Bill Neenan’s final Dean’s List
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Lawrence in Arabia by Scott Anderson. One Summer – America, 1927 by Bill Bryson. Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow. Someone by Alice McDermott. These are the new titles on the 2014 Dean’s List of Recommended Reading, compiled by William B. Neenan, SJ shortly before his death in June. The beloved Boston College Jesuit priest had produced his list of reading suggestions every year since 1982. The annual list of 27 titles included fiction and non-fiction works, some of them well-known historical, literary or popular titles, others somewhat more obscure. “I loved the Dean’s List,” says Professor of English Elizabeth Graver. “The books he was drawn to were often at once poetic and probing, interested in inner life and the human condition, alert to pain but also beauty.” Like many readers of the Dean’s List, College of Arts and Sciences Associate Dean Clare Dunsford found Fr. Neenan’s recommendations an outstanding resource. “One book I would never have known of or read without seeing it on the list was Sigrid Undset’s Kristin Lavransdatter. Several years ago I got the flu, a really bad case that put me out of work for 10 days or so. As I began to recover but was still weak, I started to read that book and was enchanted. It took me from my sickbed to medieval Norway in an almost physical way. I went on to read the whole trilogy.” Read more about this year’s Dean’s List in the Boston College Chronicle | A cumulative list of Dean’s List selections is available from the BC Libraries.
The Edgar Allan Poe Foundation of Boston—chaired by Boston College Professor of English Paul Lewis–will dedicate and unveil sculptor Stefanie Rocknak’s statue, “Poe Returning to Boston,” on Sunday, October 5 at 2 p.m. in Edgar Allan Poe Square, at the intersection of Boylston Street and Charles Street South. The story of Poe’s engagement with Boston writers and editors, whom he called ‘Frogpondians,’ is a fascinating and important part of America’s literary history, according to Lewis, who spearheaded a campaign to have the city reclaim its native son. Prior to the statue dedication, at 12:30 p.m., the foundation will present a celebratory program—which will feature readings, brief speeches, and original musical settings of Poe poems—in the Georgian Room of the Boston Park Plaza Hotel (50 Park Plaza at Arlington Street; doors open at noon). The dedication ceremony will feature comments by former US poet laureate Robert Pinsky, and a representative of Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh. Both the dedication and the program are open to the public free of charge; but due to space constraints, organizers note that there is a limit to the number of people who can be accommodated. A designated area outside, near the statue, will be open to the public during the brief dedication. More from The Boston Globe | BC News | WBUR “Radio Boston”
Boston College’s first 150 years are captured in a glorious new book, The Heights: An Illustrated History of Boston College, 1863–2013 (Linden Lane Press, 2014) written by Ben Birnbaum and Seth Meehan with photography by Gary Wayne Gilbert. Through a treasure trove of engaging essays and archival images, The Heights offers a singular look at the individuals, challenges, and historic currents that have shaped the University. Take a glimpse.
Award-winning writer Laura Kenyon, a BC alumna, has published the second book in her Desperately Ever After series, which takes a whimsical look at the most beloved fairy tale princesses several years after true love’s kiss. Set in a fictional realm based on New York City, the books sprinkle fiction with elements of fantasy and encourage readers to rethink everything they know about happy endings. Read an excerpt from Damsels in Distress.
Best-selling author Matt Taibbi will give a presentation based on his book The Divide: American Injustice in the Age of the Wealth Gap (Spiegel & Grau, 2014) on Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. in Gasson Hall, room 100. In his book, Taibbi shines a spotlight on two trends in America: the growing wealth inequality and mass incarceration. He writes about a justice system he feels devours the lives of the poor, turns a blind eye to the destructive crimes of the wealthy, and implicates us all. Taibbi is also the author of Griftopia and Great Derangement: A Terrifying True Story of War, Politics and Religion, among other titles. Sponsor: Lowell Humanities Series
There will be a book launch event on Oct. 2 at St. Anthony Shrine and Ministry Center in Boston for The Franciscan Heart of Thomas Merton (Ave Maria Press, 2014) by Boston College doctoral student Daniel P. Horan, OFM. In his new book, Fr. Dan, a Franciscan friar, shows how Trappist monk Thomas Merton’s life was shaped by his love for St. Francis and for the Franciscan spiritual and intellectual tradition. Fr. Dan will give a public lecture beginning at 5:30 p.m., followed by a book signing. Fr. Dan is also a columnist for America magazine, and the author of the several books, including Dating God and The Last Words of Jesus.
Author William A. Galston, an expert on domestic policy, political campaigns, will give the Jack Miller Center Constitution Day Initiative Lecture on “Constitutional Surprises: What James Madison Got Wrong” on Sept. 30 at 4:30 p.m. in McGuinn Auditorium. Galston holds the Ezra K. Zilkha Chair in the Brookings Institution’s Governance Studies Program, where he serves as a senior fellow. A former policy advisor to President Clinton and presidential candidates, Galston’s current research focuses on designing a new social contract and the implications of political polarization. He is the author of eight books and more than 100 articles in the fields of political theory, public policy, and American politics, including Liberal Pluralism and Public Matters: Politics, Policy, and Religion in the 21st Century. He also writes a weekly column for the Wall Street Journal. Sponsor: Political Science Department.
Rev. Kevin F. O’Brien, S.J., vice president of mission and ministry at Georgetown University, will talk about how the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola offer some very practical advice about how to make decisions about one’s life. Fr. O’Brien is the author of The Ignatian Adventure: Experiencing the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius in Daily Life. His lecture will take Sept. 25 from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. in Devlin Hall, room 008. Sponsor: Center for Ignatian Spirituality.
Father James Martin, SJ, bestselling author and editor-at-large of America magazine, will deliver a lecture on Sept. 25 at 6:30 p.m. in Robsham Theater. His lecture will be based on his latest book, Jesus: A Pilgrimage, which combines stories from his pilgrimage to the Holy Land, the most up-to-date biblical study, and profound spiritual insights to help answer the question that Jesus first posed to his disciples: “Who do you say that I am?” Seating will be first-come, first-served, with doors opening at 6:00 p.m. Co-sponsors: the School of Theology and Ministry and the Church in the 21st Century Center.
Boston College Associate Professor of Theology Rev. Kenneth Himes, O.F.M., will present “Poverty: What did Jesus Preach? What does the Church Teach?” on Sept. 23 at 5:30 p.m. in Gasson Hall, room 100. His lecture will explore how compassion for the poor reflects an acceptance of our own humanity and that of others, and is ultimately a key element of the journey to know Christ. Fr. Himes is a Franciscan priest and guest editor of the fall 2014 issues of C21 Resources, which is devoted to the issue of poverty. Fr. Himes is also author of Christianity and the Political Order: Conflict, Cooptation, and Cooperation and Responses to 101 Questions on Catholic Social Teaching, among other titles. Sponsors: The Church in the 21st Century Center, the School of Theology and Ministry, and the Theology Department.
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