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The Class of 2004 that is the focus of this annual report owes a great deal to Fr. Fulton and to so many others who over the course of 141 years sought at every turn to advance Boston College’s educational mission, insisting that excellence was the appropriate goal for the University, and that deep knowledge, strong character, and an understanding of one’s responsibilities in a world of God’s creation were to be the hallmarks of an individual with a degree from Boston College. The ten members of the Class of 2004 who are profiled in this report have many gifts in common, including intelligence, self-discipline, and a desire to contribute and to excel. These are the attributes that over the course of their years on the Heights brought them international academic scholarships, awards for leadership and service, and in the case of one young man, a place among the academic leaders of his class and on the varsity swimming team—in spite of acute physical handicaps. But as the stories make clear, what these young graduates also have in common is that Boston College stirred each of them to realms of learning, work, and accomplishment that they could not have imagined when they arrived here as freshmen. This can be attributed to many factors, of which three stand out as particularly significant. The first is Boston College’s commitment to the kind of liberal arts education that challenges the whole person: mind, heart, and soul. The second is the University’s strategy of always looking to improve its facilities for learning, recently leading to the construction of new office space for humanities faculty, and the development of Higgins Hall into a state-of-the-art biology and physics building. And the third and most critical factor is Boston College’s practice of hiring and developing a faculty that is not only dedicated to teaching but also to the advancement of learning in all disciplines. For it is through this intellectual commitment that faculty teach students the importance of continual learning and inspire them to the highest realms of effort and achievement. Many years ago, Fr. Fulton determined to help build a greater Boston College than the one he first encountered. Today, those of you who continue in that tradition, whether as faculty, staff, alumni, or friends, should take great pride in what you have helped to accomplish. The graduates profiled on these pages are a living expression of your vision, generosity, and devotion. WILLIAM P. LEAHY, S.J. |
