B.U. Bridge is published by the Boston University Office of University Relations.

Contact Us

Staff

Levity and recognition top 2001 Senior Brunch menu

By Hope Green

Seeking to dispel rumors that a luxury hotel is going up in Kenmore Square, BU President Jon Westling set the record straight during his annual Senior Brunch address.

The University, he said, is clearing out the IHOP and neighboring businesses not for European-style lodgings, but to make way for a Campus Convenience superstore.

"Think of it as a 'Targét' for the chez Warren crowd," he joked, speaking to more than 2,000 student guests at Metcalf Hall on May 4. "We have a great motto: Twice the size, twice the price."

"Actually," he added, as the laughter subsided, "we're hoping it will cover our recent losses from the stock market crash. Looking back, it was probably not the greatest idea to invest the whole of the endowment in the XFL [football league]."

	Domenick D'Amico with his niece Casey. Photo courtesy of Domenick D'Amico

The annual Senior Brunch is the first large celebration for the seniors as they enter their final two weeks before Commencement. Levity, in keeping with tradition, was the morning's main course. Westling seasoned the menu with references to Homer the ancient as well as Homer Simpson. And he spoke of his anguish over receiving a low rating on hotornot.com, a Web site where the public can submit photographs and have millions of other site visitors rate their sex appeal on a scale of 1 to 10.

Then the president revealed BU's tireless quest to secure a place in the history of reality television. The producers of Temptation Island, Boot Camp, and The Real World all turned down his invitations to film on campus before he was able to score a deal with CBS.

"We found a show that captures the tough-minded spirit, the determination, the strength and endurance that a BU education has imbued in all of you," he said. The hall darkened and a parody of the Survivor competition, blending images of torch-lighted caves with Commonwealth Avenue high-rises, flashed on the screen. The winner: Rhett, the Terrier mascot.

The brunch also had its poignant interludes. The master of ceremonies was Leila Saad, assistant dean of students for academic support programs, who is retiring after more than 20 years of service to BU. Saad has served as director of the University Resource Center since its inception in September 1990.

Saad congratulated the seniors on having completed what she called a "voyage of discovery" through their undergraduate years. She encouraged them to stay involved with the University by participating in regional alumni clubs.

Later, the more than 2,000 brunch guests gave Saad a standing ovation as Westling, speaking on behalf of the entire BU community, expressed "our deep appreciation and delight for everything she has done for Boston University and its students over the last two decades."

Westling then revealed the name of the Commencement speaker, Sila M. Calderón, the first woman governor of Puerto Rico (see story), and the Baccalaureate speaker, the Reverend Nicholas C. Triantafilou, the president of Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline. Honorary degree recipients (see story) will be Calderón, Triantafilou, Kathryn Silber, the wife of University Chancellor John Silber, Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, and Leonard Florence (SMG'54). Florence, with fellow alumnus Irwin Chafetz (CAS'58), is a major donor to the campaign to build the Florence and Chafetz Hillel House on Bay State Road.

In addition, Westling informed the guests that BU will present a citation to Médicins Sans Frontièrs (Doctors Without Borders), a group of physicians who provide medical care free of charge in areas of the world ravaged by war or natural disasters.

The brunch also included the announcement of several senior awards. W. Norman Johnson, vice president and dean of students, presented the University Community Service Award to Jacob Harris (UNI'01). As a volunteer coordinator for the Starlight Children's Foundation, Harris has hosted theme parties for chronically and terminally ill children at New England Medical Center.

But it is his work as one of two program managers for the Community Service Center's food rescue program, Johnson said, that sets Harris apart. He has led 45 volunteers in salvaging more than 6,000 pounds of unwanted food each week from bakeries, restaurants, and grocery stores to be distributed at area meal programs and food pantries.

As part of this program, Harris has spent every Wednesday night at the Allston/Brighton Food Pantry assisting with its weekly community supper. Johnson noted that Harris has performed more than the manual labor of preparing and serving meals; he has taken the time to sit and talk with the homeless diners. "He is a true friend to the dinner guests," Johnson said, "and his noble and selfless acts are the foundation of his vision to help them regain their self-esteem and integrity."

In addition, Harris noted, Johnson has done extensive writing and research on the issues surrounding poverty and homelessness. "This year's winner," Johnson said, "is a scholar, a leader, a mentor, a volunteer, and a role model. As a member of the BU community he embodies our motto, Learning, Virtue, Piety."

11 May 2001
Boston University
Office of University Relations