Boston College facts for kids

For other uses, see Boston College (disambiguation).

Quick facts for kids
Boston College

Latin: Collegium Bostoniense
Motto	Αἰὲν ἀριστεύειν (Greek)
Motto in English	"Ever to Excel"
Type	Private research university
Established	March 31, 1863; 162 years ago (March 31, 1863)
Founder	John McElroy
Accreditation	NECHE
Religious affiliation	Catholic (Jesuit)
Academic affiliations	AJCU ACCU AICUM NAICU
Endowment	$3.5 billion (2023)
President	William P. Leahy, S.J.
Provost	David Quigley
Academic staff	1,848
Administrative staff	2,690
Students	15,106 (2022)
Undergraduates	9,532 (2022)
Postgraduates	5,574 (2022)
Location	Chestnut Hill , Massachusetts , United States 42°20′06″N 71°10′13″W / 42.33500°N 71.17028°W / 42.33500; -71.17028
Campus	Small City, 388 acres (157 ha) (total) Chestnut Hill (main campus), 175 acres (71 ha) Chestnut Hill (Pine Manor Institute), 48 acres (19 ha) Newton Campus, 40 acres (16 ha) Brighton Campus, 65 acres (26 ha)
Newspaper	The Heights
Colors	Maroon and gold
Nickname	Eagles
Sporting affiliations	NCAA Division I FBS – ACC Hockey East NEISA EISA EAWRC
Mascot	Baldwin the Eagle

Boston College (often called BC) is a private university in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. It was started in 1863 by Jesuits, a Catholic religious order. Today, more than 15,000 students attend BC. Even though it's called a "college," it's actually a large research university. The name "college" reminds people of its beginnings as a smaller school focused on general education.

BC offers many types of degrees, including bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. These are offered through its eight different schools. The main campus is famous for its beautiful collegiate gothic buildings, which look like old European castles. Following its Jesuit traditions, Boston College teaches students to think broadly, serve others, and make a positive difference in the world.

The sports teams at Boston College are called the Eagles. Their colors are maroon and gold, and their mascot is Baldwin the Eagle. The Eagles compete in NCAA Division I sports, mostly in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Their men's ice hockey team has won five national championships. Many famous people, like governors, ambassadors, and athletes, have graduated from Boston College.

Exploring Boston College's History

Early BC in Boston's South End

How Boston College Began

The idea for Boston College started in 1825 with Benedict Joseph Fenwick, a Jesuit bishop. He wanted a college in Boston to train new leaders. After some challenges, John McElroy helped buy land in 1857 for "The Boston College." The first students arrived in 1859.

On March 31, 1863, Boston College officially received its charter from Massachusetts. This made it the second Jesuit college in the state. Johannes Bapst, a Swiss Jesuit, became BC's first president. For many years, BC offered a seven-year program that included both high school and college studies. The lessons focused on subjects like Latin, Greek, and philosophy.

Moving to Chestnut Hill

By the early 1900s, Boston College had grown to almost 500 students. The old buildings in Boston's South End were too small. In 1907, President Thomas I. Gasson decided to move the campus. He bought a large farm in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, about six miles west of downtown Boston. He imagined a grand new campus that would be a center for Jesuit learning.

Construction began in 1909. The main building, Gasson Hall, was finished in 1913. Over the next few decades, BC added many new schools, like the Boston College Law School and the Carroll School of Management. In 1926, women began to receive degrees from Boston College, though it became fully coeducational in 1970. In 1963, President John F. Kennedy visited for the college's 100th anniversary.

Gasson Hall in spring
Gasson Hall in summer
Gasson Hall in autumn
Gasson Hall in winter

Changes and Growth in Recent Years

When J. Donald Monan became president in 1972, Boston College was facing financial difficulties. He worked to improve the university's finances and brought in more business leaders to help guide the school. In 1974, Boston College merged with Newton College of the Sacred Heart, which added a new campus for BC.

Gasson Quadrangle

Since 1996, President William P. Leahy has continued to expand Boston College. The campus has grown, and new buildings have been added. In 2002, BC started the "Church in the 21st Century" program, which helped the university gain recognition for its efforts in Church reform.

In 2003, after many student discussions, Boston College approved its first university-funded group for gay and straight students, called the Gay-Straight Alliance. In 2005, the university updated its non-discrimination policy to be more welcoming to gay students.

Stokes Hall amphitheater

In 2007, Boston College announced a big plan to improve the campus and hire new teachers. This plan included building new academic buildings and student housing. In 2017, students protested against racism on campus, asking officials to address issues like hateful graffiti and the removal of Black Lives Matter signs.

Boston College Campuses

Chestnut Hill Main Campus

Aerial view of the Chestnut Hill main campus.

Boston College's main campus is in Chestnut Hill, about six miles west of downtown Boston. It covers 175 acres and has over 120 buildings. The campus is often called the "Heights" because it's on a hilltop overlooking the Chestnut Hill Reservoir. There's even a "Boston College" train station right at the campus entrance, connecting students to the city. The main campus is so special that it's listed as a historic district.

Gargan Hall, Bapst Library

BC has eight research libraries with millions of books and other items. These collections include old manuscripts, rare prints, and art from around the world. Bapst Library, opened in 1928, is one of the most beautiful buildings and was the main library for many years.

Newton Campus

In 1975, Boston College joined with Newton College of the Sacred Heart. This added a new 40-acre campus about a mile west of the main campus. Today, the Newton Campus is home to first-year students and the Boston College Law School. University buses connect this campus to the main one.

Brighton Campus

Between 2004 and 2007, Boston College bought 65 acres of land from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston. This land now holds buildings for the school of theology and sports facilities for baseball and softball teams.

Simboli Hall, School of Theology and Ministry
McMullen Museum of Art

Other Chestnut Hill Properties

In 2017, BC bought a 24-acre property that used to be a synagogue. The auditorium there is now used for performances and events by the Robsham Theater Arts Center. In 2020, Boston College also bought Pine Manor College, a smaller college nearby, to help students who are the first in their families to attend college.

How Boston College Works

Catholic and Jesuit Identity

St. Ignatius of Loyola statue by Bolivian-born artist Pablo Eduardo.

Boston College has a strong connection to its Catholic and Jesuit roots. Many Jesuits live on campus and work as teachers or administrators. The university has several chapels where Catholic Masses are held each week. This connection means BC focuses on educating the whole person and encouraging service to others.

Academic Programs

St. Ignatius Gate entrance

Boston College has eight main schools and colleges where students can study:

Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences
Carroll School of Management (for business)
Lynch School of Education and Human Development (for teaching)
Connell School of Nursing
Boston College School of Social Work
Boston College Law School
Boston College School of Theology and Ministry
Woods College of Advancing Studies (for adult learners)

Student Life and Diversity

Boston College uses the term AHANA to refer to students of African-American, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American descent. This term was created by students in 1979 to celebrate cultural differences and replace the term "minority." Many other universities now use this term too.

Student Media

Students at Boston College have many ways to share news and express themselves:

The Heights: The main student newspaper, published weekly since 1919.
The Gavel: An independent student magazine.
The Torch: A Catholic student newspaper.
The New England Classic: A satirical (funny) newspaper.
WZBC: The student-run radio station, playing independent music.
Boston College Television (BCTV): A student-run TV station covering student life and sports.

Students also publish yearbooks, literary magazines, and research journals. There are many music groups, like the Boston College "Screaming Eagles" Marching Band, jazz band, and symphony orchestra. Students can also join theater groups like The Dramatics Society.

Boston College Athletics

Silvio O. Conte Forum

Boston College's sports teams are called the Eagles. They compete in NCAA Division I sports. Most teams are part of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). The men's and women's ice hockey teams play in Hockey East. BC is one of the few universities that has Division I football, men's and women's basketball, and hockey teams.

An ice hockey game played at "Kelley Rink", Conte Forum.

The mascot is an Eagle, and the character at games is named Baldwin the Eagle. The school colors are maroon and gold. The fight song, For Boston, was written in 1885 and is one of America's oldest college fight songs.

In hockey, BC plays in the yearly Beanpot tournament against other Boston colleges. The men's hockey team has won five national championships, including in 2008, 2010, and 2012.

Alumni Stadium, home of the Boston College Eagles.

The main sports facilities include Alumni Stadium for football, Conte Forum for basketball and hockey, and Kelley Rink for ice hockey. Boston College has 31 varsity sports teams, plus many club and intramural teams for students to join.

Football Highlights

Boston College's first football team in 1893.

Boston College football has had some very exciting moments. In 1984, quarterback Doug Flutie threw a famous "Hail Mary" pass in the last seconds to win a game against the University of Miami. This helped him win the Heisman Trophy, a top award for college football players. In 1993, the Eagles beat undefeated Notre Dame with a field goal as time ran out.

The Eagles also honor Welles Crowther, a BC alumnus who died saving lives during the September 11, 2001 tragedy. The football team sometimes wears special red bandanna-themed uniforms to remember him.

Women's Lacrosse

The Boston College Eagles women's lacrosse team is a top team in NCAA Division I. They play their home games at the Newton Soccer Complex and sometimes at Alumni Stadium.

Famous People from Boston College

People who graduate from Boston College are called "Eagles." "Golden Eagles" are graduates who had their 50th reunion. "Double Eagles" earned both an undergraduate and graduate degree from BC.

Many Boston College students have won important scholarships, like the Rhodes Scholarship and Fulbright awards. These scholarships help students study abroad or pursue advanced degrees.