Two BU Named Professorships, Last Awarded Decades Ago, Have New Appointees
The Metcalf Chair, recognizing an internationally known scholar in mathematics, science, or engineering, has been awarded to David Boas, a College of Engineering professor of biomedical, electrical, and computer engineering, and director of the Neurophotonics Center. Ran Canetti, a College of Arts & Sciences professor of computer science and director of the Center for Reliable Information Systems & Cyber Security, has been chosen for the Wang Professorship, awarded for distinguished scholarship and teaching in natural sciences, mathematics, computer science, or engineering. Both professorships are for five-year renewable terms and support the recipients’ research and scholarship.
BU Unveils Iconic Center for Computing & Data Sciences
City and University leaders cut a ribbon for the ceremonial opening of Boston University’s Center for Computing & Data Sciences, an architectural showpiece and a shining example of sustainable design. The Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences will work to use cutting-edge technology to build a better, more equitable world through learning and collaboration that crosses boundaries between disciplines.
Artist Gets Up Close and Personal for Annual University Lecture
Josephine Halvorson, a College of Fine Arts professor of art and chair of the School of Visual Arts graduate studies in painting program, will deliver the annual University Lecture, titled “Making Space for Wonder: In Person and Up Close.” Established in 1950, the University Lecture honors members of the Boston University faculty engaged in outstanding research. Faculty tapped to deliver the lecture over the years have represented the full spectrum of disciplines at BU and share a common commitment to excellence in scholarly inquiry and discovery.
Students’ Pronouns and Gender Identities Change in BU’s Updated Data System
Terriers now have the option of updating the University Directory with pronouns and display names—how they identify and wish others to identify them, as opposed to their legal names. They may also choose to provide their gender identities (which won’t be displayed in the Directory). Legal names will remain unchanged in BU’s records. The change is the first in a long-planned modernization of the 40-year-old Student Information System (SIS), the information technology systems that store student data about numerous interactions with the University.
BU Virtual Will Chart BU’s Online Learning Future
Wendy Colby is the University’s inaugural vice president and associate provost for BU Virtual. Colby oversees a new department dedicated to working with BU’s schools and colleges on identifying and implementing opportunities to expand online education. The new unit brings together under one umbrella the design, development, and delivery of a complete portfolio of online graduate and certificate offerings from across BU, ranging from online master’s programs in social work and computer science to criminal justice and others.
A New Era for BU Board of Trustees: New Chair and Vice Chairs
Trustees Cynthia Cohen (MET’77) and Malek Sukkar (ENG’92) were elected vice chairs at the board’s September meeting, joining Brown and board chair Ahmass Fakahany (Questrom’79) as trustee leaders. The board’s top priority at the moment is finding BU’s next president.
Associate Provost for Community and Inclusion to Focus on Accountability, Civil Discourse
Victoria Sahani is named the new associate provost for community and inclusion. Sahani’s appointment comes after a national, monthslong search for a new associate provost. The role is a component of the University’s 2030 Strategic Plan, a set of five priorities meant to guide the school through the rest of the decade. The position serves two of the University’s priorities: diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and a culture of community, or the idea that BU is “big yet small.”
BU Climbs in U.S. News & World Report National College Rankings
Boston University moved up one spot, to number 41, in the latest U.S. News & World Report ranking of National Universities, while the Questrom School of Business saw a big jump among business schools and the University overall climbed in the innovation category, according to the list.
For Initiative on Cities Leader, Urban Geography Is People
Loretta Lees is named the new faculty director of Boston University’s Initiative on Cities (IoC). IoC describes itself “as a hub for urban related research and teaching across the University, engaging urban leaders, policymakers, academics, and students from around the world to work toward sustainable, just, and inclusive urban transformation.” Its best-known efforts include the annual Menino Survey of Mayors and its City Leadership Summits.
Lifelong Friendship Behind $100 Million Gift to Medical School
Lifelong friends Aram V. Chobanian (Hon.’06) and Edward Avedisian (CFA’59,’61, Hon.’22) will now be connected forever as the namesakes of BU’s medical school. Thanks to a $100 million gift from Avedisian that will support scholarships, endowed faculty chairs, and cutting-edge research and teaching, the school is being renamed the Boston University Aram V. Chobanian & Edward Avedisian School of Medicine.
