Goodbye, friend

Re “William B. Neenan, SJ: 1929–2014,” (Summer 2014): I met Fr. Neenan the first week of my freshman year. I was registering for classes in those long lines that used to stream out of Gasson Hall before the dawn of computer registration. By the time I wound my way to the front, all the classes I needed to take were full. I was put into classes I cannot even remember, and I left the building blinded by tears and so angry that I literally slammed right into—of course—Fr. Neenan, who asked, “Friend, are you all right?” I blurted out my whole story and ended with “and how can you help?” He smiled that gentle smile and introduced himself, in his usual humble way, as the dean of Arts and Sciences. He brought me to his office, dried my tears, and arranged my schedule. He was an angel walking among us.

Nancy-Jean Berardo Eagan ’86
Newburyport, Massachusetts

Our meeting was classic Neenan. My mother and I went to the bookstore for supplies just before I started my freshman year, and we happened upon Fr. Neenan, dressed in plain clothes. My mom asked if he worked there (his response: “in a way”) and if he could help us. Once she realized who he was, she was mortified, but Fr. Neenan put her at ease, saying, “Please! I need something to do.” From that moment on, I loved him, his comforting spirit, and the love of learning he encouraged with his annual Dean’s List. I rest assured that we will meet again someday in another idyllic place—where he no doubt continues to lead the Iowa-Nebraska contingent and spread joy.

Shawna Gallagher Vega ’06, MA’08
Hoboken, New Jersey

Fr. Neenan had the uncanny ability to make you feel like an old friend even when it was your first conversation. My first conversation with this old friend came at freshman orientation when he approached our group of shy onlookers. Learning we were from Seattle, he insisted we chair a monthly “Salmon Luncheon Club” with him. A heated debate ensued as to whether Wyoming belonged in the club, and Fr. Neenan, being the welcoming type, found those concerned a home in the Rocky Mountain Club.

Lindsey Anne Eulberg ’05
Commerce City, Colorado

It was lunch time in the Eagles Nest during my first week at Boston College, and my new friend and I had finally found a place to sit when an older gentleman came and took a seat at our table. He introduced himself as Fr. Neenan and spent more time asking us about ourselves than he did in explaining who he was. He asked us about our dreams and aspirations at Boston College, where we were from, and how Newton Campus was treating us. He sympathized with us when we said we had to leave for class, telling us to study hard and encouraging us to get involved on campus. His kind words and sincerity made me feel that Boston College truly was my new home.

Alanna O’Grady ’11, M.Ed.’16
Allston, Massachusetts

I was sitting in a booth at the White Mountain Creamery (then a Brigham’s), looking at my Latin texts and asking myself, Why had I signed up for Latin? Out of the blue, an older fellow in a green snorkel parka, that even in 1980 was dated, sat down uninvited and asked, “Quid novi”—what’s new? At that moment I was graced with a friendship that grew to be, and will always remain, deeply heartfelt.

Bill performed our wedding service, and he became a favorite of my children and extended family. But what is most remarkable was that so many students had that experience of friendship and guidance that made “Hello, friend” mean so much. I suggest that the plaza outside O’Neill Library be renamed in his honor, and that it feature a bronze of Bill ready to fist-bump passersby and a plaque bearing the words “Hello, friend.”

Nancy Duggan ’84, P’11, ’12
Acton, Massachusetts

Environmental affairs

Re “Major Addition,” by William Bole (Summer 2014): I was excited to read about the new environmental studies major leading to a BA degree at Boston College. Having spent most of my career working in the environmental area, I know there is a critical need for this type of interdisciplinary program bringing together science, the humanities, and management, among other fields. Drivers for business and government, such as climate change, urbanization, and pressure on natural resources, will only increase the need for the kind of well-rounded and committed graduates Boston College will produce from a program like this.

Elisa M. Speranza ’82
Sioux Falls, South Dakota

I spent the bus ride to Boston after Easter break my senior year finishing some required reading for the environmental seminar—Aldo Leopold’s A Sand County Almanac, a collection of the author’s adventures around his farm in Wisconsin. I found myself staring out the window at a blur of trees and hills and, for the first time, thinking locally—about our daily interactions with the natural world, and about the responsibilities these experiences bring. That is the goal of environmental studies—to see all of nature’s moving parts and to find our role in that ecosystem. The ability to engage and educate on multiple levels is essential to building better communities. With the addition of this major, Boston College is well positioned to become a leader in this growing field.

Tyler Archer 
’11
New Haven, Connecticut

Good medicine

Re “Assigned Reading,” by Amy Boesky (Summer 2014): While some medical school programs have begun to implement humanistic elements as part of their curricula, there is little room in an already crowded agenda. Yet the understanding of health, illness, and pain in the context of personhood and family are central to developing practitioners who will be more than scientists and technicians.

For a university focused on undergraduate education, spirituality, and ethics, this is a wonderful and timely interdisciplinary minor for pre-meds, as well as those who will be involved in healthcare policy and law, advocacy, social work, and psychology. It will utilize the strengths of Boston College’s mission and faculty to help mold more broad-based and humane “medical men and women for others.”

Christopher M. Doran ’68, P’00, ’03
Denver, Colorado

History lessons

Re “It’s My Party,” by Heather Cox Richardson (Summer 2014): Reading Professor Richardson’s article on Andrew Johnson reminded me of the tremendous intellectual excitement that I felt in working with her as a graduate student. She taught me how to identify the significance of seemingly unrelated historical issues from broad perspectives, and her powerful, engaging, and elegant prose continues to be a model for my writing.

Hidetaka Hirota, Ph.D.’12
New York, New York

Professor Richardson has a gift for peeling back layers of partisan posturing and maneuvering to reveal a subject’s core beliefs about government and society. She also consistently reminds her audience how the past informs the present. Having benefitted from her feedback on my dissertation, I know that she is passionate about training the next generation of historians to make their scholarship approachable and relevant.

Ian Delahanty, Ph.D.’13
Roslindale, Massachusetts

Role model

Re “Conversation Starters,” by William Bole (Summer 2014): I met Paul Chebator and Mer Zovko during my freshman year living on the Newton Campus, and I subsequently worked closely with Paul, first as a member of the Student Judicial Board and the Sexual Assault Network, and later as his graduate assistant. Having the opportunity to experience Paul’s unwavering commitment to student development, health, and safety, and to promoting cura personalis within the Boston College community, only further solidified my passion for pursuing a career in student affairs.

Ryan M. Travia ’01, M.Ed.’03
Cambridge, Massachusetts

The writer directs Harvard University’s department of health promotion and education.

Prize winner

Re “Digest,” by Thomas Cooper (Spring 2014): Please add Matthew Hay Brown ’89 to the list of alumni who have won Pulitzer Prizes. As a staff writer at the Hartford Courant, Matt was a member of the team that won the 1999 Pulitzer Prize in Breaking News Reporting for coverage of a workplace shooting. Matt is currently the politics and government editor at the Baltimore Sun.

John W. Monahan ’89
Durham, New Hampshire

Band of brothers

Re “Memorial Days,” Zachary Jason’s searing article about the life and death of Lt. John Fitzgibbons ’67 (Winter 2014): I served in Vietnam with the 1st Cav. in 1967. It is amazing how it seems like it all happened yesterday rather than 47 years ago. May God rest John Fitzgibbons’s soul.

Paul Horrigan ’62
Westborough, Massachusetts

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.