The whole is greater than the parts

The Issue: Individual leaders are the ones who stand out What we think: Collective efforts make the biggest difference

At a place filled with so many leaders and achievers, picking one standout can be tricky. And so, in selecting this year's Person of the Year, we chose to honor not just one, but five exceptional people, recognizing that sometimes a group's collective strength is as important as those individuals within it.

The senior leaders of Ecopledge, Katherine Walsh, Katie Cava, Jessica Young, Merril Putnam, and Peggy Fox, all A&S '08, have demonstrated just how big an influence a group of determined students can have. Their efforts on campus have put Boston College well on its way toward becoming more sustainable and environmentally conscious. With simple and effective strategies, they have showed that a change doesn't have to be huge to make an impact - little by little, it all adds up.

What puts the ladies of Ecopledge ahead of the rest is the breadth and depth of their accomplishments. From recycling to energy efficiency to local and organic foods, no area of improvement is left untouched. These women have the ideas, the knowledge, the leadership, and the follow-through required to get things done from every angle.

There was the recycling issue. With so much waste generated on campus, and student laziness or ignorance often getting in the way of change, Ecopledge took the helm and simplified things. Enlisting the help of Dining Services and Facilities Management, these women made sure recycling receptacles were added to residence halls and dining halls.

They actively encouraged students to choose reusable containers and to dine on china rather than to-go boxes. McElroy saw a complete overhaul of its tray-return and trash area, with recycling "stations" clearly delineating where each type of item should go. And BC placed 14th in a nationwide recycling contest, Recyclemania, marking a continued improvement from last year.

Then there was the energy question. Computers, cell phone chargers, printers, and stereos are all inevitable energy drains on a college campus, when something as easy as turning off the lights could help solve this problem. Enter EcoPledge. Combined with other organizations on campus, these women have led grassroots campaigns to encourage students to keep in mind their energy usage. Our honorees have also replaced over 600 conventional bulbs with the lower-emission compact fluorescent bulbs, once again striving to effect small change wherever they can, even in the face of extreme odds.

There was Earth Day - an environmentalists' bazaar with activities and information to engage students in issues of sustainability. With booths on vegan and vegetarianism, gardening techniques, recycling strategies, and other conservation methods, these ladies once again went above and beyond the call of duty, merging fun with fact in a way that was truly commendable.

There were many other achievements, most notably the promotion of Dierdre Manning to director of sustainability and energy management.

The creation of an organic garden, the petition in which over 1,300 students urged continued sustainability, the winning of a conservation grant - for all these accomplishments, Ecopledge's leaders deserve applause.

But most of all, there was leadership. How better to explain how a club morphs from a handful of five passionate individuals to a listserv of over 300 in a matter of a few years? Who else to thank for this bouquet of ideas that has taken campus into an era of environmental consciousness?

Our hats are off to you, senior women of Ecopledge. You've earned two very big green thumbs up.

Of course, we would be remiss not to recognize the other extraordinary achievements of people in the BC community.

From film to fellowships, science to sexual ethics, there is no shortage of movers and shakers on this campus. The Heights honored seven of the most notable with "Genius Awards" - individuals who have achieved something particularly "genius worthy" and have displayed exceptional talent.

Take Adrienne Leslie, for example, whose documentary explored the faces behind the counters at Dining Services. It opened up a realm of humanity that urged students to think twice about how they treat the employees who serve them. It reminded us all that the cooks, cashiers, and custodial staff are as much a part of the community as anyone else.

Then look at men's head hockey coach Jerry York. Not only does he have one of the best records in coaching history, he offers inspiration to his players both on and off the rink. He led this year's team to a national championship and Beanpot victory, and he showed that with determination and talent even the underdog can succeed.

Or how about Zhifeng Ren? His work in nanotechnology has earned national recognition in the scientific community, not only for its sheer breakthrough, but for its applicability to energy systems.

Then there's Celso Perez, who has brought the question of sexual ethics' place in Catholicism to the discussion table. Through various events and speakers, Perez has created a way for students and theologians alike to explore various conceptions of sexuality in an academic setting.

And who can forget Michael Resler, the chairman of the German studies department, who has been a mentor and adviser to the countless students successfully applying for Fulbright Scholarships? He has taken one of BC's smallest programs and transformed it into a veritable fellowship powerhouse.

Of course there's also Cate Prefontaine - feminist, activist, and dancer, to name a few roles. Her drive to support women's studies and health initiatives on campus has contributed to greater awareness and responsiveness at BC. With strength and insight, she has cultivated a community of students and faculty sensitive to women's issues on campus.