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Senior Brunch
It's Friday morning live, and Jon Westling's in fine form By Hope Green The year is 2199; the place, Metcalf Hall. At least it looks like Metcalf Hall. Hundreds of young humans, unwitting cogs in the machinery of an evil artificial-intelligence network, smile innocently at one another across flowered tablecloths and platters of sausage and frittata. The mood is festive on this spring morning: the diners are under the delusion that it is actually the year 2000 and that they will soon graduate from a major university. Then a man called Neo -- who bears a striking resemblance to BU President Jon Westling -- strides to the podium, reveals the shocking truth, and promises to save the day. Keanu Reeves, eat your heart out. "After graduation, the liberation begins," Westling joked from behind a pair of Ray-Bans at the May 5 Senior Brunch, drawing waves of laughter as doctored images from the 1999 science-fiction blockbuster The Matrix flashed on a screen. A picture of Westling's face was superimposed onto the body of a caped Reeves, who stars as the savior-protagonist Neo in the real film. "Of course," the president added, "we will have to maintain the illusion just a little bit longer, but just wait until May 21. I'll keep the provost busy -- you make a break for it." More than 2,000 guests attended the annual brunch, an occasion for seniors to catch their breath, celebrate accomplishments, and be entertained as they prepare, mentally and logistically, for Commencement day. They enjoyed Westling's humble confessions, such as BU's failure to "convince the Big Dig honchos to put Commonwealth Avenue underground" and its ill-advised investment in a new e-business called silber.com. "For reasons still very puzzling to us," Westling said, "there just seems to be a lot less of a market for 'Dr. John's Love Life' than we had thought." Westling's remarks followed another lighthearted welcome from Jack Parker (SMG'68, HON'97), assistant athletic director and head hockey coach, and recognition of seniors for outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and athletic skill. Norman Johnson, vice president and dean of students, presented the University Community Service Award to Evonne Noble (CAS'00), who has performed more than 1,000 hours of volunteer work during her college career. Noble's deepest involvement has been with Volunteers for Citizenship, a program that teaches immigrants to read and speak English. She plans to join the Peace Corps in Africa after graduating with a major in mathematics and philosophy. Westling disclosed that writer Tom Wolfe will deliver the keynote Commencement address and announced the Baccalaureate speaker: Ruth Simmons, president of Smith College and the first African-American president of a "seven sisters" college. Honorary degree recipients will be actress Olympia Dukakis (SAR'53, SFA'57), Boston developer Norman Leventhal, and Guy Santagate, city manager of Chelsea. The seniors responded with a standing ovation when Westling recognized Travis Roy (COM'00), who persevered with his education after a devastating hockey accident. In October 1995, the promising athlete cracked a vertebra in his neck 11 seconds into his first game with the Terriers and was instantly paralyzed. He returned to the University in a wheelchair after months of treatment, and coauthored a book about his experience, Eleven Seconds: A Story of Tragedy, Courage, and Triumph. Roy, said Westling, "has proven so much larger, so much stronger, than his misfortune."

In his concluding remarks, Westling admitted to having a "particular fondness" for this group of seniors, who were freshmen when he began his presidency in the fall of 1996. "We're proud that you have spent your undergraduate years at Boston University," he said. "We hope you appreciate how you have changed here, and also how much a part of our lives you will always remain."

1 June 2000
Boston University
Office of University Relations