Alumni Connections

LGBTQ+ Alumni Network

On March 26, 2019, the Boston College Alumni Association officially welcomed the LGBTQ+ Alumni Network onto its roster of more than a dozen identity and professionally-based alumni affinity groups. Built through alumni efforts more than two decades in the making, the LGBTQ+ Alumni Network is a forum for dialogue, connection, and education among BC alumni who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer, or an ally.

"I'm so thrilled that the BC Alumni Association will formally welcome LGBTQ+ alumni as a new affinity group. I hope that this new group will inspire alumni to reconnect or deepen their connection with BC and also serve as a support for current students who may wonder what their life might be like beyond the Heights. I'm glad to have another source of pride in my alma mater!" added national team leader, Laura DelloStritto '13.

The network is holding inaugural events in New York City (April 16) and Boston (date to be announced) to celebrate its formal launch, and will host an official kickoff in the fall. Leah DeCosta, associate vice president for alumni relations, and Kevin McLaughlin '78, Boston College Alumni Association Board president, will attend the launch events. Additionally, the Boston College GLBTQ Leadership Council, part of the Undergraduate Government of Boston College, is hosting an alumni luncheon on April 27 on campus.      

"This represents progress and inclusion and equality. I am pleased that the University and alumni so enthusiastically took this step together, and I hope that LGBTQ+ prospective students, current students, and alumni will now feel even more connected to and welcomed at the Heights," said national team chair, Matthew Putorti '06.

LGBTQ+ Alumni Network National Leadership Team

Matthew Putorti '06

Martin Casiano '15

Laura DelloStritto '13

Andrew Engber '15

LGBTQ+ Alumni Network Advisory Council

Larissa Belcic '10

Michael Fee '11

Larry Holodak '84

David Leonard 1992-2001

Brady Littlefield '07

Dominic Longo '97, MA'00

Carolyn McCrosson '12, MSW'16

Danielle Murray '00, MEd'02

Ron Peracchio, MBA'89

Arts Circle of New York

The newly-formed Boston College Alumni Arts Circle of New York was created by Nancy Dennery Goslee '95 and Elise Morrissey '97, after they realized that while their alma mater was offering an abundance of regional programming built on career networking and social engagement, no group focused solely on fostering alumni interaction and building meaningful relationships while utilizing the broad cultural offerings of New York.

"Having never crossed paths in college, Nancy and I became fast friends a few years ago at an event at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Our mutual interest in the arts and our love of New York was enhanced by our shared Boston College background, and we thought that those factors could be a wonderful way for other alumni to connect," Morrissey said. "With the help of Kevin McLaughlin, Joy Moore, Kate Loftus and her team, our idea was launched and, to our great joy, has been a success."

Since its formation in 2018, the Arts Circle has hosted two successful events, the first of which took place in 1986 grad Michael Foley's gallery on the Lower East Side. Despite a surprise snowstorm, the event was very well attended, and since then, the group has offered an afternoon of theater at the Off Broadway show Superhero starring Bryce Pinkham '05, followed by a talk-back and reception with Bryce and the show's creator, Tom Kitt. The Superhero event sold out, and given the group's momentum, plans are under way to offer additional programming in 2019.

Says Goslee, "We have lot of great affinity groups at BC and our hope is that this group will complement the other offerings and resonate with both our alumni that work in the arts and those who just love them. We want to create events where all types of alumni in our community, no matter their majors or professions, can come together to have a good time and connect with one another."

“We are very pleased to welcome the LGBTQ + and Arts Circle of New York affinity groups to the Alumni Association family. We all look forward to collaborating on events and connecting with each other and the University in meaningful and positive ways,“ said BC Alumni Association Board Chair, Kevin McLaughlin '78.