E r ne st J. Mo ni z ’ 6 6 Ann Lessing Bresnan and Pat Farrell, the cofounders of ThankYou Films. On the website you can see and hear Ann and Pat speaking about their mission. • Winnie Loving accessed the BC alumni online community and wrote news for our column. Thank you, Winnie, for contributing. She writes that last August she was selected to be Ms. Virgin Islands Senior America 2008 and the at-large delegate to the National Ms. Senior America Pageant, which was held at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City in October 2008. The National Senior America Pageant is the oldest pageant for ladies 60 years and older who represent the ideal of women who have reached the “age of elegance.” Winnie is a family person who has deeply embedded roots in the St. Croix community. She is a former Fulbright exchange teacher, a retired educator with 31 years of classroom experience, and the author of a children’s book titled My Name is Freedom (Trafford Publishing, 2007). Kudos to you, Winnie! • Esther Fitzgerald Schnurnberger wrote to say that the sun shines 360 days a year in New Mexico. That is not true here in Ohio. Four seasons are experienced. Amazing open spaces abound with beautiful mountains. She enjoys her simpler, back-to-basics, outdoor lifestyle. Esther claims no one there is chasing after wealth. New Mexico is aptly named the Land of Enchantment, and she agrees. • Jackie Roughan Gray is vice president of the Nashua Teachers’ Union. That keeps her very busy. • Got news?
1970 Correspondent: Dennis Razz Berry mazzrazz1@aol.com 15 George Street Wayland, MA 01778; 508-655-1497
nc 1970 Correspondent: Fran Dubrowski dubrowski@aol.com 3251 Klingle Road, NW Washington, DC 20008 Many of you have been kind enough to share news of your 60th birthday celebrations. Despite all the inspiration, I could never decide how to spend mine. Frustrated by the indecision, my husband scheduled a family trip to Ireland for New Year’s. Every time we encountered an elegant spa or restaurant, I’d say, “We might as well, as we didn’t do anything for my 60th birthday.”
energy matters hen Ernest J. Moniz ’66 was about to speak before a Congressional committee, the story goes, the chairman of the committee, a powerful member of Congress, introduced him by saying, “I like Dr. Moniz. He knows stuff.” Moniz began learning his “stuff” as a physics major at BC—later adding a doctorate in theoretical physics from Stanford. He joined the MIT faculty in 1973 and is currently the Cecil and Ida Green Professor of Physics and Engineering Systems. He also directs the institution’s Energy Initiative and its Laboratory for Energy and the Environment. No stranger to the national stage, Moniz served as under secretary of the U.S. Department Ernest J. Moniz served as under of Energy from 1997 to 2001, and spent two prior secretary of the U.S. Department of years as associate director for science in the Pres- Energy during the Clinton administration ident’s Office of Science and Technology Policy. and his research remains at the nexus A viable energy policy is instrumental to the of energy, science, and technology. nation’s prosperity, according to Moniz, who sees reducing global carbon emissions as the next big challenge. “It’s perhaps the primary area for the application of science, engineering, and policy to meet real human needs,” he says.
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Below, Moniz reflects upon his career and his alma mater: what is the most satisfying moment in your professional life?
what is one thing everyone should do while at bc?
A career spanning more than four decades has, for me, satisfying periods rather than moments, and they coincide with opportunities to help a community of researchers, students, and citizens: in physics, building new laboratory capabilities and a new research program for nuclear scientists across the country; in clean energy, guiding an MIT initiative involving hundreds of researchers looking to transform the energy landscape; in government, restarting a U.S.-Russian collaboration to dispose of nuclear weapons material.
Take every opportunity to do research as an undergraduate.
how have you changed since graduation? My biggest change in outlook came from public service during the Clinton administration—physics sometimes looked easy compared to doing the people’s business!
why did you decide to attend bc?
in your personal life?
BC was rapidly raising the quality of its research and educational programs, and yet preserving the opportunity for close association with faculty.
My 36 years of marriage to my wife, Naomi.
what is the secret to success?
what is your best bc memory?
Hard work, core values, and high standards— all without compromise.
The extraordinary opportunity as a Scholar of the College to work under the tutelage of Professor Joe Chen.
where is your favorite spot on the heights?
what is your next goal?
Alumni Stadium.
Get better at fly-fishing.
what would you do if you were bc president for a day? Expand undergraduate research opportunities.
to read the profile of ernest j. moniz online, visit www.bc.edu/alumni/moniz.html.