In the 25 years since the first class of Presidential Scholars started at Boston College, 300 of the country鈥檚 brightest students have participated in the University鈥檚 premier academic program that intertwines rigorous coursework in an honors program with service learning, international study and travel, and a professional internship.
Named in 2014 for one of its most committed and generous supporters, University Trustee and 亚色影库 parent Mario Gabelli, the Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program (GPSP) nurtures and challenges exceptional students who have gone on to make a difference in the world after graduation.
鈥淭he program made me feel like my voice mattered,鈥� said Chris Wilson-Byrne 鈥�07, a director at Fidelity Investments. 鈥淭his was something that I really noticed when I went on to graduate school. It seemed to me that most people were just interested in understanding the system so they could game it. I was always struck by the fact that people did not realize how their choices and behaviors actually affected the system. I firmly believe that I can impact any environment I am in 鈥� and I see it as a responsibility to always make a positive impact.鈥�
Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program Director James F. Keenan, S.J. and GPSP alumnus Chris Wilson-Byrne '07 at the campus event celebrating the program's 25th anniversary. (Lee Pellegrini)
At a campus celebration to mark the program鈥檚 silver anniversary, Professor of Chemistry Dennis Sardella, the inaugural program director, was honored along with GPSP alumni Aditya Ashok 鈥�12, Mary Lou Bozza 鈥�03, Dr. Amanda Heron Parsons 鈥�97, Celso Perez 鈥�09, and Maggie Sullivan 鈥�08.听
鈥淭he Presidential Scholars Program shaped me as a student in that it further instilled in me a sense of service through both the freshman summer experience at Shaw House as well as the regular program meetings,鈥� said Ashok, a Harvard Medical School student. 鈥淲hat was especially helpful was discussing service in a concrete, tangible way rather than in an abstract sense.鈥�
The University鈥檚 only academic merit scholarship program was established by 亚色影库鈥檚 Wall Street Council, a group of alumni, parents and friends based in the financial profession. Every April, the council holds a dinner that, to date, has raised more than $26 million for the scholars.
There are currently 65 Presidential Scholars at 亚色影库, spread among all four class years. Selected from among the top 2 percent of all 亚色影库鈥檚 early action admission applicants, these students have demonstrated superior academic achievement and promise, leadership potential, and a commitment to serving society.听
GPSP scholars have been awarded prestigious scholarship, grants and fellowships, including Rhodes, Marshall, Churchill, Truman, and Goldwater scholarships and Fulbright grants, among others.
鈥淚鈥檓 looking for a student to become a leader who鈥檚 going to better the world,鈥� said Canisius Professor of Theology James F. Keenan, S.J., who has directed the program since 2010, with the assistance of Associate Director Jennie Thomas and Administrative Assistant Sarah Gregorian.听
A consummate networker, Fr. Keenan has contacts and friends in locations across the globe and readily reaches out to them if it can help the program or a scholar. He also makes certain the scholars regularly meet with one another and make connections with GPSP alumni.
鈥淔r. Keenan is the reason this program has succeeded,鈥� said senior Catherine Cole, a double major in political science and Islamic civilization and societies, with a minor in music. 鈥淗e approaches every aspect of the GPSP with a critical eye, constantly innovating and setting bigger goals 鈥� and pushing us to do the same with our lives and careers.鈥�
Ashok had high praise for the mentoring he got first from Sardella and then Fr. Keenan. 鈥淔r. Keenan was a constant source of guidance and support and I would not have been able to get into medical school or win the Truman and Marshall without his help.鈥�