community but abroad as well. As a social studies teacher at a Jesuit high school, I’m proud BC is gathering data that will help countries improve their education systems to meet the needs of their students. Matthew Williams ’11 Phoenix, Arizona
like. Do you want to see a sold-out Conte Forum? Score a lot of points and win all your games in Chestnut Hill (and, please, don’t lose to Harvard or Bryant ever again). And play defense. Defense wins championships. Arnie Sookram ’91 Seattle, Washington
looking Swell
“Pal,” Brian Doyle’s Fall 2012 story of his brief encounter with the Dalai Lama, reminds me of a piece of University of Wisconsin lore. When the Dalai Lama visited Madison, the school band met him at the airport with a rendition of “Hello Dolly.” It was a gutsy move that would either really work or really bomb. The Incarnation of Buddha smiled from ear to ear. Joseph F. Quinn James P. McIntyre Professor of Economics another side
Re “On Authority,” by Richard Gaillardetz (Fall 2012): When Catholic theologians— including Catholic theologians at Jesuit universities—not only fail to embrace but even publicly repudiate doctrines that have been definitively pronounced, it seems a bit one-sided. If there has been a failure of proper “epistemological duality,” the most egregious faults in recent times have been committed by theologians. Ed Hogan, Ph.D. ’02 Director, Pontifical Paul VI Institute of Catechetical and Pastoral Studies Kenrick-Glennon Seminary St. Louis, Missouri
open source
Fintan O’Toole’s Summer 2012 essay, “Under Age,” illustrates the significance of the work done on the Yeats archive by Ph.D. candidate Dathalinn O’Dea and associate professor of English Marjorie Howes. The article shows how valuable it can be to make authors’ papers available. Kelly Sullivan, Ph.D. candidate Department of English The view
Re “Park Place” (Fall 2012): The reconstruction of the brick and concrete wasteland in front of O’Neill Library into a park has given the school a new useable space. In light of this improvement, I do not understand Boston College’s support for a redesigned Green Line MBTA stop on Lake Street. It will detract from St. Ignatius Church, a beautiful and prominent edifice that serves as the practical and symbolic entrance to the campus. Tom Crowley ’83 Brighton, Massachusetts Editor’s Note: If such a stop is constructed, it will not be located near St. Ignatius Church but east, toward Boston.
required reading
first things
Every incoming freshman should have a copy of Dan Barry’s “Reduction” (Fall 2012) placed among his/her orientation papers. Also, I would give each incoming freshman a jar of olives. (Read the piece.) Vito F. Tamboli Saint Louis, Missouri
Re “Medalist,” by Harvard University president Drew Gilpin Faust (Fall 2012): President Faust’s lecture commemorating Boston College’s 150 years was inspiring, recalling this University’s accomplishments and encouraging its efforts to educate not only for technological expertise but also for “empathy.” Faust spoke of celebrating Boston College’s “commitment to scholarship, justice, and service.” St. Ignatius would have smiled even more broadly had he heard “commitment to Church.” That surely is needed “as urgently” as it was 150 years ago. Bernard Zablocki, M.Ed.’85 Ridgewood, New York
game plan
Re “Sophomore Year,” by Dave Denison (Fall 2012): I’m happy to see that Boston College has invested in a coach who values character, academics, and leadership in student athletes. However, the ACC is a tough conference to win when you must play Duke, UNC, Florida State, and the
sports tectonics
“Digest” in Fall 2012 notes the “geographically perturbing news” that Notre Dame has recently joined the Atlantic Coast Conference. True enough. But let’s not forget that Boston College was no slacker in pursuing the megabucks when it bolted the Big East for the ACC. Now, of course, the Big East is a geographical Frankenstein, cobbled together out of higher-education body parts from around the country. Boston College’s contribution to that process is not a chapter in my alma mater’s history that I am proud of. Mike Morris ’71, Ph.D.’78 Hamden, Connecticut history lessons
On February 8, the Boston College community lost one of its greats, history professor Thomas W. Perry. Tom wove music, poetry, and art into his lectures, and as a result I left his class with a love of British history (no small feat for a firstgeneration Irish American). More important, I made a good friend. Michael A. Duffy ’96 Chicago, Illinois Editor’s Notes: In the Fall 2012 issue, “Presences” featured photos of individuals who made foundational contributions at this University in the 20th century. Page 18 showed three of the first lay trustees, including Giles E. Mosher, Jr. ’55. BCM has learned of Mr. Mosher’s death, on February 12, at the age of 80. He served as a trustee from 1972 to 1978 and as a trustee associate from 1981 to 2008. A former chief executive of BayBank and vice chairman of Bank of America, Mr. Mosher joined the Board during a period of financial turmoil. “At the time of our greatest vulnerability, he was our chief banker,” said University Chancellor J. Donald Monan, SJ. In the caption on page 21 of “First Sight,” in the Winter 2013 issue, Joseph Ziegler, SJ, is described as wearing a “cap.” The cap has a name. It is the three-cornered biretta traditionally worn by clerics. BCM welcomes letters from readers. Letters may be edited for length and clarity, and must be signed to be published. Our fax number is (617) 552–2441; our e-mail address is bcm@bc.edu.
s p r i n g 2013 v b c m
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