By
Timothy Padulsky never had the chance to walk across the stage at Commencement and collect his degree, but a new Student Leadership Award named in his honor will ensure the extraordinary young man’s legacy lives on at Boston College.
His was just one of many stories celebrated April 30, at the Student Programs Office’s annual Student Leadership Awards, which recognize outstanding members of the BC community. In addition to the award named for Padulsky, which honors an outstanding sophomore, two other prizes debuted this year: the Junior Year Award, given to a student who fostered community spirit at BC during his or her third year, and the Registered Student Organization Award, for a student group that enriched the lives of undergraduates.
Padulsky lost his battle with leukemia in 2008, but is still remembered fondly by students and administrators at BC, the only college to which he applied. Those closest to him recall Padulsky as having a rare mix of special qualities, including intellect – he was valedictorian of Woburn High School — and leadership, which he demonstrated by founding a collegiate arm of Rotary Club International and as one of 50 students selected for BC’s Emerging Leader Program. He also was remembered for his sense of humor: While quarantined during his cancer treatment, he held a coloring contest to decorate the drab green walls of the hospital.
“Tim is unforgettable,” said Assistant Director of Student Programs Mer Ursula Zovko, who met Padulsky during his freshman year. “And while many students pass through Boston College, this award will insure that we never forget about Tim. He will be celebrated each and every year to come.”
This year, Padulsky’s younger brother Stephen will graduate from BC. His youngest brother, Michael, is a member of the class of 2015, while his sister, Kristen ’08, CSON MS ’10, works in pediatric neurology division at Tufts Medical Center’s Floating Hospital for Children – the hospital where Tim was treated.
The tight-knit Padulsky family attended the Student Leadership Award ceremony, where sophomore Allison McQueen was given the first-ever Timothy M. Padulsky Award. McQueen has been a member of 4Boston since her freshman year and has volunteered at the Kennedy Day School, a program on Warren Street for children with severe special needs. McQueen said that becoming a member of the 4Boston Council made “BC a home” for her.
“4Boston is an embodiment of BC and its Jesuit ideals. I feel so lucky that I have gotten to know such an amazing group of people and better understand BC through this experience,” said McQueen.
Also honored at the awards were: Adjunct Professor of Romance Languages Jeff Flagg, who was given the Reverend John R. Trzaska, SJ, Award for the faculty member who expanded the horizons, skills, and value systems of Boston College students by providing support and guidance outside of the classroom; and University Mission and Ministry Program Administrator Marina Pastrana, who received the Mary Kaye Waldron Award for her involvement with the Montserrat Coalition, a program that aims to serve students at the highest level of need at BC.
Other winners honored this year include Jonathan Lacoste ’15, Christopher Faherty ’13, Hanyin Cheng ’12, Yini Guan ’14, Dana Bogan ’12, Emily Charnowski ’12, Jesus Damian Baeza ’12, MacLean Cadman ’12, Irza Torres ’12, Claire Geruson ’13 and Conor Sullivan ’13. The Philippine Society and Eagle EMS were honored with club awards. [for a full description of each award, see http://bit.ly/JIIV6d.