Boston University Alumni Association

BU's global reach and impact make it the 41st best university in the world, says Time magazine's inaugural school ratings. Photo by Alucua Hamm (COM'26).

BU has ranked 41st in Time's list of the World's Top Universities of 2026! BU's global footprint—measured by economic impact, community of international scholars, and more—drove the impressive showing in the magazine's first such ranking.

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Asia Alumni Forum 2024 - Shanghai

Trustee Hugo Shong (COM’87,GRS’92) at the 2014 Asian Business Forum in Beijing, China

The Asian Alumni Business Forum in 2019, held in Bangkok, Thailand.

Alumni posing with an award at the second annual Asian Alumni Business Forum in Beijing, China, in 2008.

March 27–28, join us in Singapore to celebrate 20 years of alumni gatherings in Asia! From our very first Asia Alumni Forum in 2006, it has been an honor to celebrate our global BU community—and we couldn't have done it without our Terriers.

Register ➡️ spr.ly/63322hukBo

President Melissa Gilliam speaking at the inaugural Presidential Address on January 28th, 2026.

During her inaugural presidential address, President Melissa Gilliam shared her "North Star" vision for BU and outlined how the University is on its way toward becoming a “global, urban, leading research and teaching institution.”

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Mark Curiel's (LAW'02) headshot over a background shot of a film set.

BU Alumni Council member Mark Curiel (LAW'02) has one of the most coveted jobs in entertainment law: VP, Motion Picture Legal at Paramount. He recently sat down to discuss his gratitude for BU Law and how he chooses to give back today.

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Using AI and an international network of experts to identify and communicate outbreaks, BEACON shores up global defenses, to prevent the next pandemic.

In a post-COVID world, spotting infectious disease outbreaks still largely relies on data compiled by hand. BU researchers have created the first infectious disease surveillance system with the potential to save countless lives.

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“We have the best seats in the house,” says Ed Moller (Questrom’80) (left), sitting next to longtime friend John Zedros (CGS’80, Questrom’82). “We’re the top row, no one behind us. There’s only one thing lacking,” he adds with a laugh, “a coat hook behind our seats.”

They have the best seats in the house—and maybe the longest friendship in BU hockey. Season ticket holders Ed Moller (Questrom’80) and John Zedros (CGS’80, Questrom’82) have been to 1,000+ games, including Beanpots and National Championships

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Thanks to a crowdfunding effort, BU dental students are treating underserved patients around the world 

The Bahamian island of Eleuthera appears idyllic, but its residents struggle to access basic healthcare. Thanks to a crowdfunding effort, BU dental students spent a week there providing free dental screenings and pediatric care 🦷

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Text: Today is Terrier spirit day! Show your BU pride by wearing red and white

Happy Terrier Spirit Day, Terriers! 🎉

As we celebrate our first Spirit Day, tell us: What makes you #ProudtoBU?

Sound off in the comments and show your BU pride today! ❤️🐾

Roses

Nothing's more romantic than a good marriage proposal story. With Valentine’s Day approaching, BU Today is asking the BU community to share their funny, sweet, heartwarming, or silly stories about their proposals to another Terrier ❤️ 🐾

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A group of young BU alumni celebrating at a Beanpot watch party

Next stop, the 2026 Dunkin' Men's Beanpot Championship! Our Terriers are going to the finals, and we're hosting a watch party in your city! Break out your BU swag and join your local Terrier community to cheer on BU Men's Ice Hockey 🏒

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BU has been part of David Yi’s life since his childhood. Now, he helps alumni connect as cochair of the LA Alumni Network.

When David Yi (Questrom’20) moved to Los Angeles, he found it hard to connect with new people. But a Welcome to Your Network event hosted by the BUAA LA network was the perfect opportunity to make new friends and find his local BU community!

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Asia Alumni Forum 2026 promotional image for Singapore, featuring President Gilliam's headshot photo

Registration is open for the 2026 Asia Alumni Forum, but don't wait—space is limited! March 27–28, join fellow Terriers in Singapore to meet with President Gilliam, hear from industry leaders, and celebrate your BU community in Asia.

Register now ➡️ spr.ly/63324hDXgr

A photo of a Global Days of Service volunteer wearing a red shirt with the text: "Volunteer #BUdaysofservice"

Looking to make an impact in your community? Become a Global Days of Service Volunteer Captain! This April, BU is hosting volunteer community service opportunities across the world, but we need the help of enthusiastic Terriers like you ❤️🐾

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Glenn Street (CAS’82, MET’94) wearing his Undergraduate Philosophy Association next to a group of current UPA members.

Glenn Street (CAS’82, MET’94) built a career in computer science, but philosophy was his first love. As a former member of the Undergraduate Philosophy Association, he remains a loyal supporter, recently bolstering UPA's crowdfunding efforts.

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Terrier Spirit Day promotional graphic. Text: Starting February 5, every first Thursday is a Terrier Spirit Day. Mark our calendars!

Mark your calendar: February 5 is BU’s first Terrier Spirit Day.

How to join:
🔴 Wear red & white
🐾 Rock your BU gear
☕ Sport a BU mug, pin, or virtual background

However you participate, you’re part of the community.

Download a virtual background ➡️ spr.ly/63326hDnRs

Roe, a husky-poodle mix, making friends with a patient at the Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program. Part of BMC’s Healing Pups program, Roe is a regular visitor to the program.

Some of BMC's most popular therapists have four legs! 20 therapy dogs visit patients and staff, providing engagement and emotional support as part of the Healing Pups program. They also help researchers study therapy dogs' impact on trauma 🐾

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Graphic containing the following text over an image of BU as seen from the Charles River. Text: Charting Our Future. In the Heart of the City, in the Service of the World. Please join President Filliam as she hosts her first Annual Presidential Address. Learn about the vision for Boston University's role in a changing world. January 28, 2026 | 4:30 pm. Live stream will be available on bu.edu/president.

President Gilliam will deliver her first Annual Presidential Address, sharing BU’s vision for impact in Boston and around the world, from breakthrough research to community partnerships and more.

🗓 Tune in live tomorrow, January 28, at 4:30 pm
👀 Watch here: spr.ly/63325hBTHL

Boston University’s 28th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium was held October 17 at the George Sherman Union Ballroom. It showcased the work of more than 240 undergrads in the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program, whose research covers a wide range of disciplines. The symposium highlighted the impact of experiential learning at BU and students’ discoveries and innovations. During four 45-minute poster sessions, each featuring some 60 students, they presented their work on digital poster screens. Photo by Cydney Scott

Terriers conduct world-changing research through BU's Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program, but over one-third of projects can't receive the funding they need. Help bolster the future of research by supporting UROP today!

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The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program offers hands-on research experience like studying how sugar kelp adapts to changing marine environments.

Sierra Koerber-Marx (CAS’26) spent last summer studying how sugar kelp adapts to changing climates, supported by a UROP grant. Last year, UROP funded 578 projects with $1.5M in stipends, inspiring the next generation of researchers.

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Blue Skies Space launched Mauve on November 28 from Vandenberg Space Force Base. Photo via SpaceX/Blue Skies Space

BU astronomer Chuanfei Dong researches a question that’s been asked since antiquity: Could life exist on worlds beyond Earth? Now, he’s helping lead the research arm of a new, private space mission that will look for an answer 🚀

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UROP’s 20th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, held October 13 in the Metcalf Ballroom, showcased the work of scores of undergrad researchers, among them Brett Driben (CAS’18), showing his study, Sequencing Time within a Comics Panel, to John Celenza, new UROP director. Photo by Maddie Malhotra (COM’19)

UROP provides an invaluable research experience for BU students, but not every student's research project can secure the funds it needs. That's why we're calling on you to help us share the importance of research at BU. Sign up to be a UROP advocate ➡️ spr.ly/63326Cfxuq

The Undergraduate Philosophy Association has had tremendous success with crowdfunding, in part because it cares so much about donors

While philosophy isn't the most common major at BU, the Undergraduate Philosophy Association (UPA) is the largest academic club on campus. To make their biggest student-run event of the year possible, UPA turned to student crowdfunding 🙌

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“I tend to write very different books and try not to repeat myself,” says Stewart O’Nan (ENG’83). Novel cover courtesy of Grove Press UK. Photo of O’Nan by Trudie O’Nan

For over 30 years, Stewart O'Nan (ENG'23) has told stories about people often overlooked. His new book, Evensong, follows four women as they navigate aging, friendship, and faith. Bostonia spoke with him about the novel and returning to Boston.

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A 1967 speech by Martin Luther King, Jr decrying “racism, excessive materialism and militarism” is the theme of BU’s 2026 observance of his birthday. Photo by Chick Harrity, File/AP Photo

Today, BU's annual MLK Day observance is inspired by a speech Martin Luther King, Jr. (GRS’55, Hon.’59) gave in 1967: “The Three Evils of Society.” Keynoted by sociologist and artist Eve L. Ewing, the free event will begin at noon at the GSU.

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With most students still away on winter break, the Dugout slipped away with little fanfare, an unceremonious ending for a place that had loomed so large in the social lives of generations of Terriers.

For many, the Dugout Cafe was more than just a bar. For 90 years, the local dive served as a gathering place for Terriers and the surrounding community. After an unceremonious closing in early January, alumni share their memories. Cheers to the Dugout 🍻

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Asia Alumn Forum 2026 - Singapore promotional banner

Registration is open for the 2026 Asia Alumni Forum! March 27–28, join your BU community in Singapore to meet with President Gilliam, celebrate fellow Terriers, and engage with leading voices in innovation, entrepreneurship, and more.

Register now ➡️ spr.ly/63320C0BFE

Stewart Lane (CFA’73) and Bonnie Comley looking at a playbill in a theatre. Photo credit: Chris Sorensen

Tony Award-winning producers Stewart Lane (CFA’73) and Bonnie Comley have pledged a transformative gift supporting future generations of CFA students. Their gift will fund concert hall upgrades and a Musical Theatre Instruction endowment 🎭

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Text: "You are why. A year of ideas, impact, and community-building—driven by a single purpose." over a BU scarlet red background.

In President Gilliam's first year, we've built expertise in convergent research, enabled medical breakthroughs at BMC, elevated the arts on campus, and held BU's community values at the heart of everything we do. Read more in BU's 2025 Annual Report ➡️ spr.ly/63329CIFFV

Two BU students walking down Commonwealth Ave, mid-conversation.

Calling all first-gen grads! Next semester, we're launching the Terrier F1RSTS Student-Alumni Mentoring Experience, but we need volunteers like you! Sign up by tomorrow, January 15, to support first-gen students through virtual mentoring opportunities 🐾

Sign up ➡️ spr.ly/63327CIgRN

Point-Counterpoint, by Russell Jacques (CFA’66), on the BU Beach in the snow. Photo by Cydney Scott

Whether you're team "Point-Counterpoint" or team "whale sculpture," you've got to love the BU Beach's most recognizable feature on a snowy day ❄️

📸: Cydney Scott