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Only a few weeks after concluding its Sesquicentennial celebration, Boston College added another illustrious chapter to its history by hosting the inauguration of Boston Mayor Martin Walsh, a graduate of BC’s Woods College of Advancing Studies.
The Jan. 6 event transformed Conte Forum into a hub of civic tradition, pageantry and pride, with a bevy of special guests — including Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, US Senators Edward Markey and Elizabeth Warren, Boston Archbishop Cardinal Sean O’Malley, OFM, Cap., US Representatives Stephen Lynch, Katherine Clark and Michael Capuano, and former Boston Mayor Raymond Flynn — seated on the main stage or among the audience of some 8,000. (See photos in the Facebook album here.)
After Boston City Messenger Ron Cobb — dressed in tails and top hat, and holding a staff topped with the city seal — formally called the event to order, University President William P. Leahy, SJ, offered a welcome on behalf of BC. Fr. Leahy spoke of the University’s “long, productive and mutually beneficial relationship” with the City of Boston, and said BC “looks forward to continuing the partnership.”
Boston “is a great environment for living and learning,” said Fr. Leahy, describing the city’s education leadership as propelled by the desire for schools that are “vibrant, strong and helpful to each other in appropriate ways.
“Thank you for your presence,” he concluded. “May God bless Mayor Walsh in his new role, and may God continue to bless our city.”
In addition to remarks by Patrick, Warren and Cardinal O’Malley, the inauguration featured two world-renowned performers, cellist Yo-Yo Ma — who played a medley that began with the Irish tune “Londonderry Air,” better known as the melody for “Danny Boy” — and Irish tenor Ronan Tynan, whose rendition of “God Bless America” capped the event. Local schoolchildren also contributed to the musical highlights: Boston Arts Academy students sang “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and youngsters from the Boston Renaissance Charter Public School joined with former State Representative and mayoral candidate Mel King in presenting King’s composition “One Harmony.”
After taking the oath of office from Massachusetts Supreme Court Chief Justice Roderick Ireland — and administering the oath to the Boston City Council members gathered on the stage — Walsh gave his inaugural address, presenting his views on the city’s needs and assets and outlining the priorities for his administration. He promised that his term would be marked by transparency and inclusiveness for all of Boston’s residents.
“I will listen. I will learn. I will lead,” he said, a quote that resounded throughout broadcast, print and social media coverage of the speech.
Vice President for Community and Governmental Affairs Thomas Keady, a principal organizer of the inauguration, praised employees from Facilities Management, BC Police and Public Safety, Transportation and Parking, Dining Services, Information Technology, Athletics, Media Technology Services, Office of News & Public Affairs, and other departments and offices that made the event possible.
“It was an honor to be selected as the site for Mayor Walsh’s inauguration,” said Keady. “There were a lot of challenges involved in getting Conte Forum and the rest of the campus prepared, especially in terms of security: In addition to the mayor, you had two US senators, the Massachusetts congressional delegation, the governor and other constitutional officers.
“But everyone who worked on the event, from the ticket office to the ushers to the food staff to the EMTs and police officers, came through. We have received many laudatory compliments. Boston College truly shined on this day.”