PUBLISHED BY THE BOSTON COLLEGE OFFICE OF UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS
SUMMER 2024
For BC, a Time of Transition Underway With Fr. Leahy stepping down in 2026, Trustees Executive Committee will start search for a new president this fall BY JACK DUNN ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS
University President William P. Leahy, S.J., has announced that he will step down as president of Boston College in the summer of 2026, and that the search for his successor will begin this fall, led by the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees. Fr. Leahy, the longest-serving president in University history, made the announcement at the June 7 board meeting, stating that he believed it was the appropriate time for the transition given Boston College’s
strong academic and financial condition, veteran senior leadership, institutional momentum, and the successful launch and progress of the Soaring Higher fundraising campaign. “I am finishing my 28th year as president of Boston College, and I have been thinking a great deal about the University’s future, particularly the transition to a new president,” said Fr. Leahy. “Today, I want to inform all of you that I have decided to step down as president in summer of 2026, and the search for my successor will begin in fall 2024. For the next two years, I intend to keep working as always on advancing BC, especially through our fundraising campaign, Soaring Higher.” Board of Trustees Chair John Fish said that he and the Executive Committee of the board fully support Fr. Leahy’s decision, and that the University intends to maintain its institutional stability, continuity, and momentum experienced under his
University President William P. Leahy, S.J., has led Boston College since July of 1996. photo by gary wayne gilbert
leadership. “The Executive Committee is well positioned to lead the search on behalf of the Board of Trustees,” said Fish. “They come from varied backgrounds, have extensive board experience, and as committee chairs especially know and appreciate the views of their committee members.” Fish said that while the Executive Committee will serve as the presidential search committee, the entire board will play a critical role in selecting the next president of Boston College, and that the search process will begin with board consultation at their next meeting in September. Following the meeting, the Executive Committee will consult with important constituent groups, including trustee associates, faculty, staff, students, and alumni. The consultation will also include Jesuits at Boston College, the USA East Jesuit provincial, and the assistant to the Superior General of the Society
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Pine Manor Institute Enjoying a Productive Summer
Exec. Director Lauds Success of Academy
Messina College student Haybi Garcia Barrios had her family right behind her as she moved into her residence hall on July 7. photo by frank curran
At Last, Messina College Opens Its Doors BY ED HAYWARD STAFF WRITER
A few nerves. A bit of anxiety. Some faint traces of trepidation. And a lot of excitement. Pretty much a normal first few days at college for the 110 first-year students in the inaugural class of Boston College’s new Messina College. Students and their parents arrived on
July 7 for Move In Day, which included an orientation program featuring remarks by Messina College Dean Erick Berrelleza, S.J., Provost and Dean of Faculties David Quigley, and Office of Undergraduate Admission Senior Associate Director Steven Koo, who helped lead Messina recruitment efforts. “The campus feels like a complete transformation has taken place,” said Fr.
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The third cohort of The Academy, a cost-free, summer enrichment program for middle and high school students—a pillar within Boston College’s Pine Manor Institute (PMI) for Student Success—is now on campus. The 134 participants in the residential program, which runs from July 14–August 3, include a new group of 44 rising eighth graders, and returning groups of 57 ninth- and 46 10th-grade students who are at BC for one, two, and three weeks, respectively. Participants are from 52 partner schools, and represent a range of communities including Boston, Brighton, Brockton, Chelsea, Dorchester, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Lawrence, Mattapan, Shrewsbury, Springfield, Waltham, and Worcester. The successful initiative—which has had an 89 percent retention rate since its launch in 2022—engages students in a dynamic program of enrichment activities and classes in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), and language arts. Electives such as 3D printing, textile arts, photography, cellular agriculture, and digital storytelling also are offered, and older students participate in field trips, overnight adventures, and volunteer experiences. Evenings include family-style dinners, small-group reflection, and quiet time before a 10 p.m. curfew. Academy
programming is designed to instill core values: tenacity, courage, and confidence (grade eight); identity, harmony, and companionship (grade nine); compassion, service, and solidarity (grade 10). [The Pine Manor Institute also operates Messina College, which welcomed its first cohort of students earlier this month. See separate story on page 1.] With The Academy in full swing, Vice President and PMI Executive Director Joy Moore sat down with the Office of University Communications to provide
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INSIDE 3 New Irish Institute Head
Mary C. Murphy is named director.
6 Climate Threat
BC scientists are studying the impact of nitrous oxide.
12 BC Arts
New TV series draws on career of CSON’s Ann Burgess.