The Robert J. Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences: A Comprehensive Overview

Boston College (BC), a private Catholic Jesuit research university located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, boasts a rich history dating back to its founding in 1863. Nestled in one of America’s most vibrant college towns, Boston, BC stands as a beacon of Jesuit scholarship and academic excellence. Among its nine colleges and schools, the Robert J. Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences holds a place of prominence as the oldest and largest.

Historical Roots and Evolution

Boston College traces its origins to the efforts of the first Jesuit community in New England. Initially situated in the South End of Boston, the college moved its main campus to Chestnut Hill in 1907. This relocation was spearheaded by then-president Thomas I. Gasson, who envisioned BC as a "city upon a hill," a center of Jesuit scholarship. The Chestnut Hill campus, with its early examples of collegiate gothic architecture, is now a historic district.

In its early decades, Boston College emphasized a traditional liberal arts curriculum, focusing on Greek and Latin classics, English and modern languages, philosophy, and religion. Over time, BC expanded its academic offerings, establishing the Boston College Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, the Boston College Law School, and the Woods College of Advancing Studies. Later came the Boston College Graduate School of Social Work, the Carroll School of Management, the Connell School of Nursing, and the Lynch School of Education and Human Development. While Boston College conferred its first degrees on women in 1926, it wasn't until 1970 that the university became fully coeducational.

The Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences: A Legacy of Excellence

The College of Arts and Sciences, now named the Robert J. Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences, is the original school of Boston College. It was founded by the Society of Jesus and chartered by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1863. The college's charter stipulated that no student could be denied admission based on their religious beliefs. When it first opened on September 5, 1864, the college consisted of three Jesuit instructors and 22 students, primarily from Boston's marginalized Irish Catholic immigrant community. Robert Fulton, S.J., a Georgetown University alumnus, was the first dean and later president of Morrissey College.

The college was initially located in Boston's South End neighborhood, sharing space with Boston College High School. By the turn of the century, the college had outgrown its urban setting, leading to the selection of a new location in Chestnut Hill. The Boston firm of Maginnis and Walsh began construction on Gasson Hall, the first of several buildings designed in collegiate Gothic style, on June 19, 1909. Stokes Hall, a humanities building housing several arts and sciences departments, was completed in 2013.

In 2015, the School of Arts & Sciences and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences were renamed the Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences in honor of benefactor and alumnus Robert J. Morrissey. The college is the largest of BC's eight schools, with 6,867 undergraduate and graduate students and 450 full- and part-time faculty members across 22 academic departments.

Robert J. Morrissey: A Benefactor's Impact

The renaming of the College of Arts and Sciences recognizes Robert J. Morrissey, BC ’60, an attorney and investor in Boston. His recent donation marks him as the largest benefactor in Boston College's history. Morrissey, who received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 2014, served as a University trustee from 1989 to 2014 and chaired the Committee on Investment and Endowment since 1981.

Morrissey's commitment to Boston College extends beyond his financial contributions. He joined the Board of Trustees to give back to his alma mater, recognizing the university's limited financial resources at the time. His unrestricted gift allows the university to support any area it deems necessary.

Academic Programs and Research

The Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. These programs prepare students for diverse careers while encouraging them to use their talents for the common good. As a Tier One research institution, the college emphasizes academic excellence and interdisciplinary studies.

The college champions intellectual and scientific exploration through more than 35 research centers and institutes. Graduate scholars are encouraged to approach complex contemporary issues from multiple perspectives, developing innovative solutions. For example, biology professor Christopher Kenaley researches the biomechanics and physiology of viperfish using 3D models printed in his laboratory. Another notable research endeavor is led by Boston College Professor of Biology Thomas N Seyfried, whose international team discovered a drug and diet pairing to combat brain cancer.

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Campus Life and Traditions

Boston College's campus life is rich with traditions and activities. The campus is accessible via the Boston College station. The university also acquired the 24-acre Mishkan Tefila Synagogue property in Chestnut Hill in 2017, transforming its auditorium into the Robsham Theater Arts Center, a major theater venue.

Over 70 Catholic Masses are celebrated on campus each week during the academic year. St. Columbkille Parish, a Catholic Church and elementary school in Brighton, maintains an alliance with BC, with the parish school governed by representatives from the Archdiocese of Boston and Boston College.

AHANA, a term coined at Boston College in 1979, refers to persons of African-American, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American descent. The term celebrates social and cultural differences and has been adopted by numerous other American universities.

Athletics

Boston College's athletic teams, known as the Eagles, compete in NCAA Division I. They have been members of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) since 2005-06. The Eagles' colors are maroon and gold, and their mascot is Baldwin the Eagle.

The Eagles compete in a variety of sports, with the men's and women's ice hockey teams competing in Hockey East. Alumni Stadium, with a capacity of 44,500, is the main venue for football. "For Boston," composed in 1885, is claimed to be America's oldest college fight song.

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The Eagles annually wear red bandanna-themed uniforms in honor of Welles Crowther, a 1999 graduate who died saving lives during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.

Student Life and Activities

Boston College offers a vibrant student life with numerous organizations and activities. The Gavel is an independent progressive student magazine, while The Torch is an independent Catholic student newspaper.

In 2003, BC approved a Gay-Straight Alliance, the first university-funded gay support group on campus. "Eagles" is now commonly used to refer to BC students, though historically, they were called "Heightsmen."

Libraries and Museums

Boston College's eight research libraries contain over two million printed volumes and twelve million items, including manuscripts, journals, government documents, and digital databases. The McMullen Museum of Art, located on the Brighton campus, hosts multidisciplinary exhibitions that contextualize art within broader narratives.

Financial Stability and Growth

Under the leadership of various presidents, including J. Donald Monan and William P. Leahy, Boston College has experienced significant financial growth. Monan's tenure saw the university transform into a national institution, while Leahy oversaw a $1.6 billion master plan for campus revitalization. The university's endowment has grown substantially, reaching $3.777 billion in 2024. The ongoing "Soaring Higher" fundraising campaign aims to raise $3 billion.

Rankings and Recognition

Boston College consistently receives high rankings and recognition for its academic programs and research contributions. The university's commitment to academic excellence and its Jesuit values continue to attract students and faculty from around the world.

Messina College

The Brookline campus is home to Messina College (formerly Pine Manor College), which opened in July 2024 for over 100 first-generation college students. It offers associate degrees in applied data science, health sciences, general business, and applied psychology and human development.

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