate change. Barry Smith ‘83 is a Senior Managing Director of State Street Global Advisors (SSGA), and head of the Americas
James Timilty ‘88 has been appointed as the Norfolk County Treasurer, where he will manage all money belonging to the County, as well as be responsible for all financial records. Chris Hayes ‘85
BC High Today 21
Alumni News Notes
BC High Business Club JJ Alberts ‘89, Ted Dalton ‘91, Nick Alberti ‘10 and Michael Corcoran ‘12 hosted the BC High Business Club this past spring at the Celtics home office. Students learned about the Celtics business organization from the four alumni who work for the basketball team.
The 90s Trustee Associate Ken Foraste ‘91, Principal at the Coyle Company, was an invited guest speaker to the BC High Business Club. Jim Curtis ‘94 released his new book, The Stimulati Experience: 9 Skills for Getting Past Pain, Setbacks, and Trauma to Ignite Health and Hapiness, which is currently being sold through Barnes & Noble and Amazon. John Burrows ‘96 is a member of the Boston Police Department and was featured on the cover of the Boston Metro paper for his community policing efforts in the City of Boston. Eric Hewitt ‘97 is the current director of the Boston College High School Jazz Big Band and will be a guest conductor for the Midcoast Symphony Orchestra, as they play several recognizable selections from operas through the ages, in a performance called, Concert Series III “Pops at the Opera.” David McGowan ‘98 and wife Merritt welcomed their daughther Maura Elizabeth into the world. Maura shares a birthday with her uncle Greg McGowan ‘00. Arvin Iracheta-Vellve ‘99 plans on graduating UMass Medical School this fall with a PhD in Immunology. He recently has made a discovery of a new protein that will play an important role in finding cures for liver disease.
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Jared Wahlgren ‘99 just celebrated his 2 year anniversary with the Dedham, MA American Red Cross working in the equipment department as a specialist.
The 2000s Dave Sweeney ’01, his wife, Kaitlyn, and big brother, Jack, welcomed a baby girl named Ellie into the family on May 18. Tom Fitzgerald ’02 voluntarily manages a non-profit called Operation Progress Boston (OP). OP provides collegiate scholarships and mentorship to students from the Boys and Girls Club of Dorchester and the Boys and Girls Club of Charlestown. Scholarship
recipients receive $10,000 and are paired with a young professional mentor to help them navigate the college experience, internships, and career opportunities. OP gives out six scholarships annually and this is the first year Tom was able to award a fellow BC High grad, Lamuel Pierre-Charles ’17 (above with Tom) from the Dorchester club. Lamuel will be mentored by another Eagle, Colin Maxey ’02. Jay Costa ‘05, Derek Wetzel ‘05, and Mike Judge ‘03 recently released a new album for their band The Night Animals. The music video for their song Heaven Forbid can be found on Youtube. Giovanni Schettini ‘04 recently joined Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation in Newton, MA as a Loan Officer.
Wrestling Coach Grant Heller ‘05 reached the 100 win milestone in his coaching career at BC High. The win
Downes Delivers 2017 Commencement Address When Brendan Coleman, Joseph Martin, BC High science teacher Matt Joyce, Kevin Collins and Ignatius Award recipient Bill Driscoll heard their fellow classmate, Pat Downes ‘01 was going to give the 2017 BC High Commencement speech, they knew where they would be on May 21. Pat had his own fan section with members of the class of 2001 in attendance for his remarks. was especially sweet this past season because the Eagles beat Catholic Memorial and it was senior night. Tom Conley ‘08 joined the Harvard baseball staff in August of 2016, after spending three seasons at Trinity College. Taking time out of his busy schedule to catch a Red Sox game with current Harvard University baseball player Brendan Connelly ‘16, the pair ran into science teacher Mark Dowling P’09. Kris Kondacki ‘09 debuted the performance of his orchestra, the Eureka Ensemble, this past Mother’s Day, in a concert that used classical music
Enjoy the Grind
Correction BC High Today mistakenly reported on Doug and his business in the Winter 2017 edition: Douglas E. Rogers ‘00 is Co-founder and CTO of Pretty Instant, a professional photography services company with national coverage. After being accepted into Y Combinator’s W15 batch, the company expanded to the Bay Area. He currently splits his time between Berkeley, CA and Boston, MA.
Phil Perry ‘04 was the invited speaker to kick off the BC High Golf Classic held at Wollaston Golf course in June. Phil is used to speaking in a crowd as a sports reporter for Comcast Sports Network New England. He was delighted to speak for a few minutes about what BC High means to him. Phil told a packed room of golfers how his coaches at BC High instilled in him the passion, “to enjoy the grind.” Coach Jim Cotter’55 and others prepared him to embrace the tough work that is needed to be successful in college and career. He thanked all the alumni, students, staff, and friends that made the BC High Golf Classic a success.
turnovers with 22. He is a Political Science major. William Powers ‘12 is working at General Motors as a mechanical engineer in their hydrogen fuel cell division.
Tom Conley ‘08
Alex Fairchild ‘13 is working as a Soccer Analyst at StatDNA analyzing video and statistics for the English Premier League’s Arsenal FC. In May, he was named an Unsung Hero by the BC’s Athletics Department for his work with the school’s mens soccer coaching staff, where he contributed to the team’s run to the Elite 8 of the 2015 NCAA Tournament.
Jessie Ngo ‘09 was recently promoted to Project Manager, Talent Acquisition Strategy and Analytics at Fidelity Investments in Smithfield, RI.
Rob Bergquist ’10, Co-founder of Cell Phones for Soldiers was recently recognized by Forbes magazines 30 Under 30 Class of 2017. He was invited by the BC High club, Students for Soldiers, to share his story of connecting military members around the globe through his non-profit work.
Past teammates Hugh Gorman ‘15, currently at St. Joseph’s University, and Eddie Blackburn ‘16, rower for Bates College found themselves competing against each other at the Murphy Cup race. Noah Hopkins ‘15 was named by the Goff Rugby Report one of the top 50 forwards in his divison. He is currently studying at Boston College.
to highlight the societal problems of today, such as homelessness, obesity, and racism.
The 2010s
The Boston Cannons picked Ian Yanulis ‘13 in the 2017 Major League Lacrosse draft. Ian played in 67 career games in his four seasons while at Duke University. He finished 2017 with 15 ground balls and three caused turnovers as a key member of the mandown defense that led the ACC with a 67 percent success rate.
Recent St. Peter’s University graduate Norbert Kong ‘13 has joined Black Rock Investments as a defined contribution analyst. Kong is pictured with William Biggs ‘14 at a recent BC Hire event on interview and networking skills. Upon graduating from Salve Regina University, Matthew Levine ‘13 accepted a position as an Associate Patient Experience Representative at Boston Children’s Hospital.
Kyle Hubner ‘15 was invited to BlackLine’s IPO on the trading floor of NASDAQ as the trading bell was rung and BlackLine (BL) began trading on the open market. Kyle is pictured here with Chris Murphy, CRO of BlackLine moments after BlackLine’s 1st trade occurred. Kyle will be interning in San Francisco at Luminate in the Summer of 2017.
Kyle Hubner ‘15 Orientation and he has a job with the Athletic Department Event Staff. Raymond Platteel ‘15 helped the UMass Boston Tennis team win the LEC Championship, and was named Little East Rookie of the week. After graduating last year, Mark Fairchild ‘16 went on a week long service trip to Matanzas, Cuba. He has just completed his first year at Providence College, and is currently a summer intern in the Advancement Office.
Eric McLoughney ‘15 has become an active member of the Fordham University community. Eric not only leads retreats for campus ministry, but he also actively participates in the Irish Traditions Club, the B+ Foundation, New Student
David Coletti ‘13, Harvard ‘17; Isaiah Miranda ‘16, Boston College ‘20; Connor Shea ‘13, Boston University ‘17; and Alex Sideropoulos ‘15, Georgetown ‘19, were welcomed back to campus to provide helpful tips and advice to the class of 2017. One sentiment that resonated with everyone in attendance was, “Be open-minded. Study with students who have different backgrounds than you. Try to see the world through another lens. And don’t forget to cherish those relationships that you have with your BC High friends because they will continue to be there for you.”
Geoffrey Morrissey ‘16 is the youngest face in the news department at 95.9 WATD, the south shore radio station. After a three month internship in the WATD newsroom, Geoffrey stayed on as a writer and production assistant. Recently he interviewed Sr. Simone Campbell, the Nun on the Bus, about the possible repeal of the Affordable Healthcare Act.
Rob Bergquist ‘10 Aidan Keohane ‘12 was named captain of the Trinity College men’s lacrosse team, returning as their top defender. Last season he led Trinity and was 5th in the NESCAC for caused
All in the Family The class of 2017 had more than 30 father, son, and grandfather legacies in the class. The group gathered for a quick photo before graduation to capture the moment.
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Faculty and Staff Notes The Eagles’ Nest is Growing
COMING TO AMERICA Kundar Alemin of the Facilities Department was naturalized as U.S. citizen in a ceremony at Faneuil Hall. Kundar’s long journey to citizenship began 16 years ago when, as a 12-year-old boy, he fled violence in his village in Sudan. After many days on the run, he was airlifted by United Nations Peace Keepers to a refugee camp in Kenya. He was raised as an orphan in the camp and at the age of 22 was selected for the Refugee Resettlement Program. After a lengthy vetting process, Kundar was resettled in Lynn, MA where he began his new life. Kundar came to the BC High community in 2015 through a recommendation from English teacher Chris Millis ’72, P’08. Many thanks to Chris, Campus Minister Beth Killoran, Facilities Manager Jeff Keith P’19 and members of St. Ignatius Parish for assisting Kundar along his journey.
Arrupe Division science teacher Michael Chapman will be pursuing his second graduate degree through the Two-Summers Master’s program in Independent School Leadership from the Klingenstein Center for Independent School Leadership at Teachers College, Columbia University. During this 18-month intensive program, he will join 50 other educators from around the world to take classes, complete capstone projects, and research. Michael will gain valuable knowledge and skills in educational leadership which will be used in the classroom.
English teacher Christina Baik and her husband Seth welcomed their daughter, Mina, into the world on February 18. Associate Director of Admission, My Doan, and her husband, Xuan Ly, welcomed their daughter, Emery Doan Ly, on May 3.
Rev. James O’Neil, SJ celebrated his 96th birthday with the entire BC High community.
IT Engineer, Darren Sanon and his fiancée Ketsia Dorilas got married at the Tabernacle of Glory church in May.
Classics teacher, Emil Penarubia, and his wife, Megan, welcomed their second child, Glorina Belen Peñarubia, born on May 25.
SAYING GOOD-BYE | Bill Kemeza was not the only long serving member of the BC High community that said good-bye at the end of the school year. Also retiring this year, religion teacher John Dacey, health teacher Mark Conroy, history teacher Ron Brown, and Assistant Athletic Director Joe McCabe joined Bill in saying good-bye to the daily life at BC High. On the last day of school, each retiree was asked to say a few words to the entire BC High community. The common theme of gratitude and humility ran through the speeches with Ron Brown remarking, “I have had the privilege to work with talented and dedicated teachers and administrators. Thank you so much for your friendship and hard work over the past 40 years.” Above: Bill Kemeza, Ron Brown, Joe McCabe, Brian Maher (will become President of Nativity Prep in Boston) and Mark Conroy.
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Arrupe Division teacher, Patrick Travers, and his wife, Maura, welcomed their son, Cullen, into the family on May 11.
THE 2017 ST. IGNATIUS AWARDS
“Love is shown more in deeds than in words.” – St. Ignatius of Loyola The St. Ignatius Award is the highest honor bestowed on a graduate of BC High, acknowledging those who have exemplified the ideals of our school through high moral character and selfless service to the community. Each recipient has made a lasting impact on their community through outstanding professional, philanthropic, or volunteer accomplishments. This year’s Saint Ignatius Award winners have followed in Ignatius’ footsteps going above and beyond to
improve the world around them. The Thomas and Mary Shields Medal is presented to an individual who is not a graduate of BC High but is recognized for his or her service, dedication, and generosity to the school. This year’s Ignatian Awards were presented to Joseph Dunford, Jr. ’73, James Lane ’83, and James McInnis ’53. The Shields Medal was presented to Patricia Casey.
2017 ST. IGNATIUS AWARD WINNERS
General Dunford was unable to accept his award in person. His daughter, Kathleen, and his father Joseph accepted on his behalf. Also pictured is Congressional Medal Honor recipient and St. Ingnatius Award winner Lt. Tom Kelley ’56.
St. Ignatius award recipient Jim Lane and his extended family and friends.
St. Ignatius award recipient Jim McInnis and his extended family.
Shields Medal recipient Pat Casey pictured with her family and friends.
GENERAL JOSEPH F. DUNFORD, JR. ’73, is defined by his moral character and selfless service to others and his country. General Dunford has served as an infantry officer at all levels including command of the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, and of the 5th Marine Regiment during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Since October 1, 2015, he has held the position of the 19th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. His selfless leadership and compassion to others have been recognized with the Patriot Award, the highest recognition given by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. He has also been acknowledged by the non-profit organization TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors), for his compassion, care, and commitment to the families of fallen soldiers. General Dunford leads solely as a “man for others.” JIM LANE ’83, lives a life of quiet service. He is an active member of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Easton, MA, and volunteers his time at My Brother’s Keeper, a social service agency, with his wife Donna, and two sons. Lane has also worked with the Appalachia Service Project where he organized two service trips that took a combined total of 110 teens and 50 adults out of their comfort zone for a week long, eye-opening experience, in Jonesville, Virginia, one of the poorest communities in the nation. While there they aided in various construction and plumbing projects on local homes. Lane also serves as a Lay Director of Cursillo for the Fall River Diocese at the Holy Cross Retreat House, where he works to change communities with men and women who have had an experience with Christ. Lane’s service near and far demonstrates a fundamental Jesuit quality highlighted in St. Ignatius’ Prayer for Generosity, “to labor and not to ask for reward.” JIM MCINNIS ’53, has established himself through his relentless pursuit of providing an education to the youth in under-served communities. Jim worked for the IRS, taught accounting at Salem State College, served as a trustee for Merrimack College, and practiced tax law and estate planning during his career. A client of his, James W. O’Brien, asked him to establish and administer a foundation in his name as well as take over his business following his death, to which Jim agreed to take on. The O’Brien Foundation was established with the goal of subsidizing individuals and non-profit organizations that seek to educate under-served youth. Since its inception, the foundation has grown substantially having been able to award over $17 million dollars in scholarships and funds for educational programs to many, including BC High. Jim continues to run the foundation with the same determination and relentlessness as when he started, and as a result has been able to provide an education to numerous individuals.
2017 SHIELDS MEDAL WINNER PAT CASEY has lived a life dedicated to education, spending many of her years in Jesuit institutions such as Boston College and Santa Clara University. Pat currently works for Maguire Associates, a consulting and market research firm dedicated exclusively to clients in the education industry, where she has collaborated with many colleges, universities, and secondary schools. In 2002, Pat first came into contact with BC High while working for Maguire Associates. Following her first few projects with BC High, Pat was asked to join the Board of Trustees and served two terms. During her time at BC High, she has been involved in the research and planning for the Arrupe Division, served on the Global Education Committee, and has participated in numerous strategic planning efforts at the school.
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Legacy Breakfast • March 23, 2017 at BC High There is no greater endorsement of a BC High education than a father choosing to send his son to his alma mater. Father and son share a special bond and each year BC High celebrates this connection between father, son, and grandfathers at our annual Legacy Breakfast. This year’s special guest speaker was Ryan Flanagan ’17, son of John ’73 and grandson of Newman ’47.
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A. Luis Gonzales ’84, P’17 and Anthony Gonzales ’17 B. John Hajjar ’83, P’19 and Nicholas Hajjar ’19
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C. Ryan Connolly ’17 and John Connolly, Jr. ’81, P’17 D. Chris Recupero ’21 and Steve Recupero ’87, P’18, ’21 E. William Norton GP’19, Sean Delaney P’19, and Steve Delaney ’88, P’19
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50th Class Reunion for the Class of 1967 • May 20, 2017 at BC High The class of 1967 welcomed more than 100 members back to campus for their 50th reunion weekend. On Saturday, May 20, graduates celebrated with dinner in Cadigan Hall where they reminisced about their student days on Morrissey Boulevard. The weekend concluded with more than 70 graduates attending the 153rd Commencement Exercises where they received a special diploma commemorating their 50 years as graduates of BC High.
F. Members of the class of 1967 celebrating their 50th class reunion dinner. A seat is left empty for members of the class that have gone onto their eternal resting place.
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G. Bill Griffin ’67 and Charlie McDonald ’67 H. Pat King ’67 and John Fitzgerald ’67 I. Christopher Sterritt ’67, Paul Fitzpatrick ’67, and Roland Fontaine ‘67 J. Bobbie Boyle, Philip Boyle ’67, and Paul Capobianco ’67
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Ascension Thursday Mass and Parent Coffee • May 25, 2017 at BC High Before the Ascension Thursday Mass, parents were invited to come together to say goodbye to retiring President Bill Kemeza. The coffee provided an opportunity for parents to engage with one another and to wish Bill well on the next chapter in his life. K. Bill Kemeza and Tracy Finch P’17
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L. Skelly Enabulele ’13, Judith Enabulele P’13, ’15, ’18, ’18, Bill Kemeza, Kevin Enabulele’15
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M. Bebe McCarron P’19, ‘21, ‘23, ‘23 and Mothers’ Guild President, Jen Anderson P’16, ’20
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BC High Golf Classic • June 12, 2017 at Wollaston Golf Course
N. Golf group photo
The annual Golf Classic brought together alumni, friends, and parents at Wollaston Golf Course to raise money for BC High athletics. Sports reporter Phil Perry ’04 was invited to say a few words to the duffers before they headed out for the day. He remarked to the crowd on his best memories of BC High sports and playing for legends like Coach Cotter and how tough coaches prepared him for interviewing coaches like Bill Belichick.
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O. Jack Daneen ’55, Bob Barrett ’76, Rick Flynn ’76, P’05, ’07, ’10, and Bernie Lynch ’82 P. Brad Masuret ‘86 P’19, Tim Cronin ‘86 P’21, Michael Medici ‘97, John Carroll ‘86, Bill O’Neill ‘86, Mark Dennehy ‘86, David Newcomb P’19, Brian Walsh ‘86 Q. Mike Hurley ’05, Dean Russell ’05, Dan Breslin ’08, and Dean Sandonato ’05 R. Steve Connelly ’87, Joe Donahue ’74, Joe Murphy and Kevin O’Brien ’75
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IN MEMORIAM J. Barry Driscoll ‘48, GP’06,’18,’18,’22, Trustee Emeritus BC High has lost one its greatest treasures with the passing of J. Barry Driscoll ‘48, GP’06,’18,’18,’22, of Milton, Scituate and Marco Island, FL, who died unexpectedly on Thursday, May 11, 2017. Loving husband of Kathryn (Cauley), beloved father of Brian and wife Tracy of Boston, Dennis and wife Aimee of Milton, Jay and wife Mary Lou of Boston, Jane and husband John Henesey of Hingham and Sally and husband Andrew Shannon of Milton. Son of the late Daniel Driscoll and Edith Barry. Brother of Richard (deceased), William, Dr. Robert (deceased), Daniel (deceased), Jane (deceased). Loving “Grampy” to 17 grandchildren. Barry was born and raised in Milton and was a proud Double Eagle: Boston College High School ‘48 and Boston College ’52. He served in the US Navy as a Lieutenant and married Kathryn Cauley in 1955 after meeting at the Cliff Hotel in Minot, MA. Barry was active in the Milton community while raising five children. He was part of a group of pioneers who started Milton Youth Hockey in 1967 and an active member of Wollaston Golf Club. His Catholic faith was extremely important to J. Barry. He was a longtime parishioner of Saint Elisabeth’s Parish, a Knight of Malta and a member of the Ancient Honorable. Barry founded the J. Barry Driscoll Insurance Agency, Inc., specializing in insurance for the construction industry in 1960. His work ethic was second to none and the cornerstone of his business, like life, was to be ethical, treat others as you want to be treated and give back to employees and your community. Barry donated generously to charity and was gifted at raising money especially for his alma mater. Barry was the first lay person
J. Barry pictured with longtime friend and Trustee Associate Joe Donahue ’74
to be elected to the BC High Board of Trustees. He was wisely chosen, because no one, even to this day, could express more love and loyalty to BC High. Barry laid the foundation for what is now the Advancement Office by showing the Jesuits the need for fundraising and how to do it. He is “the father” of the modern fundraising arm of BC High. Everywhere you look around campus from buildings to programs, to financial aid you see his handprints. Subsequently, he was asked to serve again and again. Barry was key to the success of every capital campaign that the school has undertaken. “He truly was a ‘Man for others,’ and we must continue the work of this remarkable man so more generations of young men can enter our halls and receive the kind of education he was forever grateful for receiving.” – Joe Donahue ’74
I N M E M O R I A M ( as of June 19, 2017) ALUMNI George Herlihy ‘36 Philip R. Cahill Esq. ‘40 Joseph Duffy, Jr. ’40 Francis E. Lynch ‘43 William J. Doyle, Esq. ‘44 Leo M. Lazo ’45 Joseph “Joe” Alibrandi ‘47 Joe Duffley ‘47 Brother of Paul ‘52 John Neenan ‘47 Nicholas Russo ‘47 Father of Thomas ‘76, Joseph ‘82, Mark ‘88; Grandfather of Thomas ‘14 John F. Coughlin ‘48 J. Barry Driscoll ‘48, GP’06,’18,’18,’22. Grandfather of Jay ‘06, Will ‘18, Owen ‘18, Andrew ‘22 Richard Driscoll ’48, P’83, GP’18, ‘18 Father of Tim ’83; Grandfather of David ’18, Thomas ’18
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Thomas R. Melville ‘48 Martin Cain, Jr. ‘49 Paul A. Kelley, Esq. ‘49 John Meaney ‘49 John G. Murray ‘49 Daniel J. Coakley ‘50 John J. Flaherty ‘51 James E. Kendrigan ‘51 Arthur Boyle ‘52 Grandfather of Chris ‘97 and Brendan ‘99 Frederick Nagle ‘52 Joseph Sullivan ‘53 Maurice Murphy ‘54 David A. Cooney ‘55 Daniel Feeney, Jr. ‘55 Arthur Kirwan ‘55 Richard D. Kelley, PhD ‘56 Gene Devita ‘57 Paul F. McDermott ‘57 Philip Pietrafetta ‘57 William J. Roper ‘58 Charles Humphreys ‘59 Paul B. Martel ‘59 Joseph Killion ‘60
Gerald Tierney ‘60 Paul J. Feeney’61 John Madigan ‘61 John F. Youngclaus ‘61 Robert P. Kelly ‘62 Brother of David ‘60 and Tom ‘56 Robert Pierce ‘63 John M. Radigan ‘63 Kevin Dole ‘66 James Cusack ‘68 John Rourke ‘70 William Gillooly ‘76 William P. Kelley ‘81 John F. Krantz ‘84 Robert T. Cunningham ‘90 Thomas Swain ‘98 Mike Arrufat ’05 Brother of David ’07 David Carroll ‘09 Patrick M. Sullivan ‘10 Brother of Daniel ‘10
RELATIVES AND FRIENDS Charles E. Bumiller Brother of Don ‘73, Mark ‘76 Elizabeth Calci Mother of Bryan ‘13, Jeffrey ‘16 Barbara Campbell Mother of Rich ‘88 Brian Carey Father of Colin ‘01, Ryan ‘04, Brendan ‘08 Robert J. Corcoran, Sr Father of Bob ‘79, Gerry ‘81, Mike ‘85; Grandfather of Michael ‘12 Charlotte R. Coughlan Mother of John ‘70, Joe ‘81; Aunt of Matt ‘70, Kevin ‘71, David ‘74, Gary Wells ‘76 RIP Felix F. DeSisto Father of Paul ‘71, Thomas ‘77 Sara Finocchiaro Wife of Eddie ‘74
Nancy M. Flaherty Daughter of Joseph P. McManus ‘52 Gilbert Gailius, Sr. Father of Gib BC High Faculty; Grandfather of Tim ‘11, Jeff ‘15, Jonathon ‘21 Leslie Golemme Mother of Ryan ‘19 and Cooper ‘22 Nadia Haddad Mother of Andre ‘13, Daniel ‘15 Clare Hern Mother of David ’70, Stephen ‘71, Joe ‘73 Renata Ledwick Wife of Chris ‘91; Daughterin-law of John ‘63 Margaret E. “Peggy” Lynch Wife of Jack ‘50 Catherine Maiona Mother of Matt ‘88
Maria T. Meehan Mother of Leo ‘71 BC High Trustee Associate Mary Noonan Mother of Bob ‘72, Jim ‘74, Dick ‘76 Paul J. Oates Father of Chris ‘81, Brian ‘89; Grandfather of Aidan ‘21 Catherine W. Quinlan Fomer BC High Staff; Mother of Peggy Federico, BC High Staff Mary Sullivan Former BC High Staff Dorothy Sullivan Mother of Mark ‘73, Greg ‘76 Paula Titus Mother of Andre ‘03 Members of BC High’s Jesuit Community will offer your intentions and prayer requests to the Lord during Masses in Loyola Chapel. Please visit www.bchigh. edu/intentions to submit requests.
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ostscript
A COSMIC PLEDGE TO LIVE EACH MOMENT By Bill Kemeza
I wanted to share my opening remarks from this year’s faculty and staff back to school meeting as my last postscript:
My favorite email this summer was one sent out to all faculty and staff – from science teacher Brendan Crowley. You will remember it was about the Perseid Meteor shower but his mid-August message ended with this most remarkable well-timed wish to teachers who knew they soon had to say good bye to summer vacation: I hope these next few weeks are the longest weeks of your lives. So as I searched the night sky – as he suggested – I did think that this school year– for me– is like the end of the summer vacation. This is the last time I will attend an opening school session. I would be exaggerating if I said that I am only feeling melancholy about this…I am not. At a certain point – with age- or experiences piling up one upon another – you accept that all does – really change. All we have is the moment; we cannot hold on to anything. So, I approach this school year with Brendan’s message in mind. I will let it be long, in this sense, that I let each moment be what it is and be present to it. A few years ago, as some of you know, I thought I was facing the end of my life with a diagnosis that is usually fatal. I remember walking with my wife, Maureen, as we wondered how much time I may have. We discussed that it could be two years, if I was lucky and that seemed so short. But it struck me that really two years, twenty years, two hundred years none of it is really long. In an odd way this realization offered us both the most unusual consolation. It brought us around again to the discovery that we have this time, this moment. We are alive; in love and in awe, now…at this moment. So here at BC High we are back together; reassembled as a community, at this moment, right now, for now, in this good place. This time, in this community draws each of us to be attentive, to be present to the tasks before us: To be of service to those who are just starting out, on this short journey of life – our students. Our responsibility to prepare our young men to take part in civilization and to make better their brief sojourn in the universe.
“It has been my privilege to lead and be a part of this extraordinary institution for the past 35 years and I look to the next few months with overwhelming gratitude in my heart.”
And we do it with the conviction or at least the hope and the prayer– that it is God-ordered. Regardless of the contours of our faith, ultimately, teaching, ministering, working here amounts to a cosmic pledge, to live each moment– present to our young, fragile impressionable boys. Witnessing to them, in deeds, the gospel truth that loving one another with all of the complexity that compassion and kindness require—is essential and eternal.
– Bill Kemeza
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