• Family Practice: Garrett Stonehouse '91 and Jodi Stonehouse '91 • Committment to Education • Taming Star Power • Advancement home

When Garrett and Jodi Stonehouse, both Class of 1991, reflect on their years at Boston College, a feeling of abundant opportunity stands out. "A newness surrounded each year at BC, as if anything were possible," Garrett recalls. The Stonehouses say they believe this arose, in part, from BC's Jesuit tradition, with its high academic and moral standards. It also stemmed from the way the University continually worked to enhance the educational experience for students. "During our four years there, the O'Neill Library was built, the Carroll School of Management was renovated, and Conte Forum was constructed. These improvements set a tone for the students," says Jodi.

It was during this time of growth and progress that the Stonehouses first met, and they say they feel grateful to BC for its role in launching their life together. "Our relationship sparked at the beginning of our sophomore year while we were standing in line together at Academic Services, waiting to add and drop classes," says Garrett. "Fifteen years and three children later, we still have a strong connection to the University," says Jodi. "If we hadn’t experienced the supportive environment that we found there, things might not have happened the way they did."

The Stonehouses both say that BC gave them the skills and inspiration they needed to aim high in their personal and professional lives. Garrett, who is principal and cofounder of MCG Global, LLC, a private equity firm based in Westport, Conn., where he and Jodi reside, says he continues to draw on some of his college courses. "I had a class my senior year that was taught by a former president of the Boston Federal Reserve Bank. It was a great economics and business course that turned out to be very applicable to the real world of business," says Garrett.

These days, taking advantage of all BC has to offer is a family affair for the Stonehouses. They take their children along to events and concerts on campus. "We get to see friends we've known for years, and we can share that with our kids," says Garrett. "It's such a positive feeling that we want other people to experience it as well."

To help ensure that BC can continue to provide students with the kinds of opportunities that have shaped their own lives, the Stonehouses recently made a significant contribution to the University. Made in honor of their 15th class reunion, their gift has been designated, in equal parts, to the Carroll School of Management and the Flynn Fund, which supports athletics at BC. The Stonehouses see each of those areas as critical to the future of Boston College. "Athletics are a great source of enrichment for students and can raise the University's visibility," says Garrett. "And we’re both in the business world now," says Jodi, who is president of their newly established, family-run wine import and wholesale business. "We know how important the business sector is to this country, and it's crucial that BC have strong programs in this area."

The couple both enjoyed serving as volunteers on their 15th Reunion Gift Committee, and say the experience added to what feels like an ever-growing network of BC alumni in their lives. "It's amazing, given the School's size, how many BC graduates we've met in business and social settings," says Garrett. "Every time we meet someone who went to BC there is an instant connection," adds Jodi, "because every graduate we meet has the same positive memories of his or her college years that we do."