Where We Began
Boston College was founded in 1863 by the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) to educate Boston鈥檚 predominantly Irish, Catholic immigrant community. It opened its doors on September 5, 1864, in a building on Harrison Avenue in Boston鈥檚 South End, a 鈥渟mall streetcar college鈥� for commuting students.
When it outgrew the limitations of the space, then-president Rev. Thomas I. Gasson, S.J., bought 31 acres of the former Lawrence Farm in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, and broke ground in 1909 on a new campus, today fondly known as 鈥渢he Heights.鈥�
BC began as an undergraduate liberal arts college, but as its aspirations grew, it added graduate programs and professional schools fulfilling its charter as a university.
Through the decades, Boston College has become an internationally respected research university and a center of academic excellence.
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Where We Are Going
Boston College builds upon its traditions. It seeks to be the national leader in the liberal arts; to fulfill its Jesuit, Catholic mission of faith and service; to continue to develop model programs to support students in their formation; and to seek solutions鈥攁s researchers, educators, leaders, and caregivers鈥攖hat directly address the world鈥檚 most urgent problems.
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Guiding Our Path
Boston College remains committed to leading its students on a comprehensive journey of discovery鈥攐ne that integrates their intellectual, personal, ethical, and religious formation.
Inspiration for Boston College鈥檚 academic and societal mission is drawn from the University鈥檚 distinctive religious and intellectual heritage. As a Jesuit, Catholic University, Boston College is rooted in a world view that calls us to learn, to search for truth, and to live in service to others. To fulfill that mission, we welcome and embrace the contributions of a diverse student body from many faith traditions.
