Sesquicentennial Commencement
Sesquicentennial Commencement Speakers receiving honorary degrees are President of the United States George H. W. Bush and Francois Mitterrand, president of the French Republic. Also receiving an honorary degree at Commencement is First Lady Barbara Bush, and Chancellor Helmut Kohl of Germany at the Overseas Program's 25th anniversary commencement in Heidelberg.
Sesquicentennial Celebration
Boston University celebrates its Sesquicentennial with over 40 events throughout the year highlighting the historic moments of the first 150 years since its founding. Special events during the year included: Founders’ Day formal opening symposium, numerous exhibitions, concerts, and conferences, gala dinner and reunion, School of Theology religious service, Boston University Symphony performance at Carnegie Hall, Sesquicentennial Commencement and special overseas commencement, as well as a Convocation of Presidents that included presiding heads of universities and colleges throughout the world.
Professor Carlo Rubbia Keynote
Nobel Laureate and Professor Carlo Rubbia delivers the keynote address at Commencement. Rubbia, together with Simon van der Meer, received the 1984 Nobel Laureate in Physics.
Center for Space Physics
The Center for Space Physics opens to explore and research space physics, including space plasma physics, magnetospheric physics, ionospheric physics, atmospheric physics, and planetary and cometary atmospheric studies. Students in astronomy, applied physics, and engineering conduct research through the center, which also serves as the coordinating mechanism for grants and has a 20-inch telescope at McDonald Observatory.
Chelsea School Project
At the request of beleaguered Chelsea officials, Boston University agrees to manage the city’s failing schools for 10 years, an unprecedented—and as yet unduplicated—move by a private university. The management plan, known officially as the Boston University/Chelsea Partnership, calls for sweeping changes in curricula, teacher training, school policies, and facilities. The goal: to make Chelsea schools "a model for excellence in urban education." The Boston University/Chelsea Partnership continued until 2008.
BU Student Food Rescue
The Student Food Rescue is founded by a group of Boston University student volunteers and becomes an integral part of the Boston University Community Service Center. Volunteers collect nearly 150,000 pounds of food annually from local restaurants, supermarkets, bakeries, grocery surplus facilities, and coffee shops each week and distribute it to area meal programs, food pantries, and shelters.
Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist Speaks to Graduates
Ignoring a sprinkling of protesters during Commencement, Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court William H. Rehnquist urges graduates to value and use their spare time wisely.
"Time is a wasting asset, and most of us realize it only too late to avoid spending a lot of it unwisely. Like any free-market economist, you ought then to look at what else might be done with the marginal few hours at the end of the week that aren't really necessary to earning a living."—William H. Rehnquist
Warren O. Ault’s 100th Birthday
Professor Emeritus Warren O. Ault addresses 300 guests at a campus celebration of his 100th birthday on April 4th. For fifty-two years—full time from 1913 until 1957 and part time until 1965—Professor Ault was the avatar of teaching excellence at Boston University.
John Silber Keynote
President John Silber delivers the Keynote Address at Commencement.
Howard Thurman Center
Boston University's cultural center, The Howard Thurman Center is based on the "common ground" philosophy of Dr. Howard Thurman. The center hosts cultural programs, activities, and services designed to build community through self-exploration and shared experiences.
