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Senior Brunch: humor and poignancy share the stage
By Tim Stoddard
Assuring seniors that they are indeed ready for an uncertain job market,
BU President Jon Westling offered several tongue-in-cheek résumé-writing
pointers during his annual Senior Brunch address. As they present themselves
to potential employers, he said, this year's graduates should feel confident
of the value of their academic achievements.
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| Seniors (from left) Louis Donato (COM), an unidentified senior, Laurel Havas (CAS), Kelda Vreeland (CAS), and Evan York (ENG). Photo by Kalman Zabarsky | |
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"One thing you shouldn't worry about at all is your GPA," he
joked. "If you have a 2.7, type it up proudly. In parentheses just
add: 3.8, Harvard-style."
The president also encouraged seniors to reflect on their valuable extracurricular
experiences over the last four years. The key to dazzling employers, he
said with convincing deadpan, is to spin mundane life-lessons into impressive
résumé-speak, using phrases such as "resource management
skills."
"Remember your sophomore spring?" he asked. "After 497
vente double espresso lattes, you wound up with exactly $28 in Convenience
Points left to feed yourself for the last three weeks of the semester.
But did you despair? Of course not. You took them, and the $19 left on
your credit card, and you bought a case of ramen noodles, a pack of Lucky
Strikes, and three cans of Diet Coke."
"And because hard times demand the pooling of scarce resources,"
he continued, "you mastered the art of poaching from your roommates,
slowly, one bowl of cereal at a time. So write it up proudly -- you have
met quarterly budget targets."
Just under 2,000 guests attended this year's Senior Brunch, an occasion
for the graduating class to celebrate accomplishments and be entertained
as they enter their final two weeks before Commencement. In keeping with
tradition, humor was the dominant ingredient in Westling's speech.
Reflecting on the changes to the campus over the past year, Westling praised
the expansion of Campus Convenience on Commonwealth Ave. "It's good
finally to have a Targét we can call our own," he joked.
The president also noted the slow pace of other campus improvements. "The
Boston University Yacht Club and Marina -- I mean the sailing pavilion
-- does seem mired in red tape," he said. "I don't understand
why the city objects to this humble project. But in retrospect, maybe
we shouldn't have shown them the blueprints for the John Silber Memorial
Water Slide."
The humor continued as Westling revealed that BU was exploring a new open-door
guest policy for its dormitories, and had produced a reality TV show about
it. As the lights fell, the seniors were treated to a short video spoof
of The Osbournes, the popular MTV reality-based comedy that presents the
domestic life of rock singer Ozzie Osbourne and his family.
In the video, the Osbournes have moved into The Castle on Bay State Road,
where they are "saddled with a particularly exasperating house guest,"
Rhett the Terrier. Ozzie allows Rhett, who has been kicked out of his
girlfriend's apartment, to stay with the family for a few days. But the
dog's wild lifestyle -- steeped in alcohol, brawling, and debauchery --
is too much for the aging rock star, and in the end the mascot gets the
boot.
As the laughter subsided, Westling's speech assumed a more serious tone
as he reflected on the impact of September 11 on the BU community. "I
will always remember your class with particular fondness and respect,"
he said. "In those first awful and bewildering hours after September's
attacks, and in the days that followed, you acted splendidly. You were
angered, but you did not let your anger consume your judgment. You were
frightened, but you stood steadily by the principles of freedom, reason,
and compassion."
Westling then announced that he will deliver this year's Commencement
speech, and that the exercises will balance the traditional celebratory
spirit of the event with an observance of the BU community's losses from
September 11. In light of this year's tragic events, he explained, the
University's Board of Trustees are seeking to include in the Commencement
exercises a memorial to those who were lost as well as a broader reflection
on the strength of the community.
The president revealed that this year's Baccalaureate speaker will be
the Reverend Michael C. Haynes, senior minister of the Twelfth Baptist
Church in Roxbury. Haynes was a friend of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
(GRS'55, Hon.'59) while King studied at BU in the 1950s, and has served
the community as a minister, a mentor, a social advocate, and an elected
official for 50 years.
Several senior awards were also announced at the brunch. W. Norman Johnson,
vice president and dean of students, presented the University Community
Service Award to Audrey Mahler (CAS'02). As a volunteer for Speak Easy,
BU's peer-listening hotline, Mahler answered crisis calls and organized
training sessions for other volunteers. She also served with the River
Street Community Center, making a difference in the lives of individuals
with HIV and AIDS.
Mahler has worked for four consecutive years with the First Year Student
Outreach Program, introducing thousands of incoming students to service
opportunities throughout greater Boston. But it was her leadership in
the Community Service Center's food rescue program that distinguished
Mahler from other candidates, Johnson said. She comanaged over 60 volunteers
in salvaging more than 6,000 pounds of unused food every week from bakeries,
restaurants, and grocery stores that was then distributed to meal programs
and food pantries in the area.
Mahler spends nearly every Wednesday night at the Allston/Brighton Food
Pantry helping with its weekly community supper. In addition to preparing
and serving meals, Johnson said, she takes time to talk with the guests
and works to build lasting relationships with them.
Mahler's outstanding volunteer efforts complement her academic achievements.
"She has used the world as her classroom," said Johnson, "and
has learned valuable lessons from her many community service activities.
This year's winner is a student leader, a role model, a mentor, and a
Scarlet Key recipient."
16 May 2002
Boston University
Office of University Relations