{"id":81745,"date":"2024-09-11T14:18:56","date_gmt":"2024-09-11T18:18:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cas\/?page_id=81745"},"modified":"2025-09-26T19:15:48","modified_gmt":"2025-09-26T23:15:48","slug":"distinguished-alumni-awards","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cas\/alumni\/distinguished-alumni-awards\/","title":{"rendered":"Distinguished Alumni Awards"},"content":{"rendered":"

Menu <\/a>Program<\/a>Recipients<\/a><\/strong>Giving<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n

Recognizing alumni who have made significant achievements in their careers and service to the University.<\/h2>\n

September 27, 2025
\nMetcalf Trustee Center, 1 Silber Way<\/p>\n

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Menu<\/h6>
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Program<\/h6>
<\/p>\n
Distinguished Alumni Awards Celebration and Awards Presentation<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Welcome<\/h6>\n

Jonathan Hodge (CAS\u201997, CAS\u201999), Chair, Dean\u2019s Advisory Board<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Remarks from the Dean<\/h6>\n

Stan Sclaroff, Dean, Arts & Sciences<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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A scene from N\u00fcwa in Fairyland<\/em>, written by Brandon Zang (GRS`25)<\/h6>\n

Boston Playwright’s Theatre<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Award Recognition<\/h6>\n

Julee Stephenson (CAS\u201994), Vice-Chair, Dean\u2019s Advisory Board<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Presentation of the Distinguished Alumni Award to Dr. Ken Anderson<\/h6>\n

Joshua Park (CAS\u201925), Biology major<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Presentation of the Distinguished Alumni Award to Mary Beth Leonard<\/h6>\n

Isabella Leblanc (CAS\u201926), International Relations and Political Science major, French minor<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Presentation of the Distinguished Alumni Award to Karen Seto<\/h6>\n

Annabelle Gao (GRS`29), PhD student, Earth & Environment<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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\u201cClarissima,\u201d composed and written by Brenton C. Patterson (CAS 1911) and Dean Ralph W. Taylor (CAS 1911)<\/h6>\n

CFA Quartet<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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An enduring Commencement tradition, \u201cClarissima\u201d was composed by Brenton C. Patterson and written by Ralph W. Taylor, both from the class of 1911. One of the song\u2019s first performances was in May 1914 at the first BU Night at the Pops. New lyrics were written by the late Dean B. Doner, a BU vice president from 1973 to 1986 and dean ad interim of the College of Liberal Arts from 1976 to 77.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Closing<\/h6>\n

Jonathan Hodge (CAS\u201997, CAS\u201999), Chair, Dean\u2019s Advisory Board<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\nPlease join us at the “Back to BU Beach Festival”<\/h6>\n

Saturday, September 27, 2025<\/strong>
\n12:00 – 3:00 PM<\/strong>
\nBU Beach<\/strong>
\nThis year’s family-friendly festival features a cookout by Woodman’s of Essex, an all-star performance stage lineup, and a Campus Expo!
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

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2025 Award Recipients<\/h6>
<\/p>\n

2025 Award Recipients<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Dr. Ken Anderson (CAS`73)<\/strong><\/h6>\n

Dr. Ken Anderson is the Kraft Family Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, as well as Director of the Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. He earned his BA in Biology and Psychology Summa Cum Laude at Boston University in 1973, and his MD at Johns Hopkins Medical School in 1977. He completed Internal Medicine Residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital, and then completed Hematology, Medical Oncology, and Tumor Immunology training at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. He is a Doris Duke Distinguished Clinical Research Scientist and American Cancer Society Clinical Research Professor.<\/p>\n

Making Science Count for Patients<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\"\"<\/td>\n\n
Mary Beth Leonard<\/span> (CAS`84)<\/strong><\/h6>\n

Mary Beth Leonard spend nearly 35 years in the U.S. Foreign Service, including as an a<\/span>mbassador to Mali, the African Union, and Nigeria. As ambassador to Mali (2011-2014), she guided U.S. policy through turbulent times marked by a coup, encroaching terrorist incursion, and international military intervention to a return to a democratically elected government. <\/span>As a permanent representative to the African Union (2016-2019), she reassured African partners uncertain about a new administration\u2019s commitment to Africa and unnerved by the specter of unflattering comments attributed to the U.S. president of the constancy of our shared commitment to the continent\u2019s peace and prosperity.<\/p>\n

<\/a>A Diplomatic Journey Rooted in Curiosity and Language<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\"\"<\/td>\n\n
Karen Seto (GRS\u201995, \u201900)<\/strong><\/h6>\n

Karen Seto is the Frederick C. Hixon Professor of Geography and Urbanization Science at Yale University. A geographer and urban scientist, she is one of the world\u2019s leading experts on the effects of contemporary urbanization on the planet. She developed the first global forecast of urban expansion, and using a combination of satellite remote sensing, modeling methods, and fieldwork, her research has advanced understanding of urbanization\u2019s effects on climate change, biodiversity, and food systems. She has extensive fieldwork experience in Asia, especially China and India, where she has conducted research for over 20 and 10 years, respectively.<\/span><\/p>\n

Seeing the World from Space<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Presenters<\/h6>
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
Brandon Zang (GRS`25)<\/strong><\/h6>\n

Brandon Zang (GRS`25) is a science fiction and fantasy playwright based in Boston and New York City. Through worldbuilding, Brandon reimagines questions of diaspora and belonging, grounding immigrant narratives in genres ranging from time travel to solarpunk. His plays include N\u00fcwa in Fairyland (CHUANG Stage, Lifeline Theatre), 🙈🙉🙊 \/ Three Wise Monkeys (East 15 Acting School, Boston Theater Company), and The Recursion of a Moth (Boston Playwrights\u2019 Theatre). His play Ah Wing and Automaton Eagle was the 2023 winner of the Voaden Prize. Born in Tianjin, China, Brandon writes in both English and Chinese, and works as a translator between the two languages. He received an MFA in playwriting from Boston University in May 2025.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Isabella LeBlanc<\/span> (CAS`26)<\/strong><\/h6>\n

Isabella LeBlanc is a senior in the Kilachand Honors College at Boston University from Holden, Massachusetts. She is double majoring in International Relations (focusing on Foreign Policy and Security Studies and Africa and the Middle East) and Political Science with a minor in French Studies. Isabella has experience interning at the State Department, a Congressional Office, and the Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Development. She hopes to work in public service after graduation at the intersection of policy, conflict resolution, and development.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Joshua Park (CAS\u201925)<\/strong><\/h6>\n

Joshua Park is a senior from Saint Paul, Minnesota, majoring in Biology. He is interested in cellular biology and cancer research and aspires to become a doctor, specializing in oncology, while continuing to pursue his hobby of perfumery in his free time. He spent the summer of 2025 as a summer research assistant in the Venkatsh Lab at Brigham and Women\u2019s Hospital.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Annabelle Gao<\/span> (GRS`29)<\/strong><\/h6>\n

Annabelle Gao, is a Ph.D Student in Earth & Environment. Her research interests include Earth system modeling, environmental health, and better understanding the current and future impacts of climate change. She hopes to apply remote sensing techniques and machine learning to better inform environmental and climate policy, urban development, and natural disaster relief. Before coming to BU, she earned a BS in Geology-Chemistry from Brown and an MS in Environmental Geoscience from Aix-Marseille University.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n

As we celebrate the achievements of our outstanding alumni, we hope you will consider a gift to support the next generation of leaders \u2014 our 6,500+ undergraduate and 1,700+ graduate students. Gifts to Arts & Sciences enable our students to learn from world-class teachers and researchers, give our students access to boundless learning opportunities\u202f\u2014 on campus, in Greater Boston, and around the world \u2014 and provide the financial aid that make a transformative Arts & Sciences experience possible. We are grateful for your support of our diverse, dynamic, and inclusive Arts & Sciences community.<\/p>\n

Give Now<\/a> Learn More<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Arts & Sciences Leadership<\/strong><\/h6>
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<\/strong>Stan Sclaroff, Dean of Arts & Sciences<\/span>
\n<\/span>Joseph Bizup, Senior Associate Dean for Undergraduate Academic Programs and Policies<\/span>
\n<\/span>Margaret Bolter, Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives<\/span>
\n<\/span>Kerry Buglio, Assistant Dean for Advising & Academic Services<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>
\n<\/span>Peter Buston, Associate Dean of the Faculty: Natural Sciences
\n<\/span>Arianne Chernock, Associate Dean of the Faculty: Social Sciences<\/span>
\n<\/span>Lisa Doherty, Assistant Dean for Space Planning and Operations\u00a0<\/span>
\n<\/span>Sydney Gross, Assistant Dean for Communications<\/span>
\n<\/span>Daryl Healea, Assistant Dean for Curriculum & Enrollment Services <\/span>
\n<\/span>Steve Jarvi, Senior Associate Dean for Student Academic Life<\/span>
\n<\/span>Malika Jeffries-EL, Associate Dean of the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences<\/span>
\n<\/span>Lisa Lima, Assistant Dean for Human Resources and Payroll Operations.<\/span>Bart Lipman, Associate Dean of the Faculty: Mathematical & Computational Sciences<\/span>
\n<\/span>Kirstie Miller, Assistant Dean, Master\u2019s Admissions<\/span>
\n<\/span>Joy McKee, Assistant Dean for Development & Alumni Relations\u00a0<\/span>
\n<\/span>Anita Patterson, Interim Associate Dean of the Faculty: Humanities<\/span>
\n<\/span>Juliana Walsh Kaiser, Senior Associate Dean for Finance and Administration<\/span><\/span>
\n<\/span>Paula Wasson, Assistant Dean for Financial Administration<\/span>
\n<\/span>Richard Wright, Assistant Dean of Faculty Actions\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Dean's Advisory Board<\/strong><\/h6>
<\/p>\n

Stephen Aubin (UNI’96)
\nAlbert (Hal) Biagas (CAS\u201986)<\/span>
\nBryan T. Biniak (CAS\u201990)
\nCarol Ann Bischoff (COM\u201982, COM\u201924)<\/span>
\nMark Eaton (GRS\u201996)
\nMichelle Feinberg (CAS\u201991)
\nLisa Green (CAS\u201903)
\nJonathan Hodge (CAS\u201997)
\nSteven Karbank (CAS\u201979)
\nBruce Karatz (CAS\u201969)
\nAmy Neu (CAS\u201996)
\nRebecca Ann Norlander (CAS\u201991)
\nDemir Sabanci (CAS’93)
\nJennifer T. Simpson (CAS’00)
\nJulee C. Stephenson (CAS\u201994)
\nTom Tritton (GRS\u201973)
\nScott A. Webster (CAS\u201993)
\nDavid C. Weinstein (CGS\u201970, CAS\u201972)<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Distinguished Alumni Awards Selection Committee<\/strong><\/h6>
<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Julee Stephenson, Dean\u2019s Advisory Board
\nSteve Aubin, Dean\u2019s Advisory Board
\nAlexandria Barlowe, PhD Student<\/span>
\nMark Eaton, Dean’s Advisory Board
\nElizabeth Blanton, Astronomy
\nMartha<\/span> Kolpien (CAS\u201926)
\n<\/span><\/span>Alice <\/span>Koranteng (CAS\u201926)<\/span>
\n<\/span>Vikram Chowdary, Economics
\nViktoria Hackbarth, Romance Studies
\nNico Quesada, Society of Fellows
\nMargaret Bolter, CAS Office of the Dean
\nHealey Suto, CAS Office of the Dean
\n<\/span>\u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/span><\/a>

Contact<\/h6>
<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/b>Stan Sclaroff
\n<\/strong>Dean of Arts & Sciences
\ncasdean@bu.edu<\/span><\/a>
\n<\/span>(617) 353-2401<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Margaret Bolter
\n<\/strong>Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives<\/span>
\n<\/span>mbolter@bu.edu<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sydney Schwartz Gross
\n<\/strong>Assistant Dean of Communications<\/span>
\n<\/span>ssgross@bu.edu<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Healey Suto
\n<\/strong>Executive Assistant to the Dean<\/span>
\n<\/span>hsuto@bu.edu<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Development & Alumni Relations<\/p>\n

Lara Brown de Fuenmayor
\n<\/strong>Associate Vice President, School Development<\/span>
\n<\/span>larafuen@bu.edu<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>
\n<\/span>617.353.6018<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joy C. McKee
\n<\/strong>Assistant Dean for Development & Alumni Relations<\/span>
\n<\/span>joymckee@bu.edu<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>
\n<\/span>(617) 358-6376<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Gregg T. Carlo
\n<\/strong>Director of Development, Arts & Sciences<\/span>
\n<\/span>gcarlo@bu.edu<\/span><\/a>
\n<\/span>(617) 347-0181<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Allison Titus
\n<\/strong>Development Coordinator, Arts & Sciences<\/span>
\n<\/span>titusal@bu.edu<\/span><\/a> |\u00a0<\/span>casalum@bu.edu<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>
\n<\/span>617-358-1223<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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