Center for Chemical Methodology & Library Development
The Center for Chemical Methodology & Library Development opens at Boston University. It is a new center funded by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) focused on the discovery of new methodologies to produce novel chemical libraries of unprecedented complexity for biological screening.
“The primary goal of CMLD is to build a better library, but ultimately the molecules housed there will be useful in medicine and in answering basic questions in biology. 'We’re not trying to set up a small pharmaceutical company here at BU,' says Schaus [library developer]. 'We’re actually interested in making compounds that you can use to study biological functions.'”—BU Bridge article
Hotel Commonwealth Opens
The Hotel Commonwealth opens on BU's campus in Kenmore Square. To promote the revitalization effort for Kenmore Square, BU signed on to the hotel project as a financial partner.
Aram V. Chobanian, Ninth President
from 2003–2005
A world-renowned cardiologist, longtime faculty member, and onetime dean at Boston University School of Medicine, Aram V. Chobanian was appointed president in 2005 (after serving as president ad interim since 2003). Chobanian played a leading role in the merger of Boston City Hospital with Boston University Medical Center Hospital to create Boston Medical Center. His leadership was also instrumental in the development of the BioSquare Research Park and the National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories. He assumed his new position at a time of crisis associated with a failed presidential search and problems in University governance. He strengthened the ties between the University and its various constituencies, including faculty, students, staff, and alumni, and kept the University moving forward to fulfill its academic mission.
Jon Westling Keynote
BU President Jon Westling tells the Class of 2002 to build on the nation's democratic institutions in his Commencement speech.
"If you want to continue to live in a free and tolerant society, you will have to do a lot more than praise the idea of diversity."—Jon Westling
Institute for Geriatric Social Work
The Institute for Geriatric Social Work is dedicated to strengthening the workforce for an aging society through educational innovation, workforce change, and research. Located at Boston University School of Social Work, IGSW builds upon the School's historical commitment to the field of aging and current strength in gerontological teaching, research, and training. Through innovative and wide-ranging education and training efforts, IGSW helps practicing BSW and MSW social workers—the large majority of whom have received little or no geriatric training—acquire the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to meet the needs of older adults and their family members.
Elie Wiesel Center for Judaic Studies
The Center for Judaic Studies (later renamed the Elie Wiesel Center for Judaic Studies) coordinates with and supports all academic programs relating to Jewish studies and sponsors lectures, conferences, publications, and cultural programs featuring the films, theater, and music of Jewish studies. Wiesel (Hon.’74), a 1986 Nobel laureate for peace, BU’s Andrew W. Mellon Professor in the Humanities, and a UNI professor of philosophy and religion, has taught at the University since 1976. A recipient of 110 honorary degrees and more than 120 other honors, Wiesel has also received many awards for his writings, which include such nonfiction works as the autobiographical Night (1960), The Jews of Silence (1966), and Souls on Fire: Portraits and Legends of Hasidic Masters (1972).
Center for Memory & Brain
The Boston University Center for Memory & Brain (CMB) is established as a center of excellence in research, training, and teaching in the cognitive neuroscience of memory. The small core group of neuroscientists who compose the CMB complement each other in technical abilities and share the specific interest of characterizing brain mechanisms of memory. The center pursues complementary and collaborative studies aimed at describing the "circuit diagram" for memory in the human brain, teaches at all levels, and trains neuroscientists in this field.
Center for Integrated Space Weather Modeling
The Center for Integrated Space Weather Modeling (CISM) opens as a National Science Foundation (NSF) Science and Technology Center. The center's goal is to understand our dynamic sun-earth system and how it affects life and society
"We will not only do new science, but we will also build a robust and operationally useful forecasting tool for both civilian and military space weather forecasters and create novel education programs that will give students at all levels a better understanding of the geospace environment."—W. Jeffrey Hughes, Director
Center for Information & Systems Engineering
Information and systems engineering research at Boston University is strong and accomplished but also spread across departments, colleges, and schools within the University. The Trustees approve the new CISE in order to foster greater interactions among researchers speaking the same technical language across diverse application domains. CISE provides a home across departments for faculty and students interested in information and systems engineering methodologies and their relevance to application domains encompassing the analysis, design, and management of complex systems.
"As the communications, computing, and information revolution has taken hold, applications encompassing the analysis, design, and management of complex systems have focused research and education on information and systems engineering. Under the leadership of Boston University faculty across multiple departments, this interdisciplinary area has flourished." — David Castanon and Yannis Paschalidis, Co-Directors
Athletic Enhancement Center
A division of the Sargent College Clinical Center and an outgrowth of the BU Physical Therapy Center, the Athletic Enhancement Center (BUAEC) strives to improve athletic performance and prevent injuries in youth, high school, and adult athletes while also providing a training venue that allows young adults to develop life skills and positive character traits. The center is the Northeast's most complete athlete development facility. Programs are designed to increase strength, power, energy system resources, flexibility, and mental toughness, resulting in players who are stronger, quicker, and less at risk for injury.
