Clapping, Stomping, Twirling // Boston University Annual Report 2013

Testing Fate

Catharine Wang

Sajan Patel danced his way into his first job. And it had little to do with his academic portfolio.

“When I came to BU, I was an introvert,” the accounting and finance major says. “I kept to myself and didn’t make an effort to meet other people.”

“It was three or four hours, three or four times a week. People did care about me. It made me feel at home.”

Until he saw a student activities flyer in his dormitory for Garba Raas, a colorful traditional dance style from the Indian state of Gujarat. Patel (SMG’13) also saw on that leaflet a chance to come out of his shell. As if reaching through time to his ancestral homeland, he soon found himself spinning barefoot across the floor, clapping, stomping, and twirling shiny sticks in his fingers. “It was three or four hours, three or four times a week. People did care about me. It made me feel at home.”

Patel went on to become treasurer and cocaptain of the competitive squad, collecting plenty of time management, financial, and team-building skills along the way. Which came in handy during his job search. “One interviewer asked about an experience that had the most impact. I immediately thought of Garba Raas. She was absolutely fascinated and it led to a full-time job offer.”

Clubbing, Redefined

BU boasts more than 450 student clubs and organizations, from Advertising to Zen, and this year funded them to the tune of $1.42 million. We’re also witnessing an interesting evolution in club life at BU. “Our student organizations are more and more like start-ups,” says Dean of Students Kenn Elmore (SED’87). “People say, here is the cause or the issue and we want folks who are interested to come together around it.” These entrepreneurial efforts tend toward the global and multicultural, Elmore says, and tackle issues such as public health and cultural awareness.

Being asked to join the AAU

First private university added since 1995.

What Price, Innovation?

Sociologist Ruha Benjamin and the hidden cost of biotech.

Discovery Junkies

Archaeologist Bill Saturno describes the thrill of “the find.”

Dark End of the Spectrum

Helen Tager-Flusberg’s plans as head of a federal autism center at BU.

Human Engineers

Dean Kenneth Lutchen redefines a “well-rounded education.”

Unlocking Words

Abriella Stone ditched her chemistry beakers for aphasia patients.

Cavewoman Walking

Anthropologist Jeremy DeSilva reveals how early humans really went mobile.

The Politics of Listening

Medical student Ashish Premkumar discovers himself among Lebanon’s refugees.

Kicking off a $1B Campaign

After initial quiet phase, the halfway mark is reached.

Stepping Up

Dean Maureen O’Rourke’s vision for a transformed student space.

Professor in the Coal Mine

Lucy Hutyra explains why urban warming is a harbinger for the planet.

Teaming up with edX

To revolutionize the way education is delivered