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There are far easier ways to begin a term as governor than having to deal with a record-breaking snowstorm barely a week after being sworn in.
But Dannel P. Malloy ’77, JD’80, seemed to be on top of things last week when a Nor’easter surged through Connecticut, dropping more than two feet of snow in some areas. Malloy — who had been sworn in as governor on Jan. 5 — took part in numerous conference calls and press conferences before and during the storm, speaking with officials from neighboring states (including Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick) as well as in Connecticut and giving live updates.
Hartford Courant writer Christopher Keating praised Malloy for showing “a hands-on style that suggested a higher, more visible public profile for the state's chief executive in the next four years.”
A political career of any kind — let alone a gubernatorial term — might have once seemed unlikely for Malloy, who struggled with learning and physical disabilities as a child. But the Stamford, Ct., native, who overtook Ned Lamont in the Democratic primary before beating Republican Tom Foley last fall to win office, can point to his years at Boston College as a major factor in his professional, and personal development.
“I was always involved, always out there in a number of political or leadership activities,” said Malloy, interviewed last week. “BC was a great place to pursue those kinds of opportunities.”
As a freshman, Malloy ran (unsuccessfully) for the Undergraduate Government of Boston College presidency, then captured the UGBC vice-presidency as a sophomore. He took part in the Paraprofessional Leader Program and served as the first undergraduate resident assistant in the Mods. At BC Law, he was vice chair of the American Bar Association Law Student Division.
Malloy also got a further taste of politics while at BC by working on the congressional campaigns of Robert F. Drinan, SJ, then the BC Law dean.
Malloy cites University Counseling Services Senior Psychologist David Smith and the late Weston “Sandy” Jenks — BC’s then-director of Counseling Services and for whom the Paraprofessional Leader Program was eventually renamed — as among the most influential people he met at BC.
“David was a close friend and confidante, always helpful to me in developing my skills,” he said. “Sandy also was incredibly supportive, and provided a lot of encouragement.”
Asked what was the most important life-lesson he learned at BC, Malloy quipped “Get up and eat breakfast,” but added: “Four years of undergraduate study are filled with many lessons and realities, not all of which are apparent to you at the time or even until later in life.
“But I considered very important the fact that BC admitted me, even though I had a learning disability — and at a time when far less was known or understood about learning disabilities than now. Somebody in admissions at BC believed in me enough to take a chance that I would do well. That will always mean a lot.”