Photo Blog

The College held its first-ever accepted Chinese students reception in Beijing recently at the Park Hyatt Beijing. According to Xiaofeng Wan, assistant director of admissions, the event was a hit with the students and their families, who commented that no other college or university where their children had been accepted had planned such a welcome. Hank Hulick ’11(in the center behind the banner), Nate Nault ’11 (on the right with yellow tie) and Nestor Santana ’04 (holding the tip of the pennant) hosted the reception.

The Brother to Brother Committee and the Black Student Union honored six at the fifth annual Women’s Appreciation Banquet celebrating Women’s History Month in Hogan 401.

Honorees were, front row, from left, Virginia Coakley, assistant chaplain and director of Protestant and ALANA (African-American, Latin American, Asian-American, and Native American) ministries; Rose Marie Caranci, administrative assistant for the Office of Multicultural Education and the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards; Sue Finne, administrative assistant for Residence Life and Housing; and Amy Murphy, director of the Career Planning Center. Mary Hobgood, associate professor of religious studies, and Ann Zelesky, associate director of athletics, were also honored but were not in attendance. Members of the Brother to Brother Committee stand behind the honorees. They are, from left, Irvin Scott ’14, Gary Acquah ’14, Anthony Russo ’14, Aaron Jackson’14, and Darien Henry ’14.

“The purpose of the event is simply to give back to the women who have been consistent role models, leaders and true dedicated supporters of and for the Holy Cross comunity over the years. Students from multiple multicultural student organizations and registered student organizations voted to elect recipients who impact them in a professional and personal way,” said Henry, a member of the committee, who is seen here with Murphy.

Roses were distributed to all women in attendance.

Photography by Darien Henry ’14

Th Minority Education Professional Network aims to create a welcoming environment for minority professionals in Worcester’s colleges, universities and public schools. Rob Jones, associate director of multicultural education at Holy Cross, and Jacqueline Peterson, the College’s dean of students and vice president for student affairs, serve on the group’s steering committee, and hosted its networking reception in the Hogan Campus Center on Feb. 26. Worcester’s public school superintendent, Melinda Boone, served as the keynote speaker. Jones, shown here with Boone; Charise Wilson, an admissions counselor at Becker College; and Dean Peterson, commented on the networking event: “What a pleasure to network with the many education professionals of color in the Worcester Community!”

Photo by Suzanne Morrissey

Damon A. Williams, the senior vice president for programs, training, and youth development services for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, delivers the keynote address at the second annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast held in the Hogan Campus Center Ballroom. Williams was previously associate vice chancellor, vice provost, chief diversity officer, and faculty member at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

David Harris, director of College choirs and lecturer in the music department, conducts the Holy Cross Chamber Singers.

The Chamber Singers entertain the crowd. The event was co-sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Education and the Diversity Leadership Team.

Jacqueline Peterson, vice president for Student Affairs and dean of students, enjoys the event. She paid tribute to Nelson Mandela as part of the program.

Photography by Dan Vaillancourt

The Holy Cross community remembers the life of Nelson Mandela, his tireless work for social justice, and his leadership by example. This afternoon, students, faculty and staff gathered to hear readings of Mandela’s writing and to observe a moment of silence, followed by the South African National Anthem. His memory will also be honored at faith services throughout the weekend, as well as during a celebration of Kwanzaa.

Photos by Stephen Albano

This year’s Homecoming festivities included “Back to the Hill,” a dinner celebrating the Black Student Union’s 45th Anniversary along with the 40th anniversary of women attending the College. Above Peter Mitchell ’78 shares a hug and a laugh with psychology professor emeritus Ogretta V. McNeil and Rev. Philip Boroughs, S.J., President of the College.

Above BSU co-chairs Payton Shubrick ’15 (left) and Vicmarys Brito ’15 welcomed the BSU alumni to a special dinner in Hogan. Founded in 1968, following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., the BSU is committed to educating the Holy Cross community about the importance of heritage, the affirmation of identity and the legacy of achievement. Emphasizing the academic, cultural, social, and political development of its members, BSU aims to provide a support system for African American students and all members of the Holy Cross community by creating an environment that promotes leadership, embraces identity and encourages diversity.

Above Classmates Robert DeShay ’70 and Art Martin ’70

Over the years, hundreds if not thousands of Worcester-area children have been paired with Holy Cross students through Big Brothers/Big Sisters. The “Bigs” have fun adventures and get togethers with their “Littles” each week, and in the spring, they let loose at the annual Field Day in (where else?) the Fieldhouse.

On Field Day, the “Littles,” including Valentina, (above) shown here with her Big Sister, volleyball player Dana Weston ’15 from Canton, Mass., get to shoot hoops and play other games, hang out, and make crafts…plus lunch and ice cream!

Lacrosse player Jamie Ward ’15 of Glen Rock, N.J., gives his “Little,” Jayden a lift (above).

(Above) Gary Acquah ’14, a defensive lineman for Crusader football from The Bronx, N.Y., says he and his “Little,” Fernando, both enjoyed going to see the Celtics play over the winter.  Fernando’s goal? “He wants to play basketball one day for Holy Cross,” Acquah says.

“Little” Damien (above) was wicked excited about getting the cones set up for a relay game with his “Big,” lacrosse player Tommy Shannon’16 of Andover, Mass.

As a warm spring day turned into a misty evening on April 19, Asian Students in Action (A.S.I.A.) presented ExplorAsian 2013. The popular event featured music and dance performances, student testimonials and an impressive buffet of Asian cuisine. All proceeds from ticket sales were donated to Kiva Microfinds, a nonprofit group connects thousands of people to borrowers and partner institutions around the world, working together to create opportunity and alleviate poverty with loans as small as $25. (Photo by Stephen Albano)

Student organizers for the evening event included

Left to right, front row: Stella Wan ’14 (in beige dress), Tery Vinh ’15, Ingrid Rivera ’13, Kim Khuu ’13 and Kharisha Laroco ’15 (holding umbrella)

Left to right, back row: Amy Cao ’15, Andrew Cavicchi ’14, Chapin Evans ’14 and Ian Jones ’15 (Photo by Stephen Albano)

Tery Vinh ’15 and Amy Cao ’15 dressed as empresses from the Tang Dynasty. (Photo courtesy Amy Cao ’15)

Scores of students, faculty and staff gather at St. Joseph Memorial Plaza for an Interfaith Prayer of Lament two days after the Boston Marathon tragedy. The gathering offered an opportunity to voice grief, offer prayers for the victims, and lift up desires for a more peaceful world in the face of the bombings at the marathon.

Photography by John Morton ’15

About 160 people, including members of the greater Worcester community and Holy Cross students, attended a screening of the award-winning film “Soul Food Junkies” by documentary filmmaker Byron Hurt, above, in the Hogan Campus Center Ballroom. Before the screening, 110 people attended a healthy soul food luncheon, created by Boston chef Presceia Cooper and Holy Cross chef Edward Rome.

The film was followed by a panel discussion about healthy eating and food disparities. The panel consisted of, from left, Derek Brindisi, director of public health for the city of Worcester; Sean Harris, adjunct professor of design at Becker College; Hurt; Marie Boone, cofounder and executive vice president of planning at the Mosaic Cultural Complex; and Sharon Henderson, director of marketing and communications for the YMCA of Central Massachusetts.