The Boisi Center for Religion and American Public Life

Today marks the 161st anniversary of Juneteenth, the oldest commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States.

On June 19, 1865 in Galveston, Texas, Union Major General Gordon Granger announced all enslaved people were free. Although the Emancipation Proclamation had been issued more than years prior, this moment signaled a profound step toward justice and remains a definitive turning point in the American story. Over the last century and a half, Juneteenth has evolved into a powerful day of reflection and celebration.

Our spring 2026 newsletter is now available on our website

https://www.bc.edu/content/dam/bc1/centers/Boisi/2026/Spring%202026%20newsletter%20final.pdf

Congratulations to one of the Boisi Center’s Religion and Public Life minors on an amazing accomplishment! Bravo, Ryan!

Characterized by instructors and advisors as a scholar who demonstrated a rare combination of intellectual rigor, servant leadership, and moral purpose, Ryan Milligan is the recipient of the 2026 Edward H. Finnegan, S.J., Award as the graduating senior who best exemplifies Boston College’s motto, “Ever to Excel.”

The Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences graduate was presented with the honor by University President William P. Leahy, S.J., at the University's Commencement Exercises. https://on.bc.edu/RyanMilligan

A reception, hosted by the Boisi Center for Religion and American Public Life, was held on Monday, May 4 to honor the Religion and Public Life Minors class of 2026 as well as celebrate the nine year directorship of Mark Massa, S.J. The room was filled with current and former students, friends, and colleagues.

A slideshow presentation, consisting of event advertisements as well as event photos, curated by the Boisi Center staff was a major hit, providing a visual journey through Mark’s nearly decade-long impact on the Boisi Center.

The slideshow is currently available on the Boisi Center’s YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/dowO4Ns97E8

David Buckley, associate professor of political science and the Paul Weber Endowed Chair in Politics, Science, and Religion at the University of Louisville, has been named director of Boston College’s Boisi Center for Religion and American Public Life effective this summer.

https://www.bc.edu/content/bc-web/sites/bc-news/articles/2026/spring/david-buckley-named-boisi-center-director.html?q

As part of the Boisi Center’s 25th Anniversary celebration last fall, here is a slideshow created that contains photos of our invited speakers for Boisi Center events. Also included are photos of former (and current) staff, students, and visiting scholars.

https://youtu.be/X3IXZNusON8?si=-EZvn3xiVLfqMwDk

ICYMI: Dmytro Vovk spoke at a recent luncheon colloquium on the topic of “President Zelensky, Religion, and the War.” His presentation has been uploaded to our YouTube channel.

https://youtu.be/NF_5cTOpcUI

ICYMI: Dennis Wieboldt III presented his research at a luncheon colloquium titled “William Bentley Ball and the ‘Century of Struggle’ for School Choice.” His presentation has been uploaded to our YouTube channel.

https://youtu.be/5_EnLz5GMBg

ICYMI: Paul Elie recently delivered our 7th Annual Wolfe Lecture on Religion and American Politics with Kim Garcia (BC English) as respondent. His lecture titled, “To the Margins: Francis, Leo, and the Crypto-Religious 1980s,” has been uploaded to our YouTube channel.

https://youtu.be/qBMwojnO1Xc

ICYMI: Dr. Megan Loumagne Ulishney presented her current research in a luncheon colloquium titled “Theology in the Wild: Finding God in Nature with Wild Churches.” Her presentation has been uploaded to our YouTube channel.

https://youtu.be/7N7Pno_-6Ds