T he B oston C ollege
Chronicle summer 2011
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Fr. Woods to Step Down as WCAS Dean Continued from page 1 have graduated from the College of Advancing Studies since Fr. Woods accepted leadership of the college in April of 1968, the majority of them part-time students who worked steadily toward degrees while balancing the parallel responsibilities of work and families. Each student has received the personal counseling, mentoring and encouragement of Fr. Woods and his staff. Fr. Woods initiated a practice of writing letters to students and faculty several times a year. “We are sending a message,” he said, “and it’s not about money or anything like that. It’s about succeeding. Each letter talks about every subject imaginable that I think would be helpful to people at the moment.” A native of Dorchester’s Neponset neighborhood, and a graduate of both Boston College High School and Boston College, Fr. Woods says the existence of a College of Advancing Studies helps fulfill the University’s educational and service mission in the Boston area. “There is no one in my office that has not given me their all,” he said. “And the faculty is the same way. They have given me their lives and they have given the students their lives. Their goal is to help, to serve, to serve God, to serve neighbors, to serve community, to serve Boston. “Advancing Studies is fulfilling a covenant made many years ago by Boston College to be here. I am so grateful to have been a part of this for so many years and I am going to
continue to be a part.” Fr. Woods established numerous scholarship and endowment funds over the years, naming them in honor of his longest-serving faculty and staff. “When these scholarships are awarded each year,” he said, “it is wonderful that the recipients actually know the person who is helping them.” Fr. Woods joined the Society
and the School of Theology. Ordained to the priesthood in 1961, he served as provincial secretary of the New England Province of the Society of Jesus, where he was extensively involved in the recruitment and admission of candidates to the Jesuit order, from 1962 until returning to Boston College as dean of the Evening College six years later.
“Thousands of individuals have benefited from his compassion, encouragement, and pastoral care,” says University President William P. Leahy, SJ, of James Woods, SJ (left). Photo by Lee Pellegrini
of Jesus shortly after graduating from BC High in 1948. “I was interviewed to join the Jesuits at the exact location where my office is today,” he says, noting that there was a temporary Army barracks on the current site of McGuinn Hall at the time. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from BC – later adding a doctorate in education from Boston University – before launching his own teaching career at the former Jesuit-run Cranwell School in Lenox, Mass. in 1955. In 1958, he returned to Chestnut Hill as registrar of the School of Liberal Studies, the School of Philosophy
During his long term of service to the University, Fr. Woods has witnessed monumental growth in the University’s scope and stature. “I didn’t watch it,” he chuckled. “I took part in it.” What’s ahead for this energetic and admired campus figure? “I’m not retiring from Boston College, not at all. Just from this job,” Fr. Woods added with his familiar hearty laugh. “I just had a wonderful report from my primary physician. I’ve got 15 more years to go – at least!” Contact Reid Oslin at reid.oslin@ bc.edu
Horton Preparing to Move On from BC Continued from page 1 ment to diversity. She has shown ing — to me,” said Horton, who a real passion for working with first arrived at BC as a gradustudents and has mentored doz- ate student in 1984, then served ens of them over the past several as an assistant dean for student years in various capacities. development from 1986-90 and “Sheilah has left a strong, pos- as associate director of AHANA itive mark on Boston College and Student Programs from 1990-99. will be missed.” Reflecting on her years at BC, Horton said assuming the Horton said she took satisfacstudent affairs tion in developvice presidency at ing the Benjamin “I’ve had such wonderLoyola Maryland Mays Mentorwill give her the ful opportunities to grow ing Program and opportunity to here...This has enabled me other services for provide leadership to make connections with AHANA stuto “a division of dents, helping many others throughout significant size.” shape organizathe University.” She also discussed tional changes in —Sheilah Shaw Horton Student Affairs her eagerness to help implement — including esthe university’s tablishment of a strategic plan, which includes the business service center — and her development of learning com- efforts to provide programming munities. for on and off-campus students. “Loyola is, like Boston Col“I’ve also encountered many lege, a Jesuit, Catholic institu- former students who have ention, and its mission and philoso- tered the field of higher educaphy of caring for the individual tion, and regard me as a mentor,” are familiar — and very appeal- said Horton. “I feel very pleased
at having been able to contribute to the development of these young professionals.” In April of 2010, Horton was chosen by the Massachusetts Network American Council on Education National Network of Women Leaders for its Emerging Leader Award, which honors a woman in the state who has demonstrated growth in increasingly responsible leadership positions in higher education. Horton said she will miss “the communities of support” at Boston College, and in particular the students — “they’re very special, so bright and motivated.” Horton added, “I’ve had such wonderful opportunities to grow here, professionally and personally, to move up through the institution into progressively more responsible positions. This has enabled me to make connections with many others throughout the University, and I will remember these associations and friendships very fondly.”
By day (and sometimes evenings), they work in Boston College Libraries. But when they’re not diligently performing their duties, some BC library staff delight in indulging their artistic abilities, through painting, collage, photography, knitting and other forms of expression — and the results are on display this summer in the O’Neill Library Level One Gallery. “Celebrating Creativity of the Boston College Libraries’ Staff,” which runs until Sept. 2, is the second exhibition of works by University library staff. O’Neill Senior Library Assistant Kevin Tringale — an organizer and contributor — is happy that his colleagues have a regular venue for their extracurricular activities. “The gallery is used most often by student clubs and organizations, but that’s during the academic year,” said Tringale. “Rather than see the space empty in the summer, we thought it could be a showcase for the creativity among the library staff. “I’ve been very pleased at the variety, and quality, of the work people have contributed. You never know where you’ll find artistic talent, and the level at which it is practiced — whether a hobby or something more serious.” Above, a color photograph taken by Tringale of sweaters made by a knitting group comprised of library staffers Sonia Ensin, Adeane Bregman, Claire O’Leary, Kathy Williams and Sally Wyman. To read more about the exhibit, see online Chronicle at www. bc.edu/chronicle The Level One Gallery website is at http://bit.ly/gAKIfD. ‑Sean Smith
BC Awards Community Grants
(L-R)State Rep. Kevin G. Honan, Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, Brighton Allston Improvement Association President and grant recipient Anabela Gomes, Boston College President William P. Leahy, SJ, and Boston City Councilor Mark Ciommo at the Allston/Brighton-Boston College Community Fund grant ceremony held at Minihane’s in Brighton on June 6. At the ceremony 13 Allston-Brighton groups were presented with spring 2011 Allston/BrightonBoston College Community Fund grants, totaling nearly $33,000. Among the initiatives benefiting from these grants are: an adapted bicycle camp for children with disabilities; technology upgrades; camp opportunities for local youth; diaper distributions to local families, and preservation and display materials for historical artifacts. For a complete list, see http://tinyurl.com/65g3t68 (Photo by Justin Knight)