John D. Donovan
be a trailblazer at BC
When John Donovan entered Boston College in 1935, its campus consisted of just four buildings—St. Mary’s, Bapst, Gasson, and Devlin. No students lived at school; no women attended.
Donovan’s first class in sociology sparked a lifelong fascination. “Sociology was a brand-new discipline. Because we didn’t know much about psychology, it was the tool to understand human behavior,” he recalls. Donovan would become a highly respected researcher and influential professor.
First came World War II. After leaving the Army with a Bronze Star for his service during the invasion of Europe, Donovan returned to the U.S. to complete his doctorate. He taught at Fordham University until returning to Boston College in 1952. “In the post-war period, there was enormous growth in higher education, leading to a much more positive, open atmosphere in academia. This contributed to the growth of sociology, which was considered somewhat suspect when I started,” he explains.
Donovan has had a front-row seat for BC’s tremendous growth over the last three-quarters of a century—and as one of the founding members of the University’s sociology department, he helped lead that change. Today, he remains active in the BC community, having served as the Class of 1939 correspondent for Boston College Magazine for the last 25 years.
Donovan and Mary, his wife of 62 years, live in Westborough, Mass.
What has been the most satisfying moment in your professional life?
Experiencing the gradual acceptance of sociology as a discipline by the Catholic Church.
In your personal life?
I’ve been lucky as all hell. Lovely bride, kids, grandkids, great-grands—just plain lucky.
What do you look forward to each day?
Getting up, being healthy, enjoying family, and getting out. I’ve given up hockey and football, but I still play a little golf.
How do you relax?
Easily.
What is your fondest BC memory?
Going to New York, Philadelphia, and Washington with the Fulton Debating Society—the first time I’d ever traveled.
Where did you live freshman year?
At home; we all did. I took the 7:19 a.m. train from Peabody into North Station, got on the streetcar, then walked up to campus from Lake Street, wearing the required jacket and tie.
What is one thing everyone should do while at BC?
Study!
How have you changed since graduation?
Probably not a lot. My wife says I’m still in the ivory tower.
What is your next goal?
I beg your pardon? I’m going to be 94 in a few days!
What is the secret to success?
I don’t know it. It’s all relative, in any case. Who defines success?
Why did you decide to attend BC?
I had gone to St. John’s Prep and received a scholarship to BC. For a working-class family, that scholarship meant everything.
What was your favorite BC class?
Sociology with George Fitzgibbon. I took some philosophy courses I enjoyed as well.
What was your favorite BC activity?
In addition to the debating society, Cross and Crown, an honors society.
How much can you sing of the BC fight song?
Well, I recall it.
What was the best meal at the BC dining hall?
There was no dining hall—just a cafeteria in a basement run by a guy named Sully. Most of us brought sandwiches from home.
Where is your favorite spot at the Heights?
My office—it’s where I lived, most of the time.
What is something your friends don’t know about you?
Most of my friends are no longer alive, so I really couldn’t say.
Who would play you in the film version of your life?
I have no idea—I can’t imagine anyone wanting to take that on!
When John Donovan entered Boston College in 1935, its campus consisted of just four buildings—St. Mary’s, Bapst, Gasson, and Devlin. No students lived at school; no women attended.
Donovan’s first class in sociology sparked a lifelong fascination. “Sociology was a brand-new discipline. Because we didn’t know much about psychology, it was the tool to understand human behavior,” he recalls. Donovan would become a highly respected researcher and influential professor.
First came World War II. After leaving the Army with a Bronze Star for his service during the invasion of Europe, Donovan returned to the U.S. to complete his doctorate. He taught at Fordham University until returning to Boston College in 1952. “In the post-war period, there was enormous growth in higher education, leading to a much more positive, open atmosphere in academia. This contributed to the growth of sociology, which was considered somewhat suspect when I started,” he explains.
Donovan has had a front-row seat for BC’s tremendous growth over the last three-quarters of a century—and as one of the founding members of the University’s sociology department, he helped lead that change. Today, he remains active in the BC community, having served as the Class of 1939 correspondent for Boston College Magazine for the last 25 years.
Donovan and Mary, his wife of 62 years, live in Westborough, Mass.
What has been the most satisfying moment in your professional life?
Experiencing the gradual acceptance of sociology as a discipline by the Catholic Church.
In your personal life?
I’ve been lucky as all hell. Lovely bride, kids, grandkids, great-grands—just plain lucky.
What do you look forward to each day?
Getting up, being healthy, enjoying family, and getting out. I’ve given up hockey and football, but I still play a little golf.
How do you relax?
Easily.
What is your fondest BC memory?
Going to New York, Philadelphia, and Washington with the Fulton Debating Society—the first time I’d ever traveled.
Where did you live freshman year?
At home; we all did. I took the 7:19 a.m. train from Peabody into North Station, got on the streetcar, then walked up to campus from Lake Street, wearing the required jacket and tie.
What is one thing everyone should do while at BC?
Study!
How have you changed since graduation?
Probably not a lot. My wife says I’m still in the ivory tower.
What is your next goal?
I beg your pardon? I’m going to be 94 in a few days!
What is the secret to success?
I don’t know it. It’s all relative, in any case. Who defines success?
Why did you decide to attend BC?
I had gone to St. John’s Prep and received a scholarship to BC. For a working-class family, that scholarship meant everything.
What was your favorite BC class?
Sociology with George Fitzgibbon. I took some philosophy courses I enjoyed as well.
What was your favorite BC activity?
In addition to the debating society, Cross and Crown, an honors society.
How much can you sing of the BC fight song?
Well, I recall it.
What was the best meal at the BC dining hall?
There was no dining hall—just a cafeteria in a basement run by a guy named Sully. Most of us brought sandwiches from home.
Where is your favorite spot at the Heights?
My office—it’s where I lived, most of the time.
What is something your friends don’t know about you?
Most of my friends are no longer alive, so I really couldn’t say.
Who would play you in the film version of your life?
I have no idea—I can’t imagine anyone wanting to take that on!