Boston College’s AID

Contact: Mary Duggan

Public Relations Coordinator
(617) 777-0606 Cell
dugganmj@bc.edu

Boston College’s Americans for Informed

Democracy Presents:

AID

The Last Lecture Series

FACT SHEET

Boston College’s AID

Contact: Mary Duggan
AID Public Relations Coordinator
(617) 777-0606 Cell
dugganmj@bc.edu

The Last Lecture Series

Description: A series of lectures where top academics are asked to reflect on what
wisdom they would try to impart on the world if it was their last chance.

History: The hypothetical “final talk” is modeled after Carnegie Mellon computer
science professor Randy Pausch’s bestselling book “The Last Lecture”.
Universities around the nation have asked their own professors to share with
students their responses to the question. The Last Lecture Series debuted at
Boston College on November 18, 2008, when Rev. Michael Himes addressed
an audience of nearly 1000.

When: Reoccurring every semester at Boston College. The next lecture date is TBA.

How: The Last Lecture Series is sponsored by the Boston College student group
Americans for Informed Democracy (AID). The AID president Michael
Madormo (madormo@bc.edu) heads the program.

Why: AID’s Last Lecture Series aims at inspiring students and professors alike to
reflect on what is important in their lives, and what they wish to share with the
world.

Who: Any Boston College professor. Students are free to nominate prospective
speakers at AID meetings, or at the Last Lecture Series Facebook Group-
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=40433022236

Where: Boston College campus. The next lecture location is TBA

News Release

Boston College’s AID

Contact: Mary Duggan
AID Public Relations Coordinator
(617) 777-0606 Cell
dugganmj@bc.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AID Carries The Last Lecture Series to Boston College

Chestnut Hill, MA – November 19, 2008 – Last night Boston College’s student-run

organization Americans For Informed Democracy (AID), debuted its new program entitled

The Last Lecture Series. The Last Lecture Series is modeled after an ongoing series of

lectures where top academics are asked to reflect on what final piece of wisdom they would

tell their students if it was their last chance. Boston College theology professor Reverend

Michael Himes delivered his lecture to an audience of nearly 1000 in the Yawkey Center

Murray Function Room. The Boston College student response to the lecture was

overwhelming, with all 600 Murray Room chairs filled 20 minutes before the event’s 8:30pm

commencement.

Rev. Michael Himes is one of most prominent professors at Boson College, earning Teacher

of the Year at BC in 2002. Every year his classes, including, Approaches to Faith, and

Introduction to Christian Theology, are of the first to fill up. Reverend Himes has taught at

Boston College for many years, all the while posing questions to his students and probing

them to connect readings to their daily lives.

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AID Debuts The Last Lecture Series –2-

When the tables were turned on him, Himes rose to the challenge of answering the ultimate

question. He attested that what he has learned through the years is the truth of a gospel

scripture. Himes told his audience, “If you hold onto your life then you lose it, but if you

give your life away, it becomes everlasting life”. Himes continued that “the gift of oneself to

another”, through friendship, sharing experiences, and listening to other people, is the best

way to understand life.

The Last Lecture Series was a major initiative for the Americans For Informed Democracy in

encouraging conversation between generations and between people of all viewpoints. Rev.

Michael Himes’ reflection coincided perfectly with AID’s value of “asking the right

questions”. AID focuses its efforts on opening dialogue about issues in the world, not on

pushing a specific agenda. The next speaker in the Last Lecture Series has yet to be selected,

but will be someone from the Boston College faculty with a very different background from

Rev. Michael Himes. AID president Michael Madormo emphasized the openness and

diversity of the series. “We want to keep the energy high and throw in someone completely

different, maybe an art, or a science professor”. The Last Lecture Series has excited Boston

College students and faculty alike, challenging them to reflect on what message would be

their final one to share.

ABOUT AID:

The Americans For Informed Democracy is a non-partisan group that seeks to inspire a new

generation of internationalist leaders. AID is a program-based student organization open to

all who wish to provoke dialogue about issues that are important to them. The mission is to

ultimately increase global understanding and consciousness by broadening the set of issues

discussed in relation to the role of the US role in the world.

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Feature Story

Boston College’s AID

Contact: Mary Duggan
AID Public Relations Coordinator
(617) 777-0606 Cell
dugganmj@bc.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

College Students Seek Directional Wisdom

Boston, MA – November 24, 2008 - The graduating class of students is thinking hard of what

they are thankful for this Thanksgiving season. Life as they know it is changing and the

world they are embarking on is in a depressive state. Many students are wondering where

their talents will grow within a shrinking job market. Through the popular program, The Last

Lecture Series, students are turning to their professors for hope and advice. This ongoing

lecture series has spread from universities across the country, posing the question to top

academics, “what wisdom would you try to impart to the world if it was your final chance?”.

Carnegie Melon Professor Randy Pausch initiated the lecture idea shortly after he was

diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The Last Lecture Series recently reached Boston College,

through the sponsorship of the student group Americans For Informed Democracy (AID).

The call for worldly advice is louder than ever among college seniors, proven by nearly 1000

students attending the inaugural lecture at Boston College. Students are looking for more

than classroom knowledge from their professors as the economy hits a low and job security is

a term of the past.

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Last Lecture Series Wisdom –2-

Boston College seniors are not reluctant to express their fears of the future. “It has been a

continuous stream of interviews. A lot of companies are just not hiring,” said Finance senior

John Adlerburt. “I am looking at grad schools because it’s crazy to join the market now,”

added Communications senior Terry Bradford. Students are exploring alternative routes for

their post-college years than they had previously planned for. “I want to join the Peace Corp

and work towards improving the state of the world”, stated another Boston College senior,

Maria Longorio. Still, many young adults are confused and anxious about what direction the

coming year will bring.

One group of Boston College students has taken a proactive approach in improving the

current state of affairs in the United States. The student group, Americans For Informed

Democracy, aims at inspiring a new generation of internationalist leaders. AID programs,

such as the Last Lecture Series, provoke dialogue and action for important issues, which

empower the students to change their own dissatisfactions with the world. One student who

attended the Boston College Last Lecture inaugural said, “Father Himes’ talk really inspired

me to prioritize what is important to me, and what causes I want to live for”.

The nation-spreading Last Lecture Series is helping students turn their anxiety into reflection.

College seniors may be overly aware of the flaws within the American system, so that it takes

hypothetical final words and experienced wisdom to undertake the opportunity for change.

-###-
November 23, 2008
The Boston Globe
Features Section

Dear Mr. Agrella,

The college senior class currently sits in a position novel to any to any preceding graduating
class. The job market is unstable, the economy is low, and global issues seem irrevocably
unhopeful. A nation-wide event entitled “The Last Lecture Series” has finally reached one of
Boston’s most prominent schools, Boston College. The series of lectures is from top
academics reflecting on what wisdom they would pass onto the world if it were their last
opportunity. The popularity of the Last Lecture Series speaks of student fear to embark into
the troubled world.

The article reveals the unheard student perspective on how the failing U.S. economy is
affecting their lives. The recent Presidential Election has illustrated the power of the college
generation and its united desire to be heard. The article gives voice to the college generation
and addresses issues that are in need of attention.

The Last Lecture Series debut at Boston College gives a local angle of a national
phenomenon. Personal student accounts reflect how the nation’s youth generation is seeking
advice for how to leave their mark on the world.

The inaugural Last Lecture was given at Boston College by the well-known professor and
author Rev. Michael Himes. Nearly 1000 students gathered on campus to hear his
experienced advice. Opportunities to speak with Rev. Himes can be arranged. Information
about the student group Americans for Informed Democracy, which sponsored the Last
Lecture Series at Boston College, is also available. I will send details of the next Boston
College Last lecture when they become available. Thank you for your time, I hope you
consider this story.

Please feel free to call or email me with any questions.

(617) 777-0606 Cell
dugganmj@bc.edu

Sincerely,

Mary Duggan
Boston College’s AID
Public Relations Coordinator
President Biography

Boston College’s AID

Contact: Mary Duggan
AID Public Relations Coordinator
(617) 777-0606 Cell
dugganmj@bc.edu

Americans for Informed Democracy

President Michael Madormo, Boston College 2009

Boston College International Studies senior Michael Madormo proudly holds the title of AID

president. The student-run non-partisan group, Americans for Informed Democracy (AID),

aims at increasing global understanding by broadening the discussion of international issues

amongst the student body. Madormo has been an active member of AID all four years of his

college career. He first claimed a leadership position in the group as treasurer in his

sophomore year. Madormo then rose to serve as vice-president for the first semester of his

junior year, while traveling abroad to London for the second semester. Madormo has

managed to increase group membership as well as initiate new programs, all within his first

semester of presidency.

Madormo was first drawn to AID by its openness and its neutrality within the political

spectrum. “I had not yet picked a political side and appreciated AID’s acceptance of ranging

viewpoints,” said Madormo. AID does not push a political agenda but values conversation

and inquiry above all else. “I just love to talk about issues. I will talk with whoever is

willing and about whatever is important to them. Building awareness through conversation is

key to implementing change,” stated Madormo.

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AID President Michael Madormo-2-

AID’s call for social awareness and responsibility also coincides with Madormo’s activities

and goals. He is involved with other programs on campus including the service trip

Appalachia program. Madormo also volunteers for Boston College’s Student Admission

Program in his free time. The senior’s career objectives are not yet determined but he speaks

of “working for Teach For America”.

The Boston College Americans for Informed Democracy group is thriving with Michael

Madormo’s leadership. The group now has eight counsel members who periodically meet

and take initiatives on new programs. AID has over 30 committed members as well as 1000

listerv participants. Madormo proudly reflects that “this is the most participation I have seen

in my four years”. The AID President is continuing to spread awareness of the group and

take on new programs.

Boston College’s AID
Contact: Mary Duggan
AID Public Relations Coordinator
(617) 777-0606 Cell
dugganmj@bc.edu

Photos From the Inaugural Last Lecture Help to Tell The AID Story

Rev. Michael Himes collaborates with Nearly 1,000 BC students gather to hear Himes
AID President to launch the Last Lecture Series

AID President Michael Madormo introduces Rev. Michael Himes at the inaugural Last Lecture
On November 19th in Boston College’s Yawkey Center Murray Function Room