The four Neenan Scholars profiled here represent hundreds of other Boston College students who are benefiting from financial aid monies raised through the 2008-2009 Neenan Challenge. Thank you!
Kimberly A. Martin
Class of 2010
Connell School of Nursing
When Kim was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 15, it was the beginning of a life often spent in the medical world. And Kim’s fascination with that world, as well as her appreciation of the care she’s received and her desire to “give back,” convinced Kim that she wanted to become a nurse. She recognized that because of her personal experience, she “could bring a lot to the table” and help kids with the disease.
Boston College has provided Kim with an excellent path toward her goal. Her education has been, on the one hand, focused and practical; on the other, broad and well-rounded. She has spent time in teaching hospitals doing the real hands-on clinical jobs of nurses. She’s also worked on a core curriculum that’s covered liberal arts topics she’s greatly enjoyed, including philosophy, history, and English. “I feel like this education is helping prepare me for nursing, but also shaping me,” she says.
As for the financial aid that’s been awarded to Kim through the Neenan Challenge, she is enthusiastically grateful. “The alumni influence at BC is huge,” she says. “People love this school and want to give back.” She notes that she wouldn’t have been able to attend Boston College if it weren’t for the generosity of alumni. “I’m very appreciative,” says the nurse-to-be.
Eddy Hernandez-Perez
Class of 2010
College of Arts and Sciences
Boston College has shown Eddy what he’s capable of.
When he came Massachusetts all the way from Anaheim, California, the transition was unsettling and difficult. But, he says, the compassionate and kind faculty and students helped him adjust to the change and made him feel at home.
The BC professors have challenged Eddy to cultivate his talents. For example, he never considered himself a strong writer before college. But at BC, Professor Eileen Donovan-Kranz “saw something” in him and encouraged him to express himself through writing. Thanks to that confidence in him and guidance, he earned the Dever Writers Award for his performance during his first year at the University.
Financial aid has given Eddy opportunities he wouldn’t have had otherwise. After he came to BC, his parents found themselves in financial straits when they both lost their jobs. “Staying in college became questionable for me,” says Eddy. Consequently, the Neenan Challenge and scholarship “hit very close to home” for him. The financial aid made it possible for him to pursue his education without having to work full-time simultaneously. “It’s been amazing,” says Eddy, who is now looking at law schools and taking the LSATs. “I couldn’t have done this without BC’s donors.”
Alexandra L. Valdez
Class of 2010
College of Arts and Sciences
“The Jesuits emphasize cura personalis,” says Alexandra. “And I have truly experienced that ‘care for the entire person’ at Boston College. My time here has led to holistic growth for me— in my heart, my mind, and my soul.”
As for the academic aspect, she says, “I love learning—truly. I am legitimately interested in almost everything.” She chose her history major largely because it enabled her to “take a look at a lot of things: philosophy, theology, literature, art, and science.”
A high point of her BC experience was when Alexandra spent her junior year in Germany conducting research about the German youth during the Second World War, with a focus on Catholic groups that survived the duration of the war.
Now a senior, Alex is looking forward to continuing her education in order to become the kind of professor that she has found so inspirational at Boston College. “This place will always hold a special place in my heart,” she says. “I entertain thoughts of returning to teach after I complete my doctorate.”
When she contemplates the Neenan Challenge and the thousands of alumni who made gifts, Alex says, “It’s impressive, but it’s not surprising. People genuinely love BC—for the people they meet, the education they receive, and the spirit of the place. It’s really home for so many of us.” To all the Neenan donors she says, “I’d just like to express my sincere gratitude. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Robert J. Choi
Class of 2011
Carroll School of Management
Robert’s ambition and enthusiasm come through when he talks about his journey to and through Boston College. A marketing major and human development minor, he was drawn to Boston College by its strong business program. And his experience at the University has convinced him that he made the right choice. His education is not only preparing him for the world of business, he says, but the world in general.
Beyond learning about organizational behavior, management, and e-commerce and honing his public speaking skills, Robert says that he appreciates what he’s learned in his science coursework, as well as in his non-class time with professors, whom he describes as “very generous with their knowledge.”
He greatly appreciates all that Boston College offers him, from the resource-rich libraries to the many on-campus employment opportunities to the rich history of the BC campus itself. He participates in intramural soccer and basketball and attends events like dean’s coffees, where he gets to spend time with professors and students who are in their senior year.
He says he was “shocked and thrilled” when so many alumni participated in the Neenan Challenge and he was granted a scholarship. In his classes, he’s heard plenty of less-than-rosy assessments of the current economy, which makes the generosity all the more striking. “I really want to thank everyone,” he says. “To receive this help is such an honor.”