By
Student enrollment in Boston College’s signature academic service learning program, PULSE, will be able to expand thanks to a generous gift from University Trustee Robert Cooney ’74, his wife Loretta and his family that creates an endowment to provide resources for additional faculty and staff.
Theology Associate Professor of the Practice Meghan Sweeney, who is starting her ninth year teaching in the PULSE program, has been named the Cooney Family PULSE Director.
Annually, 364 students enroll in the 14 sections of the PULSE core course (Person and Social Responsibility), but there is a wait-list. The Cooney gift will enable the PULSE core to expand to 16 sections and enroll an additional 52 students.
PULSE combines philosophy and theology coursework, reflection and discussion with 10-12 hours a week of field placement in a variety of social service sites. PULSE partners with more than 50 agencies in the Boston area on placements that expose students to a range of issues facing marginalized populations, from homelessness, addiction and domestic violence to mental illness, hunger and loneliness. Since its establishment in 1969, approximately 13,000 BC students have participated in PULSE.
“PULSE is the BC mission in action,” said Cooney, whose daughter Ellen ’08 participated in PULSE, volunteering at Project Bread. “It really struck us that there were BC students who wanted to have this incredible — and uniquely BC — experience, and couldn’t.”
“This wonderful gift will enable us to bring more students into PULSE,” said Sweeney. “Because PULSE is a year-long program, it allows for real relationships and human connections to form. The constant action and reflection brings it all together and our students really grow. It’s a very formative learning experience.”
Cooney credits his wife as the driving force behind their gift. “Loretta is very concerned about the inequities that PULSE explores. I’m proud that BC is committed to programs like this.”
According to program co-founder Philosophy Professor Patrick Byrne, PULSE was built on the belief that if students experienced firsthand the suffering of those on society’s margins, they would better appreciate the issues that contribute to social inequality.
In addition to the PULSE core course, there are eight elective courses that explore topics such as Boston neighborhoods, health care and writing as a tool for social change. These electives also have a field placement component.
Sweeney praised the work of the 18 students who comprise the PULSE Council, serving as liaisons between the PULSE program, BC students and the placements. Each manages three placement locations and serves as the contact person for every PULSE student working at that site.
Sweeney said she was drawn to the PULSE program because it combined her academic interests in theology and practical concerns she had about social justice issues with the teaching of undergraduates. “PULSE cultivates a different way of seeing things. The goal is for students to bring the experiences and the lessons to whatever field they choose to pursue.”
Material from the Light the World newsletter was used in this story.