By
Donald Hafner
Vice Provost for Undergraduate Academic Affairs, Professor of Political Science, Director of University Fellowships Program
Joined BC: 1971
“I’ve always been blessed with wonderful colleagues and students who had imaginative ideas about how to make BC a better place, and my greatest satisfaction has been aiding them in translating ideas into programs. A good example is the Advanced Study Grant program, which planted seeds for the great blossoming of undergraduate research that we’ve seen at BC.
“The idea for the Advanced Study Grants came from my colleagues on the University Fellowships Committee, and especially from Mark O’Connor, then head of the A&S Honors program. The challenge was to get university funding. I proposed a bold approach. We persuaded a half-dozen students to draft proposals, with no promise at all of funding. I took those to Fr. Bill Neenan, who was then the academic vice president, placed them on Bill’s desk, and proposed that if BC did not want to fund them, he should contact the students and tell them why. Bill was amused and came up with the money that first year. By the time I pulled this trick the third year in a row, BC gave us a regular budget.
“Since then, roughly 700 undergraduates have received Advanced Study Grants, and the categories have expanded to include senior thesis research grants and undergrad attendance at scholarly conferences. I also had gratifying roles in helping launch the International Studies major, the University Fellowships program, the student academic advisor evaluation, and the Cross Currents Seminar series — all instances of transforming the innovative ideas of others into sustainable programs.
“I’ve stayed at Boston College for 43 years because there has always been something new, interesting, and admirable happening on campus that has challenged me to think afresh about the craft of teaching and my role in the formation of students.”
Richard Jefferson
Executive Director for Institutional Diversity
Joined BC: 1985
“I’ve enjoyed working with a broad cross-section of the University: vice presidents, deans, faculty, Dining Services, Facilities – the opportunity to interact with so many different people has been enriching in many ways. I’m also thankful for having worked with [former Vice President for Human Resources] Leo Sullivan for so many years, and various groups through the Office for Institutional Diversity, such as the Affinity Groups and the Voices of Diversity and Inclusion.
“One of the most satisfying initiatives I’ve been involved with has been the University Affiliates Program. It’s been really wonderful in offering a chance for people to get know mentors in leadership positions at BC, gain visibility, and have opportunities for advancement. I also liked being part of the Project Delta Steering Committee – a lot of the ideas and programs from there have come to fruition over the years – and the implementation of PeopleSoft and other technology initiatives. BC gives you the chance to stretch yourself and tackle things you might not normally think you would be doing.”
Adeane Bregman
Bapst Art Librarian, Bapst Library
Joined BC: 1987
“Bapst had just reopened after extensive renovations and when it became the art library in 1993, and I was the successful candidate to be entrusted with the responsibility to nurture and develop the collections and services in support of the visual arts, while maintaining and preserving the special significance of the building. Although the building has not changed, the collection doubled and the services evolved to match the scholarly needs of our students and faculty.
“While I am very proud of this, my fondest memories will be of all the special encounters and meaningful conversations with students, faculty, colleagues, alumni and guests, not only in the Bapst Library, but in the many classrooms, departments, dining and residence halls all across the campus. Boston College afforded me many wonderful opportunities to learn and grow and to participate and contribute in ways I could never have imagined.”
Paul Schervish
Professor of Sociology, Director of the Center on Wealth and Philanthropy (formerly the Social Welfare Research Institute)
Joined BC: 1979
“The combination of my training in economic sociology, statistics, philosophy, theology, and spirituality was brought to fruition in 1984, just as I was appointed director of what was later called the Center on Wealth and Philanthropy. [Graduate School of Arts and Sciences] Dean Donald White introduced me to Thomas Murphy ‘51, who wanted to investigate whether wealth-holders with more money than they needed became more philanthropic. With his and other foundations’ funding, my colleague John Havens and I blended qualitative, philosophical, theological and statistical analyses to discover, communicate and apply knowledge about the meaning and practice of wealth.
“Over the years we created a body of knowledge about national and local wealth transfer, the fundamental meaning of philanthropy as mutual nourishment, the mobilizing experiences that generate generosity, the role of identification with others is the key to caring, the patterns of lifetime and estate giving by the wealthy, and the use of Ignatian discernment for donors and fundraisers. We also helped dispel several myths about patterns of charitable giving that created news rather than knowledge. As a result of a discernment process, I decided with a full heart to retire and to close the center this coming August.
“I am pleased that we contributed to Boston College’s research reputation. More important, I am grateful for my fulfilling vocation of teaching and research due to the support and encouragement afforded me by Tom Murphy, John Havens, Father J. Donald Monan, Father William Leahy, and by my department, deans, provosts, vice provost and vice presidents.”