Message from the President

September 30th, 2011 in In This Issue 0 comments

Dear Friends,

We expect our students to work hard and to make their education the primary focus during their undergraduate years, exploring a broad range of topics across the liberal arts and sciences and in areas of professional interests. Your sons and daughters are among the most highly qualified students in the United States and around the world, and you should be proud of their accomplishments. But there is more to life than just hard work. Arts, athletics, community service, and building friendships are all important parts of life. We push our students to develop fully into well-rounded young adults, and for this they need to pursue interests outside the classroom, and on occasion even just relax and have fun.

This issue of Boston University’s Parent magazine looks at a few of the activities available to our students, and we also offer a look into a year in the life of our Dean of Students, Kenn Elmore. If you attended a summer orientation or the parents’ convocation, you have enjoyed the opportunity to see Dean Elmore in action. His energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to our students is unparalleled, and we are grateful for the warmth and compassion he shows to every member of our community, and for the example he sets for staff, and students, across the entire University.

I hope your students are enjoying a productive and rewarding year in their classrooms, laboratories, and studios, and through the cocurricular activities that can enrich their time at Boston University.

With best wishes,

Robert A. Brown
President, Boston University

Tagged Bob Brown, President, President Brown, Robert A. Brown

Leadership Donor Roster

September 14th, 2011 in In This Issue 0 comments

The Boston University Parents Annual Campaign helps continue the tradition of excellence that defines the BU experience. Gifts to the Parents Annual Campaign may be designated to support scholarships, student life, athletics, specific schools or colleges, or the University’s area of greatest need. On behalf of President Brown, deans, administrators, faculty and staff members, and the thousands of students who have benefited, the Parents Program would like to thank the 3,446 parents who donated more than $1,037,000 to the Parents Annual Campaign last year.

We would like to extend special recognition to the following parents who generously gave $1,000 or more to an annual fund last year. We are grateful for their leadership. To learn about the Parents Annual Campaign, please visit the Parents Program Giving page.

* Parents Leadership Council Members
** Alumni Parent

20 Questions with the Ruprecht twins (CGS’11, SHA’13)

August 26th, 2011 in In This Issue 0 comments

Juniors Barney and Charlie Ruprecht know a thing or two about being competitive, giving your all, and surviving college pressure. Now the crew-rowing twins open up for Parent on everything from social media to competing and getting inspired.

Photos by Max Esposito

1. What is your favorite thing to do in Boston?

Barney: Get outside before the snow comes.
Charlie: Even though I am a New York sports fan, watching a game at Fenway Park is pretty extraordinary; it’s even better when the Yankees win.

2. What is your favorite book?

Barney: The late Stieg Larsson’s series was great, I just wish he was still here to finish them.
Charlie: My favorite book would have to be Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, but the Larsson trilogy is a close second.

3. What advice would you give to freshman rowers?

Barney: Come in with an open mind and make friends with the varsity rowers. It’s tough at first, before everyone knows how to work together, but the varsity guys know it gets a lot better.
Charlie: Freshmen rowers should enter D1 rowing with an open mind. The difference in maturity level between high school and collegiate athletics is like night and day; new rowers should expect to learn and adapt.

4. Did you participate in the Head of the Charles Regatta?

Barney: Yes, freshman year I placed 3rd in the club 8+, and sophomore year I raced in the championship 8+. The Charles is great; it begins right at our boathouse, so it’s filled with people, the river bank is lined with crowds, and people cheer so loudly when we go under every bridge. Plus, you can hear the announcer echoing all over campus.
Charlie: I have rowed in the Head of the Charles for the last two years. I first rowed in the regatta during my freshmen year at BU, placing 3rd.

5. Where is your favorite place to row?

Barney: Definitely Lake Cochichewick in North Andover, Massachusetts. It’s the lake on my high school campus and the place where I first learned to row. The best part of being there, besides being right on campus? The lack of traffic. Ever tried to row on the Charles on a Friday afternoon?
Charlie: My favorite place to row would be where we go during our spring training trips, Clemson, South Carolina. The warm weather, the calm wind, the ability to row for miles in one direction, and lack of small boat traffic make it more enjoyable than Boston.

6. What is your favorite date night?

Barney: Dinner at a nice restaurant with an amazing girl.
Charlie: My ideal date would be dinner at one of my favorite restaurants; Craigie On Main, and maybe a movie.

7. What advice would you give to parents of college students?

Barney: Give them a little room for success or failure; they’ll most likely impress you.
Charlie: Parents should allow their kids to have fun and trust them, but make sure that they aren’t too relaxed. Parents need to keep reminding their kids [of] the importance of doing schoolwork and studying.

8. What do you like most about being a twin?

Barney: Well, I don’t know what it’s like not to be a twin.
Charlie: The competitive aspect. I always have someone to compare and compete with. Barney and I are identical, so we do a lot of the same things and have the same interests. Because we are so similar, we always have to be better than each other.

9. What do you like the least (if anything)?

Barney: “Wait, you’re twins?” I hate when people stop and [do a] double take, or really have trouble telling us apart.
Charlie: My least favorite aspect of being a twin is everyone assuming we are the same person. People just assume that we are attached at the hip, when in reality it’s just the opposite.

10. How would your brother describe you?

Barney: As the cooler twin.
Charlie: Barney would describe me as bigger, faster, stronger.

11. What is your ideal job?

Barney: Something that both makes me happy and constantly changes—I don’t want to sit at the same desk every day.
Charlie: My ideal job would be running and owning a luxury hotel management company.

12. Why do you row?

Barney: I hate to lose and love to win. Nothing is better than winning a big race…and girls like it.
Charlie: I continue rowing because of the competition. I’m one of the most competitive people you will ever meet, and I need to keep on proving myself in an athletic environment. I am fortunate enough to have arguably the best coaching staff in collegiate rowing and to train with some of the best athletes in the sport.

13. What is your favorite movie?

Barney: All the Harry Potters, all the Transformers, and Finding Forester.
Charlie: Up in the Air is my favorite movie. George Clooney’s character reminded me at times of my own travel experiences and headaches.

14. What inspires you?

Barney: The drive to be the best.
Charlie: The fear of not winning or of coming in second place.

15. Who is your role model?

Barney: My Dad. Even though he started at the bottom, he had the talent and motivation to work his way to the top.
Charlie: My role models are the men and women of the U.S. military. I believe everyone should somehow serve their country, and the armed forces give up so much for so little recognition.

16. Who taught you to row?

Barney: My high school coach and teacher Brian Palm taught me during my freshman year of high school, and I’ll attribute any progress since to him—he showed me the right way from the beginning.
Charlie: My high school advisor Mr. Baker taught me how to row during my freshman year at Brooks [School].

17. Do you use social media?

Barney: Only Facebook. My friends make fun of me for having the lamest profile, but I’m not too concerned about what it looks like.
Charlie: The only social media I use is Facebook. I’ve never used or been on Twitter, and never had a Myspace.

18. What is your favorite class? Why?

Barney: Archaeology 101. It’s the most fun you will ever have in a classroom.
Charlie: During my freshman year, I took Psychology 101 and really enjoyed learning about how the mind works. I was fascinated by why people do what they do, and by the chemistry involved.

19. Do you have a favorite professor, and if so, why?

Barney: Professor [Michael] Danti of Archaeology 101 did such a great job, I was going to become an archaeologist, case closed!
Charlie: Professor [Benjamin] Varat in the Social Science department of CGS. He always kept history interesting. Stating what happened was only half the course; it was more important for us to understand why what happened occurred and how we can learn from it.

20. Where is your favorite place to travel?

Barney: The Mediterranean Coast on a boat, preferably one I am not rowing.
Charlie: My favorite place to travel would be Europe. Each country has its own unique culture and food. However, my favorite place in the world would have to be Alaska. Nowhere else in the world has wilderness and wildlife like in the Arctic tundra. There is also a huge rush flying in old bush planes just a few feet off tree tops and cliff faces.

The Ruprechts talk about rowing

Tagged Rowing, Ruprecht, Student Life

What’s Hot, What’s Not

August 19th, 2011 in In This Issue 0 comments

Compiled by Dan Essrow (CAS'10, COM'10)

Tagged Fall 2011, Hot or Not, student trends, What’s Hot, What’s Not

BU Students Dance (and Dance and Dance) for a Cause

August 19th, 2011 in In This Issue 1 comment

Left to Right: Elias Fraija (SAR’14), Michelle Markle (SAR’12) (purple top), Emily Holden (SAR’14) (in back), and Kathryn O'Neill (CAS’14) (glasses). Photo by Vernon Doucette

By Corinne Steinbrenner

“When there’s a cure, we’ll dance for joy. Until then, we’ll dance for life.” That’s the fitting slogan for Boston University’s largest student fundraiser, BU Dance Marathon. Although the marathon itself is months away, event co-chairs Eric Si (COM’12) and Laura Leahy (SED’12) are already hard at work, hoping to make Dance Marathon 2012 the largest and most successful BU dance party yet.

The students aim to top last year’s fundraising total of $25,493, adding to the more than $300,000 BU students have raised to support pediatric AIDS organizations since Dance Marathon began in 2003. The funds they collect will be donated, as they are each year, to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and to One Heartland, a nonprofit group that sponsors summer camps for children living with or affected by HIV/AIDS.

Dance Marathon annually draws more than 150 dancers (no experience required), each of whom raises at least $100 in sponsorship from friends and family. The dancers stay on their feet for the entire 18-hour overnight marathon, cheered on by “moralers” who raise at least $75 each and work in shifts to keep the dancers’ spirits high. “Staying on your feet is symbolic of the struggle these kids go through every day,” says Si.

While Dance Marathon is held in the spring, committee members work year-round to plan, train volunteers, secure sponsors, schedule entertainment, and promote the event. They also participate in AIDS-awareness activities, such as the free HIV tests they offered on campus last year. “The purpose of Dance Marathon is not only to raise funds to help both our foundations,” says Si, “but also to create awareness and educate our community about AIDS.”

How can BU parents support Dance Marathon? First, says Si, they can encourage their sons and daughters to participate. “We don’t serve alcohol, so it’s a fun, safe night,” he says. Parents can also sponsor individual dancers [or] encourage their employers to donate food or prizes for the event.

Even small donations make a big difference in the fight against pediatric AIDS, Si says. While pediatric HIV and AIDS are fairly well controlled in the United States, thousands of infants in less-developed countries are infected every day. According to Si’s colleagues at the Glaser Foundation, many of those infections could be avoided with just $15 worth of drugs and services for pregnant women. “It’s something that’s so tangible,” he says. “It’s something that can be done.” ■

Watch a time-lapsed video condensing all 18 hours of Dance Marathon 2011 into about two minutes.

Tagged BU Dance Marathon, Dance Marathon, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Fall 2011, fundraising, One Heartland, Student Activities, volunteering

Did You Know?

August 19th, 2011 in In This Issue 0 comments

Photo by Vernon Doucette

Touching up signs and staging at Boston University’s Commencement takes 40 gallons of red paint. Plus, behind the scenes, 6,000 feet of duct tape are used, 10,000 hats are handed out to guests as sunshades, and 11,496 French pastries are served. Finally, as part of the University’s effort to reduce, reuse, and recycle, more than 108,000 half-liter plastic bottles are recycled to make 4,300 caps and gowns. ■

Watch a time-lapsed video of Commencement set-up

For more coverage of the 2011 Commencement, visit BU Today.

Tagged Commencement, Fall 2011, recycling

Celebrating Tradition

August 19th, 2011 in In This Issue 0 comments

Photos from the 2011 Commencement Weekend reception for dedicated BU parents.

Photos by BU Photography

Jeanne Knox, Chairwoman of the Parents Leadership Council, welcomes families to the Celebrating Tradition Event on Saturday, May 21, 2011.

President Robert A. Brown and Dr. Beverly A. Brown welcome Marian Yeung, mother of Carmen Yeung (SHA’11), from Hong Kong.

Canh Tran and Minh-Ha Dang, parents of Minh-Tam Thi Tran (SHA’11), celebrate their daughter’s graduation with Dean Christopher Muller from the School of Hospitality Administration.

From left, Robert Brownson, Ericka Brownson (CAS’11), Maureen Brownson, and Scott Brownson (CGS’06, COM’08).

California Events

Photos from receptions hosted by parent volunteers in the Golden State.

Photos courtesy of Daryl DeLuca

Dean Kenn Elmore is joined by host committee members, Sami and Ilham Hamamji, parents of Peter (CAS’14), at an event in Laguna Beach, California.

Parents Leadership Council members, Paul and Becky Moir, parents of Dylan (COM’12), hosted a reception for parents in the Los Angeles area.

Michael and Tracy Donefield, parents of Brent (SMG’14), were also host committee members at the event in Laguna Beach, California.

Madaline and Stephen Gordon, parents of Madison (CGS’12, COM’14), co-hosted the event in Laguna Beach, California.

Tagged Bev Brown, Beverly Brown, Bob Brown, Celebrating Tradition, Chris Muller, Dean Muller, Fall 2011, Jeanne Knox, Laguna Beach, Los Angeles, Parents Leadership Council, President Brown, School of Hospitality Administration, SHA

Fenway for Free

August 18th, 2011 in In This Issue 0 comments

By Corinne Steinbrenner

Attending a Red Sox game at historic Fenway Park is a rite of passage for BU students, and many Terriers have discovered a way to enter the beloved ballpark without paying for a ticket. No, they’re not sneaking under the fence on Van Ness Street; they’re volunteering as members of the Red Sox Green Team.

Since the Red Sox launched a sustainability program in 2008, thousands of students from BU and other area universities have signed up to attend individual games as part of these 30- to 50-member teams.

Psychology major Erica Casacci (CAS’12), of Plantation, Florida, volunteered for a day on the Green Team during summer 2010 along with two of her Terrier softball teammates. “We thought it would be a fun way to enjoy watching the game live and interacting with people at the park,” she says. Casacci and her Green Team compatriots were able to watch most of the Red Sox game that day, collecting recyclables primarily during breaks between innings when they were less likely to disrupt paying fans’ enjoyment of the game. “At first we were kind of nervous to go up to people and ask for their recyclables,” she says, “but we warmed up, and it ended up being a lot of fun.”

Casacci had attended games at Fenway before, she says, but “this was a different experience. You usually just go in and sit in your seat, but we got to experience the game in all different areas of the park and from all different angles.” And they got to help the Red Sox make their famously green park even greener.

In years past, the Dean of Students Office has coordinated the student volunteers for the Red Sox, but Sox staff took over that task this summer. Students wishing to volunteer for future games should send their name, email address, phone number, and the games for which they would like to volunteer to greenteam@redsox.com three days prior to game day. ■

Tagged Boston Red Sox, Dean of Students, environmentalism, Fall 2011, Fenway Park, recycling, Red Sox

The Road to a Career

August 17th, 2011 in In This Issue 0 comments

Photo by Kalman Zabarsky

BU’s Center for Career Development helps students through every step of their job search, from selecting a major to polishing a résumé.

Watch Dan Essrow (CAS’10, COM'10), the winner of BU Today’s job search makeover contest, as he gets job interview tips and a free suit.

Tagged careers, Center for Career Development, Fall 2011, job search

The Most Generous Class Ever

August 17th, 2011 in In This Issue 0 comments

Photo by Kalman Zabarsky

Last spring, more than 2,011 members of Boston University’s Class of 2011 donated to the Class Gift fund, raising $35,000 for clubs, scholarships, athletic teams, and BU’s schools and colleges. By meeting their goal, the seniors prompted an additional gift of $100,000 from the BU Alumni Council. Can the Class of 2012 top that record-breaking goal?

Dean of Students Kenn Elmore had promised to jump into the Charles River wearing a tuxedo if the Class of 2011 reached their fundraising goal. Watch him make good on his promise.

Tagged BU Alumni Council, Class Gift, Class of 2011, Dean Elmore, Dean of Students, Fall 2011, Kenn Elmore