boston university alumni

Alum Michael Medico recently directed Divorce: The Greatest Hits, written by fellow alum Krista Vernoff and starring four other Terriers: Kaili Vernoff, Michaela Watkins, Peter Paige and Ray Ford. The film premiered at the Los Angeles International Short Film Festival (LA Shorts Fest) at the Regal LA LIVE on Sept. 5.

The Class of 2020 started classes on Sept. 6th, and some of our alums have some pieces of advice for the incoming students. 

1. “Enjoy every single moment. This is the best time of your life. I would do anything to be in your shoes and be back at BU again. One thing I never did. Keep a journal of everything that happened that day. You can't relive memories.”

2. “Don't be afraid to get out of your comfort zone and try new things.”

3. “Go outside as much as you can, rain, shine, or snow! Nothing like a stroll down Comm Ave. Sit for a bit, close your eyes, and listen to the city.”

4. “Remember not to schedule 8 am classes next semester ;-) You will get out of it what you put in to it—don't waste this opportunity. It's also about a lot more than your classes. Meet new people, talk about ideas—LISTEN to what other people say and learn from their experiences.”

5. “Try new things, put yourself out there and meet new people (they'll be with you for your life) and enjoy every minute because you'll miss it when it's over.”

6. “Live it up!”

7. “Enjoy every moment!”

8. “Starting college means not knowing what you don't know. Finishing college means acknowledging that what you've learned in four years is just a drop in the bucket. The world into which you graduate will be very different from the world from which you eventually retire. Hopefully you'll spend the years in between chasing passions that were ignited in college. At least give yourself some congratulations: you chose a great university!”

When Amanda (COM’16) was applying to colleges, her counselor told her that all of her choices were ‘reach schools’—meaning long-shots. But Amanda didn’t listen. Instead, she applied early decision to BU, and got in.

That made her the first person in her family to go to college.

“I don’t like when things are too easy,” she says.

#BUAlumniWeekend is around the corner—and we promise it’s not just luncheons and reunions! Make your way to campus for the Sept. 28—Oct. 1 weekend extravaganza, which includes these four awesome events.

Biergarten at the Pub

The BU Pub, everyone’s favorite pub, is transforming into a Biergarten for one night only! Enjoy specialty German beers, vendors and music in the company of fellow Terriers. Sign up here! 

BU @ Fenway: Pre-game BBQ & Game

Join in the fun at Fenway Park as the Red Sox take on the Blue Jays! Catch up with fellow alumni and friends for a pre-game BBQ in the exclusive Champions Club. And Don’t miss out on pictures with Wally before heading to the BU group section in the Grandstands! Sign up here.

Terrier Tailgate & Men’s Hockey Exhibition Game

Cheer on your Terriers at this preseason event you don’t want to miss. But first, enjoy a family-friendly cookout with fun, games, and special guests, featuring the James Montgomery (DGE ’69, CAS ’71) Band. Sign up here!

Screening of From Selma to Stonewall: Are We There Yet? & Conversation with Gil Caldwell (STH '58) and filmmaker Marilyn Bennett

We love hearing BU alumni love stories—and this one melted our heart. Here is the tale of Miranda Steinway (COM’12), who met her now-husband David Wogan when she studied abroad in Dublin. 

Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve always loved traveling. So, when it came time to go to college, I knew I wanted to move to a big city and, once I got into BU, I knew I wanted to study abroad.

I originally had my heart set on studying in London, but my friend Leslie convinced me to join her in Dublin. And, once I signed up, I couldn’t wait for January to roll around!

My friends and I hit the ground running from the moment we landed in Dublin. We wanted to see and do absolutely everything!

On February 8th, 2011, Dublin City University was throwing a “Toxic Tuesday” party at their little pub “NuBar” and my whole study abroad crew decided to go. We were only there for a few minutes when my friends started talking to a group of guys from DCU.

Thats when I saw him. He was tall with dark hair and had the most gorgeous eyes I’d ever seen. He towered over the crowd, but had a gentle and enchanting smile. I immediately b-lined over to him and made some quippy remark about his shirt, which had a funny saying printed on it. His name was David and we talked for ages and laughed about our cultural differences and dissimilar sayings.

Eventually, he asked me out on a date and, from then on, we became completely inseparable. He took me to beautiful places all around Ireland and almost immediately introduced me to his family. After a few weeks, we knew things were getting serious and we started to worry about the future. David has always talked about emigrating, but, one day, he said, “Why don’t I move to Boston?”

So he did. He lived with me in Boston for my senior year at BU and we had an incredible time. David absolutely loved Boston. Everything was perfect. But, then, his visa was about to expire.

We were panicking. We had no idea what to do and where to go. After a lot of deliberation, we set our sights on Toronto, Canada.

We moved there with 2 suitcases each, no connections, and no visas yet. And, shockingly, with an immense amount of hard work, we created a life there. We eventually got work permits, got jobs, made incredible friends, and started to feel at home there.

The day before our 4 year anniversary. David and I were filming a video for my YouTube channel when he suddenly whipped out a beautiful, gold, rose-shaped ring and proposed to me (the video is also up on my channel: https://youtu.be/e7C617PbjlA). I was completely shocked and over the moon! There were lots of things I wasn’t sure about as a 20-something, but my relationship with David was one thing I knew would always be strong.

That’s what brings us up to this year, which was truly the craziest and most exciting year of my life. We traveled, moved from Toronto to Los Angeles, and I married the love of my life.

We got married at the Hyatt Regency Cambridge on July 16th, 2016. Our wedding day couldn’t have been more perfect. The day was filled with love, positive energy, and LOTS of sunflowers. BU’s own Dean Elmore was our wonderful officiant and David’s incredible vows brought everyone to tears. David’s whole family flew in from Ireland, as did my family, our friends from Toronto, and my BU buddies. There was an enormous amount of love in the room that day.

She wants to change the world and join the Peace Corps—and she knew that BU would be able to help get her there.

Shelby Nater (CAS’16), a recent grad who studied political science and international relations, loves how BU constantly challenged her to get out of her comfort zone. Here on Comm Ave, she became friends with students from all kinds of backgrounds—and learned to love those who think differently from her. From interning at the British Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai to studying in Washington DC, Shelby’s experience at BU was anything but traditional.

“To be able to have that experience is invaluable,” she says.

Jeff Ross (COM’87) for Outstanding Interactive Program—"Conan” on TBS

Barbara Schneeweiss (COM’93) for Outstanding Reality-Competition Program—“Project Runway” on Lifetime

Anthea Bhargava (COM’99) for Outstanding Reality-Competition Program— “The Voice” on NBC

Kyle Tucker (COM’07) for Outstanding Reality-Competition Program—”The Voice” on NBC

David A. Brooks (CFA’88) for Contemporary Series, Limited Series or Movie—”The Good Wife” on CBS

With the 2016 Rio Olympic Games just weeks away, we decided to feature some of the BU alumni who have earned medals in the major international sporting event. #ProudtoBU

Marie-Philip Poulin (SED’15) scored both goals in Canada’s 2-0 victory over the US in the gold medal game at the 2010 Winter Olympics. She also scored the game-tying goal in final minute and game-winning goal in overtime in the Gold medal final game versus the United States at the Sochi 2014 Olympics.

USA women’s quadruple sculls crew members Natalie Dell (SPH’09) (from left), Kara Kohler, Megan Kalmoe, and Adrienne Martelli with the bronze medals they won August 1 at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Photo by Press Association via AP Images

Florian Mennigen (CAS’06) of Germany wears his gold medal for winning the men’s rowing eight August 1 in Eton Dorney, England, at the 2012 Summer Olympics. Germany beat Canada to win the competition. Photo by AP Photo/Armando Franca

Saudi equestrian team members Prince Abdullah Al Saud (from left), Kamal Bahamdan (ENG’94), Ramzy Al Duhami, and Abdullah Waleed Sharbatly celebrate their bronze medal win in the equestrian show jumping team competition at the 2012 Summer Olympics August 6 in London. Photo by AP Photo/Markus Schreiber

New Zealand’s Ella Gunson (SAR’14) (front) and Germany’s Celine Wild in their preliminary round women’s field hockey match at the 2012 Summer Olympics August 6 in London. Photo by AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena

The famous 1980 US “Miracle on Ice” squad that defeated the Soviet Union included captain Mike Eruzione (SED’77), Jim Craig (SED’79), Jack O’Callahan (CAS’79), and Dave Silk (CAS’80, MET’92, GSM’93).

Some say there’s a big difference between college and the real world—but not when it comes to the School of Law’s Moot Court program.

Moot Court, an initiative that mimics the appellate legal process, allows law students to present cases in front of a panel of “judges” made up of students, lawyers, and faculty. “It gives you the opportunity to see what it would be like to be a real attorney at an appellate level,” says Christina Lau (LAW’16).

Here’s how you can help support the Moot program and help usher in the next generation of BU lawyers: bit.ly/bumootcourt

Growing up, Lucy Mui (CAS’16) was always interested in the world around her. Having lived in the suburbs of Chicago as well as China, where she went to an international school before college, Lucy became acquainted with all sorts of people from all sorts of backgrounds.

Lucy knew she wanted to take that global feeling with her after high school—and because of scholarship aid from alumni, she got to go BU.

Now, Lucy is studying international relations with a focus on environmental development and Latin America. Mui says that before she got to Boston, she didn't really have the word “sustainability” in her vocabulary. But after coming to BU and noticing the great work that sustainability@BU does to reduce waste and energy use, she got involved—and going green is now one of her greatest passions.

“BU really fit me because I could be whatever I want to be here,” she says.

Learn more at bu.edu/impact

All four of the BU alumni who were nominated for Tonys this year took home awards on Sunday night!

Featured Actor in a Play: Reed Birney (CFA’76), “The Humans”

Best Play: “The Humans,” produced by James Nederlander (CGS’80), Jon B. Platt (CGS’74), and Sue Wagner (CFA’97)

Best Revival of a Play: “Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge,” produced by Sue Wagner (CFA’97) and Jon B. Platt (CGS’74)

Best Revival of a Musical: “The Color Purple,” produced by James Nederlander (CGS’80)