Alumni gather to recognize Linda Sloane Kay (CGS 81, COM 83)
On Friday afternoon, CGS alumni, faculty, and friends gathered to recognize those who help make CGS a celebrated community. This was one of many events during the course of the highly-anticipated annual alumni weekend.
Dean Natalie McKnight started the ceremony with a brief update on the College. Among many recent achievements, the College has increased the number of undergraduate research projects offered to approximately 12 per year– a nearly 600 percent increase from what it was just two years ago thanks to the generous support of CGS alumni and parents. Considered one of the most effective practices in higher education, CGS hopes to continue to grow such opportunities. Additionally, McKnight shared that blueprints for the Science Center project- which involves complete renovations of CGS’s four science labs, a student study area, and the 4th floor courtyard garden- are complete. Once fundraising goals have been met, the school will be ready to break ground.
Shifting focus, McKnight turned to the annual tradition of presenting the CGS Distinguished Alumni Award, given to an alumnus who has outstanding professional success and who has been supportive of the College. Linda Sloane Kay (CGS 81, COM 83), executive vice president of Century Bank, received the 2015 award. Kay’s professional leadership also includes her role as director of Century Bank and Century Bancorp, and her membership on the Bank’s Management, Executive, and Loan Committees.
In addition to her success in the workplace, Kay has remained heavily involved in the BU community: she serves on the Board of Overseers for Boston University, and continues to support CGS. Her community involvement sets a high bar for those around her, as it extends beyond her alma mater: she’s vice chair on the Board of Directors for the Newton Needham Chamber of Commerce, on the Board of Overseers for Newton Wellesley Hospital, and has provided key support for fundraising initiatives for many organizations, including for the Boston Renaissance Charter Public School, the Special Olympics of Massachusetts, the Franciscan Hospital for Children, and Catholic Charities, among others. McKnight summarized, “Linda Sloane Kay inspires confidence with her intelligence, energy, focus, drive, success in her field and generosity to her alma mater and the community at large.” Kay graciously received the award and acknowledged that CGS has remained a foundational part of her college experience.
Lastly, McKnight recognized two CGS faculty who recently received awards for their outstanding efforts.
Professor of Social Science Ben Varat received the Peyton Richter Award for Outstanding Interdisciplinary Teaching. Among many gushing student reviews, one writes, “Professor Varat is the most engaging, stimulating, and enthusiastic educator I’ve had. He’s incredibly interesting and his method of teaching is unmatched. He’s kind and understanding during office hours and he really encourages students to work hard.”
Professor of Rhetoric Aaron Worth received the Dr. Ismail Sensel Award, recognizing exceptional professors who also had a particularly successful year in research. “One of the things that pleases me most about Worth’s scholarship is that it grows out of and feeds his teaching. It’s not always easy to find substantial connections between original scholarship and the teaching of general education courses, but Aaron has,” shared McKnight. “The research paper assignments are informed by his own research, so his students can benefit from his expertise while developing their own skills and knowledge, and hopefully teaching him a thing or two in the process.”