Campus Abuzz on Alumni Weekend 2019
Diya Saigal (Questrom’18) (from left), Kay Kay Zhou (Questrom’18), James Leong (Questrom’14), Jiseop An (Questrom’18), Cat Martin (Questrom’18), and Garrett Chin (Questrom’18) at the Alumni Weekend picnic on BU Beach. Photo by Sahana Sreeprakash (ENG’22)
Campus Abuzz on Alumni Weekend 2019
More than 3,500 Terriers return to celebrate the past—and the future
With New England basking in 80-degree September sunshine, more than 3,500 alums returned to campus for 115 Alumni Weekend events, from riverboat cruises to beer garden picnics, and to reconnect with old friends. BU Beach filled up with alums relaxing at white tables, playing cornhole, and snapping photos of themselves on the newly installed Rhett bench, which features a bronze statue of BU’s mascot. For 200 alums, the weekend of September 18–22 marked a special occasion: 50 years or more since their graduation. At the Golden Terriers Brunch, the Class of 1969 was honored with a pinning ceremony and reunion photo.
The weekend’s loudest moment came on the evening of September 21 at Agganis Arena, during the Celebration of BU. An audience of 2,000 cheered the culmination of the University’s first-ever comprehensive campaign, which raised $1.85 billion.
The 2019 Distinguished Alumni Awards were presented to Dennis L. Via (Wheelock’88) (front row, from left), Sandra L. Lynch (LAW’71, Hon.’12), Carol Jenkins (Wheelock’66), and Pete Souza (COM’76) (back row, center). Young Alumni Awards were presented to Erica V. Mosca (CGS’06, COM’08) (back row, far left) and Andy X. Vargas (CAS’15, Pardee’15). Photo by Jackie Ricciardi
Among the Alumni Weekend events: a brunch in honor of the Class of 1969 and Golden Terriers. Photo by Maddie Malhotra
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Earlier in the day, President Robert A. Brown helped present the 2019 Distinguished Alumni Awards, the BU Alumni Association’s signature honor. This year’s recipients were Carol Jenkins (Wheelock’66), a women’s rights activist and an Emmy-winning television journalist and writer; Sandra L. Lynch (LAW’71, Hon.’12), a circuit judge for the First Circuit Court of Appeals; Pete Souza (COM’76), the official White House photographer for Presidents Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama; and Dennis L. Via (Wheelock’88), a retired four-star general. Massachusetts State Representative Andy X. Vargas (CAS’15, Pardee’15) and education advocate Erica V. Mosca (CGS’06, COM’08) received Young Alumni Awards.
Vargas was the first to take the stage at the Best of BU event. The winner of three elections within four years of graduation—first to the Haverhill city council, then twice to the Massachusetts House of Representatives—Vargas talked about the ability of those in the Tsai Performance Center audience to make a difference.
“You have a tremendous stake in writing the next chapter in American history,” he said. “It’s my hope we can all rise to the task to preserve the progress that has been made in this nation and to make right on the systemic injustices that still exist.”
D. A. Whatley (Questrom’15), chair of the BU Young Alumni Council, gives a toast during the Young Alumni party at Fuller’s BU Pub. Photo by Michael D. Spencer
Brad Allworth (Questrom’11) (from left) and Jimson Mullakary (Questrom’10), both of the Young Alumni Council, and Rich Avner (Questrom’10) at the Young Alumni party. Photo by Michael D. Spencer
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His message of service was echoed by Mosca—who founded the nonprofit Leaders in Training to help Nevadan youth become the first in their families to attend college—and celebrated by Via.
“When I heard Andy and Erica—our future is in great hands with young leaders like you,” said Via, now an executive vice president at Booz Allen Hamilton.
Lynch, lauded for her commitment to civil rights and equality, spoke about applying to law school in the late 1960s. At a time when other schools were making it harder for women to apply, she said, BU made a commitment to diversify its classes.
“If BU had not been courageous and had not decided to advance the cause of women in the law,” Lynch said, “we would not have the society we now do.”
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