PUBLISHED BY THE BOSTON COLLEGE OFFICE OF UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS
INSIDE 2 Around Campus
Clough Ctr. goes to Colombia; Grad Research Symposium next week.
3 Laudato Si’ Legacy
Three from BC invited to launch of Vatican initiative.
8 Spiritual Hackathon
Students experience “making with meaning.”
MARCH 12, 2026 VOL. 33 NO. 13
Student Affairs VP Will Depart Cooper Whitehead to become president of Regis University BY JACK DUNN ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS
Vice President for Student Affairs Shawna Cooper Whitehead has been named president of Regis University in Denver, effective July 1. Cooper Whitehead, a respected administrator who won praise from students for her advocacy, support, and open communications, has led Student Affairs at Boston College since 2021. During her tenure, she worked closely with then Haub Vice President for University Mission and
Ministry John T. “Jack” Butler, S.J., and Winston Provost and Dean of Faculties David Quigley to advance formative education at Boston College, which seeks to integrate the intellectual, social, spiritual, and affective dimensions of the student experience. She was also credited with expanding student outreach through the Cura Series, which provides educational opportunities aimed at building a welcoming community; Circle Up, which promotes restorative practice and dialogue around issues of conflict; and Mile 21, a popular Marathon Monday on-campus student event, among other accomplishments. Cooper Whitehead joins the ranks of Boston College senior administrators who have become presidents of Jesuit and Catholic colleges and universities within the past decade, including former Law
photo by lee pellegrini
Q&A
Snow or Sun, BC Dining Services Is the ‘Team That Shows Up’ to Keep BC Fed
Quake Expert Ebel to Retire After More Than 40 Yrs.
BY ELLEN SEAWARD SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
The Boston College spring semester got off to a wintry start, with two snow days— most recently February 23—that shut down many campus operations. But no matter the weather, students know they can depend on a warm meal served up with a side of comfort, thanks to Boston College Dining Services (BCDS). BCDS’ commitment is particularly evident on snow days, when staff sleep over on cots and makeshift beds to ensure that dining halls remain open. But the depth of their dedication is revealed in the day-to-day: through friendly greetings, remembered breakfast orders, and a constant presence that welcomes students even when life gets tough. It’s how BCDS makes campus feel like home, said Director of Dining Services Beth Emery. “We take immense pride in being the team that shows up to keep students and the BC community fed.” Associate Vice President for Auxiliary Services Pat Bando uses “resilience, dedica-
Shawna Cooper Whitehead
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With some 75 years combined experience in Boston College Dining Services, (L-R) Brian Pinarreta, Donna Coleman, and Lois Kass know all about BCDS’ special bond with students. photo by matthew healey
tion, and care” as the top three words to describe BCDS’ work and commitment. “Rain, sleet, snow, wind, or community emergency have never stopped our BCDS kitchens from providing the delicious and nutritious meals that our campus community seeks out. Our kitchens continue to be ‘homes away from home’ for oncampus residents,” said Bando. Many students, particularly those in their first year, are used to eating meals at home and with family members. Eating in
a large dining hall with a lot of new people can feel overwhelming, said Associate Director of Restaurant Operations Rebecca Rogan. “As time goes on, what becomes familiar is your favorite person making your omelet, or the cashier who takes time to say ‘Hi’ as you’re checking out. Our staff enjoy being there for students and recognize that the ritual of having a meal signals a time to connect with family and friends.”
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A geophysicist specializing in seismology, Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences John Ebel has been part of the Boston College faculty since 1981. He has authored two books and more than 80 peer-reviewed studies, in addition to another two dozen published reports in areas including earthquake hazard, earthquake source mechanisms, and earthquake forecasting. Ebel has been integral to Boston College’s Weston Observatory, which he directed for 20 years, and its New England Seismic Network. His expertise has made him the go-to source for news media reporting on earthquakes in New England and around the world. As he prepares to retire, he spoke to Chronicle about his interests in geophysics and earthquakes and his BC career. What was the first earthquake you experienced? I grew up in St. Louis, the oldest of nine kids. In November 1968, a Saturday morning around 10:30 a.m., I was sitting in the family room reading a book and all of a sudden everything started shaking. My
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Around Campus
Clough Center Studies Resilience of Constitutional Democracy in Colombia The Boston College Clough Center for the Study of Constitutional Democracy sent a delegation of faculty members, students, and special guests—including center founder and namesake Charles Clough Jr. ’64—to a recent weeklong fact-finding mission in Bogota, Colombia that examined political and social challenges to Colombian democracy 10 years after the historic 2016 peace accords. The meetings, which took place at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana from February 28 to March 5, focused on the Clough Center’s unifying theme of “Democratic Resilience” for the 2025-2026 academic year: “the capacity of democratic institutions and peoples to adapt and improve in the aftermath of shocks to their constitutional system,” according to the center. Colombia’s 2026 election cycle is critical to the country’s quest to ease economic and social tensions, according to conference organizers. The Bogota event included panel discussions on subjects such as elections monitoring, restorative justice, and peacebuilding. The group also met privately with former Colombian presidents Juan Manuel Santos and Ernesto Samper Pizano; the president of the Commission for Truth,
Clough Center for the Study of Constitutional Democracy Director Jonathan Laurence, second from left, with (L-R) Francisco de Roux, S.J., who headed the Colombia Truth Commission; former President of Colombia Ernesto Samper Pizano; and Clough Center founder Chuck Clough ’64 at a recent weeklong conference in Bogota.
Reconciliation and Non-Repetition, Francisco de Roux, S.J.; a representative of victims of forced disappearances, and also with perpetrators of the violent conflict—including an ex-guerilla leader and ex-Colombian Army colonel—who have recognized and been sanctioned for their earlier roles.
Clough was among the featured participants of the delegation, as was Professor of Political Science and Clough Center Director Jonathan Laurence, Assistant Professor of Political Science Fernando Bizzarro, Professor and Chair of Communication Michael Serazio, Clough Center Visiting
Fellow Andres Mosquera, and five Clough doctoral fellows. “None of us will forget seeing former enemies sit down, acknowledge one another’s suffering and vow to exit the cycle of revenge,” Laurence said. “By placing victims at the center of its peace process and offering lighter sentences to those who acknowledge culpability, Colombia shows one way that a hopelessly polarized conflict can end —and reminds us that mutual commitment to democratic institutions is necessary to maintaining peace.” The Clough Center will hold its spring symposium March 19 and 20 on campus, with a line-up of speakers that includes Nobel Laureate Daron Acemoglu, New York Times columnist Ross Douthat, Harvard University political scientist Steven Levitsky, and former ACLU President Nadine Strossen. Among the panel discussion topics will be education and free speech as forces for democratic resilience; the impact of international development on democratization; and democracy and its prospects in the Americas, Ireland, and beyond. For registration and further information, go to bc.edu/cloughcenter. —University Communications
March 17 Symposium Will Spotlight Graduate Student Research Across Disciplines The work of 67 graduate students from across Boston College will be showcased at the third annual multidisciplinary Graduate Research Symposium on March 17. Through oral and poster presentations, doctoral- and master’s-level students will present their empirical research to the University community. The presentations—selected through a faculty review process that evaluates the quality and appropriateness of submitted conference proposals—will represent qualitative, quantitative, mixed, and other research methods, say organizers. The symposium is open to all members of the BC community, including faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate students, alumni, and friends. Sponsors are the BC School of Social Work, Connell School of Nursing, Lynch School of Education and Human Development, and the Graduate School of the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences. Oral presentations will take place from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in the Boston and Newton Rooms in Corcoran Commons; 36 poster presentations will be held from 9:30–11 a.m. in the Heights Room. Connell School Dean Katherine Gregory will offer welcoming remarks at 9:45 a.m. A light breakfast will ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS
Jack Dunn
SENIOR DIRECTOR FOR UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS
Patricia Delaney EDITOR
Sean Smith
be available; RSVPs are requested at tinyurl. com/2wkvnj3z. “This year, we saw a 28 percent increase in proposals from doctoral and master’s students representing BCSSW, the Lynch School, Connell School, Morrissey College, Clough School of Theology and Ministry, and Woods College of Advancing Studies,” said BCSSW Doctoral Program Assistant Director Deborah Hogan, who organizes the event in collaboration with the other sponsoring schools. That substantial increase over last year’s submissions, she noted, “highlights the vibrant research culture within BC’s graduate community and students’ strong enthusiasm for an event dedicated to supporting graduate scholarship.” The symposium will feature 18 oral presentations from students, organized around the themes Integrating Design in Educational Curriculum, Systems and Modeling in the Markets, Learning and Development in Children and Youth, Perspectives on the Life Lived and Ways of Being, Youth Development Across Differing Environments, Racial Considerations in Care, and Biological and Psychological Elements of Life. [See the
CONTRIBUTING STAFF
agenda at tinyurl.com/4r9jf8r3] “Although the event has always been open to the full BC community, we hope to encourage greater undergraduate attendance this year,” Hogan said. “To support this, several BC graduate schools will host admissions recruitment tables, giving undergraduates the opportunity to speak with admissions
The Theatre Department staged its production of “The Old Man and the Old Moon” at photo by matthew healey the Robsham Theater Arts Center last month.
Phil Gloudemans Ed Hayward Audrey Loyack Rosanne Pellegrini Kathleen Sullivan
Chronicle
PHOTOGRAPHERS
www.bc.edu/bcnews chronicle@bc.edu
Caitlin Cunningham Matthew Healey
representatives and learn directly from current graduate students about their research. I see this as a mutually beneficial opportunity to raise the symposium’s visibility while also connecting motivated undergraduates with our graduate programs.” —Rosanne Pellegrini
The Boston College Chronicle (USPS 009491), the internal newspaper for faculty and staff, is published biweekly from September to May by Boston College, with editorial offices at the Office of University Communications, 3 Lake Street, Brighton, MA 02135 (617)552-3350. Distributed free to faculty and staff offices and other locations on campus. Periodicals postage paid at Boston, MA and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: send address changes to The Boston College Chronicle, Office of University Communications, 3 Lake Street, Brighton, MA 02135. A flipbook edition of Chronicle is available via e-mail. Send requests to chronicle@bc.edu.
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Three from BC Invited to Laudato Si’ Initiative Launch (L-R) Philip Landrigan, Gautam Yadama, Hanqin Tian
BY PHIL GLOUDEMANS STAFF WRITER
Three Boston College scholars were among 150 global researchers and institutional leaders invited to attend the inaugural convening of the Global Alliance for Integral Ecology on March 9 and 10 in Rome, initiated by the Vatican’s Laudato Si’ Center for Higher Education. Environmental trailblazers Gautam N. Yadama, Philip J. Landrigan, M.D., and Hanqin Tian were at the event to help advance a long-term vision for the nascent alliance, a collaboration between the center and the University of Notre Dame’s Just Transformations to Sustainability Initiative envisioned as a hub for connecting, amplifying, and spearheading research, curriculum, and action initiatives for a sustainable future. Laudato Si’ (“Praise be to you, my Lord”) is derived from a 13th-century canticle by St. Francis of Assisi that emphasized the Earth is a sacred gift to be protected. A 2015 encyclical by Pope Francis, subtitled “On Care for Our Common Home,” serves as a foundational document on integral ecology, a holistic framework that asserts that environmental, social, economic, cultural, and human-dignity issues are deeply interconnected. Urging immediate action against climate change, environmental destruction, and social injustice, Pope Francis established the Laudato Si’ Higher Education Center in 2023. Pope Leo XIV officially inaugurated Borgo Laudato Si’, an educational and economic project located on the papal property in Castel Gandolfo and dedicated it to Pope Francis’s vision of integral ecology. The invitation to the Global Alliance for Integral Ecology meeting noted that each attendee’s work “resonates deeply with the
photos by caitlin cunningham and lee pellegrini
values and vision we are working to advance. [Your] expertise, depth of experience, and existing partnerships would be invaluable as we launch this ambitious endeavor.” Landrigan, a professor of biology, epidemiologist, and pediatrician, has long campaigned against substances in the environment that are harmful to children, such as lead and asbestos. He is also concerned with environmental pesticides and plastics pollution. “Climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss—the three great, planetary-scale threats confronting humanity today—stem from human misuse of the Earth’s natural resources, especially fossil carbon,” said Landrigan, director of the Global Public Health and the Common Good Program and the Global Observatory on Planetary Health at the Schiller Institute for Integrated Science and Society. “While technical and legal solutions to these planetary threats are necessary and frequently effective, such as the global plastics treaty and national clean air laws, these reactive answers provide no protection against hazards yet to come. “Durable protection against future
dangers will require solutions that extend beyond specific threats and address the underlying political, economic, ethical and moral causes of the current planetary crisis. Our Global Observatory on Planetary Health is deeply honored to be part of this process.” Tian, inaugural director of the Center for Earth System Science and Global Sustainability at the Schiller Institute, and a professor in the Earth and Environmental Sciences Department, studies the Earth’s biosphere and its interactions with the atmosphere and climate by utilizing innovative modeling techniques and comprehensive observational data. His work provides actionable insights that support global efforts toward a sustainable future. “Humanity’s greatest challenges, from climate change and biodiversity loss to food and water security, are deeply interconnected and demand integrated solutions,” said Tian, who is also an Institute Professor of Global Sustainability. “The Global Alliance provides a transformative platform that unites science, policy, and global partnerships to advance planetary health and a just, sustainable future.”
BC to Host Forum on Jewish-Christian Relations BY KATHLEEN SULLIVAN STAFF WRITER
Although the modern academic study of Christian-Jewish relations has existed for more than a century, this complex interdisciplinary field’s subject areas and methodologies have not been fully defined in a comprehensive way, resulting in fragmented conversations among scholars. An upcoming Boston College conference seeks to delineate the current contours of the academic study of Christian-Jewish relations and excavate a range of subjects, disciplines, and methods within the field’s contemporary expression, while remaining open to ethical and moral concerns that frequently motivate scholars’ work in it. “Mapping the Field of Jewish-Christian Relations,” which takes place March 1517 in the Yawkey Center’s Murray Room and via Zoom, will feature an international group of scholars and is expected to draw more than 200 attendees. “A great deal has been written about Christian-Jewish relations, from church statements to historical studies to theologi-
cal reflections,” said Daniel Joslyn-Siemiatkoski, Kraft Family Professor and Director of the BC Center for Christian-Jewish Learning (CCJL). “But very rarely has anyone taken a step back to assess what constitutes the study of Christian-Jewish relations and what kind of intellectual endeavor it is. This conference is the first step in trying to do this sort of work.” “Mapping the Field of Jewish-Christian Relations” will open March 15 with remarks from Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences Dean Gregory Kalscheur, S.J., and JoslynSiemiatkoski, who will also moderate the conference’s first session on “Mapping Biblical Studies and Christian-Jewish Relations.” CCJL Associate Director Ruth Langer, a professor of Jewish Studies in the Theology Department, will present during the second session on “Mapping the Historiography of Christian-Jewish Relations.” The following day, she will moderate the session on “Modes of Reasoning: Theology and Religious Law.” Other conference sessions include “Mapping Official Statements on Christian-Jewish Dialogue” and “Mapping Israel/Palestine
and Christian-Jewish Dialogue.” The final day will feature reflections from Boston College students: seniors Katrina Fuentes and Leah Stitzel; Clough School of Theology and Ministry master’s degree students Lela Gallery and Charlotte McNamee; and Lynch School of Education and Human Development doctoral student Holly Hoffmann. Other speakers include Sarah Emanuel (Loyola Marymount University); Adam Gregerman (Saint Joseph’s University); Marianne Moyaert (KU Leuven, Belgium); Randi Rashkover (College of William & Mary); Maayan Raveh (University of Haifa, Israel); Christian Rutishauser, S.J. (University of Lucerne, Switzerland); Kendall Soulen (Emory University); and Matthew Thiessen (McMaster University, Ontario, Canada). “Mapping the Field of Jewish-Christian Relations” is co-sponsored by the CCJL— marking its 25th anniversary this academic year—the Institute for the Liberal Arts, and the Jewish Studies program. To learn more, or to register, go to bit.ly/ Mapping-Field-of-Jewish-Christian-Relations
Yadama, dean of the BC School of Social Work, is the author of Fires, Fuel & the Fate of 3 Billion: State of the Energy Impoverished, which outlines an argument for transdisciplinary research to tackle complex problems such as household air pollution that reside at the intersections of poverty, environment, and health. He is using social network analysis and community-based system dynamics to study how interventions to reduce pollution are adopted and sustained by the poor in rural India. Yadama is a member of the Implementation Science Network on Clean Cooking at the Fogarty Institute of the National Institutes of Health.
25 Faculty
Are Promoted University President William P. Leahy, S.J., has announced that 25 Boston College faculty members have been promoted during the 2025-2026 academic year. Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences faculty members promoted to full professor were Matthias Waegele (Chemistry), Qile Chen (Mathematics), and Katherine McAuliffe (Psychology and Neuroscience). Also promoted to full professor were Andrew Dwyer and Jane Flanagan of the Connell School of Nursing; Hiba Hafiz of Boston College Law School; and Gerardo Blanco and Alex Pieterse of the Lynch School of Education and Human Development. Morrissey College faculty members promoted to associate professor with tenure were Alexis Grimaud (Chemistry); Thomas Sapsford (Classical Studies); Donglai Wei (Computer Science); Avneet Hira (Engineering); Michael Glass and Maria De Los Angeles Picone (History); Spencer Leslie (Mathematics); Elisa Magri (Philosophy); Xiao Chen, Benedetta Flebus, and Qiong Ma (Physics); Thibaud Marcesse (Political Science); and Michael Magree, S.J. (Theology). Also promoted to associate professor with tenure were Katelyn Sileo of the Connell School; Andrew Miller of the Lynch School; and Maggi Price and Jaime Alejandro Olayo-Mendez, S.J., of the Boston College School of Social Work. —University Communications
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Ebel Getting Set to Retire Continued from page 1
mother ran downstairs and shouted, “What are the kids doing now?” I said, “I’m the only one here.” It rumbled for about 30 seconds. We turned on the TV and the news was talking about everyone feeling an earthquake. It was a 5.4-magnitude earthquake in southern Illinois. That was the first one I felt. What brought you to Boston College? Boston College intrigued me. I had gone to St Louis University High School, so I was familiar with the Jesuits and Jesuit education. The position was a chance for me to be in charge of a seismic observatory and at the time Weston Observatory had seismic stations scattered throughout New England. We had a grant from the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, so that put me in charge right away. It was a great opportunity to do what I had done at Cal Tech, but in another part of the country that wasn’t teeming with seismologists, as California was. As a respected researcher and the director of the Weston Observatory, you became the go-to expert for the news media on earthquakes in New England and around the world. How have you approached that role? Every time an earthquake occurs and the news media—or the general public— calls me up, that is a chance for me to educate people about the earthquake hazard in the region. We have a record of damaging quakes in the historic past: the 1600s, the 1700s, and only as recently as 1940. But almost no one living here today remembers a damaging earthquake. They occur infrequently enough that people think they don’t happen here. But they do. Even when there is a small quake, that’s a chance to reinforce that we have an earthquake hazard and we need to take it seriously and we need to build our buildings accordingly— not as strong as California, but we can have good strong shaking here too.
John Ebel: “Every time an earthquake occurs and the news media—or the general public—calls me up, that is a chance for me to educate people about the earthquake hazard in the region. We have a record of damaging quakes in the historic past: the 1600s, the 1700s, and only as recently as 1940. But almost no one living here today remembers a damaging earthquake.” photo by caitlin cunningham
The Weston Observatory, a geophysical research and science education center, turns 100 years old in 2028. As its director for two decades, how important is the observatory? It is a research observatory and home to a permanent seismic station. In terms of its importance in the broader region, Weston has been a reliable place for public information about the earthquakes that happen here and around the U.S. Most of what we know about earthquakes in the region has come from Weston Observatory. Changes in technology have re-shaped so many industries. How have those changes influenced seismological research? When I came to BC, seismic data from the New England stations was delivered via regular telephone lines. The lines were noisy and data wasn’t always transmitted cleanly. The phone company would shut down lines. Equipment would fail frequently. With the Internet, seismologists
Cooper Whitehead to Head Regis Univ. Continued from page 1
School Dean Vincent Rougeau (College of the Holy Cross), former Vice President for Institutional Research and Planning Kelli Armstrong (Salve Regina University), former Woods College of Advancing Studies Dean James P. Burns, I.V.D., (St. Mary’s University of Minnesota), and Fr. Butler, who will assume the BC presidency this summer. Executive Vice President Michael Lochhead said he was grateful to Cooper Whitehead for her dedicated service to Boston College and its students. “I was thrilled to learn that Shawna had been selected to serve as the president of Regis University in Denver,” said Lochhead. “I have had the privilege of working with Shawna in her role as vice president for student affairs during these past five years and have been impressed by her commitment, energy, creativity, and
the diligence with which she approaches her work, all of which will be required in her new role. “From the establishment of Mile 21 on Marathon Monday to the collaborative work she did with the provost and vice president for University mission and ministry to advance student formation, Shawna has had a very positive and significant impact on campus. I wish her the very best in her new endeavor in Colorado.” Lochhead said Cooper Whitehead will continue in her role until the end of the semester, and that details regarding the process to find her successor will be forthcoming later this spring. Cooper Whitehead said it was an honor to serve as vice president for student affairs at Boston College, an experience that has created deep and lasting friendships with students and colleagues across
learned quickly how to transfer seismic data over the web, so we no longer needed telephone lines into the observatory. We could get information from our own stations, but also from other states, Canada, and around the world. That has revolutionized seismological research. Research collaborations are easier to do. Research happens much more quickly. The pace of discovery in seismology is reflected in that. When you look back at your research, which discovery do you see as the most impactful? I’ll talk about one and I don’t know if it is a big contribution or not. We may not know in my lifetime. In the beginning of 2025, based on some work I’d published in 2016 with former BC mathematics colleague Dan Chambers, I did some statistical analysis of earthquakes in California. I noticed some patterns in these quakes above 4.0 magnitude. I noticed that magnitude 4.0 and greater earthquakes seemed to occur at a higher rate than average the University. “I am proud to have worked closely with Fr. Jack Butler and David Quigley to enhance the student experience through our commitment to formative education,” she said, “and am proud of the staff formation programs I launched to promote camaraderie and enhance understanding of BC’s distinctive mission as a Jesuit, Catholic university, including the Elevate Program and New Heights Retreat. “I am also proud of the work we did in guiding students post-pandemic and in promoting holistic health and wellness through the Murray Center for Student Wellness. I will miss teaching Courage to Know and the special vibe that exists here at BC, but above all, I will miss the students who have made this experience so memorable.” Highly respected within the student affairs profession, Cooper Whitehead is a prominent voice in the National Association of Student Affairs Professionals (NASPA), where she has led both the
before those faults had big earthquakes— larger than 6.5 magnitude. I analyzed all quakes on faults since 2000 to find which had a higher rate of magnitude 4.0 quakes but have not had a major earthquake in some time. I basically speculated that is where the next big earthquakes—certainly damaging earthquakes—will happen. Within the next 33 years, these are the faults that could have big earthquakes. If the quakes happen somewhere else, my model is not right. But if some big earthquakes do happen on at least some of these faults, it could provide an avenue for predicting on which faults the next big earthquakes are more likely to occur. What impact has being a Boston College faculty member had on your career? I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my colleagues and the students I have taught and mentored. This is my first job out of graduate school, so I have thoroughly enjoyed being at Boston College. It has been great for me professionally. People outside of Boston or Massachusetts, around the world, know of my professional work. One of the very satisfying experiences has been seeing Boston College grow as a university. At one point, I was one of the more active researchers here. But we are now a major research university and I am one little cog in a big complex research machine. That is really great to see. What will your retirement look like? It will be an academic retirement. I don’t have to teach or go to faculty meetings or sit on committees. I want to continue to do research and publish. But my wife and I look forward to being able to travel throughout the year. I would like to write a centennial history of Weston Observatory when it turns 100 in two years. Now is a good time to do that. So I think it will be a combination of being here at the Weston Observatory doing research but also traveling and getting some projects done around the house that need to be done. I also am very interested in my family history, and I have some writing that I want to do about that. —Ed Hayward Institute for Aspiring Vice Presidents for Student Affairs and the Alice Manicur Symposium for emerging senior-level female professionals. She was awarded the prestigious Sankofa Award in 2021, given annually by NASPA to an outstanding African American senior student affairs officer, and was inducted into the Jesuit honor society Alpha Sigma Nu in 2018. Cooper Whitehead said she is excited to embrace her new role as the 29th president of Regis University. “I see this experience as an opportunity to spread BC’s strengths in formative education to another Jesuit institution,” she said. “I believe that all students should be seen, heard, and well served, and I look forward to continuing that commitment in Denver. I hope that I have helped make BC better during my tenure and have made a good impression on our students, faculty, and staff. BC has formed me and prepared me to lead. I am honored to do so in my next chapter as president of Regis University.”
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Pinnacle Lecture Features Panel Talk on GLP-1 BY KATHLEEN SULLIVAN STAFF WRITER
GLP-1 therapies and their role in reshaping health care will be the focus of this semester’s Connell School of Nursing Pinnacle Lecture, which will feature an interdisciplinary panel of experts. The event will be held March 23 in the Yawkey Center Murray Room, beginning at 5 p.m. The Dr. Maureen P. McCausland Pinnacle Keynote Speakers will be Ariana Chao ’10, M.S.’11, an associate professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing with a joint appointment in the School of Medicine; Katelyn O’Brien, a clinical pharmacy specialist at Boston Medical Center; and Alexander Turchin, M.D., associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and director of quality in diabetes at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. The speakers will discuss nutrition, diabetes, obesity, and medication management. CSON Assistant Professor Patricia Underwood, an endocrine nurse practitioner for the VA Boston Healthcare System, will serve as moderator. An audience Q&A will follow the panel discussion. Internationally recognized for her leader-
Spring semester Pinnacle Lecture speakers (L-R) Katelyn O’Brien, Ariana Chao, and Alexander Turchin, M.D.
ship in obesity treatment, Chao is the director of research at the Healthful Eating, Activity and Weight Program at Johns Hopkins, where she also practices clinically as an obesity medicine nurse practitioner. Her program of research is focused on the development and testing of innovative behavioral and pharmacological treatments for obesity and related eating behaviors that improve physical and mental health. She has published more than 100 articles. Her work has been supported by the National Institutes of Health as well as foundation and industry sponsors. Chao holds a doctorate in nursing science from Yale University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania. O’Brien is a certified diabetes care and
education specialist in Boston Medical Center’s adult Endocrinology Department. She graduated with a doctor of pharmacy degree from the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy and completed her post-graduate residency training at VA Boston Healthcare System. In 2025, she was named the Boston University Outstanding Champion in Continuing Education. The 2026 Diabetes Care and Education Specialist of the Year, she has presented extensively on diabetes technologies and cardio-renal metabolic management of type 2 diabetes. Dr. Turchin’s research focus is on studying advanced methods of real-world evidence data analytics, including natural language processing, causal inference, and predictive modeling, and applying these
methods to investigations of treatment and outcomes of patients with diabetes and other chronic cardiometabolic conditions. He is an associate editor of Diabetes, Obesity and Cardiometabolic CARE and served as the founding chair of the Health Care Delivery & Quality Improvement Interest Group at the ADA. He is a Fellow of the American College of Medical Informatics whose research has led to more than 130 papers and book chapters. Pinnacle is free and open to all Boston College students, faculty, staff, and alumni, as well as preceptors and practitioners. To register for the event, or learn more about the lecture series, go to bc.edu/pinnacle.
Severe Weather Events Highlight BCDS Bond with Students Continued from page 1
That’s special on a college campus, said them grow. Miles Ciani-Smith ’28, who was greatly “Our interactions are genuine and impressed by the performance of BCDS heartfelt because for a lot of students, we’re during the recent February blizzard. “The like their mom or dad or uncle or aunt,” amazing staff showed up as if it were any Coleman explained. “We get to be an adult other day, making sure students were taken presence that they feel comfortable with, care of with warm meals and the same and dining halls are a comfortable space. kindness they show every day. It means a Food brings people together. lot to have a place on campus that brings “They come in as freshmen, and watchpeople together, and BC Dining really creing them throughout the years, especially ates that sense of family. our student employees, you see them ma“And honestly, it’s a pretty great family ture. I’m so proud of them.” when they’re making amazBCDS creates a nuring omelets and croissants!” “The students are just turing atmosphere where Corcoran Commons students feel supported so friendly! They alFirst Cook Lois Kass has to ask for help or advice ways take the time to gotten to know thousands when they need it, and of students like Ciani-Smith being a trusted adult is ask how my day is goover her 26 years of workkey to that sense of stabiling in Dining Services. ing, which really makes ity, added Coleman. Seeing and talking to them “Establishing relationevery day is her favorite part you feel appreciated.” ships with students makes of the job. them open to voicing —Lois Kass opinions respectfully and “The students are just so friendly! They always take letting us know when the time to ask how my day is going, which they need or want something. Without that really makes you feel appreciated,” said relationship, they wouldn’t feel comfortable Kass. “You get to watch them grow, hear doing that.” what they’re going through, and see their Newton Campus General Manager faces light up when the meal is something Brian Pinarreta echoed a similar sentiment, they love, like chicken tikka. By the time describing BC dining halls as welcoming, they graduate, it’s like watching my own reliable spaces—especially on fierce winter kids go off into the world.” days—where students can take a breath, Like Kass, 25-year veteran Brookline find comfort, and feel connected to the BC Campus Assistant Manager Donna Colecommunity. man says that what she enjoys most is the “The presence of our staff, many of students’ youthful vibrancy and watching whom students see every day, adds to that
feeling of reassurance,” explained Pinarreta, who has worked in BC Dining for nearly 25 years. What makes the relationships Pinarreta and colleagues like Kass and Coleman build with students truly special is how they endure, he noted—often continuing long after graduation. “During reunions, former student employees will return to our dining halls asking about the staff and managers they
worked with over the years. They remember the mentorship, the camaraderie, and the sense of belonging they felt while working with us. It’s a reminder of the lasting impact our work can have.” Summing up, Pinarreta said, “Being part of everyday moments is what makes working in dining truly meaningful. These interactions build trust and reinforce the sense of community that defines Boston College.”
On March 5, Boston College hosted “NACUFS Engage: Northeast,” a regional conference of the National Association of College & University Food Services. The event included keynotes and panel discussions—which featured BC representatives—as well as tours of the McElroy and Eagle’s Nest dining facilities, and a culinary challenge won by BC Dining Services Executive Chef Phyllis Kaplowitz. Read more at bit.ly/NACUFS-Northeast-BC. photo by matthew healey
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March 12 , 2026
CSTM’s Scheid Delves Into ‘Big-Picture Questions of Life’ BY KATHLEEN SULLIVAN STAFF WRITER
What is the moral vision that would bring humanity into a healthier relationship with the Earth and with the rest of creation? That is the question animating the work of Clough School of Theology and Ministry Associate Professor of Moral Theology Daniel P. Scheid, who joined the faculty this academic year. As a Catholic, he is interested in what Catholic social teaching says about ecology, but he is also curious about global perspectives. His studies—which include a bachelor’s degree in history from Princeton University—and his time spent living abroad have enhanced his interest in world views. “How human beings approach the bigpicture questions of life differently, in different contexts, has always fascinated me,” he said. Scheid’s research is on interreligious ecological ethics, bringing Catholic social teaching insights on humanity’s relationship to the Earth and the cosmos into dialogue with Hinduism, Buddhism, and Indigenous teachings. “I’m specifically looking at the ways we can use the wealth of our traditions in order to address this common planetary question,” said Scheid, author of The Cosmic Common Good: Religious Grounds for Ecological Ethics. “It’s an area that needs more attention and rigorous thought.” A significant focus of Scheid’s work is
Wrapping up his first year, Daniel Scheid says he appreciates the Clough School’s global perspective: “My students have a range of backgrounds. In terms of ecology, for them to be able to say, ‘This is what it’s been like in my country,’ or ‘This is the primary issue on people’s minds in my country,’ is deeply enriching.” photo by caitlin cunningham
Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical that calls on people to be better stewards of the planet while taking a critical stand against consumerism and irresponsible economic development. “I’m interested in elucidating and elaborating on the theological and ethical insights that Francis offers in Laudato Si’, and looking at how the encyclical has been received by the global Church,” Scheid said. Scheid’s field of interest aligns with one
of the Society of Jesus’ universal apostolic preferences, or focal points for the Jesuit order for 2019-2029, “Care for our Common Home.” “I have a great affinity for the Jesuits,” said Scheid, a member of Christian Life Community, the international association of lay Christians who have adopted an Ignatian model of spiritual life. “I’m excited to join a Jesuit university and be part of the larger national and international Jesuit
BC’s Friedberg Elected to Key Position in AAAS The American Association for the Advancement of Science announced that James P. McIntyre Professor of Mathematics Solomon Friedberg has been elected as the nominations and leadership development chair of the AAAS Section on Mathematics. Last year, Friedberg was named a Fellow of AAAS, one of the world’s largest general scientific societies and publisher of the Science family of journals. AAAS Fellows are recognized for their achievements across disciplines, from research, teaching, and technology to administration in academia, industry, and government to excellence in communicating and interpreting science to the public. As nominations and leadership development chair (N/LDC), Friedberg heads the Section leader nomination process for the Section Steering Committee and has ultimate responsibility for ensuring the Section submits a final slate of nominees that aligns with AAAS’ strategic goals of advancing scientific excellence and achievement and fostering equity and inclusion, as well as AAAS’ commitment to ethical conduct. In addition, the N/LDC seeks to identify additional leadership opportunities or candidate cultivation strategies for promising individuals who are suited for something other than Section leadership positions. “The N/LDC role is focused on ac-
Solomon Friedberg photo by lee pellegrini
knowledging and advancing scientific excellence and achievement as well as recognizing the diversity of the community of mathematics scholars,” said Friedberg. “These are matters I have always cared a lot about. My service will also afford me the opportunity to meet and speak with other members of the Steering Committee for the Mathematics Section and with the leadership from other disciplinary Sections. In doing so, I hope to enhance my knowledge of advances
in contemporary mathematics and science. “I am grateful to the AAAS for nominating me and to the members of the Section for their confidence in me. I look forward to contributing.” A Boston College faculty member since 1996, Friedberg is renowned for his scholarly work in number theory, representation theory, and automorphic forms—an analytical approach to complex mathematical problems. He has received funding for his research from the National Security Agency, National Science Foundation, and Simons Foundation. Friedberg served as the Mathematics chair from 2007 to 2016, during which the department launched a doctoral program and a new bachelor of science degree, and its enrollment more than doubled. He has also worked with colleagues in the Lynch School of Education and Human Development and Boston-area public schools to support secondary math teachers in highneeds districts. Among other professional marks of distinction, Friedberg has been named a Fellow of the American Mathematical Society, a 2021 Simons Fellow in Mathematics, and for two years chaired the United States National Commission on Mathematics Instruction. —Sean Smith
network so I can deepen the commitment to Laudato Si’ and deepen the Ignatian approach to ecology. I would like for Laudato Si’ to have a greater reception in the American Church in particular, and the global Church, and BC is a great platform from which to do that.” Scheid is no stranger to the BC campus, having earned a doctorate in theological ethics from the University in 2008. He also holds a master’s from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. Prior to joining the Clough School, Scheid taught in the Theology Department of Duquesne University in Pittsburgh for 18 years. His professional affiliations include membership in the Catholic Theological Ethics in the World Church, Catholic Theological Society of America, Society of Christian Ethics, and Society for HinduChristian Studies. Scheid says he has found a strong sense of community at the CSTM, citing the weekly Mass and repast the community gathers for on Thursdays. “CSTM is a place where theology is a lived practice,” he said. Last fall, Scheid taught Comparative Religious Ethics and Introduction to Ecological Ethics. This semester, he is teaching Ecology in Catholic Social Teaching and The Moral Dimension of the Christian Life. His students are a mix of master’s and doctoral students. “Something that attracted me to the CSTM is its global international perspective,” said Scheid. “My students have a range of backgrounds. In terms of ecology, for them to be able to say, ‘This is what it’s been like in my country,’ or ‘This is the primary issue on people’s minds in my country,’ is deeply enriching.” At BC, Scheid is part of the Community of Scholars Ethics Seminar, where doctoral students and faculty who study moral theology and ethics at the CSTM and Theology Department present their research and comment on each other’s work. “They are amazing colleagues. And I’ve discovered that there are a number of people here who incorporate ecology and ecological questions into their theology courses and research. So, BC is quite a hub for this, it turns out.”
Nota Bene The Boston College Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Associate Professor of the Practice of Music Anna Wittstruck, gave a performance at the University of Rhode Island on February 27 as part of the College Orchestra Directors Association national conference. The BCSO, which was invited to play at the conference through a professional peer-review application process, performed Florence Price’s “Adoration,” two movements from Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony no. 5,” and “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Freddie Mercury, arranged by Nicholas Hersh and featuring a cello solo by Matthew Hur ’27.
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BC in the Media While consumers may be tired of the proliferation of recurring fees, the subscription model remains popular with businesses due to its predictable, upfront revenue. Woods College of Advancing Studies Associate Dean Aleksandar Tomic offered comments on the subject to Fortune magazine. Assoc. Prof. Mohammad Ali Kadivar (Sociology), a faculty member in the International Studies Program, spoke with The Wall Street Journal on a coalition of Iranian students mobilizing to confront the regime.
Lynch School Professor Eric Dearing is executive director of BC’s Mary E. Walsh Center for photo by caitlin cunningham Thriving Children.
American Education Research Assoc. Names Dearing a Fellow BY PHIL GLOUDEMANS STAFF WRITER
Lynch School of Education and Human Development Professor Eric Dearing, executive director of the Mary E. Walsh Center for Thriving Children, has been selected as an American Educational Research Association (AERA) Fellow for his exceptional contributions to and excellence in education research. Nominated by peers, Dearing—one of 34 scholars in the 2026 class—was chosen by the Fellows committee and approved by the AERA council, the association’s elected governing body. He and the members of his cohort will be inducted during a ceremony at the AERA’s annual meeting in Los Angeles on April 9. The AERA is the largest national interdisciplinary research association devoted to the scientific study of education and learning. “It’s a wonderful honor to be selected as a Fellow, not to mention inspiring and humbling to be included among this outstanding group of scholars,” said Dearing, the only representative in the 2026 class from a Jesuit university, and the 12th member of the Lynch School faculty selected as an AERA fellow. “We are thrilled to honor the 2026 AERA Fellows as they join a distinguished community of scholars,” said AERA Execu-
tive Director Tabbye Chavous. “Their significant contributions to education research demonstrate the highest standards of academic excellence and scholarship.” Dearing joined the Lynch School in 2006 as a professor of applied developmental psychology. He was named executive director of the Walsh Center in 2023, succeeding the founder and namesake. The center advances science, implementation, and innovation to promote healthy child and youth development, learning, and thriving. His research emphasizes the power of families, early education and care, and neighborhood supports to bolster achievement for children born into poverty. Much of his current work involves collaborating with families, educators, health care providers, and nonprofits to design and study ways for improving young children’s math learning. “We are thrilled that Eric Dearing has received this well-deserved recognition,” said Stanton E.F. Wortham, the Charles F. Donovan, S.J., Dean of the Lynch School. “His work on math learning and marginalized families has made many important contributions to the field and practice. We also greatly appreciate that he has stepped up to direct the Mary Walsh Center, a crucial organization at the Lynch School, and one that does important research and influences praxis in the United States and beyond.”
The number of Latin Americans who say they are not affiliated with a religion has steadily risen, but for many, that doesn’t mean they reject faith. Prof. Gustavo Morello, S.J., (Sociology) discussed the subject with Religion News Service.
nell commented on the situation for a Washington Post story. Assoc. Prof. of the Practice Jeffrey Cohen (Law) spoke with The Christian Science Monitor for a story on recent polls that show half the country doubts whether federal law enforcement is fair and impartial. Prof. Sam Ransbotham (CSOM), host of the “Me, Myself and AI” podcast, spoke with Boston 25 News about authors’ warnings that AI-generated copycat books are being sold on Amazon. Retired Prof. Patrick Maney (History), author of Bill Clinton: New Gilded Age President, was interviewed by CBS Morning News on the evolution of Bill and Hillary Clinton’s influence among Democrats.
Consumer advocates are urging the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to abandon proposals they say would let national banks unfairly profit off homeowners’ escrowed money. Liberty Mutual Professor of Law Patricia McCoy offered her views on the matter for a Law 360 article.
Prof. of the Practice Fr. Philip Larrey (Philosophy) discussed the ethical opportunities and dangers of artificial intelligence, as well as the Catholic Church’s stance on AI, in Kulturaustausch, a Berlin-based quarterly magazine of international perspectives.
Health care spending in retirement can eat up a third of a typical retiree’s Social Security income and almost a quarter of total income, according to a new report from Assoc. Prof. of the Practice Matthew Rutledge (Economics) from the Center for Retirement Research that was noted by Yahoo Finance.
Adj. Prof. Mari Tomunen (Law) wrote a piece for Bloomberg Law on crypto compliance.
The average age of retirement for Americans has been rising across the board for decades, but that may be slowing due to a variety of factors. Center for Retirement Research Senior Advisor Alicia Mun-
Prof. of the Practice Geoffrey Sanzenbacher (Economics), a research fellow at the Center for Retirement Research, spoke with CNBC on an AARP survey that found some older Americans are now ‘unretiring’ to keep up with the cost of living. He also wrote for MarketWatch on the financial complications, as well as the benefits, marriage often brings.
Jobs The following are among the recent positions posted by the Department of Human Resources. For more information on employment opportunities at Boston College, see www.bc.edu/jobs or scan the QR code at right. Research Systems Administrator Third Cook Waitstaff Development Assistant, Principal Giving
Msgr. Liam Bergin, a professor of the practice in Theology and co-director of the Catholic Education and Theology minor, will give a talk on the Stations of the Cross on March 23 at 4:45 p.m. at the McMullen Museum of Art Third Floor Gallery. The museum’s current exhibition, “Collaborating in Conflict: The Yeats Family and the Public Arts,” includes the “Stations of the Cross,” an embroidery by Lily Yeats (at right). Explore and pray with the Stations through this beautiful intersection of faith and art. A light supper will be provided. To register for Msgr. Bergin’s talk, go to https:// forms.gle/MqQdGL4H9xot8mkx8
Alumni Relations Assistant Laboratory Safety Specialist International Student Advisor
Associate Director, Career Advising & Programming
Patrol Officer
Applications Systems Analyst
Associate Director, Budget, Operations & Systems
Associate Director, Academic Services
Associate Vice President, Schools, Units, and Organizational Giving
Work Order & Preventative Maintenance Representative
Administrative & Program Specialist Network Systems Engineer Director, Nanofabrication & Cleanroom Facility
General Service Worker
Teacher Assistant Program Director, Two-Way Immersion Network of Catholic Schools
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March 12 , 2026
Encouraging Formation Through a ‘Spiritual Hackathon’ BY PHIL GLOUDEMANS STAFF WRITER
A recent Boston College event merged the elements of an intense, fast-paced software or hardware development competition with the opportunity for BC undergraduates to collaborate, integrate, and synthesize their intellectual, personal, ethical, and spiritual learnings into an innovative, physical, or digital prototype—all in just 10 consecutive hours. The inaugural Spiritual Hackathon—a portmanteau of “hacking” and “marathon” where “hack” is a reference to exploratory development, not a computer security breach—served as the model for creative “making with meaning” for 24 BC students divided into eight interdisciplinary teams at the event, held on February 22 at 245 Beacon Street’s The Hatchery. The two-dozen undergraduates volunteered to participate in the competition and research study that focused on the impact of cross-disciplinary formation experiences on students’ development of purpose in their lives, explained event leader Marina Bers, the Augustus Long Professor of Education at the Lynch School of Education and Human Development. “Typical tech hackathons engage the head and its problem-solving skills,” she said. “Spiritual practices engage the heart, while a spiritual hackathon engages also the hands—making, building, and creating technological artifacts or software. Our goal is to integrate all three: head, heart, and hands. It’s about hacking the soul’s operating system and finding a new interface between technology, design, and intentional activities such as prayer, meditation, silence, or service.” The Spiritual Hackathon, intentionally a communal exercise but also competitive as cash prizes were awarded for the top three projects, is aimed at cultivating meaning and connection across diverse cultural, religious, and disciplinary contexts as students prepare for life after Boston College, she explained. The event was purposely designed to embrace students of all faiths as well as those with no religious affiliation. “This capstone-style co-curricular experience is designed to help students relate their academic and co-curricular journey,” said Bers, who also directs the interdisciplinary Developmental Technologies (Dev Tech) research group at BC. “In its essence and structure, the spiritual hackathon is a formation initiative that invites students to integrate their academic work, co-curricular life, and vocational discernment alongside staff mentors and faculty partners.” “You don’t often see spirituality intersecting with technology,” mused communication major Annalise Goldberg ’27, who said the rare combination motivated her to register for the event. The teams kicked off the day by brain-
Students Emily Hiltunen and Hayden Hunter collaborate on a project during the inaugural Boston College Spiritual Hackathon on February 22, held in The Hatchery at 245 Beacon Street. photos by amanda simpson ’28
storming prototypes or technology tools designed to help people seek transcendence, purpose, and pathways for transformation. The Hatchery was abuzz with activity as the teams formulated and constructed their projects, with some involving computer screens while others also required hardware, and some merged both, as they raced to complete them before the 7 p.m. deadline—two hours less than originally planned because of the incoming inclement weather. Evaluating the projects was a panel of judges: Haub Vice President for University Mission and Ministry Casey C. Beaumier,
S.J.; Silvina Grad, head of technical marketing at MathWorks; John McEleney, former CEO of Solidworks; and Josh Wachman, managing director of Nor’easter Ventures. Two different traditional spiritual practices were presented during breaks. Tomeu Estelrich, director of BC’s Center of Ignatian Spirituality discussed the Examen, the daily reflection developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola to help individuals recognize God’s presence, actions, and grace throughout their daily lives. “It’s a simple tool that contains five points: presence, gratitude, review, sorrow, and grace,” he explained. “I’m not interested in all the elements today; the most important of them for me is gratitude, particularly to stop time to see all the remarkable things around us.” He shared the story of “The Parable of the Little Fish” that features a young fish
searching for the ocean, only to be told by an elder, “You’re in it right now.” The fledgling fish dismisses the advice: “This is just water,” demonstrating how people often miss the fulfillment surrounding them. “What you have in front of you is actually your life,” said Estelrich. Following Estelrich was Oren Kaunfer, a spiritual director at Boston’s Jewish Community Day School, who presented a musical “nigun” experience inspired by Jewish Hasidic music. He explained that nigunim are spiritual melodies without words sung repetitively in group settings to express intense emotions, facilitate meditation, and create a profound, mystical connection to the divine. Kaunfer led the group in a brief nigun, with the goal of creating a “unified energy.” (A mindful yoga practice was also planned but canceled due to the impending snowstorm.) In the end, the judges selected “Portable Sanctuary”—essentially a small sound box that represents spirituality and community for use in a quiet room—as the winning venture. Team members Sophia Ferrone ’27, Aishling Zhou ’29, and the communication major Goldberg said their project “creates an immersive and reflective experience” inviting individuals to “engage both visually and auditorily.” The Portable Sanctuary employs a microcontroller with sensor LED lights, a speaker, and two microphones, all enclosed within a laser-cut wooden box. “Our inspiration originated from our own reflections on moments of spiritual growth, such as the feeling of entering a church, where light and sound encourage calmness and inner reflection,” they noted in their summary. “We aimed to recreate this sense of peaceful transcendence by making a miniature stained-glass element by coloring plastic to reproduce the feel-
ing of personal sanctuary. Our goal was to explore spirituality as a universal human experience, inviting all people to enjoy moments of calm and personal connection.” “Our project wasn’t based on the flashiest code or the most advanced programming, but the simple ways in which spirituality and the 21st century can interact,” said Goldberg. “Seeing how well the judges responded to that was reassuring, and opened up a line of dialogue that we wouldn’t have had without the hackathon.” Runner-up was “Passage of Reflection,” an installation designed for an open, indoor space, and curated to foster reflection, exploration, and gratitude within the viewer. Third place went to “Meridian,” an app that helps students pause and reflect before diving into the constant flow of digital distractions, guides users through a short reflection using personalized prompts to be more present and thoughtful. Meridian team member and computer science major Jeff Gutierrez ’28, whose squad won the recent “Hack the Heights” 24-hour coding contest, found the Spiritual Hackathon’s much briefer production schedule challenging. “Trying to successfully integrate our software with physical hardware within such a smaller window was a tough techni-
cal challenge,” he said, “but it was a great experience.” The event, sponsored by the Office of the Provost, was co-led by Lynch School Professor and Ascione Faculty Formation Fellow Belle Liang and Kraft Family Professor Daniel Joslyn-Siemiatkoski, director of the Center for Christian-Jewish Learning. Strategic BC partners included Associate Vice Provost for Design and Innovation Strategies Sunand Bhattacharya, Associate Vice President for Student Engagement and Formation Colleen Dallavalle, and Tim Lindgren, assistant director for design innovation at the Center for Digital Innovation in Learning. For more on the Spiritual Hackathon, see sites.bc.edu/spiritualhackathon
“It’s about hacking the soul’s operating system,” says faculty member Marina Bers, “and finding a new interface between technology, design, and intentional activities such as prayer, meditation, silence, or service.”