'Best of both worlds'

Connell School of Nursing senior Sarah Dansreau talks about why she likes Brighton, and her favorite spots to visit there, as part of a "Perfect Day" series on Boston's neighborhoods. Boston.com

Death of Gustavo Gutiérrez

Professor of Sociology Gustavo Morello, S.J., discusses the Peruvian priest known as the "father of liberation theology," who died in October: The World public radio.

Career breaks for women

Career breaks to care for kids or parents have also been career-enders for some women. Carroll School Professor Jamie Ladge, faculty liaison to the Center for Work and Family, comments: Boston Globe Magazine.

Politics and polarization

A Q&A with Associate Professor of Political Science David A. Hopkins in The Signal, and an essay adapted from his new book on the subject: Governing Daily.

Data breaches

In the Boston Globe, Kevin Powers, director of the BC Law's new M.S.L. degree program in cybersecurity, risk, and governance, discusses how for-hire hackers and AI are contributing to an increase in data breaches, and cites steps that victims of a breach should take.

Young people and memory loss

People in their 30s and 40s are reporting unusual levels of memory problems. Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience Elizabeth Kensinger, co-author of Why We Forget and How to Remember Better: The Science Behind Memory, weighs in for Boston Globe Magazine.

The Church and AI

Lynch School Professor Rev. Philip Larrey, formerly of Pontifical Lateran University, is one of the Catholic Church's foremost experts in artificial intelligence, and also has engaged with Silicon Valley innovators for more than two decades. Read a Q&A: Angelus News.

'America's National Pastime' on C-SPAN

A course lecture by Communication Professor Michael Serazio that shows how baseball connects Americans to their past and culture is featured on C-SPAN's "Lectures in History." | Also, he comments on the rise of fantasy football: Times of London.

Early Decision

Dean of Undergraduate Admission and Financial Aid Grant Gosselin provides insights into the Early Decision option in the college application process: U.S. News and World Report.

A Catholic voter's perspective

Clough School of Theology and Ministry Professor Thomas Groome explains his voting choice in light of his faith in a new essay for National Catholic Reporter.

Retirement planning

Carroll School Drucker Professor Alicia Munnell, who has announced plans to step down as director of the Center for Retirement Research, discusses her past decisions, and what she would change, in a Q&A with the Wall Street Journal.

Hurricanes' toll on children

Lynch School Associate Professor Betty Lai comments on post-traumatic stress following disasters and the potential long-term effects on children: New York Times.

Writer's journal

The twists and turns of researching a new book always lead somewhere new, writes Professor of English Elizabeth Graver, author of the award-winning Kantika, in an essay about searching for family: Boston Globe.

Pope Francis and Latin America

A Pew survey shows that though the pope’s popularity has dropped throughout Latin America in the last decade, significant majorities of Latin American Catholics still view him favorably. Professor of Sociology Gustavo Morello, S.J., comments for Religion News Service, here via National Catholic Reporter.

Minimizing the effect of pollution

Global Public Health Program Director Philip Landrigan, M.D., discusses ways in which people can make a difference at home, in their community, and in the broader society on WebMD's Health Discovered podcast (includes transcript). He also comments on the presence of microplastics in the olfactory bulbs of human brains: MedPageToday.

Diplomas behind bars

As the first students to graduate from the Boston College Prison Education Program receive bachelor degrees, Prison Education Program Director Patrick Conway writes about how the initiative provides a pathway for reimagining more effective, meaningful, and humane responses to crime and incarceration, in the Boston Globe.

Mandatory retirement age?

Carroll School Drucker Professor Alicia Munnell, director of the Center for Retirement Research, comments on how age discrimination may come into play: Boston Globe Magazine.

Retirement income and inflation

Social Security recipients are expected to receive a 2.6% cost-of-living adjustment next year. Whether a retiree’s overall income keeps up with inflation varies. Center for Retirement Research Senior Research Economist Laura Quinby comments: Wall Street Journal

 

NCR features Nuevo Momento

The initiative, a national project to strengthen ministry to Hispanic Catholics in the U.S, is developed by the Clough School of Theology and Ministry, supported by a $15 million Lilly Endowment grant, and led by CSTM Professor Hosffman OspinoNational Catholic Reporter

Spirituality and endurance sports

As the number of Americans belonging to a house of worship declines, some athletes are finding a new sense of spirituality in swim, bike, and run. A study of the phenomenon by Theology Department graduate Kathleen Mroz Ph.D. '18 is featured, and Clough School of Theology and Ministry alumnus Thomas Elitz, S.J., M.Div. '24, a marathon runner, is quoted, by Triathlete Magazine.

‘They lit up our campus'

Family and friends gathered on September 9 for the funeral of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau; Associate VP and Director of Campus Ministry Fr. Tony Penna, chaplain of the men's hockey team, presided and delivered the homily. Boston Globe | AP: The Gaudreau brothers left a legacy at Boston College and beyond

State of U.S. national security

This year marks the 23rd anniversary of 9/11. Associate Professor of Political Science Jennifer Erickson weighs in on how the conversation around national security has evolved over the years: GBH News.

The ancient origins of anti-Semitism

An essay by Clough School Professor Emeritus of Old Testament Richard Clifford, S.J., on the roots of Christian anti-Semitism, and on the relationship between Catholic and Jewish people today: America.

Paramount takeover; Trump Media

Comments from BC Law Professor Brian Quinn on billionaire Larry Ellison and the takeover of Paramount, for the New York Times, and on the recent drop in the stock price of Donald Trump’s media company, for Bloomberg News, here via Yahoo Finance.

Theology and Law

Libby Professor of Theology and Law Cathleen Kaveny writes on heaven and hell post-Vatican II in a cover story for America Magazine; considers four crucial Supreme Court decisions in a piece for Commonweal; and discusses her interdisciplinary scholarship as part of the Christian Scholar's Review podcast series of interviews with thought leaders.

Marriage in Iraq

A proposed amendment to Iraq’s 1959 Personal Status law could theoretically make it legal for girls as young as nine years old to get married. Insights from Assistant Professor of Political Science Marsin Alshamary: TIME.

Telegram founder charged

Pavel Durov was charged in France for failing to prevent illicit activity on the online communication app. BC Law Professor Daniel Lyons comments: New York Times.

Supercommuting CEOs

The work commute for Starbucks' new CEO will be 1,000 miles via corporate jet. Carroll School Coughlin Family Professor of Finance Ran Duchin, who studies corporate governance and has researched remote CEOs, comments in the New York Times.

Social Security funding gap

Seventy million Americans receive Social Security benefits, but the program is paying out more than it’s taking in. Drucker Professor Alicia Munnell, director of the Center for Retirement Research, is interviewed about solutions: PBS NewsHour.

The job market

Economics Professor of the Practice Can Erbil discusses wages, working conditions, and the impact of AI in a Q&A with WalletHub.

Trauma of Vermont floods

Flood disasters can have significant emotional and psychological consequences on survivors. Lynch School Associate Professor in Counseling Psychology Betty Lai weighs in: Boston Globe.

The Fed and inflation

The U.S. central bank needs to steer real interest rates down to the 2% range, writes Economics' Brian Bethune in an op-ed for MarketWatch, here via Morningstar. | He also comments on the subject for the Boston Globe.

Tips for college success

Provost and Dean of Faculties David Quigley offers advice for first-year students and those at any stage of their academic career: U.S. News.

The baggage of exile

In his book Immigrant Baggage, Professor of Russian, English, and Jewish Studies Maxim D. Shrayer counts himself among those who have had the blessing or curse of being forced to trade one identity for another: Jewish Journal.

Is it possible to be fully authentic?

Communication Professor Michael Serazio, author of The Authenticity Industries: Keeping it “Real” in Media, Culture, and Politics, weighs in on authenticity and influence in the digital age: Vox.com.

Elon Musk and xAI

The billionaire is mobilizing resources, including those of his other companies, around his year-old artificial intelligence startup. BC Law Professor and Donahue Faculty Fellow Brian Quinn comments: Wall Street Journal

Changes to the Mass

Among the most notable changes has been the allowance by Vatican II of the use of modern, local languages rather than Latin. Clough School Professor John Baldovin, S.J., comments on the linguistic revisions: Catholic News Agency.

Toward hospitality at the border

The work of Brian Strassburger, S.J., M.Div. '21, T.H.M. '21 to care for migrants in Brownsville, Texas, is featured by The New Yorker. In the article, he cites how he was inspired by a seminar taught by Vice Provost and Canisius Professor James Keenan, S.J.

Inflation milestone

Price hikes slowed more than expected in July, and, for the first time in more than three years, the Consumer Price Index has landed below three percent. Economics' Brian Bethune comments: CNN.com.

Trump and Social Security

Drucker Professor and Center for Retirement Research Director Alicia Munnell writes on the former president's new proposal to eliminate all taxation on Social Security benefits, despite the system's financing shortfall: MarketWatch.

Mortgage rates

With rates dropping, BC Law Liberty Mutual Insurance Professor Patricia McCoy comments on when it makes sense to refinance: Reuters.

New archbishop for Boston

Pope Francis has named Bishop Richard Henning of Providence to succeed retiring Cardinal Seán O’Malley. A number of Clough School faculty members commented on the news: Professor Hosffman OspinoBoston GlobeReutersCruxThe Tablet | Professor Thomas GroomeCBS Boston (video only), Boston 25 News | Professor John Baldovin, S.J.: NECN and NBC Boston.

Google and antitrust

Google lost a landmark case this summer, when a judge ruled the tech giant has an illegal monopoly on search. Now it has to defend itself in a new trial. BC Law Associate Professor David Olson weighs in: Yahoo! Finance.

Retail electricity suppliers; microplastics

 Global Public Health Program Director Philip Landrigan, M.D., writes on Massachusetts legislation to end third-party electric supply for residential customers: CommonWealth Beacon. | He also discussed the risks of proliferating microplastics in a video interview with AP.

Catholic integralism

Clough School Visiting Professor Jeffrey von Arx, S.J., presents lessons from the downfall of the Papal States in an essay for America.

'Game-changing' research on cancer

During the spring semester, Assistant Professor of Biology Emrah Altindis received a $2.5 million NIH grant to advance his study of viral insulins. He discussed how the insulins work with NPR's "All Things Considered," in an interview now available online.

Retirement and savings

Do we have a retirement crisis? Insights from Center for Retirement Research Director Alicia Munnell in an essay for MarketWatch, here via Morningstar. | She also weighs in for the New York Times on why so many Americans near retirement with little saved, and on Marketplace Radio regarding workers retiring earlier.

"This has been long in our history"

The opening in July of BC's two-year college for first-generation, low-income students is featured by Boston.com, with comments by founding Dean Erick Berrelleza, S.J.

AI's impact on jobs

The rise of artificial intelligence prompts fears of what its effect will be on jobs. Carroll School Professor of Business Analytics Sam Ransbotham comments for CBS Boston. | He also writes on how AI can help a company to innovate: Harvard Business Review.

ChatGPT

The way artificial intelligence writes is almost human—almost, writes Associate Professor of Communication Michael Serazio, author of The Authenticity Industries: Keeping It ‘Real’ in Media, Culture, and Politics, in an essay for Boston Globe "Ideas."

Small banks and real estate

BC Law Liberty Mutual Insurance Professor Patricia McCoy weighs in on regulatory oversight of how small banks are handling high concentrations of commercial real-estate loans. New York Times.

Labor productivity

The details of the second quarter GDP report indicate that labor productivity picked up, Economics' Brian Bethune tells MarketWatch.

NATO at 75

As world leaders gathered in Washington, D.C. earlier this month to mark the milestone, Woods College political science and history faculty member Erin Baumann discussed the summit with Newstalk Radio, Ireland.

How do Catholics grapple with A.I.?

A Q&A with Lynch School Professor Rev. Philip Larrey, formerly of Pontifical Lateran University, whose publications deal with the philosophy of knowledge and critical thinking, and the effects of the new digital era on society: Inside the Vatican.

Generations and retirement

When it comes to saving, Gen Z is ahead of its elders: more than three quarters of those recently surveyed say they’re on track to retire and maintain their current lifestyle. Gen X respondents, however, are worried. Center for Retirement Research Senior Economist Anqi Chen weighs in for Marketplace Radio.

National Eucharistic Congress

Clough School of Theology and Ministry Professor John Baldovin, S.J., comments on the U.S. Catholic bishops' plan to revitalize the church in the United States, which reached its climactic point with a five-day congress in July.  National Catholic Reporter

Containing the plastics crisis

The most “fundamental and far-reaching step that must be taken to contain the global plastics crisis is to impose a global cap on plastic production," with a focus on single-use plastics, according to Global Public Health Program Director Philip Landrigan, M.DThe Guardian (U.K.)

Prices and inflation

U.S. consumer prices fell for the first time in four years in June, drawing the Federal Reserve another step closer to cutting interest rates. Economics' Brian Bethune comments for Reuters, here via Fast Company.

BC theologians honored by, speak at Catholic conclaves

Monan Professor of Theology Lisa Sowle Cahill received the Ann O'Hara Graff Memorial Award at the Catholic Theological Society of America's 2024 convention, which focused on the social dimensions of salvation. Remarks by Theology Department Professor Carlos Mendoza-Álvarez, O.P., and graduate Katie Mahowski Mylroie are cited in National Catholic Reporter's event coverage, which also noted CTSA's past president, Theology Professor Kristin Heyer. | In a guest essay, Clough School of Theology and Ministry student Luis Donaldo González reported for NCR on the recent Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the U.S. colloquium on synodality, held at the Connors Center. The piece cites remarks by Professor Hosffman Ospino, one of a number of CSTM faculty and student presenters and panelists at the event.

SCOTUS immunity ruling

Boston College faculty members weigh in on the U.S. Supreme Court decision to grant presidents partial immunity from criminal prosecution. Professor of History Heather Cox Richardson: CNN AmanpourPBS NewsHour | BC Law Associate Professor of the Practice Jeffrey CohenNBC NewsABC NewsThe Hill (via WPRI)BBC News | Law Professor Kent GreenfieldAssociated Press.

Boston Celtics for sale

The announcement by the franchise owners came just weeks after the team's national championship parade. Patty Raube Keller, director of the Woods College M.S. in Sports Administration program, comments for NBC Boston.

Economic trends

Carroll School Professor of Business Law Emerita Christine O'Brien discusses inflation, unemployment, and job market trends in a Q&A with WalletHub.

Inflation and retirement

The negative impact of inflation on retirees and near-retirees depends on sources of income, asset holdings, and the amount of fixed-rate debt, writes Drucker Professor and Center for Retirement Research Director Alicia Munnell. MarketWatch via Morningstar

The great religious failure

The second in a series of columns by Canisius Professor and Vice Provost for Global Engagement James Keenan, S.J., focuses on failure to recognize need in others: America.

Dignitas Infinita

Libby Professor of Theology and Law Cathleen Kaveny writes on the Declaration on Human Dignity issued by the Holy See in April: Commonweal.

Men and fatherhood

Center for Work & Family Executive Director Brad Harrington discussed his research of men's attitudes toward parenting for a Father's Day-related piece by CNN.com.

Elon Musk; corporate law

Tesla shareholders approved a $45 billion+ pay package for Musk, but the battle is not over. BC Law Professor Brian Quinn comments: ReutersThe Guardian (U.K.). He's also quoted by the Wall Street Journal on Musk's withdrawal of his suit against OpenAI, and weighed in on a bill that would amend Delaware's corporate law: Delaware Business Times.

Age limits for members of Congress

A proposed amendment to North Dakota's constitution would bar lawmakers over 80 from service. BC School of Social Work Associate Professor Christina Matz, director of the Center on Aging and Work, and Psychology Professor Elizabeth Kensinger—both part of BC's Research on Aging group—weigh in on PBS Newshour (their comments begin at 4:20). | Matz also discussed age discrimination in tech fields on the Today in Tech podcast.

Fixing Social Security

Millions of Americans worry about whether Social Security will be there for them at retirement. What's required to fix it? Insights from Carroll School Drucker Professor Alicia Munnell, director of the Center for Retirement Research, are cited by the New York Times.

The Hispanic Catholic Church

The Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the U.S. will hold a colloquium on the topic of synodality at the Connors Center June 9-12. School of Theology and Ministry Professor Hosffman Ospino comments: National Catholic Reporter. | Read his essay, "The moment for the Hispanic Catholic Church in the United States is now," in America Magazine.

Brands and activism; authenticity

Brands, wary of backlash, no longer show interest in advancing causes, writes Associate Professor of Communication Michael Serazio in an essay for Vox.com. | He comments on manipulated and AI-generated fake images: The Atlantic.

Health effects of microplastics

Microplastics, less than five millimeters in length, come from a variety of sources and can be found everywhere, including in the air we breathe. Global Public Health Program Director Philip Landrigan, M.D., discusses the health risks with WGBH "All Things Considered," TIME magazine, and 1News (New Zealand).

Who Pays for Long-Term Care?

People are confused and overestimate Medicare’s role, writes Carroll School Drucker Professor Alicia Munnell, director of the Center for Retirement Research, in an essay for MarketWatch, here via Morningstar.

Age, gender, and car insurance

In a Q&A with WalletHub, Carroll School Senior Lecturer in Finance Drew Hession-Kunz discusses how car insurance companies set premiums.

NYT highlights study of cannabis laws and teens

Lynch School Professor Rebekah Levine Coley discusses findings from her study of the impact of cannabis legalization on teens, conducted with School of Social Work Professor Summer Sherburne Hawkins and Economics Professor Christopher Baum, in an interview with the New York Times.

Supporting underserved students

Messina College is cited among new two-year associate degree programs being offered by four-year colleges to help underserved students, and Messina Dean Erick Berrelleza, S.J., is quoted: Hechinger Report.

A doctoral degree at 17

A Chicago teen became the youngest person to earn a doctoral degree in integrated behavioral health at Arizona State University. Psychology Professor Emerita Ellen Winner, author of Gifted Children: Myths and Realities, comments: New York Times.

What Trump looks like to historians

Professor of Political Science Marc Landy is among experts on the American presidency asked to evaluate Donald Trump in terms of impact. New York Times.

AI and abuse

BC Law Professor Daniel Lyons comments on what is potentially the first federal charge of creating child sexual abuse material applied to AI images. Washington Post

Goldman Sachs at BC CEO Club

Speaking at the May 22 Boston College Chief Executives Club gathering, Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon said he does not expect the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates this year. ReutersBoston Business JournalNBC Boston videoBloomberg News via CNN

Good preaching

Clough School of Theology and Ministry Professor Thomas Groome preaches for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity and discusses good preaching in an episode of America Media's "Preach" podcast.

The fuzziness of right and wrong

Liane Young, a professor in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, discusses the work of the Morality Lab as a guest on the Templeton Foundation's Templeton Ideas podcast.

Mortgages and recession

U.S. officials worry that the next recession could be intensified by a series of failures in the mortgage industry. BC Law Liberty Mutual Insurance Professor Patricia McCoy comments: CNN.com

Investigations and memory

The Karen Read murder trial has focused on witnesses’ connections and competing memories two years after the alleged crime. Professor Elizabeth Kensinger, chair of the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, comments on how the brain processes memories: Boston Globe.

NCR highlights Messina College

As it readies for its inaugural class of first-gen students in July, BC's newest college is showcased by National Catholic Reporter.

Wealth transfer

Assets held by baby boomers are changing hands, but that doesn’t mean their millennial heirs will be set for life. Economics Associate Professor of the Practice Geoffrey Sanzenbacher of the Center for Retirement Research comments: New York Times.

Miscarriage and the Church

Joseph Weiss, S.J., a professor of the practice of liturgy at the Clough School of Theology and Ministry, discusses misconceptions about Church teaching on miscarriage: America Magazine.

Is 75 the new 65?

For many workers, 65 has long been a benchmark retirement age. As life expectancy grows, should this standard shift as well? Gal Wettstein, senior research economist at the Center for Retirement Research, weighs in for BBC News.

The "right" retirement age

BC School of Social Work Associate Professor Christina Matz, director of the Center on Aging and Work, weighs in on why one "right" retirement age actually doesn't exist: Money.

Trump and the Constitution

"Even if the justices eventually rule against him, liberals should not celebrate the Constitution as our best bulwark against Mr. Trump," writes BC Law Professor Aziz Rana in a guest essay for the New York Times.

Improving MENA health data

Middle Eastern and North African people in the U.S. will have their own category in the next federal census. Connell School of Nursing Associate Professor Nadia Abuelezam discussed the significance of the change from a public health perspective, in interviews with ABC News and Stateline news service, here via Rhode Island Current.

Social cost of gambling

Gambling is anything but painless when you take account of the cost of addiction and problem behavior, Carroll School Associate Professor of the Practice Richard McGowan, S.J., tells the Boston Globe.

Free play and youth mental health

Have helicopter parenting and a decline in unstructured play contributed to the youth mental health crisis? Psychology Research Professor Peter Gray—a longtime advocate for free play who helped design a study of play and student wellness being run by School of Social Work Associate Professor Jessica Black—discusses the topic: Boston GlobeCBS Boston.

Journal ignored Nazi atrocities, historians find

An article in the New England Journal of Medicine criticizes the publication for paying little attention to the atrocities perpetrated in the name of medical science. Professor of Film Studies John Michalczyk, the co-director of Jewish Studies who has written books and produced films related to the Holocaust, comments: New York Times.

Home sales drop

Mortgages rates, high prices, and low inventory are making homes tough to sell in Massachusetts. Murray and Monti Professor of Economics Peter Ireland comments: CBS Boston.

Is Taylor Swift a poet?

The megastar has released her 11th studio album, “The Tortured Poets Department.” Is she a poet? Professor of the Practice English Allison Adair, who specializes in creative writing with a focus on poetry, weighs in: AP via Washington Post.

Cigna at BC Chief Execs Club

The Cigna Group Chairman and CEO David Cordani talked about health and healthcare, in conversation with Suffolk Chairman and CEO and BC Trustee John Fish, at the latest gathering of the Boston College Chief Executives Club. Boston Globe (third item)NBC Boston video

Commencement 2024

The announcement that Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J., bishop of Hong Kong, will be this year's Commencement speaker, and that honorary degrees also will be presented to four distinguished individuals, is featured by the Boston Globe. | Area speakers, including at BC and BC Law, also are cited by WBUR News.

Musk's pay proposal

The Tesla board is asking shareholders to vote again on the multibillion-dollar compensation package that was thrown out by a Delaware court. BC Law Professor Brian Quinn comments: Washington PostMarketWatch.

Reducing elder poverty

BC School of Social Work Associate Professor Cal Halvorsen weighs in on the benefits of a federal work program for low-income senior adults. Chicago Sun-Times