The Boston College
Chronicle Published by the Boston College Office of News & Public Affairs march 29, 2012 Vol. 20 no. 14
INSIDE •Taking BC’s temperature, page 2 •Klein Competition debuts, page 2 •Campus School 40th anniversary, page 3
•Bloomberg ranks CSOM ninth, page 3 •Eagles off to the Frozen Four, page 3
•Allston-Brighton grants, page 3 •Alumni Volunteer Tribute, page 6 •Q&A with David Hollenbach, SJ, page 7 •Positive outlook for women’s hockey, page 8 •BC Sailing: bound for another title? page 8
•Scientists create nanosensor, page 9 •Venture for America honor, page 9 •Two alumni awarded Bronze Stars, page 10 •Theatre Dept.’s dance showcase, page 12
BOSTON COLLEGE 1863-2013
University to Celebrate 150th — and will be concelebrated by members of the Jesuit community and alumni priests. It will be followed by a reception that To honor Boston College’s will include a walking tour of the 150th anniversary, and its ascen- ballpark and field. sion from a school founded to serve the sons of Boston’s Irish Sesquicentennial Speakers immigrants to its present place Series: Three prominent speakamong the nation’s premier uni- ers will be invited to address the versities, Boston College will em- anniversary themes of scholarship, bark on a three-semester Sesqui- service and formation, and the centennial Celebration beginning intersection of faith and culture. this September that will include The series will begin on Oct. 10 a Mass at Fenway Park, a Ses- with Harvard University Presiquicentennial Speakers Series, six dent Drew Faust addressing the academic symposia, a Founders Boston College community on Day celebration, a student concert the topic of scholarship. A noted at Symphony Hall and a convoca- Civil War historian, Faust will be tion of leading Catholic college awarded a Sesquicentennial Medal and university presidents. in recognition of her professional achievement and commitment to Mass at Fenway Park: The teaching and scholarship. Sesquicentennial Celebration will officially begin on Sept. 15 with Academic Symposia: Six syma 4 p.m. Mass at Fenway Park in posia, designed to showcase the Boston. The Mass is open to all University’s distinctive academic members of the Boston College strengths and commitment to adcommunity — students, faculty, dressing societal concerns, will be staff, alumni, and their families hosted during the three semesters: By Jack Dunn Director of News & Public Affairs
Photo by Lee Pellegrini
•“Public Education and the Future of Democracy,” Oct. 5, 2012: The symposium, led by Lynch School of Education Professors Marilyn Cochran-Smith and Dennis Shirley, will feature a public lecture series over two semesters addressing issues related to public education and its role in democratic societies. •“Religion and the Liberal Aims of Higher Education,” Nov.
8-9, 2012: Led by Lynch School of Education Professor Henry Braun and Assistant Professor of Theology Erik Owens, the conference will address liberal education today with the goal of examining the unique contributions that religiously affiliated colleges and universities can offer to the educational enterprise. Continued on page 4
Letter from the President Whither Vatican II? Dear Members of the Boston College Community: As the month of March comes to a close, I want to provide an update on key aspects of Boston College, as I have done in past years at this time. In particular, I would like to offer comments related to academics, student formation, campus facilities and institutional finances, as well as to summarize plans to celebrate the 150th anniversary of our founding in 1863. Boston College continues to move forward and strengthen itself as a top-tier, national institution of higher education. Between 2006 and 2011, for example, the University’s ranking in US News improved from 40th to 31st, with the average SAT scores of incoming students increasing by 31 points, to 2014. Undergraduate students identifying themselves as AHANA (AfricanAmerican, Hispanic, Asian, and Na-
Gary Wayne Gilbert
Richard Gaillardetz’s new book seeks to provide an understanding of the Second Vatican Council By Kathleen Sullivan Staff Writer
tive American) also rose from 25 percent to 28 percent, and sponsored research grants grew from $31.5 million to $46 million, an increase of 46 percent. Searches have been underway in recent months to recruit new faculty, and departments have successfully attracted talented academics to join Continued on page 6
QUOTE:
It is “the most important event in Roman Catholic history since the Protestant Reformation,” says McCarthy Professor of Catholic Systematic Theology Richard Gaillardetz. But how many Catholics today actually remember Vatican II and what it was about? With 2012 marking half a century since the start of the Second Vatican Council, notes Gaillardetz, a growing number of Catholics — including those studying for ordained and lay ministry — have no personal recollection of Vatican II, its invigorating vision and the way it profoundly re-shaped the understanding and practice of the
Catholic faith. For the post-Vatican II generations, Gaillardetz and his co-author Catherine Clifford of St. Paul University in Ontario have published Keys to the Council: Unlocking the Teaching of Vatican II to present a less intimidating and more accessible introduction to the vision of the Second Vatican Council. “Without in any way denying the essential features of our great tradition, the Second Vatican Council brought into the light many important insights into the Catholic faith that had been long neglected or obscured over the course of the four centuries since the Council of Trent,” said Gaillardetz, who joined Continued on page 7
“I was inspired by the environment at Boston College, particularly the emphasis that was placed on service to others. Many students at BC really do live by that ideal. It’s so rare to find that these days.” —Bronze Star recipient Marine Capt. David Van Dam ’04