Global Urban Health Program Launched
The Center for Global Health & Development at BU launches a Global Urban Health program that will expand its research agenda addressing issues affecting global populations. The initiative, led by Professor Jonathon Simon, further establishes BU’s role as a major research university.
$25 Million Gift Largest in BU History
Rajen Kilachand (Questrom’74), a Dubai-based global entrepreneur, pledged $25 million to support the Honors College, whose full name will become the Arvind and Chandan Nandlal Kilachand Honors College in memory of his parents.
“His magnificent gift will create an endowment for the Kilachand Honors College that will increase the quality of this innovative program and the range of opportunities it offers for all future generations of Boston University students. Equally as important as his gift, which is the largest in the history of the University, is his insightful understanding of the enduring importance of undergraduate education, both to him and to the University.” — Robert A. Brown
Rafik B. Hariri Institute
The Rafik B. Hariri Institute for Computing and Computational Science & Engineering begins its mission of creating a community of scholars “who believe in the transformative potential of computational perspectives in research and education.” The institute was initiated in 2010 with Trustee Bahaa Hariri’s (SMG'90) pledge of $15 million for interdisciplinary collaboration.
Footbaths for BU’s Growing Muslim Population
Since 2007, the number of Middle Eastern students at the Center for English Language & Orientation Programs—many of them Muslim—has grown by 175 percent. Muslims are required to perform ablution—the washing of hands, face, and feet—before prayer, but until recently had no choice but to wash in bathroom sinks. The footbaths are a first for the University and considered cutting-edge compared to peer institutions nationwide.
New Residency in Addiction Medicine
BU is one of 10 institutions around the country to introduce an accredited residency program in addiction medicine.
Katie Couric Keynote
From morning TV host to pioneering evening news anchor and charity fundraiser, Katie Couric has traveled the length of American celebrity, a breadth of experience she drew on as the speaker at BU’s 138th Commencement.
“While getting out of your comfort zone can be, well, uncomfortable…today is just the first of many graduations in your life.” — Katie Couric
New Provost Named
Jean Morrison is appointed University Provost and Chief Academic Officer. Morrison, a metamorphic petrologist, was previously executive vice provost for academic affairs and graduate programs at the University of Southern California before coming to BU, and she has been a professor of earth sciences and director of the Women in Science and Engineering program at USC since 1988.
Hospitality Has New Dean
Christopher Muller is appointed dean of the School of Hospitality Administration. As the new dean, he will bring to the program a decidedly holistic approach—a mix of educational, entrepreneurial, and philosophical. Muller follows James Stamas, who successfully expanded and modernized the School over his 15-year tenure.
New Leader at SMG
Kenneth W. Freeman takes the helm as dean of the School of Management. Best known as a turnaround expert, shepherding Quest Diagnostics from a problem-plagued upstart to the world’s leading medical testing company, Freeman succeeds Louis E. Lataif (SMG’61, Hon.’90), who led the School for 19 years.
CFA Names New Dean
Benjamín E. Juárez considers himself a conductor first, and with good reason: he’s led orchestras in venues from Shanghai to the Champs-Élysées. Now, he’ll take a new podium as dean of the College of Fine Arts. Juárez succeeds Walt Meissner (CFA’81), who had been dean ad interim for eight years.
