A different kind of bootcamp: Nina Maroudas (Questrom’19) (center), captain of the award-winning BU Dance Team, and her team get a jump on practicing for competition season at FitRec January 17. Photo by Cydney Scott
The New Year has officially arrived, but before we get too caught up in 2020, we’re taking a look back at some of the big, and not so big, events of 2019 on campus, captured in BU Today photographs throughout the year.
And what a year it was: 2019 saw the women’s hockey Terriers achieve a long-sought goal—their first Beanpot championship since becoming a varsity team in 2005. BU officially broke ground on the new Center for Computing & Data Sciences, while WBUR marked the grand opening of CitySpace at the Lavine Broadcast Center. The year saw several celebrity visits—among them Oscar winner Julianne Moore (CFA’83), opera star Renee Fleming giving a master class at New England Conservatory for NEC and BU students, and controversial conservative pundit Ben Shapiro.
On a more somber note, there was a vigil for the 49 people killed at two Islamic mosques in New Zealand, and the city of Boston’s memorial to the dead and injured of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings, among them BU’s Lu Lingzi (GRS’13), was installed near the Marathon finish line. And 2019 saw the conclusion of the University’s first comprehensive fundraising campaign, which raised $1.85 billion.
Ever hear of an anomaly? BU’s Weeks of Welcome Silent Disco, held January 25 at the George Sherman Union, may qualify. At any rate, Lily Johnson (CGS’20) (center) and friends appear to be enjoying the party. Hint: note the headphones. Photo by Jacob Chang-Rascle (COM’22)The men’s lacrosse team was able to practice on a green (courtesy of a synthetic turf made by GreenFields), snowless (temporarily) Nickerson Field on January 25. Tilt shift photo by Jacob Chang-Rascle (COM’22)Celebrating Number 6—the Pats did it again, winning Super Bowl LIII on February 3. The Patriots now tie for number of all-time Super Bowl wins, at six, with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Among the delirious New England fans at BU’s Super Bowl party at the GSU are Haya Ghandour (CGS’20) (center, from left), Dania Haj-Darwish (CAS’22), and Abdullah Al Kudsi (CAS’22). Photo by Jacob Chang-Rascle (COM’22)Does a class where you learn to build and program simple robots sound intriguing? Like Mahdiul Chowdhury (ENG’19), taking the course spring 2019 semester, you may be interested in Roberto Tron’s Intro to Robotics course. Photo by Cydney ScottCelebrating the Lunar New Year: The Chinese Students and Scholars Association Spring Festival Extravaganza Party, featuring games, entertainment, and food, was held February 9 at the BU Academy Gym. Lunar New Year, with its weeks-long festivities, is considered the most important holiday of the year in China. Photo by Cydney ScottThe ecstatic women’s ice hockey Terriers after winning the 41st Women’s Beanpot Tournament, their first Beanpot championship since becoming a varsity team in 2005. The team was serenaded by the BU Band and fans with “Hey Baby.” BU took a 3-2 sudden-death overtime win against the Harvard Crimson February 12. Photo by Cydney ScottShowstopper—a supermoon is defined thus: when the moon is full within 24 hours of being at the closest point to the Earth in its orbit. This definition does not encompass its magical, even mystical, quality. This supermoon appeared over BU on February 19. Photo by Jacob Chang-Rascle (COM’22)Early for class—what’s a student to do? Avery Pelosi (CAS’22) found a niche in the CAS basement in February to wait for her psychology class to begin. Photo by Cydney ScottA spot of color in a snowy landscape, as seen through the prism of the BU Beach sculpture Counterpoint February 25. Photo by Jacob Chang-Rascle (COM’22)As part of the grand opening of the WBUR CitySpace at the Lavine Broadcast Center, Radio Boston Live, attended by a studio audience, was broadcast on February 28 from the new state-of-the-art multimedia venue at 890 Comm Ave. Photo by Cydney ScottKhadija Bangoura (CFA’21) (center) as Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, a CFA production that ran March 5 to 8 at 855 Comm Ave. Photo by Chloe Grinberg (COM’19)Night at the BU Aquarium: The BU Marine Program’s annual open house on March 7 offered visitors touch tanks, lab tours, prizes, and more. Hannah Weber (CAS’19) seems fascinated by the clownfish in a lab focused on the social evolution of the fish. Photo by Chloe Grinberg (COM’19)A break before break: Hillel regulars Oliver Pour (CGS’21) (left) and Gil Lotzky (CAS’22) get in a last table tennis match March 8 before heading off for some R&R. Photo by Cydney ScottOn a clear day, sometimes it does feel like you can see forever, especially from a mountaintop. It must have felt that way for BU Outing Club members on Franconia’s Mount Lafayette on March 10. Photo by Jacob Chang-Rascle (COM’22)Operatic superstar Renée Fleming (standing, left) giving a master class to BU and New England Conservatory students, among them Opera Institute soprano Ashlee Lamar (CFA), accompanied by NEC pianist Chelsea Whitaker, at Jordan Hall March 12. The class was coordinated by Phyllis Hoffman (CFA’61,’67), a CFA professor of music. Photo by Andrew Hurlbut/NECHundreds of BU community members gathered on Marsh Plaza March 18 in memory of the 49 human beings killed and dozens injured at two Islamic mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, March 15. Among those speaking at the vigil, organized by the Islamic Society of BU (ISBU), were Mehwish Khan (Sargent’19), ISBU president, Rev. Robert Hill, Marsh Chapel dean, Kenneth Elmore (Wheelock’87), associate provost and dean of students, and Senator Edward Markey (Hon.’04) (D-Mass.). Photo by Jacob Chang-Rascle (COM’22)2018 National Champion BU Figure Skating Club: Past and current club members celebrate as the latest championship banner was raised at Walter Brown Arena March 20. The team went on to take first place at the 2019 US Intercollegiate Championships in April, the Terrier skaters’ fifth title. Photo by Scott NalettePurim commemorates the day Esther, Queen of Persia, saved the Jewish people from execution by the king’s advisor Haman. It’s celebrated many ways, with special food, activities, and parties. On March 26, Xamantha Tjakra (Sargent’23) created henna tattoos for students at a Hillel House event. Photo by Jacob Chang-Rascle (COM’22)BU students celebrate the Hindu tradition of Holi, the festival of colors that signals the arrival of spring, on Cummington Mall March 30. There were dance performances, a DJ, a photo booth, cotton candy, and more, provided by the BU Hindu Students Council. Photo by Jacob Chang-Rascle (COM’22)802.1 Spring Concert on the BU Beach: Rapper, singer, and songwriter Aminé headlined BU’s first spring concert in five years on April 5. Rain did not dampen audience enthusiasm for the sold-out concert, sponsored by BU Student Government and Student Activities. Photo by Jacob Chang-Rascle (COM’22)Boston Mayor Martin Walsh gave opening remarks at the BU Initiative on Cities international conference Meeting the Challenge: Global Innovations in Urban Housing, held April 8 on the Fenway Campus. Photo by Cydney ScottStudent group DivestBU, whose focus is divestment from fossil fuels and reinvestment in climate change solutions and the local community, held a rally on Marsh Plaza April 11. After hearing from group coleader Masha Vernik (CAS’19) (right), members marched to the president’s office at One Silber Way to deliver their proposal. Photo by Cydney ScottThe Humanitarian Crisis at the Border and Beyond, a discussion hosted by the School of Law and moderated by the Boston Globe’s Maria Cramer, was held April 18. Panelists were Nicole Ramos, director of Al Otro Lado Border Rights Project (from left), Congressman Joe Kennedy III (D-Mass.), and Sarah Sherman Stokes, associate director of LAW’s Immigrants’ Rights and Human Trafficking Program. Photo by Cydney ScottCalm before the storm—with finals fast approaching, Arinze Okwuosah (CFA’22) (left) and Ireon Roach (CFA’22) take a breather April 22. Photo by Cydney ScottAcademy Award winner Julianne Moore (CFA’83) was honored with Brookline’s Coolidge Corner Theatre Coolidge Award April 25. At a Q&A moderated by theater CEO Kathy Tallman (right) after the screening of her latest film, Gloria Bell, Moore talked about her passion for playing relatable characters and mentioned seeing the 1977 cult classic Eraserhead at the theater while a BU student. Photo by Cydney ScottAnd the winner is—Charley Leonard! The FitRec Collegiate Bean Pot Push/Pull Challenge, open to all New England college and university community members, was held April 27. Grad student Leonard (SPH) took home best overall female lifter at the competition, consisting of bench, deadlift, and combined bench/deadlift. Photo by Chloe Grinberg (COM’19)BU grads follow the more than century-old tradition of throwing their caps in the air during the University’s 146th All-University Commencement May 19. Photo by Natasha MoustacheTaking advantage of the quiet summer streets with a skate down Bay State Road May 31. Photo by Sophie Park (CAS’20)Yellow lab Max and his human friend Lawford Anderson, a CAS earth and environment professor, take advantage of an early June day with a game of fetch on the BU Beach. Photo by Sophie Park (CAS’20)The fun side of learning: Systems engineering PhD candidate Arian Houshmand (ENG), an international student from Iran, and his teammates built a traffic simulation in the lab to run demos in mid June. Photo by Aaron Ye (COM’19)Experienced climber Angie DiDomenica (COM’21) scaling the FitRec Center Barreca Wall June 25. Photo by Sophie Park (CAS’20)The Boston Planning & Development Agency voted unanimously on July 11 to approve BU’s new Center for Computing & Data Sciences. Construction is scheduled to begin on the 19-story building at 665 Commonwealth Avenue in 2020. Image courtesy of KPMB ArchitectsCrossing the BU Bridge on a rainy and overcast July day. Photo by Sophie Park (CAS’20)Elijah Corbin (left) and Rose Beardmore, students in BU’s Summer Theatre Institute, a program for rising high school sophomore through senior students, performing an original piece inspired by two MFA exhibitions, Toulouse-Lautrec and the Stars of Paris and Gender Bending Fashion, in August. Photo by Ian Dickerman
The final piece of Boston’s memorial to the dead and injured of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings was installed August 19 on Boylston Street, near the Marathon finish line. The stones came from sites around the city with meaning for each of the three killed, 23-year-old Lu Lingzi (GRS’13) (Boston University), 8-year-old Martin William Richard (Franklin Park), and 29-year-old Krystle Marie Campbell (Spectacle Island). More than 260 were wounded in the attacks; an MIT police officer was fatally shot later by the bombers and a Boston police officer died a year later from injuries sustained in a shoot-out with them days after the bombings. Photo by Janice Checchio
Celebrating the first day of classes September 3: Student Activities sponsored a party on the GSU Plaza, with fun activities, prizes, free food, and free T-shirts. Joining in the fun: Sheila Phillips (CAS’20) (left) and Hanna Gootee (Wheelock’20). Photo by Jackie RicciardiGreat Choices, Great Changes: A BU Celebration—The BU men’s ice hockey team was part of the evening of festivities marking the conclusion of BU’s first comprehensive fundraising campaign, held at Agganis Arena September 21. The grand total: $1.85 billion. Photo by Cydney ScottFitRec climbing supervisor Victor Pachas demonstrates slacklining on an early October day in front of the Metcalf Science Center to promote FitRec’s outdoor programs, which offer several activities, including rock climbing, kayaking, stand-up paddling, camping, snowshoeing, skiing, and backpacking. Photo by Cydney Scott“Freedom is what makes America unique, not slavery,” according to Ben Shapiro, editor-in-chief of the far-right Daily Wire news website, a former Breitbart editor, and host of The Ben Shapiro Show podcast, who spoke at BU November 13. Photo by Cydney ScottHillel’s wildly popular annual free feast of latkes with a boatload of toppings was held December 3. Grace Maddox (CAS’20) (left) and Jessica Smith (CAS’20) were among the throngs enjoying the yummy potato pancakes. Photo by Jackie RicciardiBoston University Center for Computing & Data Sciences Groundbreaking: Luigi LaRocca of KPMB Architects (from left), Kenneth Feld (Questrom’70), BU Board of Trustees chair, Jean Morrison, BU provost, Martin Walsh, Boston mayor, Robert A. Brown, BU president, and Marianne McKenna of KPMB at the ceremonial groundbreaking for the state-of-the-art building on Commonwealth Avenue December 5. The center is expected to be finished sometime in 2022. Photo by Cydney ScottOn December 8, BU on Broadway, the University’s premier undergrad musical theater group, visited spots around campus to sing carols and spread good cheer. First stop: West Campus dining hall. Photo by Sophie Park (CAS’20)
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There are 4 comments on The Year in Review: Our 2019 Photo Essay
Wonderful photos! I am proud to be a member of BU!
BU is so special. All students have an interesting life in their pursuing ways. I am so willing to go BU and participate in all kinds of activities with new friends.
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Boston University moderates comments to facilitate an informed, substantive, civil conversation. Abusive, profane, self-promotional, misleading, incoherent or off-topic comments will be rejected. Moderators are staffed during regular business hours (EST) and can only accept comments written in English. Statistics or facts must include a citation or a link to the citation.