Each passing year brings new possibilities and challenges, but Terriers continue to seize every opportunity. BU alumni and accomplished faculty are showcasing their leadership in sports, music, art, medicine, business, and more. From engineering to enterprise, our alumni and faculty embody a spirit of compassion and ceaseless discovery. They are crafting their own unique narratives while also blazing a trail for others. Awarded prestigious fellowships, accolades, and even a Nobel Prize, Terriers are being recognized for their efforts in shaping a better future around the globe. So, as we bid farewell to 2023, let’s celebrate the many accomplishments of the BU community by spotlighting just a few of the outstanding Terriers who have made a difference this year!

Drew Weissman (CAMED’87, GRS’87, Hon.’23)

Winner of the 2023 Nobel Prize in Medicine, physician and scientist Drew Weissman helped develop the breakthrough mRNA technology behind the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. Alongside his research collaborator, Katalin Karikó, Weissman’s work helped contain the spread of a virus that has infected nearly 770 million people and taken 7 million lives. As the two vaccines are among the most widely distributed coronavirus vaccines worldwide, this BU alum will go down in history for his global impact on public health. Read on.

Carolyn Cohen (Sargent’65)

A retired educator, athletic director, and community volunteer, the late Carolyn Cohen was a beloved member of the Sargent community. She used her expertise to further the quality of life for individuals needing special assistance by working as a board member for the nonprofit Institute for Human-Centered Design. A proud Terrier, she also served on the Sargent College Alumni Association (SCAA) since she graduated in 1965, worked closely with the BU Scarlet Key Honor Society, and helped certify BU students on CPR techniques. Read on.

Mike Grier (CAS’97)

Mike Grier has had an impressive 14-year career in the National Hockey League, but this year was one for the history books. Now leading the San Jose Sharks, Grier has become the first Black general manager in the NHL. During his time on the ice as a Terrier, Grier also led the BU Men’s Ice Hockey team to a historic national championship victory. Read on.

Rebecca Long (CAS’16)

After a two-month expedition, Rebecca Long reached the peak of Mount Everest. While summiting Everest was a longtime goal and something few ever accomplish, Long conquered the tallest mountain on earth at only 29 years old. The journey was full of emotions from grief to loss to camaraderie, but according to Long, “it was life-changing.” Read on.

Mike Salguero (Pardee’03)

Mike Salguero is the founder and CEO of the monthly delivery service ButcherBox. Salguero came up with the idea after his wife was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Disease, an autoimmune thyroid condition. Doctors said a grass-fed beef diet could help eliminate some of her symptoms, but Salguero found it hard to find a local, reliable source. His solution? Create one! Now, ButcherBox has helped over 1.5 million US households access high-quality, humanely raised meats, poultry, and seafood. Read on.

Lucy Hutyra

A winner of the 2023 MacArthur Fellowship and “genius grant” recipient, Lucy Hutyra is leading efforts to mitigate climate change through her research. Hutyra is a climate expert and professor of Earth and Environment in CAS. Her studies of the effects of urbanization on climate and ecosystems are at the leading edge of climate action. As one of 20 MacArthur fellows, Hutyra will receive an $800,000 no-strings-attached reward to further her studies over the next five years. Read on.

Bill Banfield (STH’88)

Bill Banfield is breaking ground and bridging the gaps between jazz music, faith, and community. As a jazz guitarist, composer, pianist, recording artist, teacher, conductor, and arranger, Banfield has done it all. But his latest project, a 200-seat performance venue and restaurant, hopes to bring Boston’s community together in a new way. Jazz Urbane Café will spotlight local artists and celebrate the diverse cultural traditions that make Boston such a unique city. Read on.

Deena Sheldon (COM’84)

With over 40 years in sports broadcasting, Deena Sheldon has dedicated her life to getting the perfect angle. The nine-time Emmy winner has led one of the most impressive careers in sports broadcasting; however, Sheldon refuses to rest on her laurels. This year, she made history after becoming the first female camera operator inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame. Read on.

Kamal Bahamdan (ENG’94)

Kamal Bahamdan made a transformative gift that established the Bahamdan Endowed Professorship for Early Childhood Well-Being. The professorship supports Wheelock College’s commitment to research and understanding of early childhood development. It ensures that, through industry-leading research and education, Wheelock remains a leader in the field and will continue to make a difference in the lives of young children and their families. Read on.

Best of BU Alumni Award Recipients

Awarded each year since 1946, the Boston University Alumni Awards recognize some of the University’s most active and accomplished alumni. Read on to find out more about these distinguished Terriers.

• Danielle De La Fuente (CGS’04, Pardee’06) founded the Amal Alliance to bring social and emotional education to refugee children and their families affected by displacement and violence. By focusing on healing from trauma, developing resilience and self-worth, and gaining fundamental life skills, De La Fuente’s work helps children escape from conflict to rebuild their lives.
• Held as a prisoner of war for 19 years, former CIA agent Richard G. Fecteau (Wheelock’51) returned to the US as a hero. Following his release, he returned to BU, where he worked at the Athletics Department and became a mentor to generations of BU students. Fecteau’s story is a model of persistence, bravery, and strength against unbelievable odds.
• Lawyer Mitchell Garabedian (CGS’71, CAS’73) has dedicated his career to defending abuse victims. After uncovering instances of sexual abuse by Catholic priests, his work empowered a tidal wave of victims to come forward, resulting in a public investigation into the Church’s scandal and subsequent coverup. Garabedian’s firm has represented over 2,500 abuse victims and remains committed to supporting survivors and proving the legitimacy of their stories.
• Santiago Levy (CAS’77, GRS’78,’80) pioneered the first effective anti-poverty economic campaign in Mexico’s history, which led to the country’s extreme poverty rate dropping by 23% in 10 years. His plan’s success received international attention and lifted millions of people from poverty. To this day, Levy continues to advocate for socially inclusive economic growth.
• This year’s Young Alumni Award recipient, Daniella Pierson (CGS’15, Questrom’17) founded Newsette, a daily e-newsletter that empowers young women and delivers trending stories to over one million subscribers. She also launched Wondermind with co-founder Selena Gomez, a media company that normalizes and promotes mental health. Pierson’s work inspires others to be themselves, whether she’s teaching the next generation of young entrepreneurs or changing the narrative around mental wellness.

D. Brenton Simons (CGS’86, COM’88, Wheelock’94)

A renowned genealogist and historian, D. Brenton Simons has transformed the American Ancestors/New England Historic Genealogical Society into a global leader for family history research. Over his nearly 20 years as president and CEO, Brenton Simons has increased the organization’s donations, memberships, and database records, allowing more people to learn about and connect with the life stories of their ancestors. Read on.

BU Hollywood Writer Alums

Following a historic 148-day strike that ended in September, BU Hollywood writer alums celebrated a massive victory for the Writers Guild of America. Fighting for improved pay structures and protections against AI, the hard work of WGA members and Hollywood support staff earned critical advancements for labor in the entertainment industry. Terriers from the Writers Guild of America, SAG-AFTRA, and their industry allies came together this year in mutual support and have returned to work inspired by the success of their collective efforts. Read on.

Michael Cox (Questrom’18)

A story of resilience and strength, Michael Cox was brutally beaten by fellow police officers who mistook him for a fleeing suspect. The incident was covered up and Cox was made a pariah in the department but, rather than quit, Cox remained dedicated to improving the force and now serves as Boston’s newest Police Commissioner. His determination and ability to see the good in people make the challenging job worth every uphill battle. Read on.

Tracy Marek (CGS’90, COM’92)

After 19 years with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Tracy Marek took on a new role as CEO of US Figure Skating. The first woman to hold the position, Marek’s initial involvement with the sport came as a reporter for The Daily Free Press when she interviewed a BU figure skater who had qualified for the 1992 Winter Olympics. Focused on improving youth involvement and creating fandom for the elite skaters, Marek is creating space in the sport for skaters of every level and was honored with a spot on the 2023 Forbes 50 Over 50 list. Read on.

Robert A. Brown

Robert A. Brown, BU’s 10th President, announced his retirement following 18 years of incredible service to the BU community. His legacy includes significant growth of sponsored research, increased student and faculty diversity, hugely successful fundraising campaigns, a transformed campus along Comm. Ave, strategic plans for continued University improvement, and much more. Thanks to his years of hard work, BU has firmly established itself as a national leader in higher education with a clear path for the future. Read on.

Catarina Chang (SHA’11)

Sunset Cantina is back, and we have Catarina Chang to thank for it. Driven by her appreciation for the Mexican eatery as a student, Chang and her co-owners have revived that West Campus staple after it was forced to close in 2022. She is no stranger to the hospitality industry, owning a downtown Korean restaurant, a doggy daycare in East Boston, and a digital marketing company. Chang has worked diligently to keep Sunset’s “fun vibes” intact while revamping and elevating its offerings. Read on.

2023 has filled us with such appreciation for our BU alumni and all that they’ve accomplished. Even beyond these highlighted few, the Terrier community is hard at work bettering the world around us. Building on this year’s success, 2024 is already stacking up to be one to remember! We’re looking forward to Boston University’s President-Elect Melissa L. Gilliam, who will assume her new post on July 1, and our 10th annual Giving Day in April. We can’t wait to see all the success and achievements the BU community will bring in the new year!