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Mary Kaye Waldron Award Winner |
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Mary Kaye Waldron Award Winner |
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Taylor wins Waldron Award
BY: TIM CZERWIENSKI
Heights Issue date: 5/4/04
Edward Taylor, a lecturer in the accounting department, received the 2004 Mary Kaye Waldron Award at a dinner in the Heights Room on April 26. Taylor is the ninth recipient of the award, which seeks to honor faculty and staff who have a positive impact on students' lives in and out of the classroom.
"I love it here at Boston College," said Taylor in a brief acceptance speech. "I love it every day in class. I can't say enough about the students." Taylor spoke about how honored he felt to be chosen for the award and how fortunate he was. "How lucky am I to have family and friends, and to be a part of the BC community," he said. "I'll never forget this as long as I live."
The award is named for Mary Kaye Waldron, a BC student who died of cancer in her senior year, 1995. It was established by the Undergraduate Government of Boston College (UGBC) in 1996. Waldron was involved with the Salt and Light Company, the Jenks Leadership Program, and was a manager of the men's basketball team. The award, the only one of its kind chosen entirely by a committee of students, is meant to be awarded to the faculty or staff member who best embodies the spirit Waldron displayed in her time at BC.
The event began with a reception for invited guests, followed by dinner. Stephanie Locatelli, co-director of faculty, administration, and student relations for the UGBC and A&S '06, emceed the event. After her introductory remarks, Jim Waldron, Mary Kaye's father, welcomed those in attendance. He thanked the selection committee, as well a contingent of his daughter's friends who attend the award ceremony each year. Jim then reflected on Taylor, and his relationship to past winners of the award.
"The common thread that runs through all the winners is humility," he said. Following his remarks, a video montage of Waldron's life was presented.
A video about Taylor followed. In it, students and colleagues offered their reflections on Taylor. The award was presented to Taylor by last year's winner, Audrey Friedman, a professor in the Lynch School of Education. "When you meet Ed, you can't help but smile," she said.
Most of the students who talked about Taylor commented on his accessibility in and out of the classroom, and his animated style of teaching.
"Professor Taylor is very enthusiastic, always cracking jokes," said Cecilia Zuger, CSOM '04, who took a class with Taylor during her sophomore year. "Even if you weren't into accounting, you got into his class because he was so interesting," she said. Zuger, who referred to Taylor as her "go-to guy," said that she had come to the dinner from an interview with Reebok, which Taylor helped her prepare for. "I would call him more of a friend than a professor," said Zuger.
Previous winners of the award include Sr. Mary Alyce Gilfeather, assistant dean of LSOE; Ramsey Liem, professor in the psychology department; Dean for Student Development Robert Sherwood; Dan Leahy of Campus Ministry; Dave McMenamin, director of the PULSE Program; and John Cawthorne, associate dean of LSOE.
