Admission

Hometown: Stratford, CT

Undergrad Institution: College of the Holy Cross

Favorite thing to do in Boston: Eat! Boston and its many neighborhoods offer countless options to explore the city through food.

Favorite spot on campus: It's right off campus, but the Chestnut Hill Reservoir. It's beautiful and has a great walking path.

Why STM: The opportunity to be part of a faith-filled community committed to both spiritual formation and rigorous academic inquiry deepens one's sense of self, God, and the world. An STM education is both nourishing and challenging, building students' capacity to be leaders and change-makers in the church and world.

Favorite STM tradition: The Welcome Back BBQ. The food is amazing, and it's a great representation of the many ways our whole community – students, faculty, and staff – comes together.

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Undergrad Institution: Boston College 

Favorite things to do in Boston: Experiencing all that Boston has to offer in the arts and culture.

Favorite spot on campus: There are too many to count! I am an alum from both undergrad and STM and there are so many special spots around main campus and Brighton campus that mean so much to me that I couldn't just name one. I see BC as my home and love all of its nooks and crannies!

Why STM: This is where the spirit brought me. The School of Theology and Ministry was such a gift and made an incredible impact on me academically, spiritually and professionally.  I owe a great deal to the STM and the genuine community that exists.  I have come back to work professionally here because of the incredible students, staff and faculty.  There is just no other place like it!

Favorite STM tradition: My favorite tradition is welcoming new students and returning students to the community during orientation. There is so much energy and excitement about the new year ahead and it is wonderful getting to see all of the new members join the community after a full year of recruitment.

Hometown: Dedham, MA

Favorite thing to do in Boston: I love walking around the North End in Boston and my favorite restaurant is Limoncello's in the North End.

Favorite spot on campus: BC Memorial Labyrinth

Why STM: The STM's supportive and caring community of faculty, administrators and staff help provide a positive and upbeat work atmosphere. I enjoy working with our diverse population of students both lay, religious and international.

Favorite STM tradition: Commencement

Hometown: Aurora, IL

Undergraduate Institution: Augustana College

Favorite thing to do in Boston: I love how many restaurants there are in Boston. I'm always visiting new places with my friends and trying things I haven't had before!

Favorite spot on campus: My favorite spot on BC's campus is the adirondack chairs sprinkled on Brighton campus. They're great places to grab a coffee and chat with friends. In the fall I love to sit and look at the leaves and just enjoy a quiet moment.

Why STM: To me, the level of authentic support is what makes STM so special. We are each here for our own reasons, following our own callings, and we are all so supportive of each other's journey. I always know that I have discernment partners and cheerleaders, ready to help me reflect and encourage me whenever I need.

Favorite STM tradition: I love when we have our lay-led prayer service each semester. Worshipping together is so special every week, but there's something so wonderful about hearing my classmates' reflections.

Hometown: Rifle, CO

Undergraduate Institution: Regis University

Favorite Thing to Do in Boston: I love walking Boston and its many greenspaces, lakes, etc.!

Favorite spot on campus: My favorite spot at BC would have to be the prayer labyrinth on main campus. It offers a wonderful place to pause and reflect where you can see both the wonderful architecture and life of main campus while also seeing all the way to downtown to give a nice sense of space in the city.

Why STM: I was moved by the STM's commitment to the union of theology and ministry. Rather than simply retreating into studies and research the STM invites students to engage fully with their communities and the world through a life of ministry.

Favorite STM tradition: I truly enjoy repast every week. It is wonderful to see so many people eating together, smiling, chatting, and taking a break from the many many things that we give our time to during the semester.

Hometown: Wantagh, NY

Undergraduate Institution: Boston College

Favorite Thing to Do in Boston: Take the T into Boston and go to the Farmer's Market, and then grab a bite to eat in the North End!

Favorite spot on campus: Any bench, but definitely benches all along BC's campus. I love to spend my free time outside, and sitting on a bench during a sunny afternoon watching friends and strangers pass by brings me feelings of great peace.

Why STM: Each facet of STM life expands upon, enlivens, and enriches all other facets, making the STM a place for profound growth within academia, praxis, and community. I first was drawn to the STM because of my academic drive to consider the big questions. Why are we here? What makes us happy? How can we be good? My intellectual ponderings made manifest my love for ministerial work, as I saw the beauty of being a person for others. The STM community then provided space for me to entertain both those passions through conversation and connection. The richness of the community is unlike any other, and it provides fertile soil for the growth and development of the minister.

Favorite STM tradition: The STM Annual Super Bowl Party! There's nothing I love more than sharing a meal with my fellow STM students, but being able to rejoice over a football game and delicious super bowl snacks is absolutely amazing. Within the classroom at the STM, you begin to cultivate friendships with your fellow classmates – but when you take a step back and enter into a casual yet intentional space of community, it becomes so much more apparent how animating these faith-filled friendships truly are.

Hometown: Manila, Philippines & Jakarta, Indonesia

Undergrad Institution: Boston College

Favorite things to do in Boston: I love exploring the city and finding new hidden gems! I am also a fan of trying out local ice cream shops (Cookie Monster at White Mountain, which is located right next to BC, is the best).

Favorite spot on campus: Candlelight Mass at St. Joseph Chapel – it is a great space for quiet prayer and personal contemplation, to meet awesome and kind members of the BC community, and to hear great homilies from BC's many Jesuits!

Why STM: The STM is special for so many reasons, but I felt nudged to join the STM because of its dual degree program pairing social work and theology and supportive and intentional community. Everyday, I experience the STM's commitment to forming the whole person through the numerous formational activities that being part of the MA/MSW dual degree has provided me with (whether it be my mix of social work and theology classes, graduate assistantship and ministry-based social work internships, or spiritual programming) that have made an impact on me personally, academically, and professionally.

Favorite STM tradition: My favorite part of the week is always Thursday, because it is when our entire community comes together for Liturgy and Repast. It is a great time to connect with friends, talk to professors outside of the classroom and office hours, and experience the welcoming hospitality and diversity of our community!