A tribute to twenty years of dedication to the PSPVolume XIV, Issue 3 Spring 2010

Inside...Speaker Series............p.2-5PSP Awards...............p.6-8In the News..................p.8

By Brian Varian, CSOM ‘11

Photo: Marjorie Sardella

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS PROGRAM, BOSTON COLLEGE

If the Presidential ScholarsProgram were a story, there would betwo main characters driving the plot—Dr.andMrs.Sardella.FromthehumblebeginningsofthePSPin1990upthroughthe present day, Dr. and Mrs. Sardellahave crafted, nurtured, and cherishedwhat is generally regarded as oneof themostprestigiousscholarshipprogramsinthe nation. Indeed, the narrative of thePSPisfarfromconcluded,asourbelovedprogram will surely continue to expandand develop in the years and decadesahead.Butsadly,therolesofDr.andMrs.

Sardella in the PSP are rapidly drawingtoaclose.AttheendofAugust,Dr.andMrs. Sardella will be retiring from thePresidential Scholars Program, markingtheendofanera—theendofachapter—in a magnificent story which so manypeople have been privileged to enjoy. ThePresidentialScholarsProgramwas founded in 1990 byDr. Sardella, atthe behest of then University PresidentFather Monan, S.J. and Academic VicePresident FatherNeenan, S.J. TheWallStreet Council has generously fundedthe program since its inception. Afterserving on the Enrollment ManagementAdvisory Committee in the late 1980s,Dr.Sardelladevelopedakeen interest inuniversity administration. At the sametime, Father Monan and Father Neenanwere considering the formation of anacademic scholarship program to attractmore intellectually gifted students to theuniversity and increase its prominence

in American higher education. Dr.Sardella expressed the desire to becomeinvolved in such a program and wasappointed to the directorship of thePresidential Scholars Program in 1990. Yet, as Dr. Sardella points out,at that time, “The Presidential ScholarsProgramexistedontwosheetsofpaper.”In those early days,Dr. Sardella neededto cultivate the PSP and transform theprogramfromtwosheetsofpaper intoaconcreterealityforthoseBostonCollegestudents fortunate enough to partake inthe academic, social, and developmentalrichnessofthePSP.InconjunctionwiththeOfficeofUndergraduateAdmissions,ninestudentsfromamongthetoponepercentoftheapplicantpoolwereselectedtocomprisethe first class of Presidential Scholars,arriving on campus in the fall of 1991. The experiences of thosepioneer Scholars were quite differentfrom the experiences of Scholars today.Throughout its first four years, the PSPoperated out of Dr. Sardella’s office intheChemistryDepartment.Therewasanearlyversionofaneveningspeakerseriesin which, according to Mrs. Sardella,Scholars sat in a semicircle on the floorofaclassroom.Butduringthesefirstfewyears,thePSPslowlybegantotakeshape,with the summer programs focused onsocialjustice,professionalinternship,andinternational experience anchoring thePSP.AsMrs.Sardellasaysoftheprogram,“There was no blueprint; and there wasnotgoingtobeanythinglikeitoutthere.” Over the years, the Programexpanded to resemble its current formwith such additions as the PresidentialScholars Program Weekend, a facultymentor program, a weekly eveningspeaker series, the Thompson Islandexperience for the incoming freshman,openingandclosingdinners,anassistantdirector and graduate assistant, a housefor the program, an annual retreat, ansee Tribute p. 3

Dr. and Mrs. Sardella pose for a picture during one of their many evenings spent in Paris, France with Scholars.

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Senior Scholars present in-depth thesesEvening Speaker Series

Thetenthesesthatwerepresentedby senior Presidential Scholars on thenightsofApril13thand27thdemonstratednotonlytheexcellenceoftheindividualpresenters in their respective fields ofstudy,butalsoshowcasedtheincrediblywide breadth of interests and talentswithinthePresidentialScholarsProgram.In the first presentation, CarolineBeimforddiscussedtheevolutionofthe“family saga” genre throughout literaryhistory, explaininghowshewasabletoutilize some of herfavorite books andauthors in order todevelop her criticalthesis. In contrast,Erin Groden’spresentation wasbased aroundc o m p l i c a t e dbiological researchthat she performedthroughouttheschoolyear and summersin a BC laboratory.She explained, withmuch excitementand enthusiasm,how her researchlab is working tocharacterizespecificprotein productsthat are involvedin the developmentof HumanPapillomavirus, which shestates to be “kind of a big deal.”

AnothertypeofthesispresentedbytheseniorScholarswastheformidabledatathesis.CeceMcDonald’sresearchinthefieldofaccountingexaminedhowafirm’s level of executive compensationand leverage can be used to predicttheir performance in a recession,whichseemed to be highly relevant researchin the context of our country’s currenteconomic state. Next, John Pikediscussed how hewas able to integratehis interest in both economics andenvironmental studies into a data thesisthatexploredtherelationshipbetweena

nation’srentdependencyandthequalityof its governance.Hewas even able toboilhisthesisdownintoonecomplicatedequation, through which he concludedthat dependence has a negative effecton success, (with “preposterously highR-squared values” to prove it.) ChrisScullin’s thesis, on the other hand,focused on more political themes. Heinvestigated the loss of the Americanpolitical philosophy over history, andobserved that a philosophical shifthas occurred in how the fundamental

inorder togaininsight intotheconceptofrisk-takingasaresponsetoalienationand uncertainty that is prevalent in theplay. Similarly, Kelly incorporated herloveofartinordertocreateanincrediblyengaging “thesis through painting,”which explored the themes of emotion,sexualityandsufferingthroughaseriesofpaintings, which especially emphasizedhow these themes apply to averageBoston College students. Pat Passarellichanneled yet another creative power,thatoflanguageandtranslation,inorder

to translate someof Dostoyevsky’sworks fromRussian toEnglish.Throughout thisprocess,hewasableto both hone hisRussian languageskills and gaininsight into someof the plot detailsand intricacies thatwere lost in someother translations.Finally, JoeZabinski’s thesisincorporated animpossible numberof different fields,asserting thatcommon threadsare present in thetheories behindquantum physics,atonal music,and German

literature by analyzing the works ofSchrodinger, Schoenberg, and Goethe.

Thepresentationofthesetheses,which were both highly diverse andhighlyimpressive,servedtohighlighttheexcellentworkthathasbeendonebyalloftheseniorPresidentialScholars,notonlyduringthelastyear,butoverthecourseof all of their years at Boston College.ThesetheseswereclearlytheculminationofyearsofhardworkanddedicationtothefieldsthattheScholarsarepassionateabout,andcreateanexamplethatyoungerScholars will surely strive to follow.

Scholars pose after their senior thesis presentations to fellow Scholars.

Left to Right: Chris Scullin, Kelly McConnaughey, Erin Groden, Maria Perez, Patrick Passarelli, Joe Zabinski, and John Pike.

By Nadya Muchoney, A&S ‘13

ideals of the Constitution are beinginterpreted. Next,Maria Perez showedhowsheusedherexperienceasanursingstudent toevaluate the interprofessionalrelationships between nurses andphysicians, which have a large rolein defining the dynamic of a medicalworkplace and which is applicable tothe careers of all health professionals.

Finally, Sarah Lang, KellyMcConnaughey, Pat Passarelli, and JoeZabinski’spresentationsshowedthatnotallthesesarerequiredtobebasedarounddata or research. For her senior thesis,SarahdirectedtheBCproductionofBurn This,aplaybyLanfordWilson,andusedher theatrical experience with the play

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Senior Scholars present in-depth theses Former Amex President addresses Scholars

Tribute cont. from p. 1

Evening Speaker Series

alumnipanel,ayearlydayofservice,fullscholarships forScholars,andevermoreexciting and insightful trips to France. Andof course, no tribute to theSardellas would be complete withoutbriefly mentioning the France trip,which the Sardellas have fashionedto provide Scholars with the mostintellectually stimulating, memorableexperience.FollowingthesigningoftheMaastrichtTreaty in1993, theSardella’sconsidered France a natural choice foran international destination, believingthat the French culture was “…familiar,but not too familiar.” AsMrs. Sardellareflects, “Every year, each class bringssomethingnewandexcitingtotheFrancetrip.” Over the years, the Sardellashave forged connectionswith a networkof professionals throughout Francewho annually address the PresidentialScholars and challenge them to grapplewith the social, historical, political,and religious nuances of the culture.

When describing his vision forthePSP,Dr.Sardellasaysthathewantedthe program to include, “…the ideals ofIgnatian reflection and commitment to

service thatwould be identifiable acrossthe board.” On that note,Mrs. Sardellahasattributedthesuccessoftheprogramto the fact that, “Dr.Sardellahaskept itfocused on Ignatian ideals.” The PSPconsistentlyemphasizestheJesuitnotionofservantleadershipandusingourskillsto assist the underserved members ofsociety, which makes the PresidentialScholars Program unique amongscholarship programs in the country.

For Dr. and Mrs. Sardella, thePSP has been a wellspring of personalgrowth,whichhasmade each and everyday soworthwhile for them. AccordingtoDr.Sardella, “ThedifferencebetweenbeingaprofessorandthePSPdirectorisan intimate knowledge of students andthe challenges confronting them.” Dr.Sardella has savored the opportunity toguidestudentsthroughdifficultsituations,sharinginthesorrowsandjoysofScholars,during their fouryearshere andbeyond.AsforMrs.Sardella,“BecauseofworkingwiththePresidentialScholarsProgram,Ihave gained confidence inmyself,muchmorethanIeverhad.”Andofcourse,theSardella’shavegrownintheirrelationshipwitheachother,whichremainsasstrongas

ever,evenafterseventeentripstoFrance. Inspeaking forbothherselfandherhusband,Mrs.Sardellastates,“Wedonotlookbackontheprogramasawhole,we look back on individuals.” Over thepast twenty years, the Sardellas haveblessed so many individuals with theirwisdom,direction,andlove.BothDr.andMrs.Sardellasaythattheyarehonored—trulyhonored to havebeen a part of thePresidentialScholarsProgram.Andover200 Scholars from the past two decadeshavebeenhonoredtoknowbothofyou.AsyoulookbackuponthecountlessphotosthatMrs.Sardellahastakenovertheyears,it isourhopethatyouwillrecallfondly,andwithuntoldsatisfaction,yourlegacy,which,asyousaid,hasbeentheindividualsof the Presidential Scholars Program.

Father James Keenan, S.J., from the Theology Department at Boston College will become the next Presidential Scholars Program Director effective September 1, 2010. Father Keenan has been working and will continue to work with Dr. Sardella and Assistant Director, Jennie Thomas to ensure a smooth transition in leadership.

Founded in 1850, AmericanExpressranksamongtheoldestsurvivingcompanies in the United States; witha market capitalization of well over$100 billion, it ranks among the largest.This Dow Jones Industrial Averagepossesses one of the most valuablebrandnames in theworld, and its iconichead of a Roman soldier is a familiarsymbol to generations of Americans.It is obvious why the PresidentialScholars Program was tremendouslyhonored when Al Kelly, President ofAmerican Express addressed Scholarson the evening of February 16, 2010.

ThesurprisinglyunassumingandconversationalMr.Kellybegantheeveningbydescribinghis interestingcareerpath,whichstartedintheReaganWhiteHouseand ultimately led to a different sort ofpresidency—the presidency ofAmericanExpress.Whiledescribinghiscareer,Mr.Kellystronglyrecommended toScholarsthattheytakeadvantageofeverypersonalconnection and networking opportunity

possible, emphasizing the strongconnectionsamongBostonCollegealumni.

In describing his position asPresidentofAmericanExpress,Mr.Kellycalledattentiontothedailyfluctuationsinthe extent of his responsibilities and thegravity of his decisions. He stated thata president’s pay is simply an averagedaily pay. On days when crucial andrisky decisions must be reached, thepresident is underpaid; on days whenthepresidentdoes littlemore thancheckemails, the president is overpaid. Mr.KellycitedSeptember11thasatimewhenhemadeandexecutedsomeverycrucialdecisions absolutely necessary to ensurethe survival of American Express. Onthe afternoonofSeptember11,2001,heandhisassistantsbegansearchingfornewofficespace,asMr.Kellyknewitwouldbemonthsbefore anyAmericanExpressemployees would be allowed backinto its old headquarters in Manhattan.

All the while, the focus of Mr.Kelly’s address to the Scholars wasleadershipandtheessentialcharacteristics

underpinning it. Over the years, he hasdevelopedaten-partmodelforsuccessfulleadership,acompilationofcharacteristicsand attributes, each beginning with a“C.” For example, one attribute of asuccessfulleaderisconviction,theabilityto act according to stronglyheldbeliefs.Mr. Kelly has been quite discriminatingin deciding which attributes to includein his model, leaving out such “C”qualities as charisma. He noted thatthere are many people with charismawho are nevertheless poor leaders.

Mr. Kelly did a wonderful joboffering Scholars a flavor of corporateAmerica.Atthesametime,itwasstrikinghow similar the qualities for successfulleadership in a giant corporation are tothose on a college campus. And Mr.Kelly made this similarity explicit. Onthatnote,KariO’Neil,CSOM’11states,“What was great about Mr. Kelly’spresentationwasthathewasabletogiveadvice that resonated with the entireprogram, not only the business world.”

By Brian Varian, CSOM ‘11

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Ambassador Burns sparks political discussion

OntheeveningofTuesday,March24th, Ambassador Nicholas Burns spokebeforethePresidentialScholars.Currentlya professor at Harvard University,Ambassador Burns is a graduate of theBostonCollegeClassof1978andhassincebeenbusydevelopingahighlyimpressiveresumé. In the span of his career, heworked as a member of the NationalSecurity Council (1990-1995), as StateDepartment Spokesman (1995-1997), asAmbassador toGreece (1997-2001), andas Ambassador to NATO (2001-2005).From 2005-2008 he worked as UnderSecretaryofStateforPoliticalAffairsandled negotiations on the US-India CivilNuclearAgreement,a long-termmilitaryassistance agreement with Israel, andled US nuclear negotiations with Iran.

Ambassador Burns spoke tothe Presidential Scholars about what heviewed as the major problems presentlyfacing the Obama Administration,addressing the two different wars beingfoughtatonce, theglobal recession, andthe growing nuclear powers of NorthKoreaandIran.HespokeoftheapproachthatObamawasusingtohandleproblems,such as, pulling troops from Iraq and

surging into Afghanistan- and analyzedtheeffectivenessoftheseactions.Fightingtwofull-outwars,hesaid,wasimpossible

Evening Speaker Series

for a country with a militaryassmallas thatof theUnitedStates. It has also never beendone before in US history.AccordingtoBurns,beginningto end the war in Iraq is themost advantageous way tohandlethewarinAfghanistan,which, prior to the surge,was not going in our favor.

Ambassador Burnsalso spoke of other importantissues facing us today, issuesthat will need to be dealtwith by our generation. Hehad the audience name somemajor problems in our worldand built up a list consistingof poverty, famine,war, drugcartels,humantrafficking,andmuchmore.Hethenaskedthequestionofhowtheseproblemscould best be addressed.Thisquestionbroughtupa subjectthat has been debated in thiscountry since its founding:isolationism versus engagement andtheroleoftheUSinworldaffairsinthe near future. Of the issues listedabove, Ambassador Burns said,none of them could be solved without

the participationof all nationsw o r k i n gt o g e t h e r .I s o l a t i on i smis no longer avalid choicefor the UnitedStates becauseit will onlye x a c e r b a t ethe problemsalreadypresent.Next, the roleofAmericawasdiscussed ingreater detail,and thoughAmb a s s a d o rB u r n smentioned that

the US would remain a great political,military, economic, and democraticpower,itwouldalsohavetolearntoshare

thelimelightwithupcomingsuperpowerssuch as China, Brazil, and India.

Ambassador Burns then openedthe floor to questions, which includedqueries about his own career track,economic problems in Europe, and thedangersofIranandhowitshouldbedealtwith.Hetalkedingreaterdetailaboutthejourney he had taken leading him to hiscurrent position and how he did so bytaking every opportunity offered to him,encouragingScholarstofollowhisexample.

Ambassador Burns captivatedthe Scholars not only by his greatknowledge of United States diplomacy,but also by the worlds of experiencethat supported his discussion. He isnot just a theorist who has studied theissueshespokeonfromafar,heactuallyexperienced them directly. AmbassadorBurns has led a fascinating life thus far,offering Scholars wisdom and insightdrawnfromtheseinterestingexperiences.

By Sasha Savinkina, A&S ‘13

Ambassador Burns engages Scholars dur-ing his discussion of the problems facing the Obama Administration

Photo Courtesy of: Marjorie Sardella

Photo Courtesy of: Marjorie Sardella

Sophomore Scholar Ola Jachtorowicz asks Ambassador Burns a question after his presentation to Scholars.

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Alumni presenters pose together after providing brief overviews of their expe-riences at BC and beyond to current Scholars.

Photo: Marjorie Sardella

Evening Speaker SeriesAlumni return with rich and diverse experiences

On Tuesday, March 16th, thePresidential Scholars Program hosted itsannual Alumni Panel where four alumniScholarsofdiversebackgroundssharedtheirexperiencesandofferedhelpfulinsightoncollegiatelifeanditsmanypossiblerewards.Asaneventthatistraditionallyorganizedby current Scholars, senior Scholar PatPassarelli and sophomore Scholar AdiAshokcoordinatedthisyear’salumnipanel. Michelle Knight, an alumnusfromtheclassof1998began theeveningby speaking about her ambitions, as anundergraduate Englishmajor, to pursue acareer in journalism.A panel for Englishmajors that she attended during herundergraduate career at BC, however,changedhermodeofthinkingandsparkedarealizationinKnight’smindthatshehadtheskillsandknowledgetopursueavarietyofcareers.Thisdiscoveryledhertopursuea Master of Business Administration atBostonCollege and upon graduation, shelanded her first job at themajor financialcorporation, JP Morgan. Although sheenjoyed her time at JP Morgan, sheeventuallydecidedtopursueanewjoband,Knight described the difficulty inmakingthisdecision.HernewjobastheDirectorofFixedIncomeatAtlanticTrustrequiredalotoftimeandcommitment.Thishigh-

stress environment coupled with a majorcrisis inwhichshelearnedthat thelifeofherfirstchildwasinseriousdanger,forcedKnighttoreevaluateherpriorities.Throughafriend,shefoundasuitablejobthatletherhaveflexiblehours.Currently,KnightistheDirector of Fixed Income at SilverBridgeAdvisorsandisafrequentcolumnistforamajorfinancialpublication,aperfectblendof her undergraduateEnglish degreewithherMBA.Despiteherextremelysuccessfuland fulfilling corporate career, Knightended her introduction by emphasizingthat being a mother always came first. The second alumnus to speakabouthisexperiencewasDonSchuerman.A graduate of the class of 1997,Schuerman faced a peculiar problem asan undergraduate because of his uniquechoice to double major in Physics andPhilosophy.Eventually,however,hefoundtheperfectjobthatcombinedbothofthoseskills—a career in technical sales. HeexplainedthathisfocusinPhilosophyhadgivenhimtheverbalskillstocommunicatewith consumers. On the other hand, hisPhysicsbackgroundgavehimtheskillstounderstandanddescribethetechnicaldetailsof the products. Schuerman reassured theScholarsthattheperfectjobexistsouttheresomewhere,althoughitoftentakesquitealongtimetodiscover.Healsoemphasizedtheimportanceofkeepingupwithhobbies.

He, over theyears,haskeptupwithhishobbyofimprovisationalcomedy, whichhas led himto become theDirector ofProgramming atImprov Boston,a career that hepursues alongwith his workat Pegasystems.S c h u e r m a nalso noted hewas unique inthe fact that hehas stayed withP e g a s y s t ems ,

Inc. for his entire career. Hegained much experience withmany jobs all within one company.

Thethirdspeaker,EmilyVenanzi,Classof1999,spokeextensivelyaboutherinterestinBiochemistry.Sheexplainedhowshecametoherlifeasaresearcher.Shehadconducted researchduringher sophomoreyear atBCwith aprofessor and instantlyfell in lovewith it.Shechose topursueaPhD in Immunology because she wantedtodealwithafieldofsciencethatheavilyinvolvedhumanbeings.Venanzispokeofspendingthefirsteightyearsofhercareerin research laboratories.After those eightyears,shesaidshefelt“alittleburntout”anddecidedtotakeabreak.Shemovedontostartingafamily.Venanzi,likeKnight,explained how her family now takespriorityoverhercareer.Shedoes,however,aimtopursueacareerinthelibrarysystemsothatshecancontinuetobeapartofherfamily,whileat thesame timepursueherpassion through scientific publications. The fourth and last speaker,TaylorHeyen, a graduate of theClass of2006, spoke of her recent transition intotheworkforce.ShebeganherstudiesatBCas aHistory andWomen’sStudiesmajor.Her interest in politics, however, droveher to pursue and complete an internshipinWashingtonD.C.thesummerfollowingher junior year at the University. Theexperience was disillusioning and Heyenrealizedshenolongerwantedtopursueacareer involving politics.With her careerdirectionunclear,Taylordecidedtofollowtheadviceofa friendwhosuggested thatshe pursue a career in consulting. Herpersonality and outgoing manner seemedtofitthemoldoftheconsultingworldquitewell. After interviewing, she accepted ajob in consulting atAccenture inBoston,MAinwhichshestayedfortwoyearsaftergraduation.ShehasrecentlyacceptedanewjobwithForresterResearchastheAdvisortotheForresterLeadershipBoards.Heyenemphasizedcollegenetworkingbecauseofhowitassistedherwithpursuingacareer.

A universalmessagewas clearlyestablished during this presentation; nomatter where your major, ambitions,or personal expectations lead you inlife, there will always be opportunitiesopen to you. The evening ended withan inspiring statement from Schuerman,“You can do just about anything.”

By Helen Jiang, A&S ‘13

Photo Courtesy of: Marjorie Sardella

PSP Awards University Honors

Order of the Cross & CrownTheOrderoftheCrossandCrownistheArts&Scienceshonorsocietyforseniorswho,whileachievinganaverageofatleastA-,haveestablishedrecordsofunusualserviceandleadershiponthecampus.

Scott Jelinek (Chief Marshal)Sarah Lang (Marshal)Joseph Zabinski

Deans’ ScholarsEachyearaselectgroupofthebrightestyoungscholarsintheA&SjuniorclassarehonoredbytheDeanofA&SasDeans’Scholars.Theyareselectedonthebasisoftheiroverallacademicperformance,therecommendationsfromtheirdepartmentalfaculty,theirco-curricularinitiatives,andthesenseofpurposewithwhichtheyapproachtheirfuture.

Kathryn GoettlChris GriesedieckAnne KornahrensColleen MaherCourtney McKeeScott MolonyLeon RatzAndrew RiveraHope SullivanShane Ulbrich

Sophomore ScholarsEachyearthemostacademicallydistinguishedmembersofthesophomoreclassarehonoredasSophomoreScholars.Theyoungscholarsbelowhaveachievedanacademicrankingthatplacestheminthetopthreepercentoftheirclassofmorethan1,500andhavealsoreceivedtherecognitionandnominationoftheirmajordepartments.

Aditya AshokMichael CuttlerAlexander GoldowskySamuel HockingKaren KovakaAbigail LetakJessica SeminelliChristopher SheridanZachary Zimmermann

Phi Beta KappaPhiBetaKappaisthemostprestigiousacademichonorssocietyintheUnitedStates.Annuallyitelectstomembershipthemostoutstandingseniors(andahandfuloftrulyexceptionaljuniors),basedonsuperiorscholarshipandgoodcharacter.

Class of 2010Caroline BeimfordSarah LangAna MascagniKelly McConnagheyCecelia McDonald – Initiated in 2009Jonathan PikeChris ScullinAndrew Steck

Class of 2011Chris GriesedieckCourtney McKee

Alpha Sigma NuAlphaSigmaNuisanationalJesuithonorsociety.ItwasstartedatMarquetteUniversityin1915andtodayhaschaptersinthe28USJesuitcollegesanduniversities,Weston,andBerkeleySchoolsofTheologyandSogangUniversityinKorea.Admissionisbasedonscholarship,loyalty,andservice.

Class of 2010Caroline BeimfordKelly McConnaugheyJonathan PikeChris ScullinAndrew SteckJoseph Zabinski

Class of 2011Kari O’NeilJose PerezBrian Varian (BC Chapter President)Colleen Maher

Omicron Delta EpsilonEconomicsHonorsSociety

Kari O’Neil

Theta Alpha KappaNationalHonorSocietyofTheology

Shane Ulbrich

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Stylus AwardTheStylusisBostonCollege’sliteraryandartmagazine.ItistheoldestclubatBostonCollegeandoneoftheoldestcollegiateliterarymagazinesinthecountry.Theawardisgiventoanoutstandingcontributortotheliterarymagazine.

Kelly McConnaughey ‘10

CRC Press Freshman Chemistry Achievement AwardThisawardisgiventotwooutstandingfreshmanchemistrystudentsineachincomingclass,basedonperformanceinGeneralChemistryandinthehonorscourse,PrinciplesofModernChemistry.

Rachel Newmiller ‘13

Advanced Study Grant WinnersTheBostonCollegeAdvancedStudyGrantswereestablishedtoencourage,support,andgivevisiblerecognitiontofirstandsecondyearstudentswhohavethatspecialsparkofscholarlyinitiativeandimagination.Grantsareforstudent-designedprojectsandareawardedforsummer“skillacquisition”projectsthatpromisetoacceleratetheapplicant’sprogressinthemajorfieldofstudy.Alistofthisyear’sPSPwinnersandtheirprojectsarebelow.

Michael Cuttler, A&S ‘12Under the Sea: To support skill acquisition in instrument calibration for a study of sediment transport from the continental shelf to the Ebro margin.

Elizabeth Fair, A&S ‘12Autism Spectrum Disorder Intervention: To support a research internship at a center for specialized services for ASD children.

Karen Kovaka, A&S ‘12The Science of Hunger: To support research into agricultural development in Bangalore, India.

Abigail Letak, A&S ‘12Experience and Belief: To support research into the link between Catholic adolescents’ experience and their interpretations of Catholic teachings and modern societal values.

Christopher Sheridan, A&S ‘12Translation Moments: To support advanced intensive study of German in Munich.

Beckman Scholarship for Undergraduate Research Students in Chemistry and Biological Sciences

Courtney McKee ’11

Non-University Awards, Honor, Fellowships or Scholarships

Fulbright GrantsPatrick Passarelli ‘10, English Teaching Assistantsip, Russia

Joseph Zabinski ‘10, Research in thePhilosophy of Science & Music, Vienna, Austria

Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program

Anne Kornahrens ’11

Commencement AwardsSchool of Arts and Sciences

Scholar of the CollegeScholaroftheCollegeisaspecialdesignationconferredatCommencementonseniorswhohavesuccessfullycompletedparticularlycreative,scholarly,andambitiousindependentresearchprojectswhilemaintaininganoverallcumulativegradepointaverageofA-orbetter.

Joseph Zabinski

Mary A. & Katherine G. Finneran AwardAnaward,thegiftofMissesElizabethandTheresaFinneran,giventothestudentwhohasachievedoutstandingsuccessinstudies,whilealsodevotingtimeandtalentstootheractivitiesfortheenrichmentoftheCollegeandstudentlife.

Scott Jelinek

J. Robert Barth, S.J., Award for Excellence in the ArtsAnawardinhonoroftheDeanoftheCollegeofArtsandSciences(1988-1999),whoestablishedandnurtureddepartmentsandprogramsinthearts.ThisawardispresentedannuallytoaseniorwhohasmadeoutstandingcontributionstoBostonCollegeinthefineorperformingarts.

Sarah Lang

PSP Awards

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PSP Awards

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J. Paul Marcoux AwardAnawardinhonorofJ.PaulMarcoux,ProfessorofTheateratBostonCollege(1964-1994),presentedannuallytoaseniorTheatermajorforexcellenceandgrowth,bothacademicallyandartistically,overtheirfouryearsatBostonCollege.

Sarah Lang

Richard & Marianne Martin Award for Studio ArtInmemoryofRichardandMarianneMartinfortheirdedicationtotheidealsorart,andfortheirunstintingdevotiontothegoalsandvaluesofBostonCollege.TwoawardsaregivenbytheBostonCollegeFriendsofArt:onetoanoutstandingscholarinArtHistory,theothertoastudentwhoexcelsinStudioArt.

Kelly McConnaughey

Alice E. Bourneuf AwardInhonorofAliceE.Bourneuf,ProfessorofEconomicsatBostonCollege(1959-1977),thisawardisgiventoanoutstandingseniorinEconomicsbasedonachievementinbothmajorandnon-majorcourses,strengthofcurriculum,qualityofwrittenandcreativework,andattitudetowardthestudyofEconomics.

Cecelia McDonald

John F. Norton AwardAnawardinhonorofJohnF.Norton’22,BostonCollegeprofessor(1926-1965),giventothestudentwhobestpersonifiesthetraditionofhumanisticscholarship.

Cecilia McDonald

Giffuni PrizeAnawardsponsoredbytheGiffuniFamilyFundinhonorofVincentGiffuni(BC’65),giventoaseniorwhohaswrittenanoutstandingthesisineconomics.

AndrewSteck

Albert McGuinn, S.J., AwardThisawardisinmemoryofthelateAlbertMcGuinn,S.J.,long-timeChairmanoftheChemistryDepartmentatBostonCollege,andpresentedtotheseniorcandidatefortheBachelorofSciencedegree.Therecipienthasmostsuccessfullycombinedproficiencyinamajorfieldofstudywithachievements,eitheracademic,extracurricular,oracombinationofboth,inthesocialsciencesorhumanities.

Joseph Zabinski

Scholar and Alumni UpdatesAna Mascagni ’10wasselectedtopresentherthesis,“YouthMentoringRelationships:Cross-ClassDynamics”attheBos-tonCollegeGraduateScholarshipSymposium.Shewasoneoffifteenstudentsselectedtopresentatthisconference.

Scott Molony ‘11 wasrecentlyawardedTheINSEITFel-lowship,giventotoyoungscholarsinthefieldofComputerEthicsbytheInternationalSocietyforEthicsandInformationTechnology(INSEIT)asawaytoencouragecollaborationbetweenjuniorandseniorscholars.Alongwitha$250grant,theINSEITFellowshippairstwoscholarstogether,withtheexpectationthatthecollaborativepairwillproduceapaperinayear’stime.ScotthasbeenpairedwithRichardSpinello,hisScholaroftheCollegeThesisadvisor,andisthefirstunder-graduateeverawardedthisprestigiousfellowship.

Brian Tracz ’12isbeingpublishedinArché,BostonUniver-sity’sundergraduatephilosophyjournal.Hisarticleistitled“TheSynopticImage:FusingtheWorldviewDichotomy.”HewillalsobeattendingtheIllinoisSummerNeuroscienceInsti-

tuteatUniversityofIllinoisUrbana-Champaignasavisitingstudent.

Patricia Noonan ‘07wasrecentlychosenasoneofahand-fulofperformerstosingat“Sondheimat80”attheKennedyCenter.Thiseventwasacelebrationofthe80thbirthdayof16-timeTonyAward-winningcomposerandlyricistStephenSondheimandincludedaconcertofhisgreatesthits.Inad-dition,Patriciasangthenationalanthematthisyear’sWallStreetCouncilDinnerattheWaldorfAstoriainNewYork,NewYork.

TheparentsoflatePSPalumniBrian Gray ‘01haveestab-lishedascholarshipfundinhisname.Tofundthisscholarship,theyareusingtheincomefrompatentsonanewchemicalre-agentthatisfindingwideuseinorganicsynthesisreactionsandthatBrianestablishedduringhisundergraduateyearsatBC.

Zach Zimmerman ‘12 isarecentrecipientofaCloughCen-terCivicGrantandanACCIACResearchGrant.

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Congratulations, Class of 2010!

On April 22, senior Scholars, PSP Director Dr. Sardella, Assistant Director Jennie Thomas, and PSP Photographer Marjorie Sardella attended the annual Wall Street Council Tribute Dinner in New York City. Joining the Scholars at the Waldorf Astoria were Fr. Leahy, major donors, and this year’s honoree Francis C. Rooney, Jr., Chairman, H.H. Brown Shoe Co., Inc.

Front row (left to right): Peter Wojda, Cecilia McDonald, Chiara Rivas-Morello, Erin Groden, Lea Yared, Ana Mas-cagni, Sarah Lang, Caroline Beimford, Maria Perez, Kelly McConnaughey, Ryan Beck. Back Row (left to right): Jon-athan Pike, John Flowers, Patrick Passarelli, Joseph Zabinski, Jennie Thomas, Rev. William P. Leahy, Francis C. Rooney, Jr., Frances Rooney, Marjorie Sardella, Dr. Dennis Sardella, Andrew Steck, Scott Jelinek, Chris Scullin.

On the morning of April 23, the class of 2010 and Program administrators were given a tour of the New York Stock Ex-change (shown above). They then had a photo-op in front of the bull on Wall Street (pictured at left.) Photo Courtesy of: Marjorie Sardella

Bread for the JourneyOpportunity & Duty

We have before us not only an opportunity, but an historic duty. It is in our hands to join our strength, taking sustenance from our diversity, honoring our rich and varied traditions and culture, but acting together for the protection and benefit of us all.

Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, First President of Ghana

Boston College Presidential Scholars Program122 College Road•Chestnut Hill, MA 02467