Pathways

Re “Keyword: STEM,” by Thomas Cooper (Fall 2018): It was great to read about both the number of students and the number of companies that turned out for the 2018 STEM Career Fair. For a long time the only career path advertised to science majors was binary: the MD or the Ph.D. track. However, a rigorous training in science provides skills with broad industry applicability. For example, Boston College STEM majors are taught to distill complex problems; they learn how to work independently and as part of teams; they are master multitaskers and able to communicate their findings.

Pharma, biotech, healthcare, and other industries are all looking for candidates with these qualities.

Elizabeth O’Day ’06
Cambridge, Massachusetts

The writer is founder and CEO of Olaris Therapeautics, Inc.

Veterans’ affairs

Re “Time It Was,” by Christopher Amenta (Fall 2018): I enjoyed reading about Joseph Elliott’s experiences in the post–World War II era at Boston College. The article reveals that much has changed since his time, yet many things remain the same.

During World War II, with 12.1 percent of the U.S. population serving, virtually everyone knew someone who served. Today, with 0.9 percent of the population having served in Iraq or Afghanistan, many people do not know anyone who served there. The divide between our military and civilian populations is much greater in 2019 than it was in 1944.

Mr. Elliott noted that while some veterans returned to campus in 1944, they didn’t talk much about their experiences. This has not changed. Veterans of all eras often find it difficult to articulate their experiences in ways easily understood by others. This can lead to further isolation and misunderstanding between veterans and non-veterans.

At Boston College there now are veterans’ groups for undergraduates, graduates, and Law School students. There is a faculty and staff veterans’ affinity group and a veterans’ alumni network. I urge all Boston College–related veterans to join these groups. And I urge non-veterans to seek out and engage veterans in discussion.

George Harrington ’80
Christiansted, Virgin Islands

The writer is cochair of the Boston College Veterans’ Alumni Network.

Midnight ramblers

Re “After Midnight,” a photo essay by Peter M. Julian (Fall 2018): The first time I left my radio on after midnight, tuned to WZBC, something strange happened. The familiar riffs of indie rock gave way to a song best described as a final transmission from an alien planet. It was beautiful and incomprehensible. I was startled when the voice of the DJ checked in to remind listeners that the broadcast was, in fact, coming from a station in Newton, Massachusetts.

Before long, I joined WZBC’s community of “No Commercial Potential” DJs. I was taken on journeys through genres such as noise, house, industrial, drone, field recordings, and even avant-garde radio drama. Those nights opened my mind to artists and soundscapes I’m still exploring a decade later.

Ryan McDaid ’10
Brooklyn, New York

The writer was a DJ at WZBC for four years and program director for 2009–10.

I was delighted to see the Heights featured in “After Midnight.” To the untrained eye, McElroy Commons 113 is a mere holding cell for tattered furniture and yellowing newsprint. But to the writers, editors, designers, illustrators, and photographers who have toiled there, it’s a timeless space marked by a particular brand of youthful verve and wide-eyed commitment to journalistic integrity.

During my time within those four walls, I always felt a deep sense of responsibility–both to the editors who came before me and to the future of independent student journalism. It may sound naive, but in those moments, our work was significant, and, for me, it was life-giving.

As the paper moves into its next century, I challenge the men and women who carry the torch to remain true to the purpose set forth by of our founders: to “print both sides of all stories . . . be fair and just to all . . . constructive—not destructive.”

Taylour Kumpf ’13
Omaha, Nebraska

The writer was editor-in-chief of the Heights in 2012.

In addition to the areas highlighted in your photo essay, I’d like to call attention to my colleagues in University Health Services. They staff the facilities at 2150 Commonwealth Avenue through the night seven days a week, providing high-level and compassionate nursing care to students staying in the infirmary as well as to those who visit or call UHS seeking care and advice.

Anne Pickett, RN, ’91
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts

A life’s work

Re “Learned From Life,” by James Martin, SJ, M.Div.’98, Th.M.’99 (Fall 2018): Having worked with Dan Harrington on New Testament Abstracts for nearly three decades, initially as an assistant and then as a co-editor and friend, I can easily affirm Fr. Martin’s portrait of a remarkably accomplished yet unfailingly generous human being. Dan had a tremendous capacity to follow biblical scholarship at the highest level, participate in it, and make his own contributions, but he also devoted significant time to making it comprehensible to the readers in the pews via his many paperback books.

I have dozens of such volumes on the shelf behind my desk, all inscribed in Dan’s bold and legible cursive: “with best wishes,” “with thanks for friendship in our mutual tasks,” “with thanks for your support and friendship.” I’m sure many others have similarly inscribed volumes from Dan. It is a blessing to recall his ever-steady presence, and in reviewing these inscriptions, I feel both humbled and deeply grateful to have these mementos of an extraordinary life.

Christopher Matthews
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts

The writer is editor of New Testament Abstracts and research professor of New Testament at the School of Theology and Ministry.

Menu planning

Re “Campus Digest,” by Thomas Cooper (Summer 2018): I was delighted to read about the celebration of Green Week and the publication by the student organization EcoPledge of a “plant-based” cookbook, in which all the recipes had been “veganized.”

It would be great for Boston College to commit to Meatless Mondays and to having vegan meals available on a regular basis.

Jane Hoffman ’75
New York, New York

Julianne Stelmaszyk, the manager of regional and sustainable food for Dining Services, kindly provided the following update: All University dining facilities offer vegan (and vegetarian) options at every meal, and the department is “working to decrease our animal protein purchases by reducing portions as well as the frequency of meat on our menus.”

On retreat

Re “The Write Time,” by Zachary Jason (Summer 2018): Reading the account of the Villa retreat and seeing the accompanying photo awakened an understanding of how any vacation can have the value of a “retreat” if approached in that way—even if partially.

John Vieira ’71
Washington, D.C.

Summer session

Re “Open Season,” by Zachary Jason (Summer 2018): In 2017, with the help of an Eagle Intern Fellowship, I had the pleasure of working with Lava Mae, a San Francisco nonprofit that seeks to rekindle dignity and hope among homeless people through its Mobile Hygiene Service and Pop-Up Care Villages. I emerged from the summer with an appreciation of how complex a problem homelessness is and the immense amount of systemic change needed to address the issue.

The internship helped me understand the kind of work I want to engage in and where to direct my efforts in pursuit of a just society.

David Jasso ’20
Houston, Texas

Prize-worthy

Re “And the Award Goes To…” by Zachary Jason (Summer 2018): Mr. Jason mistakenly describes me and my twin brother, Philip, as having run a travel agency. We were, in fact, attorneys in an eponymous Boston law firm for more than 50 years.

In addition to handling the Princess Grace of Monaco Award for French, my brother and I, acting as honorary consuls of the Republic of Chile, annually present the Andrés Bello Award “to a senior who has excelled in Spanish.”

Bello was the greatest polymath of South America in the 19th century. He was also the signatory of a treaty entitled, “General Convention of Peace, Amity, Commerce, and Navigation, between the United States of America and the Republic of Chile,” signed May 16, 1832 in Santiago, Chile. It remains in force to this day.

Paul William Garber
Brighton, Massachusetts

Field-tested

Re “Club Minutes” (Summer 2018): The women’s club lacrosse team had the opportunity to play last spring in tournaments at the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Colorado, Boulder. Competing against top talent around the country helped us clinch the New England title in April and secure a bid to the nationals in Round Rock, Texas, where we finished ninth.

Noelle Love ’19
Armonk, New York

BCM welcomes letters from readers. Letters may be edited for length and clarity, and must be signed to be published. Our fax number is (617) 552–2441; our email address is bcm@bc.edu.