Every year comes with its own opportunities, and Terriers are always ready to rise to the occasion. This past year, BU alumni have continued to impress as they lead and innovate in a variety of fields. From engineering to literature, BU alums are paving the way for others and writing their own stories. Whether in space or on the playground, our alumni spread care and empathy for the community. Terriers continue to inspire with a heart for service and discovery, soaring to new heights—both figuratively and literally. To wrap up 2022 and celebrate all that the BU community has accomplished, here are just a few incredible alumni leaving an indelible mark on the world.
Edward Avedisian (CFA’59,61)
After nearly four decades as a Boston Pops clarinetist, the late Edward Avedisian spent his later years focusing on supporting the causes that meant most to him, including education, medical research, and the Armenian community. His remarkable $100M gift to Boston University will support scholarships, endowed faculty chairs, and cutting-edge research for the newly renamed Boston University Aram V. Chobanian & Edward Avedisian School of Medicine. Read on.
Janet Lewin (CGS’90, COM’92)
Janet Lewin is shaping new worlds in galaxies far, far away. After graduating from BU, she started her career at Lucasfilm as a temp. Since then, she has helped to produce visual effects for six Star Wars films, Mission Impossible, Star Trek, Terminator, and more. Today, Lewin is in charge of production, operations, talent management, strategic planning, and client management across five studios. Read on.
Roger Wellington (SHA’94)
Three decades ago, thinking it was a bed-and-breakfast, Roger Wellington applied for a job at the Pine Street Inn. He soon discovered that the “Inn” was actually Boston’s largest homeless shelter. Though it was definitely a surprise, he was up to the challenge. Years later, he now serves as the nonprofit’s newly appointed Senior Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Through his work, Roger continues to serve the unhoused population in the city and uplift the community. Read on.
Denise Schier (ENG’81)
2017 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient Denise Schier is bringing a new spirit and camaraderie to the world of engineering. Since retiring from her Corporate Vice President position at Ametek, Denise took on a mentoring role to extend her expertise to young alumni entering the field. Through BU Connects and the BU Alumni Council, Denise is helping the next generation of Terriers navigate their careers. Read on.
2022 Alumni Award Recipients
Since its inception in 1946, the Boston University Alumni Awards have been an important tradition celebrating some of the University’s most esteemed and accomplished alumni. Read on to learn more about these incredible awardees.
- With a career spanning 16 presidential administrations, Malcolm Coles (CAS’66) was a member of the Office of Economic Opportunity, the Action Agency, and AmeriCorps. He was recently named the acting CEO of Americorp by President Joe Biden.
- Dr. Cherae Farmer-Dixon (SDM’14) is one of only a handful of African American medical school deans in the country. In her role as head of the Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry, she has worked to decrease disparities in healthcare and increase access to dental work in remote areas.
- Reaching the upper levels of the US Military, Gina Ortiz Jones (GRS’03, Pardee’03) is paving the way for the LGBTQ+ community in service. Today she is the 2nd highest-ranking military officer in the airforce, and she continues to work towards advancing diversity and inclusion within the military.
- Fighting an upward battle in the courtroom, Howard Moore, Jr. (LAW’60) built a successful career as a prominent activist lawyer. Winning free speech cases for the NAACP and defending historic figures like Angela Davis, he is a transformative lawyer and leader.
- Drew Weissman’s (GRS’87, MED’87) scientific discoveries with mRNA technology eventually led to the creation of the Pfizer, BioTech, and Moderna vaccines. His work has helped save countless lives and control the spread of COVID-19 around the world.
- One of the last surviving members of the Tuskeegee Airmen, Lt. Col. Enoch Woodhouse (LAW’55) served the United States through a time of discrimination and prejudice. His historic career broke racial barriers, and even in his retirement, he continues to work as an activist across the US.
- Fewer than 15 percent of US orchestral conductors are women, and fewer than 10 percent are Latino. However, Lina González-Granados (CFA’20) is breaking boundaries as the first Columbian woman to take the podium for the Seattle Symphony and the resident conductor of the LA Opera. The recipient of this year’s Young Alumni Award, Lina González-Granados’ burgeoning career is one to watch.
Jay Pandolfo (CAS’96,’20)
Jay Pandolfo returned to Agganis Arena this past season as the 13th Head Coach of the BU Men’s Hockey Team. After serving under Albie O’Connell (CAS’99) during the 2021–2022 season, Pandolfo, a former BU Terrier and Boston Bruin, has already proved his mettle as head coach. Read on.
Lynae Vanee Bogues (GRS’18)
Lynae Vanee Bogues is leveraging the power of social media to amplify overlooked moments in Black history. With over 690k followers and nearly a quarter-million weekly viewers, her Instagram series, Parking Lot Pimpin’, covers topics like the significance of Juneteenth, modern-day slavery, and the Senate hearings on Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson. Read on.
Ameera Hammouda (Questrom’18)
Bringing new styles to the runways of New York Fashion Week, Ameera Hammouda is the founder of a clothing brand redefining modesty as vibrant and chic. Her company, Ameera, helps satisfy the sartorial needs of women like herself. And at only 26 years old, Ameera’s colorful and detailed designs prove that modest clothing is not out of fashion. Read on.
Image source: Instagram @julianmsb
Julian Shapiro-Barnum (CFA’21)
The mastermind behind 2022’s most viral sensation, “Corn Kid,” Julian Shapiro-Barnum is the creator and host of Recess Therapy. The social media video series follows Julian as he asks children for their insights on life’s most important questions. With over 2.6 million Instagram followers, Julian’s videos spread joy and invite kids of all ages to shake off some stress on the playground. Read on.
Sumit Sharma (Questrom’14)
Sumit Sharma is an entrepreneur and co-founder of Rupee, a new brand of beer specifically crafted to pair with Indian food and spicy dishes. With years of family experience in the restaurant business, Sumit created the company alongside his brother Vanit. And ever since its launch, the brand with an “unforgettable-smooth” label has been met with rave reviews. See how Sumit is bringing his innovation across the Northeast. Read on.
Jane Zhang (ENG’10)
A saving grace to parents everywhere, Jane Zhang is the CEO & Founder of Remmie Health, a medical device that connects patients to telehealth providers. Jane developed the device after her son began to miss school due to frequent trips to the doctor’s office. With her new invention, parents can avoid repeated trips to the pediatrician’s office and get the treatment their kids need with ease. Read on.
Daniel Fredholm (CAS’04, Sargent’05)
From colorful macaws to stealthy leopards, Daniel Fredholm is a friend to animals big and small. A dream job for animal lovers everywhere, Daniel is a clinical veterinarian for the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. Though the job can be unpredictable, his commitment and care for exotic animals help keep the Wildlife Alliance’s mission in focus. Read on.
Forbes 30-under-30 and 50-over-50
Four BU alumni made the 2022 Forbes “30 Under 30” and “50 Over 50″ lists, which honor trailblazers in 20 different industries. Read on to celebrate the achievements of these Terriers.
- Cofounder and CMO of clean beauty brand Raw Sugar Living, Donda Mullis (CGS’83, MET’86), is one of two BU alums who made Forbes’ inaugural women-only 50 Over 50 list.
- Host and executive producer of the mega-popular podcast Call Her Daddy, Alexandra Cooper (COM’17) is one of America’s highest-paid female podcasters. Her recent licensing deal with Spotify solidified her work in media and her name on the 30 Under 30 list.
- As the Vice President of biomaterials and innovation for the company Desktop Health, Nicole Black’s (ENG’14) patented PhonoGraft device landed her a spot on Forbes’ list. Her new device helps make tympanoplasty—a reparative eardrum surgery—easier for doctors and patients.
- Karen Lynch (Questrom’99) is the CEO of CVS Health and head of the pharmacy chain’s COVID-19 response. Her leadership during the pandemic and her work as CEO gave her a spot on the roundtable as Vice President Kamala Harris and Emmy-nominated TV creator Shonda Rhimes.
Trevor Rozier-Byrd (LAW’10)
Lawyer and business executive Trevor Rozier-Byrd is addressing racial inequality through the modern business of fintech. After raising $3.5 million in seed funding, Trevor launched his company, Stackwell Capital, in August of this past year. The company’s mission to help Black clients take control of their financial assets and invest confidently is helping close the wealth gap between Black and white Americans across the nation. Read on.
Weike Wang (GRS’15)
In February 2020, after more than two years of work, Weike Wang turned in her eagerly anticipated second novel, Joan Is Okay, to her publisher. Today, the book sits on many lists, including the New York Times “16 New Books Coming in January.” The story follows a self-effacing, misunderstood, workaholic Chinese American physician, Joan, as she balances her job in an intensive care unit of a Manhattan hospital. Her writing continues to shed light on impactful stories within the Asian American community. Read on.
Robert Hines (ENG’97)
Terriers are everywhere, including space! This past year, Robert Hines piloted NASA’s SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station—where he studied microgravity and weightlessness above the Earth’s atmosphere. His recent trip to the ISS gave him the title of the first BU alum to enter space. Read on.