For Others BC Parents Open a Path to the Heights
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here were times when Ron Sargent,
P’14, lay awake wondering how he’d afford college. But a much-needed scholarship gave him the financial means to pursue his studies and placed him on a path to become chairman and CEO of Staples, Inc. Now he and his wife, Jill, are doing their best to make sure some of the University’s most talented students sleep through the night. The couple recently established an endowed scholarship that benefits undergraduates who couldn’t otherwise afford higher education— a timely commitment, given that seven in 10 Boston College students now receive some form of financial assistance. “The world is filled with incredibly gifted young people who just need an opportunity to succeed,” says Ron Sargent. “If we can offer them that chance, we are glad to do so.” The Sargents view Boston College as a community where students can make the most of their abilities, believing that BC offers them singular preparation to enter a competitive job market—and to contribute to a society in need. Says Jill Sargent, “We see the personal growth of our own son. And we appreciate that BC not only offers rigorous coursework
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Many donors give to Boston College because of what the University meant to them. But I encourage alumni and parents to give for what BC can mean to so many others.”
but also combines that study with a mission to graduate individuals who will then use their educations to improve people’s lives.” Ron Sargent has contributed to the University’s success for more than a decade as a member of the board of advisors at the Carroll School of Management. During this time, the Carroll School has experienced a transformation under Dean Andy Boynton ’78, P’13, who instituted the groundbreaking Portico course that infuses the first-year business curriculum with an ethical foundation and who has overseen the school’s rise to ninth in the latest Bloomberg Businessweek undergraduate rankings. Similar achievements can be seen throughout the University, whether in the recent completion of Stokes Hall or in the continued growth of the PULSE Program for Service Learning, and each instance reinforces the financial decision of a couple who know the value of student aid. “Many donors give to Boston College because of what the University meant to them,” says Ron Sargent. “But I encourage alumni and parents to give for what BC can mean to so many others.” ▪
Jill and Ron Sargent, P’14
—Ron Sargent, P’14
President’s Roundtable Sparks Parents Dialogue
Margaret and Alfred F. Kelly, Jr., P’09, ’11, ’13, ’16
AS A NEW INITIATIVE OF THE PARENTS’ Leadership Council, the President’s Roundtable will engage those Boston College parents who are among the Light the World campaign’s most generous benefactors in an ongoing dialogue with the University’s leadership. Margaret and Alfred F. Kelly, Jr., parents of two current BC students and two alumni, will helm the group. Working closely with University President William P. Leahy, S.J., and Senior Vice President for University Advancement James J. Husson, the roundtable will spearhead leadership engagement initiatives while providing Boston College with valuable perspective and counsel. Members of the President’s Roundtable will both inspire and encourage new parents to include BC among their top philanthropic priorities. “As the parents of four Eagles, Peggy and I are very invested in Boston College,” says Al Kelly. “The University provides an extraordinary environment for our children—challenging, exciting, and nurturing—and it’s deeply satisfying to give back some of our time and financial resources in order to help BC fulfill its mission through the campaign.” Since the campaign launch, more than 125 parents of enrolled BC students have made gifts of $250,000 or more to the campaign, establishing vital new endowments for financial aid and faculty research; funding core University initiatives, including those enhancing student programming; and supporting new building projects, such as Stokes Hall. “Parents have a unique and personal appreciation for the important work of Boston College,” says Husson. “It’s inspiring that so many of our parents are making such significant philanthropic investments in the campaign. We look forward to growing this community with the help of the President’s Roundtable.” ▪ Learn more about the President’s Roundtable by contacting Director of Parent Development Nicole Cherubini at nicole.cherubini@bc.edu.
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