Celebrating Jesuit Values at the First Boston College Prison Education Program Graduation

In a powerful and deeply moving ceremony, the Boston College Prison Education Program (BCPEP) celebrated its first graduating class at the Massachusetts Correctional Institute in Shirley, MA (MCI-Shirley) this past September. Three graduates — Alex Delgado, Gregory Saunders and Joel Vasquez — received their diplomas, surrounded by family, fellow students, faculty and supporters. The event not only marked an academic milestone, but also highlighted the profound influence of Jesuit values on the program and its graduates. 

The BCPEP is grounded in the Jesuit tradition of cura personalis, and aims to provide education that helps transform lives and serves the broader community. This commitment was evident throughout the graduation ceremony, where the graduates' reflections on their educational journeys resonated with themes of personal growth, social justice, and the pursuit of truth. 

Jesuit principles were woven into the remarks of Fr. Gustavo Morello, who offered an invocation to begin the ceremony, as well as those of Boston College Provost, David Quigley and Woods College Dean, David Goodman, who emphasized how a liberal arts education is meant not simply to equip students with practical knowledge but to nurture wisdom, integrity, and a deep commitment to the common good. Dean Goodman urged the graduates to embrace life fully, suggesting that the goal of education is not to “make life more manageable” but to open us up to “something greater” — a call to live out the Jesuit ideals of finding God in all things and to work toward a more just world. 

Valedictorian Gregory Saunders’ speech echoed these values as he reflected on the purpose of education. Recalling a conversation with his father, he expressed his realization that true education lies in understanding “why” things work, not just “how.” Graduate Joel Vasquez, who received the BCPEP Social Justice Award, credited the program with helping him redefine his sense of purpose. His organization of a BCPEP event honoring Boston College alumnus Welles Crowther, ’99, who sacrificed his life on 9/11 selflessly helping others, reflects the Jesuit call to recognize shared humanity, even in the most challenging of circumstances. 

Through their achievements, the graduates have not only transformed their own lives but have also become models of leadership and service for their peers. This commencement was a reminder that education grounded in Jesuit values can be a source of hope, transformation, and a bridge toward a more inclusive and compassionate society.

Back to newsletter >>

Would you like to donate to JPEN?

Visit the Jesuits of Central & Southern Province support page to learn more about how you can contribute.

To designate your gift to the Jesuit Prison Education Network, scroll down the webpage to "Donation information" to select a gift amount. Then scroll down to the "Designation" box, click on it, and select JPEN from the drop-down menu.